Food | Hum Plate

Michael Evenson and Xuanli “Shirley” Hao serving Hong Kong boba tea.

Dumplings and Tea at the Carwash

By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on March 31, 2023 at 11:58AM

Even in a rainy month, Auto Spa in McKinleyville still sees a little traffic since the bright blue Auntie Hao’s truck is parked out front Thursday through Saturday (1642 Holly Drive). The trim menu of Chinese crepes, dumplings, fried noodles and tea stands out amid bumper-to-bumper taco and sandwich trucks, and it’s likely the only one with a punch-card that gets you a free carwash.

Arrivederci, La Trattoria

By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on March 30, 2023 at 12:57PM

After 21 years, Jim Becker and Patricia Cambianica, husband and wife owners of La Trattoria in Sunny Brae, are bidding farewell, shuttering the little restaurant after service Saturday, April 1. this weekend," Becker says.

A deep-dish Chicago pizza straight from the oven at Brett's Pizzeria.

The Wild Midwest

By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on March 21, 2023 at 11:36AM

There’s a lot going on at Overtime Eatery and Games. In the lot, where the old Angelo’s sign still stands, noodle bowls are steaming from the red Nou Nou’s truck.

Hearty Indian mee goreng from Curry Leaf.

Curry Leaf's Fire-Breathing Woks

By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on February 3, 2023 at 8:00AM

The opening of Curry Leaf (2335 Fourth St., Eureka) in the former location of Gonsea is happy news for fans of noodles of many stripes but especially fried. There is more on the menu — a lot more, in fact, as the pan-Asian offerings span from kimchi fried rice to Malaysian curries to tempura and walnut shrimp, all before you read the specials board — but even co-owner Joe Tan, when pressed, will steer you to the fried noodles.

Double Dipping at El Chipotle

By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on January 31, 2023 at 6:13PM

If you came to El Chipotle (850 Crescent Way, Arcata) in the mood for a torta, the prize specimen isn’t listed with the others served on bolillo rolls. Flip to the house specialties page of the menu to find the showstopper pambazo.

Rosio Lopez of Los Giles Taqueria passes food to volunteer Amber Bowlds.

Food Trucks and World Central Kitchen to the Rescue

By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on December 24, 2022 at 2:41PM

Three-year-old Leilani Valverde held a partly unwrapped burrito sideways in both hands, took a bite out of the middle and came up smiling. According to her father, Christian Valverde, who brought her with him to the Rio Dell fire department Thursday morning, it was her first hot meal in two days, ever since a 6.4 magnitude earthquake near Ferndale knocked out power and water to their home.

Guy Fieri and his crew filming at his free barbecue lunch for veterans and first responders during the Humboldt County Fair this past summer.

'Guy's Hometown: From Ferndale to Flavortown' to Air

By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on December 24, 2022 at 9:39AM

It's a Humboldt-heavy month at the Food Network. First it was Big Island Kine's feature on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, and now a special Guy's Hometown: From Ferndale to Flavortown episode is scheduled to air at 9 p.m. on Dec. 30.

The Yamamoto family, Isaiah, Echo, Renee and Ender, with Guy Fieri at center.

Big Island Kine on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives

By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on December 7, 2022 at 11:39AM

Guy Fieri fans and poké enthusiasts, you'll want to tune in for this week's episode of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, when the Humboldt-raised host features local food truck Big Island Kine. The episode "Burgers, Bowls and Bangers" airs Friday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, Saturday, Dec. 24.

Bob's Footlong's Comeback

By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on December 5, 2022 at 2:03PM

After 72 years in business, Bob’s Footlong, beloved hot dog haunt of teens and truckers alike, shut its doors November of 2021. But like the chili stains on a shirtfront, it seems it wasn’t gone for good.

Oberon Plans its Final Weeks

By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on December 1, 2022 at 11:08AM

Nicholas Kohl, owner of Old Town's Oberon Grill, has announced the restaurant will close its doors for good after December. The business will be open through at least Dec. 31, during which time he and the staff will be juggling one last round of holiday parties.

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