By Michele E. Buttelman
Sunday Signal Staff Writer
Who doesn’t enjoy a good excuse for enjoying a pizza and a margarita?
February is packed with national food days, celebrating not only pizza and margaritas, but also hot breakfast, chocolate souffles and many, many more.
Celebrate with visits to Santa Clarita Valley food hotspots.
Feb. 1 National Dark Chocolate Day
Feb. 2 National Tater Tot Day
Feb. 3 National Carrot Cake Day
Feb. 4 National Homemade Soup Day
Feb. 6 National Frozen Yogurt Day
According to Nationalday.com, Yogurt was first invented more than 4,000 years ago in the Middle East and India. Over the centuries, it slowly made its way across the world. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that the idea of freezing yogurt for a ‘healthy’ alternative was born.
Looking to celebrate National Frozen Yogurt Day? Here are a number of local locations, in alphabetical order.
Golden Spoon, 27748 McBean Pkwy., Valencia 91354 is among the highest rated frozen yogurt shops in the SCV. A second location at 19375 Plum Canyon Rd., Suite C, Skyline Ranch Plaza 91350, is opening soon.
Menchies Frozen Yogurt, 26865 Sierra Highway, Newhall 91321 and 28273 Newhall Ranch Rd., Valencia 91355.
Pinkberry, 19013 Golden Valley Rd., Ste 125 Canyon Country 91387.
Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt, 19401 Soledad Canyon Rd., Canyon Country 91351 and 24244 Lyons Ave., Newhall 91321.
Yogurtland, 24266 Valencia Blvd., Valencia 91355.
Feb. 7 National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
Feb. 8 National Pork Rind Day (add these to your Super Bowl LX snack tray.)
Feb. 9 National Pizza Day
National Ice Cream Day for Breakfast and Pork Rind day are slighting different from the norm. But if you looking to celebrate National Pizza Day, here are some ideas.
Pizza day celebrates all things pizza, including Chicago style, Brooklyn style, Neapolitan style, Detroit style among others. Everyone has their own “favorite pizza,” much like your mother’s spaghetti, everyone claims “their” favorite pizza is the best. In addition to the national pizza chains throughout the SCV, expand your pizza palate with these local pizzerias and enjoy a “pie.”
Ameci Pizza and Pasta Santa Clarita, 28013 Seco Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita 91390.
Chi Chi’s Pizza, 23043 Soledad Canyon Rd., Saugus 91350 and 27117 Sierra Hwy., Canyon Country 91351.
Di Marco’s Pizza, 26570 Bouquet Canyon Rd., Unit A, Santa Clarita 91350 and 23758 Newhall Ave., Newhall 91321.
Numero Uno, 26111 Bouquet Cyn. Rd., Ste B1, Santa Clarita 91350.
Pizza Guys, 27667 Bouquet Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita 91350.
Slice House by Tony Gemignani, 24250 Town Center Drive, Valencia 91355
The Road Grill-N-Pizza, 26870 The Old Rd., Stevenson Ranch 91381.
Tomato Joe’s Pizza Express, 27732 McBean Parkway, Valencia 91354.
Tomato Joe’s Pizza and Taps, 19167 Golden Valley Rd., Canyon Country 91387.
Toppers Pizza Place, 23710 Valencia Blvd., Valencia 91355 and 18417 Soledad Canyon Rd., Canyon Country 91387.
Vincenzo’s Pizza, 20701 Plum Canyon Rd., Saugus 91350, 21615 Soledad Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita 91350 and 24504 1/2 Lyons Ave., Newhall 91321.
Feb. 11 National Peppermint Patty Day
Feb. 13 National Cheddar Day
Feb. 14 National Cream-Filled Chocolate Day
Feb. 15 National Almond Day
Feb. 17 National Drink Wine Day
While the origin of National Drink Wine Day is not known, it apparently has been a staple of human culture since 7000 BC.
The oldest known winery, according to Nationalday.com, was found in a cave in Armenia. It is believed to be more than 4,000 years old.
