Breakfast/Brunch – Page 29

Tropifruit (Fruiteria and sandwiches) (El Cajon)

January 16, 2014 Cathy Breakfast/Brunch, Fruiterias, Mexican Restaurants, Salads, Sandwiches, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is the food blog, with writings about random foods consumed at random places sometimes surrounding random events. No such events to speak of in this post, though, sorry. (Cathy is writing.)

Well here we are. A new year. Some of you may have made resolutions to 'eat healthier' or maybe to 'try new things'. Those aren't resolutions to me, since I try to do those already (I also don't use drive thrus, try to only purchase organic milk, make an effort to clean for 15 minutes straight once a day, spend 15 minutes a week rearranging one drawer or shelf…different, attainable goals). So to maybe give you an idea of 'healthy' and 'new', perhaps this post will be an impetus.

Just on the other (West) side of Johnson Avenue from Parkway Plaza Mall is a small strip mall with a tire store, bank and Burger King. There's a Taco shop, a Thai Restaurant some other businesses and Tropifruit.

It's a fruiteria, one of many in San Diego, has been in this East County location for years and was recently re-decorated. We are so lucky to live here, with fresh fruits and vegetables available all year and I really try to buy local and enjoy what we have. (Here are two posts I've written about other currently open fruiterias. This is a link to one that is closed, but just to give you an idea.)

The menu has stayed the same since the remodel; breakfasts, sandwiches, smoothies, juices, waters, ices (raspados), fruits and salads. All fresh and in season, all made to order.

Here is a meal The Mister and I shared. (The photo shows an odd perspective, but that torta roll/bolillo really is HUGE.)

This is a small pico de gallo($5.50)- bite size cut up fruits and vegetables, topped with a squeeze of lime and spicy salt. The fruits included grapes, mango, watermelon and papaya; vegetables were jicama and cucumber. Spicy salt is Tajin (or a similar item), just chiles, lime and salt. This is always refreshing.This was the "Special Torta" ($6.50) which included both pork loin (lomo) and ham as well as lettuce, tomatoes, avocadoes and jalapeño strips on a freshly toasted bolillo roll.

A recent breakfast we enjoyed included mollettes ($5.99), a toasted wheat bolillo roll topped with refried beans and melted cows milk cheese (I think this was Monterey Jack or white cheddar; it was very creamy). This is very much a 'comfort food' item for me…creamy, warm, toasty crunch. The accompanying (quite large) side of fresh chopped tomatoes, onions and jalapeño goes just perfectly.

We also shared a small fruit salad ($5.75) Apples, bananas, grapes, strawberries, pineapple topped with cottage cheese (or plain yogurt), sunflower seeds, raisins and granola accompanied with a side of honey is a good, sweet treat any time of day.

Tropifruit 100% Natural Juice Bar 762 N. Johnson Avenue Suite 103 El Cajon 92020 (619)588-0303 M-F 7 am-8pm; Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 10am-6pm

Unusual sweet treats.

December 20, 2013 Cathy Bakery, Breakfast/Brunch, Desserts, Stuff, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog. We (Kirk, Ed (from Yuma), Cathy and a few others) try to share some sort of food centric post almost daily…no reason, other than we do indeed all eat and like to write about it. Cathy is sharing today.

It's close to Christmas and people are probably using up vacation days and perhaps doing last minute shopping. Thought I'd share some sweet surprises found around town recently. Maybe you've seen something out of the ordinary in your shopping travels, too.

The Mister and I tend to stop in to K Sandwiches once a week, either for a sandwich (breakfast, lunch, dinner) or something from the steam tray, or a grab and go croissant, loaf of bread and tasty beverage. A few weeks ago, while waiting in line to pay, I noticed this handwritten sign on the counter.

You know I had to.

Crépes, made in the waffle maker, thin and rolled so they cool to a nice, light crispiness. 50¢ each. The green one is pandan flavor (a light, floral, kind of nutty-like pistachio pudding is light, sweet and nutty in flavor) and the other is original flavor (pretty much tasted like it was made with coconut milk). Both with black sesame. A nice treat and a box full would be a nice gift.

K Sandwiches 7604 Linda Vista Road at Mesa College Drive San Diego 92111 (858)278-8961

Trader Joe's is carrying these frozen treats. I saw them being put into the freezer the Monday after Thanksgiving. $3.99 for a box of four. Pronounced "queen yamman". This pastry originated in Brittany, France; a popular Breton dessert.

