The Golden Road Pub

I've been hearing all about the Golden Road Pub and seeing it every time we drive through Glendale because of it's bright-blue building just off the freeway in an otherwise bland industrial area.

Yesterday afternoon we had our first chance to try it out.  The Pub is in a bright yellow building with many different seating areas--inside and out.  We opted for the front outdoor patio which has a couple of small tables and lots of long tables for large groups. The Pub was mildly busy but not crowded.  Lots of people were there with their kids playing in an area with ping pong, Foosball, giant Connect Four and a couple of other games.

I really liked the atmosphere of the place even on this very hot day. If you were to go there, order a beer from the bar (and order your food from the bar too) and then just hang around chatting and playing games you'd probably really enjoy it.

On the other hand...if you were planning to eat lunch, not try the beer, and order at your table, you might have the same disappointing experience we had.  Looking around us, the food looked great--juicy burgers, big salads, a giant pretzel with dipping sauce. We were sold.  I ordered the proscuitto and goat cheese sandwich with fig jam, Joey got the burger.  I stuck with water and Joey got the lemonade. We also ordered a big pretzel.

It was over 90 degrees in Glendale that afternoon, the water came without any ice and we never got a refill.
The lemonade was most definitely country time and was also a little bit warm.
Both the burger & sandwich were average at best, the bread was far to thick to enjoy the filling much. The salad I had as my side was good but drenched in dressing and the fries were totally average.  I can't speak for the pretzel because our waiter totally forgot that we ordered one and we never received it--but since it wasn't on the bill either he definitely completely forgot.  Our waiter never came back to our table until I flagged him down for the bill and even then it took some time.  I saw him start coming towards us and then turn away multiple times.

Lesson learned, this place needs a better chef who doesn't rely on heavy breads and light fillings. This mostly vegan menu may be really good and maybe I just got the wrong thing--but if I go again I'm ordering from the bar--where I have to wait for no one to get served.  Go here for the beer and atmosphere and get your food elsewhere.

The Pub at Golden Road Brewing
5410 W San Fernando Road
Los Angeles, CA 90039

Gina's Tacos

Tacos fit the bill for lunch this fine Saturday afternoon. It was a nice enough day for a new adventure so we set out to Gina's Tacos in Glendale. We have passed this place a number of times and there always seem to be people there so we thought we'd give it a shot.

This is a small stand with just three tables and a bench facing the buys street. Most people were getting their tacos to go but we decided to stay. My husband and I got 5 tacos between us and the Carne Asada Quesadilla. Our other lunch guest got 4 tacos and then later went back for the Quesadilla.

I had all three carne asada tacos. The meat had a nice smoky flavor and was mixed well with the red salsa, cilantro and onions. The tortillas were fresh tasting with a bit more corn hint than usual. I had a bite of the carne asada quesadilla and it was delicious. I loved the melty cheese that was a little bit richer than the meat. The quesadilla comes with salsa, meat and cheese in it and it is a nice change from the same old thing.

I also sampled the al pastor meat and I liked the flavor being not too sweet like others I've had and no noticeable large strands of onion either.

Gina's has good tacos and great prices if you are in the area and just want something simple and quick.

Gina's Tacos
470 Colorado Street
Glendale, CA 91204
Map

Jewel City Diner

A couple of weekends ago we decided to see a movie at the Americana in Glendale. We had to crunch in lunch so we decided to try out the Jewel City Cafe right by the elevators to the main parking lot there.

The Jewel City Diner is trying to be Johnney Rockets in a similar 50's style diner setting. The silver diner looks inviting from outside with the promise of burgers and shakes. There is outside and inside seating--inside is at the counter, outside at tables.

I tried to grab a table outside for the four of us because it was such a nice day but even though I was obviously standing there holding the chair I was about to sit in, some man rushed over and told me that he was sitting there. Jerk. I realize this wasn't the restaurants fault, but it didn't help my first experience.

We walked into the restaurant and sat down at the counter. It smelled heavily as grease and grill. The menu was filled with surprisingly expensive diner classics. What annoyed me was that each item was al a carte. I wanted a milkshake, but they didn't look good enough for the price so I passed.

