Friends have always told me about spending Sundays on the Strip for the brunch at the Saddle Ranch Chop House and the drinking at Cabo Cantina and Miyagi’s but I never got the gumption to check it out until now when it was finally a beautifully sunny day after many weeks of drab.

Caught the tail end of brunch (8am-3pm every day) at the Saddle Ranch. And was sad to have missed out on their brunch menu, cuz just looking at it made my mouth water. Next time, I’m so all over that banana almond French toast–banana nut bread dusted with powdered sugar and sprinkled with toasted almonds and sliced b-a-n-a-n-a-s. Mmmm!

Their portions tend to be Texas huge and the Ranch also has a list of dangerous-looking specialty cocktails. Dangerous because any bar menu that features A.M.F. (Adios, Motherfucker) has got to be trouble. It doesn’t help that you can get these in their “Giant” 1-liter specialty glass–looks like a carafe with a straw. Just do not get on the mechanical bull afterward. I repeat, no mechanical bull. < -–funny for everyone else, not fun for you. The Saddle Ranch hits its peak early in the day bustling with the young and the beautiful and then the crowd tapers off. Words of wisdom from people in the know: Although the patio does afford ample people watching opportunities, you’re better off sticking to the bar area for actual mingling since “the patio seems to attract all the weirdos." 8371 W Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90069
(323) 656-2007
Cross Street: La Cienega Boulevard

Unfortunately I had to pass on all that as I was saving my drunk-and-disorderly behavior for Cabo Cantina, which is just a hop, trip and saunter away from the Ranch. There it was 2-for-1 happy hour which is every day from 4-8pm. Friends have always told me that the Sunset location is the best place to spend a Sunday. And I have to concur as it was packed with lots of great-looking people and some, uh, interesting-looking people, perfect for people watching.

For drinks, I tried their melon margarita ($8.50) with an extra shot of Cuervo ($5.50) for good measure. Andrea helped me out by taking the extra one off my hand. Her friend Mark helped me out by taking the extra Dos Equis ($5) off my other hand. And then people just kept ordering more Dos Equis.

8301 W Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90069
(323) 822-7820
Cross Street: Sweetzer Avenue

I never did make it to Miyagi’s but Andrea tells me that it’s usually their last stop on the Sunday drinking spree. However, I have to say that I’m not a big fan of this sushi-for-singles place anyway. Yes, there are five bars in three levels and lots of hot people but their drinks are overpriced and many patrons have complained about bad customer service. But maybe by the time you hit this joint at the end of the barhopping you won’t mind it so much.

8225 W Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, California 90046
(323) 650-3524
Cross Street: Roxbury Road

Parking Tip: People are usually intimidated by the Strip for its lack of reasonably priced parking but if you get to the Saddle Ranch before 4pm, you can park in their lot via valet for only $1.99.