**** J & J Restaurant has closed
Right before the New Year, on one of our road trips to LA, we were in the mood for some Xiao Long Bao(soup dumplings), but instead of Mei Long Village we decided to check out J & J Restaurant. We've always found it somewhat interesting that both J & J and Meilong Village occupy the same strip mall, and co-exist just a few doors down from each other.
On this day the tiny, simply furnished restaurant was hopping……
The Missus and I always appreciate servers who work with no wasted motion, and the two women working today were working with efficient precision. Containers for leftovers were brought to the table with the check, and tea was dropped off on one table as the server walked to the table directly next to it to take an order.
We looked over the menu even though we knew what we were going to order.
We started with the Xue Cai Rou Si Chao Nian Gao($5.25):
We didn't care for this much, the Chao Nian Gao(stir fried rice cake) had been over cooked and was mushy, the Xue Cai(mustard greens) had no flavor, and the dish had a sort of "fishy" aftertaste.
Of course we were here for Xiao Long Bao, and in case you think I needed any help in selected which XLB's to get…something like this will usually seal the deal. Crab being prepared for the XLB.
So of course we started with the Pork and Crab XLB's($5.95):
The 8 good sized XLB arrived perfectly steamed. I found the wrapper to be a tad thicker than the wrapper at Mei Long Village, the very tender filling had a mild flavor, that leaned a bit toward the sweeter end. I thought these were good except for one thing; the soup to meat ratio was way off…we both thought that the XLB had too little soup in them.
Not satisfied with one order of XLB, we also got the Pork XLB($4.95):
These come 10 to an order, and were steamed and served in perfect condition. The Pork XLB had a bit of a stronger flavor, that went well with the soy-vinegar-ginger dipping sauce. But the meat-soup ratio on these seemed to be a bit off as well. In the end, I guess we enjoy a bit more soup in our Xiao Long Baos.
Still, because of the close proximity of the two restaurants, and the very reasonable prices, you can probably do a XLB "crawl" and make up your own mind as to which XLB you prefer.
HC of LA and OC Foodventures has a nice post on J & J Restaurant.
J & J Restaurant
301 W. Valley Blvd.
San Gabriel, CA 91776
An interesting observation…..
I don't know if anyone has noticed this….in fact I'm surprised that the ever observant Andy hasn't mentioned this on his blog, The ABC. After our meal at J & J we walked over to the snack shop in the strip mall next door, so the Missus could get Her shaved ice. While walking we simultaneously looked at each other and went…"what is the deal, with all of the Foot Massage places?"
So what is the deal? I decided to take photos of the Reflexology/Foot Massage shops we found just from walking from one strip mall to the next….less than a block. And here's what we found:
There's even a little price war going on in this strip mall……on one side of the mall, it's $20/hr:
Directly on the other side, it's $15/hr:
I know that with all the restaurants, and other businesses, that workers in the SGV are probably on their feet alot….but man, that's alot of tired feet.
Or maybe San Gabriel has a foot fetish??? We call it the San Gabriel Foot Fetish.
There must be over 30 Reflexology/Foot Massage studios on Valley Boulevard….for some reason we found that to be rather odd…….
Well… did you and the misses get try a foot massage or what? You peaked my interest!
I’m beginning to think that the sole time you did find XLB with the proper soup ratio was a freak occurrence and that it’s just not the preferred method of preparation! Just kidding. Good luck on your endless quest for XLB with soup.
Kirk, is JJ on the side of Ranch 99 market? I have been there not to bad if I recalled – I thought it was pretty cheap eat. Side note Q noodle is right next door to Burger King. I think they make some interesting noodle especially the wonton and regular dumpling soup. Anyways my wife loves the noodles Q.
It’s hard looking at these beautiful Xiao Long Bao when you can’t get them in SD π
About the foot massage, maybe eating all that crab and pork causes a predisposition towards gout, which can be prevented with reflexology? $15/hr seems like a good deal!
Mmmm..xiao long bao followed by a foot massage. Sounds like a perfect day! You have to try a massage sometime – it feels like they spend 10 min per toe!
you know…
a foot massage parlor isn’t just for foot massages *wink*
Hi Ted – No, we never got a foo massage…we were just amazed at how many of those places there were in one location.
Hi Bart – You mean the best XLB I had was a fluke! LOL! Been back to Mei Long Village, and the XLB’s were great as always…..
Hi Billy – This one is on Valley Blvd, about half a block down, and across the street from Focus Plaza.
Hi Howie – So that’s what keeps them in business! Hope you’re having a great New Year!
Hi Candice – 10 minutes per toe…that means the massage would cost $100…..I think I’d rather buy 10 orders of XLB! ;o)
Hi Clayfu – I have no clue what you mean, do tell! *double wink* This from personal experience, right??? ;o)
Oh! This is a reminder I have to write up my favorite dumpling house. And I’ll be sure to photograph the xlb, after I bite into it to see how much juice comes out. But more juice just means more fat, and I already have enough of that, thank you very much. Anyway, then next time you’re in SGV, you can add a third place for dumpling house war #3. π
Hi WC – Can’t wait to see it!
now just imagine if you could sneak away, get a foot massage and get XLB delivered straight to your massage chair?!
there are plenty of foot massage places in the PRC…. perhaps its just natural they have migrated into the Chinese heavy San Gabriel Valley.
It surprises me that we think of hte same things….. or visit the same restaurants. I started taking a collection of foot massage places back a couple of months ago.. but never did anything with it. It’s amazing how many places there from Del Mar to San Gabriel on Valley. Who patronizes these?
I’ve never met anybody who has visited the ones in the States…. everybody just talks about the foot massage places they’ve visited in the PRC.
Hiya Kirk :)I’ve got one place in mind, been to Wok and Noodle, its a gem, both quality & food wise π Its on 828 W. Valley Blvd. Alhambra,(626)588-2284. They even had tt similar frying fish you posted haha, with a mild spicy sauce, fish is fresh and “crispy” shuong xu chuen yu. I feel u when it comes to mushy textured nian gao..sucks big time !! This place got really good nian gao and shanghai noodles stir fry, whole plate for 4.25 !! oo..you’ll not get dissapointed with the xiao long baos here, I love the dough to be thin too, no no on the thick, floury dough, ya ? Well, if you & missus got that craving again, give this place a shot π
Hi Andy – I’m just as curious as you…why so many?
Hi MW – Thanks for the recommendations.
Hi all –
RE: Foot massages. Tried it for the first time in China with a group of friends. Tried it for the first time in SGV yesterday. Never noticed them before until I got back from China. Best $15 bucks you’ll ever spend! Do try it. π
Hi Poppie – All I can say is there sure must be alot of tired feet in the area!
those foot massages are awesome! there should be a review site of them all soon. it’s a great deal, $15-$20 for an awesome back and foot massage! (and it’s a real massage-massage, nothing more- at least as far as I know… esp since they’re so out in the open. you can totally spot a “massage parlour” from the lack of open doors/windows) there are some more expensive ones, $40/hr, but they can be better and in a nicer room.
anyway, everyone needs to try them all at least once!
Hi, just a quick. On CaminoReal & Baldwin, Arcadia I spotted a Foot Massage place near 31 Flavers Ice Cream,went in to inquire.There was 3 women and 2 men getting their feet massaged, you can see it as soon as you walk in. The man at the door said “$20.00 for one hr. Grand Opening Special. I will go try it and report back to you!