660409 Sat Oct 17 22:07:31 -0700 2009 49 2 Los Angeles Area 0 5111558 I formed a Food Club a few years ago at the high school where I teach. I got tired of watching kids eat Flaming Hot Cheetos all day. We try alternatives that are fairly cheap, fairly healthy and very delicious. With parents as drivers, I can take up to 25 diners out on a school-day afternoon or a weekend morning. We're in the Montebello/Monterey Park area. Two weeks ago, we went for Thai food in Thai Town, followed by Scoops for ice cream. We plan to go for dim sum soon and we'll hit the Hollywood Farmer's Market for a boys against girls shopping/cooking contest. Can you Chowhounds suggest other places we might try? It needs to be fairly cheap. but we're tasting, not grubbing, so the cost is shared. We avoid chains and look for variety, flavor and healthy food (fairly healthy- if all the kitchen has is a deep-fryer, I'd prefer to avoid that spot.) Sat Oct 17 22:07:31 -0700 2009 112862 flowerofhighrank 1 5111571 Might want to try Banh Mi Che Cali, to have Vietnamese sandwiches. They got a special buy two get one free...so you get 3 sandwiches for around $5. Yum Cha Cafe to sample different dim sum starting at 99 cents/order. Inexpensive way to "taste" different dim sum. Either the Monterey Park or San Gabriel location could accomodate 25. Talk to the manager and they'll probably throw in the 25 cent hot tea. Sat Oct 17 22:26:13 -0700 2009 5111558 11914 monku 1 5111646 How about Wahib's in Alhambra? Banh Mi Che Cali is a very good suggestion too, and so cheap ($2.25-2.50 each, buy two get one free sandwich; che (pudding) $1.50 each, buy two get one free). Moles La Tia in East LA for insanely good Oaxacan sauces; Tacos Baja Ensenada (even though fried) for fish tacos and cocteles; for dessert try a Taiwanese slush at Shau May in the Garfield/Lincoln centre. Get takeout sandwiches and pastries from Claro's in SG/Rosemead. Sun Oct 18 00:29:54 -0700 2009 5111558 10811 Das Ubergeek 2 5112055 Moles La Tia is GREAT, just might be a little more than they want to spend but check out the website and you decide. http://www.moleslatia.com/ I think the sandwiches and pasteries are better at Eagle Rock Italian Bakery and if you go on saturday around 11AM you can buy some of the foccacio/tomato bread. Shakas in Alhambra for some Hawaiian food, especially if you are sharing get some kahlua pork, bacon fried rice, spam masubi and many things topped off with some shaved ice. What a great thing you are doing, BRAVO! Sun Oct 18 09:00:46 -0700 2009 5111646 11279 Burger Boy 2 5115020 I second Wahib's inAlhambra. Very tasty not just kebabbs Middle Eastern food. They also can accomendate a large gropu and their prices are resaonble. If you want to make a picnic of it Pick up some sandwiches at Nicole's Gourmet Food in South Pasadena. It's rare in this area to find such good French food at such reasonable prices. There is Brits Pub & Eatery if you want good British food.. There always Swedish food at Ikea ;-) Let me think some more. Mon Oct 19 13:20:05 -0700 2009 5111646 183791 SeaCook 3 5115881 Sahags Basturma on Sunset, basturma and soujook sandwhiches. Mon Oct 19 18:32:48 -0700 2009 5115020 11279 Burger Boy 1 5112036 Banh Mi Che Cali is a great suggestion, but just to forewarn the OP - you should go early (if on the weekends) if you're going with a group of up to 25. In fact, this is probably true for so many of these eateries. Aside from the dim sum palaces, accommodating a large group can be tough. They have (I think) three locations in the SGV - I think the oldest is the one in Alhambra. Their sandwiches are good, but don't pass on the other things they offer there. You'll see lots of prepared foods in plastic-wrapped styrofoam trays next to and around the cash registers. Goi cuon (spring rolls), bun cha (rice noodle salad), banh cuon (rice flour "pancakes" or rolls stuffed with meat) and a few other goodies are really convenient, yummy, and inexpensive. They're a little light on the herbs that are otherwise so abundant at sit-down places, but it's a small compromise. Banh Mi Che Cali gets really crowded starting at lunch time. Shoehorning a large group in their will be nearly impossible. I didn't notice their hours, but I think they open