Rod's Grill, Arcadia's beloved classic diner, announces its closure after nearly 70 years. Closing date will be Sunday, February 12, 2023. It is located at 41 West Huntington Drive, along Historic Route 66. The diner began as a small chain of restaurants in 1946, with the Arcadia location opening in 1957.
Diners line up to get last meal at Rod's Grill in Arcadia. Restaurant that has served generations of people closes on Sunday (yesterday). Hundreds of diners made a final pilgrimage to Rod's Grill in Arcadia at 41 W. Huntington Drive, along Historic Route 66. Rod Wellman started the restaurant in 1946 in Alhambra. The Arcadia location opened in 1957 offering 10 cent coffees and 40 cent slices of pie a la mode. Wellman's sons Barry and Brian took over years later, then Manny Romero bought it about 25 years ago and kept its vintage vibe. Romero was an immigrant from Mexico. He died in 2021. Television shows such as This is Us, Mad Men, Last Man Standing, and Luck, had filmed episodes there. See hard copy in VF. See also Pasadena Star News, p. A3, A4, February 9, 2023.
Former Mayor, students reflect on continuing controversy over Apache imagery use at Arcadia High School.1342 people have signed petition to stop its use as a mascot.
Food critic Merrill Shindler reports that San Gabriel Valley has several good options for seafood, including EMC Seafood & Raw Bar at Westfield Santa Anita.
Cities fighting a sports betting ballot initiative. A coalition claims the state measure, from Pechanga Resort Casino, referred to as the Tribal Sports Wagering Act, would fuel excessive litigation against card rooms, potentially shutting them down, effectively killing 32,000 jobs. It would allow sports wagering at tribal casinos and at four California racetracks-Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, Del Mar in San Diego, and Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley.
For the wonderfully weird, Monarch rules. Amid theatrical decor, try a martini with vinegar and Slippery Egg Crab Fried Fun. There is no destination in San Gabriel Valley like Monarch at 1212 South Baldwin Avenue. Merrill Shindler reviews the restaurant opened by the Leon family, who first brought us their take on Peruvian-Chinese cooking at Chifa in Eagle Rock. Monarch is serving modern Chinese cuisine.
Small Businesses Adapt to Economic Uncertainty in Arcadia. The COVID-19 outbreak has frozen one of the world’s most powerful economies and suspended the fate of many business owners worldwide. During these uncertain times, many small businesses are searching for any method or reason to stay open, and in Arcadia, some have gone to great lengths to do so.
Monterey Park shooting aftermath. Lunar New Year is typically a festive and family affair, but was marred by a mass shooting in Monterey Park, which killed 10 at a dance hall. David Lee, co-president of Arcadia Chinese Association, said Lunar New Year is supposed to be "a happy time for family reunions because Chinese tradition and culture is very family-oriented."
Chinese food in Arcadia done right at these spots--Hai Di Lao Hot Pot and Din Tai Fung at Westfield Santa Anita mall open for outdoor dining. Reviews by Merrill Shindler.
Restaurant review, by Merrill Shindler, of Craft by Smoke & Fire, a small chain with one branch in Old Pasadena, another in Arcadia, and a third in Anaheim. Barbecue, sports play well together. Craft by Smoke & Fire eateries have a very good balance of tasty food and entertainment. The Arcadia location is at the Santa Anita mall at 400 S. Baldwin Avenue.
WeChat ban may jolt lives of many. Chinese-Americans use apps for communication, delivery services, payments, appointments, news. In an executive order last week, President Donald Trump announced a ban on Chinese social media apps Tik Tok and WeChat. WeChat is heavily used by Chinese in Arcadia, Alhambra, San Gabriel. WeChat is an unofficial channel of the City of Arcadia. WeChat is the backbone of Chinese social organizing, from business to political movements.
Rose Parade 2024. SOI RV Club is a primo event for RV enthusiasts. The Sports Coach Owners International (SOI) has been organizing Rose Parade rallies for 45 years. They park at Santa Anita Park and attend multiple events including Equestfest, Bandfest, and some horse racing at the track.
Arcadia Senior Services is partnering with Arcadia Chinese Association to celebrate Chinese New Year on Friday, February 3, at the Arcadia Community Center, 365 Campus Drive. It's an event for age 50 and over and the cost is $10 per person.
Review by Merrill Shindler - Asian market is authentic. 99 Ranch Market chain has hundreds of good things at its multiple San Gabriel locations, including one in Arcadia. Its mission is to offer authentic Chinese ingredients to underserved Chinese-American communities across America.
Businesses rejoice as Coronavirus restrictions are relaxed. On Friday, California met the vaccine equity goal that allowed public health jurisdictions in Los Angeles County, including Pasadena, to move into the less restrictive red tier of the state’s reopening roadmap on Monday. As Los Angeles County geared up for some semblance of familiarity after an extraordinary 12 months of lockdown, the defining red tier reached is a delineating moment for better days ahead. The staggering loss of life, political turmoil and concerns of becoming another statistic weigh heavily on the minds of Southern Californians as we enter into the next phase of reopening businesses which we used to take for granted. As of Monday, indoor dining, movie theatres and other businesses were allowed to reopen with limited capacity — restaurants at 25% for example.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta allows lawsuit over Arcadia City Council appointment to proceed. HQH Chinese American Equalization Association and Arcadia Voters Rights Group are suing to challenge the appointment of Michael Danielson, representing District 5, which was vacant after the death of Council Member Roger Chandler. Danielson's term expires upon certification of the November 8 election results.