ARRIVEDERCI TONY, T-TOWN SEZ HELLO TO SHAKEY’S RATTLE & ROLL

August 6, 2008 by PT Rothschild.

MR. PETE’S BREAKFAST BURRITO EXTRAVAGANZA ALSO EXPANDS

Temecula, CA – As was stated in a preceding article, restaurant Tony Roma’s has closed their doors in T-town, and sources close to this reporter indicate that the company itself may have or may be planning to also close its doors. However, Temecula is gaining a new restaurant chain in its place. After first breaking the story about Shakey’s coming to the old Godfather’s pizza location in the K-Mart center on Ynez across from the Mall (see archieves), we have an updated report on the new facility which will be located next to the Dip ‘n’ Dots ice cream shop. The new ‘flagship’ store, a first for the established restaurant chain, is something that fits in with T-town being (still) a test market. Perhaps the fact that Monster Energy Drinks and the Universal Finger Light both started in this valley along with the fact that Cuppy’s stand-alone coffee+music shows store was also that corp’s venture into a new marketing direction provided the impetus for Shakey’s to put the innovative outlet here. Temecula and especially Murrieta have been places of creative growth and experimentation for quite awhile. Ever hear of a company called ‘Splash Down Anchors’? With a little more air let into the ‘creative jar’ around these parts there’s no telling just what might be fashioned next. But I digress. The old Godfather’s store was around 5K sq. ft. but the new Shakey’s with their hired-away-from BJ’s chef and added gourmet food menu needed more room for their culinary territory so they expanded, taking in the closest other two adjoining units to give that whole Palm Plaza center end a food court theme of ice cream (Dip ‘n’ Dots), pizza/restaurant (Shakey’s), and (See’s) candy.

Meanwhile the ‘scene’s food spot, Mr. Pete’s Breakfast Burrito Extravaganza, keeps drawing more praise from customers and neighboring vendors alike at the weekly Wednesday Farmers’ Market in the Promenade Mall parking lot between Macy’s and the Union 76 mini-mart. The secret menu has been expanded once again to now include ‘the George Dubya, (eggs, cheese, and potatoes – ‘plain, nothing fancy’) and ‘fixins’ served in a food tray being called ‘doggie style’ “cause everybody loves doggie style” – Chef Sal. Also the finishing touches are being put on the new trailer so the MPBBE crew can now prep onsite. “This will save us both time in the morning and money on renting a prep kitchen,” said Paul Bahou. “Ivan (of Ivan Promotions) has been building (the trailer) up at his father’s ranch in Anza, putting in linoleum flooring so we can just hose it out for cleanup.” The first test of the new prep trailer will be at the Canyon Lake Farmers Market happening this Sunday from the hours of 10AM-1PM. The Canyon Lake Farmers Market is a brand new market and is moving into their third week of operation. We at the Review wish all the vendors at the new Canyon Lake market much success on this latest venture in the valley area.

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