Fisher's Delicatessen

Want to eat a delicious, heartwarming meal that features locally-grown and made products in Hollister? Then check out Fisher's Delicatessen, at 650 San Benito Street in downtown Hollister, that recently opened. 

The new restaurant is owned by Chef Mike Fisher, a popular caterer, who is well-known in the region for his amazing dishes. A Hollister native, Chef Mike graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Academy of Culinary Arts in Paris and broadened his culinary skills and experience at the Hotel del Coronado, Bernardus Lodge, and other distinguished restaurants. Chef Mike has also been part of the team putting together the annual San Benito Olive Festival.

Fisher's Delicatessen offers both sit-down service and take-out. Its creative menu includes small plates (such as babaganoush, hummus, and marinated olives), salads (grilled asparagus, hello), soups (seafood chowder!), sandwiches, and entrees. If you're into craft beer on tap or the wines from San Benito County, the restaurant has several choices for you. 

When the Husband and I were there yesterday, the entrees included lasagne bolognese, turkey stew, tri-tip steak, and harissa shrimp skewers. I had the stew, which was made with free-range turkey. There is definitely a difference in what ingredients are used. Yummmmmm.  

Fisher's Delicatessen is open from Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Chef Mike Fisher

Walking in Downtown Hollister

Downtown Hollister is a great town to walk. So many possibilities. Walk up and down the main street, side streets, and alleys. Venture into the residential area beyond South Street or to the west of San Benito Street. Climb up Park Hill and enjoy the view.

If you'd like something a bit more organized, check out these round-trip walks designed by the Downtown Hollister Association. You can download a copy of its brochure describing the walks here. I've summarized the walks below, providing links to past posts on Take 25 to Hollister that give you some background on the subject matter of many of the walks.

• Sacred Heart Walk, a one-mile stroll, begins at Dunne Park where Sacred Heart Church originally was located.
•  Downtown Shop Walk, 1.2 miles, allows you to see and visit all the shops and businesses in downtown Hollister.
• Historic District Walk is 1.3 miles long, covering the Downtown Hollister Historic District. 
• Fault to Fault Walk is a 1.3 mile walk along the Calaveras Fault.
• Vista Park Hill Walk, 1.5 miles, takes you up to Park Hill, the highest point in Downtown Hollister. 
• East of Eden Walk is 2.2 miles of some John Steinbeck history and movie settings for the East of Eden movie.
• Hazel Hawkins Walk, 2.3 miles, starts at the original Hazel Hawkins Hospital and goes to the IOOF Cemetery on Buena Vista Road.

Have fun walking through downtown Hollister!

Being Spontaneous

The last time the Husband and I were in downtown Hollister, we suddenly decided to pop into the Fifth Street entrance of the old Elks Lodge building, climb the three flours to the top, and walk down the other side of the building to exit on San Benito Street.

It's been awhile since we young old fogeys climbed more than one flight of stairs. Puff, puff, puff.

Alas, we couldn't complete our spontaneous plan. The glass doors at the top floor were locked. Oh well. The floor tiles up there are gorgeous as you can see.

By the way, we took the elevator down. Yup, an elevator, one of the few elevators in Hollister. Giggle.

Stop and See!

On the southwest corner of Fourth and East Streets are two fun shops. One is Bill's Bullpen that has the latest sports cards, comic books, sports memorabilia, and other sweet stuff. Next door is San Benito Glass that offers glass repair and installation, as well as a wide array of antiques for sale.

Stop and see for yourself when you're in downtown Hollister.

Coconut Moons Stout

Last September, I drank a locally handcrafted beer that was deliciously the best in my book. (I wrote about the beer here.) Made by Brewery Twenty Five, I didn't think they could top their Many Moons Stout. Ha!

One month ago (January 23), at Running Rooster, the Husband and I drank what I consider the best handcrafted beer I've tasted thus far. Coconut Moons Stout, which is also made by Brewery Twenty Five. Mmmmmmmm.  We paired the beer with a slice of rich thick chocolate cake. A sip of beer, a bite of cake. Repeat. Repeat. Again, repeat. Yummmmmmmmm. 

Day Dreaming

This stairway to no where is by the mural on San Benito Street, which is next to The Garden Mart and across from Burger Factory.  Can anyone else imagine Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Jimmy Cagney, or Savion Glover doing a grand tap dance routine up and down these steps? Giggle.

Afternoon Reflections

The Husband and I were driving north on West Street when I noticed the trees' reflections in the windows of the San Benito County Administration Building. Do you think trees preen before their reflections like many of us humans do? Giggle. 

A Look at the Diablos from Downtown

I'm always surprised when I see the mountains from Fourth Street in Downtown Hollister, especially when the mountain sides are green. Joyful!

Thank You Very Much!

It's tough making a brick-and-mortar business succeed, regardless of whether you're new or been around for a long while, or whether the economic times are poor or good. Making the decision to say "That's it! We need to close our doors." is a hard thing to do as well. 

These are a few of the shops and restaurants that said Good-bye to us in Hollister in 2015. Thank you very much for your good cheer and service!

