Latest news with #Chevys
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:
Axios
23-06-2025
- Axios
Blowing cars apart to piece crimes together
IU Indianapolis student Vanesa Linge had an absolute blast during one of her summer classes. Why it matters: Hoosiers like Linge are taking part in an IU program blending car bombs and academic curiosity to support a new era of crime scene investigations. What they're saying:"I'm very grateful for the opportunity, because it is outside the classroom and something we might face in our professions in real life," Linge said. "And I don't think a majority of kids can say they've got this experience." Zoom in: Led by retired IMPD Sgt. Stephen Davis, the two-session course offered through the O'Neill School at IU Indianapolis has students sifting through the aftermath of a bombing to understand the cause and motive. The program came to life in 2007 when a professor looked to create a new class to keep students engaged during the summer. "It's really rewarding," Davis said. "It's a great opportunity to carry on to the next generation when it comes to policing and crime fighting." The intrigue: The class is open to all IU students regardless of field of study. How it works: During last week's "detonation day," students met with members of the IMPD Bomb Squad, the Indianapolis Fire Department, and federal partners at the old Eagle Creek Pistol Range on North High School Road. After a morning meeting, the students made their way to a grassy area where two Chevys outfitted with explosives awaited them. After the blast, students are split into two groups and given a 25-gallon tub full of tools. They're provided some background information about the case and sent into the field to begin their analysis. Yes, but: Getting the size of the blast just right is an important part of the experience. These aren't movie scene explosions, but there have been instances of going "too big" in the past. Davis said when that happens, the explosion has the potential to damage the evidence students need to complete their work. Bomb Squad members told Axios that one solution to contain the blasts is putting old IV bags inside the vehicles to quickly "quench" the explosions and preserve the evidence. Between the lines: The explosions take just a moment, but the investigation that follows can take hours. Every student has a different role to play, from setting up a perimeter to taking photos and writing up a police report or probable cause affidavit that explains what they found. For Davis, opening the class to all students instead of focusing on just criminal justice majors is more representative of the varied skill sets needed in a modern police department.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ken Bungo, Youngstown, Ohio
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Ken Bungo, formerly of Howland, Ohio and Janesville, Pennsylvani, passed away peacefully at Gateways to Better Living in Youngstown, Ohio, on Friday, May 2, 2025, where he resided since 2008. Ken was born January 18, 1951, in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, the son of Chuck and Mary Strutzel Bungo. Find obituaries from your high school At the age of nine months he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. His projected live span was only his teens. Although Ken had very limited speech and mobility he was very alert, active and ALWAYS smiling. His parents devoted their entire lives to Ken's care which afforded him a very fulfilled life. Ken spent his time listening to county music, building with his Lincoln Logs and enjoying all his model cars. His favorite outings were attending car shows and bike nights throughout the area. (Both of his brothers owned 1957 Chevys which Ken loved to ride in.) Ken was preceded in death by his parents and many loving family members who played such an important part of his life. He leaves to cherish his memory, his twin brothers, Steve (Karen) Bungo of Fairfield Glade, Tennessee and Ed (Kathy) Bungo of DuBois, Pennsylvania; niece, Marilyn Bungo Mills (Andy) of Kentucky; nephews, Patrick (Kara) Bungo of Florida and Greg (Stephanie) Bungo of Pennsylvania. He also is survived by two great-nephews and five great-nieces. The family would like to thank all his extended family and friends for all the love they showered on Ken during his life. Also a special thanks to all the staff at Gateways to Better Living for the excellent care he received during the 17 years that he was under their care. Cremation has taken place and Ken will be laid to rest with his parents at Holy Trinity Catholic Church's cemetery in Ramey, Pennsylvania. Arrangements handled by Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ken Bungo, please visit our floral 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Scottish Sun
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
I stumbled across a luxury car graveyard where Cadillacs & Chevys rot after owner abandoned hundreds of vintage vehicles