So, like ancient cultures, maybe you should take a take a break and enjoy your favorite glass of wine at any one of these of the local offerings.
Kindred Spirits, 24510 Town Center Drive Ste 120, Valencia 91355.
Puchella Wine Tasting Room, 24261 Main St., Newhall 91321.
Pagter Brothers Winery, Double Trouble and Hoi Polloi, 24338 Main St., Newhall 91321.
Feb. 19 National Chocolate Mint Day
Feb. 20 National Cherry Pie Day
Feb. 21 National Sticky Bun Day
Feb. 22 National Cook a Sweet Potato Day
Feb. 22 National Margarita Day
The origin of National Margarita Day is unknown and surrounded by stories and myths beginning around 1938.
Esquire Magazine’s December 1953 issue hailed the margarita as the Drink of the Month. The recipe was simple:
- 1 oz tequila
- Dash of Triple-Sec
- Juice of 1/2 lime or lemon
Pour over crushed ice and stir. Rub the rim of a stem glass with a rind of lemon or lime and spin in salt.
The popularization of the margarita was raised by the 1977 Jimmy Buffett song Margaritaville.
Whether you enjoy your margarita on the rocks or blended, here are some local areas to celebrate the day.
Azul Tequila, 25387 Wayne Mills Place, Valencia 91355.
Dario’s Mexican Restaurant, 24523 Newhall Ave., Newhall 91321.
La Cocina Bar and Grill, 28076 Bouquet Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita 91350 and 28022 Seco Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita 91390.
El Patron Mexican Bar and Grill, 23115 Lyons Ave., Newhall 91321.
Margaritas Mexican Grill, 23320 Valencia Blvd., Valencia 91355. Reviews rave about Margaritas Happy Hour margaritas, which includes traditional margaritas and special, unique margaritas.
Solita Tacos and Margaritas, 24201 Valencia Blvd. Ste 3470, Valencia 91355. Enjoy your favorite margarita at Solita’s Happy Hour, 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Reviewers report that the restaurant’s “Cadillac margarita is wonderful, the best, made with fresh juices.”
Sabor Cocina Mexicana, 23953 Newhall Ranch Rd., Valencia 91355. Large margaritas with seasonal specials. Sabor uses 100% agave tequila in its hand-crafted cocktails with homemade purées. The house margarita earns high marks from reviewers as does the “Organic Cadillac Margarita,” made with certified organic tequila, Grand Marnier and fresh juices.
Feb. 23 National Banana Bread Day
Feb. 24 National Tortilla Chip Day
Feb. 25 National Clam Chowder Day
Feb. 26 National Chili Day
Feb. 26 National Toast Day
Feb. 26 National Pistachio Day
Feb. 27 National Strawberry Day
Feb. 28 National Chocolate Soufflé Day
According to Delish.com, the two most important parts of a chocolate soufflé are chocolate and egg whites. Whipped egg whites are mixed with melted chocolate. The result is a rich chocolately dessert with puffed up, soft edges and a molten chocolate center.
To celebrate this sweet day there’s no better place than Salt Creek Grille, 24415 Town Center Dr #115, Valencia 91355. All desserts are made in house by Salt Creek Grille’s pastry chef.
The Chocolate Ganache Soufflé is a Salt Creek Grille specialty made to order. The fresh baked double chocolate souffle is finished table-side with warm chocolate sauce.
In addition to the national day celebrations, February is National Hot Breakfast Month, National Cherry Month, National Bake for Family Fun Month, Great American Pies Month, National Grapefruit Month, National Canned Food Month, National Potato Lovers Month and National Snack Food Month.
To celebrate National Hot Breakfast Month head over to the Saugus Restaurant, previously known at the Saugus Cafe at, 25861 Railroad Ave., Santa Clarita 91350. The restaurant, which recently reopened, is known for its hearty hot breakfasts, which makes it the perfect destination to celebrate.
