Oggi's Pizza

Can southern California support yet another pizza joint that caters to families and friends? The answer is yes!

A-

Oggi's Pizza is a small chain of privately owned restaurants located in the So Cal area. With a diverse population of pizza joints as popular as CPK and BJ's it's a wonder that a small place like Oggi's can survive! Yet, it does an exceptional job in providing amazing service, great pricing, a welcoming environment, and awesome pizza!

When you want to watch a game or hang out with some friends some pizza joints can fill up quickly and you can definitely get the cold shoulder. However, this restaurant is kind of like Cheers...it seems like everyone knows your name (they don't), but it can be that type of place that regulars can meet. There are flat screen TVs everywhere showcasing the most popular sport games from around the nation. Even while I was there during the USC football game, it wasn't too terribly crowded to the point of unbearable.

I know that some places the atmosphere is great, but the food and service is forgettable. However, that is not the case with this joint. We ordered this salad type pizza (okay I'll admit that I forgot the name), and even though I didn't like all the toppings, I enjoyed the cheese and bacon that was left over. There is picture of it above. Not overly crunchy, but just the right mix of thickness and softness that I enjoy in a pizza. It's a perfect amount of sauce and cheese that just yells this was made with fresh ingredients and cooked to perfection.

The servers were very friendly, and they made sure that my drinks were never empty. I think I got three Coke refills without even asking! Then the dessert they offered was delicious (I got the cinnamon twists to share) and they gave us the warning about how large it would be. It was a great treat.

My only desire is that they would build more places like these. However, in that case, this place might lose it's charm. So if you're in the area, this is definitely a place to check out. My special thanks to Joe for suggesting that I try this one out.

Perry's Pizza

A local favorite in Huntington Beach, PERRY'S PIZZA!

B

For the past eight years since I've moved to Huntington Beach, I've driven by this place several times on the way to the mall. I never thought nothing of it. Recently though Liberty Christian (my school that I teach at) goes to this venue after every home football game for fellowship and to celebrate. Now after experiencing the pizza and other food novelties, I must say this is a great place to eat!

This establishment has been around for quite some time. I'm not sure about the exact date, but the ownership has changed hands a few times, and everytime it does, the new owner wants to make sure this place stays alive. They also have a drive-thru for those who have the pizza munchies on the run.

The menu has a variety of different offerings besides the traditional pizza. There have several hot and cold sandwiches to choose from. They've got different pastas, and spicy wings. The main reason I gave this place a "B" was that the prices for a traditional whole pizza is pricey (it can range from $15-20 bucks depending on the size), but if you purchase individual meals (pizza, breadsticks, and drink) it's at a reasonable $5-7 bucks.

The pizza itself is delicious. Just the right amount of cheese and sauce. There's not that much grease on it, and when you eat a slice, it's very light. You don't feel like you have to dump it all out so quickly! The crust and the break is crunchy, but not so crunchy that you break a tooth off. Very solid!

So if you see this joint in Huntington Beach off the corner of Edwards and Edinger, be sure to stop on by and check it out. Definitely worth a visit and the food isn't so bad either!

Breakfast rated here!

Okay everyone, now people love their breakfast. There's no denying it. Sometimes you might skip it, but that only makes it more enjoyable when you do have it. For me, breakfast is the best meal of the day (well it can be), with dinner coming in second and lunch a faraway third (only exception is when I skip breakfast, so then lunch moves to the number one spot).

All this week, I've been touring the local Huntington Beach scene for the best chain stores to eat a good breakfast. I'm going to rate each one and write a little blurb about why I liked it or not. Even after I write this, you should definitely try to go out and eat breakfast at one of your favorite places that you would normally eat lunch or dinner at. The experience will be different and you would be surprised at what they offer. Trust me, you should at least try it once.

MCDONALD'S

B

This place is always a classic. They have a huge menu for lunch, and with the new McCafe, their selection of "wake-up" juice just can't be beat. I had their Sausage Egg McMuffin combo which was delicious, but of course it was just lacking that special something called freshness. Coffee was awesome, but the hashbrown itself left something to be desired. This is the choice of breakfast for those that are in a rush and want something fast.

CORNER BAKERY CAFE

A

Normally I come here for lunch and dinner for their pastas and soups, but their breakfast menu is equally as delicious. I had the All-American Scrambler which was made with fresh eggs, bacon, roasted potatoes, and two pieces of toast. OH IT WAS GOOD! The only negative is that it takes about five minutes for them to make the food, so expect to wait a little. However, it will not disappoint. I would choose this place over a Denny's breakfast anytime. They also had a wide selection of omelets and other items. If you're looking for a place to try out breakfast, then give yourself a little extra time before school or work and check this place out.

