~db~'s photostream  

The somewhat oddly named big SHRIMPS Fish Grill is a relative newcomer to Monrovia. It's become a regular stop for me in my what's-for-lunch rotation at work. Their fish and chips are good. The portion is generous, the batter is light, the cod is flakey and not overcooked, as happens elsewhere. The order comes with a really good cole slaw and choice of rice or fries, which is what I go with. Served on a paper plate with the dressing from the slaw creating some soggy fries and fish if you're not careful, the presentation could be a bit more refined. But the price is right and the taste is even better. About $8.50.

Giamela's is a Burbank institution. I started going to the Riverside Drive location when I was in elementary school, turned on to it by a classmate. That location has since closed, but the one on Magnolia Blvd is still going strong.

So strong that last year they actually replaced the sign outside which had been destroyed in a long-ago storm. You see, for years Giamela's didn't have any sign outside indicating its name or even that it was a restaurant. But that didn't mean there weren't long lines and few tables at lunch time.

The pepper steak sandwich is my usual choice (though I occasionally go with the meatball sub). Lots of meat, and lots of pickles, tomatoes, and onions. All that laid on a provolone-lined roll and doused with red vinegar, of which I always ask for a bit extra. My only real complaint is that the meat is usually overcooked and not as tender as it could be. But, along with a bag of Sun Chips and a Diet Coke, it makes for a good meal or, more often, two. About $6 for the sandwich.

Heresy! That's what I thought when I found myself stopping into Pizza Al Forno ("Home of the Big Slice") on Hollywood Blvd. That's because, as I've mentioned before, I rarely eat anywhere on the boulevard other than Stefano's, especially pizza. But I was blocks away and had less than an hour on the parking meter, and it was a big slice after all. So I stopped in. Meh. It's just a big slice of pizza. The crust tended towards the cardboard side, and the cheese was way too salty. Next time I'll walk the extra few blocks. About $5.

Nothing prepared me for how stunningly bad the meatballs at IKEA are. Sure, I didn't expect gourmet, but I was at least hoping for something edible. I was horribly, horribly wrong. About $4.

Yes, the Frysmith truck became the "Soupsmith" truck last week, and we're all the better for it.