SOUTH RENO'S SQUEEZE IN SERVES "BEST OMELETTES ON THE PLANET"

South Reno's Squeeze In, 25 Foothill Rd. #3, is easily my family's favorite spot in Northern Nevada for breakfast or brunch.  

Squeeze In is famous for more than 60 varieties of the "best omelettes on the planet" and impeccable service in a fun, funky atmosphere.

I recently chatted with Shila Morris, who co-owns the four Squeeze In locations (Truckee, Calif.; Northwest Reno, Nev.; South Reno, Nev. and Sparks, Nev.) with her husband Chad Morris and her parents Gary and Misty Young.  She shared some history and reasons for Squeeze In's success.

Shila Morris

I was already aware, from Squeeze In's Web site and their newsletters, that the restaurant was opened by a different family, in 1974, in Truckee.  The name came from the tiny space. Diners had to "squeeze in."  The Youngs had been longtime customers and purchased the restaurant in 2004, eager to preserve the popular menu and the playful vibe.

Morris noted, laughing, "The original 1974 menu said, 'Streakers eat free' and some people actually took them up on it.  That was definitely the spirit in 1974." 

I asked her how much of the current menu was true to the original menu.  "The original line-up is mostly on there," she said, gesturing to the current menu.  "There originally were 57 omelettes. We added nine and retired some that weren't really popular. Like there were several with chicken liver!  We don't have any with chicken liver anymore.  And we retired some with fruit, but still have one with fruit."

Some of the so-called "retired" omelettes can still be found on Squeeze In's Old School Menu.  They aim to please both returning and new customers.

"The Racy Tracy is one of the originals," Morris commented, referring to an omelette that was featured on Food Network's "Throwdown with Bobby Flay." It features bacon, avocado, mushrooms and Jack cheese. 

Omelettes at Squeeze In are typically served with "spudz" (sort of like home fries), your choice of toast (wheat, sourdough or rye) and choice of sauce (cheese, mushroom or tomato pesto).  The first time we visited Squeeze In, my family was baffled by the sauce. "Where is this supposed to go?"  We quickly discovered that the tomato pesto is delicious on both the omelettes and the spudz.  Refills of toast and sauce at Squeeze In are free.

If you're watching carbs or cholesterol, you can also order omelettes made with Egg Beaters and a different side such as salad, fruit, sliced tomatoes or cottage cheese.

All of the ingredients for Squeeze In omelettes are sauteed in a special white wine sauce. "And our omelettes are American style, more like an egg taco, wrapped around the fillings, rather than French style omelettes which are more cooked-in, more 'chef-y'," Morris explained.

Squeeze In is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., 363 days a year.  They only close on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day. Even at that, on Thanksgiving morning, the Squeeze In owners serve breakfast to their employees and their families.  "It's our way of giving back, to show appreciation for all of their hard work," said Morris.

Between the four locations, Squeeze In has just under 100 employees.  "Each has two front managers and two back managers and we also have regional managers who float around as needed," said Morris.  "As owners, our focus is on our associates, to help them with their guests.  I manage the managers.  We work really hard on training, make sure the associates know the business, our history, our culture, why we're passionate about what we do.  And we pool tips, so that any server in the restaurant is your server.  You're not going to be ignored when your server is busy."

That's something I can vouch for. At the South Reno Squeeze In, it's never a problem to get a drink refilled, or request more toast or anything else.  Cheerful servers are fast on their feet and always courteous.

In addition to their fame on Food Network, Squeeze In has won many awards and was recently mentioned in the New York Times, on a blog about the restaurant's finesse with social media.  I asked Morris if there's a dream TV show or magazine where she'd especially love to see a feature about Squeeze In.

"Any feature is a good feature," she replied, grinning. "I'd love to meet Bethenny Frankel. She's kind of a personal hero and she's also a chef, like a mentor chef.  And I love Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. If they ever want to interview me, I'll know I've made it."

Meanwhile, Morris added, Squeeze In loves to focus on the communities it serves and to contribute to local charities. Every issue of their newsletter lists fundraising drives and donations of gift baskets to people and organizations in need. 

"We really are a family," Morris concluded. Her sister, Kay Young, also works at Squeeze In and many of their associates are also related, such as mother-daughter and mother-son teams.

Not in the mood for an omelette?  Not a problem. Squeeze In's menu includes many other breakfast items, as well as soup, sandwiches, burgers, burritos and more.

For more information about the South Reno Squeeze In, call (775) 853-6090 or visit http://www.squeezein.com/squeeze3.html .

