Out & About With Linda
This month took me to three special spots across our reading area. Very local AND Independent, these businesses reflect what is the best of small businesses out there.
Our first stop was El Limon Taqueria. My friend Terri and I stopped in for an impromptu dinner out. Located on York Road in Hatboro, yes, El Limon has some sister spots elsewhere in our reading area. However, I understand that each location has its own “finger print” and this one’s “finger print” is really delicious.
El Limon serves all things Mexican. Bright, cheerful and welcoming, we were immediately escorted in by our cheery server, Max. He’s a soon-to-be graduate of Hatboro/Horsham High School and is earning his way as server extraordinaire.
Hungry, we checked out the menu and started ordering. By now, if you read these columns, you all know the drill. LOL!! We started with a separate order of chips and guacamole. YUM! Their chips are handmade and worth a special order. They’re not like any other chip I’ve tasted. Thick, crunchy, not salty, I would be sure to order them again. And the guacamole was perfectly seasoned.
Terri ordered the Loaded Tacos. “Loaded” is what they were. This dish could have easily fed two, maybe three people. We chomped it down, but still had almost half left over to take home. Max suggested I get a Burrito, saying it was among the favorite menu items. So, order the Burrito I did, with chicken. It was HUGE. So HUGE, I asked Max to have the kitchen slice it into four pieces! It was delicious. Hefty and satisfying, his suggestion was definitely on the mark.
El Limon is a conveniently located eatery in Hatboro. Street parking was easy and diners were starting to fill the tables. There’s also quite a bit of pick-up traffic. Service is prompt and pleasant. It’s a great place for good food, prepared fresh for every order. AND, should you request it, you can be served a complimentary margarita when you dine-in. What a delicious surprise!!! It makes dining-in even yummier!!!
Hatboro’s El Limon has earned a repeat visit. Fresh food, pleasant surroundings, tasty and convenient, priced fairly, dine-in or take-out, El Limon is what a local restaurant is all about!! (Of course, you only get that delicious margarita when you dine-in!!)
Michele and I checked out Longhitano’s Pizza on Street Road in Southampton. I don’t think there could be a more local restaurant than this longstanding member of the Southampton community. And the food is why it’s been so longstanding!!
Again, our visit was a spur of the moment week night outing. But as we enjoyed our meal, the restaurant started to fill up…. For good reason.
We were pleasantly entertained by our server, Alyssa. Warm and gregarious, she’s the kind of staff that supports and helps grow a local venue. We loved her!!!
So, we checked out the menu. Michele reminded me that Longhitano’s is known for their pizza. We ordered a veggie pizza covered with vegetables. It was really delish. Michele was right. Not too doughy, veggies not soggy or mushy, I would definitely order this pizza again.
We also ordered the baked rigatoni accompanied with a super crisp dinner salad. WOW! Al dente pasta baked with cheese and Longhitano’s proprietary sauce. Interestingly, it was served not in a traditional casserole-like pan/bowl…. But on a plate. Perhaps that is what made this dish so deliciously gooey. Whatever secret they have, it was well worth every calorie-filled mouthful!!! And we still had plenty to take home for lunch the next day.
Longhitano’s is the perfect casual dining experience for the weekday or weekend. Pizza, hoagies, calzone and more, it’s your classic Italian eatery serving Italian favorites. Again, it’s another one of those longtime members of our community that deserves our support…. Deliciously!! And when you go, be sure to say hello to Alyssa. She’s sure to make your visit even more enjoyable!!
The Jenkintown Night Market opened for the season. What fun! Based outside, in the heart of Jenkintown, it’s a terrific array of all folks from Jenkintown and the surrounding area. It’s a great night out for families, especially if the weather is good, and a pleasant date night when you can stroll past the booths or check out open restaurants. We went on opening night. The weather was delightful and the market was bustling with live music, baby strollers and shoppers looking for farm-fresh products. Much of what’s available is gluten free, organic and vegan, and ALL is from the hands of Independent business people bringing their wares to market.
I sampled Poppa’s Custard. Delightful custards in small jars, I couldn’t resist the packaging, And then I tasted the Dragon Fruit Hibiscus custard and I fell in love with this creamy concoction. I came home with a jar of every variety! Aaji’s Lonsa caught my attention. An Indian blend of tomatoes and spices, I can’t wait to enjoy it on my favorite cracker or pita. (P.S. Aaji means grandmother in Indian… no wonder my tastebuds approved!!!)
Jenkintown’s Velvet Sky Bakery had a booth set up. The bakery itself is adjacent to the Market…you can sample at the booth and then cross the street and check out the full complement of baked goods at the bakery. We had a great time meeting the folks from the Wyncote Academy. The students there are involved in farming and bring their crop to the Night Market. Nick and Aly are teachers at the Academy and are on hand to sell the produce raised by the student-farmers. Everything is organic. Michele bought organic eggs for her morning omelets.
Many of these home-grown products are available at specialty stores in our area. However, it’s always neat to meet the entrepreneurs behind the product itself. And you’d be hard-pressed to find a more pleasant shopping experience than being outdoors, serenaded by calming music. There were lots of smiles around!!
The Jenkintown Night Market is worth a visit. Take a shopping bag to carry your purchases…. You’ll be making a few! Stroll the Market Square, then stop in one of the nearby restaurants for dinner. Entertaining and delicious. Is there anything better?!
So, that’s it for June. There’s more coming in July…. Have fun and stay tuned!
El Limon Taqueria
222 N. York Road
Hatboro, PA 19040
215-876-6688
Longhitano’s Pizza
751 Street Road
Southampton, PA 18966
215-953-1690
Jenkintown Night Market
703 Greenwood Avenue
Jenkintown, PA
Tuesdays, 4pm-8pm