The diner uses paper everything from cups to plates to napkins. I think one of the most fun things about getting a diner milkshake is getting the extra in the metal cup on the side, at this place you just get the one cup-ful. I ordered water.

Joey and I both got burgers and we shared fries. The fries were steak-fry esque and too potatoy for my taste. Jenny and Gavin got burgers and shared onion rings. The onion rings were much better than the fries with the batter willy nilly around the onion.

The lunch came out to be fairly expensive for the price. Next time I want some diner food, I'll probably go to one of the better known ones and skip the Jewel City--it just wasn't the experience I wanted for the price.*





Jewel City Diner
889 Brand Blvd
Ste 629
Glendale, CA 91209

*Jewel City Diner fits into the $ range of this blog, but the price to what you get ratio is more like $$.

Frida

The Americana at Brand is the shopping center circulating all sorts of buzz in the valley. Half shopping center--half amusement village, this place brings crowds from all over the land to see a place where you can not only shop, dine and stay, but also view water shows that rival the hotels of Vegas, ride a trolley from end to end and play on a fun-looking climbing wall playground.

There are a variety of restaurants in this entertainment-filled shopping mall, and last night we decided to check out Frida--the Mexican choice. Frida looks fancy from the street, but it didn't seem like we were out of place in our day clothes. We went fairly early to dinner, around 6:30 or 7pm and the outdoor patio that looks out onto the mall was completely packed. The inside of the restaurant, however, was open. I was worried we would have to wait after seeing the patio, but actually we were seated immediately.

Our drinks were served immediately--but if you do not order water, you do not get it automatically. The waiter also came around with a basket of warm tortilla chips and two gravy boats of salsa. The red salsa had a slightly smoky flavor and was supposed to be spicy, but it wasn't too bad. The green salsa seemed to have small chunks of avocado in it and was very refreshing. The waiter, trying to earn some points with his spicy-craving crowd brought out some hot sauce for us to add to our salsas. I didn't think it did much, but I enjoyed the green salsa as it was.

The menu had a variety of choices all different from a typical sit-down Mexican restaurant. What most caught my eye was the ceviche and then the full page of different tacos. I really didn't spend much time looking at the entrees, I was going to get the tacos.

I decided on the Tacos de Cochinita Pibil which is slow cooked pork in an annatto sauce served with a habenero relish. On the menu it says "an excellent choice" which to me is like saying "house specialty" so when the waiter warned me that it is the spiciest thing on the menu, I was rather surprised. Generally a house specialty is something for all tastes I thought. I went for it anyway. My dining companions got the Tacos Campechanos which is steak and chorizo and the other got Filet a la Tapienquena which is a steak served with mole and an enchilada.

Although it didn't say on the menu, the tacos were street style except with only one tortilla. Unlike the typical flooding of beans and rice all over the plate, the tacos were served with a small cup of rice and some beans. The actual tacos were not that spicy--but one tiny piece of the habenero relish and my lips and mouth were on fire. The other diners liked their dinners too (although the chorizo addition was a little unusual) and everyone agreed that we would be back.





Frida
750 American Way
Glendale, CA 91210
Map

Caffe Primo

Caffe Primo is a restaurant that I like to pretend I had a hand in creating. A couple of years ago, I ate my lunch in the Sunset Millennium Plaza. That plaza was built in 2000 (surprise, surprise!), but had a lot of trouble filling the stores and keeping them full. Equinox, the pricey gym moved in to one corner, and a few stores switched constantly in the smaller spaces. There is this nice area in the plaza with tables and a fountain set just far enough away from the main drag of the Sunset Strip to offset the noise.

A little gelato/sandwich place moved into the the space kitty-corner from Equinox. Since I was in the plaza anyway, I made a point of checking out the restaurant right when it opened. I enjoyed their paninis and the gelato was always a nice treat. I brought others there to try the food too. After about a year in the cramped space, the restaurant closed down and moved to the prime corner location right on Sunset. It was closed for at least a year during renovations.

Finally, after a long wait, Caffe Primo opened. I went to visit immediately. The 'new' space in West Hollywood is huge, with a large counter, a lounge area with TVs, common tables, and a large outdoor patio. At lunch, the cafe fills up with patrons seeking a simple Italian lunch.

