Sometimes Our Dining Location…

is determined by extraneous elements, like errands that need to be run. So we find ourselves at a large shopping center on the outskirts of Stockton (CA) just south of our RV park (in Lodi) to visit the AAA office.

Now there are things in life about which I am quite—maybe even, obsessively—picky. Regular readers of this blog know that pizza is one. Also chile relleno. And cream soup (neither too thin nor to thick should it be). And maps.

Did I just hear a collective “huh?” Yes, maps. I just don’t like the maps distributed by the states’ tourist centers—or those states that still print maps. Many don’t. I think that shrinking budgets have a lot to do with it. I want AAA maps because they have major interstate highway exits numbered. And I want those numbers. And after over five years of using the same maps and regularly performing surgery with scotch-like tape, I was sorely in need of new ones.

So we decided to combine this errand with a quick lunch at a restaurant just across the parking lot—Moo-Moo’s Burger Barn.

Owner “Ramzi Zumout has been in the restaurant business since the age of 15. He began in his parents’ restaurant in Sacramento in the 1980s. After he spent time working for a corporate chain, his family convinced him to use his abilities in other ways. In 2003, he opened Moo Moo’s Burger Barn and has served as managing owner since” (Pam Bauserman at lodinews.com).

Today the Moo-Moo’s empire has grown to include two additional restaurants—one in downtown Stockton and the other in this shopping center.

Given its shopping center location, I expected this to be an order-at-the-counter place, so I was surprised to be greeted and seated by a hostess and to have table service.

The restaurant was clean and bright, and as you might expect from the name, a barnyard theme dominated the décor.

Just over the kitchen pass-through is a half-mural of a barn with hay spilling from the loft door.

And one wall is dominated by another mural with cows amidst gowned and tuxedoed dancers that remind me of the 1920’s or 1930’s.

The menu includes chicken and other sandwiches, salads, hot dogs, and chili. There is even an item called the Philly Cheese Moo served on a Kaiser roll with mayo, lettuce, tomato, Swiss cheese, and sautéed bell peppers and onions. Come on! The Swiss cheese alone is enough to disqualify this from using the “Philly” name. But mayo? Never.

Other moo’s include: the Morning Moo on grilled Texas toast, topped with a fried egg, American cheese, bacon, moo sauce (like 1000 Island dressing), and tomatoes; the Chili Moo served open-faced on a Kaiser roll, topped with beef and bean chili, shredded cheddar cheese and diced onions; and the Hula Moo on a Kaiser roll basted with chunky sweet and sour sauce and topped with pineapple slices.

While Chuck really wanted to order the Double Moo (two patties on a sesame seed bun with moo sauce, lettuce, tomato, and red onions), common sense prevailed, and he went with the single patty Classic Moo with the same accoutrements.

I couldn’t resist the Flamin' Moo with pepper jack cheese, battered jalapenos, regular jalapenos, bacon, grilled onions, and ranch dressing.

Bite Number One—where’s the flamin’? Bite Number Two—there it is! Both of our hamburgers had a nice char. Not as definite as Chuck’s burger at Foster’s Bighorn but still detectable.

And with our burgers, we shared a very large basket of good fries.

Moo-Moo’s was pretty good for a place that probably falls somewhere between fast food and Red Robin. It served its purpose well—inexpensive, quick, and convenient and earns 3.5 Addies.

To review the role of Adler, Kitty Humbug, and the Addie rating system, read the November 14, 2011 blog.