They’ve done it their way for 7 years
Story and Photos
By Terry Miller
The Market Grill has been a highly popular staple in Monrovia for the past 7 years for some of the best damn sandwiches and soups you’ll find anywhere on this planet.
You know a place is good when firefighters frequent a joint. Firefighters know how to cook, and eat so when you them frequent a joint that’s a good sign indeed. Market Grill – always busy. This is not common in many restaurants … Market Grill changed all the rules.
Located in a historic building at 525 S. Shamrock, Monrovia, The Ramirez family had a vision to expand the place to include the unused portion of the building [formerly a small market] but bureaucracy reared its ugly big head and now, the time has come for Market Grill to close the restaurant due to a number of circumstances that have created the ‘perfect storm’ if you will.
It just doesn’t seem right, whichever way you look at it.
Dealing with bureaucratic red tape and unscrupulous landlords is enough to drive anyone to want to run away from a thriving business, but when her husband got ill and landed in Methodist Hospital, that was the proverbial icing on the cake.
Tracy Ramirez … the Co-Owner and Co-Founder of The Market Grill said in an emotional Facebook post recently said that “ at the end of December, after over 7 years of incredible business, The Market Grill as you all know and love it will be closing its doors.”
“A series of very misfortunate events has brought us to a very difficult and unfair place. The reality of the situation is depressing and disappointing and infuriating. This is definitely not what we thought would transpire after 7 years of hard work, countless sacrifices, and busting our asses to create something truly magical FOR and WITH you all. Unless a miracle occurs, we are forced to deal with this reality. “
“The future is uncertain, but our hearts and our heads are dedicated to remaking The Market Grill a better version of itself at some point in 2017,” Ramirez said.
The owners of the hugely successful operation feel ‘oppressed’ in dealing with not only local government but all and sundry that go along with businesses, large and small.
Here, at the Weekly, we’ve had thousands of sandwiches from The Market Grill … never a complaint … never an illness. That says a lot to me.
Hopefully we can all cheer up Tracy, Chef Alex and the staff and make the next couple of months the best ever. Better yet, let’s help them find a new home in 2017. Market Grill is one of a kind and a Monrovia tradition too good to just fade off into the sunset.
The Market Gill is located at 525 S. Shamrock, right across from the park. Call ahead and they’ll have your order ready when you arrive. (626) 303-4314. Check out their menu at themarketgrillmonrovia.com.
