If eating at a McDonald’s within the walls of a Wal-Mart would be a prime example of the stranglehold of large corporations over America, then enjoying a lovely meal at neighboring Thelma’s Morning Café or Sam’s Flaming Grill in Saugus would be the equivalent of eating over at your best friend’s for a home cooked meal…with a puppy at your feet and fire in the hearth.

The independently owned and operated neighboring restaurants are delicious havens for those seeking refuge from the more commercial and impersonal corporate eateries…and for entirely different culinary reasons – one for its gourmet offerings and the other for its strong ethnic appeal.

Unlike their corporate counterparts, the two do not view each other as competition, rather friendly neighbors, as their drastically different styles appeal to one’s mood and expectation at the moment.

The only thing NOT gourmet at Thelma’s Morning Café is the prices.

Serving gourmet breakfast, lunches and dinners, chef and owner Luis Diaz is an immigrant from Central America. He has developed his exceptional culinary skills during tenures at such famous establishments as Wolfgang Puck’s in Beverly Hills and Chinois in Santa Monica. Diaz boasts that “we are known for gourmet, everything is gourmet – yet I do not want to overprice.”

The business is named after Thelma, his lovely wife who also works at the restaurant, and the couple has three children: Ronnie, 24; Stephanie, 21; and Luis Jr., 15. They all reside in Saugus.

The menu offers, among other things, gourmet omelets, steaks, salads, paninis and various hors d’oeuvres, including crab cakes and egg rolls.

Affordable gourmet to be sure.

“We really want this to be a family dining experience as well,” states Diaz.

Their current commitment is to continue developing into a practical family establishment while never compromising its commitment to excellence and fresh food – gourmet style.

Thelma’s is in its third year of business in Santa Clarita.

“Practically speaking, it did not make sense to open when we did,” states Diaz, whose opening in 2006 coincided with a falling economy. “We opened up right as the economy was going down…fortunately we are now doing well.”

The economy has not stopped Thelma’s from surviving and doing well in their storefront on Copperhill Road near Seco Canyon. The restaurant frequently now hosts live entertainment on the weekends. “This is really unlike any other restaurant in the Valley,” boasts Diaz.

Their next-door neighbor, Sam’s Flaming Grill, has equally delicious food, though with an entirely different – and unique – approach.

“We are famous for our Chicken Kabobs and Chicken Shwarmas,” states the Armenian owner, Sam Panosyan, 29, with a sense of personal and cultural pride. “Our kabobs pay the bills!”

“I am going to educate people and teach them about Armenian food and how great it is. I am convincing people to try ethnic food.”

And if Thelma’s is a gourmet experience, Sam’s is both an ethnic and friendly one.

“We have a great staff of employees, we all work very hard and keep it fun.”

Sam’s history goes back to Van Nuys in 1999 when the first Sam’s Flaming Grill opened up. Then in 2003 another opened in Canyon Country. The Saugus store opened in September of 2008.

Unlike Thelma’s, Sam has big and ambitious plans. “I do want to franchise in the future,” he says, “and get very big. This is just the beginning.”

Sam is married to his wife of four years, Nara, and they have a three-year-old son. Currently they reside in Hollywood, though are looking to relocate to Santa Clarita.

With some items on the menu that are difficult to pronounce, from muttaballs to hummus, they are certainly not difficult to eat. The food is amazing. His secret?

“My family has always been in the restaurant business. We know it is important to make everything fresh and healthy,” he says.

There is no “fast food” in Sam’s, as each plate is made fresh and special…which means you sometimes have to wait – a very “un-corporate” approach.

So the next time you decide to visit a local restaurant, stay local and support our independently owned and operated establishments. With either Thelma’s or Sam’s you cannot go wrong.

“We support each other,” shares Sam. “Thelma’s is a great restaurant with great food and so are we…we both try to help each other out.”

The two eateries are located at the CVS shopping center, where Saugus is fortunate to have both. World-class food at Saugus prices.