Nancy Luna, otherwise known as the Fast Food Maven at the OC Register, has developed a true appreciation for tomatoes in the midst of the latest food recall. A recent trip to El Pollo Loco inspired this realization: The torta-inspired meal was supposed to include pico de gallo. But, the chain had to debut the sandwich without the fresh salsa. Other fresh-Mex chains that have removed raw tomatoes from foods include Taco Mesa, Tacos &......

Right: The Afro Funke crowd at the Zanzibar in Santa Monica. Left: DJ Jeremy Sole | Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist Sitting aside DJ Jeremy Sole spin records at last Thursday's weekly Afro Funke at Zanzibar in Santa Monica, I asked how he chooses what he plays next or if he has a set playlist. "Nah, it's all about reading the people dancing -- their body movements. See, I'm going to put this salsa on......

If I had know about Andy's Coffee shop during my days at Pasadena City College, just two blocks down, I would've ditched biology in the morning at least a couple more times. Hiding on a stretch where the store facades all look the same, I almost wish Andy's had a 50 foot high coffee mug sitting on the restaurant, steam rising from the top. I'm not sure about the wallpaper or the 50s diner......

Did any of you catch Bobby Flay's Throwdown the other night? It's the show where he goes to different cities across the world and challenges some legendary food purveyor that his version of whatever traditional city food they're making will win a blind taste test. Usually, he loses, cause I mean COME ON: can anybody really make a cheese steak better than a Philly native? What about fish n' chips from some grotty bar......

Did you know that the mango is the most popular fruit in the world? I didn't either--I hadn't given it any thought, really--until I got in touch with the newly assembled National Mango Board, who are all about getting you to get to know the mighty mango. I met my first mango many years ago in my grandmother's kitchen. (Unfortunately, if you're looking for an exotic story about my spicy abuelita or a tale......

Top 3 Trader Joe's, Highest Customer Count 1. Manhattan, New York City 2. San Francisco at Masonic/Geary 3. Los Angeles (Sherman Oaks) at Riverside/Hazeltine Salsa Coiffure Who doesn't love the Corn and Chile Tomato-less Salsa? It's "slightly sweet with a touch of heat." We even love it more than their Salsa Especial, the closest and best version of restaurant style salsa we can find yet. So when we found 3 pieces of rather large......

A list of some of the current critics' choices around town. Click on the show title for a review. Click on the theater name for info on tickets. Hotel C'est Lamour (The Blank Theater Company) References to Salvador Dali Make me Hot (Theater Planners at Art/Works Theater) Side Show (La Habra Depot) Tale of 2Cities: An American Joyride on Multiple Tracks (Freud Playhouse) Rocks in my Salsa (Highways Performance Space) The Beastly Bombing (Steve......