Latest news with #Ashlyn
Eater
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Eater
A Tiny Barbecue Diner in North Los Angeles County Hides Inside a Chevy Dealership
It's beach season, and many weekend warriors driving State Route 126 between northern Los Angeles County and Ventura may not know they're cruising past some of the best barbecue in Southern California. But Randy and Ashlyn Balades of R+Q Kitchen, ensconced within the Bunnin Chevrolet dealership in Fillmore, aim to make their two-year-old restaurant a barbecue destination — and not just a highway pit stop — one smoked brisket, tri-tip, and batch of pulled pork at a time. Although not the first Southern California restaurant housed in an auto dealership (the Horseless Carriage Restaurant has been open at Galpin Motors in North Hills for more than five decades), the Baladeses are going above and beyond typical barbecue and diner fare, making the biscuits, to the jams, sauces, dressings and gravy on the premises using seasonal and local produce whenever possible. After working his first kitchen on the old Fillmore Western Railway during high school, Randy studied culinary arts at the now-closed Art Institute in Santa Monica. He and Ashlyn, a Ventura native, met while both working on opening a Yard House in Oxnard in 2013. Since then, the two learned and honed both back- and front-of-house operations during stints at the San Ysidro Inn and Rabalais Bistro in Santa Paula, where Randy served as the head chef for several years. The duo made the leap as full-time restaurateurs, opening R+Q Kitchen, which stands for Randy and the Queen's Kitchen, in April 2023. They currently lease the space from the dealership, which previously operated its own restaurant. It's a quirky location, and Ashlyn felt uncertain it would resonate with locals at first. But once they crunched the numbers against other restaurant locations in Ventura County, the dealership space made the most sense for their budget. A compact kitchen, a hand-built, train-shaped outdoor smoker in the car lot, and a dozen four-top tables sit behind the showroom that showcases both newer and classic Chevys. But with an elaborate and detailed process, R+Q's smoked meats can stand toe-to-toe against the top barbecue styles across the country. Randy Balades' brisket is the restaurant's top seller. When they opened, they would use three to four briskets, roughly 15 pounds each, a week; now they're up to 15. He smokes Harris Ranch beef once or twice a week outdoors, depending on the demand. (If it's a rainy week, they're taken off the menu.) The cuts of brisket undergo a 24-hour, multistep process before going into dishes like brisket omelettes ($19) or stacked sandwiches ($22). 'We lather it in Worcestershire and mustard first, and then, we do a heavy coat of pepper. That pepper sticks on there and creates a really good crust,' Randy says. Next, he adds his own brisket seasoning, a combination of brown sugar, Lawry's Seasoned Salt, onion, granulated garlic, and kosher salt. Ashlyn says that while they're riffing off Texas-style barbecue, often only seasoned with just salt and pepper, R+Q's approach with spices and sugar presents a 'Cali twist.' 'We let it marinate overnight,' Randy says. 'I put them in the smoker from 2:30 a.m. to about 5:30 p.m. When it passes a certain temperature, I add more tallow and then spray it with a combination of pickle juice, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire.' He wraps the brisket in butcher paper and lets it rest for three-and-a-half hours, and again wraps the brisket and paper in plastic wrap to steam in the warmer overnight. Then, and only then, is it ready to slice and serve. The tri-tip and tender pulled pork shouldn't be overlooked either: Tri-tip is usually the first item to sell out when the Balades participate in local street fairs in nearby Santa Paula. 'Tri-tip is a roast. You don't throw it on the grill real quick,' Randy says. 