3 Foods Cafe

Adventurous food, first class service, and Monty Python references. The place is called 3 Foods Cafe, “an experiment in love and beauty”, as their website claims. The experiment is going well, I think, and I hope they can continue to add variables and scenarios for a long time to come.

I just have fun at this place every time I go. It's fun to order something called “the Dark and Gruesome” , or the “What the?”. I especially enjoy the “How do I eat this?”. Believe me, if you're brave enough to try, you will be rewarded.

This is when I try to explain or describe their food to give you an idea of what to expect. I can't. I just can't. How does one categorize macaroni and cheese with bacon and apples? What genre of delicious does a bowl of spices served with pita bread and olive oil fit in? Not just any spices mind you- some crazy concoction that makes you want to live a love story in the far east. So, I'll leave the food description at Yummy! and move on to ambiance.

There's a story in the building, though I've forgotten the details. You certainly get a feeling of the story from the back wall, covered in old varnished redwood. It once looked down on machinery, men working in dirt and grease, I think. Now, the enormously tall wall graciously glows on happy diners, bouncing their animated voices back to them.

Yeah, that's a bit of a bummer. While the look and feel of the place is lovely and unique, it is rather loud. That and hard seats are the only drawbacks I've discovered. But, I'm more than willing to “endure” such “hardships” for a tall glass of lavender lemonade, or a big ol' chocolate mandarin martini (made with Soju) while I await my next adventure to be served to me on a plate!

I know times are still hard, and it may be difficult to justify dinner out. Luckily, 3 Foods falls in the affordable range for most people. The menu items range from $3 to $13. Tuesdays is their $5 all you can eat spaghetti night. That's a fair price to pay to nurture your body and soul.

3 Foods Cafe

Behind the Co-Op on J st, Arcata

822-WISH

Surfside Burger Shack

I heard about a new burger joint, so I thought, why not? I like burgers. So off to the Surfside Burger Shack we went. The sign on the door said “Home of the ½ lb Burger”. I thought that meant there was a ½ lb burger on the menu for those who were really hungry. I was wrong. Their hamburgers have a half a pound of grass fed ground beef hand formed into a patty, slapped in a bun of matching proportions, and complimented by fresh produce of your choice (I chose everything). That’s a lot of hamburger. Then, they have the double. I’m just not carnivorous enough for that.
The service was friendly, the wait just a little long. That was OK though, they make up for it with the Ms. Pac Man table game and Star Wars pinball machine. They have a jukebox with a selection that’ll take you back to when Ms. Pac Man was everywhere. There were prints on the wall from a local artist I enjoyed. It is a bit crowded in there, with Subway Sandwich-style benches and table (it’s located in the old Subway on 5th). That’ll keep me from lingering too long there, but I don’t think that’s really the point to this place anyway.
While the burgers were big and fresh, they were just a little bland. I’m sure there are plenty of folks who enjoy their ground beef straight, but I found myself wishing they had some sort of “Surfside Secret Spice” that livened up the grass-fed beef a bit.
They have lots of options on their menu, and I saw a pile of onion rings on someone else’s plate that impressed me. So, I’ll be going back to see what else they have to offer. They are definitely worth another chance. I heard Papa Houli will be playing there Sat. June 6th 2-5pm. There’s as good an excuse as any to try a Gardenburger with bacon and see what beer they have on tap.

Burgers in the $6-8 range, with combo prices.
5th &F, Eureka

Aztec Grill

The pressure was on- we had an incredibly small window between chores and social obligation, and our cupboards were as bare as old Mother Hubbard’s. No time to shop, no time to wait, we cruised up Broadway, desperately wracking our brains for a place to get a cheap and quick bite, without resorting to actual fast food. My husband, quick thinker that he is, pulled into the Chevron gas station. Of course! No, not corn chips and a soda- a quesadilla for me and burrito for my darling, please.
Aztec Grill was just what we needed that evening. Their rice is usually dry, and the beans are mediocre, but I always like the main dish. Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, are all just fine for an inexpensive, quick bite. And, as far as I can tell, they’re all the same. I stop at the one in Willits on road trips, and I used to stop at the Trinidad one for their ready-made breakfast burrito when I worked in that direction.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s no gourmet Mexican hacienda, but reliable, fast, and much better than the usual “fast food”.

Gallagher's Irish Pub & Restaurant

You know how you get a song stuck in your head, and you can’t stop thinking about it until you hear it? Well, that happens to me with meals too. Recently, the food that got stuck in my head was fish and chips. Who better to help me out than Gallagher's!
I always enjoy a visit to Old Town’s Irish pub. I know I’m going to get good food in good quantities, and Guinness on tap. The regular fish and chips are a great stand-by, and recently they had their Halibut version available. It’s a few bucks more, but worth it in my book.
Mmmm…halibut…
OK, I’m back. I’ve gotten through most of their menu over the years, and almost every meal has been flavorful and satisfying. This is where I was going to list some of the items I’ve tried, but it’d be easier if you just check out the menu yourself. I know there have been a few times that I’ve been mildly disappointed with the food, or the service has been slow- but that’s been over the course of 10 years or better. As far as I’m concerned, everyone gets an off night or two. I still look forward to trying something new, or falling back on an old favorite.
They have a great Irish theme without getting gimmicky. The atmosphere is welcoming, the service friendly. They have a full bar, but I’ll be honest, I’ve only had the Guinness. For non-alcoholic drinks (sometimes, it’s my turn to drive), they have one of the best lemonades I’ve had in a restaurant. They’ve recently upgraded the seating in the back to bigger, comfier chairs.
If the subtle Gaelic overtone just isn’t enough for you, be sure to stop by on Thursdays, when they bring out a special menu and live Irish music. My favorite from that menu is the Shepherd’s Pie. And of course, it’s a great place to go for St. Patty’s Day.

Entrees range from $9 -$25.
At the Eagle House, 139 2nd St, Eureka

Pho’ Thiên Long Vietnamese Restaurant

Everything I know about Vietnam I learned in public high school. That should tell you I know very little, and it’s probably wrong. So, I don’t have the slightest idea what Vietnamese food is supposed to be like. If the food served at this restaurant is any indication, then the Vietnamese have a good thing going.

The service was prompt and friendly, the décor mellow and cozy, and the seating was comfy (we were in a booth). The seating in any place is important enough to warrant its own comment. I like to linger, and if my butt falls asleep, I find it difficult to focus on the food or company. I also liked the way the menu was put together. While it can be fun to look for classic “engrish”, I found this well organized, clearly written and descriptive menu to be a great help in choosing a food adventure.

I had the Vermicelli Noodle Bowl with Grilled Lemongrass Chicken. It was tasty and crunchy, and the “Nuoc Mam” – a sauce served on the side- added just the right sweet and sour. I also tried the “Soda Xi Muoi”; salted plums in club soda. I really, really, wanted to like it. There was a lot of salt though, and I couldn’t finish it. I will try again though. Some tastes are worth acquiring.

My fellow adventurer had the BBQ pork and eggroll rice plate, with a glass of coconut juice (including slices of coconut!). When I asked him how it was, there was lots of nodding and chewing and a thumbs up.

If you’re worried about too much hot spice, don’t; it’s on the table in unmarked bottles. You can leave it there, or slather it on your plate. I don’t know how traditional that is, and I don’t care. It’s the best way for my wimpy palate and my fire-eating husband to enjoy the same entrée.

Their menu is pretty long, and I look forward to working my way through it. With prices ranging from $6 to $11 per entrée, it’s an indulgence within my relatively restricted means.

615 F St, Eureka. Across from the Eureka Theater.
Have you eaten there? Share your adventure in the comments!