People who live in The Springs know that their neighborhood is packed with good places, to refuel, dine, munch, nibble, nosh or taste and that most of them are relatively inexpensive.
This week, we’ll cover the Highway 12 corridor from Verano Avenue north to Siesta Way, where most of the restaurants are small and family owned. On Nov. 15, we’ll continue through Boyes Hot Springs and Fetters Hot Springs. (Note: Credit cards are accepted except where noted.)
Golden Spring: Over the past eight years, this hidden spot in the Vineyard Shopping Center has improved its food to the point that it received the “Best Chinese Restaurant of 2006” at the annual Sunnys Awards. Many devotees come here expressly for the Mandarin-style won ton soup with mushrooms and prawns.
Golden Spring is one of the few places in the Valley offering orange chicken, Moo Goo Gai Pan (sliced chicken sautéed with mushrooms); Phoenix and Dragon with chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, snow peas, baby corn; Mongolian chicken; pepper-fried or Mandarin duck; ginger garlic lamb, good tomato beef, Ma Po Tofu Pork, sizzling iron plates, fresh cod various ways, and Ocean Delight with prawns, cod, scallops, squid and crab ($3.95-$13.95). Family selections add goodies by numbers and lunch specials include soup, fried wonton skins and rice ($5.25-$6.25). No MSG. Beer and wine. 18991 Hwy. 12. 707.938.1275.
Pasteleria La Mixteca: Also in the Vineyard center, this yummy Mexican bakery tantalizes with baking chocolate wafting through the air from the bakery in back and offers fresh fruit smoothies, granola with fresh fruit or fresh fruit cups and a plethora of baked-daily Mexican breads, pastries, cookies, donuts and coffee. Wedding cakes a specialty. 18981- B Hwy. 12. 707.996.8600. No credit cards.
Issa’s Restaurant: This one-time Denny’s location is now privately owned and equipped with a senior dinner menu including soup or salad under $10; a whole selection of stuffed baked potatoes; salads from shrimp Louie and chicken parmesan to Greek, Cobb and Chinese chicken; loads of half-pound burgers with fries or soup ($7.49-$9.29); traditional sandwiches hot and cold (all under $9 except the New York steak at $11.59); and dinner entrees such as chicken or steak Marsala, lemon chicken, ribs, steaks, pastas, Joe’s Special, calf’s liver with onions, and fish and chips ($12.59-$14.99). Breakfast is served all day from omelets to waffles and pancakes. 18999 Hwy. 12, 707.935.0626.
Sonoma Express Food: Due north of McDonald’s, Sonoma Express Food is known locally as George’s Chinese food and fish and chips. Two Nepalese women, Ang and Pasang Sherpa (aunt and niece), worked for George and bought the restaurant from him a year ago.
This hole-in-the-wall seems to have something for everyone, whether you are out for fish and chips, “juicy grilled burgers,” with fries, “Mongolian Cheese Steak Sandwiches,” great mango milkshakes ($2.95), cheeseburger combos ($4.55) and just about any conceivable combination of ingredients cooked Chinese style. “Princess Prawns” are light, spicy and crunchy; braised tofu with veggies is great. And the most expensive item on the menu is a whopping $7.95. Meals can be enjoyed inside or out on a small deck with tables and chairs. Beer. No MSG. 18976 Hwy. 12. 707.935.3383.
Happy Dog: This ages-old burger joint has been spiffed up with anchored-down tables and chairs and fun dog caricature murals. This is the place to mainline cholesterol and enjoy it with onion rings, fries, gooey burgers, hot dogs and a variety of shakes and malts in flavors such as banana, pineapple, wild cherry, grape and coffee. No one is claiming organic or natural flavors here! 18762 Hwy. 12. Closed Monday. 707.935.6211. No credit cards.
E-Saan Thai House: A favorite among winery folks and others, E-Saan features lunch specials like salad with peanut dressing, with multitudinous choices such as chicken or pork hot basil, prawns prik khing, spicy lemon grass prawns, vegetarian pineapple fried rice, loads of curries including vegetarian versions, pad Thai, great fresh transparent-skin veggie rolls, yummy coconut milk soup, larb or calamari salads and often fabulous seafood daily specials. Beer and excellent local wines. Closed Saturday for lunch and all day Sunday. 18629 Hwy. 12. 707.939.9077.
Taqueria Sonoma: Located in the Fiesta Shopping Center, Taqueria Sonoma prepares everything to order and allows diners to choose whatever meat they want to go into tacos, burritos, sandwiches, and combination plates including grilled steak; marinated or deep fried pork; chorizo, tripe or tongue. Their specialties are shrimp cocktails, shrimp sautéed or smothered in sauce and fried fish. Specialty plates and combos are splittable. Breakfast all day. Juke box. Beer. $1.25-$10.99. 18615 Hwy. 12. 707.938.8622.
Mary’s Pizza Shack: While this is referred to as “the original,” it isn’t. (That was actually about a half-mile north.) Somehow it always seems that the soup, pasta and pizza are better here than all other Mary’s. Kids can no longer climb on the big old tree, but the patio/deck is still fun overlooking sirens and parked cars.
Mary’s is known for its pizzas, although some go there for the salads, burgers and other sandwiches, pastas and calamari fritti. Even the garlic fries (cooked in canola oil). Mary’s meatballs are unbeatable, pastas are always cooked al dente, and now you can select multi-grain pastas for higher protein and fiber. Protein plates and veggie selections are available. Beer and wine. 18636 Hwy. 12. 707.938.3600.
Danish & Donut: Speaking of mainlining cholesterol, here you can shoot in the sugar at the same time, especially if you are looking for breakfast or a snack at 4 a.m. The only protein in this popular hangout involves single slices of ham and cheese stuck in a sliced croissant. Otherwise, go to heaven with every donut and maple bar imaginable, along with espresso and chai tea combos. 18580 Hwy. 12. 707.933.1333. No credit cards.
Bon appétit!
