2015 Rose Parade float road test #4 and breakfast at Connal's Burgers, Salads and Subs (Pasadena)

Thanks for dropping by the mmm-yoso!!! food blog. It's Cathy writing today's post. Kirk and Ed (from Yuma) are busy with other things.

An overcast morning in September.  How wonderful it was to wake up at 4 a.m. with a chilly temperature of  63 and for it to remain that way for the two hour drive (beginning at 5 a.m.) North.  Mechanical and maneuverabilty testing on four more floats that will participate in the 126th Tournament of Roses parade was happening at Phoenix Decorating Company in Pasadena.The Trader Joe's four part entry was the most interesting. The front piece (wheelbarrow with a pumpkin and watering can) is separately driven by a Honda motorcycle and the other attached pieces, depicting a raised bed garden pulling a watermelon and vine with a blossom and blossoming gourd, with the title of "Bedtime Stories", in synchronicity with the parade theme of "Inspiring Stories" is detailed, has spinning, rocking and water spraying parts and will certainly win some sort of trophy for creativity.The details of the City of Los Angeles float, "What's your L.A. Story?" are emerging."Made Possible by Hope" is the City of Hope entry. The Princess Cruises float, still in its rebar phase looks like a cruise ship depicting sights around the world. Titled "50 years of Inspiring Travel", it will be interesting to see the finished design. The original crew of the TV show "The Love Boat" will be riding on this float!

After that bit of fun, we were again hungry (we, of course had stopped at Cream Pan right around 6:15) selecting 'only' a creamy orange brioche and (of course) ham and cheese croissant, to eat in the car with a Starbucks coffee...
One thing The Mister and I are known for is not making plans.  We left the road testing and started zig-zagging the streets, heading more or less North and East.  Soon, we saw the above signage (there is a complete arrow, which is really great, classic signage that you can see on any of the links to the restaurant) and decided to stop.There is an ordering window at the street as well as a small inside seating area where you can also order.  We saw many people from the neighborhood walking in to pick up phoned in orders and a few people driving and picking up meals.You can see an upside down outline of the arrow on the rug in the below photo.  It turns out Connal's has been here since 1958...yet we had never heard of it.  It is on Washington Street which has many old classic architecture buildings, including both Longfellow and Daniel Webster Elementary Schools.(I can imagine the rivalry).Since I seem to order the same breakfast 90% of the time, things would be no different here.  An egg sandwich with bacon on rye toast ($4.59) was my (wonderful, tasty, filling) choice.  Because this was one of The Mister's 'birthday days' when he gets to choose the place as well as the food, (we have birthdays seven days apart, which are really eight days of celebrating) (go ahead, use your fingers-  if His birthday was Thursday, then mine would be the following Thursday - that means eight days we have to celebrate, but there are only seven dates using math) He ordered the rib eye steak and eggs breakfast ($7.49).  The seasoned strip steak was tender and grilled; three eggs over easy; hash browns; sourdough toast...each prepared perfectly and remiinded us of Saturdays in college, when we'd splurge on steak and three egg omelets for breakfast at the counter at a long gone greasy spoon. Good times.

Connal's Sandwiches 1505 East Washington Pasadena, CA 91104 (626)794-5018 Website (the menu website links have old prices, the wall prices in the photo above are 'to go' prices, it's about 50¢ less per item when you eat in).

 

Comments

[Dennis]

Hi Cathy, I love the vibe at Connal's and the burgers are pretty decent. Nothing fancy but just good food.

[Cathy]

The food was really good here, Dennis- we must've passed it a few times but never noticed it...or disregarded it. We are planning where to eat after eight hours of decorating floats and Connal's is in contention.

[Soo H.]

Nice progress on the floats. :-) Thanks for the update! Can't go wrong with a juicy steak. :-)

[Shecky]

No rivalry. Webster Elementary was much better. Connal's was a regular stop for me having lived in Pasadena from age 0 in 1953 to 1971. Always good. Also, I am a regular reader here and have been for a while. I really like the variety of foods and locations covered. I am leaving for Prague on Thursday and have your posts to provide me some guidance. Thanks to you all.

[Kirk]

Hi Shecky - Thanks so much for reading. If you're in Prague you may want to add U Tri Rizu and Lokal to your list of places to check out.

[caninecologne]

hi cathy - i love that trader joe's float! can't wait to see it "in action" on New Year's Day 2015!

[Cathy]

Happy to share, Soo. Can't believe only two more road tests and then decorating begins. The food here was great!
Well, well, Shecky, it seems I did pick up on a rivalry...Thank you for reading our blog and veering over to the commenting side; glad I could revive some memories for you. Enjoy your trip!
The Trader Joe entry is always so detail filled, cc. This design is cute and creative and will probably win a trophy.

[Nhbilly]

HBD!

[Cathy]

TY! :)

[Shecky]

They are on this list. Thanks again!