Thank you for reading mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Today's post is written by Cathy, because she does these posts..
It was the last Saturday in August and The Mister and I woke at 4, left the house at 5, stopped at Cream Pan and got to the Phoenix Decorating barn in Irwindale by 7.
Floats were already on the road and others were preparing to leave. Here is the City of Hope's 2023 entry, "Expanding Hope" preparing to test mechanics and maneuverability with body weight on board.
The Rotary International 2023 entry, "Serving with Imagination and Hope" is ready for decorating following passing of this Road Test. (Decorating begins December 3 this year; check the Phoenix Decorating site link in the first paragraph to sign up).
The City of Alhambra float was tested; the riders, Driver and Spotter all had to leave the float within 45 seconds during the Fire Drill. Following this float back to the Phoenix Decorating barn gave me an opportunity to explain things in photos which I had mentioned in (years of) prior posts.
The doorway into the float decorating barn is the maximum height and width of some parts of the Rose Parade route. Each float must be able to fit through this doorway so that it can fit along the parade route. You can see this float needs to "collapse".
the float does indeed collapse!
Lions Clubs International 2023 entry, "We Serve" is small enough to not have any mechanics (other than the engine, steering, brakes and fire prevention) involved in this float; it fits without needing to collapse.
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Now, the food portion of the blog. First the obligatory stop at Portos in West Covina.
A "new" item, cinnamon citrus bun ($2.29) was really good- large, fluffy layered sweet bread pastry with distinct citrus flavor which compliments the cinnamon. A great treat.
A bit of shared breakfast-a Chorizo omelette ($5.95). This was wonderful. A great chorizo (you know I am a bit picky-see the end of this post) mixed with egg omelette and cheeses on a fresh baked Cuban roll.
As always, a bread was purchased; this time it was walnut raisin ($4.15), which is made with rye flour and sourdough starter. The crisp crust is just a perfect texture.
I asked The Mister to choose something from the refrigerated case and he chose a slice of Parisian cake ($3.55). A very moist chocolate cake with a chocolate ganache filling and topped with more wonderful chocolate frosting.
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So, we began looking for a breakfast someplace different. There were various obstacles while driving (road repairs, emergency vehicles, law enforcement action-that sort of thing) and I just told The Mister to type in "breakfast" on the 'maps' icon of his phone.
The directions were given to this nondescript location close by. It had been a Sizzler restaurant.
This doorway was indeed the entrance.
Yep, looks like a Sizzler.
A two sided, laminated menu had a good variety of choices.
I chose the carne asada and egg sandwich ($10.99). This was quite large and very good. Not a torta bread, but also not a burger bun, the toasted sandwich was filled with quality ingredients and we took home half for a small lunch.
The Mister ordered the Meat Lovers omelette ($13.99) which was filled with bacon, sausage, ham and cheddar, plenty of each and good quality. The hash browns were standard. The salsa was wonderful.
His platter also came with a choice of toast or pancakes. Very good pancakes.
A great find in a nice neighborhood. Glad we stopped.
Dollis 900 N. Citrus Covina, CA 91722 Website Open Wed-Mon 7-2 (Closed Tuesday)
The float barn is filling up. 
It looks like 
The 
Unsure which float this is, but you can see the 'spotter' in front and a bit of the 'driver' all the way to the left and back in this photo. This float is small enough to drive the parade route without having to 'collapse' under street lights and the freeway bridge along the way. 
The float which will carry the Royal Court was being tested. It's the same float used the previous three years and is not judged for any awards. It is 'redecorated' each year. 
The 
"Hope for Peace", sponsored by 
First, the obligatory stop at 
So we waited in line and ordered, did see we could sit down for a moment and photographed some of our purchases.
We shared this 'new' item-a chicken and rice ball; excellent!
Then we started driving- cc always has a Plan A as well as a Plan B for our adventures. Turning South out of Portos and driving to Amar Road was new to me!
Yes we did! 
The choices and prices and wow! Everything was so fresh. (These three donuts were $6.25) The Donut Hole 15300 Amar Road La Puenta 91744
This mall, located between Amar Road and Manila Way, anchored by a 
We purchased pieces of lechon (slow roasted suckling pig)-perfectly cooked with a flavorful moist meat and crackly skin. We also purchased fried chicken skins; the chicharron were large pieces and perfectly lite and crisp. Toto's Lechon Manok 1545 Amar Road West Covina 91792
On the other end of this mall is a quite large building, part of a local chain, DJ Bibingkahan. 
A Turo-Turo (Point-Point) business, where you order, pay and find your own seat.
Corned beef silog and longsilog, served with hard cooked eggs and garlic rice, made a great breakfast. The corned beef was in chunks and in a flavorful broth with tomato, onion and potatoes. The longanisa was boiled, not pan fried, but the 'skin' still had a good 'snap' and the flavor was more sweet-I think it was made with pineapple juice. 
We asked the friendly man behind the counter if he had regular 
It is the 50th year in Glendora and also peach donut time for 
The Theme of "Turning the Corner” celebrating the unlimited potential that each new year brings, was announced by the 
The 
The Spotter for the 
The 
No idea who has sponsored this float, but can see the the Spotter will be standing at the front and can also see the driver now while this float is in its rebar/pencil rod stage. 
This is the City of Alhambra float entry. Spotter is seated at the front and the driver is on the left side-near the red fuel tank. 
Well. Turns out at 8:05 a.m., there's not much of a line. I ordered pastries, breakfast and beverages all at one counter. 
The meat pie ($1.15) is filled with the same picadillo that is in the famous potato balls, but is baked in flaky pastry. A nice snack while we waited.
Also ordered: cheese roll ($0.99), apple strudel ($1.45) and a refugiado (guava cream cheese pastry) ($1.09). We took the sweets home.
Soon, the beverages were delivered to the table. Portos cortadito ($2.89) (espresso with sweetened condensed milk) and a summertime item- iced strawberry matcha latte (large) ($4.89). Both beverages are quality and flavorful. 
Soon, the ropa vieja sandwich ($7.50) was brought out. Served on fresh soft Cuban bread, the 'Cuban birria' (Cuban-style stewed beef with bell pepper, onion, olive, tomato sauce, and Spanish seasonings) was excellent and quite large. The plantain chips (mariquitas) are seasoned with garlic salt and are a perfect side to the sandwich, breakfast time or not. 
The ham and cheese (cheddar-jack blend) omelette ($5.50) is served on a fresh buttery croissant with a mayo-mustard spread and is also quite large. 
The 2022 San Diego County Fair Officially opened yesterday. It's been a long time since I wrote the 
The planned Theme was "Heroes Unite"; that Fair never happened.
This year, the Theme is "Heroes Reunite".
The Midway was still being set up earlier this week. (You can see the Ferris Wheel way down there at the West end).
There are quite a few areas around exhibits where you can take photos with Superheroes.
Some things have changed. At the far West end of the Vendors Halls (next to Bing Crosby Hall), the new location of the Adult as well as Youth crafting, cooking and hobby exhibits has a new name- Home Made.
Of course, Preserved Foods
as well as Baked Foods
and Decorated Foods had to be judged. 
There are some amazing collections.
The Quilt display is original.
There were so many needle art items entered this year- Sewing, spinning and weaving, knitting, crochet and more. The displays are great. 
An "Express Line" if you are purchasing a turkey leg only!
The slices of 'Ten Pound Buns' are very large-the amount of avocado on that piece of toast…
Lemon mini donuts- we will definitely try those!
A 'themed' sandwich choice!
