The Wrong Side of the Tracks: The Best Sushi in Suburban Los Angeles

by David Farley on
Getting to the best sushi restaurant in suburban Los Angeles can be easy (when there’s no traffic, of course). From Downtown Los Angeles take highway 60 toward Pomona, driving through East Los Angeles and the fictitious-sounding Avocado Heights, past the green, well-manicured tombstone-studded hill known as Rose Hills cemetery (where gangster rapper Eazy-E is buried). Continue cruising past the endless strip malls of Puente and boxy shopping malls and neon chain store signs, which morph into Chinese language signs about five miles later. After the town of Industry, the butt of many jokes on the TV show Arrested Development, and Diamond Bar, switch over to highway 71 toward Corona.

A few miles down highway 71, get off at Chino Hills Parkway, take a right and pull into the first strip mall you see. Welcome to Chino Hills, home of Hayaci, the best sushi in suburban Los Angeles.

For the uninitiated, this isn’t the California where people come to reach for the stars. It’s the California of commuters; it’s the part of the state, wedged somewhere between Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, where residents have sacrificed location for a bigger house at a more affordable price; the California where the only “mom and pop” shops left are madre y padre shops, selling better-than-average tacos and, on the weekends, menudo. Like, say, coastal California there are a lot of hotel rooms here. But not for tourism: people come to Chino to visit relatives in the California State Prison (or you might find Republicans who have lost their way on a pilgrimage to the nearby Richard Nixon Presidential Library). Chino is the home of character Ryan Atwood on the TV show The O.C., portrayed as the antithesis of heavenly Newport Beach. The wrong side of the tracks.

Unless you’re a teenager who hasn’t reached driving age or a resident of the high-security prison, Chino and its younger sibling, Chino Hills, really isn’t the “wrong side of the tracks,” or hell on earth or anything like that. It’s just a normal suburban greater Los Angeles town.

But it’s not the type of town you’d expect to find Hayaci, a restaurant run by a Korean couple Jay and Stella. There are a gazillion sushi joints tucked away in a strip mall in southern California. But what makes Hayaci special is the price-quality ratio. Lunch for three people at Hayaci usually totals out at $50. The last time I ate about the equivalent quality of sushi in New York (at, say, Next Door Nobu) for three people, the bill was three times as high.


I usually go to Hayaci with Cathy, my sister, who lives in Chino Hills. She’s such a regular that she’s earned her chopsticks; meaning, when we walk in, Jay opens a cabinet door and pulls out a rectangular box that contains her very own pair of sticks. As soon as we sit down, Jay plops two pieces of albacore belly in front of us. But this isn’t just any ordinary piece of raw fish staring back at me–not just because the quality is high grade; but each piece of sushi is topped with sautéed garlic, adding a taste strata that you wouldn’t necessarily find in Japan, but is pure bliss on the taste buds.

After the albacore, we usually plow through a few of the house rolls (I love the “Crazy Rabbit Roll” which looks like a carrot, wrapped in fresh salmon with a stalk of lettuce poking out one side) and then always top off the meal with two more of those garlic-topped albacore sushi pieces.

I’ve been to Hayaci enough times–I was there three times last week–that Jay and Stella recognize me now. I’m the food and travel writing brother from New York. I suspect I’m a long way off from earning my own chopsticks. Which means I have a lot of driving on that stretch of highway 60 ahead of me.

Hayaci, 4200 Chino Hills Pkwy #870, Chino Hills, CA. 909-606-7866.

Share a vacation rental, go to Tahoe for free with PackLate

by Grant Martin on

If you’ve ever spent time scouring for rooms on couchsurfing or making friends on airbnb, the folks at PackLate might have a contest for you. In an effort to spread the good word about vacation rentals and the inventory that they carry, a few of their brass are spending Valentine’s Day weekend in a property in Tahoe — and they’re inviting their Facebook fans along for the ride.

Eight of their lucky fans will get a free hookup at Tahoe next weekend in a real-world, adventure-budget-travel bonanza that will 98% probably be an awesome trip and 2% turn into a Real-Worldesque drama fest. Either way, it’ll be fun for us to watch. Since it looks like they’re equipping all of the tennants with flipcams the video will make it out to the community eventually.

There’s still time to enter the contest over at Facebook as of today, Friday February 4th. They’ll be picking candidates to join them in Tahoe over the course of the day.

Historic cruise ship to be given a new life

by Chris Owen on

It was and still is the largest ocean liner constructed entirely in the U.S. The 53,330 ton SS United States that ran transatlantic sailings until 1969, setting speed records that have still not been broken today. Still, the ships fate seemed doomed with her next stop being the scrap yard.

Built from 1950-52, the SS United States operated uninterrupted transatlantic passenger service until 1969. But the ship was withdrawn from service and bounced around from one idea to another. At one point there was talk of making it into a floating time share-like ship. Later it was stripped of its fittings that that would become furniture in a North Carolina restaurant. Most recently the ship was slated to become part of Norwegian Cruise Lines American-flagged Hawaii fleet.

The SS United States Conservancy announced Tuesday it has purchased the legendary ocean liner, berthed in Philadelphia since 1996, from Norwegian Cruise Line and its parent company for $3 million and hopes to restore the ship to its original glory in an extreme makeover the likes of which has never been seen.

They have a long way to go though.

The annual costs of upkeep tops $800,000, the ship is full of toxic PCB’s, fire-resistant chemicals once commonly used in paint which must be removed, and the refitting price tag is high at $200 million.

“While we’ve already been talking with a number of investors, municipal officials and developers, we can take these conservations to the next level because we now hold title to the vessel,” said Susan Gibbs, conservancy board president and the granddaughter of William Francis Gibbs, the ship’s Philadelphia-born designer. “Our doors are open and we’re ready for business.”