These frozen treats are similar to the Trader Joe's frozen croissants (you have to proof overnight/6 hours and then bake). (That's a pumpkin croissant starting to rise in the background.)

The Kouign Amann will bake in its cup into crispy, sugary layers.

Not as many layers as a croissant, but like a croissant dough-with sugar between the layers. The sugar caramelizes and is crispy. I adore this basic, simple French dessert. That I can make it fresh- and one at a time- makes it perfect.

Rose Donuts, all the way at the West end of Linda Vista Road, near USD (NOT the location in the same parking lot as K Sandwich) is open 24 hours. (it's in the same mall as Ryan's). Rose's makes and sells wonderful croissant based sandwiches, grilled burgers, hot/grilled sandwiches, bagels, ice cream, a variety of beverages…and…not just donuts.

Oh, these two items are NOT the same. The larger one is your traditional 'apple fritter', which is, indeed, wonderful, large and filled with apples and cinnamon. The smaller one…in the front of the above photo…

An apple-blueberry fritter. Oh my, yes. A wonderful, surprising, fritter. Unexpected and great.

Rose Donuts 5201 Linda Vista Road San Diego 92110 ( 619) 294-8856

I hope everyone runs across a delightful surprise. Soon.

Mi Rancho and Tacos Mi Rancho: Yuma Mexican from Daylight till Late Night

November 21, 2013 ed fromyuma Breakfast/Brunch, Mexican Restaurants, Taco Shops, What Ed Eats -You too can be like Ed!, Yuma

Kirk and Cathy are eating today. They eat everyday. But they don't post everyday. So today, Ed (from Yuma) wants to tell you about Yuma's Flagship Mexican eateries. Come back tomorrow for different meals, in a different place, and with a different poster. But it'll be mmm-yoso delicioso.

I was thinking the other day about the restaurants I eat at regularly that I have never blogged about. At the top of the list would be Tacos Mi Rancho, this little converted fast food spot:

And its larger newer cousin, Mi Rancho:

While the menus for the restaurants are the same, and they both have a good selection of Mexican beers, some old-school locals prefer the funky ambience of TMR with its two small rooms, brightly colored walls, and visible A/C ducts. Mi Rancho is significantly larger and less gaudy, but certainly not fine-dining fancy. It also prepares decent margaritas.

Around 20 years ago I remember stumbling onto TMR and having one of the best Mexican lunches in my entire life (up to that time). When I later moved to Yuma, these restaurants became part of my regular rotation.

Part of the reason for that is the excellent homemade salsa, thick and full of chile, onion, and tomato flavors, nicely balanced and usually very picante:

The complimentary salsa and thin fresh corn chips (chips served only with lunch or dinner) are so good that I've taken a lot of pictures like this one over the years:

Or this one:

Both places are my favorites for Mexican-style breakfast in town (Fri – Sun, served until 11 AM)

Their kitchens prepare a range of standard breakfasts plates and omelettes, such as this Spanish omelette (sausage and cheese)($6.99):

Those potatoes, moist country fries cooked with onions and peppers, are a highlight of the breakfasts – standard with the breakfast plates until the kitchen runs out and substitutes rice:

Still, the quality chorizo makes huevos con chorizo($6.99) a good and spicy breakfast plate. Likewise, the huevos rancheros($5.99) are usually the best in town whether they come with rice or potatoes:

The crispy tortilla, the perfectly cooked, over-easy eggs, and the flavorful ranchero sauce are always enjoyable. I also love the chilequiles (corn tortilla chips covered with sauce and eggs)($5.99) but for some reason have no picture for this post.

