Visiting new food places is almost as good as traveling. Donna and I, make an effort to visit someplace new each time we are out – ideally a small, family owned eatery where we can learn more about another culture. Here are some our food finds.
Al Pastor Taco with Pineapple Salsa at The Taco Man, Montclair
Biting into a taco with a filling called Al Pastor is something everyone should experience. If I could shoot a capsule into space holding all the cool things I discovered over the past year, an Al Pastor taco would be right there with Megan Trainor’s All About the Bass and beet-flavored Kombucha from Health-Ade. At your local Greek place, have you watched them shaving meat from a spit? Imagine transporting that spit to Mexico and add their local spices – that, my friend – is Al Pastor, and Montclair’s The Taco Man on Central Ave is where I got my fix.
To this Spicy and uber-savory meat, add pineapple salsa. Yes, your trip so far has included Greece, Mexico, and Hawaii – but please indulge me for a moment – sweet and tangy pineapple salsa poured over the hot grilled meat atop a fresh corn tortilla. It was a balance made in heaven. Add a bottle of Mexican Coke and outdoor seating on a perfect California day, and viola (France?) you’ve got pure joy among the palms.
The Taco Man: 9617 Central Ave., Montclair
Vada Pav at Ashirwad – The Blessing, Upland
How many times has a vegetarian friend gleefully describe some anti-carnivorous dish followed by their suggestion you try it – ramping up their sales pitch with that overused and hopelessly silly phrase: You won’t miss the meat.
In spite of my propensity to consume meat whenever possible, this sentence stuck in my mind after Indian Chef Pooja Jane at the Cooking Block in Redlands, casually mentioned the popular Mumbai street food known as Vada Pav – especially peeking my intrigue when she referred to it as a “Vegetarian Slider”. 
Weeks later, we found Ashirwad – The Blessing in Upland which offer a variety of foods from all over India, including – you guessed it – Vada Pav. While it’s found everywhere in Mumbai, it’s not so readily available in our neck of the woods, so I was delighted at the opportunity to give it a whirl. Its potato mashed with coriander and spices then deep fried and served on a bun (pav), with chutney dressings of your choice. I loved it. Like many Indian dishes rich in spicy flavor, it was satisfying and yes, I didn’t dash to In-N-Out.
Ashirwad, The Blessing: 583 E Foothill Blvd, Ste 10, Upland
Loma Saltado, Chicharron Sandwich, Alfajores Cookies at Domi’s Peruvian Cusine – Upland Mica’s Peruvian Sandwiches – Ranch Cucamonga
What do the Chinese and Italians do after migrating to Peru? They combine their culinary traditions with thePeruvian local fare . That’s why Peruvian cuisine is known for funky dishes that range from spaghetti to wok-fried beef. The most popular – Loma Saltado – combines stir-fried beef strips with potatoes, tomatoes, soy sauce, and peppers. All their dishes are delicious splashed with tangy green sauce which nobody from Peru will divulge the recipe.
There is no excuse to avoid Peruvian – we’ve got over 20 restaurants in the IE. We’ve enjoyed food from Mica’s in Rancho Cucamonga and Intiraymi Cuisine in Diamond Bar. Most recently we stopped by Domi’s on Euclid in Upland where I indulged in a Chicharron Sandwich – a soft roll with fried pork, sweet potato and a salsa made with red onions and lime juice. We topped things off with Alfajores cookies – sort of a shortcake sandwich with dulce de leche – what a way to start the afternoon.
Domi’s Peruvian Cuisine: 915 N Euclid Ave. Upland. Mica’ Peruvian Sandwiches: 8880 Archibald Ave, Rancho Cucamonga. Intiraymi Cuisine: 23545 Palomino Dr. Ste. F, Diamond Bar.
Baba Ganoush at Ala’ Al-Deen, Victorville
While In Victorville a few years back, we Yelped some local restaurants and were impressed by all the positive reviews this little place got – many posted by Angelenos traveling to and from Vegas that made a habit of stopping at this little place. .
It’s a former Kentucy Fried Chicken –circa 1970 and there’s nothing dazzling about the look of the place. If you go (and you must), you’ll curse me with one look at the place. But please, go inside. There you’ll find what many consider the best Mediterranean food in southern California. Ala’ Al-Deen is a small mom and pop effort. Everything on the menu is outstanding, but what I crave most is their baba ganoush – a dip made from roasted eggplant, served with pita bread. Not sure how or what they do, but they do it right. It has a lovely smokey essence and not a trace of preservatives because everything here is made fresh and most chopped and stirred by hand. We’ve never left the place without a bag to take back to friends.
Ala’ Al-Deen: 14303 7th Street, Victorville
Piri Piri Sandwich at Nuno’s Bistro and Bar, Upland
If you have never tried Portuguese food before, you have two options – both eateries owned by the same family – Euro Café in Claremont and Nuno’s Bistro & Bar in Upland. At Nuno’s, we first tried d the Piri Piri Sandwich – marinated chicken breast, basted with a piri piri chili sauce with carmelized pearl onions on a ciabattta roll. The flavors explode in your mouth. For dessert order the traditional Portuguese egg tarts – Pastels de Nata. Washed down with a little port and have a delightful meal experience.
Nuno’s Bistro and Bar, Upland – 2440 W Arrow Route, Ste 4A, Upland
We would love to hear about your own food discoveries in the Inland Empire and all over Southern California. Please contact us through our website or thesavoryroad@gmail.com
Jeff and Donna Baker, Savory Road Producers. Radio: Savory Road Radio Segments, 91.9 KVCR, Sundays 7:35 and 9:35AM, during NPR Weekend Edition,Or streaming at www.kvcr.org. On The Savory Road Podcast, Savory Road Blog. More info on our Website.
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