August 4, 2019 – mmm-yoso

mmm-yoso!!! is a blog about food and there is always a reason we find the food. Over the weekend, Cathy and cc woke early to drive to Irwindale, photograph participate in the second float road test and then took many side roads to enjoy some great foods and beverages while heading home.

Link to Road Test #1

Link to Road Test #3

Link to Road Test #4

Link to Road Tests #5 and #6

First, the road testing for 2020 Rose Parade floats. This early morning, multiple floats were being tested at Phoenix Decorating Company for mechanics and maneuverability, some with 'weight' on board. The weight was humans, who will be riding on the floats during the Parade on January 1, 2020. cc and I were asked if we would like to help by sitting on a float while it was driven a short way down the street, backed up, turned around and then participated in a fire drill, making sure that all the people (including the Driver and Spotter of the float) could disembark in 45 seconds.

The 2020 Kiwanis International float, "Soaring with Hope" passed its road test (the open doors are from where the Spotter and Driver exited for the fire drill).

The Rotary International 2020 Rose Parade entry, "Hope Connects the World" was painted in and road tested. (It wasn't yet painted in for the first Road Test).

This is the off camera side view of the Lutheran Hour Ministries float, "Anchored in Jesus". It will appear as if underwater.

"Hope for 2020", the Lions Clubs International float entry was also tested that morning.

"First Responders Bring Hope", the 2020 entry by Oddfellows and Rebekahs was fully color coded for easy placement of natural materials during Decoration Days and also tested. Behind it was the Mrs. Meyers Clean Day float, taking its first road test. If you zoom in, you'll see a wheelbarrow with what looks like squash covered by an umbrella. No artist rendering yet.

It was fun and informative to be able to help with a road test. Use this link to the Rose Examiner to keep up to date with Tournament happenings.

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It was the start of a day of food and adventure! cc was without Bert and I was without The Mister.

Back to Portos! Only six miles and a few minutes away. My second visit ever. Again, not very crowded (before 9 a.m.)

Sandwiches are available all Day. We decided to share a Pan con Lechon ($6.65) Slow roasted pork, mojo garlic sauce and pickled onion on Cuban bread (with plantain chips on the side). Wow. This was pretty much the best sandwich ever.
I was curious about the Tamal a Caballo ($4.75) as a breakfast item and it was another wow moment. The masa, so very soft, had whole pieces of corn, the savory pork filling, a salsa verde and plantain strips.

We purchased more than several items to take home. I had a handwritten list from The Mister. We also enjoyed beverages at the table. The prices here are great, the freshness and quality are consistent. More menu items will be tried next month.

Portos, many Los Angeles County locations. website

Soon it was off to our next planned stop for coffee. cc had researched and found a coffee shop with an unusual caffeinated offerings in Pomona, sort of 'on the way home'. Iron and Kin opened in May 2018 inside a restored downtown Hotel. Half of the shop is a Craft Cocktail Bar, O'Donovan's Pub, open in evenings. The other side is an efficient coffee bar. cc had asked Josh, one of the owners of Iron and Kin, about the special "Affirmation Drinks" menu (she saw photos on Instagram). We wanted to try each of the drinks, but knew we couldn't drink that much caffeine (or liquid).
Josh was kind enough to prepare sample sizes of each of these unique beverages. First, I must say the espresso, on its own, is of very high quality. A smooth, strong, sweet yet not bitter/sour base to each beverage. The unique Affirmation flavors were distinct, fresh and really wonderful: varying from chillies and cinnamon with cloves to turmeric with ginger, cardamom and honey with black pepper to figs with vanilla, brown sugar and black pepper to smoked salt with cream, brown sugar and Old Forester Bourbon as well as the iced matcha/gingerbeer/limeade/yuzu. Beverages not found in San Diego. Quality.

Iron and Kin 101 E. Third Street, Pomona, CA (951)808-7584 Website
We also made a quick stop at Cravings by 99 Ranch, but didn't snack there. One block away is a Filipino Coffee and Tea Shop. Cafe 86 has been on Edison Avenue since 2014 and serves matcha, coconut, mango, hibiscus, ube and calamansi iced and hot beverages, ice cream and pastries in addition to coffees.
I think ube is the 'new' flavor of the year- even Trader Joe's is carrying an ube ice cream. We only purchased the ube/coconut mini bundt cakes and iced Madelines. These were delicious with a cup of hot tea the next morning.

Cafe 86 4110 Edison Ave Chino, CA 91710 Website

cc had one last planned stop- the only Lao BBQ restaurant in Southern California- Kra Z Kai's. It's located in a large mall area anchored by a Sonic. We each ended up purchasing food to go as well as some to eat in-all of the BBQ meats. The distinct Southeast Asian flavors of garlic and lemongrass with the char grilled meats is just so perfect. The house made sausage is coarse ground and has onion and leeks. Of course, sticky rice is the only proper rice to have with these items, even though steamed and fried rice are also offered.