Lunches are popular at both restaurants. The menu has numerous burrito and torta choices, such as this chicken torta($5.99):

At lunchtime, the senior menu also becomes the lunch special menu(all $6.99). Here's a chicken enchilada lunch special:

Two al pastor soft tacos – another lunch special:

Their green chili, tender chunks of pork in a nicely balanced mild green chile/tomatillo/cilantro sauce, is also available in the lunch special size:

The restaurant also has a large selection of "Mexican dinners" – rice, beans, tortillas, and an entrée – including such favorites as chiles rellenos($10.99):

Or folded tacos (here chicken)($10.99):

The menu also offers more entrée choices than any other Mexican restaurant in town, including liver and onions($10.99), chicherones rancheros($10.99), barbacoa($11.49), carne en su jugo($11.49) etc. For example, birria de chivo (goat meat in chile broth)($11.49) is always available – and always very tasty and authentically goaty:

In addition to their usual good menudo($7.99) and a classic caldo de res($10.99), TMR and Mi Rancho also occasionally have pozole:

Their soups come with chopped onions, cilantro, lemon/lime wedges, and other appropriate condiments so each customer can flavor and decorate her own soup:

The wide menu includes seafood choices as well, like this first-rate camarones rancheros($13.99):

Or this fresh tasting whole tilapia($11.99):

And here is an order of fish fillets in garlic butter($10.99) in a to-go carton:

In fact, I regularly grab dinners from Mi Rancho when I have to work late since few other good independent restaurants in town welcome customers or prepare a to go plate at 8:30 or 9 PM – which is late by Yuma standards. For example, here’s lengua (in ranchero sauce) ($11.99)I got for take out:

As you can see, I don't always make it home with the most attractive looking styrofoam. Nonetheless, this is tasty and spicy al pastor($11.49):

As I look over this post, I realized that I have mostly just provided pictures and brief descriptions. I guess that’s because these restaurants are like old comfortable friends, not exciting new finds. The food is usually good, but not wildly spectacular. It tastes pretty much how it looks. Mi Rancho has been voted the best Mexican restaurant in town by the readers of the local newspaper on several occasions. To me, that seems a pretty fair judgment. The menu offers a lot of choices, almost every dish will be well prepared, and the prices are very reasonable. The restaurants offer breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. The service is usually professional and generally good by Yuma standards. And the salsa is almost always great.

Tacos Mi Rancho, 188 S. 4th Ave., Yuma AZ 85364, (928) 783-2116; Mi Rancho, 2701 S. 4th Ave., Yuma AZ 85364, (928) 344-6903.

Bella Vista Caffe (La Jolla)(brunch in an office park setting)

November 17, 2013 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch, What Cathy Eats!

Welcome to mmm-yoso!!! the food blog. Things are getting busy in anticipation of all the upcoming holidays and events. Kirk and Ed(from Yuma) are a bit busy and Cathy is sharing a lovely meal because she appears to be organized.

I don't remember the last time The Mister and I went out to brunch. We've tried many times and lines were out the door and, trying to avoid crowds, we've ended up with simple breakfasts if we do go out.

After reading several blog posts of great lunches (and some breakfasts) at Bella Vista Social Club and Caffe, located in La Jolla in the Sanford Consortium campus, I decided to read their website menu, noting they served breakfast during the week (starting at 7:30) AND brunch on weekends, beginning at 8 a.m.. We figured since it's not located directly in the middle of a populated neighborhood, there might not be a line at around 9:30 a.m., when we happened to be in the area.

Located on the second floor of the first building you see at the North West corner Torrey Pines Road at Torrey Pines Scenic Drive (which is the road to Torrey Pines Glider Port), across the street from UCSD, when you head toward the Complex, there is an employee parking lot on the left and what looks to be a pay for parking lot to your right. Don't worry- Bella Vista validates your parking ticket.

We decided to eat inside on this beautiful, chilly morning. There's still a nice view, with floor to ceiling windows and the main doors remained open for fresh air and easy access for the waiters to the outside tables. Coffee ($2.15) was fresh made and brought out with real cream.

Here's a bit of a better scenery view…that's the Pacific Ocean and Glider Port straight ahead, Torrey Pines Golf Course is just to the right.

During the week, the walk up counter is buzzing with people grabbing items to go.

As you can see, there are several different types of seating areas.

Soon enough, my Leek and Black Truffle (fresh Goat Cheese topped) quiche ($10.95) was brought out. The slice may look narrow, but know that is was about two inches in height, filled with wonderful, fresh leeks, specks of black truffle and the creamiest most flavorful custard I can recall, and it was all baked into

the most perfect, flaky, flavorful crust. Served with a deceptively large side salad and wonderful, creamy balsamic, this was quite a large breakfast.

The Mister ordered an Italian Tartine ($7.75) Proscuitto di Parma on top of toasted ciabatta slices,

topped with two fresh, perfectly poached eggs. This was accompanied by wonderfully crisp rosemary potatoes and some seasonal fruit.

