It’s hard to overstate the excitement that greeted the announcement that a fleet of food trucks would be adding Art Center’s South Campus complex to its rotation of regular stops. Clusters of giddy staffers congregated around 8×10 flyers, speculating over which roach coaches– Holy Aioli? Kogi? – would become the go-to lunch option within walking distance of 950 Raymond Avenue. Unfortunately, this culinary convoy was soon diverted away from South Campus, when turnout wasn’t big enough to justify a stop on the trucks’ lunch route.
On paper, this might have seemed a devastating blow to staffers as well as students tired of foraging for tasty eats in an industrial wasteland. South Campus sits at the heart of Pasadena’s Innovation Corridor, a name that may be more aspirational than descriptive of a neighborhood that houses a semi-functional power plant and a row of hulking industrial monuments to the last century’s love affair with molded concrete and steel. In other words, this is not exactly the kind of neighborhood where one might expect to find an operating vending machine, let alone a reasonably priced handcrafted meal.
Surprisingly, however, the Innovation Corridor is home to a bounty of high quality lunch joints. And along with the local dives, the culinary options for the artisan kale salad crowd continue to proliferate, with Pitfire Pizza’s recent announcement that it will take over the old Sizzler space on Arroyo. Though we’d argue that while you can take the steak out of the Sizzler, no amount of farm-to-table pizza will ever completely disguise the former home of the all-you-can-eat salad bar.
What follows is our very own tapas spread of midday dining options, curated by South Campus staffers who rely on these eateries for satisfying sustenance. Please feel free to weigh in with your favorite lunch joint suggestions in the Comments section below.
Raymond Café: Many of daily diehards who line up for a morning oatmeal fix or an eat-at-your-desk sandwich or sushi box at this South Campus food concession (under the giant skylights on the mezzanine of 950 S. Raymond Ave.) probably don’t know this is more than your average catering cart. It’s a café, with an actual name. We particularly appreciate Raymond Café’s personal touches, like the well-stocked supply of Sriracha for smearing on hot breakfast sandwiches and the generous servings of homemade oatmeal for $1.50. All this breakfast love, however, sometimes leaves us wanting at lunchtime, when options are limited to pre-made sandwiches and salads that often sell out before noon. – Christine Spines
Oba Sushi in Pasadena
Oba: Anyone who’s spent any time in SoCal knows that there are culinary riches to be found amid the dry cleaners and yogurt joints clogging L.A.’s mini-malls. Oba, a better-than-expected sushi bar, is no exception. Tucked in between a cluster of shops just off the end of the 110 freeway, Oba serves up respectable versions of such nouvelle sushi staples as spicy tuna on crispy rice and baked miso cod as well as an array of reasonably lunch and dinner combos to sate your sushi cravings. — CS
Lucky Boy: I’ve heard some colleagues complain they’ve received less than friendly service at this dining establishment. Me? Hey, I’m not looking for a BFF. I just want one of their monster breakfast burritos, exploding with eggs, hash browns, ham, sausage and cheese. Other artery-clogging items not to miss include their pastrami burger, fried zucchini and chili fries. Top it all off with a milkshake and an Orange Bang. It’s a greasy, no-frills, cash only experience and they’re open ‘til 2:00 a.m. What more could you ask for? – Mike Winder
A Porta Via sandwich is an innovation worth touting.
Porta Via: Loosely translated, porta via means “take away” or “to go” in Italian and probably alludes to the deli-style cuisine and take-out options offered by this local favorite. But the name could also allude to Porta Via as a gateway with the ability to transport you into another world. It’s a toss-up as to whether the build-it-for-you salad bar is better than the house made meatball sandwich with provolone and marinara. But, whatever you order, it’s guaranteed to be made with premium ingredients based on original family recipes. As an added bonus, peruse the shelves and deli-cases for hand-made pastas, artisan cheeses and authentic Italian imports. Or order a picnic basket before your next trip to the Hollywood Bowl. Bon appétit! – Jered Gold
Doña Rosa: There are times when you want to slide into a comfy booth, order a margarita and dive into a plate of nachos. And then you realize it’s the middle of the day and you simply need a couple of tacos made with fresh ingredients and hand-crafted tortillas, and a salsa bar where you can load up on your favorite hot, medium or mellow style to keep you going. Doña Rosa, the “little” sister of El Cholo, boasts all the authentic goodness of the L.A. South of the Border institution, with a more modern café approach. And, in addition to the lunchtime fare, grab a few of the freshly baked Rose City Pan Dulce in the morning with a cup of coffee; or swing by on your way home and pick up their new rotisserie chicken for dinner. – JG
Art adorns the walls of Jones Coffee on Raymond Avenue. Works by students were featured at the popular hang out recently.
