Located in the heart of the Imperial Valley in southeast California lies an area rich in agriculture growing lettuce, beets, carrots and a variety of other vegetable and cash crops all irrigated by the All-American Canal which is fed from the Colorado River. Yet, despite this $1 Billion industry, it is near impossible to find a salad worthy enough to be mentioned in Brawley, CA. The exception is the salads made fresh and served at The Rock Coffee Shop & Café.
The Rock Coffee Shop & Cafe in Brawley, CA
Despite Brawley being a small town, there are more than enough restaurants and fast food joints, but there is a serious shortage of salads and vegetables offered. Do not get me wrong, there are salads offered at Chabelas, The Aspen, Pizza Hut and even at McDonalds to name a few; but none of them stand out. The salads at The Rock Coffee Shop & Café are in an entirely different class of their own.
Brawley, CA Road Sign When Entering The Town
Specifically, the café’s rendition of the Cobb Salad is just great. A generous plate of salad greens topped with sliced egg, diced chicken breast, avocado, cucumber, tomato and generous portion of bacon pieces (not crumbled). They offer your choice of salad dressings and I always select the Blue Cheese. Their take on a Blue Cheese Dressing is different. The base dressing is Ranch, but they add some serious chunks of Blue Cheese to the dressing that more than make up for the fact that it’s base is Ranch.
The Rock Coffee Shop & Cafe’s Cobb Salad
In addition to a great Cobb Salad, The Rock Coffee Shop & Café also offers a variety of other salads, fresh made sandwiches, hamburgers, breakfast sandwiches, fresh fruit plates, a variety of sweet baked goods and their coffee choices are pretty good. Did I mention that with every meal, you are offered free cookie. I have eaten the Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut Butter and Snicker Doodle cookies and all of them are phenomenal.
Fresh Baked Oatmeal Cookie from The Rock Coffee Shop & Cafe
If you happen to be in the Imperial Valley and travelling through Brawley, CA; then you must stop at The Rock Coffee Shop & Café. You will find a great place to relax, have a hot cup of coffee or tea and enjoy either a meal or a snack before you head on out of Brawley to your next destination.
Inside The Rock Coffee Shop & Cafe in Brawley, CA
The only downside to the café is that they close at 3:00PM which of course is completely understandable. If there is no appreciable customer business after a certain hour then why remain open? They also have free Wi-Fi for those that need their internet fix while travelling through the irrigated desserts of the Imperial Valley.
All-American Canal Network in the Imperial Valley, California