Good Eats

I tell ya, I walked into Havana in Walnut Creek and I get no respect! The hostess asked if I had a reservation — I said “Yeah, I got RESERVATIONS about my Spanish pronunciation!” She didn’t laugh. No respect! But then I sat down and ordered the Ropa Vieja — that’s braised brisket with onions, tomato and peppers, served with sofrito rice, Cuban black beans, and plantain maduros for $28.95 — and I tell ya, my TASTE BUDS finally got some respect! This place is Miami-influenced Cuban dining and they pour over a DOZEN flavored mojitos! I tried three of ’em and suddenly my Spanish was PERFECT! They got empanadas, plantains, croquettes, the famous Cuban Sandwich, even Paella! Live Latin bands every Thursday night. I started dancing and my wife said “Sit DOWN, you’re embarrassing me!” No respect! But the food? The food gives me ALL the respect I need!

Details

• 1516 Bonanza St., Walnut Creek, CA 94596
• Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm
• Dinner: Mon-Wed 5-9:30pm (Bar til 11pm) / Thu-Sat 5-10pm
• Ropa Vieja Braised Brisket: $28.95
• Over a dozen flavored Mojitos!
• Live Latin bands every Thursday

Visit Havana

I tell ya, my wife says I eat like a bird. I said “Yeah, a bird that shows up EARLY for the Early Bird Special!” At Cap’s you come in before 6pm and get one of SEVEN signature dinner entrées — including the Eggplant Parmigiana — all served with soup or salad AND ice cream for $23.95! I asked the waiter “What’s the catch?” He said “No catch, just good food.” I almost fell out of my chair! No catch? Usually when something sounds too good to be true, my wallet cries! But Cap’s delivers! AND they got salsa dancing every Thursday starting at 7pm. My wife wants to go — she says I need the exercise. No respect! Plus they’re decorated for the holidays, so bring a camera. The decorations are beautiful… unlike my dance moves!

Details

• 144 Oak St, Brentwood, CA 94513
• (925) 634-1025
• Mon & Tue 4-9pm, Wed-Sat 11-3 Lunch & 4-9pm Dinner, Sun 4-9 Dinner
• 7 Early Bird Specials: $23.95 (before 6pm)
• Salsa dancing Thursdays at 7pm
• Decorated for the holidays — bring a camera!

Visit Cap’s Restaurant

I tell ya, I tried karaoke once and the crowd threw tomatoes! The guy running the sound said “You’re not that bad” — then he unplugged my microphone! No respect! But at Vinnie’s Open Mic Mondays, they got a HUGE stage with professional lighting and sound — they treat you like a STAR even if you sing like a wounded animal! Tuesday is Country Night with FREE admission and dance lessons. I tried the two-step and my partner said “Are you counting?” I said “Yeah, counting the minutes until this song ends!” But seriously, Vinnie’s has tasty food from talented chefs, affordably priced, and rocking entertainment all weekend long. Great place whether you got talent or you’re like me — all enthusiasm, no ability!

Details

• 2045 Mount Diablo St, Concord, CA 94520
• (925) 685-9515
• Everyday 11am-2am
• Open Mic Mondays — huge stage, pro lighting & sound
• Country Night Tuesdays — FREE admission + dance lessons
• Rocking entertainment all weekend!

Visit Vinnie’s

I tell ya, I told my family I’d cook for the holidays and they said “Please DON’T!” My mother-in-law said “Remember the turkey incident of 2019?” I said “The fire department overreacted!” No respect! So this year I’m ordering Holiday Meals To-Go from Smith’s Landing — Turkey, Prime Rib, or Cioppino to serve at home. Everyone thinks I slaved over a hot stove and I get all the credit! THAT’S respect! Plus their Sunday Brunch is $44 per person with UNLIMITED mimosas. I had so many mimosas last time I started tipping the seagulls! Smith’s is beautifully decorated for the holidays — bring your camera. The decorations are gorgeous, the waterfront view is spectacular, and the food? The food makes you forget your family is judging you!

Details

• 1 Marina Plaza, Antioch, CA 94509
• (925) 775-4862
• Mon-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-8pm
• Sunday Brunch: $44 with unlimited mimosas
• Holiday Meals To-Go: Turkey, Prime Rib, Cioppino
• Beautifully decorated — bring your camera!

Visit Smiths Landing
🎄 Order Holiday Meals

HOLY GUACAMOLE! I tell ya, my doctor says “Watch your sodium.” So I watched the salt go right into the guacamole — and then into my MOUTH! No respect from my cardiologist, but PLENTY of respect from Celia’s! Their sampler platter has quesadilla, nachos, chimichanguitas, hot wings, AND jalapeño poppers for $20.10 — plenty to share, but who’s SHARING? Not me! I recommend a pitcher of strawberry margaritas for the holidays. My wife said “You’re having margaritas with THAT much food?” I said “It’s the holidays! Calories don’t count between Thanksgiving and New Year’s!” She didn’t buy it. No respect! But you know what? Celia’s respects my appetite and that’s what MATTERS!

Details

• 523 W. 10th St, Antioch, CA 94509
• (925) 754-1355
• Sun-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri & Sat 11am-10pm
• Holy Guacamole Sampler: $20.10
• Plenty to share — try the strawberry margarita pitcher!

Visit Celia’s

I tell ya, last tournament I went all-in with pocket aces and lost to a guy who didn’t even know he had a FLUSH! He said “What’s a flush?” I said “It’s what my $65 buy-in just did — went down the TOILET!” No respect from the poker gods! But I keep coming back to the 19th Hole’s $65 Sit & Go Texas Hold’em Tournament every Saturday and Sunday at 1pm. Why? Because hope springs eternal! And also because one of these days my luck’s gonna turn! They also got $5 Blackjack and Three Card Poker daily if tournaments aren’t your thing. My wife says “You lose every week!” I said “Yeah, but I lose with STYLE!” Gamble responsibly folks — do as I say, not as I do!

Details

• 2746 W. Tregallas Rd, Antioch, CA 94509
• (925) 757-6545
• Mon-Thu 11am-2am, Sat-Sun 10am-2am
• $65 Sit & Go Texas Hold’em Tournament: Sat & Sun at 1pm
• $5 Blackjack & Three Card Poker daily
• Please gamble responsibly!

Visit 19th Hole

The Rodney Encore!

You wanted more Rodney, you GOT more Rodney! I tell ya, I walked into a Cuban restaurant expecting no respect and walked out saying “¡Muy delicioso!” These restaurants keep proving that respect is EARNED — and they EARN it every week!

From Havana’s Ropa Vieja to Smith’s holiday meals to Celia’s Holy Guacamole — the food around here just keeps getting BETTER! And my waistline keeps getting WIDER! But that’s a problem for January!

Looking good! Feeling good! (And finally getting some RESPECT!)

– Billy Ray Val 🎭

🗳️ WHO SHOULD BILLY RAY DO NEXT? 🗳️

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