Monte Cristo marathon
Friday, May 6, 2005 16:22We’re taking on the Monte Cristo sandwiches of L.A., one by one, to find the very best. Our first stop was Astro Family Restaurant, which only rated a 3 out of 5.
The Monte Cristo is most likely a native Californian dish, according to those who research such things. Several cookbooks of the 1920s and 1930s mentioned a ham and cheese sandwich dipped in egg and fried, but it wasn’t until about 1941, according to www.foodtimeline.org, that a Monte Cristo was listed on a menu, at Gordon’s in L.A. The L.A. Times traced it back to the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, although this cannot be verified. Today, a Monte Cristo at the Del Coronado is $15.50 and made with brie — perhaps not the traditional recipe, but the blackberry jam is the proper accompaniement. If anyone has a favorite Monte Cristo, please let us know.
jonah says:
May 6th, 2005 at 5:51 pm
I haven’t had a Monte Cristo since highschool. Growing up in Orange County, I had a friend that would make us drive down to the Del Mar area to get a late night Monte Christo at a coffee shop there. I wish I could remember the name of the place.
Jason Cosper says:
May 9th, 2005 at 12:24 pm
I may catch crap for this, but I rather enjoy the Monte Cristo at Jerry’s served with jam and sour cream. It may not be the greatest Monte Cristo ever, but it’s still rather good - not to mention freaking huge.
The Monte Cristo at the Blue Bayou inside Disneyland is also a favorite. Its only downfall is that it is only available on the lunch menu. C’est la vie.
Pappy says:
May 9th, 2005 at 12:38 pm
HMS Bounty in K-town has my favorite Monte Cristos. Nothing too fancy, just oh so yummy :)
meg says:
May 9th, 2005 at 10:41 pm
My grandmother swears by the monte cristo at duke’s on sunset.
Lisa says:
May 11th, 2005 at 11:24 am
I like the one at Cafe 50’s in the valley. Served with Jam.
Zoe says:
May 11th, 2005 at 11:28 pm
The Monte Cristo at the French Market Place in West Hollywood is just excellent - plenty of puff and powdered sugar - tastes like a walking sin to eat all that sweet with the ham.
PC says:
April 5th, 2006 at 7:40 pm
LOL @ the Bounty. That place is a clasic, though I’ve never had the Monte Cristo.