Jones Coffee Roasters: A short walk from South Campus is Jones Coffee Roasters. A family-owned biz, they not only roast, grow and import the best coffee you’ve ever tasted; but they really know how to kick off the weekend. On Fridays, starting at 7 a.m., you can score delicious, freshly made, hefty tamales for only $2.50 a piece while supplies last. Stick around, because at 10 a.m. live musicians start entertaining the crowd of savvy coffee connoisseurs. With works by local artists covering the warehouse-like walls, the vibe is ultra cool, people are happy and friendly and the servers are down to earth and very professional. The foam art is up to the rim and Instagram worthy for sure. – Teri Bond
Foodies Café’s Alex and Soo Lee with their son. Photo by Sylvia Sukop
Foodies Café: This place is a hidden gem — and I mean hidden. It’s tucked away on the first floor of that faceless office building covered in reflective glass panels (at the corner of Arroyo and Glenarm, in suite 130), across the tracks just east of the South Campus wind tunnel building. Walking distance: two minutes. The notable lack of signage won’t matter after the first time you find your way there because the warmth of Soo and Alex Lee, the Korean couple who own the place and do all the cooking, not to mention the cuteness of their two-year-old son, will be a magnet for future visits. Over the past 18 years their family restaurant and catering business, which settled in this location in 2007, has gained a devoted following in Pasadena. They do their own shopping for fresh ingredients and prepare everything on site. It’s like popping into mom’s kitchen: “I love feeding people, and I love people enjoying my food,” says Soo with a big smile. Yes, they do serve succulent Korean BBQ (your choice of spicy or non-spicy) on their rotating menu of daily specials; sign up for their weekly email so you know what’s coming up. Specials draw on a smorgasbord of cuisines, from Mexican enchiladas and Italian lasagna to delicious seasonal soups. Looking for something more basic? Soo’s BLT with avocado on toasted whole wheat bread makes the perfect quick bite al desko (no messy dripping or crumbling). And her nouvelle chicken-cranberry-spinach-salad wrap is big enough for two—two people (share with a friend) or two meals (eat half for lunch and save the other half for that late night in the classroom or the cube). Keep Foodies on your early morning radar as well. One of my colleagues powers his day with their popular breakfast burrito, served 7 to 11 a.m. Foodies Café is open weekdays, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Sylvia Sukop
Greens, Beans and Grains Bar at Whole Foods: Joining the quinoa revolution has never been easier…or tastier. The Pasadena Whole Foods — a kind of Disneyland ride for Foodies — has curated a selection of the titular vegan holy trinity of food groups that form what amounts to a very healthy delivery system for an array of mouth-watering toppings that make the meal. We’re talking about fresh herbs, roasted veggies, gourmet sauces and enough roasted seeds, nuts and berries to feed the world’s population of squirrels and chipmunks for eternity. This is a lunch that leaves you feeling virtuous and very satisfied. CS
Lovebirds Café and Bakery: Go here for humongous salads and sandwiches, baked-from-scratch breads and pastries or just some freshly squeezed juice – orange, strawberry, carrot, watermelon, and more. There is also quite a menu of nutritional drinks including the intriguingly named “Arnold Schwartzenberry.” I’m pretty sure I would be a lot stronger and muscly if I drank an Arnold Schwartzenberry every day. Everything here is fresh and delicious. But unless you want food for four, order the half sandwich or half salad. My insider’s tip? If you are in need of comfort food get a good old peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Order it on the toast of your choice and you will be treated with an ooey gooey sweet delicious mess of a sandwich. The jam is homemade and fresh and irresistible. And the sandwich never fails to put a smile on my face. – Anna Macaulay
