2026 San Gabriel Valley Food Passport

Column

Time to review a few more restaurants featured in the 2026 SGV Food Passport! Last issue, I reviewed Lee’s Hoagie House and Paris Baguette. This time, I have explored two other places featured in the passport.

All photos by Victoria Davis.

Taco Libre
Passport description:
“Teddy Bedjakian brings bold flavors to Old Pasadena with Taco Libre, offering a modern twist on tacos in a lively alley setting.”

Passport benefit: Buy 1 Get 1 Taco + Free Fountain Drink

Kayane and I visited Taco Libre. Not too many people were here, but we decided to dine in. The restaurant has a fun atmosphere, with a mural painted on the walls. Kayane ordered the carnitas burrito. It was a good size, perfect for leftovers! Per the passport benefit, I ordered two soft tacos (one birria, one carnitas) and a Dr Pepper. I also ordered a crispy potato taco, as the tacos were fairly small. Kayane and I were so hungry, I forgot to take a picture of the food before we ate! Kayane felt the burrito was good. I liked the birria taco and the crispy potato taco a lot, but the carnitas taco was pretty mid. Overall, I probably wouldn’t come back here for tacos again. I know many more LA locations for excellent tacos that make these pale in comparison.

Exterior and interior of Taco Libre.

Carnitas Burrito and Crispy Potato Taco by Taco Libre.

Savvvy’s Coffee Shop
Passport description:
“Savvvy’s Café, by Teddy Bedjakian and daughter Savannah, serves hand-crafted drinks and pastries in Old Pasadena”

Passport benefit: Buy Any Drink, Get One Free (equal or lesser value)

Shockingly, Savvvy’s is right next to Taco Libre! So Kayane and I stopped in after lunch to grab coffee. This coffee shop is owned by the same guy who owns Taco Libre too! He also owns Edwin Mills, which is also in the same alley as Savvvy’s and Taco Libre. The coffee here was excellent. I ordered an Iced Mocha and Kayane got a free Iced White Mocha. They were so good. We also really liked the aesthetics here. We’d definitely stop here again in the future. They had solid drinks; I also want to try some of their specialty drinks next time I am here.

Exterior and interior of Savvvy’s Coffee Shop.

Iced Mocha and Iced White Mocha Lattes by Savvvy’s Coffee Shop.