Yellen Night Bites Brings Food, Music & Family Fun to Palmdale

Wednesday nights in Palmdale just got a lot tastier. Yellen Night Bites is bringing a weekly mix of local food trucks, music, and family-friendly activities to Sam Yellen Park, located at 5100 E. Ave. S.

The event runs every Wednesday from July 1 through September 16, from 4 to 8 p.m., giving local families, food lovers, and neighbors a free midweek reason to get out of the house and enjoy the community.

Each week will feature a rotating lineup of local food trucks, making it a great chance to try something different without having to choose just one restaurant. Along with the food, visitors can enjoy a live DJ, face painting, balloon twisting, and lawn games, creating an easygoing evening for both kids and adults.

The kickoff event on July 1 will also include a swag giveaway while supplies last, adding a little extra incentive to come out early.

Best of all, admission is completely free. Bring the family, grab dinner from a food truck, enjoy the music, and make Wednesday night your new local food night in Palmdale.

Lee Esther’s Gets City Recognition as Palmdale’s July Business of the Month

Lee Esther’s Creole & Cajun Cooking has earned a well-deserved local spotlight. The City of Palmdale named Lee Esther’s its July Business of the Month, recognizing the restaurant as one of the local businesses helping add flavor, character, and community pride to Palmdale.

Located at 830 1/2 E Ave Q-6 in Palmdale, Lee Esther’s brings authentic Louisiana-inspired flavor to the Antelope Valley with a menu built around Creole and Cajun cooking, Southern comfort food, and family-owned hospitality.

This is not just another casual dining spot. Lee Esther’s gives Palmdale something distinctive — bold, soulful food rooted in Louisiana flavor. From hearty comfort dishes to catering options for local events and gatherings, the restaurant has become a favorite for diners looking for something with more personality than the usual fast-food or chain-restaurant options.

The restaurant’s message says it best: “Come Hungry. Leave Happy.”

That kind of simple, direct promise fits what Lee Esther’s brings to the table: generous flavor, local ownership, and food that feels personal. Whether someone is stopping in for lunch, dinner, takeout, or planning food for a family gathering or office event, Lee Esther’s offers a local option with real character.

Being named Palmdale’s July Business of the Month gives the community another reason to take notice. Local restaurants like Lee Esther’s help shape the identity of the city. They give residents places to gather, support local jobs, add variety to the food scene, and create the kind of neighborhood favorites that make a community feel more connected.

For anyone in the Antelope Valley craving Creole and Cajun flavor, Lee Esther’s is worth putting on the list.

Local Bites Take:
Lee Esther’s is a Palmdale local favorite for authentic Creole and Cajun cooking, Southern comfort food, friendly service, and family-owned character. Its recognition as July Business of the Month makes this a perfect time to stop by and support a local restaurant doing something different in the AV food scene.

Location: 830 1/2 E Ave Q-6, Palmdale, CA 93550
Website: LeeEsthers.com

The BLVD Market Adds Another Weekly Reason to Visit Downtown Lancaster

Downtown Lancaster has another reason to be on your Thursday evening list. The BLVD Market is back for its 2026 season, bringing farm-fresh produce, artisan goods, food trucks, and locally crafted products to the heart of the city every week.

The weekly open-air farmers market returned on Thursday, April 2, and continues every Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. through October 29. The market takes place along The BLVD between Fern Avenue and Ehrlich Avenue, creating a walkable midweek destination for residents and visitors.

Each week, about 15 to 20 vendors help turn downtown Lancaster into a lively community hub. Shoppers can browse fresh produce, discover handmade items, support local growers and makers, grab something from a food truck, and enjoy an evening out on The BLVD.

While The BLVD Market is not strictly a restaurant event, it fits naturally into the local food scene. It gives residents another way to connect with local food, small businesses, and community vendors outside of a traditional dining setting.

The City of Lancaster is hosting the market in partnership with Raw Inspiration, a nonprofit operator of California Certified Farmers Markets.

Mayor R. Rex Parris described the market as one of those events that “feels like Lancaster,” noting that it supports local growers and small businesses while giving residents a place to gather and enjoy the energy of downtown.

For local food lovers, The BLVD Market is a simple Thursday night win: walk the market, support small vendors, grab a bite, and enjoy the downtown atmosphere.

The BLVD Market
When: Thursdays, 4–9 p.m., through October 29
Where: The BLVD between Fern Avenue and Ehrlich Avenue, Lancaster
Vendor Info: Apply through Raw Inspiration
More Info: City of Lancaster PARCS Department, 661-723-6077

49er Saloon in Acton: Historic Charm, Good Food, and Prices That Make You Pause

The 49er Saloon in Acton, California is not just another roadside stop. It is one of those places where the history is part of the meal.

