Thank you for once again stopping to read mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Kirk and His Missus are still enjoying a short vacation and Cathy is still writing.
You might recall my post about the 2024 Rose Parade road test in October, when The Mister and I found ourselves at Tam's Noodle House in Rowland Heights and had a delightful breakfast.
It turns out that in December, we had time to decorate Rose Parade floats on three occasions from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and wanting a nice meal before heading home in traffic, we decided instead of driving aimlessly to look for a place to eat, we would return to Tam's. The Mister began reading directions from the phone (since I don't know how we got here the first time) and at one signal light, noticed Mountain House restaurant, which Kirk had posted about in August. It was less than a mile from Tam's! 
It turns out there is an "Afternoon Tea" menu offered daily from 3-5 and we were just before 5 and were able to order from this special menu. 
Y1.- Wonton Noodle Soup ($12.99). A very large bowl of a not-salty but deep flavored pork based broth filled with ten thin-skinned wontons, each filled with meat and shrimp. Bok choy and springy noodles filled this bowl. Very filling and flavorful.
The Mister decided to order the Y10. – Deep Fried Chicken Wings with Salt & Pepper ($12.99). Four large, meaty drums and four large meaty flats, fried to a delightful crunch while lightly coated in salt, pepper and topped with garlic, chili and green onion and not really spicy.
This Afternoon Tea menu, just like the Breakfast Menu, includes a beverage. The lemon tea was great- a very strong tea with lemon slices and the coffee, served with a small pitcher of Black & White brand evaporated milk were kept constantly refilled.
So happy we found this restaurant.
Tam's Noodle House II 19035 Colima Road Rowland Heights 91748 (626) 820-9977 Open daily 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
The interior is kept clean and everyone seems very organized. We were helped by at least five different people after being seated. 
Mabo Tofu ($15.95) was a hefty serving. The soft tofu was plentiful and added a calming touch to the spicy pork based sauce. It was good, definitely made with quality ingredients but missing a bit of saltiness (we both added soy sauce from the table) or maybe the 'umami' that The Mister enjoys in other Mabo sauces. Still, there were leftovers. The large bowl of rice was $3.75. A pot of hot tea was $2.25 per person.
My 'baseline' order, vegetable Egg Foo Young ($16.95). I always enjoy seeing how different chefs prepare this common dish. The version here was filled with vegetables (peas, carrots, onions, mushrooms and a few bean sprouts) and the pancakes were nicely eggy. Crisply fried and covered in a not too salty gravy with some more peas, carrots, mushrooms and onion, the crunch lasted for the majority of the meal. 
We had to ask for chopsticks.
Hot tea is now $1 per person (no complaints; it used to be free, then it was 25 cents for years).
Okonomiyaki ($8.95) was one of my choices this day. This savory pancake, filled with cabbage and eggs, a sort of egg foo young, crisp fried and served with Kewpie mayo and topped with bonito flakes. This could be a meal.
I also chose the agedashi tofu ($6.95) as an addition (since I knew The Mister and I would be sharing). The soft tofu cubes are dusted with cornstarch then lightly deep fried. It's served hot in a soy sauce/dashi/mirin broth. We do like the version here.
The Mister always pretends to read the menu then ends up ordering the Mabo Ramen ($11.95). Mabo is a salty-spicy sauce with a base of fermented beans and chili along with minced meat (pork). This is served with tofu cubes and pork broth over proper (springy, not mushy) ramen noodles. You could also order Mabo Udon or Mabo Soba (Chopstix is a Noodle House; everything can be customized).
One meal I enjoy here (especially on chilly days) is Nabeyaki Wafu with soba ($13.95). Nabeyaki is two shrimp tempura and a poached egg. It's served with soba noodles in the wafu (fish and soy) broth. Fishcake, shiitake mushrooms and green onions complete this bowl of soup and noodles, served in an iron kettle. This is a favorite order.
When you walk in, there is a bar area to the left and the 'main' area to the right. 
All the way back is a small stage which has mariachis or a DJ or a local band is located on weekends.
A basket of warm chips along with a mild salsa were brought out with the large, interesting menu.
