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Perko’s Perked Itself Right Up
How many times have you felt like getting a bite of dinner somewhere - not too fussy, not too expensive, just simple, good food - and you draw a blank?
Here in the North State there’s no problem when we’re in the mood for Thai food or Mexican food. Options galore, there.
But when we want something classic American diner-ish, many places that are open during the day are shuttered for dinner. Deja Vu, Gold Street Cafe, Country Kitchen and Country Waffles come to mind here. (Dearest Country Waffles, we love you and we like visiting you for breakfast, but please, for the love of God, ditch those garish dust-catching artificial flowers. You’re going to give someone an asthma attack.)
Where were we? Oh yes, deciding on a place to eat a quick, reasonably priced dinner.
So it went the other evening after my sister popped into JoAnn’s Fabrics for some yardage for Shelly’s art room.
We were hungry, and debated where to grab a quickie dinner. As we ticked off the usual choices we glanced across Hartnell Avenue and noticed Perko’s, a place I hadn’t eaten in probably 20 years.
Normally I wouldn’t consider Perko’s because it’s not even on my radar. My memory of Perko’s was of a cluttered greasy spoon filled with blue-haired folks — not that I have anything against blue hair.
But as Shelly and I looked at Perko’s neon lights, I recalled that just recently friend Lyn seemed almost embarrassed to recommend Perko’s - a place that’s now called Perko’s Cafe & Grill. Apparently, even its name has changed since I last set foot inside it.
Lyn was like, “Uh, you won’t believe this, but we had a really good meal at Perko’s recently.”
I was dubious, but I know and trust Lyn.
What the heck, Shelly and I said. Let’s try it.
Well, well, well.
Lyn was right, right, right.
The Perko’s on Hartnell is completely remodeled in a Craftsman motif with cushy padded gray booths (love booths) and nicely appointed artwork. It looked clean and tidy.
Anyone can remodel a restaurant and change its name. But what about the food?
Granted, we didn’t try everything, but Shelly’s French Dip sandwich was excellent, and I ordered a small steak (yes to the mushrooms, no thanks to the teriyaki) that came with a large baked potato and a slice of grilled bread, for just $8.95.
Really, we were shocked.
Plus, the young woman who waited on us was delightful and attentive, and didn’t give us grief when we requested real half-and-half for our hot tea, rather than faux coffee “creamer.”
The lighting was soft and pleasant, and the music wasn’t so loud that we couldn’t hear each other talk.
We really had a nice time and enjoyed a delicious dinner.
My and Shelly’s unexpectedly lovely Perko’s Cafe & Grill dining experience made me wonder: How many other places are out there, places I’ve never tried, or that I tried a long time ago, but didn’t return for one reason or another.
(The last time I was in Perko’s, for example, my daughter’s apple pie crust came with some rather unappetizing green fuzzy stuff growing inside. I never returned. Unfair? Maybe. But it certainly left me with a lasting negative impression of the place.)
After my recent trip to Perko’s on Hartnell Avenue in Redding, I’ll certainly be back.
In the meantime, these are tough times for all businesses. We could lend them a hand by spreading the word about good, local places.
What are some of your favorite businesses - establishments that we may find surprising?
Independent online journalist Doni Greenberg founded what’s now known as anewscafe.com in 2007 with her son, Joe Domke of the Czech Republic. Prior to 2007 Greenberg was an award-winning newspaper opinion columnist, feature and food writer recognized by the Associated Press, the California Newspaper Publishers Association and E.W. Scripps. She lives in Northern California in the tiny town of Igo.
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Glad to hear about Perko’s. I constantly get flyers about their specials and have been reticent to try them. Thanks! I am a big fan of Mary’s Pizza Shack in Anderson at the outlet stores.
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My Mother lives with us during the winter. She loves Denny’s but we were reluctant to go there.Years ago we went to the one on Hilltop and Cypress (by the Kmart ) and we found it to be run down and pretty awful. We have since gone to the one on Cypress (across from Lumberjacks) to please Mom. The place was clean and the food very good. I love their salads, they are so good. My husband loved the pot roast.
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Don’t forget about our neighbor Country Kitchen on Hilltop in Town & Country Center. They make all their own breads and pastries and have unique homemade soups. Always packed for breakfast which tells you something.
We are usually please with our lunches and always full!
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Another atta-boy for the Country Kitchen. If you’re in a “damn the cholesterol” mood, I think that their Corned Beef Hash breakfast is delicious. Their cinnamon rolls (used to be fresh at 10:00a.m.) are, IMHO, the best in town.
I went, with my daughter and her family, to the Black Bear Diner, for dinner. I had Prime Rib and all the fixings for $12. A good deal, in my book, as they say. The grandkids were satisfied with the menu. O.K., the oldest is 8, and they are easy to please. But to displease them is a mistake one doesn’t make lightly if one is planning any semblance of a peaceful repast. My daughter also found the menu adequate. I have an affinity for pastry and their Bear Claw ain’t too bad.