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TAKING a spin through his home state, photographer Dax Ward's eyes widened as he spotted a sprawling estate of abandoned cars. But on closer inspection, he was stunned to realise the 20-acre site was packed with rotting classic cars as well as custom boats, vans and trucks. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 14 Dax Ward came across the car graveyard while driving through Arkansas Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 Vintage cars have sat rotting for years Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 Pictures show once indulgent vehicles weathered by the elements Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 The site is now a magnet for opportunistic thieves Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 Boats and other vehicles have also been left abandoned Credit: Dax ward Photography Delving into its history of how so many vintage vehicles ended up in a graveyard on a hillside in Arkansas, Dax discovered the owner had vanished years ago. The site is now a magnet for opportunistic thieves with their sights set on selling parts. Dax said: "The junkyard owner once took great pride in his collection, even having shot a thief in the past and pistol-whipping another to protect his automotive treasure trove. "However, the owner has not lived on the property for some 20 years and rarely visits, having abandoned the location after a messy divorce. "There are many cars still remaining, but a number have been stolen over the years and the ones that remain have been stripped for parts by thieves." Jaw-dropping pictures show once indulgent vehicles weathered by the elements and sat rotting on the sprawling 20-acre ground. Antique cars including Cadillacs, Chevys, Buicks, and VWs have been taken over by rust. Dax said: "The property owner once owned a tow truck company and many of the vehicles were sold to him at very low prices from the customers who he served. "He amassed an enormous collection of valuable antique vehicles over the years, which would now be worth millions of dollars. "The collection is still valuable, but thieves regularly visit and the cars are slowly disappearing, piece by piece or body by body. Inside world-famous abandoned 'UFO village' packed with crumbling spaceship holiday homes "Local law enforcement sometimes catches intruders, but prosecution is often halted as nobody has seen or heard from the owner in years and he cannot be located, even by authorities." Dax visited the location twice, and was shown around by a neighbour who had not heard from the site's owner, a childhood friend, in years. The explorer added: "He gave me a roundup of the history of the property, the owner and automobiles, as well as describing regular incidents of thieves raiding the property. "Watching the beautiful cars, as well as valuable antiques and other rare and expensive items be stolen or picked clean over the years has left him in frustration. "Unfortunately, there is little he can do but watch. He tries to keep watch and notifies police regularly if he sees trespassers, but they often arrive too late to catch the intruders." 14 An abandoned school bus sits among the discarded vehicles Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 The abandoned vehicles sit on a 20-acre site Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 The owner had a tow truck company Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 Parts have been stripped from many of the vehicles Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 Antique cars including Cadillacs, Chevys, Buicks, and VWs have been taken over by rust Credit: Dax ward Photography The neighbour told Dax how the owner abandoned the site more than 20 years ago after going through a divorce. Dax said: "His ex-wife's custom Cadillac - sent to Italy and then re-imported after customisation - sits parked in the driveway of the uninhabited house, in the same spot that it was parked and left behind two decades ago. "He left derelict the posh house and many vehicles, became addicted to gambling in casinos over the border in Oklahoma and worked up a severe debt. "While exploring and documenting this fascinating location I was simultaneously awestruck by the amount of classic cars, many of them expensive and rare, and saddened by the loss of such a collection, the remnants of which sit and rot." Dax previously visited Taiwan's space-style holiday park that is now nothing more than an explorer's paradise. With its UFO-like buildings the star of the show, the resort's space-age retro splendor continues to slowly fade away. Perched on Taiwan's northern coast in Wanli, the unusual collection of buildings was supposed to act as a holiday park. But what remains is a series of bizarre, decaying structures nestled beside a beach that Dax captured on camera. 14 Dax visited the location twice and was shown around by a neighbour Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 Cars have been left to the elements Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 The collection would have been once worth a lot of money Credit: Dax ward Photography
The Irish Sun
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
