At the California Avenue Farmers’ Market on Sundays be prepared to go raw with "fast food you can feel good about" at RawDaddy’s Fun Cone Food. Owner James Hall is a larger-than-life character who bears a striking resemblance to the company’s logo with his long blond hair, short-brimmed hat and sociable disposition. He dreamed up the idea of fresh food in a cone as a way “to eat vegetables with one hand,” something that fast-food chain restaurants have been unable to achieve.
Trained in the culinary arts, Hall worked in restaurants for many years in positions ranging from dishwasher to manager and then, after reading Michael Pollan’s book The Omnivore’s Dilemma, decided he wanted to change the world of fast food. He began by experimenting with raw foods, and then he developed a crispy, unbaked cone to encase a fresh filling. Hall has a passion for seasonal foods and says that he buys berries for the dessert at the Farmers’ Market the same morning they’re served.
Raw foods are particularly healthful as they retain all the nutrients that can be lost through cooking, and RawDaddy’s conical marvels are seasonal, local and organic. The flax-seed cones come in savory or sweet versions that wrap around cleverly-named entrees like Wakame Daddy Sushi and “Hey Mon” Jamaican that include wonderfully exotic ingredients like wasabi, tamarind and extra-virgin coconut oil.
Forest and Earth Mushroom Polenta Cone is a mouth-watering, hearty main dish cone layered with rich polenta and a variety of mushrooms marinated in truffle oil and smoked sea salt, and then it's drizzled with tangy mustard vinaigrette.
Dessert cones include Very Berry – a mix of perfectly ripened strawberries and blueberries sweetened with agave nectar and vanilla topped with a decadent ginger cashew crème fraiche. The menu also includes non-cone beverages and desserts – don’t miss out on the delectably sweet and spicy Ginger Lemonade and the chewy, gooey Chocolate Haystack candies made with raw coconut and raw cocoa powder.
Since the cones are raw and vegan, they include no meat or dairy, but they taste so good that even people of non-veg persuasion will enjoy them. Parents can feel good about buying cones for the little guys because the cones contain no processed sugar or starch.
The most expensive item on the menu is $5 and the price always includes happy service from happy servers, not to mention the friends of James Hall who stop by regularly to say “Hi” and grab their favorite cones.
California Avenue Farmers’ Market
California Avenue at El Camino Real
Palo Alto, CA
Sundays from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Comments
Right on target, right to the point, right angle, right, right...
This all sounds yummy and good for you. It is making me wish for summer!
I'd like to get me some Berry cone! Sounds yummy!
Truly an inspired concept. I hope they get their store opened soon so we can enjoy them every day of the week.
Wow, sounds great! I've gotta try one of these cones and support this unique and awesome veggie idea!! Thanks for the great article, Michelle!
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