It is nice to see that most of our local eateries have survived. The ones gone are surely missed.
Peace and Love.
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Worst pizza I ever, ever ate was at Mary’s Pizza Shack about a year ago; never going back. The Big Bear Dinner in Redding is a great deal and great service. But I have found service in other Big Bear’s can be very poor (Mt. Shasta for one).
Now for the best American type food around at a very reasonable price go now to the Cottonwood Eatery. New owners have slightly redecorated and updated the excellent menu from the previous owners. We had a salmon dinner special that was simply outstanding. It was so good we returned the next night for more!! They also have great wine there reasonably priced; the house red is made by Burnsini, one of our local wineries. This restaurant is a little gem, and deserves to be packed nightly.
Another pizza place that we in Cottonwood love is Eagles Nest pizza in the Holiday Market shopping center. A small and unassuming place, the pizza there is outstanding. Far better than the chain pizzas in my opinion. A salad bar and burgers are available also.
This economy s**ks for the restaurant business. I hope all our locally owned restaurants can survive. Do what you can to help!!
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Susan Daugherty Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
So glad to get that review of the “new” Cottonwood Eatery.” We will head that way soon!
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Adrienne jacoby Reply:
January 28th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
I was really sorry to see the Cottonwood Eatery close last year and a bit dubious when it reopened under new owners. Didn’t need to be. The food and service is excellent. Can you spell S-W-E-E-T P-O-T-A-T-O F-R-I-E-S??
I never frequent a chain, if I can find a locally owned place. I consider Black Bear locally owned . . . I mean, Mt. Shasta isn’t all that far away!! The new Perkos get’s an A+ and where I go if I’m going to succumb to a chain.
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Liz Merry Reply:
January 30th, 2010 at 7:45 am
Interestingly, I have never had the pizza at Mary’s. I have only had their pasta dishes and salads, which are excellent. Although I have been in CA for 25 years, I am a native NYer and am admittedly a huge pizza snob. Celestino’s in Chico has the only true NY pizza in the area, and I highly recommend it if you’re down that way.
Also - very happy to hear the Eatery has reopened and is good.
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Nick Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
My wife is of East Coast origin as well, and as such we’ve had a hard time with pizza in Redding. She gets her fix at Fasolini’s (behind Kenpo Karate in the, uh, Marke Street Promenade). It might not work for you, but it’s worth a shot..
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My favorite lunch and breakfast place is Courtyard Cafe in the Churn Creek Plaza. (You all know the place, where Churn Creek meets South Bonneyview before it turns into the Bottom, next to the Valero gas station).
They have good sandwiches made to order, fresh homemade soups every day, and the usual breakfast fare. I understand they have an outrageous hamburger (I always get the garden burger) but I know firsthand they have the best fries in town!
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I was with a group of about 14 women at the Sausage Factory on the day of one of the worst storms of January. The place was packed. The waitresses were pleasant and efficient, the food was delicious, the service was quick . Each customer was given an individual check and the price was very reasonable. No one could ask for better service or better food while accommodating that many people in an efficient, timely manner.
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Thai Cafe on Butte St. Don’t mind the plastic plants. The garlic pepper chicken or evil prince is yummy.
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I can’t remember the name of the place, but it’s that round building on Park Marina that used to just be a bakery. You know the one, by Beadman and Discovery Shop. Anyway, their soup is absolutely out of this world delicious. It comes with yummy bread too. I would highly recommend it. I would also second the vote for Cottonwood Eatery. Another reasonably priced and delicious meal is Yama Sushi just north of Raleys on Hartnell. Sitting at the bar, and grabbing plates from the little floating boats is so fun! Thanks for sharing your Perkos experience, Doni. We’ll definitely check it out.
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Paul Frye Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Was at Yama Sushi today, for the first time. Clean, good service, sushi was very good and they had seaweed salad. My daughter and her wife really talked up the place at dinner the other night. They had gone their and filled their gullets for $16 and were impressed with the value. While I had two pieces of ngiri, a hamachi handroll and a seaweed salad, as the ahi and salmon floated by I was impressed by how fresh it looked. I was stuffed and I will return soon and eat some of the good-looking sashimi. We stopped at THE COOKIE SHOP on the way home and picked up a dozen. A fun lunch. Three adults and a three year old, who thought the boats were fun and was given a set of beginner chopsticks. ‘Nuff said, Paulie says give it a try.
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Oooh! I made the column! I’m so excited, but please understand that I eat at a lot of wonderful places around town. I mentioned Perko’s to Doni because of the sheer surprise of it. Who knew? I love Country Kitchen, Janya’s Thai, and SF Deli for lunch. Gironda’s chicken marsala is a huge favorite, as are early bird dinners at Nello’s. Yum.