I stumbled across a luxury car graveyard where Cadillacs & Chevys rot after owner abandoned hundreds of vintage vehicles
TAKING a spin through his home state, photographer Dax Ward's eyes widened as he spotted a sprawling estate of abandoned cars. But on closer inspection, he was stunned to realise the 20-acre site was packed with rotting classic cars as well as custom boats, vans and trucks. Advertisement 14 Dax Ward came across the car graveyard while driving through Arkansas Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 Vintage cars have sat rotting for years Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 Pictures show once indulgent vehicles weathered by the elements Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 The site is now a magnet for opportunistic thieves Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 Boats and other vehicles have also been left abandoned Credit: Dax ward Photography Delving into its history of how so many vintage vehicles ended up in a graveyard on a hillside in The site is now a magnet for opportunistic thieves with their sights set on selling parts. Dax said: "The junkyard owner once took great pride in his collection, even having shot a thief in the past and pistol-whipping another to protect his automotive treasure trove. "However, the owner has not lived on the property for some 20 years and rarely visits, having abandoned the location after a messy divorce. Advertisement More abandoned sites "There are many cars still remaining, but a number have been stolen over the years and the ones that remain have been stripped for parts by thieves." Jaw-dropping pictures show once indulgent vehicles weathered by the elements and sat rotting on the sprawling 20-acre ground. Antique cars including Cadillacs, Chevys, Buicks, and VWs have been taken over by rust. Dax said: "The property owner once owned a tow truck company and many of the vehicles were sold to him at very low prices from the customers who he served. Advertisement Most read in Motors Latest "He amassed an enormous collection of valuable antique vehicles over the years, which would now be worth millions of dollars. "The collection is still valuable, but thieves regularly visit and the cars are slowly disappearing, piece by piece or body by body. Inside world-famous abandoned 'UFO village' packed with crumbling spaceship holiday homes "Local law enforcement sometimes catches intruders, but prosecution is often halted as nobody has seen or heard from the owner in years and he cannot be located, even by authorities." Dax visited the location twice, and was shown around by a neighbour who had not heard from the site's owner, a childhood friend, in years. Advertisement The explorer added: "He gave me a roundup of the history of the property, the owner and automobiles, as well as describing regular incidents of thieves raiding the property. "Watching the beautiful cars, as well as valuable antiques and other rare and expensive items be stolen or picked clean over the years has left him in frustration. "Unfortunately, there is little he can do but watch. He tries to keep watch and notifies police regularly if he sees trespassers, but they often arrive too late to catch the intruders." 14 An abandoned school bus sits among the discarded vehicles Credit: Dax ward Photography Advertisement 14 The abandoned vehicles sit on a 20-acre site Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 The owner had a tow truck company Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 Parts have been stripped from many of the vehicles Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 Antique cars including Cadillacs, Chevys, Buicks, and VWs have been taken over by rust Credit: Dax ward Photography Advertisement The neighbour told Dax how the owner abandoned the site more than 20 years ago after going through a divorce. Dax said: "His ex-wife's custom Cadillac - sent to Italy and then re-imported after customisation - sits parked in the driveway of the uninhabited house, in the same spot that it was parked and left behind two decades ago. "He left derelict the posh house and many vehicles, became addicted to gambling in casinos over the border in Oklahoma and worked up a severe debt. "While exploring and documenting this fascinating location I was simultaneously awestruck by the amount of classic cars, many of them expensive and rare, and saddened by the loss of such a collection, the remnants of which sit and rot." Advertisement Dax previously visited Taiwan's With its UFO-like buildings the star of the show, the resort's space-age retro splendor continues to slowly fade away. Perched on But what remains is a series of bizarre, decaying structures nestled beside a beach that Dax captured on camera. Advertisement 14 Dax visited the location twice and was shown around by a neighbour Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 Cars have been left to the elements Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 The collection would have been once worth a lot of money Credit: Dax ward Photography 14 Custom trucks have also been left untouched Credit: Dax ward Photography Advertisement
