Food and Drink – The Fresnan

Libelula Going To Tokyo Garden

October 5, 2026October 5, 2026 The Fresnan 1 Comment

It was all over the internets today that Downtown Fresno’s Libelula restaurant is moving to a different part of downtown: Tokyo Garden.

Everyone is pumped, including me.

It felt like the Tokyo Garden space would never be used again. Then you have Libelula be the one to revive it?! So rad.

Having Libelula’s food with a combination of Tokyo Garden/La Bel vibe is going to be so damn sublime.

But it does bring up some questions. Questions I (at the moment) don’t know the answers to, but I am going to ask them anyway:

Will they be serving alcohol? They don’t over at the Crest Theatre location, right? Maybe they will be able to pick up Tokyo Garden’s liquor license? There are comments on Facebook that hint at that, but nothing confirmed.
Will they be open for dinner? Yes! The owners said it on Instagram. I almost feel like it would take away from their awesome breakfast place vibe, but whatever, it will be great.
Will there be bands and karaoke like Tokyo Garden? This would be rad too but that is a whole other thing than what they do now, so I dunno.
Will the bakery be there too? Good question. Don’t know.
Do they have to get the restroom ADA-compliant? The restrooms are epic small and not up to today’s standards and would be costly to bring them up to code. But I won’t tell if you don’t.

I almost don’t need any of these questions answered. It’s already cool enough to have Tokyo back with Libelula’s food; it’s already satisfying enough.

And I really like how (especially if they will be open in the evening) it will provide more synergy with South Of Shaw Brewing, that wine bar, and Fulton 55. If there is a show at Fulton 55 or Warnor’s, you wouldn’t have to leave the area the entire night.

Anyway, I will be watching along with everyone else as these questions get answered. I am hungry right now thinking about it.

If It’s Really $5, I’ll Absolutely Try a Calzini

August 23, 2026August 23, 2026 The Fresnan

There is something that happens to me when I get a pizza from Me&Ed’s. They will have a sign that says something like “Special: Large one topping $19.99” and then I order a large pep’ and they charge $21.00 and I just take it like a little bitch.

I feel like this will happen when I order a $5 “Calzini”. It will end up being seven bucks, won’t it?

Still want to try one. It’s gotta be tiny, yeah? Like, Hot Pocket size I bet. Does it have the cornmeal too?

Heirloom opening a location in Clovis because of course

August 14, 2026August 14, 2026 The Fresnan

Am I a little mad about Heirloom opening a location in Clovis instead of NW Fresno? Yes.

But…

There are some good things about this. Well, one good thing: less Clovis people at the Friant location.

I am not a huge fan of Heirloom either, so I kinda don’t care. But they do have good food and they are local. We could always use more of that in NW, Fig Garden, Tower, and Downtown. But whatever.

Enjoy, Clovisians. Keep finding reasons to stay over there.

Stay Out of Berrock Shop During Noon Hour, You Retired Fuck

June 23, 2026June 23, 2026 The Fresnan

Yeah I know every lunch place gets busy at Noon. This is especially true at Berrock Shop.

People on their lunch break from work, mixed with regular people wanting to get fed, makes for a busy place.

Well, I am here to rant at you retired people taking up space at Berrock Shop or anywhere else during lunch hour… KNOCK IT THE FUCK OFF!

You are lucky enough to be retired. You can come out to places at any time of day. STOP CHOOSING TO GET IN WORKING STIFFS WAY DURING NOON HOUR!

And while we are at it, don’t go wandering by a school during drop off time. Parents have already made their kids late to school along with making themselves late to work, stay the hell out the way.

The only exception is Our Lady of Bullard – she can ride by or eat at whatever time she wants.

What I Might Do At FresYes Fest 2026

March 20, 2026March 20, 2026 The Fresnan

It has become a big local event that is now in the same space as the big big big BIG Fresno Fair and a Fresno State football game, it’s FresYes Fest. (Saturday 1-11:00 pm at Tioga and the baseball stadium)

Lucky for FresYes to have some (even if a little hot for March) good weather. There will be everything you can think to have at a festival, here is what I might be looking to do:

Watch every damn band I can. I am most pumped for Strange Vine and Werebear. Sadly Werebear had to cancel but It’ll Grow Back is a fine ass punk replacement. There is a good chance I won’t be around still for Strange Vine’s set – that’s okay as I plan to see them at their album release show at Fulton 55 (April 11th)
Park in the Spiral Garage. I think I will be there early enough that there will be spaces in the garage, but we shall see. Also considering taking the trolley bus in from Tower.
Find shade. It will be impossible to do this while watching bands though, and won’t be easy at other times. The Chuk with be open though and there is shade under the concourse at least.
Drink water. And yeah, beer too. Not much of a Seltzer person but I do want to try the Tioga & Ampersand blueberry seltzer colab.
Eat. I don’t have a particular food truck I am looking out for. The shortest line will be the top ranking factor for me, if I am being honest.

Band info:

img_1200-1 What I Might Do At FresYes Fest 2026

If you see me out there, please give me your drink ticket or a beer, straight up.

-Mikey

P.S. I have chosen sunblock to be the affiliate sponsor of this post. Because you’re going to fuckin’ need a sport face out there.

Laucks Bakery Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe, Who Has It?

January 11, 2026January 11, 2026 The Fresnan

I don’t mean to age myself too much here, but I am old enough to remember having the peanut butter cookies from Laucks Bakery in the Tower District. It is one of my first food memories. And they were so good.

No peanut butter cookie has measured up to it. My Mom’s are the closest and are delicious. But the Laucks used to really hit.

I am seeking comfort lately, and a peanut butter cookie that tastes like a Laucks cookie would really fill a hole right now.

So who has the recipe? What’s the fucking secret?

Nobody wants to post the recipe (at least I can’t find where), as if this needs to be kept secret anymore.

This has also put me on a quest to find the best peanut butter cookie in Fresno. Maybe the smallest quest ever, but it’s still a quest. If you have some thoughts on this, tell me where to go.