Hilmar
Hilmar, CA · Lifestyle
KMPH.com
Veterans Day events and discounts for Valley vets
FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Wednesday, Nov. 11th is Veterans Day, a time for us to pay our respects to those who have served to protect our freedoms. Below are a few events happening to show appreciation for their service and sacrifice. Many local and national restaurants and retailers also...
fresnoland.org
Has Mike’s Grill changed? 17 years on, Fresno’s tri-tip sandwich master says no.
One of Fresno’s best sandwiches comes from one of its smallest restaurants. That was just one discovery from our recent search for the best tri-tip sandwich in Fresno. Mike’s Grill on Cedar just south of Herndon occupies a 150-square-foot kiosk that looks like a former Fotomat, and actually began as a Lehman’s Lock and Safe (and later became a Cingular Wireless). But for 17 years, they’ve been serving what some may consider Fresno’s best tri-tip sandwich.
fastfoodclub.com
Enchilada Combo Plates Keep Regulars Coming Back For 20-Plus Years To This Family-Owned Fresno, California Spot
Some families pass down recipes, and some pass down a standing lunch order at the same Fresno restaurant. On the east side of town, one family-owned Mexican kitchen has kept the same crowd loyal for more than two decades, and the enchilada combo plate sits right at the center of that loyalty.
The Fresno Bee
Celebrating Diwali in Fresno County? Find events, fireworks and shopping deals
From temples and gurdwaras to local grocery stores, the Fresno area is gearing up for Diwali, the South Asian festival of lights . Worldwide, nearly 1 billion people across Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities celebrate Diwali , which falls on Sunday, Nov. 8. For the nearly 24,000 Indian residents living In the Fresno metropolitan area , the holiday holds deep religious and cultural significance. Celebrations across California and the county will feature traditional prayers, festive shopping deals and public firework displays. How is Hindu temple observing Diwali in Fresno? During Diwali, worshipers gather at local temples and gurdwaras to offer prayers and share meals, many of them dressed in traditional attire. A representative for BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Fresno, said the Hindu temple will remain open all day Sunday for devotees and visitors. For Hindus, Diwali symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. “The holiday commemorates the return of Lord Rama and his wife Sita to their kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana, leading townspeople to light clay lamps (known as diyas) to guide their path home,” The Washington Post reported. How does Sikh community celebrate holiday? In the Sikh community,
YourCentralValley.com
Local flavors take over Chukchansi Park
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Taco Truck Throwdown 15 took over Chukchansi Park on Saturday, showcasing the best the Central Valley has to offer. The event started back in 2011. Event co-founder and President of Fresno Street Eats Mike Oz says the first instance of the Taco Truck Throwdown featured only 7 trucks. Taco Truck Throwdown […]
The Fresno Bee
Why this restaurant's name is confusing people. Tacos El Gordo is now open in Fresno
The name of a new Fresno restaurant is causing some drivers to do a double take when they pass it. Tacos El Gordo opened in late September on Ashlan Avenue, next to Save Mart near Cedar Avenue. But it’s not that Tacos El Gordo. To explain, the Tacos El Gordo many people in central California are familiar with is the one that started in San Diego and has several locations in Las Vegas. One, on the Las Vegas Strip is open until 4 a.m. and has a huge rotating trompo in the window roasting meat for al pastor tacos. “That’s super popular,” customer Deron Walker of Fresno said. “There’s a lot of people (who) know it. It’s a whole experience.” Lines are separated by what meat customers want on their tacos . That’s not what opened in Fresno. Our Tacos El Gordo is a locally owned restaurant named after the owner who got the nickname El Gordo when he was working at all the Toledo’s Mexican Restaurants locations. Cashier Laura Contreras has fielded questions about the name. “We’re not associated with them at all,” she said. “I like to always say we’re better than them. That’s a strong statement, but
POLLSTAR
Dru Hill Sets 2027 “History Of R&B” Tour
Dru Hill has announced their 2027 “The History of R&B Tour.” Universal Attractions Agency’s Adam Zagor and Joel Brandes booked the tour exclusively. The new trek is “a high-impact, multimedia concert experience powered by cinematic production that will bring audiences the iconic hits and era-defining moments of R&B’s musical journey, plus their own hits, in a bold, immersive live experience,” a press release reads. The all-new live experience premieres on Jan. 16, at the Tachi Palace Casino Resort in Fresno, then hits casinos and theaters nationwide, including Yaamava, Foxwoods Resort, Paramount Baltimore, and Texas Trust CU Theatre.