pretty early. You can also consider ordering to go and having your food experience at a park or some other location of your choice. Going after school might work as well if you are hoping to eat there. To continue the introduction into Vietnamese cuisine, you might also consider a trip to Van's Bakery, also on Valley. Okay, so it's not a super healthy example of eating, but part of eating well is understanding moderation, right? :) While Van's may appear to be a somewhat conventional bakery from the outside, I've found most of the offerings inside are quite different. Some cakes and other desserts may appear to be familiar, but flavors like pandan, coconut milk and taro are pretty standard. Also, a fair amount of their items seem more at home in a deli than a typical bakery. Beef and pork jerky in flavors like curry and lemongrass; pork rolls with garlic and chile; turnovers stuffed with curry beef or roast pork. And Van's does offer a whole line of banh mi as well - with the same buy two, get one free offer. Hats off to you - I wish I had the great fortune of experiencing a dynamic teacher with a great idea like this in high school. Sun Oct 18 08:50:06 -0700 2009 5111558 64003 bulavinaka 2 5112146 OP here. Thanks for the ideas! Yes, we usually let the owner know we're coming in advance. I let the kids make the arrangements. Can anybody think of available European places? Or Greek? We've been overwhelmingly Asian in our focus for the last few years and I'd like to mix it up a little. A few years ago, the Silverlake Cheese Shop gave us a cheese class. It was great, but they don't seem to be interested in doing it again. Is there a cheese place you could recommend? Sun Oct 18 09:40:57 -0700 2009 5112036 112862 flowerofhighrank 3 5112285 Papa Christos C&K Importing same place Normandie & Pico they have a thursday night all you can eat or you can order stuff alla carte all the time. Great place. Sun Oct 18 10:57:01 -0700 2009 5112146 11279 Burger Boy 4 5112484 I second Papa Cristos and don't forget Langer's pastrami. http://www.papacristos.com/ Sun Oct 18 12:16:47 -0700 2009 5112285 234367 wienermobile 3 5112316 The first places that come to mind outside of the Chinese and Vietnamese eateries have to do with pizza. Petrillo's in San Gabriel, Bolini's in Monterey Park, and Zelo in Arcadia. I haven't eaten at any of these as I'm from out of the SGV area and am drawn to the Chinese and Vietnamese food (for now) but these three places pop up a lot on this board as being very good. I know that pizza may not be what you had in mind when it comes to European, but they are considered to be some of the best in the LA area. A totally different pedigree from Domino's or Pizza Hut. Papa Cristo's on Pico and Normandie is probably the standout Greek eatery for many outside of Chowhound - pretty much an LA institution. I say this because while it's very popular for a lot of reasons, many hounds seem to consider this place to be just okay food-wise. But the prices are very reasonable, the portions are generous, and it's an interesting place. Basically a specialty store, deli, and restaurant all under one roof, I think there's an import distribution business in back as well. http://www.papacristos.com/ Sun Oct 18 11:09:14 -0700 2009 5112146 64003 bulavinaka 4 5112522 Bollini's makes a style of pizza that's not commonly found, so i's a good way to introduce the kids to Neapolitan style pizza. It's small shop, tho, and 25 people would overrun the place. As long as you don't mind taking the food and eating in the parking lot, it'll work. Sun Oct 18 12:31:51 -0700 2009 5112316 10023 Professor Salt 4 5112911 I think the OP is looking for "alternatives that are fairly cheap, fairly healthy and very delicious" ...to me there's too much pizza being fed to kids. There's pizza everywhere they go...birthday parties, sports functions, school functions, lunch, dinner....you name it even I get sick of seeing pizza sometimes. Yes, there is good pizza and there is bad pizza...but sometimes a pizza is just a pizza. Sun Oct 18 15:52:36 -0700 2009 5112316 11914 monku 5 5113605 I agree that there's too much pizza fed to kids - really bad pizza. But to me, sometimes pizza is not just a pizza, whether it's good or bad. And