She's closed in June after 23 years of being in business. It was one of the few independent clothing shops specializing in women's apparel in town. Although her clothing shop is no more, its owner Sheila Stevens can be found at her other two businesses in Hollister, The Heavenly Bakery  on San Benito Street and She's Consignment Store, at the corner of Fifth and East Streets. 

Swanky Finds, a thrift and consignment shop, closed earlier this year. The fun shop was next to the Country Rose Cafe on San Benito Street.

Closing the doors of Muenzer's Keys & Teez in October marked the end of 105 years of Muenzer's presence in Hollister. In 2012, Muenzer's downsized and moved next door to its original storefront on Fifth Street. 

3rd Base Burger Bar, formerly Grillin & Chillin Downtown, on the main drag closed several weeks ago. However, we can still enjoy the hospitality of the owners, Chuck and Joann Frowein, at their two other establishments—Roadhouse Grillin & Chillin, corner of Highway 156 and Mitchell Road, and Grillin & Chillin Alehouse on McCray Street. 

The Best of Times Cafe  served its last meals to customers earlier this month. Paul and his colleagues purchased the cafe in July, 2014.  The cafe opened in 1996 as the Hard Times Cafe. Somewhere in time the first owner was forced to change its name because a franchise chain on the East coast owned the name.

The Hi Outlet in Downtown Hollister

After nearly two years of sitting empty, the building at 549 San Benito Street has a new occupant. The Hi Outlet (which was once on Tres Pinos Road) opened for business a few days before Christmas in downtown historical Hollister. The building was previously home to Penny Wise Drug.

Classic Knights in Downtown Hollister

I don't know what's funniest—Yoda as Santa Claus, Yoda next to a medieval knight, or Yoda and the knight being barkers for a furniture store in downtown historical Hollister. What do you say?

A Happy Goof of a Tree

Here's my giggle of the day. See if you can find it on East Street.  Until tomorrow.

Window Shopping in Historic Downtown Hollister

Bella Charm

To help make Christmas shopping less hectic in Downtown Hollister, the City has lifted parking hour restrictions until January 8, 2016.

For a list of some of the downtown Hollister businesses, check out these links: shops and thrift stores.

Enjoy!

Johnnie's Girl

Irma's Fashions

Eclectic Treasures

San Benito Bene

Santa Claus Sighted in Hollister

There he is! Biker Santa Claus on Johnny's Bar & Grill's ledge.

See you tomorrow.

Support Our Local Merchants During the Holidays

While you're out and about checking out all the cool events going on today in San Benito County (see yesterday's post), take a look at the local shops that may be nearby. You may find that holiday gift or idea that you're seeking.

Today in San Juan Bautista is the "Holiday Stroll Through Time" from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Many of the San Juan merchants are holding an open house, offering refreshments and such to their customers.

Hanging around Hollister today?  Here are a few small businesses in and around Downtown Hollister to check out.

Bella Charm, 748 San Benito Street
Gaia's Cottage, 200 Tres Pinos Road
Eclectic Treasures, 731 San Benito Street
Irma's Fashions, 230 Fifth Street
Johnnie's Girl, 535 San Benito Street
McAbee Feed, 71 McCloskey Road
Off the Chain Bikes, 101 McCray Street, Suite 101
Rancher's Feed, 354 First Street
San Benito Bene, 615 San Benito Street, Suite B
The Garden Mart, 190 San Benito Street


Note to FCC: I was not compensated to mention any business on this post, nor any other post on Take 25 to Hollister. 

Keep the Peace

"The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart. The most powerful weapon you can be is an instrument of peace." ~ Carlos Santana

The Christmas Tree Forest

Every year, the Hollister Downtown Association sponsors a Decorate-the-Tree contest, inviting local nonprofit groups to turn trees into beautiful Christmas trees. This year was no different.

The contest was part of the Lights On Celebration, which was last Saturday. The trees were donated by Bourdet Christmas Trees.

The 30 Christmas trees are on display at the corner of Fourth and San Benito Streets. Soon, they will be given away to families in need in our community.

I love your town.

Loving the Children' Art

School: Mi Escuelita Pre-K

Some awesome artwork is currently on display at ARTspace (240 Fifth Street) in Downtown Hollister. Each painting is bound to melt your heart. I dare you to go look for yourself and not say "Aaaaaaah!" Or, "How cuuuuute!"

School: Little Baler

Sponsored by the San Benito County Arts Council, the 4th Annual Children's Art Exhibition goes through December 12, 2015.  School children from different local schools painted pictures inspired by children's books, such as Winnie the Pooh, The Little Prince, and If You Give a Moose a Muffin.

School: Calaveras TK

All of the paintings are on sale. Proceeds go to the San Benito County Arts Council's Arts in Education Program. Any one of the paintings would be a wonderful fun gift for art lovers and children's book fans.

School: Calaveras TK

ArtSpace is open from 12 to 4 p.m. this Saturday, December 5, and Saturday, December 12. For other gallery hours, call 831-636-2787 or email info@ sanbenitoarts.org.

School: Little Bridges

Autumn Loveliness

Hope you take some time to enjoy the autumn colors between your Black Friday and Small Business Saturday shopping this weekend. This brilliant colorful tree is on the NW corner of Monterey and South Streets.

See you tomorrow.

Thank You!

I appreciate your support and visits to Take 25 to Hollister. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Su-sieee! Mac