We ordered Queso Fundido with Chorizo to share ($14.95). This was served in a large/deep plate with warm corn tortillas. A good crisp chorizo (you know I am 
My craving this day was for a shrimp ceviche tostada ($6.95). Look carefully at the large menu, you can find good prices for basic items. The chopped shrimp, cooked in lime juice and mixed with tomatoes really hit the spot. There are more tostadas on the tabletop, if you run out,
The Mister was looking at the "Filete Especiales" portion of the menu and chose the Relleno de Mariscos ($26.95). A large piece of fish (Didn't ask, but it was a thick, meaty filet) stuffed/topped with shrimp, octopus and marlin as well as tomatoes and onion all cooked in butter. Served with rice and steamed vegetables (which went well with the butter) this was a tasty meal with leftovers.
Green Onion Pancake ($5.75) is always nice to share. Flaky layers with a light crunch and a delicate spring onion flavor to the (not oily) pastry.
Spicy Sesame Wonton ($12.50) was another great sharable choice. Most of the other tables had large steamed buns delivered and these more delicate wontons had a great pork and vegetable flavors as well as a pleasant chile based sauce which was used for dipping. Complimentary heat, not numbing.
Beef Chow Mein with Pickled Vegetable ($14.99). The beef was tender and not chewy with a nice salty flavor, probably imparted by the pickled vegetables, which also had a pleasant bitter undertone. The noodles were properly cooked and the other vegetables added a good texture to each bite.
Hot Tea ($3.99). I always order tea and must say the quality of this particular pot was excellent. Fresh, flavorful and just right.
Big Jim's Roast Beef & Subs opened as a Food Truck/pop-up about March 2021 and has steadily built a following of its New England Style slow roasted style Top Round sandwiches, ultimately opening this storefront in September. They still Pop-Up at the Wednesday Ocean Beach Farmers Market and the Thursday Oceanside Sunset Market.
A simple menu. When you order, toppings are described and you can decline or ask for an ingredient 'on the side'.
Junior Beef Sandwich ($9). This sandwich is very large; the in house roasted top round, sliced thin and served medium rare, the beef chilled. This has wonderful flavor and texture. It is served on a butter grilled burger bun with a horseradish mayonnaise and American cheese. We asked for the BBQ sauce on the side. 
French Dip ($16). Apologies for the photo. The aroma of the roasted beef was amazing. Again, thin sliced beef, cooked more medium, served warmed with Provolone cheese. Great sandwich, easily shared.
The Italian bread roll, sesame-seeded, was fresh, flavorful and sourced locally from a bakery in Little Italy. The jus had bits of meat in it and was not salty. Quite perfect. 
The BBQ Sauce had a nice 'tang' and the grilled onions were sweet. Each was added as a condiment at the end bites of the sandwiches. 
Seating out front.
We arrived at about 7:30, parked, checked in and were shown to our assigned float.
Statice (three colors) all will have to be cut, dried and blended into powder.
Bark has to be peeled and brushed smooth so the glue can adhere.
Straw flowers need to be cut and divided into colors (see the darker gold?)
It took hours for two of us to cut the bucket filled with the dark statice.
Meanwhile, some people were decorating the City of Alhambra float (seen fully open and collapsing down on 
The Oddfellows were preparing their float for tourist groups and decorators (This is the 'off camera' side, which I didn't photograph during 
Local students, earning Community Service Hours, were working quietly and efficiently.
Gluing dry wheatgrass -to resemble dog fur- begins at the feet.
Plenty of people showed up, but still many more volunteers could be accommodated.
The materials used on the 'candies' included powdered rice, mung beans and dark lettuce seeds.
These completed 'lightbulbs' were spotted near the City of Newport Beach float (a group of seven satellites)
People were working on the 'keyboard' of the Coding for Veterans float. There will be two back to back large screens with a fun video on this symmetric float. (Many floats are not symmetric, hence the "Camera Side" and the "Off Camera" side). 
You can see more of the candies, which will be used on this satellite of the city of Newport Beach float.
The steam trays were not available.
A few Sandos were in the counter.
The Noodle Bar also was not filled.
There were plenty of desserts.