Acton’s roots go back to the 1800s, when gold miners and prospectors helped shape the early community. Two of the best-known mines in the area were the Red Rover Mine and the Governor Mine, once owned by California Governor Henry T. Gage. Mining for gold, copper, and titanium continued into the early 1900s, and the town itself grew out of that rugged frontier setting.

The original 49er Saloon was opened in 1870 by John F. Duerhen, Acton’s first resident, as a place to provide refreshment to miners and prospectors. Today, the 49er Saloon continues that tradition, serving ranchers, locals, travelers, and anyone wandering in off the trail. It has modern comforts now, including indoor plumbing, but the old-California character is still a major part of the draw.

On our visit, we started with the Corn Fritters, described as a slightly sweet trail favorite from the 1800s, finished with a maple syrup drizzle. These were as good as I remembered. Sweet, sticky, and satisfying, they are one of those items that fit the personality of the place perfectly. At $14.75, they are not cheap, but they delivered.

The Western Burger came with a half-pound Angus steak patty, cheddar cheese, Applewood bacon, house-made BBQ sauce, beer-battered onion rings, lettuce, and tomato on a brioche bun. It was a good burger, but not a great burger. At $23, it needed to be more memorable than it was. Nothing was wrong with it, but at that price point, “good” is not quite enough.

The better sandwich was the Hot Whiskey BBQ Chicken Sandwich, made with hot whiskey BBQ chicken, Applewood bacon, tomato, lettuce, and red onion on a brioche bun. This one was very good, and the portion size was generous. At $21.25, it still lands on the high side, but it felt more justified than the burger.

We also tried the Western Style Vegan Meatloaf, a plant-based version of a 49er family favorite, topped with a house-made sweet BBQ glaze and served with two sides. The portion was a good size, but the dish itself was just okay. At $29.75, it is hard to recommend unless you specifically want a vegan option and are willing to pay a premium for it.

The real strength of the 49er Saloon is the atmosphere. This is a place with history, character, and a strong Acton identity. It feels tied to the town in a way newer restaurants often do not. The Sierra Pelona Mountain backdrop, the frontier story, and the old saloon roots all give it a sense of place.

The food ranges from good to very good, depending on what you order. The pricing, however, is where the experience becomes more complicated. Some items feel fair for the setting and portion size, while others feel noticeably high for what lands on the plate.

Local Bites Take:
The 49er Saloon is worth visiting for the history, the atmosphere, and a true Acton experience. The Corn Fritters are a strong start, and the Hot Whiskey BBQ Chicken Sandwich is the best item we tried. The Western Burger was good but overpriced, and the Vegan Meatloaf was only okay, especially at nearly $30.

Best for: Local history, casual meals, drinks, visitors exploring Acton, and anyone who appreciates a restaurant with real Old West character.

Would we go back?
Yes, but we would order carefully. The atmosphere and history make it worth returning, but not every menu item feels like a strong value.

This week’s sponsor spotlight features Soulistic, a vibrant beverage and specialty toast bar in the heart of Lancaster, bringing next-level drinks, fresh bites, and feel-good energy to the Antelope Valley.

Located at 703 W Lancaster Blvd., Soulistic is the kind of place built for people who want more than a basic coffee run. Their menu includes smooth Uji matcha blends like Strawberry Cheesecake and Banana Cream Uji, bold specialty coffees, handcrafted lattes including Pistachio and Milky Way, exotic frappuccino flavors, refreshing coolers, coconut cream clouds, sorbet bowls, smoothies, wellness-driven tonics, pastries, fresh specialty toast, and their famous chocolate cookies.

Soulistic grew from the same passion that helped launch The Modern Tea Room back in 2015 — a love for food, nature, creativity, and a more intentional way of living. Thanks to strong community support, that original beverage and food journey expanded into a place where mixology, fresh ingredients, and tasty bites all come together.

Their philosophy is rooted in respect, sustainability, and authenticity. From how they source ingredients to how they treat customers, employees, and the community, Soulistic is built around the idea that we are all connected.

Whether you are grabbing a matcha, meeting a friend, cooling down with a smoothie, or treating yourself to something sweet, Soulistic gives Lancaster a fresh local spot to sip, chill, and vibe.

Soulistic
703 W Lancaster Blvd.
Lancaster, CA 93534
Phone: 661-726-4600
Email: [email protected]
Website: SoulisticAV.com