Sooner or later you'll be reminded with a stomach wallop. Fortunately I live in a city where I can say to myself: "Pull over at the next sign of food" and such a sign will show itself relatively quickly.
In this case it was a sandwich board (mmm, sandwich) at the roadside, saying something like "coffee, sandwiches, smoothies." I pulled into the parking lot of the mini-mall at 2982 E. Colorado Blvd. It didn't look promising. At the Coffee Barrel, an unassuming shop, I was the only customer. I wondered if that was because of the surroundings or the food. It was probably because of the hour (2:30).
They made me a triple-decker BLT which was fresh and good, and before I was finished eating (every last morsel of) it, the place had begun to fill up. Either that sandwich board was working or I'm the last person in town to know about the Coffee Barrel.
14 comments:
Nope, I'm the last person in town to learn about the Coffee Barrel. Sounds like you stumbled upon a yummy place. Oh, and that's a great photo.
A stomach wallop? What a great phrase, Petrea. Yes, I sometimes do get so preoccupied I forget to eat (and occasionally even forget to go home from work - sheesh).
Right now I could really do with some fresh juice. Yummy.
You did well there - you had the finest handcrafted sandwich in Pasadena (it says on their website). I know what you mean about it not being a very promising area, and when a shop's empty, it adds to the doubt. Glad you recommend it.
I don't know if it was the "finest handcrafted sandwich in Pasadena" but it was darned good. I wanted to try everything on the menu, especially the juices. And it's too bad I'd already surpassed my caffeine quota because I will have to go back for that.
It's not much on atmosphere. But atmosphere was low on my list.
Dive I don't believe I've ever forgotten to leave work. You must like your job, or at least what you do there.
I love the name, "The Coffee Barrel". I would try a place named that.
I once ate a bad scallop. Got a real stomach wallop. Went to the restroom at a gallup. Felt better after tea and toast with jam (just a dollop).
Hi Denise, the "barrels" inside are decoration--not real barrels. But they at least make the attempt.
Cliff, that's so delightful I'm not going to attempt to top it.
A finely crafted BLT ranks very high on my sandwich list and that list is quite lengthy.
Hmm, I'm wondering if that's next door to Fu-Shing. Fabulous lunch specials, try the orange chicken and it will be a dish you've never had before. I like getting the tea-smoked duck. Another great foodery to be hijacked by.
Desiree, wasn't some of your book, Human Cargo, set in this area?
The Coffee Barrel has been there for several years. I know the kids who own it, and yes, it is in the El Nido Plaza, same as Fu Shing.
Steven, I always know what to order if there's a BLT on the menu.
Thanks for clarifying, Tom. Our cable company used to have an office in El Nido Plaza. I wonder if there's been any loss of business with the Chevrolet dealership closing. There's a new dealership there now, but that was empty for quite a while.
Des, do tell, was some of "Human Cargo" set at El Nido Plaza as Bellis says? Regardless, thanks for your suggestion. I trust you in all things food, so I'll try Fu-Shing.
I also can get too preoccupied to eat, until I get a "stomach wallop" and/or a "hunger headache". The BLT sounds great!
Ms. M, I'm glad I'm not the only one. This never used to happen. In fact, food preoccupied me.
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