2020 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade Road Test #4, Breakfast at Burger Depot (La Puente)

mmm-yoso!!!, a blog about interesting meals and how said meals came to be. Today, Cathy is writing; Kirk is exhausted with work.

Link to 2020 Road test #1 

Link to 2020 Road Test #2

Link to 2020 Road Test #3

Link to 200 Road Tests #5 and #6

Another Road Test weekend for the floats participating in the 2020 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade.  The Mister and I woke at 4, left home at 5, drove through on and off light rain to Tustin for some snacks at the Kolache Factory then headed to Irwindale to the Phoenix Decorating Company to watch floats for the Rose Parade being tested along Ornelas Street. 

 "Plant a Garden, Believe in Tomorrow" presented by Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day. Mrs. Meyer's makes household cleaners with scents inspired by a backyard midwest garden. The white 'outline' on the float resembles the outline on the label of each of the Mrs. Meyer's products. The flowers -both the sunflowers at the back and the roses along the sides- are animated and will be tilting (and smiling) along the parade route. 
It looks like the City of Hope float will simply have the same title, going along with the "Power of Hope" theme of the parade. 
Here is progression of construction of the float "Cultivating Curiosity" presented by The Huntington, a Pasadena Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens celebrating its 100th year in 2020.  Ed (from Yuma) and Tina enjoyed a lovely tea and visit here in 2014.
The Royal Court (which will be announced on Monday September 30) will be riding on this float during the Parade.  The Court serves as year round ambassadors for the Tournament and each member receives a small ($7500) education scholarship. Follow The Rose Examiner for more information about the Royal Court and other information about the Tournament activities. 
The Shriners float and the United Sikh Mission also had their floats tested this day.   The float barn is filling up!  22 of the 44 floats in the parade will be constructed here. 

The Mister and I headed home down Vincent Street, one block East of Irwindale Avenue.  We passed a few places that looked interesting.  Vincent turns into S. Glendora Avenue which then turns into N. Hacienda Boulevard. There's a five way signal light at the triangle corner of  N. Hacienda and N. Unruh.  Look at those signs.  Look at the shape of the building.  You know we had to stop. 

The menu, above and on the counter by the order and pay register, isn't too overwhelming. 

You can watch your food being cooked in a non-hipster open kitchen concept.  It's brought out to your table.
 The chicken breast and eggs breakfast ($7.55) comes with flat-top crisped potatoes and toast. The eggs were over easy (even that broken one still oozed yolk), the chicken was moist and tasty. A great, healthy breakfast.  
Chilaquiles ($7.99) were made to order (I saw fresh tortillas being grilled up before being drowned in the home made, chile de arbol based sauce (spicy!)).  Topped with perfect over easy eggs with sides of refried beans (also made here; many were whole) and more crunchy potatoes.  We are going to return to try hamburgers here, since the name is Hamburger Depot. They are probably pretty good. 

Hamburger Depot 1169 N. Hacienda Blvd. La Puente, CA 91744 (626) 917-1872

Comments

[caninecologne]

The floats are looking great so far! I always look forward to the Sikh float and Trader Joe's.

I like your "method" of choosing where to eat...random stops are the best!

[Cathy]

I always learn something from the Sikh float, cc. Seeing the Trader Joe's-recognized the general design is similar to some floats from years ago; it will be magnificent! More interesting about small eateries in the LACounty area is 'Pastrami' on almost all of the signage and menus.

[Soo]

Floats look great! Thanks for the lovely photos!

[caninecologne]

"Non hipster" open kitchen...yes. Old diners are the best.

[kat]

floats look great as well as your breakfast!

[Cathy]

My pleasure, Soo. We enjoy seeing and sharing the progress.

Hamburger Depot really is an old diner, cc-the ordering counter definitely looks as if it used to have seating. The customers looked like they walked from the neighborhood. Must try a burger next time.

Only two more official Road Tests left, Kat- it's coming down to the wire! Should be a great parade. Food was wonderful!