mmm-yoso!!! is NOT on vacation. Cathy is blogging while Kirk is not. You are here. Continue reading.
Hi again. This is a good, true account of my life.
One day, about 7 years ago, I had occasion to be driving to the house of a friend, daily, in Valley Center (Just north of Escondido, where the Wild Animal Park is located). It was the week before Easter and I noticed, in front of Fat Ivor's (one of 4 restaurants in Valley Center- google it) this yellow trailer, off the side of the road
…it says "Optimist Hams and Turkeys" (for now, the turkeys is crossed out..more about that later)…and I drove on by. I asked my friend about it and she had lived in Valley Center and said she saw it there, on occasion, for all the years she had lived there (about ten years at that point) . As I was driving home, I had to stop (you all know I *had* to stop). Here is a better photo, with Fat Ivor's, which is perpendicular to the road, in the picture:
As you can see, some friendly, Valley Center Optimists are sitting under a cover, waiting to chat with you.
I was curious that first time…and back then they were selling half and full smoked hams and also smoked turkeys. The Optimists were using the smoke pit at Fat Ivor's after hours and then sealing the meat in double wrappers. They had a handout, indicating 100% of all proceeds would be used to help Youth in the area, like this handout this year:
Oh, and I happened to be *very* hungry that first time. Back then the half ham was $25…today its $35 and it is *well* worth the price.
The ham is not at all salty nor is it dry. It is deeply smoky, not artificial, and anyhow, I recall I tore through the two layers of thick plastic on the way home, while driving, to tear off a piece of that ham.
Remember, The Mister, born in Finland; smoked meat is something he craves, and he knows what he likes (smoked cheese by the way, is just plain *wrong*).
I've been getting a half ham every holiday since. The half ham is $35 this year, the full ham is $55. It became less cost effective to smoke turkeys. (Something about having to have them reach a very cold temperature within two hours after smoking).
Note that sometimes they run out, but you can order and pay and pick up another day. It's only available these three Holidays a year (Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter) and is *worth* the drive.
Aren't you glad I stopped? I am. 
The yellow trailer, in front of Fat Ivor's 27961 Valley Center Road, Valley Center, CA 92082. Starting the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the Saturday before Christmas and the Saturday before Easter
wow… thats what a ham should look like! It looks sooooooooooo good!
“salty” ham is the pits, but usually the norm. And, wood you yourself know of any other wood besides “hickory” for the smoke flavor?
That sounds tasty. If I lived a bit closer I would probably make the drive. Maybe for Easter….thanks for the tip!
Good Morning, Andy…yep, its always the perfect ham, in taste and appearance.
Ron- I am unsure what Fat Ivor’s uses, but will be asking when I do my next trip-to blog, you know- but the usual smoking woods I have seen are hickory, oak and mesquite. I forgot to stress *how much* smoke smell permeates the kitchen when you cut open the plastic layers…it doesn’t seem too hickory-ish, though…
Kady- its 39 miles one way from my front door in Santee (near Mast Blvd exit at 52) to Fat Ivor’s. I love the drive. If you will want one for Christmas, we can coordinate.
That’s wild. A Ham Van! A Turkey Trailer! A Trypto-Van!
You San Diegans have got some eclectic choices. I don’t think the Orange County Health Department would even let those dudes past San Clemente. Sad actually!
Hi Elmo- Actually, the friend I visit in Valley Center was an Inspector for Food and Drug in San Diego County for *many* years. She and I are probably more aware of health regulations and food safety than the average person. We question methods and always are aware of signage in restaurants and grocery stores.
I love “Trypto Van”…absolutely!
I’m not usually nuts about ham because it’s always too dry and banal tasting. And so this is the best ham you ever had? I’m intrigued…
Yes it is-for smoked ham. I can’t figure out how they keep it so moist and un-salty. They told me its a Farmer John already cooked half and full ham and they just smoke it at Fat Ivor’s, which is (now I will get in trouble) the best BBQ in the county…besides my own, of course…Lets hope that not everyone reads the comments…ANYHOW, it is really good.
I’m so happy I don’t live close to you and Kirk. Otherwise, I’d be calling myself “Fatpanda” or “Sumopanda”. Muy delici-yoso!
– Chubbypanda
Hi CP- You know that “no carb” diet is gonna be popular in about a month…I only taked about the ham…no sides…just glorious, wonderful ham….