Returning from our trip was kind of a downer. We had eaten well, enjoyed the food….really enjoyed the food. Strangely, I usually start missing certain things on our trips. Even while eating fantastically in Japan, we started missing salad of all things. This time? Nada…… I came back craving nothing, wishing for nothing. We did hit up the usual suspects, a post for another time, but while the Missus was working, I'd often aimlessly drive up and down, say Clairemont Mesa Boulevard (that's also another post) with no goal in mind. I was craving nothing.
Until Saturday. I woke up thinking of oxtails. Caribbean Taste's Oxtails. I'm not sure why; the last time I ate there was when we had the Amazing Graze, which was like 4 years ago. But happy just to be wanting something, I happily headed off to Encanto.
The place looks pretty much the same. The little "market" in the corner is gone and after looking at my post from way back in 2007, I noticed that the mural on the wall has been touched up. The "wood" has gone from yellow to a bright green.
The young guy working the front was really friendly….hospitable. The woman who delivered the oxtails (small – $10) was the same.
And the braised oxtails delivered nicely.
Tender without falling to pieces, nice gelatin, not too salty, beefy, mild sweetness, with a hint of allspice (some of these places go bit overboard), it was pleasure to just suck every little edible bit off the bones. The rice was better than I recalled; though the vegetables are still pretty bland……and, I didn't come here to eat veggies, right? The sauce/gravy was nice and thick….wonderful mixed with the rice. I left with fingers sticky from working the bones with my hands. And a very happy belly.
Which led me to wonder….what have you been craving lately?
Caribbean Taste Restaurant
6171 Imperial Ave
San Diego, CA 92114