A & A Golden Grill 2616 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena

Been passing by this place for a while so I just stopped by for lunch. It's new - I noticed them last year. It's accross the street from the Post Office. From what I can gather just by looking at the joint from the outside, I was expecting some Zankou wannabe - like Zorbas. But this place was different.

It's a clean space but would win no interior design awards. They do have your Rot chicken and falafel, but instead of trying to be another Zankou, they are shooting in the direction of a fast food version of say Carousel or Raffis. They actually do kabobs, lule, fish (sole), lamb, and lamb chops - which I haven't seen at other joints.

I ordered a chicken lule sandwich which included a drink and fries. It was a big sandwich and the entire bill was under 8 bones. Not bad for a lunch.

Now, they start cooking on order so if you choose the kabobs, it can take a little time to cook. And as far as flavor, I didn't find the chicken lule as well seasoned and as tasty as say Carousel or Raffis but for a fast food lunch - it hit the spot.

I'd certainly come back here for lunch and sample some more stuff.

Also, I did notice that they do party platters. This might be of interest for some of the businesses around the area - if they need to feed a bunch of folks at the office.

A & A Golden Grill Mediterranean Fast Food
2616 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena CA 91107 (626) 356-9191
aagoldengrill.com

Viva Tacos La Estrella: Off Colorado - Pasadena

Let's continue on this La Estrella kick. There are many La Estrella locations and taco trucks in the area. I've been to the La Estrella Taco Truck on York Blvd. a bunch of times and have been recently visiting the La Estrella Taco Truck on Colorado Blvd. For this post, I visited the La Estrella on Foothill in Pasadena in a small minimall with a small tight parking lot. You may want to just park on the streets on your visit.



The thing to try at this particular location is the fish taco. It's not a small affair either so order multiple tacos with caution. You'll find a satisfying mix of heat from the hot sauce, cool from the crema, and crunch from the fried fish batter and cabbage.

I don't know what is true or not but I read on Chowhound about the divorce of the husband and wife who ran the La Estrella business. According to the chowhounder, they heard that the couple split but they still get to run different La Estrella locations and the husband got the fish taco recipe in the settlement.

I tried tacos with various meats there and they are okay. I'd stick with the fish tacos.

Viva Tacos La Estrella
2525 E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107 (626) 584-9815

La Estrella Taco Truck: Colorado and Highland View

As the commentor pointed out on my post about the La Estrella Taco Truck on York, La Estrella has established a presence on Colorado Blvd. in Eagle Rock. Their blue Taco Truck is parked on the corner of Colorado and Highland View in a gas station lot.

I've been stopping by for late night tacos many-a-times since finding about this taco truck!

La Estrella Taco Truck
Colorado and Highland View, Eagle Rock
Hours unknown

Little Flower Candy Company1422 Colorado Blvd

In the former Bees Knees Bakery location, on the stretch of Colorado Blvd that connects Eagle Rock to Pasadena, the Little Flower Candy Company has finally found a retail location.

I've been seeing the Little Flower Candy marshmallows in different locations over the years.

While I'm not a huge fan of marshmallow in general, I was intrigued by these and have sampled them before. For me personally, I can only eat half of one piece but from all the marshmallows I've tasted in my lifetime, these are among the best. I can see why Christine (the candy maker) has a following. It's lucky for Eagle Rock that she was able to find a space close by.

Compared to the former Bees Knees, the new space design is more open and friendly to customers. And, being lame person that I am, I finally discovered that there is a parking lot in the back of the building!

They also have these chocolate bead/pearl/caviar thingies that are basically chocalate covered biscuit balls. A bead-shaped Pocky-like thing, if you will. Ask for a sample - they're great and just imagine them on ice cream or maybe you are more into Pinkberry.

Before walking in initially, I was just expecting assortments of candies but they are doing some excellent pastries, croissants, scones, muffins, and they have good coffee. Perfect spot to stop by if you are jogging/walking/biking in the area.

They also do lunch too! They have soup, salads, and sandwiches. The pic is their rare roast beef sandwich.

I overheard Christine say that in the summer, she's thinking to have a deck in the rear of the space for a patio. That would be excellent!! I know I'll be coming by for sure. And oh.. from my understanding, there is wifi as well. I think I may have found my 2008 summer hangout....

Little Flower Candy Company
1422 W. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena CA 91105
(626) 304-4800
Mon-Sat: 7AM - 5PM; Sun: 8AM - 3PM
littleflowercandyco.com

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year to everyone who has the ill fate to drop into this blog.

I haven't slowed down - I'm still plowing my way up and down Colorado Blvd. and vicinity. I'm also happy that Eagle Rock is getting more and more exciting by the day. Even LA Magazine (Jan 2008 issue) is offering ten reasons why Eagle Rock rocks!

Wishing everyone excellent chow for 2008!

La Estrella Taco Truck: Off Colorado - Highland Park

After an evening of bar hopping down in the Highland Park area, if you need that little something before calling it a night, you can always stop by La Estrella's Taco Truck parked on York Blvd. near Ave 54.

You'll find this taco truck in many of the Top 10 listings of Taco enthusiasts and authorities.

On one particular night, I needed a couple al pastor tacos at $1.25 a pop.

La Estrella Taco Truck
At York and Ave 54, Highland Park, CA 90042

fresh & easy: Off Colorado - Glassell Park

A new neighborhood grocery store, fresh & easy, openned on Eagle Rock Blvd. a few months back in Glassell Park. Their mission is to make fresh, wholesome food accessible and affordable to everyone. Lots of organic stuff there.

What they are trying to be is a more "affordable" Whole Foods or perhaps we can nickname them Traders VonsCo(?).

In any case, what do they do cut some operational costs? They pretty much prepackage everything (while at the same time increasing package waste) and reduce the choices. The displays are more sterile - costco-ish in grocery store shelving. They replace checkout stands with self-checkout stands (with some manned by staff).

So, if you live around the area, I would recommend going there and checking out all the aisles to see what they have and to try anything that may be appealing to you. Basically, figure out the items that you may actually consume.

While I could spend hours at a Whole Foods exploring and sampling different things, with fresh & easy I would only use the place as a quick in and out type of shopping.

fresh & easy Neighborhood Market
4211 Eagle Rock Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90065 (323) 255-1113
Open daily 8AM - 10PM
freshandeasy.com