that's where we totally disagree. If a Neapolitan-style pizza is sometimes like any other pizza, then we're in trouble on this board. And to let these kids know that pizzas of this pedigree or those that strive for a different style yet similar level of quality are what they should be shooting for, then maybe they will let go of the bad stuff and appreciate the good. Sun Oct 18 23:00:33 -0700 2009 5112911 64003 bulavinaka 6 5121978 Bollini's was the first place that came to my mind when reading the OP. The request for cheap, healthy and very delicious is part of the focus but we are talking high school kids also. PIZZA! Professor Salt is right about Bollini's being a good way to introduce the kids to Neapolitan style pizza, which is pizza without a crust as we know a crust to be -- ultra thin. Also, when I think of Bollini's I think of the best salads offered in the SGV at a reasonable price. Two can share a salad and pizza and there will be some pizza left over. The prices are reasonable. See the menu on the link below. Also, after Bollini's you can walk to Shaka's for some real shave ice. Petrillo's is another great pick for pizza but to keep it healthy you must request thin crust. Petrillo's regular crust is thicker than most and that may tip the scale, so to speak, on the being healthy issue. The price of Petrillo's pizza is higher than most but so is the amount of cheese. Bollini's -- Neapolitan style pizza and great salads http://www.bollinispizzeria.com/ Shaka's -- two locations in the SGV, great island food served island style -- big plate lunch http://shakas.com/ Thu Oct 22 02:05:05 -0700 2009 5113605 90917 JeetJet 7 5123817 Yes, but the Shaka in Alhambra is the only one that has the fried rice. that is really a great version of Hawaiian fried rice, my favorite! Thu Oct 22 16:47:17 -0700 2009 5121978 11279 Burger Boy 8 5124484 Howzit Brudda Burger Boy. Bacon Fried Rice -- oh man dat stuff is so good. Da way they serve it, it looks like maybe they go and turn a whole pot full upside down onto your plate. Ho, dat mo den dis boy need. Yum yum! Now dat plate lunch is cheap, healthy and very delicious island style. It mus be healthy cuz wen I eat it makes me BIG and strong. Sticky rice, bacon, egg, onion, soy sauce -- island food rules! Shaka, latez. Thu Oct 22 22:57:28 -0700 2009 5123817 90917 JeetJet 9 5124538 It is only second best though. I used to work at a place in Mammoth and the owners were Hawaiian, Japanese, Philipino and Mexican. The dad made the bomb as fried rice, alas the dad and the restaurant Matsu are no longer with us. Fri Oct 23 00:17:29 -0700 2009 5124484 11279 Burger Boy 5 5121957 completely agree with you, monku. Thu Oct 22 00:46:13 -0700 2009 5112911 11935 westsidegal 5 5128401 A little compare & contrast here: Here's a car - Italian in name; maybe not so Italian in pedigree: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:%2777_Plymouth_Volare_Sedan_(Orange_Julep).JPG Here's another car - definitely with Italian pedigree: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ferrari_P45_front_right.jpg A car is not a car... A familiar face that some may consider to be Italian: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chef_Boyardee And someone, maybe not as familiar, but definitely knows Italian cuisine: http://www.lidiasitaly.com/ A chef is not a chef... Pizza delivered to your door, a kid's party, etc.: http://www.flickr.com/photos/slice/488417840/ A version from Antica Pizzeria - might this be a fair representation of a healthy pizza? http://www.flickr.com/photos/la_addict/3472809068/ Too me, if using some discretion, a pizza is not just a pizza. Sat Oct 24 18:17:20 -0700 2009 5112911 64003 bulavinaka 6 5128737 Well argued counsel. The point about using discretion, when ordering pizza is well taken. Bollini's offers "The Cal Twist" (Sauce, basil pesto, shrimp, sun dried tomato, roasted peppers, mozzarella, herbs and parmesan) and that is a creation that will not soon be forgot. On-the-other-hand, I would also never forget having a Domino’s deep dish delivered to my door by Chef Boyardee driving a Plymouth Volare. Pizza rules! Sat Oct 24 21:26:00 -0700 2009 5128401 90917 JeetJet 6 5128784 whatever the difference is between cars, a car is not a