2019 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade Float Road Test #3 (meals at Kolache Factory (Tustin) and Douglas Burgers #23 (Lake Elsinore))

mmm-yoso!!!, this is a food blog.  The first part of today's post will be about the events centered around food.  Cathy is writing; Kirk is on a break.

For your convenience: here are links to Road Tests #1/2 Road Tests #4/5 and  Road Test #6

Another road test of mechanics and maneuverability for floats participating in the 130th Tournament of Roses Rose Parade, which will roll down the streets of Pasadena (and on your television) on January 1, 2019 occurred last Saturday at Phoenix Decorating Company in Irwindale. (There are three other float builders as well as six 'self built' floats participating in the Parade).

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IMG_8596 There's a surreal quality to each float, and the Lions Clubs International entry for this parade is just so cute. "Rocking' The Vest" is a fun "rap" video title from 2011-the inspiration for this float (Lions wear a distinctive yellow vest when volunteering). A Boom Box is on the back seat of the Cadillac, part of having a 'musical instrument' on each float- in accordance with the theme- IMG_2438
 The Melody of Life.

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IMG_7673"Home Tweet Home is the entry from the City of Alhambra. The large bird outside of the birdhouse moves her head.
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IMG_7673  Shriners Clubs International features their mascot, Fezzy, on their float, "Fezzy's Garden of Hope and Healing". The butterfly on top of Fezzy's hat (a Fez), flutters.IMG_7646
IMG_7646United Sikh Mission has a float in the Rose Parade for a fifth year.  It features a Rabab, a stringed instrument played by the founder (in 1500) of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak.  The float title is "A Divine Melody Resonates In All".  The message of peace, compassion and one loving God, the foundation of Sikh belief, will be featured in a unique song, "Eternal Cosmic Symphony" by Ghat Ghat Vaaje Naad. 

Other floats were tested, in the shell stage; I'll be showing progress next month.  

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Here's the food portion of this post. 

IMG_8523 We leave at 5 a.m., get to Tustin by 6:15 and stop somewhere within the vicinity of Red Hill Avenue. The Kolache Factory is a good choice for a quick snack.
IMG_8523 Three kolaches were more than filling for the two of us.  The most 'traditional' is the cherry topped sweet dough ($1.75), our 'breakfast dessert'.
IMG_8523The smaller kolache is a bacon-cheese filled delight ($2.45) which is a wonderful, savory, slightly sweet white dough.  
IMG_8523The sausage, egg & cheese kolache in wheat dough (there's a choice) ($3.45) is larger, heavier and a filling meal for one; ideal if shared. 

Kolache Factory #070 14091 Newport Avenue Tustin, CA 92780 (714) 730-2253 website

Those kolaches were filling!  We weren't hungry after float viewing and drove over to the 15 freeway when hunger pangs started to set in.  The Mister looked for 'breakfast' on his phone and the next exit (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore showed two places of interest.  We stopped at the first one. 

IMG_8619 Douglas Burgers, #23.  A few mentions (on Yelp) go back to 2009, saying it has been here 'forever', before the housing build up.  
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IMG_8619The long kitchen (under the menu board) has six flat top grills and an employee at each one.  The drive through seems to move fast.   IMG_8622

IMG_8619 The Pancake Combo ($6.75) includes two (large) pancakes, three eggs (any style) and two sausage (or bacon). The pancakes are excellent; sweet and light with a thin crisp exterior. The sausage was good (skin on).  Eggs perfectly cooked over easy. 
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IMG_8619There was a lot of bacon inside this breakfast sandwich ($6.25), even a piece on the exterior. Egg, cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise: each bite perfect.

Douglas Burgers #23 18461 Dexter Avenue Lake Elsinore, CA 92532 (951)245-5441  Open Mon-Sat 6 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun 7 a.m.-10 p.m.