mmm-yoso!!! welcomes you back to our little blog. Cathy is writing todays post, while Kirk is enjoying the start to a three day weekend.
As you know, I do not 'regift' any gifts received, including gift cards. I have one particular client (who knows that I write on this blog) and the random gift cards received from him indicate places he would like to see me write about. PKG is a Southern California chain advertising itself as a "True Scratch Kitchen". Established in 1997 in Corona Del Mar, this chain only recently (since Covid-19) has expanded into San Diego, with locations in Mission Valley, Carlsbad, Carmel Valley and soon, University City. 
The location in Mission Valley, across the parking lot from the Trader Joe's (at the Northwest corner of Interstate 8 and Mission Center Road), inside the former Fuddruckers, is closest to home, so we stopped here for lunch. 
Clean and organized, with indoor and outdoor seating, it is spacious. Link to menu (I forgot to take photos)
I decided to try a cup of the Green Lentil Soup ($3.99)-wow! Made with organic lentils, tomato, garlic, carrot, onion, parsley, mint and a vegetable broth, this was a *wonderful* version! All flavors can be tasted, even the mint. I definitely will get this again.
I chose the Falafel Appetizer plate ($9.99) as my main dish. Again-wow! The falafel are made with fresh ground garbanzo beans and various herbs, lightly fried so there is a crisp crust and flavorful fluffy interior. It's served with hummus (also fresh made with garlic and lemon juice) and tzatziki (made with yogurt, cucumber, dill, parsley, mint and garlic) and grilled pieces of pita. So fresh and filled with flavors, plenty for a meal or to share. 
The Chicken Brie Panini comes with a choice of standard salads or soup for $13.99, but you can choose the strawberry date salad for an additional $1.99…and The Mister did just that. 
The sandwich is on grilled artisan bread, made with chicken tenders, tomato, basil and Brie. It is a large, tasty sandwich.
The strawberry date salad is so very flavorful! Mixed greens and strawberries are tossed with candied walnuts, chopped medjool dates and Gorgonzola. This 'side' portion was more than enough for us to share and experience the flavors and freshness.
We will be back to try more of the menu. The food here is is quality.
Panini Kabob Grill. 891 Camino De La Reina San Diego 92108 (619)299-9220 Open 10a.m.-9 p.m. daily Website
the date salad sounds so delicious!
We live right next to the Carmel Valley location and go there moderately often. We enjoy the chicken veggie soup and the beef koobideh skewers. The lamb is also done pretty well, and the chicken isn’t dry which is rare for chicken breast. I don’t recommend the family combos, tends to be all rice and veggies, can get more proteins by ordering the plates. We tend to mix and match with plates and the takeout-only k-boxes, since the k-boxes can come with the hummus which is a nice addition to the plates.
The salad was just so perfect, kat. The full size might be my order next time. I purchased some dates the other day, just to use at home on a salad.
How fortunate to live so close, Jason! I only saw the K-boxes on the online menu and am glad for that option. Thanks for the recommendations; I wanted a variety for the first time eating here and now I just want more!
I love the kabob’s. https://www.hungryones.com/2021/10/panini-kabob-grill/
Kabobs are on the list, Soo! PKG serves some quality food!
Thrilled they opened up in MV so close to my office, it’s probably my favorite fast food Mediterranean place and pretty much blows everything in MV out of the water.The thing that stuns me besides the amazing Koobideh and the great salads are the salmon dishes. Never had a bad one and their wrap plus a salad makes for an amazingly filling meal. Plus a small family meal with maybe an extra skewer can feed 4-5 people comfortably at a very affordable price.
I don’t believe for a second they’re authentic middle eastern (then again w Turkish roots my bar is really high) but they’re hard to beat to be healthy and have a good meal. Now if you want some very authentic and amazing Middle Eastern (primarily Iraqi) food, try Ney in La Mesa.
You are so fortunate to work so close, Loren! Thanks for the ordering tips; I agree about the quality and ROI. Have passed Ney many times and will make the effort to stop.