I've always considered them solidly average. They're OK, but nothing to get excited about. Oh wait, but they have trendy t-shirts....that makes all the difference, right, and suddenly their food is amazing? Oh, and Californians...my family is from California so I know of what I speak. It's not popular because the food is good, it's popular because it is synonymous with California and their culture, and Californians have a pride in their state that marvels Texas (though still falls short).