A review by booksrockcal
Made in California: The California-Born Diners, Burger Joints, Restaurants & Fast Food That Changed America by George Geary

funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

5.0

I enjoyed this book so much!! George Geary chronicles the history of California restaurant/fast food cuisine in an engaging and informative book that is part history, part culinary study and part cultural deep dive into the people and ethos that brought us McDonald’s hamburgers, Taco Bell Mexican food, Randy’s donuts and so many other iconographic cuisine that is now part of American, not just California, culture. I bought this book from Vroman’s Bookstore during the pandemic (in response to dire warnings about Vroman’s long term viability and a call to readers to save the store) and skimmed it then as a reminder of all the culinary experiences we were missing during lockdown. i read it in depth this time in preparation for Mr. Gearys author visit to Warwick’s on the occasion of the publication of his second book. This book demonstrates what a rich and varied food culture we have in California and even better it reminded me of the many wonderful experiences i have had at the restaurants profiled, from El Cholo, my parents’ favorite Mexican restaurant (explained in the book as a USC fraternity hang out spot- no wonder my dad loved it until he passed) to In N Out Burger everyone’s favorite hamburger restaurant to which i used to drive my father following his cardiology appts  to the pioneer of all of them, McDonald’s.  This book is a wonderful culinary adventure and a history of California through its restaurants. Added bonus was seeing Mr. Geary speak at Warwick’s - he is as engaging and interesting as his books.