When we were leaving, there was a photographer on the far end of the balcony-you can see the green grass of Torrey pines golf course to the right…

A wonderful, delicious, scenic brunch in a very unexpected location.

Bella Vista Social Caffe 2880 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive La Jolla 92037 (they validate parking) Website

M-W 7:30-7, Th-F 7:30-8, Sat & Sun 8-3

Breakfast of Champions: Best Donuts Bakery & Deli

November 12, 2013 mmm-yoso Breakfast/Brunch, Mexican Restaurants, Sandwiches

**** Best Donuts and Deli has become Barrio Donas

In her Ham and Cheese Baked Into a Bread post Cathy mentioned Best Donuts and Deli. Which kind of got me off my butt to actually put a post together about the place. I'd been there so many times that most of what I ate had faded into memory.

In recent years, Best Donuts looks like this when I stop by.

Remember the old saying "you don't need as much sleep when you get older…." Well, I think that's partly true. The amount of sleep I need has decreased marginally, but the hours I keep have changed. In other words, "nothing good happens after midnight", has now become "nothing good happens after 9pm"…..which means I miss out on all the late night specials….

Anyway, I often pass Best on my way to work in the morning; at about 530-545. When I'm running early and am hungry, or when I anticipate a late, or no lunch at all I'll drop by for a take-out breakfast. It's pretty slim pickins' at that time of the morning on the Mesa and I prefer spending my money at these smaller shops than at the other chain options open at that time of the morning.

Just so you can see how lazy I've been about posting on this place. When I first went, the cash register was stationed at the rear of the shop next to the soft drink cooler.

A couple of years later it moved to the side next to the pastries.

Earlier this year, it was moved back to the old location and the cold case was placed alongside of it.

A couple of months later, the menu for the sandwiches was taken off the cold case and taped to the wall.

And over the years items have been taken off the menu…simply taped over, now merely a memory…..

I'm sticking to the breakfast tortas here, since that's what I get most of the time. They're nicely priced at $3.99 and the bread has always been warm and fresh when I've gotten it in the morning. The wait time is about 10-15 minutes, not the fastest, but when I make a decision to visit, I've calculated the impact of my wait time.

My usual is the A la Mexicana and Eggs ($3.99)

Eggs, salsa, onion, tomato, cheese, jalapenos, and a smear of beans….breakfast of champions. An adequate bomb of calories to last until dinner.

The Salsa Verde and Eggs ($3.99):

Enough yeasty carbs to get you going in the morning. Eggs, nice green chili sauce (mild kick), beans, cheese, and mayo. Perhaps number two because some mornings I don't feel like mayo….I know, heresy perhaps, but the milkiness of the cheese also comes thru in this one as well…so I've got to be in the mood.

There was a Chorizo and Eggs somewhere, which I thought was ok, but I can't find the photo.

You'd think I'd enjoy the Machaca ($3.99) much more than I did.

I thought I'd enjoy this much more than I did. Perhaps because I found this surprisingly lacking in flavor. I like the chew of machaca, but this was really tough and sinewy. I felt the mayo really didn't go well with this at all. I would have probably enjoyed more beans to smooth things out and perhaps more jalapenos; even though it was breakfast, to help things out. Still, on the morning I ordered this, I had meeting through lunch and didn't have a chance to eat until (an early) dinner. I don't recall being hungry until around 3pm or so.

What about the other sandwiches which range from $5.99 – $6.99….well here's a gallery:

The Cubana.

The Pierna.

The Milanesa:

The Lomo…..

and so forth……

I'm sure there are dozens of shops like this all through San Diego county, I know I've been to a few. There are even versions that are rather mainstream and hyped up.

But for breakfast, $3.99 sounds like a right price for what I got at this little shop on Clairemont Mesa.

Best Donuts Bakery & Deli
4714 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92117

Jimmy’s (Santee)-breakfast, lunch and dinner

November 2, 2013 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog you are perusing, is just that-a blog about food. Kirk, Ed (from Yuma) and Cathy share writing time here. Today, it's Cathy, because the boys are *still* too busy to write.

This is another birthday week of meals post. The Mister and I don't cook much at home during the week between and beginning and ending with our respective celebratory days. Jimmy's is locally owned, close and we really like the food here.

