Cathy – Page 48

Tender Greens (revisits)(Breakfast, too)

December 17, 2015 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch, Salads, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is the name of this food blog. Kirk usually writes here and is needing a bit of a break. Ed (from Yuma) usually has something interesting to write about, but not today. Cathy is writing to share about more adventures about a favorite restaurant, which has multiple locations.

I've written about Tender Greens after the first location opened at Liberty Station in 2009 and again in 2011. Then Kirk wrote about one of his lunches downtown when he had Jury Duty in 2013. I followed up with a post a few months later. It's time for an update. Tender Greens has expanded (there are now four San Diego locations) and the menus are the same, with varied daily specials at each location.

Earlier this year, both The Mister and I performed our civic duty involving the Jury Systems located downtown. One of the 'perks' of showing up for duty (even if you are not chosen to be on a jury) is a small reimbursement of one Metropolitan Transit System all day trolley/bus/coaster pass good anytime within the next six months. Since we each had a pass (and one would be expiring soon) we decided to return downtown early one morning.The downtown location is the only one that offers breakfast (Monday-Friday). The menu is limited- there are three sandwiches (braised short rib/egg, veggie/egg and ham/egg/cheese), four 'plates and such' (two eggs with bacon and toast, a fritatta, a 'power bowl' and granola) and 'other deliciousness' (fruit, pastries, avocado toast and a quiche).Placing our order and paying, we were asked if we wanted butter and/or jam for the toast. Those cups were filled (not pre-filled) and the coffee poured and we found a table in the fairly empty restaurant. Wondering what was going on, we realized the food was being prepared and was not pre-prepared, the way you normally 'follow' your lunch or dinner down the prep and serving line. The 'Seasonal Veggie Fritatta' ($7), made with 'farm' vegetables, roasted potatoes, cage free eggs and topped with queso fresco. The whole idea of a single fritatta was fascinating and something we will be trying at home over the holidays. The freshness and flavors were outstanding. The toasted grain bread on the side was really good and didn't really need the butter or jam, but we did use those condiments. The breakfast sandwiches are served on a toasted Con Pane brioche bun. This is the 'House made Ham and Cheddar' ($7). It's really good. The ham is not salty, very flavorful and is great on its own. The scrambled eggs were airy, light and fluffy. The cheddar cheese added just the right amount of saltiness. There was a smear of apricot mustard which added just the right amount of savory. I already want to get another breakfast sandwich here.
This is what the front of the University Town Center location looks like. It's just outside the Food Court/Ice Skating Rink area. There is seating inside as well as on the patio, but you can carry your tray out to the central outdoor area also.

One day this summer, the location at UTC had the daily special of steamed mussels (with house made bacon) ($11.50) These were a good quality of mussel, plump and in a savory sauce; the bacon added just the right amount of saltiness needed.The 'Happy Vegan' ($11.50) is still my fallback choice. Sometimes I am so overwhelmed with the menu that I just know the combination of salads (a tender green salad, a scoop of tabbouleh, a quinoa with cucumber and beets, a farro/wheat with cranberries and hazelnuts and a green hummus) will satisfy as well as taste wonderful. Some days a 'Charcuterie Board' ($11.50) is offered; some days there aren't enough ingredients left. I mentioned in another post that P. Baluster Salumi is made here. The boards are always different either in the meats or cheeses or various condiments offered. Each and every board has been wonderful.The latest 'comfort food' order here has been a 'Hot Plate' with the backyard marinated steak, yukon gold potatoes and a tender green salad ($11.50). The steak is always medium rare, unless you request otherwise. The yukon gold mashed potatoes are addictive. There are always a variety of fresh baked goods available for dessert (around $3) and this one was memorable and unexpected. Not in any way a common cupcake.

Tender Greens. Multiple locations. Different hours, depending on location. Website

Twiggs Bakery & Coffee House (University Heights)

December 4, 2015 Cathy Bakery, Caffeine Fix, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for stopping by to read mmm-yoso!!! on this beautiful day. Kirk (and his Missus) still have a bit of jet lag and Ed (from Yuma) just wrote a really nice post, so it's Cathy's turn.

