Travels With Susan

Shogun
828 E Avenue Q6
Palmdale, CA 93550
(661) 947-5557

This is a classic sushi place on a little side street in Palmdale. The sushi is fresh-- you can see the chef make it before your very eyes. The sushi is good but not outstanding and it is a bit on the expensive side compared to non-Japanese fare but about the same price as most fresh sushi restaurants. The ambience is terrific. Very Japanese. It has several tables and booths and a sushi bar. When I am there I think I could be on First Street in Los Angeles. It is not, however, fast food. It is a sit down and eat and be waited on restaurant.

Rolling Rice: 3586 Rosemead Blvd: Rosemead, CA 91770
(626) 288-7541

This restaurant is in the Target shopping center on Rosemead Blvd. just north of the 10 freeway. I don't know if it is a chain. According to the internet there is another Rolling Rice Restaurant in Chino Hills. This is the best Japanese fast food restaurant around. For a modest price ( about six dollas) you can buy a plate of California roll, Teriyaki Chicken and plain rice with a small salad. They also have Udon and a variety of other sushi. The sushi is fresh, the Teriyaki chicken is teriyaki chicken-- not great, not bad. The tempura is fresh and crispy. And the service is fast. The restaurant is clean and modern and has a jazzy upbeat feel to it. My niece and I loke it and eat there often.

Lee's Sandwiches, at multiple locations, including 8979 Valley Blvd. Rosemead features Asian fusion cuisine.  That is, it gives you the opportunity to taste the results of a culture heavily influenced by French colonialism, a devastating civil war and immigration to America.   Little known to the rest of the world, there is a significant Viet Namese colony here in Rosemead.  There are at least 5 restaurants near this one that offer what one refers to as Paris Sandwiches.  These are sandwiches made on fresh baked baguettes or croissants, spiced with daikon radish and Asian spices.  You can buy a completely American ham and cheese on a fresh baked croissant here or an Asian Fusion sandwich.  The prices are downright low and the food is tasty.  Be aware that the coffee is a Vietnamese blend-- which is  strong coffee flavored with sweetened evaporated milk. 

The Rosemead store, recently opened is beautifully decorated in a festive design that incorporates neon signs, balloons, pastel painted walls and bright lights.  In addition to sandwiches the store sells cookies and pastries to take home, homemade ( i.e . made in the store) ice cream, and Vietnamese desserts.

This is one of the many opportunities Southern California offers to visit another culture without having to leave the United States.  On the two occasions when I have visited, the store was mostly full of Asian people-- which is to be expected considering the store and the neighborhood.  I mention it only to reinforce the obvious that this is authentic Asian cuisine consumed by Asians and not a cuisine tailored to the tastes of non-Asians as seems to be true of stores like Panda Express.

The pastry  and breads are  baked on the premises which adds to the delightful  smells in this new restaurant.  The sandwiches I had were delicious, primarily because of the freshness and perfection of the rolls. 

Beard Papa

Puente Hills Mall
1600 Azusa Ave.
City of Industry, CA 91748-1674
(626) 839-1240I suppose a place that sells cream puffs, coffee and cheesecake isn't really a fast food place but, well, it is food and it is fast.  These are the best cream puffs I have tasted in 20 years.  I kid you not.  Sweet but not too sweet, slightly crispy exteriors, melt in your mouth creamy.  UMMMM.  I'm just sorry I can't eat a whole box at once.  Well, I'm not really sorry  because it wouldn't be a good idea, still, they are delicious.  Beard Papa, which is apparently a literal translation of the Japanese phrase that means grandfather, has opened a chain of cream puff stores all around the United States.  I discovered them recently at the Puente Hills Mall in City of Industry off the 60 Freeway near Azusa. 

Who knew that cream puffs are very big in Asia?  Not me.  This Japanese company has stores in Singapore and Japan and whereever.  But also here in the L. A. area.  The cream puffs are smallish, not huge.  The puff is made from a special recipe that makes it  a little extra crunchy-- the way a puff pastry is when it is fresh out of the oven.  The shells, which are baked on the premises,  are filled with the vanilla custard filling after you order them. The filling is soft and creamy, not too sweet.    The puffs are then sprinkled with powder sugar so they are fresh, fresh, fresh.  You are requested to eat them immediately or at least with 24 hours-- and to refrigerate them if you don't consume them right away.  The cost is reasonable--$1.50 for one, $8.50 for a half dozen and $17.00 for a dozen. 

They come in other flavors but the Vanilla custard is the main stay.  Give them a try. 

Very informal, very fresh good and tasty Mexican food-- tacos, burritos, a veritable Baja taco stand in Los Angeles.  Poquito Mas means a little bit more.  This is Baja California style Mexican food with a Southern California nouvelle cuisine touch-- Not Greasy, not overcooked, flavorful.   Your food is ordered at a counter and made to your order.  Excellent food at good prices.