Located on the corner of Mission Gorge and Olive- the other side of Olive is Town Center Parkway and is anchored by Costco- Jimmy's is where Family Dining Style is embraced.

Breakfast is served all day here.

The Espresso Bar area, added a few years ago is where you can get a nice cup of latte and fresh pastry without having to go to a separate Coffee House, if you don't want a full meal.

In the back of the restaurant is a 'Sports bar" area, filled with televisions and an area which serves beer and liquor. The area is used for meetings in the mornings.

Speaking of, here's a recent chalkboard breakfast special- Steak and eggs ($8.95) a nice size rib eye, cooked medium rare, with poached eggs (made correctly), rye toast and Monterey potato cake (sometimes made with mashed potatoes; the version here is made with hash browns, eggs, Monterey Jack cheese and lots of fresh parsley).

The Mister ordered a veggie cheese omelet ($9.65), which included his choice of hash browns (home fries are another option) and rye toast (two pancakes are another option) and also included a beverage. The omelet was basically a lot of vegetables- broccoli, mushrooms, fresh tomato red and green bell peppers (and no onions by request) and cheddar cheese-all mixed with egg and folded over like an omelet. A tasty, easy way to get protein and fiber in a meal and start the day off right.

I must admit sometimes I come here just for the house made Thousand Island salad dressing, especially in the Summer. The simple, always crisp lettuce mix, mixed with cabbage, tomato and cucumber is always complimented by the eggy fresh dressing here. A House salad alone is $3.10.

For this lunch, I chose a cup of house made chili (also $3.10) which is perfect every time I have it- meaty, made with beans and a great mix of spices, making the result both sweet and hot and topped with cheese and onions, I am always happy with this as a meal.

For another lunch, the soup of the day was cream of mushroom (bowl of soup and salad is $6.20), which I *always* order when it's on the menu. Made with fresh mushrooms, real cream and perfect light spices, ths soup is a meal in itself. As you can see- the salad in the photo has Bleu Cheese dressing- the flavor The Mister craves.

This is the Cobb Salad ($9.95). It's served in a large salad bowl-not placed on a plate, which makes the mixing easier (you get one of those cups used for soup or chili filled with your choice of dressing) There is some lettuce on the bottom, along with cucumber and tomato wedges and then the toppings- Blue, Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, turkey, bacon chunks, avoocado, eggs and olives are in abundance and all very fresh. This is always more than one meal in a bowl.

On my birthday, the daily special was liver and onions($10.45); another favorite of mine that I just don't make at home. There is a lot (two large and one smaller piece) of nicely cooked beef liver topped with a choice of fried onions or bacon. It comes with soup or salad as well as a choice of potato (the mashed here are real and I don't always want a baked potato), the vegetable of the day (carrots with green beans this day) and a roll with butter. So good. This 'specials' price was even less than the 'Senior menu' price.

Here's a link to my other Jimmy's post. Even though it's from 2007, Jimmy's is on 'our' rotation, as are many 'Family Style' places and we do like it here.

Jimmy's of Santee 9635 Mision Gorge Road Santee, Ca 92071 (619) 448-8994

El Cajon Bistro & Bakery-Breakfast

October 31, 2013 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch, What Cathy Eats!

Yep, this is mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Kirk is still super busy with work, Ed(from Yuma) is super busy with writing a couple of posts after a relaxing short vacation and Cathy finally stopped being super busy and has time to share another meal.

I haven't posted all the meals The Mister and I shared for our birthday week (our September birthdays were on Thursday this year; we have eight days when we go out a lot). Since The Mister's birthday is first and he gets to choose meals on those first three days, this was one of His breakfast choices.

The family owned 'sister' restaurant of La Mesa Bistro & Bakery, which I've posted about twice, recently opened in El Cajon. It's in the same parking lot as Saray, which used to be Sultan Kebab and before that, was Dubai. (Sultan Baklava is still next door, as it has been all along).

Similar in decor as La Mesa Bistro & Bakery, there's a locally themed mural on the far wall. That's a self portrait of the artist, who is an El Cajon resident, on the left.

There are also the same large variety of coffee choices that you can pump and serve yourself, (as you can do with a water cup). You can grab a menu and find a seat, then walk up, order and pay; or just walk up and order and pay if you know what you want; no one taking orders here other than at the cash register. Your food will be brought out to you. The website has some good photos of all the coffee press pots on that side of the restaurant; I didn't take photos as it was very crowded when we were here.

