Spice Up Your Summer Solano
Jungle Yogurt/Cuba Café
Jungle Yogurt offers a variety of frozen yogurt flavors and sorbet along with numerous tempting toppings and sauces. They feature a flavor of the week and every Sunday they switch out three flavors for new ones.
They’ve now expanded their menu to include a selection of breakfast and lunch items (served from 7am until 2pm). Enjoy both American and specialty Cuban dishes such as Ropa Vieja Omelette (filled with robust Cuban stew), Ham Croquettes, French Toast, Cuban Sandwich (slow-roasted pork, ham, Swiss, pickles and mustard sauce on homemade Cuban bread with black beans or fries) plus coffee and house-made pastries.
Open daily from 7am-9pm, they’re located at 126 S. Orchard Avenue in Vacaville (next to Food Fair). Call (707) 474-5061 or visit jungleyogurt.com.
La Cocina Mexican Restaurant
My first experience at the family-owned La Cocina Mexican Restaurant was a delight. The service is attentive and friendly and the food was amazing!
Everything is fresh and cooked to order. Starting with the chips and tasty house salsa, you’ll realize you’re in for a memorable meal. I highly recommend the Carne Asada and Fajita Quesadilla (flour tortilla stuffed with grilled bell peppers, onions, mushrooms and cheese with choice of chicken, steak or shrimp). Both come with rice and beans, (or grilled vegetables) and guacamole fresco, pico de gallo and sour cream.
Along with a large beer selection, they offer a variety of specialty Margaritas.
They’re open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and located at 105 Dorset Drive in Dixon off I-80 (near Wal-Mart). Call (707) 693-1102.
Q’s Halal Chicken
Father and son partners, Chef Sam and Q, opened their first restaurant in downtown Alameda serving delicious Afghan and Mediterranean dishes. Now at their newest location in Fairfield, you’ll enjoy tasty comfort food prepared from old country recipes with a modern fuse.
Their menu includes a variety of appetizers, salads, burgers, wraps, main entrées, sides and desserts. For newcomers, I would recommend a sample platter with their Combo Kabob (chicken breast, lamb gyro, basmati rice, salad, naan and yogurt-chutney sauce) with a side of falafels. To top off your meal, enjoy a slice of baklava for dessert.
Located at 3344 N. Texas St. in Fairfield, they’re open 11am-8:30pm Mon-Sat and 11am-7pm Sun, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Catering is also available. Call (707) 419-5571 or visit their website at www.qhalal.com.
Lime Leaf Thai/Lao Kitchen
This unassuming little place is tucked away in the Marina Center off Highway 12 in Suisun City, yet offers some of the best Thai and Laotian dishes around.
Inside you’ll find an informal setting that allows for a relaxed dining experience with reasonable prices, making it an affordable night out.
The menu selection is varied and features appetizers, soups, salads, entrées, and desserts. Among my favorites are the Lime Chicken (lightly breaded and fried, it includes vegetables with creamy sweet dipping sauce), BBQ Beef Short Ribs and, of course, Sticky Rice with Mango for dessert. If you’ve never tasted Thai Iced Tea, give it a try. It’s unique, sweet and addictive!
Open daily from 11am-8pm (9pm Thurs-Sat), they’re located at 307 Marina Center in Suisun City. Call (707) 429-1969.
