2015 Rose Parade float road test #7 with a quick breakfast at The Original Tops

mmm-yoso!!! is a blog with primary musings about food.  To get to that central subject, secondary and tertiary  subjects are broached by three of us writing here (Kirk, Ed (from Yuma) and Cathy). Today Cathy is centering in on the food in a roundabout way.  

Yes, another weekend, another road test. There have only been six tests announced in previous years, but I checked the Phoenix Decorating Company home page earlier in the week and saw the announcement, so on Saturday morning (at 4:45), The Mister and I were in the car and driving North.  We had encountered construction near the I-5 border checkpoint the previous two weeks and wanted to be sure to allot enough time to go North.    
Just after 6 a.m., we arrived at Cream Pan, my favorite bakery ever.  We purchased a ham and cheese croissant and a raisin pastry (which had yellow raisins overfilling the interior) as well as one strawberry croissant and ate while driving, where we incurred more traffic backups...
Most notably near the Citadel Outlets, which are already being decorated for Christmas. When we finally got to Raymond Street, around 7:20, only two floats were in sight. The Banner float (first one you will see on television), which isn't outlined for the decorators yet and... The Farmers Insurance 2015 entry -"Dream Big: World of Possibility".  I did sneak over to the barn and took a photo of work being done.
Then The Mister and I were off, looking for things happening around town, while heading East... Eventually we were in the 3800 block of Colorado Boulevard (far from the end of the parade route) and saw Tops, which I hadn't posted about since my preview of the 2007 Rose Parade. This is a newer, different location than that other post, and is decorated with vignettes of local sights. Along with having the Tops traditional serve yourself condiment choices...how I love condiments! Being a creature of habit, my order of a Classic Egg Sandwich on rye ($3.89) is to be expected.  One note, the eggs here are organic Free Range eggs...it says so on the menu.  Anyhow, wonderful fresh flavor and standard ingredients of lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise. The Mister ordered a pastrami omelette ($7.49)...three of those organic free range eggs, loads of pastrami three cheeses as well as a slice of American cheese on top, along with toast and homestyle potatoes.
 
Here's a close up of the potatoes- which are the kind I had forgotten mom and dad making for my brother and I...thinly (mandoline)sliced potatoes stacked and cooked with a crunchy top.  

All in all a short day trip (we were home by 11:00) and new things to see and places to go.  Hope your week is safe and not too hectic!


The Original Tops 3838 East Colorado Boulevard Pasadena (626)449-4412 Website open daily 6:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m., later on Friday and Saturday.

2015 Tournament of Roses road tests: #1 Test #2 Test #3 Test #4 Test #5 Test #6

Comments

[nhbilly]

I didn't know Tops serves breakfast and how I miss you cream pan.

[caninecologne]

Going to Cream Pan is always a good choice to start off a road trip! Thanks for posting on the float progress. I like seeing how they transform between now and New Year's Day.

[Cathy]

As far as I know, Tops has always had breakfast, Bill...people just never went there for it as much as for the burgers/pastrami/pastrami fries. Cream Pan has no equal.

I am so happy that Cream Pan opens at 6, cc. On one of our more recent stops, one of the bakers was seated near the door on a break and he thanked us for coming in. I am so happy to share the Rose Parade progress with everyone-it really is fascinating to see how it happens.

[janfrederick]

I crave lettuce and tomato on my breakfast sandwiches. I need to find a place near Mira Mesa where I can take care of that itch. I used to get it at Tom's when I worked in North County.

[Cathy]

Since I seem to have an obsession with breakfast sandwiches, there will be an effort made to find lettuce and tomato ones in San Diego County, JF. It seems that type is standard at places North of us. (my standard order any time of day at Sonic is the breakfast sandwich (egg cheese and a breakfast meat) with lettuce and tomato added).