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California is known for its melting pot of cultures. Having so many different cultures represented means fantastic restaurants showcasing the culture's cuisine. Even in the small town of Porterville, California, you can find delicious Mexican food. When you just can't stop thinking about those crispy tacos, here's the top Mexican restaurants in and around town. 1. China's Alley Mexican Restaurant Located right in town is China's Alley. This spot has all your classic Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos, and nachos. The menu is extensive, so you can eat here again and again and still try new dishes. They have great dinner specials and even a dinner section if you want the same delicious meal but a smaller portion. If you're over 60 years old, they have a section on their menu that includes all your favorite meals but at a lower price. more 2. Vejar's Mexican Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge In Tulare, you'll find another great Mexican joint. Vejar's has been operating for over 45 years. Their dishes are still made with original recipes. Chefs prepare their corn and flour tortillas every day. They're even open for breakfast, so you can always get your Mexican cuisine fix. Whatever dish you choose, you'll have to pair it with one of their house made margaritas. Alcohol is intended only for those 21 years or older. Please drink responsibly. 3. Que Pasa Mexican Cafe Close to Vejar's is Que Pasa. This restaurant first opened in 1999 in Bakersfield and has since expanded. They take traditional Mexican dishes and bring innovative flare to them. Even though everything on their menu is mouth-watering, their sizzling fajitas is the way to go. You have the classic options of chicken or steak and jumbo shrimp or seafood, which includes shrimp and Mahi Mahi. To finish off your meal, why not try their chocolate enchiladas. 4. El Sarape Mexican Bar and Grill In Pixley is El Sarape. This family-owned and operated restaurant is serving up a wide variety of American and Mexican meals. The Mexican dishes on their menu reflect traditional Mexican cuisine. They're known for having some of the best wet burritos in the area. If you've never had a wet burrito, it's a burrito smothered in various sauces, whether that queso, enchilada sauce, or sour cream. Whatever you order, be sure to get rice and beans too. 5. Maximos Taqueria Maximos is serving up fast and fresh Mexican food to their patrons. This joint does its best to buy ingredients from local farmers, so the ingredients spend less time traveling before being served. You can get three street-style tacos for only six dollars here. Along with all your favorite dishes such as quesadillas, tacos, and burritos, you can even order a burrito bowl. They also have a small selection of seafood meals to choose from. Whether you're staying local to town or venturing a short distance, you'll find excellent Mexican food. Once you've tried all the fantastic places on this list, stop by Merle Stone Chevrolet for even more suggestions.

Looking for things to do while visiting Porterville, CA? This mid-size, family-friendly town has a lot to offer. Here you'll discover beautiful parks, excellent restaurants and activities for the whole family. Following is a list of six things to do in the area, so you can hit the road for a day loaded with adventure. 1. Sequoia National Forest and Kings Canyon National Park With its convenient location in the San Joaquin Valley, Porterville serves as a gateway to the famous Sequoia National Forest and Kings Canyon National Park. In just an hour's drive, you'll find yourself in the land of giants—an area that boasts the world's largest trees. You'll also enjoy the rugged beauty of the towering mountains and rolling foothills, and be sure to get a look at the deepest canyon in the country—more than a mile and a half deep! more 2. Porterville Crossroads Shopping lovers will enjoy the array of stores, restaurants and services at Porterville Crossroads. You'll find hair and nail salons, an auto repair shop, a gaming store, a tobacco shop, a grocery store, as well as several appetizing eateries. Come here for all your family's needs. 3. Giovanni's Pizzeria & Arcade Bring the kids and head out to Giovanni's, which locals call “the happiest place in Porterville.” Giovanni's specializes in birthday parties and they serve some of the best pizza in the region. Or just stop by and enjoy the more than 8,000 square feet of video arcade fun. Then grab a bite—or a whole pie—for lunch or dinner. 4. Porterville Museum This museum, opened in 1965, is uniquely located in what was once a train depot in the early 1900s. Locals persisted in turning the facility into a historical landmark and eventually received permission from the Southern Pacific Railroad to do so. Here you'll see artifacts from the pioneer days and memorabilia from local Native American Indian tribes. Entrance fees are nominal, from $1 to $5. 5. Eagle Mountain Casino Get your gambling on right here in Porterville! Owned by the Tule River Indian Tribe, the casino offers 1,200 slot machines and 10 table games. Take a break—or your winnings—to River Steakhouse, Forest Buffet (available Fridays and Saturdays), the food court or Yokuts Coffee House. 6. Harley's Tavern If you're looking for a cold beer at a cool hangout spot, check out Harley's Tavern on Main Street in the center of town. It might look like a “hole-in-the-wall” joint, but that's one of the reasons locals love the place. They have a great beer selection, large-screen tvs, live music, bar games, billiards and quality service.  Please drink responsibly and with moderation. Do not drink and drive. Alcohol is intended for adults of legal drinking age. While you're cruising around the Porterville area, imagine yourself in a new or previously owned Chevrolet! Visit Merle Stone Chevrolet today for a close look at our impressive inventory of quality vehicles! Our friendly associates are ready to take care of your automotive needs!

