George's Shish Kebab Restaurant in Fresno (559) 264-9433

Fresno people are "up and at 'em" early. But first, they must eat. They go to this popular Lebo-Armenian eatery in West Fresno. It's one of the top three restaurants for great Fresno food in the westside (others: Cuca's and of course, the Basque Hotel).

I try NOT the drive/fly back to the OC until I've eaten my fill here first. It won't leave you hungry after a few hours. Their hours are short: 0630-1500 Hrs , M-F, 0700-1500 Hrs, Sat, Closed Sundays, Cash only, unless they know you. Also, William Saroyan, Fresno's Poet Laureate and food expert, watches over you and yours, from the north wall.

On Saturday, before we ventured home at 258 mph in my twin Seminole, we ate a hearty breakfast, then ordered two, lamb shank lunches to go (enough for 5 people). When we got home, our son Kyle and his buds, Michael and Aaron, came over to feast with us on lamb.

We made the guys work for their meals: They had to assemble an elliptical machine in our gym room, AFTER they lugged it upstairs. Whew!