NOAH'S BAGELS

A-

Now as Corner Bakery has the best place to eat breakfast if you want to sit down, then Noah's Bagels is the best place to eat breakfast on the go. Their bagels are baked fresh everyday in store (no vendors) and they have a wide selection of other breakfast sandwiches and coffees. I tried their blueberry bagel and it was nice and crunchy. The Hazelnut coffee was also good and sweet, just the way I like it. The only negative is that it is a little pricey (a bagel with cream cheese and a side of coffee ran about $5), and the amount of cream cheese was thick (that's maybe where the high price comes from), but you can't beat the unlimited coffee refills.

STARBUCKS

C+

Okay, the coffee is good, but the breakfast selection is not so hot. That's why it has such a low rating. First off, why does an old-fashioned donut cost $1.50?! C'mon, what's wrong with you people. I also think that their other pastries have gotten smaller and gained in price since it opened. I remember when I bought a blueberry muffin and it had this huge muffin top with a wide base and it only cost a buck. Now I get a cylindrical shaped muffin that's half the size for $1.50. I think the one on display was looking like it was about to melt apart too. Gross!!! I saved my appetite for just a coffee crumble cake, which was good but didn't blow me away. I think when Starbucks started to expand into other areas, it really fell behind in what they did best. The coffee was decent but not something I would go out of the way for. Just stop here for coffee if you missed making it at home.

SO no matter where you are at, I encourage you to check out eating breakfast once. Just give it a shot and post your comments below!

Galco's Soda Pop Stop

Okay, so I went on a spontaneous trip yesterday afternoon (spontaneous meaning not planned beforehand...*cough* Nick's trip to the beach late night *cough*) to Galco's Soda Pop Stop in Los Angeles, just south of Pasadena off the 110. Let me say that this place is soda heaven in a desert place! I'm going to give it:

A-

The only reason for the minus is that it looks a bit run-down in the inside, but I think that's to keep the prices low.

Basically it's a converted small marketplace. Nothing on the scale of Albertson's or Ralphs, but like a local grocer. Inside they have two aisles devoted to simply every soda from around the world. One soda I saw was called "Lenin Lemon" for the Russian communist leader. There were some other favorites too from the midwest.

One that I saw was Cheerwine. It was featured on Food Network's Unwrapped and is a very popular soda in the midwest. It doesn't have any wine in it but is named simply because of it's texture and taste. It tastes like a cherry flavored soda with a hint of cola, but no caffeine. When you pour it in a bottle, it looks like you're drinking a sparkling wine of sorts. It got its name from a time when chemists named soda from their characteristics. So like root beer looks like beer, Cheerwine looks like wine.

Another favorite was the Dr. Pepper made from real cane sugar. I didn't have a chance to try it, but my brothers drank it down like water.

The larger collection was out on display in the shelves to purchase directly, but of course, they were warm. There was decent selection of goodies in the refrigerator cabinets including some from Jones Soda Co. that had political names on them. There was also a wide selection of beers and wines, but none that I recognized as unique. Ironically, this soda place had your classics such as RC cola and Sunkist, but no Pepsi or Coca-Cola (although, they did have Mexican Coca-cola in bottles).

Other than the soda, they also had some classic candies on display. Most of them you would recognize from the local supermarket but re-packaged with nostalgic designs. Nothing to go out of the way for, but a nice compliment to all the sugar induced feelings you will get when you try one of their sodas.

So if you're ever in the area, definitely give this place a try. It's a diamond in the rough!

Petco Park Review

Before I start, I just want to clarify that I'm reviewing the ballpark and not the Padres. We all know that this year they are the stinker of So Cal, but thankful they have a glorious stadium to be proud of. I just recently visited the ballpark less than a month ago, and here's my review of the place:

A-

This place has got to be the most beautiful ballpark in southern California! No doubt about it, Petco Park was made for the fans, and the park itself creates an amazing atmosphere.

In left field, they have the historic Western Metal Company building that was retrofitted to hold seats, a gift shop, and a sit-down buffet style restaurant. It blends right into the field, and in fact, some of the seats overhand in field a little. The corner of the building acts like a foul pole too!

In center field, that's where you can find the $5 seats. Basically there are benches, and at the lower benches there is sand for all the kiddies to enjoy. While there is no game being played, this place is open to the public. It's the only ballpark in MLB to be open to the public while no games are being played. Behind right field is another historic building that used to be a candy factory. It is the largest building ever to be picked up and relocated. Currently it's under renovation, but I would love to get some candy from that place!

