SHOMI NOODS @Cravings by 99Ranch (Chino)

Well.  Here you are wondering about that (scandalous!) title while looking at mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog.  Cathy is writing today while Kirk and His Missus are busy doing other things.

The other day, while recovering from a long day working for the Registrar of Voters, the internet showed up on my iPad.   Something about a 'new concept' for 99 Ranch, the local grocery that has two locations in San Diego, each with small Food Court areas.  Cravings is in Chino (a 90 minute drive on the weekend with no traffic if you leave early), opened on October 20 and is half warehouse, half Food Court and very interesting. IMG_0506
IMG_0506Walk in and to the right is the Food Court area.  We weren't very hungry (had had breakfast and this was a spur of the moment drive) and decided on the Takoyaki ($5.45) and Karaage ($5.95) from the ramen place (I didn't say the name out loud until we were driving home and realized the alliteration and literally did Laugh Out Loud).  

{There are ten businesses in the Food Court area; not all were open and several were very crowded. Photos to follow this food portion of the blogging}
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IMG_0506The takoyaki, crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside filled with minced octopus were wonderful - you can see the flaky skin, the gooey interior and some of the octopus in this cross section bite. The thick slices of dried bonito flakes were 'dancing' on the freshly fried octopus balls.  Six pieces made a great snack.  
IMG_0506Do not be afraid of the karaage.  It is dark, 
IMG_0506does looked burned, 
IMG_0506but it has been marinated and only lightly coated in flour and was moist inside, crispy and light.  Also, there was plenty of chicken.  Another perfect snack.  

So, you may be wondering about the rest of the Food Court. Here are some photos.
IMG_0500  Piju (adult beverages and bar snacks) (launched by Cravings)IMG_0527Madbun (meat or ice cream stuffed house made baked or steamed bao/buns)
IMG_0527 Wingman (fried chicken with rice, fries or in a cone)
IMG_0527 Dos Chinos (Latin Asian Grub)
IMG_0527 Oi Asian Fusion (Filipino) IMG_0497Cauldron Ice Cream ( https://www.cauldronicecream.com )
IMG_0497Pinky Promise, a patisserie/modern Taiwanese bakery.
IMG_0497Tenori (Japanese- rolls and rice bowls)  
IMG_0488 Red Envelope (freshly fried and grilled fish and shrimp and chips(Cajun style)).  To the left is where you can park your cart after paying, so as not to crowd the Food Court area. 

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IMG_0486 Views from the Food Court toward the Warehouse area.  There are bulk items and plenty of freezer items and the fresh produce area has one entire refrigerated/closed door area as well as an open shelving area, but almost everything is pre-packed, unlike the regular 99 Ranch store.  

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Cravings by 99Ranch 4024 Grand Avenue Chino, CA (Chino Spectrum Mall)  (909) 760-8899 website  Market open daily 10 a.m., Food Court open daily 11 a.m. 

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