Their overwhelmingly diverse selection of dishes might have you standing in line staring at your menu for days if it weren't for the adorably complimentary men who come up to take your order. I kid you not, when I ordered my baklava, the man said "YOU are a baklava, you lovely girl! You're the baklava, so beautiful!" Hey, if nothing else, you can count on B.C.'s for an ego boost. But they will deliver so much more.
The restaurant spreads back from the miniscule entryroom into a vast, enclosed garden patio with romanticly dim lighting, vines creeping up the walls, and a band that is often accompanied by belly dancers. Keep going and you will reach yet another back room, kept closed for cooler nights but with windows that disappear if the al fresco mood strikes. Before taking a seat, however, you must place your order in front at the counter and help yourself to the Mediterranean salad and soup bar, equipped with a delicious vegetable soup and the best red, spiced couscous I have ever tasted.
I sampled the Mediterranean Salad, which is not actually a salad at all but just the ideal all-in-one plate for someone wanting the typical sampling of falafel, hummus, grape leaves, and taboule. It also includes Armenian cheese boreg and a cream-based chunky eggplant sauce similar to baba ganouj. The grape leaves were delicious and the flavors on the plate all blended together wonderfully when put together on a pita, all for under $9. Next up, I had to sample the restaurant's namesake, and the Alamo burger seemed like the best bet. This came with bacon, gaucamole, cheddar cheese, grilled onion, and tomato on a grilled sourdough bun, all for under $7 and I could have eaten about six of these. Of course, that would probably have made my heart stop and then who would be telling you all about this wonderful place?
I feel that this does not do B.C.'s justice, as their menu also includes zucchini fries, a plethora of pizzas and pita sandwiches, steak and seafood specialties, Armenian, Greek, and Middle Eastern dishes, and a menu section entitled "Continental Baja Baja." With a great atmosphere, low prices, and high quality, there is really no reason to not check this place out. An added bonus is the rumor that they do not card college kids, a plus for any nearby Occidental or Cal-Tech students looking for an exciting new weekend destination or place to take an awkward first date. Nothing like spicy frog legs and margaritas to break the ice!
All kidding aside, I depart with this image for you to keep in mind when ordering dessert--even though it was some of the best baklava I have ever had, do NOT order this unless you a) have multiple friends or strangers willing to share, or b) you are going through a bad breakup. It is also worth noting that any of the other desserts in the alluring front window, chocolate cakes and strawberry tarts alike, are offered in similar portion size. Whether it's that time of the month, you're partying with a group of 50, or if you're just a plain old fatty, this is the place for you.
Burger Continental
535 South Lake Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 792-6634
Open Daily 7am-11pm
All You Can Eat-->
Breakfast Buffet
Mon-Sat 7:30am-11am, $4.99!
Lunch Buffet
Mon-Sat 11am-3pm, $8.99!
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