I’d heard about this place for a while but with my sister-in-law Cindy in town I had an excellent reason to start checking places like this off of our list.  The Anaheim Packing House was a citrus packing plant back in its day.  They have done a fantastic job with the interior to stay nostalgic with the days of yore as well as modernizing elements where they saw fit.  Please enjoy your “sniff in”…

Cindy Poses with Rooster Cogburn…Times Deux

 “Nostalgia is a seductive liar.” — George Ball, Diplomat

Jade Green Colored Stones in Planter Box

These stones were located in a planter box outside near the roosters.  There are sizable outdoor areas adjacent to it for eating, drinking and hanging out with friends.

Close-up of the Jade Colored “Boulders”

Birdhouse Business Card Holder

Business cards for most of the restaurants are “housed” in these bird houses.

Even the “facility” is Old Skool

Anaheim Packing House: 2nd Floor

Some of the vendors include: neopolitan wood fired pizza; a chocolate bar; grilled cheese bar; gelato on a stick; various Asian eating; a fish restaurant; gourmet coffee; crepes; bars; beer brewery house; Asian hot pot etc.

Packing House: View from Bottom Floor

Anaheim Packing House: Skylight

I love the authenticity that they’ve preserved.

Packing House: Jar Lamp Light

Georgia’s: Cornbread

It is simple and lacks chunks of corn but is moist and very tasty with a nice sweetness via the addition of soft honey butter.

Georgia’s: “Gretchen’s Jambalaya”

Cindy said it was pretty good but I could tell she didn’t love it.  I’m not a jambalaya lover myself but it didn’t look like other jambalaya dishes I’ve seen in the past.

Georgia’s: Fried Chicken, Collared Greens, Garlic Rice

The cornmeal batter may look drier but succulent dark meat chicken was underneath.  There were nice herbs present as well as a touch of spice.  The collared greens were resting in a soupy broth and had a bit of that biting garlicky kick they’re known for.  Finally, the garlic rice was super moist, very garlicky (without going overboard) and was delicious.  I planned on leaving some behind since it was white rice but it “didn’t have a chance”.

Georgia’s: Close-up of Fried Chicken

The Kroft is another restaurant with a stellar online reputation.  The porchetta sandie (pork belly with salsa verde on a ciabatta roll) looks amazing in photos on Yelp.  This will definitely be on my list for another visit here.

Vintage Citrus Poster

There were vintage posters like this in reference to the history of the building.

This doorway was super cool…

Interesting lighting throughout…

Hans’ Homemade Ice Cream

Homemade ice cream by the cup, sugar cone, waffle cone or ice cream cookie sandwiches are available at Hans’ Homemade Ice Cream (hanshomemade.com).

Hans’: Licorice Ice Cream

My Italiano papa would have this “up in his mug” in 2.2 seconds or less.  Of course Cindy had no interest.  I’ve rarely found a female interested in black licorice unless they were of Italian or Greek descent.

Hans’: Licorice Ice Cream

The color was that blackish/greenish color that you often see in black licorice candies.  It was softer, pretty creamy and had a clearly notable licorice flavor with a milder scent of it.  I could’ve used an even bigger punch of licorice flavor.

Anaheim Packing House: Trolley

Nostalgia runs rampant here.

Anaheim Packing House

Bungalow Housing

We parked near this bungalow which was located around the corner from the Anaheim Packing House.  It appears charm runs in the neighborhood.

For more information on the vendors at the Anaheim Packing House, click the “Merchants” button at the top of the page:

http://anaheimpackingdistrict.com/packing-house

“Nostalgia is a very complicated subject for me.  I’m attracted by nostalgia but I refuse it intellectually.  — Miuccia Prada, Fashion Designer

THE END!