Hello Friends!
After a whirlwind and internet-less week in Martinez California I find you, oh blogger following friends here in Gilroy, CA, not too far from San Jose. They say Gilroy is the garlic capital of the world and I am sure I will have a tale or two about that later. For now, let us catch up on a quick bits from last week. First a little slice of Loehrke family history - Pea Soup Andersen's.Come back with me friends. The Loehrke's were living in San Diego and it was time for us to move north to start a new chapter in Seattle thanks to the Coast Guard (though it almost Alaska - can you imagine!). It was the early 90's and we were making an unknown trek north on I-5 to the Emerald City. Our first night stop was a quick on/off ramp not too far from San Fransisco. At this exit was a tourist restaurant that my Mother assured was well worth the stop and would be one of the highlights of the trip. A place known for its famous Pea Soup.
The thing is, at the time, I can't think of anyone in our family at the time that actually enjoyed peas. From here the memory gets a little blurry. I remember hating the food and all of us being very cranky after being in the car for 10 hours and then we stayed at a scummy Motel 6 across the interstate (I saw that too).Needless to say it is a memory that has lived with us for eons and we always get a chuckle when the mention of Pea Soup Andersen's comes up.
Well two weeks ago when we drove from Shafter to Gilroy no sooner had we got on the interstate then I saw a sign saying Pea Soup Andersen's was only 100 miles away. Oh yes, we were stopping.
Thankfully Shawna was up for some tourist fun and the food was much better then I remembered (it helps that my pallet has vastly grown since we were last there). The pea soup wasn't bad. It's really a vehicle for cheese and bacon and the like. Served in a sourdough bread bowl you really can't go wrong. The whole establishment has a nice Bavarian slash Hispanic feel with an American Diner service that you expect from a stop off right off the interstate. Not only can you find a wide range of sandwiches and soups but there is a bevy of baked goods and cheese dips you can buy in the gift shop. Its good American (sort of) stuff, and definitely worth a stop should you cross its path on I-5!
The Adventure Continues - ML
Were there any exorcisms performed??? That's all I think of when I hear "Pea Soup."
ReplyDeleteOn a different note, I am excited to hear that you put your name in for another year on the road! The kids are lucky to keep having you come back. :)