The Fresno Bee
These Fresno businesses can prepare your family's holiday meal. Here's how it works
A frozen turkey can take several days to thaw, and then several more hours (or longer) to cook. For people who don’t have that kind of time, or who would rather spend it enjoying the company of their family and friends, restaurants and grocery stores around the Central Valley are offering catered holiday meals. Aaron Nielsen, the owner of Southern Hospitality Co. , has been offering catered holiday meals for the last eight years. His catered meals are à la carte, so people can pick and choose which dishes they want to order, as opposed to a set meal. Southern Hospitality Co. offers traditional turkey and honey baked spiral ham, as well as full assortment of sides like parmesan and bacon butter brussels sprouts, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls and a $22 pumpkin pie. All orders have a $150 minimum, and the cut-off day to order a Thanksgiving meal from Southern Hospitality is the Monday before Thanksgiving. “I get phone calls the day of,” Nielsen said. Southern Hospitality Co. offers delivery or pickup options on Thanksgiving, which not all places do. Phoenician Garden , which also offers holiday catering, is closed on Thanksgiving, so it tells customers to have
midvalleytimes.com
Exchange a ‘Pint for Pancakes’ at local blood centers
CENTRAL VALLEY – The Central California Blood Center is bringing back its second annual Pint for Pancakes campaign, partnering with Huckleberry’s and Black Bear Diner to give the community a delicious reason to donate blood this holiday season. From Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, all blood donors who...
The Fresno Bee
Coffee shop at Fresno's Campus Pointe adds something different. See the new store
Inside Look is a Fresno Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories. Running a coffee shop wasn’t enough. So Sumer Rasheed, co-owner of Collect Coffee Bar , decided to open a store next to her coffee shop at Campus Pointe at Fresno State selling some of her favorite things. And it’s not just a store. It’s an experience. Customers can go olive oil tasting. They can make their own perfumes and candles. Children can blow off steam in a kids play area while their parents shop or sip a latte. And more interactive features are coming soon. The store, called Zaytoona , will celebrate its grand opening from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m Saturday. If Zaytoona sounds familiar, it’s because Rasheed and her husband, Jamal Taha, used to run a store of the same name at River Park. It closed several years ago. Now it’s reopen — with some changes — and connected to neighboring business, Collect Coffee Bar, via an open archway. The play area for children with toys and a miniature kitchen is open to customers of either business. Rasheed and her husband bought Collect Coffee several
The Fresno Bee
Top stories: Snack recall. Valley election results. Is Starving Artist closed? Grocery tenant
Voters across five San Joaquin Valley counties cast ballots this week in races that will shape Sacramento and Washington representation, while north Fresno saw major shifts at the RiverView Shopping Center. A popular toddler snack sold nationwide was pulled from shelves over a choking hazard that federal regulators called potentially fatal. Here is a quick look at what readers followed most closely in The Fresno Bee this week. Here are top stories of the week: How did the Central Valley vote? See live 2026 election results across five counties — Voters in Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Madera and Merced counties cast ballots Tuesday in races for Congress, the California Legislature, county and city offices, school boards and local ballot measures. Unofficial results are being updated as county election officials continue counting. Vote-by-mail ballots postmarked by Election Day may be counted if received by Nov. 10, and counties must certify results by Dec. 3. Empty for years, a north Fresno grocery gets a new renter. Who is it? Why the delay? — After seven years sitting empty, the former Lassens Natural Foods & Vitamins space at the RiverView Shopping Center has a new tenant: Mulligan’s Sports Bar & Indoor Golf. The spot
The Fresno Bee
Coffee pop-up getting permanent home in Fresno's Tower District; part of a larger renovation
A new coffee shop is headed for the Tower District — and Tower regulars may already have tried its coffee. Mirror Coffee , a pop-up shop operated by Katie Friesen for three years inside Moto Delicatessen & Bodega , plans to open a full cafe in the same building as the former Spokeasy bar that burned two years ago. The coffee shop is taking over the space on the opposite end of the building on Van Ness Avenue, which was once occupied by Jazzy’s Jeans N Things. Mirror Coffee is expected to be open by the end of the year or early next year. Friesen is a fixture on the Tower coffee scene. She started in the business at the Starbucks on Olive Avenue, worked at Gazebo Gardens’ coffee shop, and used to be part owner of the Revue before it became Component Coffee . She’s also the roaster for Alchemist Coffee Lab . The Spokeasy building The building in Van Ness Village, between Olive and McKinley avenues, is perhaps best known for the popular bar Spokeasy. The building had a fire two years ago and the bar has been slowly but steadily working toward reopening . It’s a similar
familydestinationsguide.com
Visalia Times-Delta | Tulare Advance Register
Merced Sun-Star
Dunkin' opens first Merced location. See what's on the menu, take a look inside
A new coffee shop has officially opened in Merced. After announcing plans to come to the city in October 2025, Dunkin’ is now serving coffee, doughnuts and breakfast items at a new location. Here’s where to find the new coffee shop — and what’s on the menu: Where is new coffee shop in Merced? Dunkin’ opened at 805 South Coffee St. in Merced’s Gateway Marketplace shopping center. The coffee shop is among the several businesses expected to join the retail development, including HomeGoods, TJ Maxx and Five Below. Costco Wholesale is also planning to relocate to the shopping center. What is Dunkin’? Dunkin’ is one of the largest coffee and doughnut chains in the country. The coffee company was founded in 1950 by William Rosenberg in Quincy, Massachusetts. Since then, the chain has expanded to more than 14,000 locations worldwide . What’s on the menu at the new Dunkin’ in Merced? Dunkin’ is known for its coffee, doughnuts and breakfast offerings, with a menu that includes hot coffee , iced drinks, cold brew and espresso beverages. Customers can choose from a variety of flavors, including caramel, butter pecan and vanilla. Hot drinks are available in 12-ounce, 16-ounce and 20-ounce cups,