We picked up a few things, paid and went to the seating area.
We used the microwave for the Tempura Set ($6.99)
Took home two sections of the Katsu Pork Sando ($4.99)
We also heated the Yakisoba ($5.75) and ate about half.
CroBean has been here since November 2019. It's family owned.
There are menus on the wall, we wanted to try everything.
There were many choices of fresh bread. We ended up with a basic baguette and it was very good.
There were display cases and choices all looked good. We were overwhelmed this first visit.
So, we ended up with a ham and cheese croissant (you 
On the counter under a dome were these sort of cookie bars. The shortbread crust was made with oatmeal flour and butter…It was thick and salty and then turned delicate, crumbling when you bit it. The layer of raspberry jam was super flavorful and not sweet. The strudel topping was also buttery and sweet and really nice.
In any case, consistency of the quality and flavors is the biggest reason we stop here. We just know what we order will be the same as always.
Of course, the prices have increased. Credit cards are now accepted and you pay when you order, not when picking up the order. 
A bowl of White Clam Chowder ($6) is always our choice. Filled with diced potato, celery and plenty of fat, fresh clams, the creamy clam broth is perfect without additions…but those oyster crackers added in about halfway just make the chowder 'fancier'.
Smoked Fish Cocktail ($8.95) instead of buying random smoked fish by the pound (which we usually do) was a good choice. There were three types of fish-meaty, firm tuna, a smokey yet sweet halibut and delicately smoke flavored swordfish. Each tasted great on its own but the house made, light horseradish flavored cocktail sauce, each bite had an additional flavor hint. Smoked fish as well as smoked meat is proper; smoked cheese is wrong.
Fish and Chips ($19). The classic. Three very large, thick pieces of flaky Alaskan cod coated in a light, crunchy, non-oily batter with plenty of thin, crisp fries and a delightful cabbage-carrot-bell pepper slaw which is lightly dressed in mayonnaise. The house made tartar sauce is unique and great with the fish as well as the crispy fries. The serving portion was plenty to share.
or you can scan it from your table.
The spicy calamari appetizer ($7.95) was light and crisp and quite a good size for sharing (or it could be a meal with a salad) the spicy garlic sauce was not necessary.
Agedashi tofu ($6.95) is also lightly fried. The tofu itself has a nice soybean flavor and the 'cubes' are very large. Again, good for sharing.
This vegetable tempura roll ($9.95) is simply wonderful. Tempura battered asparagus, green beans, kobucha and sweet potato. There's also avocado inside. Since I don't eat meat on Fridays, this is a wonderful way to satisfy a bunch of cravings as part of a meal. 
Most of the meal sets here include miso and salad. Here's a generic photo. 
This is the Sesame Chicken plate ($13.95) Large pieces of dark meat chicken, coated in sesame seeds then bread crumbs and fried, properly. This was a very large meal and at some point turned into a salad with chicken topping.
The Beef Teriyaki Lunch Bento with shrimp and veggie tempura ($16). The teriyaki sauce is not very sweet nor is it sticky. The tentsuyu (sauce for dipping the tempura) was lightly salty and complimentary to the light, crispy fry. 
The Seafood Yakisoba ($16.95) was nicely done- noodles still chewy, a light sauce, carrots. broccoli. bell pepper, zucchini and cabbage along with shrimp, green mussels, fishcake, calamari and scallops. Again, a good size meal. 
`The vegetable teriyaki ($12.95) was a great tasty surprise. Lightly sautéed vegetables topped with the pleasant house made teriyaki topped with green onion and crunchy sesame seeds. An excellent bite of everything I was craving that day. 
Tonkatsu Curry ($14.95). A large piece of thin cut, breaded pork, deep fried and still moist. Served on top of rice with a delightful potato-carrot-onion curry sauce. Comfort food on a chilly day.
This. This is what I absolutely enjoy the most here. It's the Vegan Ramen ($13.50). Mushroom broth, spinach noodles, vegetables and tofu. It's been absolutely perfect each time I've ordered it. The broth is so good, the noodles have a nice spinach flavor. All of the vegetables. To me, it is a perfect bowl of goodness and warmth. 