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• 'I'm not a rich man, but I've given you an honest name'

• Mervyns in Lodi shutting its doors

• Lodi police arrest 8 gang members during parole sweep

• 11th Congressional District race: Dean Andal vows to cut taxes, invest in energy

• 11th Congressional District race: Jerry McNerney seeks second term in Congress

• Regional Roundup

• Workers protest non-union labor at Lodi Memorial Hospital

November 21st, 2009

• Logbook

• Holiday drive spreads cheer to U.S. troops

• Galt High students want board to approve open-campus policy

• Poisoning victims remain hospitalized

• Expert: Half a mushroom cap can be deadly

• Tokay grad files claim over Lodi's Grape Bowl

• Lodi Middle School holds annual Turkey Trot

• Regional Roundup

• No motive or suspect in shooting

• Sacramento cop arrested for alleged kidnapping

November 20th, 2009

• Acampo woman killed

• Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff

• Advocacy groups sue East Bay Municipal Utility District over Pardee expansion

• Regional Roundup

• Galt plans to help residents with energy-efficient projects

• Stable southeast of Lodi approved

• One year after a heart attack, Lodi's Judy Mims thanks rescuers

• National Guard troops return home in time for the holidays

• Real estate market gets on more solid ground

November 19th, 2009

• Operation: Christmas

• Logbook

• Suspect arrested after hiding in fridge

• Chase ends in crash

• Galt Joint Union High School Distric hires new superintendent

• Sales tax hike yields dividends: 5 new officers join Galt Police

• Lodi Unified School District board votes to cancel summer school for 2010

• Water surges in Mokelumne River yield more salmon

• Lodi City Council will consider redevelopment next June

• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22

• Corrections

November 18th, 2009

• Regional Roundup

• Paranormal group conducts second investigation of building

• Congress allocates money for local water projects

• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react

• Lodi man finds wife's ashes during police display of stolen property

• Galt City Council rejects study on rent stabilization

November 17th, 2009

• Paying tribute to a Lodian

• Lodi Budget and Finance Committee to look into ways to save money on employee benefits

• Regional Roundup

• Decision on summer school expected at tonight's Lodi Unified School District meeting

• Clements gets free water rescue boat

• Redevelopment to be discussed by Lodi City Council again

• Court reinstates death penalty for killer of Lodi grad

• Clarification

November 16th, 2009

• Correction

• Public Meetings

• City Council 'triple-dog dared' to ditch cars, use Lodi buses

• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi

• Lodi's First Sip event showcases area wineries' latest vintages

• Three members of Lodi-area family fall ill after eating poisonous mushrooms they reportedly found at Lodi Lake

• Regional Roundup

November 14th, 2009

• Galt school district narrows superintendent search to one

• Regional Roundup

• Despite budget cuts, some Lodi Unified School District salaries continue to rise

• Watchful neighbor in Lodi helped bust suspected burglars

• New Galt city manager juggles job, family

• Despite an increase in homeless students, school districts look to bolster enrollment, raise revenue

• A first look at 2009 vintages at Lodi's First Sip wine-tasting event

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• The country's mess is our fault (166)
• Obama is not a moderate (130)
• Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (72)
• Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (50)
• Public health care is a Christian option (33)
• The haves should help the have-nots (30)
• Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
• Government-run health care is a bad idea (18)
• Young woman fatally shot at Acampo home (17)
• Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi (16)

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Taste of Time

Restaurants come and go, but some Lodi-area restaurants have endured through Prohibition, the Gold Rush, and the invention of drive-thru chains. These five are oldies but goodies that offer great food prepared on original grills and with the same comforting recipes. In 2008, these restaurants embrace history and welcome the new.

THE RICHMAID IN LODI
Originally opened in 1938

One of Lodi's oldest restaurants, The Richmaid, started as a small operation in 1938 and moved to Cherokee Lane in 1944. It was there that it became a large ice cream factory that shipped Richmaid-brand ice cream all over the United States.

Located on the old Highway 99 (now Cherokee Lane), The Richmaid was a drive-in with car hops, says Janet Crow, who has owned The Richmaid with her husband, Gary, for 10 years.

"It was a regular stopping ground for Ronald Regan, back when it was old Highway 99," she said.

The Crows bought the diner from the original owners, the Hanson family, who brought the Richmaid ice cream recipes from Denmark.

The old ice cream makers were retired eight years ago, but The Richmaid continues to use high-quality ice cream to make those great old-fashioned, hand-dipped shakes that come served with the metal can on the side.

Decades later, The Richmaid still has its loyal customers who enjoy breakfast, lunc and dinner.

"We have a huge regular customer base," Janet Crow said. "They feel like family here."