A San Diego institution, Twiggs has a long, zig-zagged history here, beginning in 1992. There are two locations and this one (on the North East corner of Adams at Idaho) is where The Mister and I have stopped for a few meals as well as baked goods.There is a food menu in the front window (as well as paper menus inside). It seems to be most crowded here for the Friday-Saturday-Sunday breakfast Specials menu.The beverage menus above the cash registers where you order and pay. Usually we stare at the menu and end up ordering a cup of coffee, because it is from Caffe Calabria, a local roaster we really like. Condiments are to the side of the ordering counter, as is more seating. Because the wifi is free, there are a lot of tables with only one person seated at certain times of the day. They all seem to be ordering something to drink and/or eat also, so that's cool. Asking what the quiche of the day choices were (A slice is $4.25; $7.50 with a salad), both mushroom and ham and cheese were available. This time I chose ham and cheese, an excellent choice. Because this location of Twiggs is also a bakery..well, the crust…it was heavenly. Flaky light, flavorful and a good crisp. The bottom stayed firm (sometimes quiche crusts are almost like raw dough) and the cheesy custard filling (a mix of cheeses) complimented the thick sliced chunks of a very flavorful, smoky ham. The mixed lettuce salad, with tomato, raw mushroom and green pepper comes with a side of raspberry vinaigrette, which I use sparingly…the salad veggies are flavorful on their own.The Mister has been curious about the tarragon chicken salad ($6.95) and this time it was his order. A large scoop (despite this photographic illusion) is served on top of the mixed salad (again, with raspberry vinaigrette on the side). Chopped almonds and tarragon complimented the chicken and mayonnaise; simplicity is all the flavoring needed. The lightly toasted (on a panini press) bread was just a perfect compliment for all the flavors. Never knowing if we will want a dessert, we waited until we were finished eating and walked over to the other side of the ordering counter, perusing the baked goods. (There is another refrigerated area with cakes and pies and their respective slices that I didn't photograph).Again, deciding simple would be best, we asked for one pecan sandy ($1) cookie to go and when we got home, were happy to see that there were two in the bag. There are bits of pecan in every bite of these lightly flaky buttery cookies.

Always a nice, neighborhood place to stop. You can pre-order some wonderful cakes, pies and cookies as well some very traditional Christmas items for the rest of the holidays coming up.

Twiggs Bakery & Coffee House 2804 Adams Avenue San Diego 92116 (619)296-4077 Website

Continental Delicatessen (Escondido)

December 1, 2015 Cathy German Restaurants and Food, Pizza, Sandwiches, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is the name of this blog. Kirk, Ed(from Yuma) and Cathy write about food. Right now, Kirk and Ed are relaxing and Cathy is writing.

The Mister and I have the habit of eating a meal before grocery shopping. We've been in Escondido quite a bit and had noticed that the kitchen used by Vinz Wine Bar shared the courtyard and kitchen within this small business. Continental Deli is just across the alley from Escogelato and has been there since about 2010.Walking inside, you are greeted with some glassed refrigerators holding pizza already sliced and waiting to be re-warmed. Walk by it, pass the meat and cheese refrigerator (Thumanns Natural brand meats as well as some German cold cuts), peruse the menu board, order and pay and your food will be brought to your table. which is always covered with a colorful tablecloth.Each day, a home made soup is available until sold out. This day it was mushroom soup ($3). The thickener was potato and it was wonderful.Two slices of pizza and a self serve soda ($6) make a nice meal. There were other pizzas with more interesting toppings available, but The Mister and I are simple folk when the pie is thin crusted.The #9 sandwich, Liverwurst and Butterkäse (butter cheese), on rye (and with onions, which aren't photographed because this is not my half) ($.6.95) is one of my favorite sandwiches in the world. I enjoy this version because of the quality and freshness-of the bread as well as the soft cheese and fresh, thick slices of liverwurst.

This past summer, we purchased one of each sausage (knackwurst (pork), bratwurst (pork) and bockwurst (veal)) for a total of $4.Cooking each on the grill brought out the multitude of flavors from each of the various herbs and spices used in the sausages.

Continental Deli is a great place for the people living in the Northern part of the county. We're glad we found it.

Continental Delicatessen 120 S. Kalmia Street 92025 (760) 745-8007 Open Mon-Thurs 9-8, Fri 9-9, Sat 10-8 Closed Sunday Deli menu is on the Vinz website

Fried Skins- Chicharrones of the land, air and sea.

November 28, 2015 Cathy Filipino Restaurants, Markets & Grocers, Mexican Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!, yoso-silly

Thanks for stopping by to read mmm-yoso!!!, food blog. Today, Cathy is writing a short post, not about any particular restaurant, but about some particular food items. Ed (from Yuma) has a nice post coming up tomorrow. Kirk is still out of the country and enjoying his international vacationing.

