Culinary City: Why South Pas Is a Foodie's Dream

Everybody stop arguing about the for a moment and consider this: For a city of a little over three square miles, South Pasadena is a food lover’s cornucopia. 

On any day of the week, our town’s residents are within walking distance of a delicious variety of dining choices. From the old-school, all-American goodies of to the exotic Japanese flavors of , South Pasadena mealtime can be anything from a blue plate special to a gourmet feast. 

And they say Mayberry is unsophisticated.

South Pasadena prided itself on culinary delicacies long before anyone knew the term “foodie.” Back in 1900, the was considered one of the premiere destination spots for discerning world travelers. 

Sure, the hotel was known for its deluxe accommodations in a flower-filled setting billed as “Paradise on Earth.”  But one of the hotel’s biggest selling points—mentioned more often than the on-site championship tennis court, nine-hole golf course or elevated cycleway— was the dining room. 

Vaulted ceilings, abundant windows, chandeliers and rich fabrics offered an ambiance described by one reporter as “unrivaled by any other hotel.” 

The Raymond’s turn-of-the century chefs created dishes using fruit from the local orchards and herbs gathered from nearby hills. Another reporter described the dining experience as “befitting European royalty.” (I’m sure the wine from local vineyards helped.) An added bonus? A special, separate dining room for children, serving pampered tykes “only the freshest milk and jam.”    

Those early 20th century jet-setters weren’t the only ones well fed in South Pas. In a heady post-war boom of entrepreneurial spirit in 1946, three relatives left Cleveland for a trip along Route 66. When they ended up in South Pasadena, they noticed that a well-known Fair Oaks restaurant called Hamburger Macs was for sale. They were so inspired by the location—and the town itself—they scraped together the cash, became restaurant partners and created  

For decades, Gus’s was considered one of the yummiest places for good, old-fashioned home cooking in the Los Angeles area. It still is.  New owners Chris and John Bicos have updated the legendary restaurant’s interior, adding new flair to an old favorite. 

Under the glow of the original neon sign, Gus’s serves up enough traditional BBQ delicacies to make a cowboy swoon—along with contemporary items like a pesto chicken sandwich and jambalaya pasta. (Oh, and did someone say sweet potato fries? Order your own, because you won‘t want to share.)

Last spring, Gus’s BBQ master Kyu Yi joined other local chefs at the South Pasadena Farmer’s Market for the .  The event paired regional growers with local chefs in a celebration of culinary fusion. 

The last century's patrons of the Raymond Hotel would have been happy to see current chef Tim Guiltinan there, along with South Pasadena’s own Erica Lins of , Bill Disselhorst of , Jennifer Kreft and Derrick Shields of , Sally Cook of , Luis Alfonso Ortega Banuelos of, and Paul Rosenbluh of . Chef Susan Feniger rounded out the roster, cooking up delicacies from her West LA restaurant Street.

Toyota selected the out of thousands of other markets around the country, and it’s easy to see why. More than just a gathering of local growers, the South Pas Farmer’s Market is a weekly culinary event.  

From 4 to 8 p.m. every Thursday, the market offers a dizzying array of prepared goodies as well as organic produce, grass-fed beef, dairy products, baked goods, honey, oils, soaps and possibly the best roasted corn on the entire planet. The market was included in Pasadena Weekly’s 2010 Best of Pasadena list and described by EAT LA as “the best market east of Hollywood.“

Sometimes it’s hard to decide where to eat out in South Pas because there are so many choices. The corner of Meridian and El Centro might as well have signs en Francais. Between and lovers of French cuisine can exclaim "tres bon" as they sip glasses of Châteauneuf-Du-Pape. 

Feel more like Indian food? Head on over to on Mission.  Thai? Try on Fair Oaks. Italian lovers can flip a coin on whether they want to the Salmone Alla Piastra at on Mission or one of the enormous pizzas at the recently renovated on Fair Oaks.  Sushi fans have a choice of and on Fair Oaks and on Mission.  

Need to accommodate someone on a wheat-free diet? Both and on Fair Oaks offer gluten-free items in addition to traditional pizza and pastas.

But what about the kids? Just like those long-ago patrons of the Raymond Hotel, South Pasadena parents can relax knowing that many of our city’s restaurateurs will happily accommodate picky little eaters. Even the most chi-chi local eateries offer provisions for the developing tastes of little ones. (While the grown-ups will probably want the Butternut Squash Ravioli or Miso-Sake Braised Black Cod at , junior can have a simple grilled cheese sandwich.) 

And if parents really want to make their kids clap their hands with glee, they’ll take them to on the corner of Meridian and Mission. This unusual restaurant specializes in two things kids love most: grilled cheese and cereal. 

And then, there’s . This South Pas favorite has inspired generations of locals with great burgers and chili cheese fries worthy of placement on the historic register.  The place even got a shout-out in a rap song. (Eat Street, by People Under the Stairs.) Besides, where else can you get Orange Bang and Cherry Fanta?

Recently, I overheard a father and his two sons discussing the evening’s dinner plans. The kids wanted to go out, but dad was cooking. 

“I want macaroni and cheese,”  one of the boys said.

“And I want hot dogs!” said the other.

“You’ll have spaghetti and like it!”  The dad said proving that even in a town filled with countless restaurant options, sometimes the best open table is the one in your own dining room. 

Then again, there’s always the dumpling truck …

For a photographic celebration of some of South Pasadena’s eateries, check out Laurie Allee’s slideshow in the photo box above.

For more information on upcoming events at the Farmers Market, click here.

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