Some revisits to a few places on our rotation.
Sab E Lee:
**** This location of Sab-E-Lee has closed
Sab E Lee, has been a weekly stop(or more) for us since they opened last August. Just when I think I've got the menu covered, I notice something new. The latest item I noticed was "Thai Fried Chicken." On our visit to Bangkok last November, the Missus andI loved the "TFC" (Thai Fried Chicken) so we were excited to see it on the menu. Unfortunately, much like the Koi Soi there was a short wait while the chef tried to source the "right chicken" for the dish. Finally, last week, when I dropped by to pick-up atake-out order, Koby smiled and said, "Kirk, we're marinating chicken, so you can come by and get chicken from tomorrow." We finally made it back this evening. Being aware that Sab E Lee had been reviewed in the Reader, we dropped by early, at about 430pm. Three tables were already full, and by the time we placed our order, there was a line of folks out the door, and a waiting list of folks! Call it the "Reader effect," I askedKoby about all these folks, and he told me, "these are all new customers, I've never seen any of them before!" So just be prepared if you intend to drop by for some Pad See Ew!
I've basically stopped taking photos at Sab E Lee, but decided to take one of the chicken:
This version was very moist, if a bit short in the spicy and sweet flavors of Thai street cart chicken. I've though of trying uber Food-Blogger Chez Pim's recipe, which looks so good, that I'm afraid if I made it, I'd never stop eating..…..
Of course we had some of the usual suspects like the bamboo shoot salad.
Issan Sausage.
And one of the Missus's favorite things, Salted Fish Fried Rice (not pictured). By this time the little shop had gotten so crowded, that we felt bad about taking up space so we packed up our leftovers and headed home.
We're so happy for Koby and the gang……hard work, and making great food pays off!
Sab-E-Lee Restaurant
2405 Ulric St
San Diego, CA 92111
Hogetsu Bakery:
In need of some "Omiyage", I headed off to Hogetsu Bakery, one of my favorite spots. When we arrived, the little shop was quiet as it usually is. But by the time our orders were ready,the place was getting crowded……..perhaps this is the Candice Woo effect? What I found slightly humorous was that a group of young folks were carrying cameras! he-he-he……. Personally, I think they need to lose the flash though…. As always, the Missus got Her dozen manju as well:
Being told by the lady that I've been coming here for about 10 years gave me pause, we've only been living in San Diego for almost 8 years. But she was right, I used to come here before heading home when I did consulting work in San Diego back in '99. Sharp memory……
Whatever the reason, I'm glad to see this wonderful family owned business doing well.
Hogetsu Bakery
1210 3rd Ave
Chula Vista, CA 91911
And finally, I do a Fro-yo post!
**** This location of Yogurt Lounge has closed
Yes, I've given in…….I'm doing a Frozen Yogurt post. And being the typical totally oblivious, and unhip person, I think I'm what, maybe only 3-4 years too late? When the Missus wanted some frozen yogurt one day….well, I didn't have a clue. Lucky for us, Howie, the brains behind The Foodieview, did all the work for us already. Over the course of a week, we tried some of the top entries in Howie's "Yogurt War." And as usual Howie, and his intrepid, non-lactose intolerant group of yogurt testers were right on. Our favorite was:
Yogurt Lounge on Clairemont Mesa. To us the yogurt here was not too sweet, not too milky, and not super tart. Our favorite is a combination of the Green Coconut and Plain. Can't eat too much of it, since my lactose intolerance will kick in. But it does a nice job of clearing the palate after a spicy or rich meal. I still find fro-yo to be overpriced….it seems no matter how small the cup or bowl is, you'll end up spending four to five bucks.
Yogurt Lounge
7317 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101
I hope everyone is having a great weekend!
Ooo, Kirk, what’s the sweet with the yellow cracks showing day glo red beneath? I don’t think I’ve had that one before. The orange mochi is deliciously familiar. Love Hogetsu!
everything looks so good and the places you ate at seem so homey because they recognize you ๐ I haven’t eaten fro-yo in ages!
Hi Amy – If I recall, that one is all beans….white beans that have been colored and mixed with sugar. It’s the Missus’s favorite, She loves it with morning tea.
Hi Kat – Yes, that is the great thing with these mom-and-pop type shops.
