So, here's some "stuffs" I found while driving around. Actually, this is just a couple of places, there's much more, but the title of the post was getting too long!
Mama Lin's Replacing Saigon 5:
So, on a previous visit to 99 Ranch Market on Balboa, I noticed that Sip n' Cluck was replacing Krispy Krunchy Chicken. Imagine my surprise on my last trip to 99 Ranch when I went to the restroom and saw that a stand named Mama Lin's was replacing Saigon 5!
Makes me wonder if business in this food court is not particularly busy. The place never seems busy…..
5950 Balboa Ave (Inside 99 Ranch Market)
San Diego, CA 92111
It's now Ujin Ramen instead of Hanyuzu Ramen:
**** You can find my post on Ujin here.
So, I've been avoiding Renaissance Towne Center because of all the crazy road work. Heck, I have to deal with the ever changing traffic patterns on Clairemont Drive; why would I want to expose myself to more of the same? Still, after 7 months or so of avoiding the area, I decided to to head on over to Chicago Fire Grill to see what's going on. In the end, I ended up trying a new place that opened up there (post upcoming) and got to see what was going on.
Since I arrived before 11, I took a stroll around the strip mall. It was quite interesting. Back in August of 2022 it seemed like a shop named Ramen Hanyuzu was coming to this mall. In June of 2023, ditto. But now, in March of 2024, it looks like Ujin Ramen is coming to this spot?
My goodness……
8935 Towne Centre Drive #113
San Diego, CA 92122
And what about Honeyjam Chicken?:
Good question. I mean way back in 2021, this spot was going to be JJ Chicken. Then, in October of 2022, "FOY" Patty and Rena alerted me to changes. Apparently, the place was now going to Honeyjam Chicken. Of course, it's now March of 2024.
Well, there seems to be some work going on here. Still, not sure if or when they will open. It must be so frustrating for folks in the area who are looking forward to these businesses open. But can you imagine; that we're hiring sign has been up since I first saw the place in October of 2022. I mean, really, you want staff…….do they think folks will wait a year-and-a-half for work? It's quite sad….
8895 Towne Centre Dr.
San Diego, CA 92122
The new sign for Golden City:
This is an interesting one. I saw a change of signs occurring for Golden City earlier in the week. Then "FOY" Derric sent me a message asking what was going on.
When I first saw the sign, I drove into the parking lot and peeked into the restaurant…..the guy working and the decor looked the same. My one source said it was still the same with a change in the Chinese name of the place. The Missus said that in Chinese the name is now something along the lines of "Prosperity Palace". So we'll see…..
5375 Kearny Villa Rd.
San Diego, CA 92123
And there's more; but I'll save that for a future post. Hope you're having a wonderful week!
Not going to lie but that little Renaissance shopping center by UTC has quite a few nice culinary gems in it. Obviously Chicago fire but URBN is a good lunch spot and I do like both Amardeen and Star Anise (not sure how they rate on the Yoso scale but they’re good to me). Peets and Arteazen are also pretty solid for drinks. So if they can add a good chicken and good ramen place as well, they may actually be a solid plan B for anyone who doesn’t want to deal with UTC. I just miss the old Italian place that used to be there pre-COVID, was a place I’d always go with my family.
I was just at Ranch 99 and didn’t even notice Mama Lin. Ate at the new chicken place. It was good
Amardeen is one of the best in san diego. but boy have the raised their prices. it was one of our weekly go to’s for years, but the latest increase is just too much. everything has more than doubled since covid. wraps are now almost 20. the labneh is 17. a basic salad is almost 20.
I’ll have to try Mama Lin. I loved eating at Saigon 5.
I swear everything everywhere has increased insanely in prices. Hells bells, pre-COVID I could have gotten a bean, rice & cheese burrito for under $5 at any good burrito spot. Now it’s the only burrito under $10 and it’s barely under. Amardeen has never been cheap for sure but it’s pretty high as is everything.
Yes, prices have gone up like crazy Loren. I did do a post on Star Anise; which I believe you commented on. I do drop by Peet’s once in a while and will definitely check out the other places when/if they open.
The sudden turnover is interesting ST! I’ll make sure to try the chicken place.
Twenty dollar wraps David! Whoa…that’s pricey. Though I’m sure costs are high and the rent in that area must be crazy.
Hope you enjoy Soo!
I wonder if you or a FOY could shed some light on the restaurant permitting process here in SD. Takes places forever to open here whereas I don’t remember that at all in LA. SD seems very unfriendly to non chains but maybe I’m way off base. Agree with others about prices being out of control. Thanks as always for these updates!
I could do some research RD. I’ll let you know what I find out.