I love the salads and sandwiches there, but the prices are a little steep. Well actually, the prices are fine if you're on the Sunset Strip, probably one of the cheaper places you can go, come to think of it. Since I worked within walking distance I have also sampled the coffee (strong and bitter, probably the way coffee is supposed to taste), cookies (delicious), cupcakes (a little expensive for the size, not even close to the cupcake giants, but worth it in a pinch), muffin tops (expensive, but it's the TOP part only!), gelato (eh, I don't know what all the fuss is about gelato, give me some full fat ice cream instead).

Just recently, Caffe Primo opened a new branch in the new Americana at Brand in Glendale. Unfortunately, they changed some of the things that were great in Weho when they moved. They don't have room for the giant patio and as a result the seating is a little cramped and people were confused as to whether they sit down, or go up and order first, or what (you go up and order and then sit anywhere, for the record). They added rotisserie chicken to the menu and showcase a pizza oven along with their gelato case and fancy Italian coffee machine.

The food still tasted good, but the portions were way too small for the cost. The pizza one diner at my table ordered was advertised to be 1o'', but it was smaller than the plate it rested on and it only had four large slices of pepperoni on the entire thing. I got a salad and it was somewhere between a dinner salad and a side salad. The problem is, the prices weren't adjusted when they moved from the expensive Sunset Strip to Glendale. Sure, the new mall is a little bit classier than other areas of the valley, but even so, people expect to see larger portions at those prices. I am hoping they are just still settling in and will live up to my expectations next time I visit.





Caffe Primo
8590 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
Map

Also at the Americana At Brand

Two Guys from Italy

Deciding on dinner is sometimes a chore. Craving something different than the average fare, trying to find a place that is not a chain and still has something for everyone. This time we decided to head over to Two Guys from Italy in Glendale. The restaurant had a bar taking up the front area of the restaurant, then you follow the hostess down a hall past the kitchen and into a large room filled with tables. There are probably not that many tables at all, maybe twenty, but the room seemed big because it was so long.

They didn't really have any tables available that were made for three, so they gave us a large circular table in the window. I was rather impressed that they even offered the big table as it always seems like restaurants are saving those in case a big party comes in. The restaurant was pretty full, almost every table was taken. The bar was completely full, and they had people coming in for takeout orders. I also observed the delivery people coming and leaving constantly throughout our dinner.

We received garlic bread and delicious homemade bruschetta topping on the side to start. This was a free appetizer. It far surpassed the regular plain bread with ice cold butter that is usually served while you wait. The tomatoes were incredibly flavorful with hints of garlic and basil.

The menu was pretty large covering the usual pasta, pizza, calzones, and sandwiches. I like to order the first thing that takes me by surprise or interests me. I noticed a pasta dish with eggplant and mozzarella cheese, and even after I scoured the menu, I ended up deciding on it. The thing is, I don't really like eggplant, but I have always wanted to like it, so I thought I'd give it a try. My fiance ordered a calzone and our other guest ordered the exact same thing as me, a personal pet peeve.

The pasta comes with a salad to start. I ordered it with the Italian dressing and was pleased to find the dressing to not be bottled Italian. It had the delicious pickling cucumbers which in my opinion have way more flavor, and garbanzo beans added a nice touch. After the salad and the unlimited garlic bread, I could have stopped eating before my entree even came.

The pasta came steaming hot and overflowing the dinner bowl.I waited before burning the roof of my mouth. The cheese was delicious and fresh and melted throughout the pasta. Unfortunately for my dislike of eggplant, the eggplant flavor came out really strong. The dish was filled with the vegetable. Despite my usual dislike for eggplant, I enjoyed the pasta--but I really ate most of it the next day.

The calzone was moon-shaped. While it tasted good, the toppings weren't evenly distributed throughout the crispy cooked crust.

Everyone was too full to even think about dessert, but they didn't force us to leave, they were content to have us sit as long as we wanted. We didn't stay too long, but it was late enough that I doubt our table filled afterward.










Two Guys from Italy
405 N. Verdugo
Glendale, CA 91206
Map

Mambo's Cafe

Last night we were looking for a place for dinner that we had not been in a while or never been to but would satisfy a variety of palates. This was a pretty hard thing to do. We drove around Burbank for some time racking our brains for restaurants and finally settled upon Mambo's Cafe--a Cuban restaurant across from the liquor store where they filmed a scene from Superbad.

