In Lone Pine, Rutabaga's Food For Friends

June 15, 2005

By Bump Diamond
Man About Town

    There’s something about a place that offers toast with peanut butter and jelly—for a buck—that automatically appeals to my gourmet sensibilities.
    This is Rutabaga’s “Food For Friends” Bakery in Lone Pine, which also will dish out a grilled cheese for $2.50, a PB&J for $2.50 or any half-sandwich in the house for the same price.
    All on fresh bread, such as 9-grain, Italian herb, whole wheat, olive or white bread.
    This place rocks.
    One goes to the counter and picks up a slip, where there are choices of meats, cheeses, breads and toppings. That means you don’t have to wait behind somebody who can’t quite make up his mind. Cool.
    You hand that slip over to the cashier, who comes out pronto pup.
    The fridge is a hijacked 7-Up cooler with no 7-Up in it. Instead, you get Fuzes and other decent drinks.
    Did I say this place rocks?
    Here’s the kicker: Yesterday’s bread, which yesterday was priced between $3.50 and $4.50 a loaf, is marked back to two bucks.
    Decent salad bar, too.