In fact, this entire area was a dump at one point in San Diego. That's why they built the stadium here, because it was the cheapest land in downtown. However, an apartment here can run you upward of two grand, and that's just for the lower level suites!

The stadium itself is designed so that whenever you're walking around, you can always get a good look at the game. It's big open walkways allows you to see the game practically wherever you are in the park. With clearly designated areas for food, you don't have to wander around the entire park looking for your favorite place to eat. In fact, I found a Rubio's that made their famous shrimp burritos quite easily. It taste just as good as any regular Rubio's I've been too.

About the only complaint I have is that the seats are tilted in towards the home plate. So your legs get kind of tangled with your neighbor and can give you a sore back afterwards, but nothing to complain about.

So if you're ever in San Diego looking for something to do, definitely check out Petco Park. If there's a game, you can walk-up to the ticket window and get a couple of $5 tickets, or if no game is being played, just go ahead and walk right in. Also there's a beautiful view of the bay right behind home plate, so that's why I'm giving Petco Park the award for:

MOST BEAUTIFUL PARK IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA!

Sonic Reviewed!

Sorry kids, but I'm not talking about everyone's favorite blue hedgehog here. I'm talking about the greatest drive-in restaurant on the face of the planet: Sonic! Okay it wasn't that great, but here's my review:

B+

A nostalgic place to eat, but the quality of its eats could be a little better.

First off, if you've never been, it's basically a traditional drive-in restaurant where diners pull up their cars to one of several menu boards and speak directly into the microphone the food that they want. Most Sonic joints (except this one) deliver your food while on roller skates and then attach the tray of food on the side of your car. I guess due to liability reasons in California, they no longer do that. Then everyone enjoys their meals and has a great time. That last part is not really included in the cost.

The drinks and dessert selection was quite nice and plentiful. During certain hours of the day is happy hour where drinks are half off. Personally I had the ice cream cone on one occasion for a buck and it was delicious. My comrades that I went with had various other drinks such as cherry limeade which they were certainly addicted to. Almost to the point of scary. Just kidding. It was good though as they put in a real cherry and green lemon to give it the right amount of flavor.

Now when we came on another day to try some of their fast food, I must say I was a bit disappointed by the taste alone. For a place that is suppose to highlight its unique flavors and nostalgia, they sure missed the ball when it came down to food quality. The fries were bland and looked like they came out of a tube. C'mon Sonic, its the 21st century, even Carl's Jr uses fresher fries than these! The popcorn chicken was good but nothing special about it. Even the pictures of other food options looked rather bland. It was almost as if they stole the menu from a Boomers! mini golf snack bar. For some strange reason, you could also upgrade your meal for no added cost. What's the deal with that?! Trying to make people feel good about themselves for eating even more bland food.

Oh well, for all its worth, its a great nostalgic place to eat. If you enjoy eating in your car or dining in their outdoor patio, then Sonic is your place to go. Don't forget to order that famous Cherry Limeade!

VG Review: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

Alright So Cal fans, you're in for another treat as tonight we review last years most talked about video game for the Xbox 360:

B

What?! "Star Wars games are suppose to be awesome!" Yeah, I hear you bro, but once again it seems like Lucas Arts fails to deliver on this hyped up game. (I know what you're thinking, "Why is Mr. SC reviewing a game that is millions of years old!" Well, basically I was waiting until this game became a little more affordable$$$). Judging by this review, you'll agree with me that this game should have gone to the bargain bin a lot quicker.

First off the graphics are spot on. On the current gen systems, the graphics are simply phenomenal! There's no denying that. It's also fun to play in alternative scenes from the movie and to be the villain for once. Also if you're a hard-core Star Wars, it's great to just listen to the side-story of Rebellion and how episode IV came to fruition. That is also why in the second level of the game, I changed the difficulty from medium to easy. I just wanted to play through to see the entire story.

With the force powers, they are cool, but basically they are just used for stormtrooper fodder. For other characters in the game, they are rather useless and you use your lightsaber to fight through them. Force lightning is the only force power that would actually stun an opponent but others like grapple have no effect whatsoever. Also when you're using your powers, it tends to focus on objects that you aren't even looking at! It became very hard to adjust too.

Speaking of the camera, it tends to focus on objects in the game other than the enemies that you're fighting. There's no auto lock-on for the camera, so unless you change the view manually, you can be staring in the one direction the entire game while your character can be walking in the other way.

For all the negatives, I must say I'm very excited about the new Jedi Temple that recently was introduced online as well as several new levels that are coming for the game later this fall. It basically provides an alternative to the Star Wars universe (think of a mirror universe where the dark side wins all the battles).

