MAP: Joan Obra’s readers’ best strawberry stands

Readers, you are so predictable.

In a recent column, I invited you to send more locations of farm stands. As in past years, you sent enough strawberry information to merit another column.
First, here are the new stands:

– Herndon Avenue and Tollhouse Road, Clovis

– Herndon Avenue, about 1/8 mile west of Thompson Avenue, Clovis

Also, some of you e-mailed me about the stand on Fowler Avenue, north of Olive Avenue. That one already appeared on last week’s list as the stand at Fowler and Floradora avenues.

Others asked where to buy the Albion, a variety that’s firmer and less juicy than the Chandler, but can be just as sweet. Stands at Willow and Behymer avenues (Clovis), Temperance and Shepherd avenues (Clovis), and Kings Canyon Road between Temperance and Locan avenues sell Albions and Chandlers, says Michael Yang, a University of California Cooperative Extension field assistant who works with the strawberry farmers.

Organic strawberry lovers also have two more retail sources: Kristina’s Natural Ranch Market at Barstow Avenue and First Street and The Market at Herndon and West avenues. Both stores sell organic strawberries from T&D Willey Farms in Madera, says farmer denesse Willey.

And restaurants are heeding the call of local strawberries. For example, Chameleon in the Tower District started serving strawberry waffles and lemonade Sunday. The $3 waffle has strawberries tucked inside the batter. It’s served with strawberry syrup, says Chameleon co-owner Charla Franklin. The $2 lemonade is made with strawberry puree and sliced strawberries.

On Mother’s Day, Chameleon is offering a special strawberry waffle and something called “grown folks’ tea,” Franklin says. The strawberry waffle is topped with strawberry syrup, whipped cream and a chocolate-covered strawberry. The tea is a mix of strawberry-flavored tea, white wine and club soda.

The tea and waffle cost $5. But if you’re a mother, you’ll eat this dessert (and all of Chameleon’s other dishes) for free.

Chameleon, at 609 E. Olive Ave., is open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays. (It rents space from Karsh’s Grill.) Reservations are recommended for Mother’s Day. Call (559) 458-6062.

View Strawberry stands in a larger map

In other food news, there’s a new barbecue joint in town that opened about three weeks ago. Called Ruben’s Rib Shack, it already has generated buzz at fresnofamous.com and chowhound.com.

For owners Ruben and Gina Avila, launching the take-out-only restaurant was a quick ride. Six weeks after finding the spot, they opened their doors.
“We saw this guy who had this location, and he was moving out. It all just kind of fell into place,” Gina Avila says. Based on raves from friends and family, “Ruben already knew his ribs were sellable.”

So far, the most popular dish at the restaurant is the $14.99 Hungry Man Special, with ribs, beef, chicken, hot links, three side dishes and garlic bread. (Sides are rice pilaf, baked beans, three-bean salad, corn, potato salad and a pineapple cup.)

The beef is ball tip roast, prepared like a tri tip and served au jus style. The mix of chicken breast and chicken thigh has a vinegar-based marinade. Those saucy pork spareribs are smoked with hickory wood for about five hours. The restaurant also cooks French fries to order.

Ruben’s is at 2421 E. Clinton Ave., near the northwest corner of Clinton and Fresno Street. Hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. Call (559) 222-7422 for more information.