Why did I never stop before? Gah, I keep asking myself that. Anyway, on my way to Broguiere's to pick up some leche, tortillas y huevos the other day, I passed this place, as usual, and said to myself, "Banani, let's try that place for lunch today on your way back." So, I made my left on Maple to get my milk and on my way back crossed Beverly Blvd and right into a parking spot in front of the place.
I walk in and my first impression is that the place hasn't had anything new in it's dining area since it opened a few decades ago. Still, I was not deterred. (I've had some awesome food at places like this.) I approach the counter as I look over the menu. I order a 5-pc all white meat meal and a half-rack of ribs. The 5-pc chicken meal came with 2 large potato wedges and 2 dinner rolls. After ordering, I mentioned it was my first time there.
I then look to my left and check out the pies they had on display. I ask where they get their pies from. They (they=the owner) say something about Martino's (not sure if that was the orig company or the name of the company they are under now) and that they've been getting their pies their for over 30 years. I look at him in a dubious fashion because EVERYONE has the best pie, cherry pie. He then has his cashier grab and pack a slice for me. My order was to go so as I sat there waiting the 20 minutes or so it takes to cook up the chicken and things, I take a bite of the pie. The pie was tasty. It looked good - plenty of actual cherries (and none of the overloading of the jelly that other pies have as filler, blecch). So far so good.
Twenty minutes is a long time to wait so as I sat there, I really checked out the place and thought, wow this place could be cleaner. No bother, I look at the menu and added cole slaw and bbq beans to my order. Everything is finally ready and packed to go. I will share this bounty with my two housemates (aka my daughters).
I get home and open the packages. The chicken pieces were large, I mean, huge. I was already hoping for the best. I also see the large crinkly cut potato wedges. The dinner rolls looked safe to eat. I pick up a breast and pinch some of the skin off and taste it. It was very good - light yet flavorful. Still, I am trying to lay off chicken skin so no more skin for the moment. I then take a piece of breast and place the warm piece on my tongue. I chew. The chicken is soft enough. But the clincher was the flavor of the chicken. It was very good, not overpowering but enough of something there to make you wonder if they brine their chicken (I'd imagine you can brine chicken, right? right??) I was sold. That chicken is good. From then on, everything else was one good thing after another. The cole slaw was not creamy or runny. It was very simple yet you could definitely taste that it was cole slaw. The bbq beans were no like no other. Wow, the beans had itsy bitsy pieces of ham. Those are some great legumes (I think it's ham...so tiny and my eyesight ain't what it used to be...haha, wisdom, oh the tricks you play.)
All's I can say is that I would've given them a 5 had they had some steamed veggies. Whatever, next time I am also getting potato salad and some macaroni salad. And I'll pick up a slice of banana cream pie. I'll get through all those pie flavors one slice at a time.
Thank you, Broguiere's...and thank you, little old lady behind the counter who looks like the owner's mom. I love the all silver hair on your precious head. I now have my own American grandma who will cook me some American comfort food when I need it (between the hours of well-you-know). read more