2022 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade float road test #2, Breakfast at Flo’s Coffee Shop (Azusa)

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog and there are many reasons we find places to eat.  Cathy is writing today about the reason and the place.  Kirk is busy at work.

Link to 2022 Rose Parade float Road Test #1 

Link to Road Test #3

This past Saturday, The Mister and I woke around 4 a.m., let the dogs out and got ready to drive North.  We left the driveway at 5 a.m. and got on the foggy, dark, empty freeway.  There was a stop for coffee and treats in Tustin and then the sun was out and we were in Irwindale, at Phoenix Decorating Company, where we have not been since we decorated floats for the 2020 Rose Parade back in December of 2019.  Floats were already on the road, being tested for mechanics and maneuverability.

 A94FE825-8154-456A-BB7A-B0EE1E98AFF9 "Arctic Dream", the 2022 entry by Oddfellows and Rebekahs, a service organization, is so cute! 
A94FE825-8154-456A-BB7A-B0EE1E98AFF9 3B256F72-DA1D-40B6-AF5E-AF439ECB4FDA The Lutheran Hour Ministries will have their 72nd entry in the 2022 Parade. "Jesus Teaches" goes with the Theme of the Parade, which is celebrating education. 
A94FE825-8154-456A-BB7A-B0EE1E98AFF9 The Royal Court will ride in the same float as in the past few years.  The exterior 'beaning' looks good; other details and, of course, flowers, will be added during decorating.
A94FE825-8154-456A-BB7A-B0EE1E98AFF9 The Farmers Insurance float underwent its first test.  I can see pine and palm trees-and the driver (in the center of the float).  The driver looks down and follows the 'rose colored line' along Colorado Boulevard during the parade and does not see the route; there is a 'spotter' at the front of every float.  
A94FE825-8154-456A-BB7A-B0EE1E98AFF9 FFDFDA16-FA2D-45FE-9D2D-BA6507901AF7You can see the 'spotter' seated in the front of this rebar shell of a float undergoing its first road test.  Unsure of who the sponsor is, but suspect it might be Trader Joe's, because of the banana shape near the back.
A94FE825-8154-456A-BB7A-B0EE1E98AFF9 7876389E-FD3D-4B54-B6F1-30392EC8684808583DC7-3652-4FD0-8CF9-B15941423444 The 'spotter' will be out in the open-on the 'jeep'- of this float, sponsored by Mutual of Omaha.  It looks like and ode to Wild Kingdom  (a classic conservation educational television show since 1963, currently found on social media and digital channels). 
A94FE825-8154-456A-BB7A-B0EE1E98AFF9 33FD7C2A-1855-40D0-BD7A-469B0EAE475A The Kiwanis International, "Dream to Achieve" is another cute entry.  Seeing the whimsical floats rolling down Colorado Boulevard on January 1 is a great way to start the year. 
 

We were finished taking photos pretty early, since the testing started sooner than 7.  Drove North, over the 210 and headed East on Foothill Boulevard; Route 66.3ECC2DA5-39E7-4E79-9A83-293B74071FFB Look at the sign; we had to stop.
3ECC2DA5-39E7-4E79-9A83-293B74071FFB 8CE2581A-0A4C-403F-B533-8CCF359F9BEF Flo's has been in this location since 2012; it had been a Mexican restaurant for decades prior. 

43C2B303-3B4F-4522-AFF5-65E138F2EDCA43C2B303-3B4F-4522-AFF5-65E138F2EDCA Breakfast has a good amount of choices.  Thing is, we really did not want any coffee, since we had been awake since 4 a.m., so I can't comment on the 'coffee shop' part of their name. It was pretty crowded and we sat at the counter.
3ECC2DA5-39E7-4E79-9A83-293B74071FFB The Mister ordered the Waffle Combo ($10.45) with over easy eggs and link sausages.  The sausages were very good, eggs cooked properly and the waffle had a distinct vanilla flavor and was soft.
3ECC2DA5-39E7-4E79-9A83-293B74071FFBNot being able to decide and wanting savory, the Huevos Divorciados ($10.45) was my choice.  Two wonderful distinct salsas covering two over easy eggs along with (very good) rice and beans.  The red salsa had a distinct heat and texture: finely diced onions were still crisp (and not part of the heat factor; the chilis had a great heat) the tomatoes added sweetness and were chunky. The green salsa was great, with a garlic an citrus undertone and smooth tomatillo tang.

All in all, a great breakfast on an early Saturday. 

Flo's Coffee Shop 248 West Foothill Blvd Azusa, CA 91702  (626) 334-6600 Open Daily 6:30-2

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Patrons of all occupations eat here.  The fire station is on the next block.