If you're looking for a great Star Wars game with subpar game mechanics, than this game is definitely for you!

SFMM: Gold Rusher Review

Okay, it's pretty much a no-brainer that Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) deserves an A+ for their amazing fourteen back-breaking rollercoasters and family friendly environment. However, what about the roller coaster that started it all? What should we rate the first roller coaster at SFMM? Well based upon today's standards of upkeep and fun, I'll have to give it:

C

Why so low? Well, the only reason it got such a decent rating in the first place is that it is an historic ride by SFMM standards. If it weren't for that reason, it would definitely get a lower rating.

First the theming of the trains is very nice. Basically it looks like you're boarding a mine train and about to head into one of the dangerous mines in the west! The lapbar system is quite unique in that for a car with three rows, all three lapbars come down only to the largest person. So if a very "tall" man was to sit in one of the rows, then the lapbar would only come down to his stomach while it might be loose on everyone else! Sounds dangerous? Trust me, though, you really don't need a lap bar on this ride. It might do more harm than good.

This is truly one of the bumpiest steel tubular roller coasters that I've been on. True, it does give you a good view of Log Jammer flume ride and gets you really close to some trees that need trimming, but considering how slow it is going, it should not be this bumpy. Every turn it seems like it is falling apart and the unpadded lap bar just adds more hurt and insult.

The highest point on the ride comes at the end with the speedy banked turns in the end. My brother said that they slowed down the ride since he last went on it, and maybe that's true, but it certainly made this part of the ride exciting. I could actually feel the g-forces push against me and onto the hard metal as we were turning. Seems like a lot of people lost plenty of stuff on this ride too because there was a bunch of loose items at the bottom of the turn.

For a ride that is slow, bumpy, and harsh on the butt, I would have given this a lower rating. However, I'll enjoy a classic roller coaster anytime. This ride definitely needs some upkeep and refurbishing but you should definitely check it out while your at the park. It's a walk-on anyways.

San Diego Zoo

Ah, yes! The world famous San Diego Zoo! Unlike other so cal attractions (ahem, USC marching band), this is a real WORLD FAMOUS zoo. So I must give this place a rating of:

A

Out of all the zoos in the entire world, you must visit this one! Then purchase a pass to their sister park the wild animal park.

As far as zoos go, they've got everything. They got reptiles, monkeys, rhinos, giraffes, and even gigantic elephants. They also got a botanical gardens and several rare animals to check out. I love the panda exhibit. When we visited, one of the pandas was sleeping in a tree like a lazy person. It reminded me of a lazy red-head I know!

The Elephant Odyssey is new. It took them a couple of years to finish the place, but you can tell all the hard work that they have done. The elephant pen is huge! Theming is great, although you get see the speakers where they emit the bugs sounds. There was also a lion and a cheetah. For further pictures, you'll have to check out my facebook page. The zoo animals are on Day 2 of our trip.

Food was mediocre and pricey. To make up for it, the tram was excellent. There is this forty minutes double-decker bus tour that goes around the park. We had a special pass that paid for it, otherwise it's extra. However, it is well worth the price (whatever that may be). They take you pretty close the exhibits, plus if you're tired, it's a great place to simply relax and take in the scenery. The only other "ride" at the park is the skyfaria which is pretty much like the old Disneyland Skyway. It takes you over the park (and yes it's normally extra $$$) but the view from above is amazing! The ride really shows you how large the entire park is.

I must warn you, there is plenty of walking here, and none of the pathways are completely flat. For you sore soles, there are a couple of shows to check out. I didn't have time to see them, but they didn't look that exciting. There was a sealion show (Seaworld rip-off!) and a bird show (Universal rip-off). Even these shows are knock-offs of more popular shows at other theme parks, the real reason you came to the zoo isn't to visit these shows, but to see the animals in their natural habitat.

There are plenty of other museums to check out in the Balboa Park area of San Diego, but definitely check out the zoo if you have the time. Parking is free and the admission is negligible for such a memorable visit!

HB Independence Day Parade

Free parade! Jets above! Live bands! WWII Vets! Gotta give you:

A

For all the free stuff in the world, there ain't nothing like a free parade. Especially when you can arrive at this one five minutes before show time and still stake a place in the shade!

This parade has marching bands, bands from around the county, a famous celebrity (that guy that plays Freddie from iCarly), WWII re-enactors and real vets, and horses! It was a fun atmosphere to be in and a great day to be outside. There was just one incident of notice. It was when one lady fell off her horse drawn carriage and was caught in the balloons tied to the carriage. She was dragged along a few feet, but was okay after the incident.

