Entree complete with to-go bag

By Tom Linek, On-Line Forty-Niner

Wednesday, November 25, 1998

As college students, value and quality are important no matter what you are purchasing.

That is probably why Target is in all of our vocabularies. When it comes to food, there is no exception.

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FOOD REVIEW

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We all want to go out and enjoy a meal without spending an entire financial aid check on it.

The Claim Jumper is a Southern California based, family owned restaurant that prides itself on quality food and excellent service.

Located at 5501 E. Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach, Claim Jumper is conveniently close to campus as well as Marina Pacifica.

The "Jumper" promotes an old Western gold rush theme and has nostalgic paraphernalia to enhance the hospitable atmosphere.

Everything at Claim Jumper is immense, except for the bill.

From the large comfortable booths and tables, to the generous portions of food, even the hungriest of people will leave satisfied.

A friend and I went to Claim Jumper on a Friday around 7:30 p.m.

Upon entering the restaurant, we were immediately surrounded by crowds of people waiting for a table.

The friendly host staff informed us that the wait for a table would be about an hour, so we ventured into the "Saloon" for drinks and appetizers before dinner.

I began with a "Shark on the Beach" and my friend tried a "Purple Cadillac Margarita." Both drinks were refreshingly tasty and well made.

Then the appetizer combination plate arrived, and what an arrival.

It was packed with a variety of the most popular samples such as buffalo wings, fried mozzarella cheese, fried zucchini, potato skins and onion rings.

After a pleasant hour in the bar, our table was ready and we prepared ourselves for more.

After glancing over the many available dishes, we selected the full rack of pork ribs and the whiskey chicken.

The ribs were served with a choice of the many side dishes, a bowl of soup or the fresh produce bar and either a muffin or Claim Jumpers' famous garlic cheese bread.

The whiskey chicken was served with a homemade apple stuffing and mashed potatoes with gravy.

I began with the produce bar and had to take advantage of its unlimited use in order to try everything.

By the time dinner arrived, it was time for the to-go boxes because desert was looking so inviting.

I am a fan of good cheesecake and had to try the white chocolate chip raspberry. It was so flavorful and moist that I do not remember where it went.

All of the food was good and the menu provided a selection for everyone.

In addition, the service and atmosphere exceeded our expectations and provided us with a pleasant dining experience, a good value for our money and leftovers for a few days.