plane. for kids who have had no experience in planes, taking them on another car ride in a fancier car doesn't adequately expand their horizons. a bathtub is not an ocean. to kids who have never seen nor gone swimming in the ocean, it simply doesn't suffice to let them take a bath in another bathtub. even if the bathtub is carved out of marble, it is not a sufficiently different experience. even if the bathtub is a hot tub, it is not the same as the ocean. most kids these days have had meals of pizza and hamburgers fed to them relentlessly. this school culinary group may be their only/first time leaving that very very small area. Sat Oct 24 22:12:42 -0700 2009 5128401 11935 westsidegal 7 5128837 I'm all for loftier goals. But I don't see a problem with taking something familiar and so common, then using it as an example to point out that there are far more virtuous examples with some serious thought an history as well. And if a Ferrari P45 is considered just "fancier" than a Plymouth Volare, then one seriously needs to look at the engineering, the pride and the passion that goes into designing one. Even taking your example of taking a bath in any type of bath tub is not the point. It's how one takes a bath. Is it simply to bathe, or is it a ritual form of therapy? IMHO, expanding their horizons is only one of the goals. Without a good depth of knowledge, I consider that a weak foundation. Sat Oct 24 23:09:35 -0700 2009 5128784 64003 bulavinaka 8 5130746 Yeah bulavinaka, you right-on again. Jus cuz da the kidz have been eaten McD cheese burgers is not a reason to not giv’um a Tops Kobe Bistro Burger. In fact,, that is the reason to take’um to Tops. A half pounder of char-broiled American Kobe Beef, Smoked Mozzarella Cheese, Caramelized onions, Tomato and Greens, and Herb Mayonnaise on a Ciabatta roll All fo under $7 and nuff food fo two people. Da same is true wit grilled cheese. Jus cuz da kidz been havin American on white wit Campbell’s tomato soup is not a reason to not give then the real deal, but it is the reason fo to take’um to Tops fo a true grilled cheese sandwich made special sourdough, Swiss and smoked Mozzarella cheese and homemade tomato basil soup made jus a little on da sweat side. Dunk da edge of dat sandwich into dat soup and find da true meaning of “comfort food.” Under $7 fo dat soup and sandwich. After enjoying the flavors in this burger, grilled cheese, and tomato basil soup their burger and grilled cheese world will never be the same again and that is what culinary arts is about. The Original Tops, (Kobe bistro burger, pastrami, char-broiled asada or chicken totasda, Grilled cheese & Tomato Soup combo, fries, deep fried zucchini are all very good) 3838 E Colorado Blvd (Between Rosemead Blvd. And Michillinda) Pasadena, CA 91107-3940 (626) 449-4412 http://www.theoriginaltops.com/ Sun Oct 25 21:15:48 -0700 2009 5128837 90917 JeetJet 7 5140784 Hey Westside, I have been thinking about the idea that even if the tub is made from marble it still is not “a sufficiently different experience.” My love for Japanese architectural design, culture and food motivated me last year to remodel my master bath and I can say that on a cold night there is nothing more relaxing than laying back in a deep Japanese soaking tub filled with steaming water as you contemplate the stars that appear to move across the skylight from within a quiet dark room warmed with a soft glow from the light of a fireplace flickering through the shoji. The elements of water, fire, and a night sky create a sensory sanctuary. One thing that adds to the comforting experience of a traditional Japanese bath is freedom from hunger by enjoying a hot bowl of Foo-Foo Tei Ramen prior to getting your feet wet. Foo-Foo Tei Ramen House -- two locations 750 S Atlantic Blvd Monterey Park, CA 91755 (626) 588-2010 15018 Clark Ave Hacienda Heights, CA 91745 (626) 937-6585 Check out this review and pics. There is nothing warmer on a cold day than a good hot bowl of Ramen noodles and when it is filled with something like fried chicken wings with hardboiled eggs it is a clue that this is not just another lpasta unch of SpaghettiOs or Dinosaurs in Sauce. Foo-Foo Tei is special. