Here's more steam table goodness for your Thursday.
R & B Filipino Cuisine:
Being kind of off the beaten track, it's easy to forgot about R&B. One weekend I was driving around Mira Mesa and R&B suddenly came to mind. Not sure why….but it was enough for me to take that right turn on Camino Ruiz……
They were doing pretty good business when I arrived. Taking a quick glance at what was available, it was easy to make a decision.
The beef steak (bistek) had just come out and I recalled that I'd had t
he tapas on a previous visit and didn't think it was too bad. The meat was pretty tender considering it was pretty low grade round or sirloin. It was too salty for my taste and whatever citrus they had in this really didn't help balance things out. The worst was the flavor I can only describe as "scummy", that weird almost offal-blood like flavor of low grade meat cooked in its own scum.
I also got the sisig (duh), which was nicely flavored, decent vinegar and heat. It was just a bit too bitter and mushy, but not bad overall.
The folks here looked pretty beat on this day, but they were nice enough. I still haven't run into the hamonado my friend's husband recommends, so hopefully one day.
R & B Filipino Cuisine
11257 Camino Ruiz
San Diego, CA 92126
Manila Fast Food and Desserts:
I can say with some confidence that Manila Fast Food is probably the busiest of the turo turo joints in the area. Being near Seafood City helps, there are always people in the place, which makes for decent turnover. Looking over things I went with the sisig and beef mechado, easy picks. Though they had just brought out the lechon, which I've had mixed success with here. After talking to Kirbie about her rather recent experiences with the lechon here…..I probably made the right choice.
The Beef Mechado was very mild, but at least it wasn't too salty. The stew quality beef was pretty tough. Overall, it could have used a bit more flavor, perhaps a bit of al onger cooking time.
I've always thought the sisig at MFF had a decent balance of flavor, the sour-salty-spicy. My problem was how watery, mushy, and waxy the whole deal was. Well, no complaints about texture this time around. Unfortunately, there seems to have been a trade off with regards to flavor. The usual bright tones of the dish, especially the spice was now AWOL. I guess you have to choose between flavor and texture with regards to MFFs sisig?
Manila Fast Food and Desserts
8979 Mira Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92126
Thanks for reading. I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween!
Manila Sunset just opened – it’s off Mira Mesa Boulevard on the east side of I-15 in the same strip mall as Play It Again Sports. I don’t know if it’s a turo turo place, but I heard the lines were out the door.
Hah, we just dropped by R&B on Thursday. I probably had turo turo on the brain from your post last week. Decent stuff, but no sisig. ):
I need to visit R&B. I’ve read your posts on it so many times, but haven’t had a chance to go.
Hi Sandy – MS has never been my favorite chain….I dunno, there’s something about the stuff they serve…..
Hey Jan – Turo-turo on the brain…..that kind of describes me at times too. I gotta get there when they have hamonado.
Hi Kirbie – Yeah, check them out……they are a decent alternative to MFF if you get tired of the place.
too bad that steak was too salty.
Hi Kat – Yes, I know…too bad.
Which is your fav place to get lechon?
Hi Soo – Whole pig or lechon kawale? If it’s lechon kawale, much of it depends on timing, i.e…. when it hit the steam table. I’ve had good stuff from multiple places, Tita’s, Pinoy Fiesta, Point-Point….but I never tell myself, “today you’re going to get lechon kawale”…….
Lechon kawale. I’ve never had it before. Is it like Chinese roast pork? What are your tips on getting good lechon kawale at the places you mention?
Hi Soo – In simple terms, lechon kawale is first simmered, then dried, then fried pork belly with skin. It should look crisp, but not dry or waxy. If you luck out, you’ll get it just when they bring it out. Enjoy!