Condiment choices are the same (the bottle that looks like it should be filled with olive oil is filled with maple syrup).

We ordered two chalkboard specials (the chalkboard is floor to ceiling by the entrance door and there are more specials on the chalkboard behind the cash register)(all the specials were around $8). The Mister chose raspberry pancakes. Made with fresh raspberries, as you an see, these were an excellent choice. The house made pancake mix made light, fluffy, great tasting pancakes on its own and the raspberry addition was just so fresh, wonderful and complimentary.

The pancakes came with two eggs (poached) and two pieces of thick, crispy bacon.

Since it was a Friday, I chose the salmon scramble as my breakfast. Delicious (not salty) smoked salmon pieces were cooked with eggs and red pepper, scallion and capers. This was served with fresh home fried potatoes and home made (the 'Bakery' part of the name of the restaurant) rye toast as well as some house made salsa. Really, really good.

Both of these family owned and run restaurants can get crazy busy on weekends, and both serve excellent, quality food.

El Cajon Bistro & Bakery 109 Jamacha Road (at Second and Main) El Cajon, Ca 92019 (619) 590-0278 Website Sun-Mon 7-4, Tues-Sat 7-9

Original Pancake House (revisit)

October 22, 2013 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch, What Cathy Eats!

Hello there. You are at mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog. Cathy has a post today, because Kirk and Ed(from Yuma) are just not ready to post about any of their recent meals.

The Mister and I try to avoid going out on weekends, to avoid crowds. Going to the Original Pancake House is always a treat and since OPH is fairly close to home (via the freeways), we stop by here during the week for quick breakfasts before running errands.

It's still crowded during the week, but usually no line out the door as happens on Saturday and Sunday.

Coffee ($2.50) is always accompanied by real cream, served in a heavy pitcher.

Table condiments are "American" compared to other condiment photos I've shown (no idea why we had a second sugar container). You can see the fresh strawberry specials; yes, we were here in early September, now the specials are pumpkin-centric.

The Mister's Bacon waffle ($8.50). The waffle is not a giant Belgian deal, but a normal size one, made with the OPH batter, which is very malt-y. I think the waffle has a nice sweetness on its own and just needs butter as a topping (no syrup). It's perfect- crispy on the exterior and with a nice, fluffy interior. There is a good amount of crispy, thick bacon pieces, served on top, so you can give yourself a bit of bacon in each bite.

Sausage, egg and pancake meal ($9.25). I adore the sausage here. It's thick sliced (about 1/2 inch) from a log then cooked to a crispy exterior. The spices are mild but there and have a perfect ratio. The sausage is made just for OPH. Of course, I ordered poached eggs (again, perfectly cooked) and pancakes as my side…because, this is The Original Pancake House. The batter is different than the waffle batter and also specially made for here. There is a definite sweetness to the large flapjacks, especially when butter topped and I don't think syrup needs to be added. But… since real, warm maple syrup is on the table, I always have some with a few bites of the pancakes.

Original Pancake House 3906 Convoy San Diego 92111 858-565-1740 Website

P.L. Bagels (revisit featuring the Bialy) (Point Loma)

October 20, 2013 Cathy Breakfast/Brunch, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog. Kirk or Ed (from Yuma) or Cathy usually write blog posts here. Today, it's Cathy's turn.

I wrote about P.L. Bagels in October last year, promising to follow up with a weekend only offering- Bialy. This yeasty, baked and onion topped product is similar in size to a bagel (which is boiled) but takes a bit more time and so is specially made only two days a week. Since The Mister and I try to avoid crowds, we usually aren't at the Point on weekends, but if we (meaning He) wake really early, we do drop by here before our morning walk and indulge in this special breakfast item.

Family owned and run, there is a friendly, familiar crowd here, picking up pre-orders or riding bicycles up to the front door on a steady basis on weekends. The parking lot is small, but the lines move pretty fast.

The prices are the same as in my last post (mini bagels are still 35¢ each) and, as always, it is cash only.

There are various cream cheese flavors as well as sandwich choices, along with breakfast specials (bagel with butter or cream cheese or egg & cheese plus small coffee for $2.50, $3.25 or $3.99). The ordering system and food preparation is efficient.

