One unhurried afternoon in Montrose
How I’d spend a Sunday in downtown Montrose: the farmers’ market, two bookstores, a bowling alley from 1940 and where to end up for dinner.
Montrose has a picturesque downtown full of restaurants and shops, a weekly farmers’ market and so many community events, like Oktoberfest and the classic car show. If you remember Frank the Tank streaking through a downtown at night in “Old School,” that was Montrose. I love this little town.
Start at the farmers’ market
The Montrose Farmers’ Market runs every Sunday until 1. Our family tradition is California Tornado Potato: owners Susan and Bong show up every Sunday, rain or shine, and hand-cut and fry each spiral potato while you wait. Get there early to beat the lunch crowd, place your order, then shop the market. Susan’s tip: hold the stick upright and at an angle when you load on the seasonings. Bebacue’s sloppy Joe and bourbon sauce are the other regular pickup.
Two bookstores
Once Upon A Time is the nation’s oldest children’s bookstore, in business since 1966, with a beautifully curated selection for the whole family. Lost Books, sister store to The Last Bookstore downtown, has a sweet selection of books, plants and vinyl.
Coffee and a treat
Gio’s Bakery & Café has been a Montrose favorite for over a decade (love their muffins, and grab the last baguette if you can). How’s It Going To End? is a sweet coffee shop and garden in what was Regal Dry Cleaners since 1967; they preserved much of the building, down to the sign. Berolina Bakery has incredible danishes, cakes, cookies, and more. Toasted has delicious, huge toast towers. Perlas for ice cream.
Montrose Bowl
A gem since 1940 with a retro look, a bar, and a vegan and kosher menu.
Dinner
Backbone, from the owners of McCall’s Meat & Fish Co. in Los Feliz, is the fine-dining restaurant this community had been waiting for; reservations on Resy. Sabrina’s Pizzeria Napoletana on the corner of Honolulu and Verdugo is seafood-forward Neapolitan and my kids loved the pastas. India’s Flavor for Indian.
Come back for the events
The Montrose Car Show fills the 2200 to 2400 blocks of Honolulu Ave around the Fourth of July with 300 hot rods, classics and motorcycles. The Montrose Arts & Crafts Festival in early June spans three blocks with over 200 artisans, food vendors, live music and fun for the kids. Don’t miss the Christmas Parade!
About the author
Jean shares local Foothills notes because she is always trying new places and doesn’t gatekeep. She is also a local real estate agent.
About Jean