In 2011, Kirk wrote a great post about fried animal skins, quite a few were -ahem- less than common and difficult to find unless traveling internationally. I thought that writing a short post about commonly found chicharron would be nice. Dropping into any Mexican Market, you can probably find a variety of both pork and beef fried skins, some with meat attached (the far left) and some just the skin (second from left). Those are sold by the pound and can simply be eaten while wrapped in a corn tortilla, with or without some hot sauce.

The above is the counter at Northgate Gonzalez, a family owned and run Mexican grocery chain which I haven't posted about yet. Sometimes, in this same Mexican Markets, there is a steam tray area with stews and there is usually a choice of rojo (red) or verde (green) chicharron stews called guisados, which can be served taco style. Because the fried skins have been stewing, they are softened and not crispy, but still flavorful. The above are from Krist Liquor and Market. You can always order fresh made chicharrones by the 1/2 pound at Carnitas Uruapan.Long ago, I had mentioned fried chicken skin, dilis and bulaklak sold by the pound at Kababayan Market, which is now located in Spring Valley (I'll have a post about the new location soon).Fried chicken skins are my weakness and backup snack for just about every situation. I have also mentioned purchasing fried chicken skins at Chic-Boy in National City, because I know where to find fried skins when the craving strikes. Then there was the day we were at TJ Oyster Bar and I noticed the 'Starters' section of the menu while waiting in line at the newest location (again, I have a post forthcoming)…the second item, 'Chicharron Fish'.Hoping it would be a plate of these (above) fried fish tails, I was disappointed to see…this gigantic plate of more or less fish nuggets. But, oh what wonderful, meaty, lightly breaded nicely fried nuggets these were. The dipping sauce- umami- a deep, fishy, tart, lime-vinegar mix which went perfectly with the sliced raw onions. Not really skins, but fried and tasty.

I hope your long weekend is going well. It's not over!

Tobey’s 19th Hole (Balboa Park) revisits

November 27, 2015 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch

It's nice of you to stop by mmm-yoso!!! to read about food. This time, Cathy is writing while Kirk and Ed (from Yuma) are vacationing.

It's been about two years since I wrote a small post about Tobey's 19th Hole, the coffee shop restaurant inside the Balboa Park Golf Course Clubhouse since 1934.This San Diego Municipal course is located close to downtown and has inexpensive green fees (slightly higher for non-residents of the City of San Diego) and some holes have dramatic elevation changes, making the play here a nice challenge. This is the view from one of the tables inside the Coffee Shop…downtown…Point Loma…and a beautiful part of the course. The menu is simple in a Coffee Shop/Diner sort of way. I don't recall any other golf course menu offering liver and onions as a lunch entree.

Usually, we are here for breakfast, the primary reason being that since tee time begins at 7 a.m., the Coffee Shop is open then also. Being awake early and not always wanting to cook at home nor have fast food or a wifi connection while eating breakfast is very relaxing. Also, being able to enjoy Balboa Park without tourists makes us feel very 'local'.The Chicken Fried Steak ($10) is one of the more expensive breakfasts on the menu and it is so good. It comes with two eggs, choice of toast and a choice of potato…and we do vacillate between ordering crispy hash browns or home fries…this day, having some vegetables on the plate was our way of 'eating healthy'. The steak is thick, tender (fork can cut it; you don't need the knife) lightly breaded and fried to a good crisp. The gravy has pieces of a mild sausage and some black pepper and is just right.Some days I want French toast. There is an option of one-one-one ($5.25) or two-two-two ($7.50). Since I wanted to share some of the Chicken Fried Steak from The Mister's plate, I ordered the two eggs, two French Toast and two (skin on) sausages…if we aren't in a 'sharing' mood, then the one-one-one is an order. Just wanted you to see the 'over easy' egg is really prepared overly easy…and that the eggs here have such lovely orange yolks.When leaving the other day, we noticed this signage…and since The Mister and I have had the 'tradition' of Thanksgiving Day being inconsistently celebrated, we decided this year would also be different. The regular menu was presented to us, but we said we would like the 'special' dinner. A choice of soup or salad was offered. The vegetable beef soup was wonderful! The salad was crisp and cold and plenty; the Thousand Island dressing was really good. I'm thinking I had never ordered a salad here…and that I must do so in the future. Each of us receive the same overfilled plates of wonderful food: real (lumpy) mashed potatoes and gravy, a nice flavored (not too salty) stuffing which had crisp celery and onion, much white meat turkey (which had flavor without gravy), peas and corn and a nice helping of whole cranberry sauce (placed in the lettuce cup, which I thought was a brilliant way to ensure non-intermingling of watery sauce flow over). Also, a nice dense yet fresh dinner roll was served on the side with real butter and jam packets. {Yes, I made myself a tiny sandwich, slathering on a bit of everything as part of my meal…leftovers during the meal seemed right} The perfectly sized slice of pumpkin pie was chilled, which I now think is better than being still warm. The flavors had a chance to mingle and that 'pumpkin spice' was not overpowering as it is with some of the 'pumpkin spice flavored' products offered at this time of year. Coffee and tea was included in the price and this was just a nice meal for the two of us.

