22 May 28, 2017 READERS' CHOICE

West County Winner 492-4774

BREAD BASKET CAKE
83 E. Daily Drive, Camarillo
482-1337
www.breadbasketcake.com
Located in the bustling Las Posas Plaza,
Bread Basket Cake Company is known in
Ventura County circles and beyond,
including among Hollywood A-listers, for
its delectable desserts worthy of food
porn status.
Weve provided desserts for events for
the Oscars, Golden Globes and Emmys,
said co-owner Paul Delagnes. We also
work with a couple of hotels in Beverly
Hills.
One of Paul and Gilbert Delagnes most
requested desserts are cakes made with
their fruit basket filling, which is created
with locally grown berries and French
cream.
Favorites
McConnells Fine Ice Cream
Nothing Bundt Cakes
The Sugar Lab
Dive Bar
East County Winner
PJS PUB & GRILL
417 Avenida De Los Arboles, Thousand
Oaks
www.pjspub2.com
If televisions, dartboards, pool tables and
karaoke dont draw you in, a full bar, one
of the best burgers in town and appetizers
that satisfy your hunger pangs surely will.
PJs Pub and Grill has meshed the aesthetic
of a friendly, neighborhood bar with
state-of-the-art technology, including an
app that features deals on food and
drinks, and the one thing that seems to be
quintessential to all pubs karaoke.
PJs customers rave about its friendly
atmosphere, amazing fried pickles,
outdoor patio and live music.
Favorites
Azars Sports Bar
Lucky Fools Pub
Outlaws Grill & Saloon
West County Winner
THE RUDDER ROOM
2929 Ocean Drive, Oxnard
985-6096
The Rudder Room is a true Channel Islands
Harbor staple, known for its authentic
local feel and instant access to the warm
sand of Hollywood Beach.
We are a cash-only bar with deep
tradition, said Russ Parkes, a bartender at
The Rudder Room for 14 years. We have
always been family run, and we are the
best ocean-viewing bar in SoCal.
Critics Choice: Paying your respects
Fans of street food, heavyweight boxing and real-life
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington stories should make a
point of honoring the memory of William Bill Connell
aka the Hot Dog Man with a visit to the Carpinteria
Bluffs Nature Preserve near the Ventura-Santa Barbara
County line.
Lisa They should also bring some Red Vines along for the
McKinnon trip. But more about that in a minute.
Connell served in the Army during the Vietnam War
and went on to compete as a heavyweight boxer, racking up a profes-
sional record of 14 wins eight reportedly by knockout. He also
worked as a bouncer at some of the same New Jersey clubs where
Bruce Springsteen got his start, leading friends to claim that Connell
was Weak Knees Willie in the song Rosalita.
This much is certain: After moving to California, Connell was in-
spired by the street vendors of his Jersey youth to launch All-American
Surf Dog, which debuted just steps from the nature preserves dirt
parking in the summer of 1992.
It was an instant hit. The location was ideal, for one thing. Decorated
with American flags and a giant replica hot dog, the cart was visible
from Highway 101. More than 20 years later, everything on the menu
was $3.50 or less. And Connell still greeted each patron with a free Red
Vine so theyd have something to nibble on while he prepared their or-
der.
He also crusaded for more than a decade to have California recog-
nize its own constitutional provision exempting honorably discharged
veterans working as vendors from having to pay sales tax. A bill was
passed in 2014 to compensate Connell and his fellow veterans.
Connell was 61 when he died in his sleep in February 2016. A year
later, members of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 218, Santa
Barbara, gathered at the bluffs to dedicate a bronze plaque in his name.
No one ever left his hot dog stand hungry, whether they had money or
not, the plaque reads, in part.
It feels right to read the rest while chewing on a Red Vine.
Lisa McKinnon

The traditions are real at the Rudd, like
honoring those who have served with
photos on the wall, hosting benefits for
friends in need, and having a true first
call at 6 a.m.
Favorites
El Rey Cantina
Sans Souci
Star Lounge
Food Truck
Full County Winner
SCRATCH
www.scratchventura.com
If the combination of smoked pork,
chipotle peanut butter, strawberry jam
STAR FILE PHOTO
and white cheddar doesnt make your
Scratch, voted top food truck in Ventura County, is pictured here serving up lunch on
mouth water, the market salad with kale,
the Ventura College campus.
shaved carrots, cherry tomatoes, feta and
red wine vinaigrette may make your heart
sing.
These popular offerings at Scratch Food
Truck keep people coming back for more,
no matter where they are in Ventura
County, earning Scratch the distinction of
Readers Choice food truck winner.
So, whats the secret to their success? You
may have guessed it by their name,
Scratch.
Since we make 95 percent of our
ingredients ourselves, they all have unique
flavors that stand out, said chef and
co-owner Tim Kilcoyne.
Favorites
Cousins Lobster Roll
Grilled Cheese Truck
In-N-Out Burger