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DAY TRIP FROM SOUTH RENO: GENOA, NEVADA'S CANDY DANCE FAIRE

Genoa, Nevada's Candy Dance Faire takes place each year on the last full weekend of September.  Genoa is Nevada's oldest settlement, established as Mormon Station in 1851.  The town's population is approximately 220, but this festival draws hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors. 

The event began in 1921, when Genoa residents sold candy to raise money for street lights.  A community dance called the Candy Dance is part of the festivities, along with candy sales, kids' activities and booths where you can buy everything from Baltic Amber to Redneck Bird Feeders. 

During our visit this weekend, my husband and I saw a recreation of an Old West Shootout and enjoyed great people-watching at the Candy Dance Faire.  The actors in the shootout were collecting money for children with autism, so it was for a wonderful cause. 

And it's obvious that the Candy Dance Faire organizers have quite a sense of humor. 

My only complaint about this event is that we sat in traffic for almost an hour, after exiting U.S. 395 to enter the town of Genoa.  Cars were crawling into the parking area at a snail's pace.  Since this is an annual and very popular event, it would seem that someone could find a way to improve traffic flow. (Parking, by the way, was a reasonable $5 per car.) 

But aside from the traffic jam, the Candy Dance Faire was a much bigger and more entertaining event than we had anticipated.  We'd definitely recommend it to South Reno locals as well as tourists in Northern Nevada.  Genoa is just a bit South and West of Carson City.  And getting to Carson — from South Reno— is much faster now that there's a new freeway route (I-580 in Washoe County). 

For more information about historic Genoa, Nevada and its special events, call (775) 782-8696 or visit http://www.genoanevada.org/ .

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SOUP, SANDWICH AND A VIEW: YOSH'S UNIQUE DELI IN SOUTH RENO

South Reno-based Yosh's Unique Deli has been hiding in plain sight, at 85 Foothill Rd. #4, for more than a year.  In other words, I'd driven past it a zillion times without really paying attention.  Thank goodness I finally wised up!  My first visit, at lunchtime yesterday, was a revelation.  This modern, bright and airy spot has a vast deli menu and obvious care for "made-from-scratch" quality.

I want to learn more about this restaurant and catering business.  But from what I've heard so far, owner-operator Josh Codding (whose nickname is Yosh) is the grandson of the couple that founded Reno's Unique Delicatessan on Moana Lane in 1973.  Re-establishing this beloved deli, Yosh has committed to presenting his family's time-honored recipes to a new audience, while also supporting local and regional food producers.

If you've read my blog post from Sept. 3, 2012 — DELI DILEMMA IN SOUTH RENO — you already know that I'm a native Chicagoan with a fondness for foods from Back East, including Reuben sandwiches.  To me, a Reuben is a quintessential deli food. A deli that serves a rotten Reuben just isn't worth my time.  Excellent soup is another make-or-break factor when I'm trying a new deli.  I'm sure Jerry Seinfeld would agree.  (Hence the catchphrase, "No soup for you!")

So to test Yosh's Unique Deli, I just had to go with a half-sandwich and soup combo ($7.99) of a Reuben and chicken soup. 

Oh, happy day!  The chicken soup was "to die for," piping hot and as scrumptious as my late grandma's, with a rich (and not too salty) broth and very tender chunks of chicken, carrots and mushrooms.  This soup was so delightful that next time, I must order a bowl instead of a cup. 

I really liked my half-Reuben, too.  The pastrami was very juicy and just zesty enough, with nice toppings of kraut, cheese and dressing on marble rye.  The sandwich portion and the pickle were on the small-ish side.  My hubby doesn't like pickles so I swiped his to make up for it.

Meanwhile, he skipped soup — and regretted doing so, after he tasted mine.  Being a cautious diner ("What if I don't like it?") he ordered just a half-French dip sandwich on sourdough ($3.99).  He was not disappointed, deeming the beef very tender and the au jus "just right."

Yesterday's specials on Yosh's menu included a baked apple salad and a soup featuring bacon, Brussels sprouts and potatoes.

Yosh's regular menu features Signature Sandwiches such as Nana's Meatloaf, Pulled Pork and a Thanksgiving-dinner-style sandwich, The Gobbler.  Build-Your-Own Sandwiches are $6.99 for a whole sandwich or $3.99 for half.  As mentioned, the half-sandwich is petite, so go for the gusto and order a whole sandwich unless you have a kid-size appetite — or a need for soup.

