*** 97 Supermarket has closed
Over the last 14 months or so, I've collected quite a few photos. Most of them end up in the recycle bin, since I do "goof-up" alot. I try to be organized, but sometimes I find a collection of photos that leave me scratching my head. As in where the heck was this???? This is such a collection. I did find out which market it was; I had put the "street shot" in another folder, and it was left languishing.
So, I guess it's better late then never. But here's the deal; first 5 Emails I receive that guess the correct Market, I'll send you a cup of Peet's on me. The reason I chose Peet's, is because I can Email Peet's certificates.
Let's start the clues…..
1 – This is a Southeast Asian Supermarket, you know right away, since they stock everything from Betel Leaves:
To Boba:
2 – This San Diego Supermarket, has quite an interesting collection, some looking quite old:
And items that are quite new…at least to me.
3 – As with this type of market, there is the requisite Meat and Fish department. Though it is quite small.
4 – If you've ever been in this market, the produce department is a dead giveaway:
I think I've provided enough clues. But here are a few more photos…..
There is some interesting stuff here.
The Missus always tells me, that after a while, all of these markets look the same.
But I'm willing to bet that there at least 5 of you, who can figure this market out in no time flat.
And you will be much smarter than I, since it took me about 15 minutes to remember where the heck this was.
And though this market, was a bit worse for wear. It was still fun for me! And I'll drink to that, though probably not with Palm Juice.
Once I have enough guesses, I'll reveal the Market. One correct guess per IP address, please have a valid Email address.
Hope you enjoyed this little Mid Week quiz!
Thursday morning update – I probably made this too hard. Though I think if you ever set foot in this market you'd recognize the produce department. So here's some clues, that I've included in the response to comments:
– It's not any of the Viet Dong Markets, nor World Foods.
– It is not on El Cajon Boulevard.
Again, comment away – though I'd rather have email guesses – but since you all like to share….
Thursday noon update – Sheesh…… More clues. Let's see…..
– It is not on Mira Mesa Boulevard.
– It is not in the South Bay area.
– I haven't done a post on this market
– And this should clinch it. If you look real carefully at the photo of the seafood bin – you'll notice part of the market logo….just a small part, but if you've ever walked or driven pass this market you should know it. And possibly made fun of the name…..
My apologies…I must totally suck at giving out clues. Nobody figured it out! I'm totally devistated. The answer is:
97 Super Market
4679 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92105
I know, I'm terrible at giving out clues…..but tell me, would you want me to do this again? If I made it easier????
What if I don’t have a clue? Does that count for a half cup of coffee???
I know, the Asian market in San Diego County! Did I win????
Hi Jim – Aaah man, that’s weak! I think you should buy me a cup for the guess! LOL!
The only real clue is the Fish/Meat counter…that Produce Department could be any of the Vien Dongs or World Market or one of those three on Mira Mesa Blvd closer to I-15……and I don’t remember ever seeing that Fish display…trust me, I would remember….
(Its OK, I am a stockholder in Peets)
It looks like the Vien Dong on Linda Vista Road. Am I right? I love Peets.
is it the market in the same strip mall as minh kee restaurant?
its on the north side of el cajon. perhaps where toisan said.
Hi Cathy – If you can’t figure this one out….it might be too hard – I think I’ll add some more clues.
Hi Renee – Nope not Vien Dong.
Hi Toison – Nope….
Hi Dave – Double nope……I’ll post some clues.
I thought it was Vien Dong too. 🙁
Is it Zion Korean Market in Clairmont Mesa Area?
Is it the Vietnamese market on Camino Ruiz – the one in the same mall as Target?
Need more clues…or I think I just haven’t been there yet. I am so disappointed in myself…
Hi Howie – Think a bit smaller than Vien Dong.
Hi Peter – Nope
Hi Candice – Nope you’re waaay off course, but you’ve got the right type of market in mind.
Hi Cathy – New set of clues coming up.
I believe it is the Seafood supermarket on the north side of MiraMesa. I cant remember the name of it but i know it has seafood in the title.
Heh. Having done a mental Venn Diagram (remember those from grade school?) of all your hints, Kirk, I have come to the conclusion that the set of all Southeast Asian markets in San Diego that I have been to, that (a) are not Vien Dongs, and (b) are not on Mira Mesa or El Cajon Blvds., and that (c) you haven’t posted about, is the empty set. 🙂
But thanks anyway–I may not be getting a free coffee out of this, but I sure did get a big laugh!
I think it is Hoa Hing on University. I’ve only been in there once so I’m not too sure.
Clever idea with the contest.
My guess is Vien Dong on Linda Vista Roard.
Doh should’ve read the comments first…
69 Market?
Hi MV – Haven’t heard from you in a while….but nope!
Hi Mizducky – Ha, cracked me up! You’re too funny…..
