Out & About with Linda
We know Feasterville’s Don Giovanni’s Classic Bakery as a landmark bakery in our greater reading area. Having relocated to Street Road from Northeast Philadelphia years ago, this bakery is home to some of the best pizza and tomato pies in Montgomery and Bucks County. I’m a fan of their tomato pie covered with roasted veggies. For me, this pie has no competition. And of course, their baked goods are renown.
This month I ventured outside my “comfort zone” and indulged in their donuts: my favorite, Boston Cream. It was unexpectedly different. As I took my first bite, I noticed, the dough hand been cut in half widthwise, and then the delicious Boston custard piled in between the two separated halves. YUM! Not real sweet, just the way I like my donuts. Additionally, the dough felt a bit different; the donut is BAKED, not fried. Double-yum!! Remember this treat next visit….
But Don Giovanni’s is much more than being home to some of the best baked goods around. They also have some of the best prepared foods for your table. Their rice balls are big and stuffed with perfectly seasoned ground meat. Heat them up and they’re perfect for dinner or quartered for an appetizer. And if you like eggplant parmesan, there is none better. The eggplant is firm and high….easily shared when accompanied with salad and crusty bread. Both items can be found in the always-filled display case on your way home. And yes, there’s more; stromboli, hot sandwiches, hoagies, homemade soup…. even breakfast for early risers, served ALL day! Debbie and her crew provide service with a smile. So give it a re-visit if you haven’t stopped by recently. Don Giovanni’s Classic Bakery not only puts the DELICIOUS in what they bake but they also put the DELICIOUS in their wide assortment of prepared foods.
Speaking of donuts, there’s a hidden gem in Warminster, on Street Road. Angel’s Donuts is located in a little strip center along with a few other “foodie” places. In the area for over thirty-three Lena, the owner, took the name “Angel’s” for her shop because when she opened they were building a church just a few steps away. She told me, when she saw the church being constructed, she decided every person needs an angel in their life and thus Angel’s Donuts came about! Indeed, they do…. especially if they bring a donut like hers!! Her donuts are solid and filled to the gills with creams, jellies, etc. My favorite is the donut filled with real raspberry jelly. Again, not real sweet, but REAL delicious. All are homemade and along with the filled beauties she has glazed, sugar covered, chocolate… But I like the filled donuts, ESPECIALLY the Boston Cream. Hey, I like my comfort zone!!!
Angel’s is a local favorite. If you want your donuts, you better get there early rather than later. Come 3pm the selection is scarce. But you can satisfy your treat-craving with some ice cream. P.S. Pick up some coffee for the donuts you’ll scarf-down!! And when you make your visit in warmer weather, you may see a display of her home grown veggies. During my visit I was privileged to see pictures of her ENORMOUS gardens at home. Outstanding tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and more, her produce are prize winners. She supplies friends and donates what she grows every season.
Check out Angel’s Donuts. There’s plenty of parking, so spend some time chatting with this special lady. She’s worked very hard to bring her best to the community and they, the community, knows it. But now that the cat is out of the bag, you better be sure to arrive before the morning rush grabs her donuts. LOL! Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!!!
I know I’ve talked about Legos before. But I’ve never talked about Lego Land!! OMG! This is our area’s answer to the mecca of Lego structures. I visited this Plymouth Meeting facility with my grandchildren Yosi and Goldie. If you’re a Lego family, regardless your age, this is a must-do visit. Located in the Plymouth Meeting Mall, it’s a large self-contained unit including a Lego train ride, jungle gym, opportunities to build upon already massive Lego structures, and even a virtual ride that my kids really thrilled at. There’s a coffee shop for snacks. And you can enjoy the special activities multiple times. One comment; when you purchase a day ticket, you cannot leave and then re-enter. Be sure to get your fill before you leave. If you get a membership, which are available, that enables you to leave for an hour or so and then re-enter. Otherwise, make sure when you leave, with a day-ticket, you understand you’re not returning that day. Both Goldie and Yosi enjoyed Lego Land. It was well worth our day visit.
By the way, as we approached Lego Land, we stopped by Uncle Joe’s Arcade. A MUST detour for my 6 and 8 year olds!!! This was a fun “appetizer” to our Lego Land adventure. I found it particularly interesting because as I introduced myself to the owner/manager, he shared that he was among the kids who delivered the original Carrier Pigeon in Northeast Philly some fifty years ago!! He recounted the story of how the kids were transported in an open truck, then once it stopped centrally on a street, they all threw the magazines/papers at the houses. I remarked that my travels have found these kids, now adults, make up one of the best fraternities the city has ever had!!! I don’t know who was more excited to meet who…. me, the now owner of the Carrier Pigeon, or this gentleman who had such fond memories of delivering the paper!!! It was a great story, and I was happy that my grandson heard it. (Goldie was busy playing the machines stockpiling her tickets!!!!)
When we left Lego Land, we faced Jumpstar, Bungy Trampoline. Goldie LOVED this. Yosef, not so…. The gentleman in charge was absolutely wonderful with the kids. Patient, fun and careful, Goldie, our little dare devil, delighted in being thrown up and down and left to right. It was fun watching her so enjoy herself. If you’re looking for something fun to do one afternoon, and you’ve got a dare devil by your side, I recommend you check this out. It’s safe and just the right size to introduce your younger one to the excitement of the “bungy.”
Funny how a day at the Plymouth Meeting Mall turned into an unexpectedly fun day for all of us.
Who would have thought?
Next month I’ll report on some of our other finds during their visit. This is one grandmother who’s on the search for unique activities for her and hers!!! If you’ve come across anything to recommend, please send them along to me. I’m always looking… This is it for now. Happy reading. I’m feeling a donut run coming on!!!
Don Giovanni’s Classic Bakery
346 W. Street Road • Feasterville
215-364-8283
Angel’s Donuts
267 E. County Line Road • Hatboro
215-672-3443
Plymouth Meeting Mall
500 W. Germantown Pike • Plymouth Meeting
Bistro Albertino
634 N. York Road
Willow Grove, PA
267.781.7229
