So what makes it interesting? Kitchen United Mix is more of a hub serving meals from multiple restaurant concepts. It’s a central kitchen cooking up orders for customers. It’s focused on to-go orders for pick-up and delivery. Everything is packed to order and ready to go. However, there are a few tables and chairs for those who choose to eat there, but it’s not ideal for dining with a big group.

There’s no server here to take your order. Instead, you order directly at the kiosk. You can choose from AmazeBowls, Canter’s Deli, Mama Musubi, The Halal Guys, Grilled Cheese Heaven, Samlor Thai Street Food, FreiBurger, Equelecua Cuban Vegan Cafe, or Tokyo Riso. For the indecisive and the taste-testers, try them all if you want! Or, if you’re in a hurry, you can place your order in advance online and choose what time you’ll pick up your food. It’s quick, easy, and ideal for anyone looking for convenience. Note: Only debit and credit cards accepted – no cash! They also have one hour of free parking with validation in the structure off 40 S. Oakland, a block west of the building. Y’all know that free parking anywhere in Los Angeles is a GIFT, so definitely take advantage of it!

I have tried several of the vendors – while they were all delicious, some of my favorites included the fresh, fruity smoothie bowls from AmazeBowls and the delicious corned beef reuben from Canter’s deli. That juicy, fatty corned beef cooked so tenderly, paired perfectly with the tangy sauerkraut. It’s a bit messy and greasy, but delicious if you’re in the mood for something a bit heartier!

Surprisingly, the turkey pesto sandwich from Grilled Cheese Heaven is a favorite item among the staff working at Kitchen United Mix. I can see why! The toasted bread with melted cheese, bright pesto flavors, creamy avocado, and stacks of turkey breast looks slightly on the healthier side is packed with flavor!

There are so many more vendors there though that are worth checking out when you get a chance. I’ll have to go back to try out some of the other food the next time I’m in the area and need a quick bite to go!

Have you been to any other food hubs? What would you order from here?

Check out my @chatwithcat for a giveaway to eat some of this food for free!

 📍  Kitchen United Mix
55 S Madison Ave, Pasadena, CA

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If you live in Los Angeles, you’re probably wondering – are there even farms or apple orchards out here? Yes! They aren’t exactly in the city, but if you drive a little ways out, you’ll find plenty. Oak Glen in Yucaipa, California, is one town filled to the brim with farms and activities for couples and the whole family. It’s the apple capitol of California, just shy of 100 miles east of Los Angeles, nestled near the San Bernardino Mountains. It’s also over 100 years old, rustic but lively, and very welcoming to all the people who come through the farms. It’ll feel as if you left California completely, without all the travel time.

To celebrate fall this year, I went to Oak Glen to apple-pick, press cider, and munch on apple cider donuts! The apple picking season is generally between September and November, but of course, each year will vary due to weather and how many people visit.

WillowBrook Apple Farm

The two main farms that most people are familiar with are Riley’s Farm and Willowbrook Apple Farm, likely because they are the first farms you’ll encounter when you drive into Oak Glen. If you plan to go to one of these, look to park on the side of the road. The further in you get, the more crowded it gets, so if you find a parking spot, take it and walk a little! I also suggest showing up when the doors open so that you can get your choice of apples and parking. *Note that Riley’s Farm is not open on Sundays.

This year, I went to Willowbrook Apple Farm. This orchard was planted in 1910, but it officially opened its doors to the public as an Apple Farm in 2004. It now belongs to the Driscoll family, who you may bump into walking around the farm still. This farm only has one type of apple: the winesap apple. It has a wrinkly top (explained to us as stretch marks for the apple), but it is crisp and sweet with a tangy finish. For you bakers, it holds its crisp well!

Once you’re in on the farm, you’re free to pick from whatever tree you want! They give you fruit pickers too to reach the apples way up on top. At Willowbrook, you pay by the bag: currently $9 for a small bag and $15 for the larger bag. Apple-picking is actually pretty hard when you’re late to the game and all the apples left are at the top of the tree. You have to wiggle your clunky picker through the branches and somehow find a way to grab and twist off the apples. It was a workout for me!

Besides apples, the farm currently has raspberries to pick as well. There is a also a mini pumpkin patch, cute animals like Star and Comet, their mini-donkey and mini-horse, barbecue food truck on site, a small shop of their homemade jams and sauces, and a cider press. That’s right, you can make your own cider!

We decided to fork over the $12 and make our own cider for fun. The farm provided the apples, and we picked a basket full of apples and used their press machines to make our own sweet ciders!

For the record, if you’re like me and wondering what the difference between apple cider and apple juice is – let me share what I learned! Apple cider is made by pressing fresh apples, while apple juice is cider that has been filtered and pasteurized so that you can keep it on the shelf for months. The more you know.

Snow-Line Orchard & Winery

After finishing at Willowbrook, we decided to drive more inland to stop at Snow-Line Orchard and Winery for their famous mini apple cider donuts! Snow Line Orchards has a more park-like feel to it – with grass and lots of tall trees and cute picnic tables to gather around for snacks. They also have thousands of apples all over the floor, which is exactly what I think of when I think of an apple orchard.

If you walk past the picnic tables, you’ll find a pretty big country store filled with apples, trinkets, food, a wine tasting room, and their delicious donuts! The line for the donuts and beverages can be pretty long, but it moves rather quickly. The cider donuts are made with Snow Line Orchard’s own apple cider and served hot and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. I was craving a apple cider slush, so we ordered one to go along with the donuts. They also have coffee, which I imagine would complement the donuts pretty well too. The slush was SO refreshing and sweet – perfect for a hot day of picking we just had. And the cider donuts? Pure bliss! Crispy on the outside, fluffy and warm on the inside.

I also wanted to visit Los Rios Rancho and Oak Tree Village. Los Rios Rancho is actually Southern California’s largest historic apple ranch! And Oak Tree Village is 14 acres of activities and family fun including train rides, pony rides, their famous mile high apple pies, pig races, and endless shops and crafts. Unfortunately, we only had enough time to drive by it, and it looked like it was bustling. I’ll definitely have to make a stop next time.

Have you been to Oak Glen or anywhere similar? What’d you think? I always love discovering places like these, and I’d love to hear of any places you know!

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