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Did you hear the KQED Forum show last week on food treasures?
The program reported on heavenly food finds hiding in unexpected areas like gas stations and strip malls. It introduces listeners to places like a Filipino-themed ice cream shop and bakery in Tracy off Interstate 205 and I have a few suggestions too. Ever been to the Pescadero burrito stand inside the gas station at the west end of town? How about Hangry Planet in the San Bruno mini mart?
It’s such a win to find these places.
Here’s a recent discovery. Went for a hike at Bedwell Bayfront Park (end of Marsh Rd. east of 101) and kept exploring afterwards in the few shops nearby. Stopped into your standard-looking Mexican grocer, Mi Terra Linda to check out the spices and dried chilies and discovered the unexpected!
Never a fan of standard Mexican pastries, these looked different. Two racks of homemade cakes filled with real fruit and custard.
It was hard to figure out what to do – there weren’t any prices or bags and I quickly got a feeling non-Hispanics don’t shop here that often. After a minute or two a woman appeared from the kitchen with a newly baked tray of cakes. I drooled while she smiled. “Peach” she said and handed me a tray and tongs to choose from the bounty.
In addition to Pastel Durazno (peach cake) I chose a really fresh, super moist sweet corn cake.
The total came to $3.00 for two large cakes, plus $1 for the tip jar. I munched on those delicious goodies all week long. What a find – hiding in plain sight among an old group of shops in east Menlo Park.
Any amazing food in unexpected places come to your mind?
Mi Terra Linda
1209 Willow Rd, Menlo Park
Open 7 AM – 9 PM daily
– photos by LSIC