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Oh my gosh, I almost forgot the Mulligatawny soup on Wednesday at the Westside Cafe in the downtown mall. The place that was once Sue’s Java Cafe? That soup is worth the drive from Lake California. Last Wednesday I was lucky enough to get the last bowl. Yum! It’s kind of a curry base with chicken in the soup, and it’s REALLY good!
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Doni - We went to Perko’s tonight. You’re right. Good food, great service, super new and clean. We all had great sandwiches and burgers. And for those of us who eat a bit later, they serve food until 10:00! Kudos to Perko’s!
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Another vote for Perko’s, Black Bear Diner and the Thai Cafe.
A nice surprise…
Open W-Th for lunch only and the menu is different every week. $7.95 includes Includes Appetizer, Soup or Dinner Salad, Entree and Two Side Dishes.
http://www.shastacollege.edu/bistro/
The Shasta College Bistro…Support Our Students!
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I like Kelsay’s on the River on Park Marina Drive - great panini BLT’s. Also, the spinach salad at Cedar Tree Restaurant in Palo Cedro…..great! And you’ve got to love the cashew prawns at Yuet Bistro…..yum!
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One of our favorite locally family owned cafes is Coffee Creek Espresso & Deli on Athens Ave (next to the travel agency). They serve great coffee (roast and blend it there themselves), excellent soups and sandwiches, cater and have a drive-through. It’s also a fun place to go because they are so friendly.
Glad to hear about Perko’s. The last time we went there (the one on 273) the whole restaurant reeked of bathroom deodorant/cleaner smell. Ugh! Did not make for a pleasant meal. BYW - you didn’t happen to notice if they still have liver and onions on the menu did you? Can’t stand the stuff myself, and refuse to make it at home, so occasionally have to find a restaurant that serves it for my DH.
Happy eating!
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Doni, Have been having lunch at Perko’s for several years. It is always good, and the waitresses are very attentive. They know us and ask where we’ve been if we’re not there. Black Bear is good also.
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I have just one word to add:
Racha Noodle
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Perko’s blueberry muffins are HUGE and DELISH.!!
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Hey, Doni, try the Linguisa Sandwich, which it a full meal and reasonable. Tried it in their Red Bluff grill. It was great. Especially nice to see on the menu, as I was entertaining two Portuguese women. ;o)
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Recently tried the pulled pork sandwich at the Perko’s in Anderson. The bun was too much bread for me - but ditched it and ate the pork, which was delicious and very lean; got the sauce on the side and had a dab here and there - but the meat was really good all by itself.
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Country kitchen is my favorite breakfast so far..I would like to hear other suggestions for good breakfasts. Racha noodle has the freshest, most beautiful and tastiest food for lunch or dinner, along with their other restaurant, Five Thais. Peacock has the best chinese food. For a great American style dinner you can’t beat Moonstone Bistro…but their prices are very high. For great organic salads, sandwiches and wraps try Greengos. For desserts go to Sweetspot, their cupcakes and gelato satisfy completely.
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Doni Greenberg Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 12:59 pm
I love to eat breakfast out. Here are some of my favorite North State breakfast spots (in no particular order):
Deja Vu, Country Kitchen, Country Waffles, Cottonwood Eatery and the Gold Street Cafe.
If I were in Berkeley, I’d vote for Bette’s Diner on Fourth Street. I LOVE that place. It’s like an old diner and is always packed. The breakfasts are terrific and the coffee is super strong. I almost always get the lox platter, mainly because I never find lox and bagels served in in Redding. Why, oh why not?
Thank you, everyone, for weighing in with your opinions. You’re the reason I love anewscafe.com today.
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Bea Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 4:52 pm
When I’m leaving Berkeley (and my beloved grandson ) I always pop into Bette’s To Go for coffee and a morning bun. Their coffee is the best ever! (It’s just like the diner’s coffee, Doni)
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OK,OK, so you’re driving down to Sac, on the ol’ I-5, and you haven’t had breakfast. I know, Granzella’s. Right? Well, let me tell you about a spot that’s
1. Closer
2. Cheaper
3. Better.
The first Willows exit, stay right and don’t cross the bridge. On the right is Ye Olde Walmart. On the left is an airport and an older looking diner called Nancy’s. They have excellent breakfasts, fast service and a wide variety of home made pies. Lots of local airplane memorabilia dot the walls. The place is clean, convenient to the freeway and, often, crowded. You can see if folks are stacked up outside the door from the stop sign at the top of the off ramp and if it is that packed (usually after church on Sunday) then Granzella’s is prolly a better bet. BTW, Nancy’s is good all day and night. But, unless I’m staying in Willows for the night, if it’s supper-time, then I’m thinkin’ Louis Cairo’s in Williams. You can see my review of Louis’ at epinions.com. My nom-de-plum on that site is sweetpaulie.
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Bea Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 4:54 pm
I agree with you, Paul. The airport is much better than Granzellas.
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Kelsey’s on Park Marina has a great lunch menu. The staff is super friendly. Very cozy place. Great food. Easy parking.
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