10 Dishes to Try in San Gabriel Valley Right Now
BY TAMARA PALMER
I’ve been spending a lot of time over the past two years eating in the San Gabriel Valley, which I didn’t have the fortune of doing very often when I actually lived in Los Angeles in the Nineties. Luckily, I’m making up for lost time now, thanks to the kindness of my friends who moved to San Gabriel a few years ago and who help me find great places to eat.
Over these past two years, I’ve developed a real appreciation for this region and an eagerness to taste as much of it as I can while I’m there. The options feel endless. When I drive around the area, I see countless boba shops, bakeries and restaurants that I can’t wait to check out. I feel a culinary kinship between SGV and my own Sunset District in San Francisco, but I have a lot more to explore in the cities that make up SGV, which is part of what makes it more exciting for me right now.
Here are 10 highlights from my last four visits to the area, which have all been filled with very delicious outings. I have much more to see and taste out there, but this mix of classic and newish SGV dishes has been a great start.
Pineapple bun with egg and spicy red sausage at Alice’s Kitchen, 580 E. Garvey Ave., Monterey Park
Big plate chicken at Dolan’s Uyghur Cuisine, 742 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra
House lobster at Boston Lobster, 727 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel
House lobster at Newport Seafood, 518 W. Las Tunas, San Gabriel. The premiere issue of California Eating in print features a battle between this lobster and the one at Boston Lobster.
Fish poached in hot chili oil at Lunasia, 500 W. Main St., Alhambra
Lotus root puffs at King Hua, 2000 W. Main St., Alhambra
House special fish paste hot pot at Delicious Food Corner, 545 W. Las Tunas, San Gabriel
Beef scallion pancake wrap at Yang’s Kitchen, 112 W. Main St., Alhambra
Imperial rolls at Golden Deli, 815 W. Las Tunas, San Gabriel