ahab's Profile
Reading Terminal Breakfast
DiNic's sells roast pork sandwiches pretty early. Hard to pass up anytime. I've had them for breakfast and was never alone.
Good Food, BYO in Lancaster?
I really like El Maizal (Colombian). I've never done BYO there, but I don't see why you couldn't. I'd call to check. You can have a relaxed meal there and it's more of an everyday restaurant than Maison.
La Costena (Peruvian) and Rice & Noodles (Vietnamese) are great as well. Rice & Noodles can get very busy at times and may not be the place for a leisurely meal.
El Maizal Art Restaurant
306 North Mulberry Street
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 517-9709
La Costena
315 W King St
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 397-1996
Good Food, BYO in Lancaster?
If my one experience at Maison was representative, it may be the best restaurant in Lancaster BYO or otherwise. Can't wait to go back. Hands down the best meal I've had since moving to the area.
Looking for Locally-owned, Unique Grocery in/around Lancaster
Hoover's Farm Market is just outside of Lititz and worth checking out. Good selection of fruits and vegetables, many homegrown or local. Some other local items as well. www.hooversfarm.com
Close to Hoover's in location, if not selection, is Reiff's. Drive over from Hoover's and at minimum you'll get to enjoy a covered bridge.
Redondo Beach or nearish next week
Just to be clear, El Burrito Jr. also serves soft tacos. Corn tortillas.
I've never had the hard shell tacos, so I can't comment on them.
(Much) More on Martin's Pretzels in response to CHOWtour 8 & 9
I was a little hasty with that post, and I should qualify my opinion about the New York bakery. From the limited experience I've had with the NY pretzels, I found them to fall a bit short of those baked in Akron. They're still far better than any other brand.
Here's what has been said before about the difference.
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/206633?user_name=&query=martin%27s+pretzels
Link to the CHOWtour message board
It might be useful to have a link to the CHOWtour message board from:
- The bottom of the main page
- Each of Jim's reports from the road
(Much) More on Martin's Pretzels in response to CHOWtour 8 & 9
After seeing Jim Leff write about the "heart-breakingly beautiful brownness variation among bags of Martin's pretzels" in CHOWTour Dispatch #8 and his overall adventures in PA Dutch Country in CHOWTour Dispatch #9, I began to daydream about the Martin Pretzel bakery in Akron, PA.
To all interested, if you're ever in Lancaster County, you could stop by their unbelievably small bakery on Diamond Street in Akron (go in through the back screendoor) where you can buy the pretzels right out of the oven at any variation of browness or saltiness you choose.
If they're making a batch (they usually are), and if you ask, they'll almost certainly sell you "soft pretzels." Which means that they'll reach in by hand to pull them off the conveyor belt early. It's really a soft/hard pretzel hybrid. And it's so good that my words would fall short in describing it.
If you enjoy Martin's pretzels, this will be a Double-edged Sword proposition, however. You'll never enjoy a bag purchased from the store in quite the same way.
Even the fully cooked pretzels purchased from the bakery are better fresh than store-bought. I notice a significant difference in texture and taste even a day after they've been baked.
Still, even bought off the self, Martin's pretzels are better than any other, IMO. Especially the Akron version. The New York bakery's fall short.
If you do go to the factory, you should know that it is a very conservative Mennonite operation. They are kind and happy to serve you face-to-face, even answer questions. It makes things better all around if the same humble courtesy is returned to them.
Good luck.
Redondo Beach or nearish next week
There is nothing extraordinary within walking distance from where you are staying. Mostly a line of chain restaurants along the water.
I love the recommendations above--Santouka (great ramen in a busy foodcourt), Kotohira (great udon, more relaxed)--but these are a long cab ride away, at least $20 each way. Probably $30+. Could you rent a car? They're cheap in LA.
I would avoid the Lobsterfest. Too expensive for what you get. If you want seafood, walk to the Redondo pier to Quality Seafood, down on the lower level, by the marina. Not much to look at, but a good selection of oysters (raw) and other seafood (that they will steam for you). Don't let them fry anything.
Other decent places within walking distance (even if a longish walk):
- Sushi Sei in Hermosa, on the main street, good sushi, worth a look if you are coming from somewhere that lacks decent sushi
- Good Stuff in Hermosa (for breakfast) along the Strand
- Chaba Thai on PCH: the only Americanized Thai food that I've ever enjoyed, especially Tom Kha soup and Lamb Shank Musman Stew. Really good and I love the authentic stuff
- El Burrito Jr. on PCH: Tacos, enchiladas, burritos etc. Decent carnitas. A walk-up place.
All of these are places that I love to have in my neighborhood, but they are not life-changing food experiences.
The best bet, if you want some adventure, and something better, is to get in that cab and head to Torrance where you can find some exceptional Japanese. Search for others in addition to those above. I love Musha too. It's a lot of fun.
And to comment on your first thought, I would say that fish tacos are not considered a specialty here. And I haven't heard of carne asada fries.