Do try Pim’s TFC recipe, it is wonderful! It may not be “the crispiest fried chicken ever”, but my hubby and toddler both loved it. ๐
hi kirk
dude you got namechecked in the reader (again)! good to see sab e lee getting business – their food beats any thai place in town.
i’ve got to try hogetsu’s next time. i think they used to be next to utage. haven’t eaten there in a long long time.
by the way, ba ren didn’t give us that beans dessert last night. maybe because we weren’t chinese, they gave us the crappy fortune cookies instead. i didn’t realize it until later because something was “missing”.
Hi Lori – Thanks for the rec…..I guess I’ll go ahead and make it….though my waistline will surely suffer! ;o)
Hi CC – Oh my, you got “Gringo-ized”. Something similar will happen at Shanghai City…instead of the pickles to start you’re meal, you’ll get fried won ton strips. I’m thinking, we need to go back, and get you properly introduced! Or maybe, they remember you saying it “tasted like snot”. JJK! ;o) BTW, Utage is now Korean owned, they make stuff like Soon Tofu, as well as Japanese food.
That Green Coconut yogurt looks good. Is that its natural color? Most frozen yogurts taste too sweet for my palate, but I’m ready to experiment again.
Kirk, I was thinking about Sab e Lee today. It was a weekly stop for me back when they first opened. I went back last week after a hiatus and could not believe the crowd. I’m so happy for Kobe and gang the hard work is paying off.
Hi Kath – I don’t think any of the colors are “natural” (except the plain…). But I think Yogurt Lounge’s fro-yo is not as sweet, nor as milky as other versions. Give it a shot, maybe you’ll like it!
Hi MA – Pretty amazing crowd, huh? BTW, have you tried the naked shrimp yet? I think you might like it.
It’s been a few weeks since we’ve been to Sab-e-Lee. I’m so happy they are doing well because I want them around for a very long time. Guess I’ll just have to go early.
Planning on making a trip down to Chula Vista for some goodies from Hogetsu Bakery this weekend. I think I’ll pop over to Sab-e-lee for some take-out. :0)
Hi Carol – Yes, you’ll need to tgo a bit early until the buzz dies down. Or call ahead for take-out!
Thanks for the tip Kirk I have not tried the naked shrimp.
hi kirk – yeah, you need to introduce me! i wasn’t expecting those fortune cookies. i wanted the mucus dessert (aptly named by the capt.)!!!
Hi MA – Let me know what you think!
Hi CC – Will do next time.
Yogurt lounge is definitely a good choice if you want yogurt that is less milky. Another popular one is Yogurt World on Convoy. Also, if you are in the area, the new Tutti Frutti on La Jolla Village Dr is only $.33/oz, so you can actually get a nice sized yogurt for less than $4. I don’t think their yogurt is that sweet either.
Thanks for the rec’s Kirbie!
mmm, lotsa good looking food. those manju look like extraterrestrial nuggets glowing from within with deliciousness. I just tried a couple of the new froyos recently too, I like it much better than the old school sweet stuff with oreo bits.
Hi FH – Thanks….the Missus loves manju.
I’m another huge fan of Hogetsu. Just wanted to add that they make regular deliveries to Nijiya Market so you don’t have to drive all the way down to CV to get your fix. =)
Hi Brent – Thanks for the reminder…..I’ll still make the drive though. Mainly because the variety is larger in their little shop, and we always get “at least” a dozen. Also Nijiya tends to hold the manju past their prime.
“I’m doing a Frozen Yogurt post. And being the typical totally oblivious, and unhip person, I think I’m what, maybe only 3-4 years too late? ”
More like 30 years. The first big wave of FroYo shops was in the 70s… ๐
Kirk, I’m so glad you have a bit of Japanese bakery treats coverage. I just love these.
Hi Jeffrey – Hogetsu is the only place in San Diego that makes their own.
Thank you for your nice blog. I lived in OC for 3 yrs before moving back to San Diego and used to rely on Elmo’s blog quite a bit in OC and it has taken me ~3 yrs in San Diego to come across yours. Never could love froyo much though. There’s usually that sour or strange aftertaste. Prefer gelato (Little Italy)or Mochilato (in Irvine). Have you tried a new Asian bakery, Pangea, on Convoy? I like their tea bread, coffee bread. Is it true that 85C is planning on opening 10 bakeries in CA?
Hi Cal S – Welsome and thanks for taking the time to comment. I’ve passed that bakery a couple of times onn the way home from work. I’ve heard mixed comments about the place. We’ll probably check out in the near future.