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FOOD - DRINK - FUN

Mountain Views-News SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2025


STARS, STRIPES, AND A SIDE OF MUSTARD

Let’s talk hot dogs. Yep—America’s most misunderstood meat missile. The Fourth of July 
isn’t just about fireworks and awkward family group photos—it’s about food that can be 
grilled in under 10 minutes and eaten in under two.

While hamburgers tend to hog the backyard spotlight, the humble hot dog still holds a firm 
grip on our collective stomachs. Every year, Americans eat an estimated 150 million hot 
dogs on the 4th of July alone. That’s enough to stretch from South El Molino to the moon 
and back. (Okay, not really—but it feels like it.)

That brings me to The Stand, located right here on South El Molino in Pasadena. A modern 
take on your classic burger-and-dog joint, they offer gourmet-ish comfort food that winks 
at nostalgia without being stuck in it.

This week, I did the patriotic thing and ordered The Hot Dog, The Stand Burger, and their 
Chicken Sandwich—all in one sitting(Shared). It was my own kind of taste test—call it a 
“Stars & Stripes Sampler.”

Here’s how it stacked up:

Gold Medal: The Chicken Sandwich

Crispy outside, tender inside, with just the right sauce ratio. I don’t say this lightly—it’s a 
standout. I’d come back just for this.

Silver Medal: The Stand Burger

Solid. A touch more seasoning and it might’ve grabbed gold. Still, it’s got that backyard 
BBQ soul we crave.

Bronze Medal: The Hot Dog

Decent snap, but missing that smoky “wow.” Let’s just say if it were a firework, it’d be more 
sparkler than skyrocket.

If you're doing your own hot dog crawl this weekend, Dog Haus (various locations) always 
plays the hits, and Twohey’s in South Pasadena still carries the torch for classic dogs with 
a retro twist.

Not a fan of the new Dodger Dog? You’re not alone. But if you’re on a budget, the combo 
at AMPM for under $5 isn't the worst play—you'll still walk away with a dog in hand and 
change in your pocket.

And for you sports fans?

 Check out The Boat in San Gabriel. Order their hot dog smothered in that secret chili—it’s 
rich, messy, and totally worth the napkin pile. Now that’s a touchdown.

________________________________________

IN SUMMARY:

If you're going to The Stand, skip the dog and go straight for the chicken sandwich. If you're 
catching the game or lighting up the grill this weekend, give the hot dog its due. After all, 
it's been carrying America since long before sliders and sushi burritos showed up on the 
menu.

Your favorite places for a Hot Dog ? email me thechefknows@yahoo.com please listen to 
my podcast streaming on itunes & Spotify

ALL THINGS 

By Jeff Brown 

21ST CENTURY HAS SEEN 
TREE COVER EXPAND IN 60% 
OF AMERICAN COUNTIES 

In a creative use of big data, a survey has found that 
of the 3,119 US counties, 1,836 experienced growth 
and expansion of tree cover, with a high concentration 
among prairie and Mid-West areas.

Additionally, among counties that had thinning forests, the mean tree loss was lower than 
the mean increase among counties that saw expanding forests; in other words, when measured 
by county, the US has seen net forest growth over the last 2 decades.Tree cover in 
human civilization performs several functions. Woods, however small, have the effect of 
increasing biodiversity in the area, of retaining soil and preventing erosion and runoff into 
waterways, shading and reducing average air temperatures, offering the obvious recreation 
opportunities, and helping to calm people.

Lawn Starter published an analysis of tree cover data county by county which found that 
increases in tree cover weren’t limited to rural areas. For example, Lea County, New Mexico, 
is one of the 25 largest counties in the Lower 48 by land area, and it experienced a 
1,600% increase in forest canopy—the highest registered in the analysis.

However 14 of the 25 most populated US counties also gained tree cover, including Kings 
County, New York, Broward County, Florida, and Wayne County, Michigan—home to 
Brooklyn, Fort Lauderdale, and Detroit, respectively.

Both Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade County also gained canopy—and significant 
amounts of it. The counties containing prairie urban centers like Boise, Omaha, Lincoln, 
and Wichita all gained forest cover. Denver, Indianapolis, Seattle, Columbus, Philadelphia, 
and Nashville also gained some forest cover.

The analysis was conducted between 2000 and 2020, and found a mean increase of 8.15% 
across all counties that gained forest cover. That’s a major positive for living in a changing 
climate, since reforestation gains throughout the 20th century have insulated the southeastern 
region of the United States from increases in average temperatures seen in other 
regions.


FETA MEATBALLS WITH

ZUCCHINI SPAGHETTI

 Recipe Courtesy The Pioneer Woman

INGREDIENTS

 1 lb. ground beef

 1 large egg

 1/2 c. crumbled feta cheese

 1/3 c. panko

 1/4 c. finely diced onion

 3 garlic cloves, minced

 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano

 1 tsp. ground cumin

 2 tsp. kosher salt

 1/2 tsp. black pepper

 4 Tbsp. salted butter

 24 oz. fresh zucchini noodles

 Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon

DIRECTIONS

1 Preheat the oven to 400˚ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine the 
beef, egg, feta, panko, onion, garlic, 1 teaspoon oregano, the cumin, 1½ teaspoons salt and the 
pepper in a large bowl. Mix with your hands until evenly combined. 

2 Shape the mixture into 16 small meatballs (about 2 tablespoons each) and arrange on the 
baking sheet. 

3 Bake the meatballs until cooked through, about 15 minutes.

4 Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Once melted, remove 
from the heat and add the zucchini noodles, lemon zest and juice and remaining ½ teaspoon each 
oregano and salt. Toss well. Serve the meatballs with the zucchini noodles.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com