'And I feel like ours becomes more tender because we smoke it at a very low temperature, which gets it that smoke ring, but it's still super rare in the middle.' Born and raised in Fillmore, Randy's father still owns a small ranch that supplies the restaurant with citrus, including oranges for one of their three signature barbecue sauces. He grew up smoking meats for friends and family and calls barbecue his 'first love.' (Ashlyn doesn't disagree.) Ashlyn, who runs the front-of-house, credits their previous work for teaching them the importance of customer service and attention to detail. That's why R+Q's plating — like deftly sprinkled parsley, pink pickled onions, and shaved jalapeños that top some of the sandwiches — or the local fresh-squeezed orange juice for the mimosas sets R+Q apart from other roadside diners. 'We're not just a barbecue spot,' Ashlyn says. 'We have Atlantic salmon and tiger shrimp seared in a saute pan, grilled, or blackened.' They also serve a prime-grade New York steak for the steak and eggs ($22) in the morning and for the steak frites ($24) later in the day, the latter accompanied by charred scallion chimichurri. R+Q currently serves breakfast and lunch, plus catering, with a small selection of beer and wine. An expansion into dinner service is in the works. With the Baladeses' dedication to their craft, the barbecue joint is already a bright spot along the 126 highway, beckoning even without the spotlights of the auto dealership. R+Q Kitchen is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and closed Mondays. It's located at 1024 West Ventura Street, Fillmore, CA, 93015, inside the Bunnin Chevrolet dealership. See More:
Scottish Sun
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Jude Bellingham's girlfriend Ashlyn Castro stuns in custom Real Madrid crop top
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JUDE BELLINGHAM's girlfriend Ashlyn Castro has stunned in a custom Real Madrid outfit. The 27-year-old is currently Stateside supporting the England star at the Club World Cup. 6 Ashlyn Castro has shown off her chic new Real Madrid-inspired look Credit: 6 The Californian model is currently dating Jude Bellingham Credit: 6 Castro was recently pictured at the Bernabeu watching her man in action Credit: PA 6 The pair went public with their romance in January Credit: La Liga Bellingham's Real Madrid opened up the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Saudi side Al-Hilal. The former Dortmund midfielder failed to find the net as Xabi Alonso's men were frustrated in front of goal. But Bellingham is certainly winning off the pitch with Californian model Ashlyn. The influencer showed off a custom Madrid creation ahead of Sunday's clash with Mexican side Pachuca. WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN Ashlyn took a mirror selfie of her wearing the Real shirt, which had been modified into a crop top. Castro was first pictured with the Three Lions ace in January. SunSport revealed Bellingham had whisked Ashlyn away for a series of dates over the New Year. And she'd even met his parents on a visit to the Spanish capital. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Ashlyn has previously been linked with Hollywood actor Michael B Jordan and NBA stars LaMelo Ball and Terance Mann. She boasts 540,000 followers on Instagram, where she keeps fans updated with her luxury travels around the world. Jobe Bellingham Stepping Out of Judes Shadow A recent update saw the Californian beauty rock a gorgeous fitted green outfit. One fan gasped in response: "I think this is Bellingham's best goal." While a second added: "You are just outrageous." Ashlyn has also amassed a huge following on TikTok where she posts makeup tutorials and shares fashion advice with fans. Bellingham was previously linked with Dutch model Laura Celia Valk. 6 Castro is a model and influencer from California Credit: Instagram @ashlyncastro 6 She boasts over 500,000 followers on Instagram Credit: instagram His brother Jobe recently followed in his sibling's footsteps, joining Dortmund from Sunderland. The 19-year-old netted his first goal for the club in Saturday's CWC showdown with Mamelodi. Dortmund shelled out £32million for the teenager. But the price tag - and comparisons with his big brother - are just distractions to the midfielder. Jobe said: "I don't really care how it looks, but it might look a bit contradictory to some people. "I was perhaps being biased against Dortmund for a very long time, because I have anxieties and fears, and you want to be your own man. "But I don't think I should let those stop me from making the right decision."
