March 31, 2008

Monday Madness - Eating Lemon Grove, part 3

Travel the Globe in Lemon Grove

The story of food is the story of culture. In humble Lemon Grove you can taste American, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, Japanese and even that strange vegetarian culture. It’s been a couple weeks since our last outing and I know that you’re hungry so let’s return to our explorations.

We finished all the restaurants at Lemon Grove Plaza, home of Albertson’s supermarket. We’ll cross Broadway and then Massachusetts moving East.

• Jack in the Box is one of two in town. I like the Breakfast Jack- cheap, fast and packed with protein. No playground, few children. Good spot for a quick bite.
• Everyone knows Subway for a relatively healthy sandwich.
• El Pollo Grill had grilled chicken long before KFC and it’s delicioso.
• Fruit Palace Express - amazing variety of fruit salad, smoothies, fruit cocktail, sandwiches, snacks & juice.

• At the Smart & Final center are two restaurants. First China Express has a marvelous variety on its affordable menu.
• Sabor is a popular Mexican restaurant in this busy center.
  
• Across the corner is Lido’s Italian restaurant; a hit with families and the local businesspeople.

• Christies Donuts is no more, soon to be resurrected in a new complex at the same location that includes affordable housing.
• It’s a long, hungry walk from Christies to Cotijas. Cotijas is a very old favorite in Lemon Grove at a new location near the GTM store.
• The Grinder is another old standby around the corner from Cotijas on Olive St. Next weekend they are having a special BBQ with homemade sauce and more.
• Finally we’ve made it to the Trolley tracks and the Grove Pastry shop where we’ll find the tastiest desserts. While there we will note the lovely murals on the south wall depicting Lemon Grove history.
  

There’s more history just south of Broadway on Olive St. City hall, the sheriff’s station and two historic buildings, now museums compliments of the Lemon Grove Historical Society. I hope you enjoyed our tour and actually found time to visit and see for yourself. There are lots more restaurants in weeks ahead and we’ll talk about the homes and homeowners who support all these restaurants and historic places.

see also:
Monday Madness - Eating Lemon Grove, part 1
Monday Madness - Eating Lemon Grove, part 2

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