The Mad Teriyaki  //  I’ve learned that it’s impossible to dislike teriyaki. I mean, how can you go wrong with meat covered in a lip-smacking sauce? That sauce is hard to get right though; luckily for locals, The Mad Teriyaki has mastered it through some mysterious alchemy, and is flooring customers with their perfect teriyaki offerings. I usually go for their Chicken and Steak Plate. It’s perfect for us indecisive folk who prefer not to have to choose between meats, or for those of us who like to have our cake and eat it too—only here, it’s mouthwatering bites of juicy chicken and tender steak covered in smooth, glazed-to-perfection teriyaki sauce that’s topped with green onions and toasted sesame seeds, and served alongside soft coconut rice. For the sides, I like to get their macaroni salad—a cooling Hawaiian-inspired palate pleaser with black olives and celery, and the green salad with house-made raspberry vinaigrette and crisp fried noodles. Delicious doesn’t even begin to describe it. The meat is glorious, and the accompaniments complement each other well. Call me crazy, but I love The Mad Teriyaki; better still, I’m mad about it. Too much? OK I’ll stop. But you get my drift…this place is great! The Mad Teriyaki, 5065 Pacific Street, Rocklin. 916-953-7409, themadteriyaki.com.