The Irish Sun
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Jude Bellingham's girlfriend breaks silence since England star boyfriend had bum pinched by bride-to-be
JUDE BELLINGHAM's girlfriend has broken cover on social media after the England star's bum was pinched on holiday. The Real Madrid star was soaking in some sun in Ibiza when he was approached to take some snaps with a group of holidaymakers. 5 Ashlyn Castro broke cover on social media after her man's bum pinch drama Credit: Instagram @ashlyncastro 5 Jude Bellingham had his bum pinched while posing for photos while on holiday Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 Ashlyn shared some videos and pics of her enjoying a shopping trip Credit: Instagram @Ashlyncastro 5 She was pictured in a clothing store Credit: Instagram @Ashlyncastro 5 Ashyln and Bellingham started dating earlier this year Credit: Instagram One woman, who appeared to be on a hen-do wearing a bride's veil, And days following the 21-year-old's bum pinch drama, his girlfriend, Taking to Instagram on Thursday evening, the stunning model and influencer released a collection of four images and pictures. The first saw her standing in a room filled with furniture and a bizarre-looking bit of wall decor. READ MORE ON WAGS Ashlyn herself was seen in a black and grey jacket paired with light blue shorts. Next up was a video of Ashlyn taking a series of selfies while riding in the back seat of a cab, as she made a number of different faces, ranging from pouting kisses to smiling. The second image in the post was one of these selfies, with the 27-year-old opting for one showing her with a straight face. Her final addition to the post was a mirror selfie of her appearing to be in a clothes store while she was holding a handbag and wearing the multi-coloured jacket and blue shorts seen earlier. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Fans gushed over the American's post in the comments. Reality TV star Giuliana Rancic said: "Really so beautiful." Jude Bellingham's girlfriend Ashlyn Castro releases emotional statement on relationship history Social media personality Honeybthatsme added a trio of fire emojis. Another fan said: "Always stylish and fashionable." A second fan added: "Beautiful." Ashlyn, originally from Los Angeles, has more than 532,000 followers on Instagram. in January following a string of dates. The stunning brunette has previously been romantically linked to US basketball star Terance Mann, actor Michael B. Jordan and LaMelo Ball. But in March, she was In the statement, she claimed that she has only had three boyfriends and that people have "made up" a lot of things about her. Ashlyn also debunked false claims she was in another country with a potential partner and one that suggested she was on a boat when it was not even her. Taking to TikTok, Bellingham's beau said: "I don't even know where to begin, but I'm going to try my best to just get into it. "It makes me super uncomfortable talking on camera about my personal life. I've never even really spoken on camera too many times, so bear with me. "Every angle you can think of, people have attacked me, harassed me, been so disrespectful. It's just been too much. "Let's talk about this dating history . I've had three boyfriends over the last eight years. "In 2017, I was in my very first relationship and he's a public figure, so because of that, I've dealt with people talking about me, making up things about me. "There was nothing on the internet about me prior, so people kind of just made up a bunch of things to justify hating me because of who I was dating at the time. "And then over the last six years after that, I've dated two people. So three relationships in total."
Scottish Sun
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Jude Bellingham's girlfriend breaks silence since England star boyfriend had bum pinched by bride-to-be
Fans were loving her look in the posts DRAW THE LYN Jude Bellingham's girlfriend breaks silence since England star boyfriend had bum pinched by bride-to-be JUDE BELLINGHAM's girlfriend has broken cover on social media after the England star's bum was pinched on holiday. The Real Madrid star was soaking in some sun in Ibiza when he was approached to take some snaps with a group of holidaymakers. Advertisement 5 Ashlyn Castro broke cover on social media after her man's bum pinch drama Credit: Instagram @ashlyncastro 5 Jude Bellingham had his bum pinched while posing for photos while on holiday Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 Ashlyn shared some videos and pics of her enjoying a shopping trip Credit: Instagram @Ashlyncastro 5 She was pictured in a clothing store Credit: Instagram @Ashlyncastro 5 Ashyln and Bellingham started dating earlier this year Credit: Instagram One woman, who appeared to be on a hen-do wearing a bride's veil, grabbed Bellingham's backside as they had their picture taken. And days following the 21-year-old's bum pinch drama, his girlfriend, Ashlyn Castro, has uploaded her first social media post since. Taking to Instagram on Thursday evening, the stunning model and influencer released a collection of four images and pictures. The first saw her standing in a room filled with furniture and a bizarre-looking bit of wall decor. Advertisement Ashlyn herself was seen in a black and grey jacket paired with light blue shorts. Next up was a video of Ashlyn taking a series of selfies while riding in the back seat of a cab, as she made a number