Salad choices include Caesar, BLT, Salmon Nicoise, Italian Chop and more.

There's a nice-looking dessert case, as well, but with all the soup and sandwich action going on, I don't think I'll be needing it.

Yosh's Unique Deli has an outdoor patio that overlooks a small garden area — and across the street, mountains and cows.  Before winter winds start to whip, I'll be sure to take advantage of the view — and more soup!

For more information about Yosh's Unique Deli, call (775) 853-9674 or visit  http://yoshsdeli.com/ .

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KILLER SALSA: A SOUTH RENO REGIONAL FOOD FIND

I enjoy Food Network's series "Unwrapped," which goes behind the scenes to show you how and where popular food products are made.  And every time I have moved to a new place, I've found at least a couple local or regional food products that are exceptionally delicious.  For example, when my family first arrived in the Seattle area, I became an instant fan of Talking Rain Sparkling Water  http://www.talkingrain.com/

and Tim's Cascade-Style Potato Chips  http://www.timschips.com/ .

Shortly after landing in South Reno, my family discovered Killer Salsa. 

 

It's not made here in Reno, but in Gardnerville, Nevada, 35 or so miles down U.S. Route 395.  According to the Killer Salsa Web site, Fran Pritchard was a former food service manager whose homemade salsa was deemed so "killer" that she decided to go into business selling it.

I've only tried the Original recipe of Killer Salsa — both the fresh and shelf-stable versions are outstanding.   They really do taste like they're homemade.  They're available at South Reno supermarkets such as Winco, Walmart or Smith's or can be purchased online.  Killer Salsa also makes several other varieties of salsa (Garlic Picante, Fire Roasted Tomato, Hot Picante, XX Hot Picante, Salsa Verde and Smoked Chipotle) as well as a Killer Salsa Nacho Cheese Sauce.

All of their salsas are fat-free and additive-free, which to me, is just as important as their fresh flavor.

The Killer Salsa site includes recipes for tacos, burritos, chimichangas and more.  The Shredded Beef Tacos recipe — prepared in a slow cooker — looks super-easy and good.

And the Killer Salsa site just gave me an idea for treating family and friends to a taste of Northern Nevada.  As Holiday Specials, you can order five 16-ounce jars of Killer Salsa (you can mix your selections, too) for $35 including delivery.  The six-jar Holiday Special is $40 including delivery.  Maybe this will spread Killer Salsa's fame to other parts of the U.S.   Maybe someday we'll see them on "Unwrapped!"   Wouldn't that be fun?

For more information about Killer Salsa, call (775) 782-0048 or visit http://killersalsa.com/store/ .

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BELIEVE IT OR NOT ... SOUTH RENO'S WILD HORSES

Before we moved to Northern Nevada, my husband's co-workers casually mentioned that we ought to get used to seeing wild horses taking strolls through our neighborhood.  We thought they were goofing around.  Yet their claims were completely legit.  No amount of watching re-runs of "Bonanza" prepared us for what we were about to witness. 

Not long after we arrived, we started seeing small groups of horses, maybe four or five at a time, hanging out in open fields across Veterans Parkway in South Reno.  That was weird, but nowhere near as weird as later seeing bands of a dozen or more brazenly strolling into residential areas — right past the "NO HORSES" signs.  "Can't they read?  The sign says NO HORSES," we joked. 

This summer (and now into early autumn), a large band of horses has made itself quite at home near Damonte Ranch, Double Diamond Ranch, Curti Ranch and Virginia Highlands.  They are not afraid of people or cars, although they don't like loud noises from motorcycles or lawnmowers.  In fact, they're sort of like nature's lawnmowers as they chow down on grass.  "Save a horse ... skip a lawnmower!" 

Most neighbors are respectful of these beautiful animals.  Others don't seem too thrilled by their presence.  The horses leave a lot of gifts in the form of free fertilizer.  That's a boon or a nuisance, depending on whether you're a gardener or trying to sell your house. 

Meanwhile, friends and relatives in other states had a hard time believing our tales about the local wild horses, until we supplied them with photo after photo.  Even at that, they're incredulous:  "How can these horses just be wandering around?"  Followed by, "I'd freak out if I saw a wild horse!"  Well, if I hadn't been forewarned, my first encounter with a wild horse would have freaked me out, too.  Now it's become so common that I don't bat an eye.  I guess it's a sign that I'm getting used to this mysterious Area 89521. 

