Fruitmania – A Fruiteria and more(Lemon Grove)

You have navigated your way to mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog.  Kirk is taking a break from posting, Ed(from Yuma) is taking a break from retirement and Cathy is posting and not quite retired.

Broadway in Lemon Grove. A street filled with small storefronts and feeder road parking. Looks like small town America. Every fifth store with a similar footprint. IMG_0484IMG_0175IMG_0172IMG_0173 Large side display windows leading into the main area.IMG_0170The inventory is behind the counter, not on display as at some other  Fruiterias where The Mister and I enjoy various snacks and meals throughout the year.   Fruitmania has been here almost ten years. Family run.  Not air conditioned.  Friendly people.  Great food. We are so lucky to live here.IMG_0167The signage is self explanatory.  Eight tables and a couple of couches with clean, comfy seating.IMG_0156IMG_0486Choices are almost overwhelming.  IMG_0494

Raspado Tamarindo ($3)- shaved ice filled with fresh made tamarind 'tea', (including the pods) and a more authentic flavor than most syrups.  Refreshing and a new favorite during this hot summer.  IMG_0501

A small pico de gallo ($5.50). Watermelon, cucumber, jicama and mango, topped with fresh squeezed lime and Tajin make this an automatic order whenever I stop in.  IMG_0495IMG_0497 You may have noticed one of the front window signs mentioned 'monster sandwich'.  They all are – enough to share.  Above is a Cuban Torta ($7-worth it). A toasted torta roll, sliced pork, sliced ham, pickles, cilantro, cheese and Dijon mustard. It's served with the extra large pickled jalapenos and the slices of Tajin topped orange..truly a perfect meal.IMG_0159One recent humid day, The Mister and I decided we wanted a dessert…and not one made of fresh fruit nor a beverage.  A scoop of ice cream here is $2- and it is a quality ice cream: the vanilla has specks of vanilla in it, the strawberry has real strawberries in the ice cream and the chocolate is very rich and not too sweet.  However, a banana split is $6.  So we did.  It was good.  

I hope everyone is staying cool!!!

Fruitmania 7941 Broadway Lemon Grove CA 91945 (619)463-0241 Open M-F 9-6:30, Sat/Sun 10-7