photo by Adam Omernik
A flood of Bonita High School students patronized the Teriyaki Bowl House on Third Street during their lunch hour Friday. Steven Wright (left) eats there often because it is nearby, fast and inexpensive. He brought his friend Brandon Eden to try the food.
If not for the simple sign in the window that reads “Teriyaki Bowl House” in large, red capital letters, someone could possibly miss this little treasure if they did not know what they were looking for.
The Bowl House, located on Third Street in Old Town La Verne, is a humble little restaurant with just enough room inside to order a meal; tables are available outside.
“It’s literally a hole in the wall, but those are always the best places,” said sophomore Virginia Ng.
But the size should not fool anyone. There is a sign on the wall inside that says it all, “Bowl House. Good Food.”
Offering items such as teriyaki bowls, curry, noodles, fried rice, udon, california rolls and goyza, most items are under $5; nothing is more than $7.
Ng said she always purchases the chicken teriyaki bowl, an item that seems to be most popular on campus.
“I love their teriyaki sauce... mmm... teriyaki sauce,” Ng said.
The restaurant has taken up residence in La Verne for eight or nine years, owner Julie Park said, but she has only been there for one year.
“This is a solid establishment,” said Robin Haaker, ULV head softball coach. “It’s a part of the ULV community.”
A ULV alumna, Haaker said students would frequent the Bowl House with regularity when she attended ULV. Haaker still returns occasionally.
Park and her husband run the Bowl House, employing the help of a friend for the last six months. Originally from Korea, Park has been in the United States for 20 years and currently resides in Walnut.
She is most often the friendly face that greets customers from behind the counter.
Ng said one of the best aspects of the store is the friendliness Park always shares with her customers.
“She’s so nice,” Ng said. “She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body.”
Park said the majority of her customers are students who come in during their breaks.
She said that sometimes the restaurant gets pretty busy, but she enjoys it.
But it is not just ULV students who come to enjoy the food at the Bowl House.
Juanita Newman, a teacher at San Dimas Headstart, eats at the Bowl House “every now and then.”
She said she likes the fact “that it’s soothing and calm and the food is good but it’s inexpensive.”
Steven Wright, a Bonita High School student, comes twice a week, usually on his lunch break, from school. Wright orders something different every time.
“I try to keep a variety and try different things,” Wright said.
Last week Wright brought along two friends to experience the Bowl House for the first time.
“I just told them it tastes good,” Wright said. “It’s cheap and it’s good.”
Jackie Basulto, another Bonita student, likes the convenience and quality of the food.
“It’s good and it’s healthy for you too,” Basulto said. “It’s not junk food like McDonalds. We like it because it’s fast.”
“You don’t have to wait in a long line,” Newman said.
The Bowl House is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Chrissy Zehrbach can be reached at sqweet@aol.com.