Mambo's sits diagonally on the corner of Western and Victory in Burbank. There is a small parking lot, a patio for outdoor dining, and a couple of tables inside with a bar area that looks like it used to be part of an old diner.

The restaurant was dark inside and the service, although quick was not particularly friendly. I felt like the waitresses were friendly to most of the other customers but I also felt like when we walked in, we walked into a party we weren't invited to. It seemed to be a restaurant full of regulars.

The menu had a lot of foods on it that I was not familiar with and no descriptions. It ended up being very blind ordering. It didn't look like anyone in the restaurant was still eating so we couldn't even see any food before we had it. I ordered the slow roasted pork and it came with white rice, black beans and maduros. I had no idea what maduros were, but I decided to risk it. Another person I was with got the Beef Picadillo (we didn't know what picadillo meant) which came with the same sides. The third person got chicken with avocado and salsa that came with salad.

When our food came (very quickly) we learned that maduros are fried plantains. The roast pork I had was very moist and delicious--although a little bland. The white rice and black beans were nothing special. The beef picadillo was a mixture of ground beef, spices, and green olives. I thought it was really flavorful--but the flavors were very strong. The person that ordered it didn't actually like it and so I ate most of the beef and reluctantly passed over some of my pork. The chicken dish sounded like it was a little dry and nothing special.

The prices on the meals were good. I was very full when I finished eating. I think I would go to Mambo's again, but I might climb out of my shy shell and ask the waitress what some of the other menu items were so that I could try something a little more Cuban.





Mambo's Cafe
1701 Victory Blvd
Glendale, CA 91201
Map

India Sweets & Spices

I have been passing India Sweets & Spices ever since I moved to LA thinking that I should go in, but I have passed it by for one reason or another. Tonight, I had the opportunity to go to any place I pleased without having to think about anybody else's likes or dislikes. I knew that if I tried somewhere new, I wouldn't disappoint anyone but myself and I could always go somewhere else in a pinch.

I shouldn't have worried. I got to India Sweets & Spices around 6:45pm and found parking on the street, there was also a parking lot, but it looked tight and the meters are free after six. There were a lot of people pulling into the parking lot so I was happy to learn I wouldn't be alone. I walked in through the side door right into the restaurant portion of this cafeteria and Indian market. The menu is expansive and daunting for a newcomer. There were two people in front of me so I had a little time to look around and I had also checked out the menu online. I ordered the combination 3. I was excited that all three combinations come with some kind of drink. I think this is smart because when you are in a restaurant that you are not used to it is easy to forget a drink. You order at the counter and pay. Then the cashier gives you a little slip of paper with what you ordered written on it. You take that paper to the pick up window and wait in line until it is your turn.

The people running the restaurant were Indian and it seemed like they might also do the cooking. They were polite but didn't seem overjoyed to be manning the counter. When it was my turn at the pick-up window I handed over my number card. The lady behind the counter assembled a multi-compartmental plate with a large helping of rice (with peas and carrots), yogurt sauce, and the pickled carrots and onions. Then she asked me which two dishes I would like. This place doesn't have any meat and I haven't ever ordered any Indian vegetarian dishes so I was just guessing. I ordered the chickpea dish in sauce and the green curry with cheese. My dinner also came with a vegetable samosa and chapati (whole wheat flatbread) and then some crunchy salty flat cracker. To drink it came with a shake or lassi, I had the mango lassi at their insistence. This whole meal cost me less than $7!

I picked up some napkins and utensils and sat down at a plain table. This cafeteria isn't new by any means. It has painted walls and a large screen tv showing Indian music videos. There is a whole wall of windows to look out onto the busy street. What it lacks in atmosphere, it makes up for in quality of food and flavor. I dug into my food with great anticipation.

The rice was cooked perfectly and had a nice flavor. The chickpea dish that I had was very filling and flavorful and went well with the rice and chapati. The samosa was filled with potatoes and peas and I felt the sauce was a little too acidic for me--but the crust on the outside was delicious and I ate most of it anyway. I didn't feel I needed the yogurt because the other dishes weren't spicy. The green curry and cheese was delicious. The cheese were great chunks that lent a meaty texture to this vegetarian dish. The mango lassi wasn't something I necessarily wanted with dinner because it was so thick and sweet, but it still tasted pretty good. There was plenty of food and, even though I was starving when I arrived, I wasn't able to clean my plate.