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/569785#4150562 Just for fun, Note how the tub is shaped like a giant Ramen bowl and the sink is like a sushi platter. http://www.us.kohler.com/ideas/showcase/showcase.jsp?section=3&nsection=3&nsubsection=1&subsection=1&aid=1689 Shoji done right is not just another door – Hana Shoji.. http://www.hanashoji.com/ Thu Oct 29 12:00:38 -0700 2009 5128784 90917 JeetJet 8 5141227 i get your point. (p.s. i LOVED the picture of the tubs--makes me want to remodel my bathroom and have my peanut butter with melted chocolate while in the tub) but, i am not convinced that, in the case of most adolescents and teens in this society, depth of experience is just as needed as breadth of experience. if you can have both, that would be great. if you can only give these kids one of the two, i would select breadth. Thu Oct 29 14:40:41 -0700 2009 5140784 11935 westsidegal 8 5141267 Ah yes, but traditional Chinese medicine says that eating before you bathe makes you sick. (However, I'll have to check with my Taiwanese mother-in-law on the rules for simultaneously dining while bathing) Mr Taster Thu Oct 29 14:56:37 -0700 2009 5140784 17579 Mr Taster 1 5112360 Normally, this place would probably be way out of your preferred price range but you may want to place a call to Chef Berrelleza at Babita in San Gabriel and see if he would do something special for your class. I was there a couple of years ago with my brother, who is a young chef from out of state, and Roberto very kindly invited him to hang out in the kitchen on his next visit. This was during my first visit to Babita, so I was pleasantly surprised. Even if he can't do anything for you he might have some other interesting suggestions. And I agree with the other posters - I love what you are doing for the kids! Sun Oct 18 11:25:31 -0700 2009 5111558 17540 RoxyGrl 1 5112935 Try this itinerary. Head out to Arcadia and get a culinary tour of Taiwanese pub food, incl. some homemade sausages, at SinBaLa. Pork chop rice, eel rice, cold sesame noodles and the aforementioned sausages are all good bets. After having your fill of good pub food, save room for dessert and go to JJ Bakery in the adjacent strip mall and grab some (semi) healthy dessert options like mochi filled with fresh chopped fruit, rice pudding cake (it's got calcium), egg custard tarts (eggs are good for you) and red bean cakes (fiber and protein). SinBaLa 651 West Duarte Rd Arcadia (626) 446-0886 JJ Bakery 1130 South Baldwin Ave Arcadia (626) 836-6888 http://www.jjbakeryusa.com/ Sun Oct 18 16:07:30 -0700 2009 5111558 11583 ipsedixit 2 5117540 Wow, great suggestions re: Sinbala... I think high school kids could really get into the "eww gross, let me try" factor of peanut butter and sausages, etc. However, I don't think JJ will go over too well... non-Chinese kids aren't used to the lightly flavored/mildly sweet Chinese cakes. I think Van's Bakery would suit the bill better... it's cheap and there's a greater "wow" factor with all those giant cakes in the front window. Mr Taster Tue Oct 20 11:25:12 -0700 2009 5112935 17579 Mr Taster 1 5112952 How about a tour of "Home Girl Cafe" in downtown LA. I'm sure they would be glad to accomodate your group. Their menu is centered around healthy and fresh foods and maybe besides a culinary tour maybe an experience to meet at risk youth working to change their lives. There's also a small farmers market in Chinatown on Thursday afternoons on Hill Street. http://www.homeboy-industries.org/homegirl-cafe.php http://www.homeboy-industries.org/index.php Sun Oct 18 16:16:56 -0700 2009 5111558 11914 monku 1 5113118 Grand Central Market downtown, (though it's a mere shadow of its heyday); the Mercado La Paloma down by USC, for Yucatecan, Oaxacan, and Peruvian; C&K for Greek Sun Oct 18 17:59:36 -0700 2009 5111558 11398 silverlakebodhisattva 1 5114247 You said you're looking for European food, so maybe call Red Lion Tavern in Atwater Village and see if they'll do a tasting for you (off hours would be easiest). German-American food isn't exactly health food (as James Lileks said, "ach, du lieber HDL, HDL, HDL. Ach, du lieber HDL, sodden mit fat") but it is quite tasty. There is also Polka off the 2 in Glassell Park, for Polish food, or you could call up Bistro Provence in Burbank