Archives for December 2012

Azteca: Delicious Mexican Cuisine with a Side of . . . Elvis?

There are plenty of places to get good Mexican food in Southern California. But how many of them are accompanied by the largest collection of Elvis memorabilia West of the Mississippi? Enter Azteca, a Garden Grove landmark that couples delicious, spicy tacos with more Presley than you can shake a stick at. Owner JJ Jaregui hung the first piece of Elvis art over a booth in the restaurant in 1993, and it was all downhill from there. But what about the food? Thankfully, Azteca has it on lock in the kitchen, with regulars praising their spectacular garlic tacos and albondigas. Step back into the Crooner’s Lounge for a more intimate bar vibe—this one-of-a-kind hangout is like a time machine to the glory days of the Rat Pack, staffed by some of the nicest bartenders in town. Regular live music and karaoke gives locals just one more reason to stop in—not like they need it.

Azteca
12911 Main Street
Garden Grove, CA 92840
(714) 638-3790
www.aztecamexicanrestaurant.org

Mimi’s Cafe: A Local Favorite

Known for dependable meals at great prices, Mimi’s Café is the place to go for your everyday comfort food—soups, salads, sandwiches, hearty entrees (meatloaf, pot roast, etc.) and more. Founded in 1978, this local chain is known by their custom-constructed buildings, which resemble French country cottages, as well as their excellent hospitality. Starting out in Anaheim, California, there are now Mimi’s in 28 states. Regulars all rave about the carrot raisin bread, served in the free breadbasket that starts your meal. You can ask for nothing but that in the basket and they’ll gladly give it to you. The food is competent if not extraordinary, with the usual mix of breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites. The service is also polite and respectful, making Mimi’s one of the few restaurants in town that doesn’t seem like they’re trying to rush you through your meal.

Mimi’s Café
7955 Garden Grove Boulevard
Garden Grove, CA 92841
(714) 898-5042
www.mimiscafe.com

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you a wonderful and safe holiday season filled with warm memories!

Easy Ways to Relieve Back Pain

If your back is giving you issues, you don’t need to just live with it. Even if you’ve suffered from chronic back pain most of your life, there are simple, easy ways to help alleviate your aching spine.

Sleep Well – Sound sleep helps to repair overworked muscles and ease inflammation. For an improved night's rest, it’s essential to have a good mattress and also test out various sleeping postures to see what works best for your body. Sleeping on your side is generally recommended for back pain sufferers, and many people like to place a pillow between their knees for additional support.

Move Your Body – When you suffer from back pain, moving often seems like a bad (or at least painful) idea, but gentle exercise is essential to heal and strengthen your muscles. Start with gentle stretches, and then try going for a slow, steady walk. As you stretch and strengthen your muscles, you may very well notice your back pain disappearing!

Pain Killers – For short term relief, over-the-counter pain killers can work wonders.  Look for a NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen. This combined with gentle movement, like a walk, are often thought of as the very best remedies for low back pain.

Heat & Cold – Cold therapy, like an ice pack, works well for inflammation and also reduces swelling. Heat, such as a hot water bottle or heating pad, is best for alleviating muscle spasms and cramping. Experiment with what feels best for your back pain.

Grand Central Art Center: Hub for Great Art

Run by the Fullerton campus of California State University, Grand Central Art Center is dedicated to showcasing art in a variety of media from all over the world. The Art Center is a popular spot — just a short distance away from Coventry Court Apartments — for discovering new artists by taking an art work through the expansive Art Gallery and Project Room, which host four to six exhibits each year. The Theater offers an intimate view of new, thought-provoking dance performances and plays. Its in-the-round design makes sure each of the 85 house seats has a good view of the stage. In addition to its performance space, the Art Center has apartments available for its artist-in-residence and graduate students. These students, along with a board of directors, run the center, selecting and running the exhibits and performances. The public is also invited to a number of lectures on visual arts at the center.

Grand Central Art Center
125 N. Broadway
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 567-7233

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