What readers said:

"These businesses are a very small percentage of the restaurants in Fresno/Clovis. There are so many great local places to eat here -- however, it is too bad we are so chain oriented. I also wonder if eating out is "discretionary." We are eating out more than ever and our "eating" budget (groceries/dining out) has remained about the same."

-- ramus

"how funny that restaurants like these get PR like this right now ya never hear of them otherwise lol. is this really news? no one cared to begin with obviously."

-- Guest

Record ridership

What happened: Amtrak's San Joaquin line posted record ridership in 2012, attracting more than 1.1 million passengers last year. The record number of people riding the rails comes even as controversy continues to boil over plans to run high-speed trains through the region from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

What it means: Despite the rising ridership and revenue from ticket sales, the San Joaquins -- along with Amtrak's other California lines and many others across the country -- remain money-losing propositions. In its 2013 budget projections, Amtrak estimated a loss of $5.79 for every passenger riding on the San Joaquin trains.

What readers said:

"There are a number of complaints here regarding the money lost by running the trains...$2.2 million/year someone quoted? Well, consider this. These trains have been carrying over 2 million riders every year. that's 2 million fewer cars on the road. And the train riderships are increasing, setting records all along the way. Can you imagine if our freeways had record "driverships" year over year? Our freeways clog everyday with the cars they carry right now. They wouldn't be able to handle 2 million more. However much each trip is subsidized, I think it?s a bargain. And you should too."

-- James Leno