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Sometimes, like the last few weeks, there’s a big question on my mind that’s driving the stories on FAT City. Was Jesus a ‘throne guy?‘ Who decided to name a bar and liquor store ‘Uncle Tom’s?’ That kind of thing.
Other times, the questions are a bit smaller, and less philosophical. Local reporting is a brass tacks kind of business most of the time.
On that note, this week we learned that Libelula, beloved downtown breakfast and lunch spot, had found its new location. Not only that, we learned that the new location in question was actually another beloved former local fixture, Tokyo Gardens.
Like many, I have some fond-yet-hazy memories of shows and karaoke nights at Tokyo Gardens’ 1711 Fulton Street space from before it closed in 2020. (One time a seemingly-intoxicated front man of a local band I can’t remember the name of said “Tokyo Tokyo Tokyo” into the microphone what must’ve been 100 times. Cool story, huh?)
In any case, I, and the rest of the Fresnoland staff, had many pointed questions about what the new Libelula-in-Tokyo-Gardens will look like, from the presence of live music to the frequency of cinnamon rolls. Ian Cookson and Kim Sarabia were kind enough to answer them as best they could.
The abbreviated version is that yes, they will be bringing back live music at Tokyo Gardens. And that’s great news for downtown Fresno. As Cookson put it:
“If you hear anybody say that they love Fresno, they probably frequent downtown. People that complain about Fresno, they probably never go downtown.”
I don’t question theirs or downtown business’s need to relocate (business is business; ball don’t lie), but for all the talk of high speed rail disruptions, construction delays, and everything else, is downtown really all that inconvenient?
I go downtown quite a bit, and I’ve never had to park more than two blocks away from anything, and rarely paid more than a few bucks for the privilege. How convenient does it need to be? I lived in a lot of different cities, and downtown Fresno, even while it’s in the middle of being rebuilt, is easily the most convenient of any of them. It could certainly improve in some other areas, but convenience isn’t one of them.
I say let’s support downtown, and also while we’re at it, let’s not freak out about having to walk a few blocks every once in a while. Walking is kind of the whole deal with a downtown.
— Vince Mancini, Contributing Editor, Food
Displaced by high-speed rail, Libelula owners plot a rebirth at downtown Fresno’s Tokyo Gardens
‘Was Jesus really a throne guy?’ Inside the faith marketing behind the viral Clovis coffee shop
Fresno’s once-trendy ‘God and tacos’ shop is mysteriously dark, again
A culinary guide to Chinatown, Fresno’s oddest, and maybe most delicious neighborhood
This week’s local food news
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Events, events, and more events! We’ve got (*deep breath*) R&B in the park at Kearney Park Saturday, Zombie Pub Crawl in the Tower Saturday night, a botanical diversity seminar at Clovis Botanical Gardens Saturday afternoon, a Fresno State plant sale at Gibson Market Saturday, Chinatown Vintage Flea Market Sunday, and a Haunted Harvest Wine Journey next weekend.
A 40-year-old recipe for Fresno Fair soft tacos. The Fresno Bee got their hands on a 40-year-old recipe for the soft tacos they used to serve at the Big Fresno Fair. Spoiler alert: they have mashed potatoes in them. I do not have particularly strong memories of Fresno Fair soft tacos myself, but I’ll try anything with potatoes in it. [Fresno Bee]
Chopped cheese is back at Fresno Street Eats. That’s thanks to the Chop Cheese Express truck. Wait, is it “chop cheese” or “chopped cheese?” I guess if you say “chop cheese” it sounds less like a Gen Alpha is ridiculing some cheese. [FresnoStreetEats]
I ordered a tri tip sandwich from MEGA Texas Barbeque (best barbecue in Fresno? discuss), and instead they gave me this — like one third of an entire tri tip with a little bread for a hat. I don’t want to hear anyone say barbecue is too expensive again, that’s like $20 worth of meat.
This week’s newsletter was edited by Danielle Bergstrom.
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