and see if they'll do a little tasting for you. Most places, if you go at odd hours, would be happy to work with you. Also, go look at Noah Galuten's blog, Man Bites World (http://manbitesworld.com/) -- he spent a long time eating the foods of different countries. He's on here (as "noahbites") so you might want to try contacting him. Mon Oct 19 09:01:55 -0700 2009 5111558 10811 Das Ubergeek 2 5114961 I was going to suggest manbitesworld as well as a great resource. I know you said you were looking foods other than Asian, but you might find some good ideas that would work for a large group on the China day post: http://manbitesworld.com/articles/86/day-73-china I think there were close to 20 of us for a number of the stops that day. Mon Oct 19 13:01:12 -0700 2009 5114247 12268 mollyomormon 2 5116027 I'll bet Lileks would also say: "Hey, kids, who wants Schweinehaxen mit Sauerkraut? C'mon, it's just pig's feet! Raise those hands, please. OK, who wants pepperoni pizza? Well, I see we have a winner!" Just kidding, Ubergeek. I think your suggestion of contacting Man Bites World is excellent. Mon Oct 19 19:32:26 -0700 2009 5114247 281830 Harry Nile 2 5116083 Hey, thanks for the kind words, guys. Obviously, Euro food is a much tougher find out there than really good Asian. I think Polka and Red Lion are really good ideas. It's also tough, in general, to find inexpensive and healthy European food, since it tends to veer further in the peasant direction and get pretty heavy/starchy. It's another Asian option, and I'm sure you've done some varietal of pho, but Pho Minh in South El Monte is great, and pretty nearby. My best suggestion, though, would be to take them to TiGeorge's. It's not exactly in the area you're looking for, but it's a very straight shot off the freeway. I also think the food (Haitian) is really different, but accessible, can be eaten family style (which helps keep costs down) and most of all, I think TiGeorge is probably the best person you could possibly find for an educational food setting. Few things, I think, would bring him more pleasure than to have a large group of kids to talk with about his passion for Haitian food. In fact, I'd bet that by the end of the meal, he'll try to coordinate a field trip to Haiti. Mon Oct 19 19:58:00 -0700 2009 5114247 212178 noahbites 3 5116096 Here are the links. Mon Oct 19 20:04:03 -0700 2009 5116083 212178 noahbites 2 5117404 Drat...I was going to suggest Noah and the Man Bites World website. I will fourth the suggestion. Some great unique and inexpensive options, though I'm sure Noah would be the first to mention many of the places he visited were rather, ummm, cozy. Size of group would likely be far more of an issue than cost. Tue Oct 20 10:42:34 -0700 2009 5114247 1092152 JThur01 1 5117210 I just thought not European but European influenced. Lili's Cuban Buffett. It's in Pasadena on the Corner of Seirra Madre and Michellenda, where the Albertson's is. Really good Cuban food all you can eat a a very reasonable price. Tue Oct 20 09:44:40 -0700 2009 5111558 183791 SeaCook 1 5118767 flowerofhighrank: your students are very lucky to have such a "tasteful" teacher For something non-Asian in SGV, you may want to take them to Claro's Italian Market. They have all kinds of imported Italian wine and food products. They also serve nice deli sandwiches. http://store.claros.com/ Tue Oct 20 19:40:03 -0700 2009 5111558 15633 fdb 2 5121953 Just FYI: at today's meeting, the kids voted for either Wahib's or Papa Christo's for our next trip; dim sum will have to wait. It was very cute-I asked for volunteers for club officers, a freshman just raised her hand and I said, 'okay, you're vice-president'. She's very excited and HAS NO IDEA WHAT WE DO (I think she just wandered in with a friend after hearing the words 'food club'). Anyways, she's on Chowhound and Yelp now, trying to figure out what we do and why. I'm going to talk to Nicole's Gourmet about putting together a sampler of their best cheeses and meats and ?, anybody? If any Hounds know the owner of Nicole's and could wangle a discount for about twenty nice kids, it'd be awesome.... A Food Club t-shirt would not be out of question, either. Thu Oct 22 00:34:00 -0700 2009 5118767 112862 flowerofhighrank 