Good Tastes from Jacaranda

It was back on April 1st, 1985 that Anni and Jon Pack bought Williams Gourmet Shop in San Pedro, California. At 6:00 pm. The goldenrod colored gates were pulled, and the  door was locked. We gathered as a family to total Z the old cash register to cash out the days sales. Before turning the key, Jon looked at Anni, Gretchen and myself, smiled and sang “We own a store!” 

 A few years later, the shop officially changed its name to Jacaranda and for the next 30 years, we became the go to place in San Pedro for the gourmands in the south bay: gourmet goods, cheese, Caviar, Spanish sherry vinegar, fresh roasted coffee beans, our famous brown bread sandwich, and of course the Chinese Chicken Salad. Jacaranda also became a place where friends gathered, people met, got engaged, married and started families. I grew up there, my children grew up there, and we were given the expressive freedom to bake, create, and interact with our community.  It truly was a special place.  

One of the best things about Jacaranda had to be the truck. Oh, the family discussions about this truck were truly memorable. But I have to say, that Jon was right, people remembered when they saw the truck. We did about 1/3 of our business in deliveries and the sound of the Jacaranda truck refrigerators was reminiscent of the Helms Bakery truck doors; once heard memories of sweet tastes and comfort foods flowed.

One of the best truths to this was when one of my neighbors here in hollywood introduced himself to me as a Jacaranda Customer and wondered if I could help him get the egg salad recipe as it was his favorite and he couldn’t seem to find anywhere else. So here you go:

Jacaranda Egg Salad

4 eggs hard boiled 

4 TBLS Best Foods Mayonaise

1 tsp Yellow Mustard

Put all ingredients into a bowl and mash with a potato masher to desired consistency. Simple, easy, and always in good taste