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DOWNTOWN RENO'S CAMPO: NOT WORTH THE HYPE

"Campo! Campo! Campo!"  In recent months, I've heard that about as often as poor Jan Brady of "The Brady Bunch" heard, "Marcia! Marcia! Marcia!"  Glowing online reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations made Campo out to be not only the best Italian restaurant in Reno, but the best restaurant, period. 

My husband and I had high hopes for a terrific dinner when we booked a reservation for this past Saturday.  The outcome?  Let's put it this way.  Campo is a lively (albeit very noisy) place in a hip location, 50 N. Sierra St., overlooking the Truckee River in downtown Reno.  The waitstaff is good-looking and friendly.  It's a cool "see and be seen" kind of place. 

But Campo's hugely-hyped pizzas were what the kids would call "an epic fail."  Mine was a Margherita Pizza ($13).  

How could anyone, especially a restaurant that brags about its ultra-fresh, local, premium ingredients, mess up something as simple as a pizza with three stellar components — tomatoes, mozarella and basil?  Expecting actual tomatoes and plenty of top-quality cheese, I got an overly bready and overcooked crust, scantily clad with a thin smattering of tomato sauce, an equally paltry amount of cheese and a few puny basil leaves. 

My husband's Meatballs Pizza ($14) looked as though one medium-sized meatball had been crumbled into small pieces.  His pizza's crust was also like a doorstopper, dressed with a miniscule amount of tomato sauce and cheese.  Honestly, we've had better frozen pizzas from Walmart.

The Campo salad ($6) was actually very good.  The mixed greens were accompanied by sliced red onions, radishes, a few shards of cheese and a perfect white balsamic dressing.  

But we didn't come to Campo for salad — we were promised amazing pizzas. We're wondering just where these critics have ordered pizzas before, if these are the best in Reno. 

Maybe Campo's pasta is better than its pizza.  I'm skeptical.  But I would highly recommend another Italian restaurant in Reno:  La Vecchia, which moved from a longtime location on South Virginia Street at Moana Avenue, to 3005 Skyline Blvd.  Yes, that's Northwest Reno, not my neighborhood, but worth the drive. 

On a visit earlier this year, my Scaloppine Di Vitello Emiliana ($18) was spectacular.  This was veal scallopine topped with roasted eggplant, Proscuitto, mozarella and roasted tomato-white wine sauce. 

Also wonderful was my Insalatina Di Spinaci, Pere, Gorgonzola ($6). It featured spinach with roasted pear, pistachios, red wine vinaigrette and Gorgonzola. 

La Vecchia doesn't serve pizza, so I guess I'm comparing apples to oranges.  But after the subpar pizzas we had at Campo, I'm not sure that I care to try their pastas.  La Vecchia, however, is definitely an Italian restaurant to which I'd gladly return. 

For more information about La Vecchia, call (775) 825-1113 or visit http://www.lavecchiareno.com/

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MY WEDDING LIBRARY TO HOST FREE WEDDING FAIRE AT THE SUMMIT IN SOUTH RENO

My Wedding Library will host a free Wedding Faire from noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30 at The Summit Mall.  The Summit is located at the intersection of South Virginia Street and Mt. Rose Highway on Reno's South end.  My Wedding Library is next to Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works at The Summit. 

Beth Jones, who started My Wedding Library with her husband Chris, explained, "We're not wedding planners, we're a free resource center to empower brides and others to find florists, bakers and other vendors who may work out of their home or a commercial kitchen and need help marketing their services." 

Beth Jones

The mission of My Wedding Library, is twofold, Jones added: "We provide convenience for couples and more exposure for these businesses."  

She and her associate Brooke Smith-La Fata each have about 10 years of experience in the wedding industry.  They work with around 100 vendors from the greater Reno-Tahoe area and present a wide range of options to their clients. 

"The bride," said Jones, "and when I say the bride, I also mean the groom, the mother of the bride and others involved, want choice and recommendations and referrals.  Everyone's taste is different. So I say to them, 'These six cake-makers are awesome. Reach out to all of them.'  People with the same budget may want entirely different things.  We recommend a range." 

And although the business is called My Wedding Library, it also offers resources for other events, such as graduation or anniversary parties, where people may want to rent a venue and hire a caterer, musicians or a photographer.  My Wedding Library is also gearing up for the holiday season by incorporating wedding or anniversary gifts. 

At the Sept. 30 Wedding Faire, vendors will set up displays and provide samples, discounts and promotions in My Wedding Library's actual suite and an additional suite next door.  

For more information, call (775) 354-5634 or visit 

http://www.myweddinglibrary.com/

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