After dinner I took a spin through the attached Indian market. The market reminded me of one in Europe where everything was stacked haphazardly on shelves in an order only the store-keeper could understand. They sold everything from spices to Indian snacks to unusual fruits and vegetables to rice to rice cookers and records. The crowd shopping was 100% Indian. I felt more out of place in the store than in the restaurant by far. I didn't buy anything because I was overwhelmed by possibility. However, I know just where to go now if I ever need an chickpea flour or Indian spices.

I loved this restaurant and will certainly go back. I am even considering going back tomorrow to taste again all those wonderful flavors marrying together.





India Sweets & Spices
3126 Los Feliz Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Map

Patrick's Cafe

A couple of weekends ago 3 friends and I decided to try something new for lunch. I had driven past Patrick's Cafe several times and thought it sounded like a good place to try. It was rumored to have something for everyone. Patrick's Cafe is right on the main San Fernando drag when you drive from Burbank to Glendale on your left. It has taken the spot of an old diner and has both patio seating and indoor seating with lots of windows. The parking lot is a little cramped but there is also street parking.

We arrived around 1pm on Saturday and there were a lot of people there--mostly eating indoors as the patio atmosphere is right on the main street and could potentially be loud (although I don't know because I didn't sit there). We came in the side door and were a little confused about what to do. We went up to the register and saw menus. This is the kind of place where you read the paper menu, order, take a number and have a seat. The tables in the restaurant were huge wooden ones with thick leather-like chairs. They reminded me of tables you might see in a castle. Because the tables are large, and the kitchen area extends into the restaurant leaving little space to walk. I think Patrick's Cafe could do with smaller tables to make the space feel a little more open. While we were waiting for our food, a woman and her wheelchair bound husband came in. She could hardly maneuver his chair through the restaurant and it seemed like they were told to sit outside because that was the only place they could find space.

The menu had a variety of sandwiches, salads, and burgers and a couple of other entree-style dishes. The prices were a little steep but all similar. I probably would be more likely to get a gourmet-style sandwich there than a tuna melt when the prices were upwards of $8-9. There was a small pastry cabinet next to the registers, however, the pastries looked just average.

I ordered the Prosciutto Caprese Sandwich. It came with a side of either salad or fruit. I decided to stick with water for my drink and chose the salad. I didn't find the clerks to be particularly friendly but actually a little bored and short. I found a table and found the seats to be a little less than comfortable. It took a long time for our drinks to come, I guess it is possible that it was only 6-7 minutes but it seemed like ages. Our food came shortly after.

The salad I had was small with a huge side of dressing. The sandwich was forgettable. I ordered it primarily because I thought the addition of the tapenade would add a nice boost of flavor. Unfortunately, the tapenade added no flavor and the sandwich really lacked flavor. The bread was also a little too soft for the sandwich. Other items at our table included the tuna sandwich with salad and a cheeseburger with fries. The tuna sandwich could have been made cheaper and tastier at home--it looked like it came right out of my grandma's kitchen. Again, the salad seemed like a useless side item and more of a garnish. The tuna orderer felt his meal--$13 with a drink--was a total rip off. The burger was quite large and looked pretty tasty. The fries were plentiful and tasted good while they were hot only.

The waitress came back several times for drink refills and with boxes but again the service was a little weird. It seemed like they didn't really do refills often or that it was sort of a hassle to leave the kitchen. I also felt like the paper menus didn't match the decor with those huge tables. I expected real menus or at least a couple of laminated ones or something on the wall. All in all, I would say the food wasn't memorable but I would consider going back to try the breakfast. There were a lot of people there and the restaurant has been around for some time so maybe I just ordered the wrong thing. The burger seemed to be the best thing at the place--although a little pricey.





Patrick's Cafe
6720 San Fernando Rd
Glendale, CA 91201
Map

The Habit

The Habit is another one of those local California chains that might be a little tiny bit more chainy than my average review, but hey, it started out as just one restaurant in Santa Barbara with quality 24 cent hamburgers...and it only has chains in California. Well, think what you must. I admit, I'm touching on this chain mostly because it feels more like a local joint.

