I have always found restaurant "histories" to be a little pretentious, and a lot corny…but who am I to break with tradition!!!

It all started 39 years ago (and holding) when G.O. and Gracie became the proud parents of a baby girl (Jeanette). Jeanette (or Peaches as they called her) literally grew up in the fields, woods, and swamps of L.A. (Lower Alabama). Her father was a farmer and a shrimper (One who catches shrimp). They owned and operated many business, but the one that remains to this day is the Blue Marlin.

As I said, the Blue Marlin not only continues to exist in L.A. (Lower Alabama still) but is doing quite well, thank you. The restaurant is not only well known in the surrounding community, but folks from surrounding counties and even states speak of its culinary delights. We have even come across folks in Palmdale/Lancaster who have visited the restaurant and speak highly of its friendly service and excellent food.

L.A. is a beautiful place and has a vast variety of fish and game, but personally I choose to live here. Why? I have a slight aversion to "unwanted water". We like to complain about being too dry… they are too wet!!! Just one squall (Alabamian for rain) and Quartz Hill would be a new town in Kern County!!! I also like to take a shower in the morning (Wanted water) and not have to repeat the process a half hour later (Caused by humidity or unwanted water). I am even a little concerned that the local fauna (I have seen insects with the wingspan and mass of a California Condor… I have a legitimate fear that one of my Grandkids will be plucked from my arms by one of these, as yet unclassified, critters). What would I say to the loving parents??? An insect just flew away with your child!!?? Doesn't everyone know that the only good bug is a dead bug??!!! And for that matter, who needs all those beautiful trees and vegetation. Consider what man-eating beast may be lurking behind and in them!!! And… to add fuel to the fire of a desert rat….get this!!! They don't plant lawns, they don't pay huge landscaping fees for sprinklers (Only to spend every weekend repairing them). Grass just appears…..that's right….like some cruel joke played out on the "dry" states!!!! Whew!! I got it off my chest….now, back to the restaurant.

Keeping in mind the above, along with a generous amount of groveling, pleading, and begging, I was able to persuade Jeanette to remain in California. Only one problem….I was able to take the girl out of the country, but I was unable to quench her passion for great cooking and the joy she feels when she looks into the satiated eyes of friends, family and folks I don't even know. I blame her momma for her talent, skills, and desire to please even the most discriminating pallets (Our son and daughter to name a couple).

We truly hope and pray that your dining experience is one you will fondly remember and return to.

Basic Southern Culinary Terminology:

1. Hush Puppies-Not a group of well-behaved canines, but a delicious donut-hole-looking, bread-like substance that I'm obviously having difficulty describing…so just try them!!
2. Jumbalaya-Not a flesh-eating mammal, but a unique and wonderful mix of rice, chicken, sausage, bell peppers and…? Truly a scrumptious meal in itself.
3. Gumbo-Not a type of chewing gum, but a soup with okra, shrimp, rice and other good stuff….and has a little kick to it.
4. Spiders-Not a classification arachnid, but a delicacy the world over of a blue crab that has molted (Its shell fell off) within the last day or so and we (lucky people) can eat ALL of it and not have to pick through the shells……..you gotta try this one.

Note: Do us both a favor…..DON'T FORGET….to try the best fried chicken and catfish this side of the Mississippi. Cooked just as Momma used to with the family recipie that Jeanette learned and applied through years of observing, cooking and managing the Blue Marlin in L.A. and, oh yeah, we are the… Blue Marlin West…