The SCV Hub Virtual Food Hall
23460 Cinema Drive, Unit C, Santa Clarita, CA 91355

It rained all day in Santa Clarita on Sunday.

The farmers market was out.

So I finally visited somewhere that had been sitting on the Secret Sauce list for far too long.

The SCV Hub Virtual Food Hall.

The idea is simple.

One location.

Multiple food businesses.

Plenty of ways to avoid agreeing on what everyone wants for dinner.

You order from a screen at the counter, choosing from a range of vendors and different types of food. Not every business is available at every hour, but there was still plenty to choose from during my visit.

The customer area itself is small, with perhaps two tables inside and more seating outside.

Normally, that would be fine.

On a day when Santa Clarita had apparently forgotten it was in Southern California, the outdoor tables weren’t much use.

Los Coffeeholics is visible from the customer area, while the other businesses operate from kitchens behind the scenes.

I decided to try three of them.

A main.

A dessert.

And a coffee.

Everything came home with me apart from the coffee.

That didn’t survive the journey.

Pumpkin Horchata Latte | $6

I’d never tried an iced pumpkin horchata latte before.

That changed quickly.

Pumpkin.

Horchata.

Coffee.

I could taste all three, which isn’t always guaranteed when a drink has this much going on.

It was sweet, balanced and genuinely impressive.

My only complaint was the amount of ice.

There was a lot of it.

I would have preferred less drink obstruction and more actual drink.

Still, it didn’t last five minutes.

That usually tells you everything you need to know.

Los Coffeeholics has officially earned a return visit for Sauce Express.

The Mint Mojito may have another challenger.

Pistachio Cheesecake | $9.99

Ten dollars felt expensive for the size of the dessert.

Then I started eating it.

And couldn’t put it down.

The pistachio cheesecake was genuinely delicious and ended up being one of the highlights of the visit.

The price remains the main reservation.

The cheesecake itself?

No complaints.

It’s difficult to stay annoyed at a dessert while continuing to eat it.

Tofu Teriyaki Monsterz Combo | $21.99

For the main event, I ordered the tofu combo at spice level one.

Tofu, rice, peppers and teriyaki sauce.

I also paid an additional $2.50 for pineapple.

Unfortunately, the pineapple wasn’t available.

That happens.

What was disappointing was that no refund for the extra charge was offered.

If an ingredient isn’t available, that’s understandable.

Still paying for it is harder to overlook.

Thankfully, the rest of the meal was enjoyable.

The tofu had a nice level of spice and worked really well with the teriyaki sauce.

The rice was a good addition, especially once it had soaked up some of that sauce.

The peppers didn’t add much for me, but they didn’t ruin anything either.

There was a good meal here.

The missing pineapple and the way the additional charge was handled just took some of the shine off it.

Total before tax: $40.48

Including $2.50 for pineapple that never arrived.

SCV Hub turned out to be a worthwhile rainy-day detour.

In one stop, I tried three completely different businesses without having to drive across Santa Clarita.

The pistachio cheesecake was difficult to put down.

The tofu combo had good flavor, even if the missing paid extra left a sour note.

But the Pumpkin Horchata Latte was the standout.

It was the highest-scoring item of the visit and the strongest reason to return.

That’s the real appeal of SCV Hub.

Not everyone needs to agree on what they want.

One person can order teriyaki.

Someone else can get dessert.

And the coffee can disappear before either order makes it home.

Best For: Trying several different SCV food businesses in one convenient stop.

Order: The Pumpkin Horchata Latte and Pistachio Cheesecake.

Skip: Nothing outright, but confirm that any paid add-ons are available before completing your order.

The Damage: $40.48 before tax.

Return Visit: Yes. Los Coffeeholics has some unfinished business with Sauce Express.

EL PARIENTE
24375 Main Street, Newhall, CA 91321

There was already a queue when I arrived at El Pariente.

Then more people came through.

And more.

Either I had arrived at exactly the wrong time, or Newhall knew something I didn’t.

Back at SCV Sauce HQ, the first impression was difficult to ignore.

This was a seriously packed burrito.

Heavy.

Generous.

And carrying enough filling to make an immediate statement.

But then came the first cut.

One problem appeared early.

Another waited until the final few bites.

Suddenly, size wasn’t the only thing being judged.

Could El Pariente go the distance, or would its biggest strength become its downfall?

It was raining.

We wanted something hot and comforting.

So we ordered takeaway from Pho Viet 1.

Two dishes.

One wet day.

And another chance for one of our regular takeaway spots to get everything right.

We’ve ordered from Pho Viet 1 a few times.

The clean, delicious broth keeps bringing us back.

The meat portions, however, have sometimes felt a little light.

This time, we made a small change to the order and hoped for a stronger showing.

Did the portions finally live up to the broth?

Openings, events and things worth knowing.

Santa Clarita is coming together to remember.

The 6th Annual Patriot Day 9/11 Car Show & BBQ takes over Higher Vision Church from 6–9pm.

Expect a tribute ceremony, a flyover, classic and custom cars, live music and a complimentary BBQ dinner.

Admission is free.

A community night built around remembrance.

And one worth showing up for.

Saturday’s reading list comes with food trucks.

The free SCV Book Festival returns to College of the Canyons from 10am–4pm.

Local and national authors will be joined by readings, exhibitors and activities throughout the day.

And, importantly around here, something to eat.

Admission and parking in Lot 14 are both free.

Books. Bites. Saturday sorted.

Sunday shopping is heading outdoors.

The Santa Clarita Certified Farmers Market returns to College of the Canyons from 8am–12pm.

More than 40 California farmers will bring fresh, seasonal produce to the valley.

Expect fruit, vegetables and local food worth taking home.

Bring a bag.

Maybe two.

Next week, we’re heading to a Japanese restaurant.

A new menu.

Plenty to investigate.

And the same question we ask everywhere:

Is it worth the Sauce?

The Burrito Belt Championship keeps rolling.

Another carne asada burrito enters the competition with five categories and fifty points available.

At this stage, a decent burrito won’t be enough.

We’re looking for championship material.

The smoke is building again.

Another SCV barbecue spot steps into Smoke Wars with the Pitmaster Cup waiting in the distance.

Meat. Smoke. Sauce.

And one important question:

Can this contender take the lead?

SECRET SAUCE