This morning I woke up early for a long run. We had exciting plans and I wanted to make sure I was done at an early enough time! I pre-fueled for my run with iced coffee and a bagel and some Mighty Maple PB.
I tried this new-to-me Gu Brew for my handheld water bottle. It is not good. But, I was thirsty and drank it.
15 miles ran in 2:10:52 – I started out really really fast and when I turned around to come home the wind was blowing on my face and it was slightly up hill. Brutal.
When I got home I took the quickest shower ever and grabbed some grapes for the road.
Ben and I are obsessed with Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (triple D) and have decided to hit up all the featured restaurants that are drive-able to use. Luckily, that’s a lot since we’re right in between San Diego and L.A.!
We went to The Gaffey Street Diner in San Pedro today.
I read the reviews and watched the Triple D video clip from that episode last night so I was very excited!
The décor is just like you’d expect from a “hole-in-the-wall” diner – clean, sparse and utilitarian.
They make fresh squeezed OJ every day and Ben got a glass of that along with coffee. I got iced coffee and water. They don’t make special iced coffee, but put their hot coffee over ice. It was actually some of the best iced coffee I’ve had around here (which isn’t really saying much, but I appreciate it). Ben thought the coffee was really good too
I ordered the vegetarian omelet with avocado instead of cheese. It comes with a choice of sides, but heard the home fries were some of the best breakfast potatoes you can get, so I didn’t even consider a “healthy option”. Sometimes your soul’s health is the most important thing, right?
The avocado was fanned out so pretty and it was perfectly ripe!
Breakfast comes with a choice of toast or a biscuit. I went biscuit. Go Big or Go Home! This thing was so big though I barely made a dent in it. You know I’m saving it for later!
I even got the gravy on the side! At first I told them to hold it, but figured I should try it since I’ve never had biscuits and gravy before.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When eating at a Triple D diner, eat as Guy Fieri would This meal is no joke and I loved it.
I went into this meal very hungry. I mean, I had just run 15 miles and only ate grapes after! So even though hunger can make food taste better, I really think this breakfast rocked! Love love love.
Ben and I both give Gaffey Street Diner four forks up!
Post-breakfast we decided to explore San Pedro. I’ve been here a few times, but Ben never had. It’s a port town and not particularly fancy, but it has personality.
There is a HUGE port with tons of freight ships on the water, so it’s not a beautiful view, but it’s interesting to see. This is also one of the locations where cruise ships leave so it’s an exciting buzz!
If you keep going straight after leaving the diner (away from the freeway) you come upon the Friendship Bell on the right hand side.
It was donated by Korea for the bicentennial in 1976!
From the hill near the Friendship Bell you can see the ocean. It was a very overcast day, but wasn’t too cold once we were walking around.
We spotted a path down to the ocean and walked down…
The Pacific Ocean in California is very cold. But it’s the most gorgeous thing. The places where the cliffs meet the ocean are amazing.
We walked around a park on the cliffs and found a pretty light house.
There a ton of benches around the perimeter of the park where you can have a picnic. Well, you could have a picnic if you didn’t just stuff yourself silly at the Gaffey Street Diner
Well, you could always just have dessert from the paleta man!
Whatever you do, just don’t pick this picnic table…
It is super slanted! Hard-boiled eggs would be a bad choice for lunch at this table
Ben and I just got back home and are planning on a quiet night of dinner (TBD) and a movie. See ya later!
If you want to see the Gaffey Street Diner clip…
Katie @ Pop Culture Cuisine says
We LOVE Diner’s, Drive-ins, and Dives, so much so that it was one of the shows that inspired my traveling blog!
Holley @ Lunges and Lashes says
I am with you! Sometimes you do need to go BIG and just not worry about it! My husband loves that show too! Not going to lie, that food looked REALLY good. Especially that gravy. Who am I!?! Sh! Don’t tell!
I spied you from Skinny Runner, love your blog!
runeatrepeat says
I know, I can’t believe I actually enjoyed the gravy – totally the weirdest thing for me!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Megan says
Hi Monica –
Just wanted to say that I came across your blog recently (how, I don’t know. I do a lot of random blog visiting), and I really enjoy it! Your writing is honest and funny, and I love all of the food photos and ideas. However, I’m very jealous of your gorgeous weather; I live in Michigan, and it’s gross here today!
-Megan
runeatrepeat says
Hi Megan,
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Amanda says
Hey…found your blog randomly and just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading some of your posts. I have just started “running” or at least trying to get into a routine, and I’m enjoying reading people’s tips through their blogs!!
runeatrepeat says
Hi Amanda,
Glad you found my blog 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food says
mmm I do love me some biscuits! looks like you’re having a wonderful time, beautiful photos! 🙂
Amber K says
I miss big doughy, chewy biscuits! And that avocado is so pretty! I have never seen one so perfectly ripe and fanned.
But let me tell ya, the Pacific Ocean in Oregon is FREEZING! So I don’t even want to hear about in California 😉 lol
Karyn says
i love diners. great choice 🙂 and on my long run yesterday i was hit with terrible wind at the end too. ugh.
lynn @ the actor's diet says
dunno if you’re as obsessed with 80’s movies as i am, but “some kind of wonderful” was shot in san pedro too…we visited the high school and i totally geeked out!
runeatrepeat says
Boo. I’m not into 80s movies, but now I’m curious what movie you’re talking about 🙂
Julie (Food & Other Things) says
Sounds like a fun day! I love reading about diners and that biscuit looks amazing!
alison says
I love triple D. I’m glad you and Ben were able to check that place out. It looks like you two had a lovely day together!
Ida says
The avocado fan is perfection! looks like a great day all-in-all
Emma (Namaste Everyday) says
I love mini road trips like that! How fun!
Cara @ EAT.PRAY.RUN. says
Yay another southern california runner/food blogger! I’m pretty new to the blog world and haven’t been able to find too many from the area, yet i’m still learning how to search! you’re blog is awesome and inspiring…nice job on the running! I’m in Newport Beach and the wind was terrible so I bet your 15 this morning was a feat! Take care and I look forward to following your journeys 🙂
runeatrepeat says
Hi Cara 🙂 That wind was no joke yesterday!
Kelley says
I’ve been to that Friendship Bell! lol Cool! That avocado looks amazing. 🙂
hippierunner says
Yum! Every time I try to buy avocado lately, it’s not ripe! Yours looks soo good. There’s a DDD, The Oinkster, in my hometown. If you ever go, beware the hipsters!
Christy says
Look at all that avocado! Yum. I love that tv show.
Alexia @ Dimple Snatcher says
All I’ve got to say is that I NEED that avocado in my life!
Ally (oatsandspice) says
I love Diners Drive Ins and Dives! My favorite show on the food network for sure! Whenever I travel, I always try to look at the city list to see if there is a location in that city – the place you went to looks delicious! YUMMMMOOO!
Sana says
Cute day trip! And I am kinda obsessed with how well that avacado fans out!
Melissa @ Chocolate & Kisses says
We do the same thing over here, but we live in CT so there are only a few places DD&D have been. We’ve only been to one but hope to go to more! Those biscuits look crazy! Glad you enjoyed your day!
Heather says
That biscuit looks amazing.
Biscuits are one of my favorite baked goods – especially when crumbly and buttery. mmmm.