Where the Crew Ate
By Ray Rodriguez
A heaping portion of our friends and neighbors, indeed our culture, are fascinated with dining out. As a lifelong restaurateur, people often approach me with questions about specific places or dining in general.
Given the increasing quality and expanse of “high desert vittles” versus print limitations, this column is our attempt to highlight more tasty spots than we might otherwise, with respect for ever-tightening restaurant marketing budgets. There is no “pay to play,” just us gratefully eating our way through the Morongo Basin.
Before we get started on this month’s “kitchen crawl” please understand the prejudice brought to the task:
I eat out to enjoy. Bring me the wrong order, if it seems an honest mistake and no one else is waiting for the dish, I will most likely just devour it. Except liver, the heck with liver.
People don’t know I’m involved with Joshua Tree Voice. I blend in with the working world so well that people regularly give me the “do you work here” look, or just flat out ask me to park their cars, seat them, or get their golf clubs. And I always do, politely and quickly; it’s fun.
GRND SQRL, 29 Palms
Publisher Lisa was so taken by the hullabaloo celebrating the Schnitzel there was no denying her, so we headed into 29. I admit that GRND SQRL owner Mike Usher’s recent collaboration with Joel Pettersson and Eric Smith in nearby 29 Palms Beer Company was of more interest to me, particularly given the hiring of Brew Master Ed Heethuis.
Sure, I had heard of Schnitzel, meat pounded thin, breaded, lightly fried, and sauced, but had always favored other Deutschland specialties like Bratwurst and fried onions or sauerkraut. Gotta have that pickled cabbage, and so good for us! But “when in Rome,” so two Schnitzel plates it was, and not one bit left on either plate. Kudos to Swedish-born Chef Joel Pettersson! After a lifetime of dining, it’s still nice to expand one’s horizons, and the accompaniments proved tasty surprises as well.
With other creatively named dishes like “The Stumps, The Jalla, The Dank House Salad,” alongside Bavarian Pretzels, Wings and Pickles, and featuring the partnership brews of the 29 Palms Beer Company, makes GRND SQRL an inviting stop. Did I mention the cool merch, the solid service, and that you will likely run into friends at the bar? Go.
Rounding Out the Month
Sooo many wonderful meals at Spaghetti Western, Morongo. Jasmine and Lorenzo hail from Italy, and it shows. They are also riveting musical performers, as if bringing this impressively large full-service restaurant, electric stage, lively bar, and banquet facility to a better life than ever imagined weren’t enough. Catch live music on the weekend, open mic on Sunday, or just eat there anytime and know “amore” on a plate. I love this place.
Hadn’t stopped by Country Kitchen, Joshua Tree in several months, but enjoyed two breakfasts recently with creative empresario Rolo Castillo and all I can say is, “I had the special apple pancakes both times, and I NEVER order pancakes.” There were four of us the second time, including Retreat Center CEO Terry and Publisher Lisa, and we stayed an hour longer than intended, such is the easy vibe.
Please stop into Coyote Cone, Morongo and enjoy lip-smacking locally made ice cream. The coffees are great as well. Fun merch. I have taken everyone who rides with me there. A favorite of Granddaughter Riley’s. Take some home and take more than you think you need. You will be tempted to eat more on the way home. Buy gift certificates, how else can you bring delight to someone’s day for just $10? Get a lot of them, you will run out and you will want to bring others joy.
Next month we will feature The Restaurant at 29 Palms Inn, Crossroads Cafe, The Dez’s (yep there are two), Just a Small Town Grill, and a place you would never guess.
Ray Rodriguez, Principal for Joshua Tree Voice, has been a successful businessman and restaurateur in the desert for over 30 years as well as a lifetime community and civic leader.
