From AZ to food to CA

I know we're already almost half through January and everyone seems to have forgotten all about the New Year, let alone Christmas. Don't worry, I won't hold an endless monologue about my holidays or anything, but what I will do is fill you in on a few tips. Mostly restaurant or food tips, scattered with maybe a few travel tips. Sounds good?

So for Christmas, we always travel to the US to see the family (at least part of it). Although it is lovely to spend some time with loved ones and enjoying the Arizona sun which never disappoints, I tend to need a change of scenery after a week or so.
Usually, we fly to LA and head to AZ a few days later, but this time we put the plan upside down. This way, we had plenty of time to prepare all the last minute Christmas gifts (basically making Chocolate Avalanche, not being able to resist eating it, and making a new batch after the initial one disappeared). We headed off to California a few days before New Year's Eve, straight to San Diego, but more about that later. We drove, so it took us a few hours. Guess what's worse than having a car full of kids (ok, teenagers) for 6 hours? That's right, a car full of hungry, cranky kids.

There is no way I'm going to skip lunch, even when on the road. So we stopped in Yuma and went to Brownies, as always. (I'm telling you, we have it down to a science!) This is a place that I would be really reluctant about under normal circumstances, but this is a tradition. And I needed food. Ok, so you can't get more american diner-ish than this. This is the most typical thing you'll find (don't be fooled by the shiny pink diners you see in movies. This is not "A Cinderella Story".) The motto is: Do not expect anything, and you might actually be surprised.

Aaaaand, they serve breakfast all day. SOLD. I'm breakfast person #1, so I had pancakes, and we "shared" a chocolate milkshake. It is, hands down, the best milkshake ever. Half liquid, half still ice cream, full of Hershey's Chocolate Syrup and topped with whipped cream. Guys, this is the real deal.

Look at that beauty.

I might have enjoyed it so much that I couldn't even manage a smile. It makes the picture slightly creepy, but look at the grin that came after that:

Dad had his usual BLT sandwich (order it with Sourdough bread), and I can't even remember what the others had. Fries for sure! (They were more oriented towards the actual lunch menu... I don't get it.)

It is super cheap, your stomach is nice and full so you can get back in the car and won't be complaining for a few miles at least...

If, by some miracle, you end up there AND it's New Year's Day, make sure to order the black eyed peas soup, it's supposed to give you luck for the new year. Oh, and it tastes kinda good.
Also, don't ask me why, but Brownies does not sell actual brownies. Go figure. I might have to ask about that next time...

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