I hope all of you had a nice Thanksgiving day, too.

Tobey's 19th Hole 2600 Golf Course Drive San Diego 92102 (619)234-5921 Website Open 6-6 daily

#GoBlue

Hong Kong BBQ & Dim Sum (inside Vinh Hung Supermarket) (revisit)

November 24, 2015 Cathy Chinese BBQ

Thanks to everyone who is stopping by to read mmm-yoso!!! even though it is only about a day before Thanksgiving. Kirk and His Missus are still enjoying the culture, food and weather in another country (or two) while Ed (from Yuma) and Tina are busily preparing for an American Thanksgiving feast (in Arizona). Cathy is writing another post while The Mister is making plans for Thursday.

Since I seem to be writing about restaurants that are inside Grocery stores, that 'theme' will be continued today. This time, a Chinese restaurant inside an Asian grocery store.From the entrance, you can sort of tell that Vinh Hung used to be a movie theater. Walking inside and going to the restaurant-to the right, just past the cash registers- might make it a bit clearer, especially when you see the stairways leading to the balcony and the lighting around what used the be the 'refreshment' area.

There is a lunch as well as a dim sum menu.

Kirk has written about Hong Kong BBQ & Dim Sum, as well as some other restaurants which are located inside the former 'lobby' area. Even I wrote one post, in 2009.The shrimp dumplings ($3.50) are pretty standard. The inside shrimp are large and juicy and mixed with a bit of ginger and garlic. The crystal skins (tapioca based) were not too thin, soft and didn't break. The steamed spare ribs in black bean sauce ($2.60) are one of our usual orders here. The meat is tender as are any rib bones attached. The sauce that has seeped into the bowl…well, I pour it over some rice, or I just eat it with the spoon. It has all the flavors I like.Squid Black Bean Sauce ($7.95) is so good. The amount of vegetables and squid- so tender- and the salty black bean sauce is one of my cravings. Orange peel chicken ($6.95) is a pretty standard dish, but when made fresh, the tang of the sauce with some mild chili heat…and the crispiness…it just all blends into a nice 'comfort food' dish for us.Putting this post together, I realized we order a 'something'in black bean sauce on almost each trip here. In this case, shrimp with black bean sauce ($7.95). Again, the vegetables with the sauce are so enjoyable and fresh and the shrimp are outstanding.The very last item at the bottom of the lunch menu has 'Deep Fried Flounder' ($7.95). Since I usually read menus 'backwards' as well as from the bottom up, this had been my first item, but usually bypassed in order to try something else. A few weeks ago, we ordered this and it's become a favorite. Not only is it a good price for a whole fish which isn't tilapia, but the fry is so very perfect:light and crispy. The flavor of the fish shines.

So, there you go, another restaurant in a grocery store. Shopping inside is interesting in the product choices (vegetable prices are good) but also looking around and picturing the projector rooms and seeing where the seats and screen used to be in each of the five movie theaters.

Hong Kong BBQ and Dim Sum 10550 Camino Ruiz San Diego 92126 (858) 408-4888 Open Sun-Thurs 9-9, Fri-Sat 9-9:30

Harvest International Market- Eat in the store (Clairmont)

November 23, 2015 Cathy Markets & Grocers, Mediterranean Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog. Kirk, Ed (from Yuma) and Cathy write most of the posts here. Kirk and Ed (from Yuma) are both busy this week before Thanksgiving and Cathy is not busy.

The building on the North East corner of Balboa at Clairmont Drive had finally opened in early 2013, as another location of North Park Produce. Then it closed. Harvest International Market opened in its place. There is another location of Harvest closer to home, in El Cajon, but it's smaller (used to be a 99 Cents Only store) and there is no eat in area, but a nice 'grab and go' selection. Harvest has some tables and chairs inside the store and out in front.When you walk in the door, to your right is the bakery, deli and kitchen. There is also a cash register there, so you can order and pay. The hot tea is always brewing next to the baklava area (to the left when you walk in).The by the pound area has a vast selection of premade salads, olives and cheeses, all sold by the pound. There's also a good variety of flatbreads and small loaves to choose from. That white stuff? It's a saltier version of Kirk's garlic sauce and quite heavenly. The other items are baba ganoge (eggplant dip) and shirazi salad (cucumber, tomato, onion, parsley and mint mixed with olive oil and lemon juice) all very fresh and very good with the flatbread seen beneath ($1).

