Since my last post was somewhat "ducky", I thought I'd keep the streak going with a couple of takeout posts.
Man how long has it been since my last visit to…
Sam Woo:
AKA the "Killer Whale"….if you don't know the story; click on the link, it's at the bottom of the post. I know we've been back since that post in 2005, but even though Cathy has done many posts on Sam Woo; it seems that I've only done that one. Strange…..
SW is not a usual stop for us anyway. But on a recent visit to 99 Ranch Market, the Missus noted that the roast duck looked pretty good.
So, we went in and I got a half roast duck, the Missus noted that the char siu looked pretty decent as well, so I got a pound. The woman working the register was so friendly….we're not used to that at Sam Woo!
Anyway, this is what the half duck looked like at home.
Man, that skin was so rubbery and the flavor bland. A least the duck wasn't dry and there was so much sauce that I basically soaked the pieces skin side down, then air fried which crisped things out nicely. I liked that this wasn't the overly meaty and dry roast duck we've been getting lately, but the flavor sure was lacking. Good thing we took it to go. I can't imagine having this at the restaurant.
Talk about bland; man the char siu was terrible. It did look good sitting at the steam table though.
Much too sweet, lacking in savory-umami tones, waxy and very tough. Not good eats. We were glad I only got a pound!
Not sure when we'll be by the "Killer Whale" again, but I'm pretty sure we won't be getting the char siu…..
Sam Woo BBQ Restaurant
7330 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92111
After this visit, we were wondering how our old favorite for roast duck, Noble Chef was doing. So, a few days later we did some takeout from….
Noble Chef:
Of course, based on what I had learned from our good friend Candice years ago, it was a dinner time takeout visit.
We got the roast duck.
Like our previous visit; the duck seemed much more meaty than before. The skin tasted really good, but was on the rubbery side. But of course it got air fried and things turned around. The meat was fairly bland; if not for the tasty skin, well……
I also did something I would never do before we got our air fryer. I ordered the Salt and Pepper Pork chops to go.
Man, this was a huge portion. I brushed off the garlic, scallions, and chilies, then did the air fry thing. I then readded the garlic and stuffs. These seemed a bit thicker cut than before and the meat was edging on dry. But the seasoning was right on point and it was nice and crisp.
The Noble Chef
6159 Balboa Avenue
San Diego, CA 92111
So, have any great roast duck recently? Inquiring minds want to know!
The salt and pepper pork chops look good. I always have the feeling that the pork will be chalky dry when prepared like this.
Just went to SW last night. Our duck was good, much better than your photo. The rest of the stuff we got was also good. Same taste as when we started going over 20 years ago. Price is much higher and not very consistent though.
glad your air fryer can revive most of these items
They do a pretty good job with that Dereck!
Yes, that duck wasn’t very good RD. Glad you enjoyed your visit!
Yes Kat. Air Fryer to the rescue!
Last year while on vacation in San Diego, we had dinner at Sam Woo’s too. We too were disappointed with the food quality and taste and the fact that they were cash only (no credit cards). We used to love Sam Woo’s up in various locations in LAX, but the one we tried in San Diego was not so good. Being a lover of old school Cantonese food, we used to love Sam Woo’s.
Yes, it had been a while for us Alan and this as quite disappointing!
Too bad about Sam Woo.
I know kind of sad ST!
Those pork chops are tempting! I had some great tasting duck at Duk Hing Chinese Deli in SF.
I would like to find some good duck here in SD Soo!
I checked out the story you posted back in 2005. Those prices!! Makes me nostalgic.
Actually, makes me depressed Mar! ;o) Can you imagine that the jook was under $4 and most everything under $5.50? Man, I’m getting nostalgic as well!