3 5122807 How cool! Foodies and leadership in training! I have high school kids myself so I can totally relate. Just wondering what subject do you teach? Another idea to explore: food trucks! Thu Oct 22 10:43:09 -0700 2009 5121953 15633 fdb 3 5122858 I don't know Nicole personally but I do know she is very nice and helpful. She is always ready to give advice. Thrusdays (when the Farmers Market is on) & Saturdays she has a free cheese tastings. Though I think it would be unwise for 20 + kids showing up at that time. ;-) Just call and tell her what you would like to do and I am sure you can work out something. P.S. The S. Pasadena Farmers Market has good street food with various ethinic offerings. It might make a good choice for an event for your club. Thu Oct 22 10:57:29 -0700 2009 5121953 183791 SeaCook 1 5124583 I wish i had a food club when i was in high school... I think it's great what you're doing with the kids. They get to experience different cultures through food :) If you want something non-Asian that's cheap, what about Porto's in Glendale? you can grab a cuban sandwich and have dessert in the same place for a great price. For European food, it might be tough with the budget... but what about a crepe place for dessert? Sadly I think the best crepe place around SGV (Crepe VIne) closed earlier this year... I think there's only chain crepe stores left now. But any dessert crepe is yummy! I know Philippe's isn't the healthiest, but it's definitely a LA landmark with lots of history and they've got good pastrami! After Philippe's, you can walk around Chinatown. Shinsengumi opened their ramen restaurant about a year ago in Rosemead and it's probably the best ramen we've got around in SGV. it's cheap, fun, with a great atmosphere. the kids will get a kick from the chefs and waiters yelling "arigatou" the entire night. have fun! Fri Oct 23 01:25:46 -0700 2009 5111558 61402 javabean116 2 5124594 Sorry, java (and many others around the LA board), but I have to disagree about Porto's. As a former Miamian, I say that any of those kids who eat at this allegedly Cuban bakery and say, "This is crap, I don't care if it is cheap!" should be posted immediately to the CIA ( www.ciachef.edu ), because they have taste. In several visits to Porto's in the last couple of years, the food was either unpalatable or chintzy or both. Their tres leches cake is the only dry, lousy version of that decadently luscious dish I've ever had, and I ate at unmentionable places in hopeless moods in the weeks after Hurricane Andrew. Fri Oct 23 01:53:33 -0700 2009 5124583 281830 Harry Nile 3 5125262 Harry Have you been to Lili's Cuban Buffet in Pasadena? I think it's good from the perspective I am half Puerto Rican and Cuban food is similar to Puerto Rican food. Fri Oct 23 09:28:48 -0700 2009 5124594 183791 SeaCook 3 5125338 Hey Harry... I actually haven't been to Porto's for a while now since I work really far from there. maybe the quality has gone downhill. any other cuban bakeries you recommend? What about Merengue Bakery? I heard good things about that too. Fri Oct 23 09:51:00 -0700 2009 5124594 61402 javabean116 4 5125742 Java, I don't think Porto's has gone downhill, because others continue to like the place -- there seems to be a real difference of opinion about it. I don't have a decent recommendation to offer, but at some point I'll try yours as well as SeaCook's. I really miss those casual little restaurants in Miami with the walk-up outside counters where everyone drinks heavily sugared Cuban coffee, eats good pastries or toast made from long French loaves, and talks all kinds of politics. Great way to start any work day! Fri Oct 23 12:06:14 -0700 2009 5125338 281830 Harry Nile 2 5125381 Que? Philippe's doesn't serve pastrami sandwiches... just pork, beef, ham, lamb, and turkey french dips (and the odd tuna or cheese sandwich). Definitely no pastrami. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/AxPJlSxkCJVJk3sSTL_8OA?select=7bU6BmmSy-vqSID1IeyrwA Mr Taster Fri Oct 23 10:04:06 -0700 2009 5124583 17579 Mr Taster 3 5125467 My bad... thinking of beef dip and wrote pastrami- that's what happens when I'm half asleep and responding to posts. Fri Oct 23 10:37:45 -0700 2009 5125381 61402 javabean116