Hi Roland – You didn’t realize how close you were…like walking distance!
Hey Jack – Call it laziness at it’s best!
Hi Karen – At least you got on of the numbers right!
97…
Ah! Oh no I’m too late. 😛
Hi Karen – LOL! You tried sooooo hard!
Okay, question: Is 97 Supermarket like an imitation of 99 Ranch Market? Related question: What do 97 and 99 stand for? Lol.
Vietnamese grocery stores are amazing. But fish sauce confuses me. Apart from the fact that it tastes really awesome in Asian cooking, what is it exactly?
I thought the idea was great! I just didn’t know much of San Diego enough to try any educated guesses 😀 It was amusing to watch though
I have never been to 97…and apparently most of us haven’t…we will all be there this weekend, or next, I bet!
Do it again, you don’t have to make it easier…we either know it or don’t…
Hi Justin – 97 really isn’t a 99 Ranch knock-off. At least I don’t think so. I’ve always wondered about the signifance of the numbers – and especially of the Pho shops 79,97,99, etc… So maybe someone can answer this.
Fish sauce is in it’s basic form, fish, H2O, and salt – this concoction is allowed to ferment. Also, don’t think it’s just SE Asian cuisine that uses fish sauce. Worcestershire Sauce was originally based on a fermented anchovy sauce.
Hi Rachel – I was somewhat overwhelmed at the response.
Hi Cathy – Or at least have a good laugh when you drive past….
I think that the numbers represent the year that the owners of the businesses immigrated to America. At least that’s what one of the City Heights business owner said in a U/T article years ago. As for the 99 in Ranch 99, I would gamble to say that the number nine represents luck or prosperity.
Hi Toisan – Thanks for the interesting tidbit! Makes sense to me now.
Oh, I do hope you do this game again, Kirk–it was lots of fun! And don’t feel you have to dumb it down for us–the challenge was part of the fun.
I too had always wondered about the significance of certain numbers that crop up in the names of Asian businesses …
Hi mizducky – I’ll do this again – If I can find the right market.
I have understood that particular numbers have a superstitious type value in Asian cultures. I worked for a company whose hot-shot engineer was from China. The first rendition of a best selling product was named “444” then second version of this product was named “888”. The numbers have to do with good luck and good fortune. I also believe that, in China specifically, there is a general aversion to the number nine because it sounds like the word death.
Hi Julie – Yes, numbers are very important. For instance, I’d never eat in a Chinese restaurant numbered “444”, which would be the equivalent of “death-death-death” – though it would probably be a good name for an exterminator! 8 signifies prosperity, if you drive around the SGV in LA you’ll see Mercedes Benz’s and BMWs with 8888 and 88888 on the license plates. 9 signifies long life.
what a rip! Shenfat first copied the 99 logo and now this market, the 97 copies it again.
Hi Andy – You know what they say – Imitation is the highest form of flattery!
Hello everyone…
In regards to numbers, “4” is bad news to the Japanese too.
There has been a series of professional digital video formats – “D-1”, “D-2”, “D-3” and “D-5”, but no “D-4”.
Well, there was going to be a “D-4” and there should have been a “D-4”, but because “4” is so unlucky, I believe the Japanese manufactures (Sony and/or Panasonic) refused to use the “D-4” designation, so it was skipped.
Great post!
Here’s the answer to why that store is named 97. Back in the 90’s there were only 3 main stores in east San Diego. Vien Dong 4, Vinh Hung, and 79. Of the 3, the only one you can still find is Vien Dong. What happened to the other 2? Vinh Hung became Minh Hoa not too long ago, and 79.. well, they changed owners and the new owners went cheap on the naming scheme and simply switched the numbers, thus 97 market was born.
As for why asians name thier businesses by the numbers, there are 2 schools of thought.
1) Yes, like Marc, Andy, and JD have said, there are superstition in numbers. This is mostly with Chinese and Japanese people.
2) You’ll find that most of the shops that are by numbers will be either Vietnamese owned, Vietnamese serving, or somehow related to Vietnamese people.
If you’ve ever traveled through the streets of either Saigon or Hanoi, you’ll find them riddled with mom and pop restaurants. Like the flower district of Manhattan, many shops will sell the same items all clumped together, so the only way to tell them apart is by their address. Thus Pho 138, Pho 152, etc.
Here in the US, whenever you see Pho ## or whatever, it’s a tribute to the shops back in Vietnam
Wow – dried betel leaf. What would one do with that, besides the betel/areca nut chew? (Can you get the nuts anywhere, for that matter?)
Hi Mr D – Thanks for the background info!
Hi Ed – There’s a Vietnamese dish called Bo La Lot, which is beef rolled in betel leaf, sort of like Domades. I don’t recall seeing the nuts…..here’s some interesting info regarding importation of betel nut in the US:
http://www.erowid.org/plants/betel/betel_law.shtml