I Had an Assignment
June 4: The thing about June was we were having a family reunion in Michigan. But before we could do that, I had a job: to pick Grandma up from California. And in order to do a good job of it, I made sure to get there early. I flew out to Burbank in one of those cool-looking SW jets and Grandma picked me up. We tried out a “new” place called Margarita’s that had been hiding in plane sight since the 70’s. A number of hours after that I got Del Taco with Collin and we saw some wild things at that Pasadena Del Taco. As one does.
June 5: Started my day with a hunger tour through the city. Pan fried soup dumplings at the Kang Kang food court in Alhambra, shrimp tacos (not pictured) and ceviche from Mariscos Jalisco, then a few stops here and there before a burger at Burgers Never Say Die, where Burger Bonnie was wearing her burger bonnet.
Got a haircut in Alhambra, the barber was proud of his decorating, then I had cool Filipino food with Lauri, Hannah and Cher in Silverlake. Or Silverlake adjacent, maybe.
June 6: Morning walk to CalTech to see the turtles with a walk back through Pasadena.
Then an early tempura dinner with the Condie Sisters.
Four years ago Jared came to LA and checked if I was around, I was, and it lead to an epic taco night. Now, in 2019, Jared checked to see if I was in town, and it lead to all of us learning about how stinking great Brother Cousins tacos is.
June 7: Started the day with a visit to Lacy Park and then I bought Grandma and me the best Italian sandwiches from the oldest Italian man.
Spent the afternoon at the Norton Simon Museum
And then I went with Grandma for some of her ward’s rather remarkable Luaua. I mean really I had never seen such a well-organized and well-decorated event with so many enthusiastic participants. And the food was great, too!
Then Broek and I ran down to Orange County for dinner at the extremely well-regarded Tacos Maria. Food was a hit, the water was disgusting, service was a debacle…but even now I’m still thinking about the smoked sturgeon taco. I think I’ll go back sometime for lunch or brunch. That might be a better way to enjoy it. 4 or 5 courses to the tasting menu, I think, and no dessert? Very weird.
June 8: Started the day at the Huntington Library. Saw, among other things, an absolutely enormous softshell turtle.
After that, Grandma had read about a new Korean fried chicken place in Alhambra (a Bon Chon), so I happily went with her to try it with Cousin Jim (not pictured, my bad). And after that we had rolled up ice cream!
That evening: Night Market Sahm, a visit to Collin and Mallory’s new place, and another trip to Brother Cousins!
June 9: after church, I say goodbye to my Jeep, which had been in foster care for quite a long time. Walk it off with another visit to the Huntington Library where I see a turtle stack.
June 10: Wake up, one more walk to CalTech before our flight. There’s a little time left, so I get Grandma and me some In n Out. And then it’s time for the flight. Will my Night + Market fortune come true? Stay tuned to find out, BUT boy was I glad Grandma had me make myself a roast beef sandwich for the flight to Chicago.
