Recently in Glendora Category

By Amanda Newfield, Correspondent

Gyros King in Glendora is an enjoyable Mediterranean restaurant if you can look past the interior decorations. 

The Greek theme was splattered throughout the entire restaurant with forest green drapery and fancy floral wallpaper that matched the fabric on the plastic-covered chairs. 

More than one decorative painting could be found on the walls of the room, depicting what seemed to be Greek goddesses. Gold statues are strategically placed throughout the somewhat empty parts of the room to add another color scheme to the decor.

The west wing of the restaurant gave me the sense I was about to be part of a Greek wedding. The setting was a bit awkward but the food made the experience worth my $8.50.

After asking the helpful cashier which plate he would suggest, I chose the most expensive meal offered, the Shish Kabob "Tri-Tip" plate.

The food took a little more than 10 minutes, which seemed like a long wait for a fast-food type place. But once we had the plates in front of us, our surroundings were unimportant.

The meat was tender, juicy and flavorful, I savored every bite. The hummus, which had a hint of garlic and lime, was the perfect taste with the tomatoes and rice.

I also had a bite of the $4.95 chicken kabob sandwich, which was delightful. If I were in more of a rush, this would be a great option. 

The sandwich contains the same ingredients as the plate, only in smaller amounts and wrapped up, which makes it easy to travel with if necessary.

The experience overall was satisfying. The food exceeded my expectations while the decorations provided entertainment.

Gyros King is at 338 E. Route 66 in Glendora and open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. For information, call (626) 963-7270.

By Maritza Velazquez

Finally a dining experience that's both quick AND fresh.

It's pretty hard to combine those two words when describing a restaurant, but Loli's Fresh Mexican Grill has got it all.

The family-owned and family-run eatery opened in 2006, when brother-and-sister duo Caleb and Zoar Cabrera decided to offer their mother's original recipes to the public.

Mom Dolores Curiel (Loli) oversees quality control, making visits to the restaurant to make sure her son and daughter are serving up the same great dishes she used to cook for her own family.

Loli's, located in Glendora, offers a menu full of some of the typical Mexican dishes such as burritos and tacos, but also adds in some lesser-known creations, with inspiration from the Yucatan Peninsula.

I wanted a little variety during my visit, so I went for combo No. 2, which lets you choose two items like chicken or asada tacos, chicken or beef enchiladas, or a chicken panucho.

I went for an asada taco and the chicken panucho. It's a great deal for $7.85, and includes a drink, chips and Mexican rice and choice of black or pinto beans. If your appetite is a little larger, there's also a three-item combo for just a dollar more.

When the food arrived about five minutes after I ordered at the front counter, I was pleasantly surprised. The peppered asada was flavorful and the panucho was different from the many Mexican dishes I've tried in the past.

Actually, I had to ask Zoar Cabrera, who was working the register at the time, what a panucho actually was.

I found it's made with shredded chicken, lettuce, pickled red onion, avocado and tomato. The cook puts together three small corn tortillas and fills it with pureed black beans. Then, the tortillas and beans are pan sauteed.

But what I loved most about Loli's was how fresh it was. Even the salsa is homemade. And according to Caleb Cabrera, everything is made fresh in the morning and nothing is made with lard, preservatives or MSG.

There's even some authentic Mexican breakfasts at Loli's. They serve huevos rancheros, beef chorizo and eggs and breakfast burritos.

The service here also matches the quality fresh eats. The staff brought over some tortilla chips to munch on before my meal was ready. I saw that many other customers received the same service.

I wouldn't hesitate to visit Loli's again. 

Loli's Fresh Mexican Grill is located in the Lone Hill Center at 1832 E. Route 66 in Glendora. For more information, call (626) 963-9200.

Dining on a budget:
It's a restaurant that offers a fun look into American pastimes.

Legends Classic Diner stands on "The Main Street of America," also known as Historic Route 66 in Glendora.

The diner has a jukebox cranking old tunes and an old-fashioned ice cream and soda bar.

As I walked into the restaurant on a Sunday afternoon, I couldn't help but notice that it was filled with families enjoying the day together. On one side of the restaurant, one group celebrated a birthday.

Out of a very large menu of sandwiches, burgers, salads, even Mexican food, I decided to order something basic - the cheeseburger combo.

Go China restaurant in Glendora has exactly the nondescript strip-mall exterior that so often hides real gems. Unfortunately, while Go China offers tasty BBQ-pork fried rice and a wide range of generously portioned $5-$6 lunch options, calling it a “gem” would be too kind.
The $5 BBQ-pork fried rice, which is all I must have from a Chinese restaurant, passes the taste test deliciously. Too many restaurants fill their fried rice with peas and carrots flavored by freezer burn, so it was good to find an inexpensive place where the rice dish tasted fresh and they don't skimp on the egg. The slices of barbecued pork can be forgiven for being fatty, and given credit for flavoring the rice. The ample portion makes at least two meals all on its own.
But the inexpensive lunch specials, though also two-fers, seem less promising.