Buster's Coffee and Ice Cream Shop in South Pasadena was founded by the town's former mayor more than 20 years ago. This neighborhood shop has an amazing selection of homemade sandwiches and desserts. They also offer locally made ice cream from Fosselmens. They have delicious coffee drinks and frozen yogurt too.
The LA area has terrific Mexican food restaurant chains, and Baja Fresh is definitely one of the more prolific: There are many locations all over town.
This South Pasadena spot in the Vons Shopping Center is spacious and closes fairly late. Its a decent night dining option versus a full-service place or a drive-thru.
As the name of the chain goes, its food is impressively fresh but still very affordable. Here again, Mexican restaurants like Baja Fresh are a great inexpensive alternative to fast food.
This traditional coffee house for locals has awesome sandwiches, a complete selection of hot drinks and cold beverages and fabulous desserts. The atmosphere is very laid back.
The Munch Company in South Pasadena is a family-operated deli and sandwich shop located in the historic old part of town. It offers a fresh selection of sandwiches such as roast beef, turkey, egg salad and the old stand-by: peanut butter and jelly. It also offers a three foot roll with four meats and cheese called the "Super Munch" for your next special event.
La Mein is the place to go for money-saving Chinese cuisine. Combos here are two dollars less than Panda Express, and the portion sizes pale in comparison.
Standard "dollar Chinese" menu fare applies - fried rice, chow mein, kung pao, orange chicken, broccoli beef, shrimp and more.
There are a few noticeable standouts such as egg foo young and teriyaki bowls. The tropical juice bar is also enticing. There are lots of sweet and fruity flavors from which to choose, as well as Thai ice tea with boba.
Grassroots Natural Market and Kitchen is quite a comprehensive operation. It's both a great place for lunch and a must-see store for those into vitamin supplements and health food.
The quality and depth of the vitamin section is very impressive, and the healthy and, in some cases, organic food inventory is very complementary. This is one great alternative to supermarkets.
The full-service Kitchen side of the business definitely shouldn't be overlooked. The wraps and sandwiches are terrific, as is breakfast here.
Grassroots' website presents a cordial invitation: "We hope that when you are next in or around the Los Angeles area you will make time to visit our store. Come in and enjoy the experience of pleasant, courteous service, quality supplements and wonderful food."
