Take Gold Line to La Grande Orange Cafe

Along the Metro Gold Line is a favorite drinking and dining stop - La Grande Orange Cafe. Located inside a restored 1934 train depot, La Grande Orange Cafe gives new life to a historic train station. Named after the orange groves that once bordered the former Santa Fe Railway Depot, it was a popular stop for Hollywood’s Golden Age stars that included Clark Gable, Mae West, and Will Rogers. In a study conducted by Dr. Edward Thorndike of Columbia University in the 1930s, Pasadena was rated the best city to live in and visit. It still is a terrific city for outdoor activities, beautiful architecture, international dining opportunities, shopping, and world-class events at the Rose Bowl.

When the Arroyo Seco Parkway was completed in 1940, the freeway became the first in the west to provide a fast and direct route from Pasadena to Los Angeles. It inspired people to drive, instead of traveling by train and the depot eventually closed.

Now with gas prices at an all time high, taking the Metro Line is an affordable and exciting alternative mode of transportation.

The Gold Line stops at 27 different stations serving Los Angeles neighborhoods including Boyle Heights, the Arts District, Chinatown, Lincoln Heights, Highland Park, before rolling into South Pasadena all the way to Duarte. The Pasadena stop at La Grande Orange is just blocks from Old Town Pasadena.

When diners arrive, they order outside at a menu kiosk before sitting in one of four drinking and dining areas at the train depot. A popular spot is the cozy and club-like Otis Bar offering a full bar and dining menu at the African mahogany bar. The large windows appeal to those who enjoy watching the passing Gold Line trains.

My friend and I were seated in the main dining area at one of the comfortable booths near the open kitchen. This area was once the depot’s ticket counter. While sitting inside, we heard bells ring multiple times, alerting us that an incoming metro train was approaching the station.

Next to this dining area is the former train station luggage room that has been turned into The Luggage Room Pizzeria. They prepare a variety of classic fermented and gluten-free pizza crust that can be enjoyed inside and out along the side of the depot area.

The kitchen team caters to those with healthy and sensitive dietary needs and concerns. They arrive early in the morning and prepare everything fresh - nothing is frozen. They go to extreme measures to ensure there is no cross-contamination of ingredients. Produce is from local farmers markets, and La Grande Orange has their own LGO Reserve Beef, creating local and regionally inspired American classic fare.

Some of the most popular pizzas from The Luggage Room include The Fallen Angel with house-made sausage, roasted peppers, and shaved fennel on a house red sauce. Another is the Avocado Festival pizza that is also made with the red sauce, and then topped with sun-dried tomatoes, Hass avocado, basil and lemon zest.

The vegetarian and vegan pizzas can be topped with house-made vegan cheese and a variety of seasonal vegetables. While many restaurants scoff or charge for modifications to their menu items, La Grande Orange will happily substitute items at no charge.

Since the menu offers 30+ gluten-free items, we ordered a gluten-free vegetable pizza as a starter. The dough is thinner than their regular dough and chewier. Other gluten-free menu items include the “Clarkville, TX” vegan chili with house-made cashew cheese or cheddar on top.

While sipping Arnold Palmer ice teas with a splash of lemonade, we enjoyed deviled eggs served on a custom wood egg holder plank. The whipped yolk has a sprinkle of paprika, bacon bits and chives.

Another favorite is the tuna tartare made with chopped sushi grade tuna and served with guacamole, sliced radishes and sprinkled with ponzu sauce. Burgers and sandwiches come with a choice of crispy French fries or kale salad.

When “The Misfit” crispy fried chicken sandwich arrived, we noticed the Jidori chicken breast offered a touch of heat from the spicy mayo. I liked the crunchy cabbage slaw and crisp pickles. Since we ordered the gluten-free version, it was a knife and fork lettuce sandwich between crispy iceberg leaves. You can also order it in-between a delicious sesame seeded bun or one of their house-made English muffins.

La Grande Orange Cafe’s sourdough English muffins are larger than the ones in the grocery store. My friend told me the muffins are proofed in the kitchen overnight and grilled on the stovetop, to give them a crispy edge, and soft doughy bite. If you like them as much as I did, you can purchase a bag to take them home to enjoy.

Take a train ride to La Grande Orange Cafe to dine in a beautifully restored train station in the Rose City. The extensive menu offers a variety of starters, salads, burgers, sandwiches, taco platters and pizzas that appeal to every diet. Open daily for lunch, weekend brunch and dinner.

Come in for Happy Hour on Monday through Friday until 7 p.m., for a glass of LGO wine, signature cocktail, well pours and draught beer for a special 50% off the regular price.

$$ 60 S. Raymond Ave., (626)356-4444.