Route 66 - Southern California
The last miles of Route 66 run through the San Gabriel Valley and down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. Pick up fresh burrata, have dinner a block off the old road, and save the Santa Monica Pier and its “End of the Trail” sign for the next morning.
Gioia Cheese: Hidden in an industrial building in South El Monte, Gioia makes fresh burrata and mozzarella from a family recipe from Apulia. Don’t be afraid to knock on the door.
Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery: In Old Pasadena, a block off the original Route 66, Agnes is half cheese shop, half restaurant. Stay for dinner, then take home a few cut-to-order wheels.
Gioia Cheese
Gioia makes wonderful fresh Italian cheeses. Vito Girardi, owner, is a third-generation cheesemaker from the area Apulia in Italy where burrata comes from.
Monday: 9:30am-6pm
Tuesday: 9:30am-6pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 9:30am-6pm
Friday: 9:30am-6pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
2025 Winter Holiday Schedule Notice:
During Christmas Week (12/22/2025 thru 12/26,2025)
Open On: Monday , Tuesday and Wednesday ( 9:30 am to 6 pm ) ( 9:30 am to 5 pm on 12/24/25)
Closed On: Thursday, December 25th ,2025 and Friday December 26th, 2025
During New Year Week (12/29/25 thru 01/02/2026)
Open On: Monday , Tuesday , Wednesday and Friday (9:30 am to 6 pm) (9:30 am to 5 pm on 12/31/25)
Closed On: Thursday, December 31st, 2025
Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery
Half cheese shop, half restaurant. Husband-and-wife team Thomas Kalb (chef) and Vanessa Tilaka (cheesemonger) plate regional American cooking with a Midwestern accent alongside a counter of cut-to-order wheels.
Tuesday through Thursday: 5pm-9:30pm
Friday through Sunday: 10am-2pm
