Man, talk about hot…..man, talk about us being wimpy….especially after reading that Death Valley recorded what might be the second hottest temperature ever! I mean, we've been getting mid to high 80's here in Bay Park and we're complaining. Though we don't have A/C…..we did purchase two portable units; but our place was built in the 50's…..before the time of air conditioning it seems. So, we've been kinda sweating it out. Usually, we'd be heading out, trying to beat the heat, with cooler dishes and some nice A/C. Which, well, just isn't possible this year. Still, I'd been wanting some Bi Bim Naengmyun, one of my favorite hot weather dishes. So the Missus told me to just go ahead and order takeout from Prime Grill.
Here's where it gets kinda funny….I call and order the Bi Bim Bap for the Missus and then try to order the Bi Bim Naengmyun. The woman on the phone quickly asks me how far I live from the restaurant. I tell her about 15 minutes and she says "too far away, bi bim naengmyun is no good after that time….too far away…..no good to order!" Wow…ok….. I guess some folks would get a bit upset; but I took her statement to mean that she wanted me to have the best experience with the dish. The Missus told me to order some Dak Bulgogi; so I went with that.
I drove on over to pick up our order and cracked up. Not only had the side portion of the parking lot Prime Grill shares been converted to what almost looked like a Pojangmacha! There was a huge sound system blasting in front of the restaurant which the folks sitting outside of Min Sok Chon were enjoying as well. A older gentleman was working with a saw on a couple tables…..more capacity for the outdoor eating area I guess.
I went up to the older woman who was working and told them I was here to pick-up my order. She quickly got it and as I was leaving told me; "come back and have the bi bim naengmyun here…." I had to laugh.
Anyway; I got home and unpacked things.
The Missus and I quickly realized that something was definitely missing when ordering this way. The bim bim bap had kind of lost its personality….. The rice had lost it's heat; the heat from fried egg had started making the other items slightly soggy. Of course; there would be no wonderful crustiness from a dolsot, but we expected that.
The panchan, specially the baechu kimchi, which Prime Grill usually does fairly well was missing a nice slightly funky, but delicious fermented flavor.
The Dak Bulgogi (BBQ Chicken) didn't have any caramelization and looked a not-so-appetizing grey in pallor.
In terms of flavor, it wasn't bad, but the texture was too chewy and gummy, and I missed the extra texture and charred deliciousness of some browned and crisp edges. 
Perhaps we've been pushing our luck a bit with all of our takeout successes and this was a bridge too far.
I guess when I feel comfortable actually eating in a restaurant (parking lot); I may just give in and have the bi bim naengmyun…..might be more sooner than later if this weather keeps up. Probably not though…..
Prime Grill
4620 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111
On a side note….we worry about Frankie keeping cool; so I bought a little swamp cooler for him. We get a kick checking on Frankie when we have it on……he'll cool off a side of his body; then move around to get another area cool. He's doesn't enjoy having a fan blow directly on him; so the gentle breeze of the swamp cooler does just fine.
What a character.
He is enjoying that little portable cooler.
Frankie hopes everyone is being safe and keeping your cool; physically and mentally!
He sure is…..
Thanks for stopping by!
I agree, I’d appreciate the “don’t order that” recommendation. I think restaurants realize that folks aren’t getting an optimum dining experience from takeout, I’m glad Prime Grill is trying to limit any potential negative experience.
aw Frankie! stay cool & safe all of you:)
Yes, that doesn’t happen as often as it should Jason.
He sure knows how to make himself comfortable Kat! Take care!
I would have thought that bi bim naengmyun would hold up ok for takeout. I would love to have bim bim bap, but I would really miss the stone pot.
That’s good Frankie is staying cool!
I thought so too Sandy….but I guess not according to that woman.
He’s doing his best to make himself comfortable Soo!
Guess it’s time to get a stone POT LOL. That chicken also looks pretty rough =/
Oops, didn’t mean to capitalize pot! Unrelated, I’ve had good covid takeout from Alfron.
Lol Derek (at least you didn’t type “stoned pot”)! I was thinking of Alforon – especially like their garlic paste; but I haven’t ventured that far East yet….maybe its about time….
I was driving back from Vegas on Sunday. At state line the car registered 122 degrees! We definitely are wimps when it comes to heat in San Diego. Lots of cars were overheating on the uphill out of Nevada.
But it’s a “dry heat” right Junichi??? ;o)
I have yet to try Prime Grill but heard their current AYCE option (in parking lot?) was a decent try.
I have never heard of a swamp cooler so I’m glad Frankie is managing this heat! My little one has been enjoying bits of this heat when he wanders outside to lay on floor (even if it’s for a few minutes!).
I’m kinda tempted to have a meal there Faye…. Glad your little one is doing ok in this heat.
We finally gave in and got A/C installed four years ago, after 15+ years of living here without. In the past a vornado fan and some windows open was fine but we live in a higher-density area and it’s just gotten hotter and hotter each year and everyone with windows open has gotten noisier and noisier. We haven’t regretted the A/C install one bit for the few times a year we run it (but our place is pretty small and already prepped for A/c so not too outrageously expensive to get A/C). Where we used to live everyone had swamp coolers and those worked great except for the very few muggy days of the year (mostly dry desert heat all year round there though – perfect for swamp coolers). Frankie looks comfy and is hopefully staying warm in the suddenly very cold weather we’ve been having (like this past weekend was downright blustery!). As you can tell, I love seeing Frankie pics! =)
And Frankie does indeed love the attention Dancing! We hope all is well.
Thanks for the replies to all the comments! And yes it really does feel like THE LONGEST month of March EVER. Hopefully fewer “days of March” will go by before I next get time to catch up on a bunch of your awesome blog posts. Well wishes to you and the Missus and Frankie too, of course! (oh and Cathy too!) =)
We always love your comments Dancing!