It's been about three years since we've updated our Friday night rotation...a couple of things have changed since then. Bellasera is no longer on our rotation and, since I retired and have more time, we go to the gym earlier and are no longer wedded to Monrovia on Friday nights. The updated story is below.
Tim goes to a local gym a couple of times a week for therapeutic exercise where a personal trainer puts him through his paces to keep his strength and flexibility up.
Since we generally have to be there, too, Letty and I also have a regular gym membership so we work out while Tim gets his therapy.
The gym is located in the downtown area of Monrovia, California where there are several good restaurants withing walking distance. After our Friday
Over the years, we've worked out a regular schedule of restaurants we go to for our after workout dinner. Right now, we're going to three restaurants regularly that we've found to be generally reliable. It's a different restaurant each Friday night, we call this our Friday Rotation, but sometimes since it's early, we'll leave Monrovia and go out somewhere else like the food trucks at our local microbreweries or even take the Gold Line into Pasadena to get dinner there.
Still, we do eat pretty regularly here in Monrovia. The three of the restaurants are on the corner of Myrtle and Colorado Boulevard.
Going clockwise...
T. Phillips Ale House sits on the southwest corner of Myrtle and Colorado. The main draw here? 72 taps of ice cold beer. The food is not bad, some entrees better than others.
When they first opened here (this was the third location after La Verne - now closed - and Glendora), prices were a bit precious. A few items, such as their excellent chicken pot pie and prime rib sandwich, were not too bad but other dinner entrees were pretty expensive.
T. Phillips got the message and has introduced a plethora of lower priced items such as deli sandwiches, black and bleu tacos, and some great happy hour apps like wings and nachos.
Happy hour is 3-6, Monday through Friday, where it's two dollars off beers and several apps are five dollars.
If we stick to the happy hour menu, we get out for less than $40. If not, it's more like $60. T. Phillips is also a regular customer of Living Social so I can count on buying at least four vouchers during the year that will take another $10-15 or so off of the bill.
Next up is a Monrovia landmark. It's even named after the city. Here for 39 years is the Monrovian, owned by the beautiful and Greek Sia Soris. Yes, it's basically a Greek diner in its bones but Sia has made the atmosphere welcoming and comfortable. She's constantly trying to upgrade the menu...which also raises the prices occasionally...and, while they do everything competently, some items are truly outstanding. If you know what to order.
I have yet to find a better chicken fried steak anywhere. Available in either the breakfast version or dinner version, this tasty, gravy covered, tenderized steak is heavenly.
Tim just loves their beefeater sandwich and Letty goes back and forth between the salmon and the dinner salads.
Friday night prime rib special is pretty special and also comes with dessert thrown in.
Our last dinner bill was $41, including tip.
Rudy Castrellon is a true legend here in Monrovia. Coming here as an immigrant as a teenager, he started as a dishwasher at a local Acapulco restaurant. Saving up, he eventually opened up a small lunch counter on the corner.
With good food came more success and, as his neighbor businesses folded, Rudy expanded into their former spaces into the 200 seat restaurant and cantina that has made him a millionaire several times over.
Oh yeah, Rudy also became a citizen and is very active in city commissions and setting business policy in this city.
There was even a documentary made about him called 'Rutilio,' but I like to say I gave him his big break when I got him to star in our video, 'Southern California's Top Three Margaritas.'
Rudy is a good friend now. Come in here a few times and you will also be able to say that. Rudy makes it a point to visit with every customer in his place before they leave.
Of course, we have to start off with one of the top three margaritas around. Beyond that, I'm a big fan of their tripas tacos (cow intestines, only served Friday nights), one of the best cheap rib eye steak dinners you'll find in the area, chile rellenos, and enchiladas.
Letty likes the lengua (tongue) and cocido (soup). Tim thrives on their cheese enchiladas and bean 'n cheese burritos.
Total bill will be around $40, $50 or so with margaritas.
Just like any other team, we've had vacancies and promotions on our rotation...the late and greatly lamented Frank and Joe's, the local Thai restaurant that went downhill, the Pho place where the service got too bad...but this group of four are our current dependables.
Darryl
Copyright 2015 - Darryl Musick
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