The people were great. No one was truly obnoxious...at least that we ran into. It was also great to bring your bike and go around downtown because most of the major streets are closed.

In the evening there was a spectacular fireworks show launched from the pier. It went on for about fifteen minutes and had one of the longest finales that I have ever seen. The show however, is best watched from the car with the windows down and your own music playing in the background.

Parking is tough for the parade and fireworks, so I definitely suggest walking or taking another form of transportation to get you there.

Oh yeah, another celebrity I saw was Snoopy. I think he was getting more applause from the crowd than the iCarly fellow.

Post comments below!

PS2: GTA Liberty City Stories

This game deserves a:

B+

I know that this isn't anything particular to Southern California Attractions, and I know that you can play this game anywhere on the planet. Yet, I think that the best place to play this game is in Southern California. No doubt!

Basically, this game came out for the PSP a few months ago and then recently it was re-released on the PS2. This is just another excuse by Rockstar to earn a few bucks but who can blame them!

This game is a classic revisit to the original Liberty City of GTA3 (sorry not the new one from current generation consoles). You play as Toni who was a hit man that was in hiding for killing a made man (ironically you become a made-man later in the game). Controls and shooting are much tighter than in the original however they are not as good as those found in GTA4. I would not say the gameplay is a step-above San Andreas either. In fact, it might even be a step backwards.

There isn't a bunch of customization and weird player building stats. Like the original you find guns, shoot people, and earn cash. Pretty simple, except the language and sound FX might be a little too much for the younger gamer. Graphics are what you would expect from a game on the PSP originally, however, it looks as good as the PS2 classic.

Definitely a must buy for GTA fans, but watch the language!

The Apple Pan

Last Tuesday I took a visit to the APPLE PAN in West Los Angeles. Just Google map it for directions. My rating:

A-

Awesome place to visit, but my only negative is that there is no place for large groups (or even groups of 4) to sit together.

Established in 1947,

nothing much has changed since then. Several of the employees there have been there for years and decades. It's still family owned by the granddaughter of the original owner; yet unlike In-n-Out which has expanded into over two hundred stores, there is only one Apple Pan.

Their famous burger is the Hickory burger. It's topped with a special Hickory sauce, fresh lettuce (they only use the inside, crispy part of the lettuce head), two pickles, and mayo (sorry, no tomatoes folks). Of course it's wrapped in the famous wax paper. Fries are extra but they give it to you by the butt-load! Also if your order a drink, it will come in a cone-shaped paper cup placed inside a metal tin. Yum-yum.

Of course they have their famous pies to try out. For $5.50 a slice, a huge slice, it's sure worth the money.

The other burger they got was the Steakburger, but I didn't try it. It looks just as good but it has a different sauce. "Quality Forever" is their motto and they sure live up to it. Fresh, never frozen patties, and everything is made till you order it.

This place is definitely a nostalgic place to visit. They even had old cash registers! We had to get it go, but everyone in my party agreed that this certainly is a place to visit again sometime in the future. Just don't go during rush hour, folks!

Welcome to So Cal Attractions!

This is a fan's perspective about upcoming and recent Southern California attractions in the area. Although I won't be able to hit up all the big attractions, I'll be sure to write my opinion about the biggest ones in towns.

Let's go over some definitions before we continue.

ATTRACTIONS: It's a vague term, I know! On this website, it means any new theme park ride, theatre show, amusement venue, or interesting movie that opens in the southern California region.

I should let you know that I am a big theme park fan. And by BIG I mean BIG!!!! Most of the information written on this website will be about theme parks and rides and shows that have recently opened up. Occasionally, I will post my comments about a movie or theatre show, but again I will highlight rides, rides, and rides!!! I just love summer specials to these places.

Here's some background information about myself: I am a graduate of the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. FIGHT ON TROJANS! I worked in the entertainment engineering field for about 10 months before leaving. I am currently working as a teacher for a small private high school in Huntington Beach. While in high school and a couple of years in college, I worked at the Disneyland Resort as a store operations host specializing in hat writing. In fact, I used to be an original hat writer that wrote the hats by hand!!!! Not on any of these computers that the new guys use. After college, I worked in attractions for a couple of months before landing my first "career" job. GO FAN CLASSSICS! I enjoy Disney parks even when they do some things wrong, but at least they try, especially in Anaheim!

Coming up next Monday I will be visiting Six Flags Magic Mountain, so I will try to post a report about that as soon as I return.

Thank you for visiting! Please leave some comments!