The Market Grill

Overview:  Since opening over a year ago, the has done very well in its Shamrock Avenue location across the street from . Casual and friendly, the restaurant is known for its old fashioned, family oriented atmosphere. The Market Grill is also one of the sponsors of Sunday’s Cinco de Mayo Festival.

Décor:  The exterior of the building features cheerful flowers in window boxes, while the interior tables are decorated with fresh flowers in vases and whimsical salt and pepper shakers in the shape of peppers, pineapples and fish. Nostalgic signs and black and white photography by the owner’s friend, Patti Peters, adorn the walls.

Drinks:  Fountain Drinks, Iced Tea, Minted Lemonade sweetened with Splenda.

Lunch Entrees, Burgers and Sandwiches:  Many come for the burgers, which range from $6.50-$7.25, with or without cheese, bacon or chili, accompanied by a choice of minted potato salad, fresh fruit or natural-cut fries. New England Hot Dogs steamed in dark beer include The Naked Dog ($4.50), The Dirty Dog ($5.25) with chili, cheese, onions, and mustard, and The Mad Dog ($5.25) with bacon, green chiles, grilled onions, and spicy ketchup.

Some favorites from the grill include the Chicken California with chicken, cheddar, tomatoes, spinach, avocado, and garlic mayo, and The Angry Beast with roast beef, swiss, grilled onions, spinach, roasted green chiles, and horseradish mayo, for $7.75. You can also choose between Plain Ol’ Grilled Cheese ($5.25) and Grown-up Grilled Cheese ($7.75) with provolone, cheddar, tomato, and a choice of turkey, bacon, or ham.

The Shamrock Ave BLT with bacon, lettuce, tomato, sprouts, and garlic mayo for $7.75 is a favorite. Other offerings include The Beast ($7.45) with roast beef, swiss, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and horseradish mayo, Ham I Am ($7.45) with black forest ham, swiss, lettuce, tomato, and honey mustard spread, Jive Turkey ($7.45) with turkey, provolone, roasted red pepper, spinach, and garlic mayo, Gem-City Club ($8.95) with turkey, ham, bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and garlic mayo ($8.95), and Veggie Patch ($7.25) with cheese or avocado, fresh veggies, hummus, and garlic mayo. Their Middle East Feast ($6.50) with falafel and hummus is also a popular vegetarian choice.

Salads and Sides:  Their salad dressings are all made from scratch, and salads include the Chicken California ($7.75), The Green Beast ($7.45), and Jive Turkey ($7.45), which have the same ingredients as the similarly named sandwiches. They also offer The Popeye ($7.75) with spinach, chicken, bacon, tomato and red onion, and Nuts About Apples ($7.45) with nut brittle, apples, and blue cheese crumbles.

Market Grill’s Chili ($3.75) is from a recipe that was perfected over a course of two years and it takes three hours to make. Other offerings include a Daily soup ($3.25), Fries ($2.25-$3.25), Chili Fries ($3.95) and Minted Lemon Potato Salad ($2.25-$3.50).

Desserts:  Bacon chocolate chip cookies, a perfect combination of salty and sweet, from a recipe that dates from the 1930s. Other desserts may include carrot cake, lemon bars, cheescake squares, and red velvet cake.

Service:  Casual, self seating. Order at the counter.

Signature Dishes:  Burgers, Angry Beast, Chicken California

525 S Shamrock Ave

Monrovia, CA 91016 

626-303-4314