The Habit in Glendale is in a mall area with several other fast food style restaurants and corner stores like Ralph's, Ross, Michael's and Staples. It has a corner spot right on the main drag so it is easy to see from the road. Since this is a shopping center, there is plenty of parking--as long as you don't mind a little walking.

We arrived on Sunday around 1pm and it was pretty crowded inside the restaurant. After walking in, however, we realized it was a lot larger restaurant than it looked from outside. At this restaurant, you order at the counter, sit, and wait for the staff to call your number and then go pick up your food.

The menu is small but concentrated. There are basic charbroiled burgers, a couple of simple sandwiches--tri-tip, chicken club, albacore tuna, a couple of salads, fries and onion rings, and a few shakes and malts. The prices are pretty good, a bare-bones burger runs you about $3.00 which is not unlike something you'd get at other fast food burger joints.

I ordered the charbroiled burger with everything and cheese (it costs extra for cheese) and a chocolate malt. The burger comes with lettuce, tomato, mayo, pickles, and caramelized onions. The malt was only $3, but I felt there was a lot of whipped cream that I didn't really need. It was made with real ice cream and powdered malt and the powder stood out a little too much. The malt wasn't exactly drinkable at first and I wished I had gotten a glass of water to go along. The burger was delicious. It sounds pretty normal from the description, but something was different. I think there was some kind of seasoning mixed with the meat. I added swiss cheese to my burger and it melted in perfectly. But, I think that defined the burger and made it different was the caramelized onions. I think this burger rivals California's most famous burger joint, In & Out.

Everyone else in my party ordered a burger as well with the addition of fries. The fries were crispy, golden, and freshly made.

The speed in which our order was ready, and the friendliness of the staff really helped this restaurant stand out from other fast food establishments. The manager was actively involved in handing out each meal to each customer. While we were there I saw the bathroom being cleaned (even though it was in the middle of the busiest lunch hour), the ketchup being replaced, and the counters being wiped down. One lady even offered to take our trays to the trash for us. The restaurant was very clean and very comfortable. The Habit is a place I can see myself going to again, I might even make a habit of it.





The Habit
249-F North Glendale Ave.
Glendale, CA 91206
Map

Spitz

While I was studying abroad during college, I fell in love with the street-stand food Doner Kebabs. These tasty treats are similar to gyros except on bread and with more vegetables and a tiny bit spicier.Doner Kebabs are of Turkish decent but are a popular late-night or fast food for many Europeans, much like hot dogs or pretzels in NYC.

Some Occidental college students shared my love for Doner Kebabs on their study abroad visits and decide to open a restaurant devoted to sharing this treat with their fellow Angelinos.

Spitz is located just a hop, skip and a jump from Oxy and a perfect stop for starving students. But, if you aren't a student, you'll still fit in with the crowd. And crowd there is! I went around 2:30 on a Friday afternoon and was among 4-5 groups sprinkled across the patio.


The menu is small, but varied including salads and kebabs with a couple of sides and vegetarian options as well as gelato. I checked the menu online before going in and knew I wanted the classic to recreate that same street food I fell in love with.


The restaurant is small and hidden behind the Sizzler so keep your eyes peeled. It can be more described as a take out shack than a restaurant. There are 10-12 tables on the patio and none inside. If you are eating there, get the meal that comes with a side and a drink.


The classic is doner meat, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, Tzazhiki sauce and chili sauce stuffed into a grilled focaccia bread. Getting the bread right is probably the hardest part. The focaccia works well but it isn't as soft as the kind they had in Europe. I also sometimes got my Doner in Germany on some kind of pita-like flatbread that was thicker than a pita. They have another wrap bread option, but if you want a real classic use the bread.


The taste brought back a rush of memories from my travels. They nailed the filling on the head and the flavor was spectacular. Mine came with some pita chips. These aren't your average pita chip either. They are regular pitas, cut into strips and lightly fried so that they are mostly soft with a little crunch on the edges. They are seasoned with something that makes them extra delicious and come with hummus for dipping.

I suppose a doner isn't that different from a gyro, but it is still worth a try if you are in the area or you want to remember your travels in Europe.






Spitz
2505 Colorado Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90041
Map