The Richmaid is located at 100 S. Cherokee Lane in Lodi.

Hollywood Cafe. (News-Sentinel file photo)

HOLLYWOOD CAFE IN LODI
Originally opened in 1938

In the same year Richmaid started producing a nationally favorite ice cream, Hollywood Cafe opened its doors on the old Highway 99 in the building that was previously a packing shed. The restaurant was a popular stop, as it was open 24 hours a day.

"This was kind of a swarming little place down here," said Robin Penn, who has owned Hollywood Cafe with her husband, Ben Penn, for two years.

When it first opened, Hollywood Cafe served more tradition German foods. Now, the menu has been revamped to include other old-time favorites, including chicken-fried steak. Another favorite is their own hashbrown melt. Beside frying hashbrowns, they sautee ham, bell peppers and onions and them put in on top of the hashbrowns. They top it off with melted cheese for a large, tasty breakfast.

Robin Penn says they try to keep the Hollywood theme of the '50s diner with vintage decor class red and white diner seats.

The Hollywood Cafe is located at 315 S. Cherokee Lane in Lodi.

Al's Place in Locke. (News-Sentinel file photo)

AL'S PLACE IN LOCKE
Originally opened in 1934

Al the Wops, now known as Al's Place, was originally a Chinese restaurant opened in 1915. In 1934, the Chinese restaurant was sold to a man named Al under the condition that he not sell anything Chinese.

"No whites, nor any other nationalities, were in Locke until they let Al come in," said Karen Nicholson, a waitress at Al's. "They didn't want another Chinese restaurant."

When Al arrived in Locke, he had just gotten out of prison in the Bay Area. Many believe he had been in prison for violating Prohibition laws.

Regardless of where he'd been, there's one thing everyone knew: Al knew how to cook a great steak.

Al was known for his vibrant character. According to a Locke Web site, Al used to cut off customers' ties because they were too classy for his restaurant, throw dollar bills to the ceiling (tradition still continues) and even stirred ladies' drinks with his fingers. He continued to run Al the Wops until he died in 1961.

Up until the 1990s, steak remained the only thing on the menu. You chose large or small. You got a salad with thousand island dressing. And you got a side of French bread and spaghetti.

Today, the classics are top sellers, but now the menu incudes chicken and prawns.

Steaks are still the house specialty, and their made just the way Al used to make them — on his grill.

"The grill has been there so long. It's seasoned," said Nicholson, describing the secret to the flavor of steaks at Al's. "You can't get that flavor anywhere else. I've traveled all over the United States and haven't found anything like it."

Al's Place is located at 13936 Main St. in Locke.

Chuck's Hamburgers in Stockton. (News-Sentinel file photo)

CHUCK'S HAMBURGERS IN STOCKTON
Originally opened in 1950

On Pacific Avenue in Stockton is an old-fashioned diner that follows one specific philosophy:

"If it's not broke, don't fix it," owner Steve Grant said.

Chuck's is a local favorite — known for its burgers, breakfasts and shakes — has been using some of the same products for 40 years.

"The basics are all the same," he said.

The restaurant first opened as Yummy Yum Cafe in the same location in 1950. In 1960, Steve Grant's parents, Chuck and Marie Grant, took over the restaurant. Now, Steve Grant and his son own the diner. His wife, daughter and sometimes, his granddaughter, help serve breakfast on Saturday mornings.

Chuck's started serving typical breakfast — bacon, eggs and sausage. Over the years, it's expanded to huge omelets, pancakes and burgers. There is almost always a line, but customers always say it's worth it.

"Customers say it feels comfortable," he said.

Chuck's Hamburgers is located at 6034 Pacific Ave. in Stockton.

Poor Red's is located in El Dorado. (Marc Lutz/News-Sentinel)

POOR RED'S IN EL DORADO
Originally opened in 1948

Poor Red's in El Dorado has been a lot of things: A Wells Fargo gold depository, an apothacary and a brothel.

When it opened as a restaurant and bar in 1948 and then changed its name to Poor Red's in 1954, it was on its way to becoming a hub for Gold Rush history. Painted on the walls are murals that depict the early Gold Rush town of Mudd Springs the way it was when it still existed.

"This place is a historical landmark," Poor Red's bartender Mike Speegle said.

Poor Red's is home of the specialty drink, The Gold Cadillac. The creamy drink made of Galliano and white creme de cacao makes the El Dorado restaurant the largest purchaser of Galliano in the world, Speegle said.

Poor Red's is also famous for its ribs and other barbecue.

"We're known for big, platter-type meals," Speegle said.

Poor Red's is located at 6221 Pleasant Valley Road in El Dorado.

— Compiled by Lauren Nelson/Lodi Living Editor.