Having a new driver in the family can be an exciting but nerve-wracking time. This season can be made a little easier with the 2020 Chevy Trax. From its advanced safety systems to the available all-wheel drive, the 2020 Trax is packed with features that will give you and your new driver the added confidence you both want. Here a few features that make the 2020 Chevy Trax a perfect first vehicle. 1. Available All-Wheel Drive The available all-wheel drive on the 2020 Chevy Trax adds a level of safety by monitoring all four of the tires and automatically maximizing traction when needed. Both you and your new driver will feel better knowing that the Trax can handle difficult driving conditions like sleet, rain, and snow. more 2. StabiliTrak Control System The StabiliTrack control system helps the driver stay in control on the road, especially in emergency situations. When needed, StabiliTrack will automatically adjust the engine torque and brakes to help the Trax stay on its planned route. If the Trax senses that the vehicle is taking a different path than intended, it will automatically apply the needed brake pressure to help keep your new driver on the road and going in the right direction. This system also includes traction control and brake assist. The traction control will automatically activate the brakes or lower the engine power when it senses slippage. The brake assist monitors how the driver hits the brake pedal. If it notices that it was slammed extra fast and hard, it will give added braking assistance. 3. Advanced Safety Features With its 10 standard air bags and available advanced safety features, the 2020 Chevy Trax will help keep your new driver safe on the road at all times. A few of its available advanced driver-assistance features include forward collision alert, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, and side blind zone alert. The forward collision alert notifies the driver if it senses an incoming front-end collision or if the driver is following a vehicle too closely. The lane departure warning helps prevent collisions due to accidental drifting into other lanes. Rear cross-traffic alert and rear park assist make operating in reverse a little easier by alerting the driver of traffic crossing behind the vehicle and objects nearby while parking. Checking blind spots can be tricky, but with side blind zone alert, new drivers will have extra help thanks to the side mirror warnings given when the Trax senses a vehicle in a side blind zone. 4. Fuel-Efficient Since most new drivers don't have a lot of money to be dumping into filling up the gas tank, the fuel efficiency of the 2020 Chevy Trax makes it a great first vehicle. Its 1.4-liter ECOTEC engine delivers the perfect mix of power and efficiency. When equipped with all-wheel drive, the 2020 Trax offers up to 24 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. If you're looking for a safe, reliable, and efficient vehicle for your new driver, the 2020 Chevy Trax is the perfect fit. Head on over to Merle Stone Chevrolet to check out their current inventory.

Whether it's your first vehicle or your fifth, buying a car comes with its own set of challenges. That's why we've put together this list of helpful tips and strategies. Use this handy guide before you head to the dealership so you'll be better prepared for your next new set of wheels. Set a Budget The first step in the car buying process is to set a realistic budget. Expand your thought process here because there's more to owning a car than your monthly loan payment. Remember to include essentials like gas, insurance, and maintenance. Once you've got this bottom-line number, you'll have the tools you need to negotiate a deal. It's also a good idea to have a sense of how much money you want to put down. If you need help putting together your budget, use an online car affordability calculator, such as the one by MoneyUnder30.com. more Do Your Research The last thing you want to do is arrive at the showroom without doing any research. What kind of vehicle do you need? If you have a large family, you may want a three-row SUV like the Ford Expedition, or if you have a long commute, consider a fuel-efficient option such as Ford's Fusion Hybrid. Resources such as U.S. News and World Report rank cars based on real-world data. You can search for things such as “best cars for families” or “ best used full-size trucks.” Test Drive Your Prospects Once you've narrowed down your options, head to your local showroom for a test drive. If you're buying pre-owned, it's a good idea to inspect the car to ensure it's in good working order. Listen for squeaks, rattles, or whining noises. Check the body for dents, rust, and cracks in the windshield. Turn on the infotainment system and the A/C, roll the power windows down, and make sure to take your test drive to the highway, so you can see how it performs at speeds over 55 miles per hour. Boost Your Credit Score Having a good idea of your credit score will help you negotiate your interest rate. If your credit isn't as great as you hoped, use these tips to give it a boost: Always pay your bills on time. Make frequent, "micro" payments throughout the month to keep balances low. Dispute any errors on your report. If you don't already have credit, apply for a secured credit card backed by a cash deposit. Financing Options Get to know your financing options, including direct lending and dealership financing. You may choose to borrow money directly from a bank, finance company, or credit union, or you can apply for financing through the dealership. Pay attention to the interest rate and the period of time in which you'll have to pay. The higher the interest rate and the longer the term, the more your new car will cost you. Avoid buyer's remorse when shopping for a car with these steps. Having a clear picture of your budget and vehicle requirements will help power you through negotiations with confidence.