Aunque la situación económica va mejorando poco a poco, todavía muchos de nosotros nos las vemos negras de vez en cuando, especially if you’re among the student/ starving artist demographic. Of course we all still wanna stretch our money to the max and get the best out of our bucks, thus eating out can still be a bit of an issue. Thank ____ (fill in blank with the deity of your choice) for mom and pop joints that manage to serve a shiz load of good food for a great price. Uno de esos lugares es “La Palma Chicken Pie Shop”. Not only is this Anaheim joint one of the oldest restaurants in the area, but it’s one of the few places where you can seriously get a full meal (that doesn’t taste like frozen dog food) for less than ten bucks.
La especialidad de este restaurante, como lo dice su nombre, son los chicken pot pies. Now, if you’ve had a chicken pot pie before- the ones served at “La Palma” son parecidos pero totalmente distintos en sabor… nada que ver with the ones you can find at KFC or Marie Callender’s.
At this joint you will find classic American home cooking with a dab of southern comfort, y por si fuera poco you’ll also find all kinds of pies and pastries since this place is a bakery as well.
American kitsch
Since this joint is hella old (its inauguration coincided with the opening of Disneyland), its owners decided to leave it as is and just embrace the history that it houses en cada rincón. Este restaurante no ha sido remodelado ni redecorado desde la década de los 70.
What you get is a 50’s style diner, kitschy to the max, with no real décor aside from a whole lot of chickens everywhere. La neta es que a primera vista este restaurante está como para echarse a llorar… its old, dusty and it really didn’t age well. However, as bad as that may seem, that exactly is what makes it even more appealing.
The staff, you must know, is beyond friendly and accommodating, and just like its décor, it seems like “La Palma Chicken Pie Shop” also hasn’t changed staff since the 70’s.
La comida
With so much chicken casseroles being prepared and pies being baked, es obvio que en este restaurante preparan toda la comida con muchos huevos.
The most popular item of their menu and perhaps one of the main reasons why someone will choose to eat at this joint is their Super Combo.
For less than $10 you get what you most likely won’t find anywhere else: chicken noodle soup, house salad, your choice of an individual chicken pot pie or 3 pieces of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, AND dessert.
If that’s not a bargain, then I don’t know what is… that’s seriously unheard of… pero lo más padre de todo esto es que la comida is actually tasty. At “La Palma Chicken Pie Shop” they don’t sacrifice quality for quantity. You get a shiz load of yummy food.
The chicken noodle soup is made with a special chicken broth that’s well seasoned and thick, the chicken is tender and the vegetables are not overcooked, which balance the meal perfectly. The people that wrote those “Chicken Soup For The Soul” books probably got started después de haberse echado una sopita de pollo en este lugar.
La ensalada es lo único que ni fu ni fa… it’s your typical chopped lettuce with a few garnishings and the dressing of your choice.
Now, the chicken pot pie might seem a little disappointing at first. Why? The size of the chicken pot pie is rather small compared to what you’re used to finding at KFC or at the frozen food isle. However, the size is just about right once you start to dig in. Once you crack the crust you’ll find yourself eating its contents like a maniac. The chicken pot pie is filled with chunky pieces of tender and juicy chicken simmered in a special homemade gravy que te dejará chupándote los dedos… just that- chicken and gravy, no veggies whatsoever. It’s almost impossible to resist ordering another one.
Ahora que si no se te antoja un chicken pot pie, their baked potatoes are also a great option. They come with cheese, butter and chives.
Dessert time!
You can’t call it a meal without having dessert. “La Palma” is one of those joints where really, you can have your cake and eat it too… well; it’s more like a pie, but still.
You can get a slice of your choice of pie… realmente tienen de todos en este lugar. Among the most popular ones you can find apple, raspberry, key lime, and cherry.
Even if you have the most terrible sweet tooth, con una rebanada tendrás más que suficiente. All the pies are made with a special dough and they have of course 100% natural fresh fruit and preserves.
So if you’re in the area, why not treat yourself for a full and tasty meal… plus you’ll be part of O.C. history by eating at this landmark. Don’t go too late though, as they always close exactly at 8:00pm.
La Palma Chicken Pie Shop928 N Euclid St
Anaheim, CA 92801
714.533.2021
