Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I'm with downtownstef on the lack of Jocko's.

Santa Maria barbecue is pretty much a staple across the California central coast. My brother lives in SLO and my parents are moving up to the area as well - you'd be hard pressed to find a home or a city/county park without a Santa Maria style grill.

It's all about tri-tip, though.

Food-wise, some really high quality sushi.

However, what I really want is a job - I was laid off in August (I have a graduate degree) and have been working menial jobs to stay afloat, as I refuse to file for unemployment. My boyfriend, who also lives with me, has a BSN and just found a job but can't start until mid-January. So, my lowly $250-300/week is supporting 2 people right now.

That said, I'm thankful for my health, my loving relationship, and the amazing meals I've been able to conjure up on a very limited budget.

Happy Holidays, SEers!

When my mom made stuffing, she always used King's Hawaiian sweet bread, and it's what I use today - but then again, I grew up in the city where King's Hawaiian has their main production center...

Oh, and I forgot about Lee's Sandwiches (CA, AZ, TX). The McDonald's of banh mi shops. So damn tasty, though.

I'm with POM - I cannot stand the smell of the store - I think it's the bread, but whatever it is, I get a horrendous headache anytime I go in.

I haven't been into a Subway in about 4 years, and I'm 28. Blah.

On the Big Island, if you're in Hilo, my boyfriend (who went to UH-Hilo a few years back) recommends the following:

1) Ken's House of Pancakes. His opinion of the best loco moco on the island, and a great place for any sort of breakfast option.

2) For fish, the Seaside Restaurant in Hilo is tasty. http://www.seasiderestaurant.com Note: Not to be confused with the Seaside Hotel restaurant.

3) Cafe Pesto is a nice restaurant, often voted as the best restaurant on the Big Island. They do Hawaiian inspired Italian food.

4) If you want to eat like a local, try the Hilo Lunch Shop or Nori's Saimin and Snacks.

5) K's Drive In has the 'most delightfully greasy' chicken katsu on the Big Island.

Hope this helps, and enjoy your trip!

I really love the other Xylish flavors moreso than Hyper Cool and Crystal Mint - my favorites are the Muscat Mint and Grapefruit Mint.

Do they have a masala for SPAM?

The only ones I've had involved Everclear...oh college.

I'd love to try the ones in this book!

...and this is why I don't live in Phoenix. Too many crazy people.

Collard greens. We just can't make them quite like they do in the South.

Actually, you don't need a car at all - Santa Clara county has a fantastic light rail and bus system that makes it very easy to get around. Look up Santa Clara County VTA.

And you would be wrong about sushi and 'Latin' food in SJ - your best bet is Vietnamese. Korean BBQ is not bad, either. At no point have I been impressed with any sort of Mexican food in the South Bay, but then again, I live in Tucson now. Sushi can be hit or miss, depending on where you go. There are some decent places in Japantown (a light rail stop plus a short walk), and on Sunday mornings they have a nice farmers market down there.

Don't expect much in the way of food carts, they don't really exist.

That said, I do not know much about specific places anymore - I have not lived in San Jose for almost 3 years now, and it has been 1.5 years since I have had a serious visit.