Goody's, a San Gabriel culinary landmark, moves on

Food blogger Mike Tanner discovered the news while driving yesterday in San Gabriel: the sign on Goody's was dark. Sitting down to order, he was told by the waitress that today will be the end of the line after 50 years at that location.

The landlord was raising the rent and the owner was moving on. And it was sad. Antoinette and I had stumbled into not just witnessing a bit of history, but being a part of it.

The neighborhood and the economy had changed. Was there no room for Goody's in San Gabriel? It is no doubt that in a few short months a new pho or dim sum place would open in this building. Now, I love pho and I love dim sum but you know what Las Tunas Avenue doesn't need? More pho and dim sum.

Goody's was winning us over already based on more than just sympathy. How would it fare with the coffee test though? Well, okay. It did poorly on that front. It was bitter and had clearly been sitting on the burner for too long. Antoinette traded hers in for tea. I soldiered on and I must say that after that initial cup, fresher coffee was made and was much better.

Antoinette ordered the Chicken Pot Pie with a salad and side of green beans. I ordered the "Dutch Treat" with spicy red cabbage.

The owner, who apparently started at Goody's as a 14-year-old busboy, is building a new location in El Monte.

Photo by Adrienne Biondo