Squeeze Inn

My family descended upon the poor unsuspecting Squeeze Inn in Galt, California (right outside Sacramento) to try their famous grilled-crisp cheese cheeseburgers.  Once a modest establishment, Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and other accolades have caused rather rapid and aggressive expansion.  We ordered just about every type of burger and fry they served, milk shakes, and other artery cloggers.  In the end, we enjoyed ourselves, but a mix of average service and often underseasoned food caused the overall assessment to be rather lower than where they could, and probably should, be.

The milkshakes were large and delicious.

The fries were fresh and cooked perfectly, but needed more salt.

The chili fries were a meal unto themselves and featured good, Texas-style red (no bean with meat) chili.

The sweet potato fries (a new addition) were rather disappointing.  They had an odd taste, were crisp but not 100% delicious, and the wasabi ranch sauce was probably powder ranch mixed with powder wasabi (resulting in an extremely tart, oddly tangy - in the wrong way - pretty impossible to eat mix).

The burgers were beastly (hand for scale) with a delicious side of crispy cheese (which I folded back onto the burger).

And filled to the gills!  (Fork for scale of crispy cheese).  The patties were the thin variety, not fat "Red Robin" style, but more expanded "Wendy's" style.  This said, they were juicy and well cooked.  We couldn't be sure they weren't frozen, but such is life.  The main issue with the burger was the meat was underseasoned.  Salt - Pepper.  Feel free to also add a little Garlic Powder, etc.

Overall, good but not great.  We were glad to have gone.  Crispy cheese, what a fantastic idea to create a unique burger experience around it!  Bravo!  Our party could have been a little nicer, and so could the host/first server.  For example, as we arrived (with a large group) the servers were unwilling to allow us to move together a few tables (with 3/4 of the space open).  They wanted us to sit near each other, but not connected or wait for at least 10-15 minutes.  Some quick subterfuge later and the tables were connected.  

This did not seem to be a problem for local high school kids around.  The staff seemed perfectly content to allow them to nurse their fries for 45 minutes or more and drop by to see what they needed.  It appeared we caught them between shifts though, as one less helpful waitress left, a new, more helpful waitress arrived.  Seemed they may have wanted us to wait because one waitress did not want to help a big party and end up with no tip.  I cannot say I completely agreed with how our group handled the situation, but the service from hosting to serving never was super impressive.  

The Squeeze Inn

545 Industrial Drive  

Galt, CA 95632
(209) 745-4313

3.5 of 5

Taqueria San Bruno

Well, if I began this post by saying something catchy like "who would have suspected you could get some of the best Mexican food around at a little hole in the wall place in San Bruno, California" I think most people would think "well, me."  Why?  It's a little enclave for Hispanic folks just outside the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) area.  As you may have guessed, you can find some of the best Mexican food you may very well ever eat in San Bruno at Taqueria San Bruno.

It was so delicious that my wife insisted we make the detour not just after picking up a rental car in San Fran upon arrival, but when we were racing for a flight going home.  The outcome: if we weren't flying United - and the flight were not late - we would have been in a tad bit of trouble.  But, all was not lost because the food was utterly delicious and we boarded with everyone else!


So, feast your eyes upon:

Probably home made (although not in the restaurant) chips and fresh salsa.

and more salsa...

and more salsa...

and more salsa.

Carne asada that came out looking just like the picture on the wall.  Delicious (but needing just a tad bit more salt).

BBQ Pork Taco and Chicken Taco (you want the BBQ pork)

Close-up BBQ Pork

Close-up Chicken

A monster "super" burrito with carnitas. Look compared to the chip.

We went back and got the pork quesadilla and a chorizo burrito with chorizo and jalapeno  (not pictured).  This food was so delicious that my wife still talks about it, months later.  Wife "Remember that Mexican place in San Fran."  Me "Yes, still do. (it's only been 10 days since the last time you asked)"  


The chicken was good, but it's not what you want.  Not really.  The carnitas actually have some sort of crunchy, pork rind (skin) mixed in that are explosions of flavor and welcome texture.  The BBQ Pork and regular Pork have so much flavor.  The carne asada was delicious (but did need a little salt).  We also had some Horchata and their Pineapple drink.  Those also were utterly delicious (although be warned early in the morning the ice in the bin has not had time to melt and it is STRONG).  


While the food was not perfect, it was close to it.  The folks that run the joint are utterly hospitable and kind, and food comes up fast.  For all these reasons, it is on my top 3 Mexican places world-wide.  I doubt there will be a time that we travel through SFO and have more than 2 hours that my wife will not insist on taking a cab over to Taqueria San Bruno.  Remember that Mexican place in San Fran...


Taqueria San Bruno
1045 San Mateo Ave
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 873-1752
4.5 of 5

Can You Taste What's Next?

Here is a sneak peak at some of the upcoming food being reviewed from around the world:

I hope you're excited!