Here's a photo of a salt bagel and a bialy, each toasted and buttered. You can see the chopped onion topping is just placed in a small depression on the top of the bialy, not overwhelming the bread.

The bagels here are not large and crazy carb filled, but a 'normal' (as found in NYC) size. Also, the entire bagel is covered in the various toppings (the left side of that salt bagel, above, is the bottom).

Here's a photo of the bottom of the baked bialy. You can see the texture is more bready than bagel-y. It's soft and chewy, but not as chewy/dense as a bagel.

Here's a photo from another visit, where I ordered a bialy with egg (no cheese) and The Mister ordered an 'everything' twist with cream cheese.

The wonderful bagels are made fresh here every day, and the doors open at 6:30 a.m. and close when sold out (around 1 p.m.).

We follow our bready indulgences with a nice walk around Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, enjoying the views and paying respect.

Hope you are having a great weekend!

PL Bagels 3704 Voltaire Street, Suite 107 San Diego 92106 (619)223-4788 Open daily 6:30-1:00

Andy’s Coffee Shop & 2014 Rose Parade road test & Pasadena Farmers Market (Road Trip)

September 22, 2013 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch, Farmer's Markets/Night Market, Festivals & Events, Los Angeles County, Road Trip, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!! Kirk and Ed (from Yuma) are busy busy busy right now, so Cathy is writing a post for today.

Yes, another road test for some floats that will participate in the 2014 Tournament of Roses parade was conducted on Saturday and The Mister and I woke early so we could be there at 7 a.m. Since this is a food blog, the first part of this post is about our breakfast that morning.

Andy's Coffee Shop is located on Colorado Boulevard; it's easy to miss (parking is in back and we are always looking for cars on the street to see if a place is open).

Inside, it's a step back to the 1950's. In fact, a few episodes of Mad Men were filmed here.

There are photographs signed by famous stars of the past. The large photos are of crowds camped in front of the storefront to watch the Rose Parade.

The Mister ordered French Toast ($5). It's made with fresh bread, unlike when we make it at home with days old bread. So very good- crunchy on the exterior and creamy soft on the interior.

I ordered a bacon and egg sandwich on rye toast ($7.25). Really really good and served with crispy hash browns.

This was a very good meal and we enjoyed sitting at the "U" shaped lunch counter in the center of the room, seeing the hustle and bustle of the workers: the booths and tables were taken.

Andy's Coffee Shop 1234 Colorado Boulevard Pasadena, CA 91106 (626)793-0825 Mon-Sat 7-3, Sun 7-2

Before our breakfast on this overcast morning, we were on Raymond Street

The colorful float with them "So Near and Yet Safari" is very animated with the gazelles racing, giraffes bowing their necks and elephant ears flapping as well as water flowing from the top of the 'rock' formation. Behind that float, you can see the "Banner" float- which will introduce the 2014 parade with it's theme of "Dreams Come True".

Here is the City of Glendale float, covered in its cocoon. Last month, it was only out of rebar and a lot of the design wasn't very clear.

The CIty of Los Angeles float was also in it's rebar form last month. Now that it's covered and partly painted, the details are emerging.

Above, you can see the City of Los Angeles float in its collapsed state (so it can fit into the Phoenix Decorating barn as well as under street and signal lights along the parade route) and you can also see the head of the Chinese dragon, which is painted with its colors and ready to be decorated. All items covering the float must be natural, alive or had been alive and in case glue fails or items are washed off by rain, you'll still see color when watching the floats in person or on television. I think it's nice that the dragon will be on the 'other' side of the float- away from the television cameras-people sitting on that side of the street sometimes don't get to see a lot of the float details.

After our breakfast, we stopped at our usual Saturday morning Pasadena trek- the Farmers Market, held in the parking lot of Pasadena High on Sierra Madre Boulevard.

You can see the cloud covered Sierra Madres in the distance…very overcast. That's the booth where we always buy a loaf of seed filled, corn meal bottomed rye bread for $4.75. It's so good.

This market is my favorite out here; it's busy and the vendors are knowledgeable and the variety is amazing.

We drive North on the 5 and home on the 15…where we passed a convoy of about ten Marine LAVs (Light Armored Vehicles; they float)…another Saturday of fun. Hope you are having a good weekend!