of different faces, ranging from pouting kisses to smiling. The second image in the post was one of these selfies, with the 27-year-old opting for one showing her with a straight face. Her final addition to the post was a mirror selfie of her appearing to be in a clothes store while she was holding a handbag and wearing the multi-coloured jacket and blue shorts seen earlier. Advertisement BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Fans gushed over the American's post in the comments. Reality TV star Giuliana Rancic said: "Really so beautiful." Jude Bellingham's girlfriend Ashlyn Castro releases emotional statement on relationship history Social media personality Honeybthatsme added a trio of fire emojis. Advertisement Another fan said: "Always stylish and fashionable." A second fan added: "Beautiful." Ashlyn, originally from Los Angeles, has more than 532,000 followers on Instagram. Bellingham was revealed to be dating her in January following a string of dates. Advertisement The stunning brunette has previously been romantically linked to US basketball star Terance Mann, actor Michael B. Jordan and LaMelo Ball. But in March, she was forced to release a video debunking rumours about her dating life. In the statement, she claimed that she has only had three boyfriends and that people have "made up" a lot of things about her. Ashlyn also debunked false claims she was in another country with a potential partner and one that suggested she was on a boat when it was not even her. Advertisement Taking to TikTok, Bellingham's beau said: "I don't even know where to begin, but I'm going to try my best to just get into it. "It makes me super uncomfortable talking on camera about my personal life. I've never even really spoken on camera too many times, so bear with me. "Every angle you can think of, people have attacked me, harassed me, been so disrespectful. It's just been too much. "Let's talk about this dating history. I've had three boyfriends over the last eight years. Advertisement "In 2017, I was in my very first relationship and he's a public figure, so because of that, I've dealt with people talking about me, making up things about me. "There was nothing on the internet about me prior, so people kind of just made up a bunch of things to justify hating me because of who I was dating at the time. "And then over the last six years after that, I've dated two people. So three relationships in total."
Daily Mail
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sophia Bush supported by her lesbian love after anniversary of her ex boyfriend's tragic death on Everest
Things are still going strong between Sophia Bush and her girlfriend Ashlyn Harris, who glammed up to attend the launch party for the Cadillac F1 Team in Miami Beach on Saturday night. The 42-year-old One Tree Hill alum wore a black tube top with a white sheer slip while the 39-year-old retired soccer goalkeeper flaunted her tattooed sleeves in a grey double-breasted pantsuit. 'What I love so much about her is she makes me feel the way I only thought we read about in books,' Ashlyn gushed to the Second Wind podcast last Tuesday. 'She holds up a mirror and makes me feel like I'm the best human, I'm the best mother, and it's exactly what I needed and what I need to heal so much pain and trauma and grief in my life.' Harris co-parents two adopted children - daughter Sloane, 4; and son Ocean, 2 - with estranged wife Ali Krieger, whom she filed for divorce from in September 2023 after four years of marriage. Sophia is also still technically married to her estranged second husband Grant Hughes, whom she filed for divorce from in August 2023 after 13 months of marriage. Bush and the Wide Open podcaster began dating in October 2023, but they spoke on the same feminist panel during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in June 2023. April 25th marked the decade anniversary of the tragic death of the Grey's Anatomy actress' ex-boyfriend Dan Fredinburg. The 33-year-old Google exec - who dated Sophia between 2013-2014 - was killed in the Mount Everest-South Base Camp disaster, when a massive 7.8 Nepal earthquake caused a snow and ice tsunami to engulf base camp. On Saturday, Bush Instastoried a look inside Queen Miami Beach captioned: 'The venue is nuts and seeing the induction of the first ever American F1 tea feels really special to [a] girl who grew up going on daddy-daughter adventures to the LA auto show.' The SoCal native also Instastoried a snap of 'vision and visionary' Janelle Monáe performing onstage in a voluminous b&w cape at the launch. The 39-year-old Grammy nominee - who identifies as nonbinary pansexual - not only sang, she also performed a DJ set during the Florida event. Janelle donned several ensembles including a heavy winter coat over a tuxedo and loafers selected by stylist Alexandra Mandelkorn. Terry Crews - who hosts America's Got Talent - served hosting duties while clad in a classic black suit, necktie, and white button-up. Also glamming up for the F1 function were Summer House star Ciara Miller, singer Victoria Monét, and The Order actress Jurnee Smollett. Ashlyn gushed to the Second Wind podcast last Tuesday: 'What I love so much about her is she makes me feel the way I only thought we read about in books' Harris co-parents two adopted children - daughter Sloane, 4; and son Ocean, 2 - with estranged wife Ali Krieger (pictured December 25), whom she filed for divorce from in September 2023 after four years of marriage