Why bother?

This is a ship that carried President John F. Kennedy and actress Grace Kelly. Prince Rainier of Monaco, England’s King Edward VIII and former Rhodes scholar Bill Clinton were on board. This is a piece of history that once gone, we will never get back. Today’s cruise ships are built in a totally different manner in foreign shipyards. This one, the one that still holds the transatlantic speed record, was built in America. How many things can you say that about these days?

While private backers are being sought to fund the enterprise, donations are being accepted via the Conservatory’s website.

Flickr photo by Mihai Bjorn

Desert Solitaire: 3 Serene, Small-town Escapes into the American Southwest

by Gadling Staff on

If your image of the American Southwest is still dominated by visions of tumbleweed blowing through ghost towns, Old West saloons, and prickly cactus, it may come as a surprise to learn that this vast region has undergone dramatic growth in recent years, with many cities experiencing a decades-long housing boom and relentless suburban sprawl that only the Great Recession could put the brakes on. A quick pass across the Southwest on the Interstate these days offers up more views of housing developments, crowded city streets, and newly-built shopping centers than Old West towns and historic main streets. But don’t fear: you can still capture the essence of the old Southwest in the well-preserved, visitor-friendly small towns that are tucked far away from big city life in this part of the country. These towns are a good drive from the Interstate, but well worth the trip if you want a serene desert escape that puts you at the heart of traditional Southwestern culture.

Bisbee, Arizona. For a period in the early 1900s, this historic Southeastern Arizona mining town, about 90 miles from Tucson, was the biggest city between St. Louis and San Francisco, boasting a diverse population of over 20,000. Today, the population lingers around 6,000, but the town feels smaller as you wander the rambling alleyways of this tight-knit community of artists and ranchers. The biodiversity of the high desert is in full bloom here: Bisbee and surrounding areas are world-famous for rare hummingbird sightings, shimmering cottonwoods and willow trees, and showy wildflower displays that last throughout the relatively cool summers.

Borrego Springs, California. This desert village, in the far reaches of Northeastern San Diego County, represents the most western point of the vast Sonoran Desert and is emblematic of the striking landscape found throughout the Southwest. Although only a short drive away from Palm Springs, you’ll feel far removed from the pricey resorts and tourist traffic of that glitzy desert metropolis. Situated in the heart of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, this hamlet is surrounded by 600,000 acres of wild desert beauty, including hidden palm grove oases, desert washes, and majestic mountain vistas surreal in their scope. A few small motels, cafes, and shops line the main drag, filled with hikers, nature-lovers, and locals who are drawn to this low-key desert gem. A great place to absorb the stillness and essential quiet of the desert.

Silver City, New Mexico. Billy the Kid’s hometown and the gateway to New Mexico’s great Gila wilderness. Silver City is another example of an ex-mining town that has transformed itself into an artsy, Southwestern hideaway. The main street is lined with antique shops, bookstores, bars, and cafes, but don’t expect to find a Starbucks in these parts. There is a definite dusty, ramshackle-feel to the hilly streets, perfect for exploring on foot and escaping big-city life, if only for a day or two. Take the short drive north to the neighboring community of Pinos Altos and listen to the whispering forests of towering Ponderosa Pines.

Top Five On-The-Go Regional Road Restaurants

by Gadling Staff on


Nothing makes one feel more like a local (or confers more bragging rights) than discovering a locally-beloved hole-in-the-wall while traveling — but what if you’re just passing through? Fear not; even those who barely have time to pull off the freeway can still eat like an insider.

Although none of the following restaurants carry quite the same street cred as a hip underground dive, they’re all regional stalwarts, well-liked by locals and, more importantly, easy to access from any major freeway in the area. From west to east, here are five reasons why you should never have to resort to McDonald’s on the road:

1. Burgerville (OR/WA)

For fast food in the Pacific Northwest, there’s no better bet than Burgerville, with its locally sourced ingredients and seasonal menu items, which currently include Yukon Gold fries and a chocolate-hazelnut milkshake. Their standard menu isn’t too shabby either, with offerings like sweet potato fries and a half-pound “colossal cheeseburger” with Oregon’s own Tillamook cheddar.

2. In-N-Out Burger (CA/AZ/NV/UT)

Californians can be obsessive about In-N-Out, and with good reason. Unlike Burgerville’s plethora of options, In-N-Out keeps its menu simple, but those in the know rely on the “secret menu” when ordering up double-doubles (double-meat, double-cheese), Neapolitan milkshakes, or “animal style” (extra sauce and grilled onions). Be sure to snag a free bumper sticker to really show off your Cali bona fides.

3. Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q (NM/TX/OK/CO)

Part gas station, part convenience store, and completely delicious, Rudy’s is a one-stop, full-service oasis for any road-weary traveler. Pull off for some gas and stay for the pulled pork or the brisket — just give yourself a few minutes to eat inside, because wet, Texas-style barbecue this finger-lickin’ good deserves your full attention.

4. Skyline Chili (OH/KY/IN/FL)

Skyline is a Cincinnati-born regional favorite, born of a simple concept: spaghetti noodles, chili, and copious amounts of cheese. It’s also delicious, and a prime example of good, old-fashioned stick-to-your-ribs Midwestern fare.

5. Legal Sea Foods (FL/GA/VA/DC/MD/PA/NJ/NY/RI/MA)

Legal Sea Foods isn’t just another seafood chain — their restaurants, throughout the mid-Atlantic and New England, vary their menus according to the catch of the day. It’s the fanciest restaurant on this list, but if you’ve got time to sit down, it’s worth it; from clam chowder to blue crab and Maine lobster, you can savor the flavors of the East Coast, without straying too far from the asphalt.