Where should Mayor Swearengin eat?
As Mike pointed out yesterday, Mayor Ashley Swearengin has been reaching out to Fresno’s more computer-savvy citizens by engaging the help of some of Fresno’s talented local bloggers.
Yesterday the mayor announced a collaboration with foodie blog Taste Fresno that is aimed at getting locals to forego that desperate chain restaurant with its two for $20 deals and eat at a locally owned restaurant instead.
The initiative, called Local Bites, encourages those who eat out to consider eating local at least once a month. It’s a way for Fresnans to help out the Fresno economy while having fun, and perhaps discovering something new, at the same time. Check out this video announcing the initiative from NoNetwork.tv:
Mayor Swearengin will kick off the initiative Tuesday, June 14 at 5:30 p.m. at DiCicco’s on Blackstone and Divisadero. You’re invited to join her at DiCicco’s that night, or eat at another favorite local restaurant instead. Subsequent dinners with the mayor are:
• Tuesday, July 12, 5:30 p.m. at LÃmon
• Tuesday, August 16, 5:30 p.m. at Javier’s
• Tuesday, September 20, 5:30 p.m. at Wassabi
Now. If there’s one thing people are passionate about, it’s food, so go ahead: give us (and the mayor) your local restaurant recommendations for future Local Bites dinners.
Responses to "Where should Mayor Swearengin eat?"
How much are the tickets to eat with the mayor? Are they discounted?
From what I understand, there are no tickets. She’ll be there eating, and you can show up and eat, too (meaning you simply pay your own bill at the end of the meal).
Thanks for sharing Mayor Swearengin’s schedule. I think it’s great that she is really supporting local businesses. These dinners will literally bring business to these restaurants, as well as expose for the Fresno dining scene.
Heather’s correct – there are no tickets, just the tab for whatever you eat. It’s really not even about eating *with* the Mayor – it’s about following her lead to making that conscious decision to spend our money at a local business.
Thanks, james.
Thanks for this, Heather. We look forward to seeing what other recommend.
One thing that’s important to note, beyond the focus on locally owned and operated restaurants, is that the restaurant must have a current business license with the City (I learned from helping with the BLOB Awards that many local favorites don’t keep that up to date). We’ll also be looking at space available in the restaurant, and the type of cuisine (it’s a great way to showcase the diversity of flavors in the community).
i think the mayor should go to wishon row on a thursday night, grab some dusty buns and then get a delicious cup of coffee from cafe corazon.
I really think she needs to try Oggi…one of my faves
This was one of our first suggestions
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1. Red Wave Inn (2375 E Shaw)
2. Pick up a torta from Robertitos (4509 N Blackstone) and then eat it while imbibing at The Brig (4705 N Blackstone)
3. Tacos Marquitos (1772 E Barstow)
4. Silver Dollar Hofbrau (333 E Shaw)
How about Heather taking the mayor to eat lunch at La Elegante!
“like”
She should sample the hot dogs next to the ball park and pawn shop on Tulare. Yummy!
The mayor needs to remember that many city employees also live in Fresno and since she cut their jobs, they can no longer afford to go out to eat or even go to the grocery store that often. I hope she keeps this in mind as she enjoys her many dinners out. She may endorse business, but she does NOT endorse people!
Louise, I don’t think the Mayor has forgotten about the cuts – nor do I think she’s taken them lightly. It’s easy to criticize from the sidelines, but few of us have had to manage a budget anywhere near the size of the City’s, and unfortunately, cuts are sometimes necessary.
What I’m confident the Mayor understands, however, is that small businesses is critical to job development and economic growth. To encourage others to spend dollars locally, she’s setting an example once a month; that’s something that all of us can do, not matter the size of our budget. The point of it all: if you’re spending money, make an effort to spend at least a small percentage at a business that’s locally owned and operated.
When small businesses thrive, the entire community benefits. So to that extent, an endorsement of business *is* an endorsement of people.
Louise…are you that dumb? She is truly a great mayor. Look at Art hop last night. There were groups of people walking around downtown..PAST 5 O’ CLOCK! The tower was SUPER packed she has really turned things around and guess what, Because of her a lot of new businesses have opened up. You know what they did? They hired people giving them jobs…so they have money..to eat at restuants..which inturn hire more people to keep up with demand..the beauty of capitalism. See Louise government jobs aren’t the only jobs around. And I guess you don’t see the most import point…THERE IS NO MONEY!!! Why can’t people understand that?
I’m allowing your comment, Cody, because you make some good points. But let’s keep the insults of other commenters to a minimum.
I’ll be happy to dine with the Mayor when she eats at Don Pepe’s, either location.
Supporting local businesses stimulates the local economy which creates jobs and builds local revenues, which support the city budget, thereby eliminating the need to lay off city workers. Where the mayor goes, so goes the people. In short, she’s doing the right thing. I would; however, recommend two of my favorite places, Batter-Up Pancakes, and Sam’s Italian Deli.
Rosona: Well said.
At the Clovis Chamber, we have done something like this for years. Every Friday, the “Lunch Bunch” goes to lunch at a different Clovis Chamber member restaurant. Many times, they are new and it brings them to the attention of the members. Other times, it’s an “old” favorite that people have forgotten about. We’ll pull together tables and have a big group lunch… so there’s networking, too
This has put thousands of dollars into the community.
You’re invited to join us if you’re close by. You can get the calendar of locations with the link on my name.
And congrats to the Mayor for this good idea!
I would like her to try Twist. They were voted best night club but their dinners and lunches are very good.
Don Pepe’s yes, but nobody mentioned Taj of India, way out on west Shaw, almost to 99, set back from Shaw. So tasty.
What the Mayor does not comprehend is there is no jobs in Fresno and the average person cannot afford to eat off the dollar menu at MacDonald s!!!! we are forced to make up our minds to either get the hamburger without the fries or the fries without the burger and you can forget about the drink-we have look for the nearest water fountain-We are totally amazed that the Maryor actually stepped away from her Pedicure, Manicure and actually removed the cumber-slices from her eyes long enough to comment on this Website-Oh and please keep in mind all her beauty services are paid by the people off the taxpayers back-Last time we required her services she was having her Hair permed in the office while the slices of cucumber were over her eyes getting dollied up for a Tea Pot Party. This is what every Mayor should be doing Right? NOW YOU KNOW WHY FRESNO IS THE DUMBEST CITY IN AMERICA!!! We are a little confused????wakeupamerica360@gmail.com