2017 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade float road testing and breakfasts: Chuck Wagon (Corona); Rod's Grill (Arcadia); Silver Dollar Pancake House (Corona)(revisit)

mmm-yoso!!! is the name of this food blog.  Kirk is not writing today, neither is Ed(from Yuma).  This is just another Cathy posting.

Chuck Wagon has closed.  In February 2023, Rod's Grill closed but will open under new management.  Both are sadly missed. 

This year has been different.  In addition to having a tremendous amount of friends and neighbors die (I stopped counting in mid February, after there had been 23), I tried to keep things more or less normal, writing a post about the first Float Road Test for the 2017 Rose Parade. The Mister and I drove to subsequent monthly road tests (and afterwards, breakfast) and took photos.  This post is a summary of what we ate and some of what you will see on television on January 2, 2017 (there's never a parade on Sunday).

Trader Joe's will have another three part float in the 2017 parade, (parade theme is Echoes of Success), titled 'All Aboard! 50 Years of Serving the Best'.   The American Armenian Rose Float Association road test in August showcased a magnificent looking float.   The road test two months later showed the color outlined (coloring outlines are there to help decorators as well as help if there are any problems with decorations during the actual parade: you'll still see color) fully expanded float, titled "Field of Dreams", depicting the 'Echoes of Success' of the American Armenian diaspora success story. 

I'll take some breaks from floats and road tests, interspersing breakfasts enjoyed driving home.

  Because we got stuck in traffic (again), we stopped at a place we have been passing for several years. The old fashioned sign (which must look very cool at night) is a friendly welcome to the naugahyde, paneled, not recently updated interior; half of the building is a 'bar' area, open in morning hours. The breakfast menu is served all day.  Let me preface this by saying that we took home a lot of leftovers. The 'Chuck Wagon Country Breakfast' ($11.95) was absolutely wonderful in quality and flavors!  Three eggs (poached, of course), two (large, flavorful) link sausages, two thick pieces of smoked meaty bacon and a slice of country style ham with a side of thinly sliced, crispy home fries topped with green pepper and onions. There was also a choice of toast or pancakes with this plate.  Ever since the summer road trip and meals across the USA with either my brother or nephew, pancakes have become a slight obsession.  The ones at Chuck Wagon are notably good; from scratch flavors, slightly sweet, fluffy with a delicate crust .     
   The perfectly prepared, real cube steak chicken fried steak was lightly breaded and fried perfectly ($11.50).  The flavors were fresh, the country gravy (again, from scratch: there were flour lumps) and even the crispy hash browns were wonderful.  The fresh made from scratch biscuit-flaky layers with the golden, crispy crust- was great.  

Another really great Corona restaurant.  

Chuck Wagon Cafe 1070 6th Street Corona, CA 92879 (951)737-7162 open daily 6:30a.m.-10 p.m. 

Returning to some float road tests... Rotary International's float, 'Doing Good in the World'  is just so cute even without the coloring outlines added! Shriners Hospitals for children, 'Anything is Possible', is adorable!  From the artist rendition(see end of post for a link), it looks like the mascot, Fezzy Bear, will be riding on the float in January.  Union Bank has again teamed up with the American Heart Association for the float 'Keep the Beat Alive'. Last month, we didn't even bother going on the freeway to get home, took side roads parallel to the 210 and noticed Rod's, a corner coffee shop that's been in Arcadia since 1957. Taking seats at the counter, because all the aqua naugahyde booths were full, we took note of some posted daily specials (even on weekends!)


   

The 'pork sausage w/ fresh apples- cheese omelet' ($9.95) was most unexpected (and in keeping with my penchant for fresh apples).  Yes, breakfast sausages and sautéed fresh apples filled this large eggy-cheesy breakfast omelet! There were some great home fries and toast which accompanied this surprising menu special.  These banana walnut crepes which came with two eggs and sausage ($8.95) were filled with a fluffy cream cheese-cottage cheese mix and topped with toasted nuts and nicely ripe banana slices; not crazy sweet at all. These are not delicate flat crepes, but also not thick pancakes...more of a Swedish pancake. 

So glad we stopped here! Rod's Grill 41 W Huntington Drive Arcadia, CA 91007 (626) 447-7515 open 6 am-9 pm daily

United Sikh Mission USA has another beautiful float, 'Together We Rise', which I think will be a prize winner not only for its beauty, but also for the message.  Western Asset (an investment group) is sponsoring this float, 'Prosperity in the Wild' which won't have any riders, but instead much animation.   This rather simple looking float from Farmers Insurance has a 'reflection' of the parade route in the front 'window' (including the rose colored line that is in the center of Colorado Boulevard, a guide for float drivers, who drive 'blind' while speaking to the 'spotter' who each has a small window in front to observe the activities in front of the float). The title of 'We Came, We Saw, We Covered' is a slight clue as to the 'surprise' you will see on January 2.  (see the bottom of this post)

One last breakfast, a repeat visit.
 
 If we find ourselves in Corona and notice there is no line waiting for seating, we stop at Silver Dollar.  This day, it was convenient to sit at the counter instead of waiting for a table to be available. 
  This is the two egg, two pancake deal (the second egg was brought over later)($5.49, additional .69 to substitute sausage patty for links-worth it!) was particularly good. The 2 bacon, 2 egg (and biscuits with gravy instead of toast) ($8.59) was enjoyed by The Mister. The country gravy and fresh flaky not too large biscuits were just right with the perfect over easy eggs and bacon.

Silver Dollar Pancake House 710 East Sixth Corona, CA 92879 (951) 737-5977 Open Mon-Sat 5 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun 6 a.m.-4 p.m. 

Rose Parade preparations. Diners for breakfast.  America.

 See artist renditions of some 2017 floats here.

What's going on under that Farmers Insurance float? Here's a sneak peek:

Comments

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Thanks for the awesome parade preview! Nice looking breakfasts you fueled up on!

[Caninecologne]

Those floats will look so amazing on January 2nd! I can't wait to see the Sikh float and Trader Joe's (heck, all ofthem).

[Cathy]

This year was a bit different, but at least you can see some of the floats, Soo. We will be decorating in a few weeks, so there will be some better photos. Every one of those breakfasts were great.
There is quite a bit of decorating work to be done, but each float is quite magnificent already, cc. It will be a good way to start the new year.