mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog, written by friends. Today, it's Cathy's turn to post.
Since the onset of Covid-19, The Mister and I have made an effort to patronize local dining establishments. While doing so, I noticed a pattern arising: the outside signage.
Can't get much more generic than seeing something like this.
We had also stopped here (Thai Food) in 2021 and then here (Chinese Fast Food) in 2022, finding some great meals. Rarely do we 'research' where we are going to eat; we just drive and stop. There is plenty of common/all inclusive outdoor signage out there. Each restaurant does have a formal name. Chen Golden Palace, located on 2nd Street just south of I-8 in El Cajon, has Yelp reviews starting in 2010. We've passed it a few hundred times. Finally we stopped.
Sure, you could walk up and grab a menu…but walking up and reading the walls can be more fun. 
Walk to the corner, order and pay. Have a seat.
Condiments are brought out and you can hear the sounds of chopping and stir fry happening in the kitchen.
Soon, a large bowl of Wor Won Ton Soup ($11.99) was brought out. Chicken, shrimp and pork filled won tons (dumpling sized) along with a plethora of fresh vegetables made this a great meal in itself.
Every vegetable was fresh and crisp. The shrimp were plump, chicken pieces were moist and quite large and the dumplings/won ton were flavor filled.
Since this was a first visit, I had to order the Egg Foo Young ($12.99). The chef here had yet another unique way of preparation. 
The patties were batter dipped and fried to a crisp brown color, not filled with bean sprouts but instead, cabbage. Topped with the chicken (you could also order pork or shrimp EFY), ubiquitous peas and carrots and a good (not too salty) gravy, all flavors and textures remained bright throughout the meal.
We will return. What a great neighborhood place!
Chen Golden Palace 530 N. 2nd Street El Cajon CA 92021 (619) 442-2541 Open Mon-Sat 11-9:30, Sun 12-8:30 website
