Deep in the heart of the "other" valley, the San Gabriel Valley, sits a local favorite sandwich shop that makes mouths water just by hearing its name.  Gene's Grinders on Myrtle Avenue in Monrovia, Ca. is that shop.  I've been going there literally since I was a kid, and the freshness of the bread, the perfect proportions of meat to veggies and the lil' cup of heaven that is their freshly made lemonade are just as great as I remember.  I was in high school before I could finish a whole Roast Beef sandwich from the staple, but even now I save half for my next meal to keep the dream alive (sandwiches are just as good the next day).  As I write this, I can smell the fresh lettuce and tomato and the homemade bread they are famous for, (in my head).

All the cold sandwiches are phenomenal but my personal favorite is the Milanesa sandwich (which is steak pounded then breaded and lightly fried).  This sandwich is amazing.  It's the best of comfort food and healthy eats, if you like a lot of lettuce like I do.  It melts in your mouth and makes you wonder what magic was done to the cow that sacrificed itself for your meal.  Another favorite is the Pastrami.  It's made deli style and there's enough pastrami on the thing for 3 more sandwiches.  Juicy and delicious, it'll make you feel like a toddler trying to eat a Big Mac.  There's no way not to make a mess, oh but what a great mess it makes.  There's nothing on the menu that is not amazing, one bite and you'll be hooked too.  The only problem with Gene's Grinders is that there is only 1 and if you live in the city, it can be a looooong drive.  It's so worth it though.  I dare someone to try it and not fall in love. Check it out https://twitter.com/genesgrinders!!

The Abbey - Part 1

Ok, I have a feeling that I might be overcritical in this write up so I am planning to go back to see if another try reaps the same effect.  So, The Abbey on Saturday nights.  So dead.  Let me back up a bit.  The place looks great since the remodel and the music was fine but I'll take the old Abbey any day.  The posers were out in full force.  You could smell the midwest in the air, along with the stank of the aged, poorly trying to keep up with the Kardashians, the Joneses and anyone else from the idiot box.  Ok that was slightly harsh but someone needs to wake these people up.  I'm now torn.  On one hand I remember there being so many pretty people there that now, the place feels wrong.  But the one thing you can always count on are top tier Gogo dancers.  On Lock.  Beautiful, almost flawless girls and hot acrobatic guys.  I heart the gogos...  Anyway, I did notice some shy cuties though so losing a bit of their exclusivity and coming down on their drink prices might invite a chance meeting with a quality mate.

So another piece of the new Abbey I'm lovin, is the bartenders.  Not just because they're hot but because they do their job well.  They serve like 6 patrons with light conversation in the time the old bartenders tended to 1 with a half-ass conversation about their last audition.  Good move!  I guess age is forcing me to want less of the sweating-til-the-shirt-comes-off dance party so standing in that sweaty, hot box was not the ideal situation.  The gin and tonics I was storing in my belly didn't help enough to be over it after less than an hour. I moved on but I feel like maybe I was too quick in judging.  So I'll go back, go straight to the bar for a double, hightail it to my favorite gogo dancer of the hour and stick with it.  So stay tuned...

Crazy Rock'n Sushi

Ok, when I happened upon this little sushi spot tucked away in the middle of Hollywood shadowed by a big Best Buy and bigger Target, I didn't think I'd find what would become my favorite absolute sushi restaurant, so I thought nothing of it.  I joked with a friend that the pictures looked good but we both had concerns with seating at new sushi places so we ordered modestly.  The food trickled out of the kitchen quickly and we both soon learned how fresh the sushi was.  First was the sushi pieces; albacore, tuna, seared ahi, whitefish, and salmon.  They were excellent.  Next were the rolls.  I had the rainbow roll because that would let me know right off the bat whether to bother eating there again.  Fresh and amazing.  I almost didn't stick to my usual order of eating.  Yes I am one of those people who eats the best part last...  It was so great I knew I'd be ordering more.  I can't remember what my friend had as I was elbows deep in sushi heaven.  When another friend joined us, we ended up sharing a fried rice cake (deep fried rice topped with spicy tuna, avocado and special glaze - yummy) and some other rolls.  After the last bite we quickly realized that not only did we be have more than a snack, but we were going to orded twice as much food as we had planned.   An hour, several sakes, 1 more friend, 3 full bellies and $100 later, we walked out smiling and in no mood to traipse around Target.  That was the most/best money I've ever spent on sushi, getting exactly what I paid for and then some.  3 hours later I was still full and content shattering the sushi myth.  Nowadays, they have lunch specials, happy hour (which is almost all day), and a larger menu.  Who says you can't make a good thing better?  I still love to go and sit at the bar and order any one of my many favorites thinking that I may have never found this gem if I hadn't stopped in that day for a "snack."  If you're looking for inexpensive, fresh sushi in a cool low-key place, drop in Crazy Rock'n' Sushi and don't let the cheesy name keep you from some excellent sushi and service!

Jons Market

When you think of grocery stores you think of the big 5.  In L.A. County you can run into the local chain that is Jons.  The logo looks (not so) slightly looks like that of another major chain, but that's neither here nor there... Having shopped at the closest store branch to my home in East Hollywood, I feel like I've found a gem nestled in the griminess that Hollywood can sometimes be.  Most people who know me would call me persnickety (to my face) and at first glance I will admit to being not-so excited about this being the closest store to me... But the more I went in, the more comfortable I got with the friendly staff and the store itself.  They have weekly sales that are out of this world and the selection of international alcohol is a 21 year old's wet dream.  All in all I would rate Jons a solid 7.5.  They aren't the greatest when it comes to checking out.  And though I am young and fast moving, the store's patrons seem to be on the more "have you seen my walker" side of life.

And okay, I still have yet to buy from their meat department.  But... baby steps.  I'm still the mayor for the store on Foursquare.  In the mean time, I'll keep going back for the great vodka sales (sometimes under $10 for a good bottle) and limes .18 for 2 lbs.  Because what's a vodka tonic without the twist...

Jons http://www.jonsmarketplace.com