I purchase the yogurt based beverages from the vast selection in the back corner store refrigerators.

There is also a good selection of daily soups; I've tried most by pointing at the selection behind the glass counter. Some are tomato based, others are cream based. The above one had spinach and garbanzo beans, was in a creamy chicken based broth and was topped with crispy onion. The bowl was $3.The beef shawarma plate ($7.99) comes with a salad and basmati rice. There is a lot of everything and any of the plates can be shared. On this visit, the shawarma tasted dry on its own and the tzatziki sauce was needed; I usually don't have to add any. It was very flavorfully seasoned and the next day, I heated the meat up and mixed it into scrambled eggs for breakfast and no additional seasoning was needed. There was a sign that beef or chicken kabobs were five for $10 and we asked and ordered just one of each at the $2 each price. Both kabobs were flavorful and very large. It was nice they gave us two roasted tomatoes on the plate…so much nicer than a sprig of parsley. Next to the shawarma spinning upright rotisseries is a third rotisserie with gyros meat. This platter was also $7.99 and when we asked if it came with pita bread, the lady told us to grab one out of the bread box near the front. It's a really good bread topped with sesame seeds. We also were given a choice of specialty rice, and asked for 'the green one', as there were eight different rices in view.

After some research, I found the rice choices are basmati with other primary ingredients: Zereshk Polo (barberry), Baghali Polo (Persian dill with lima beans), Shirin Polo (orange and carrots), Albaloo Polo (sour cherry), Adas Polo (lentils), Lubia Polo (green beans), Biryani (spices and meat mixed in) and Aloo Polo (dried plums).

All in all, we've enjoyed exploring the deli counter and trying various offerings before we go shopping in the store. It's a pretty standard Mediterranean Market with halal meats and some seafood and interesting cookies, sauces, teas and coffees as well as ice cream and snack offerings.

Harvest International Market 4220 Balboa Avenue San Diego 92111 (858) 810-8228 open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily Website

Tip Top Meats, again – The restaurant (Carlsbad)

November 22, 2015 Cathy German Restaurants and Food, Markets & Grocers, Sandwiches, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!! during this short week before Thanksgiving. Kirk is still vacationing and Ed (from Yuma) is enjoying the week before a holiday without having to rush and finish up things at work so Cathy is writing.

There has been a birthday breakfast post, an ordinary breakfast post, a lunch (sandwich and a steak and stein) post so now I will write about some more lunches and a dinner choice that's only available on Friday/Saturday/Sunday after 4 p.m., thereby still not covering even half of the menu available at this wonderful German Meat Market in store restaurant which has been in Carlsbad since 1977.Here's a photo of the actual entrance door into the market area, instead of the the side parking lot photos in all the other posts. The restaurant is to the far left as you walk in. Lentil, vegetable beef, beef barley or oxtail soups are some of the daily three usual choices. We tend to order the soups instead of salads here, because the salads are ordinary and served with a packet of dressing you squeeze on yourself…the soups are made fresh daily. The Lamb Chop meal ($9.99) is listed on the 'other' side of the menu board (which is above and on the way toward the cash register). Some people miss that other side of the menu board, although I've noticed the paper to go menus are stacked so that people can grab and read while waiting to order and pay.

The lamb chops? Excellent, beautifully grilled to a barely medium; tender, juicy and flavorful. Sides are the soup, mashed with gravy, a dinner roll and both red and regular sauerkraut (red kraut is sweet, the white kraut is more stringent (vinegar based) and has pieces of ham or bacon in it). There's a 'Cold Sandwich' menu board as well as a 'Hot Sandwich' menu board. Pretty much all the sandwiches are $8.99. So, the above pork cutlet sandwich was my choice one day; tender grilled pork cutlet on a fresh toasted roll with lettuce, tomato and grilled onion. I chose German potato salad as my side-it sort of reminds me of a smashed up baked potato (probably because of the bacon bits along with the fact that it is a warm potato salad).Year round, an Oktoberfest Plate is available ($8.99) Three grilled sausages: Polish, Knackwurst and Bratwurst along with German potato salad, kraut and red cabbage and a roll. The sausages are made fresh in the store and have a wonderful mix of seasonings and fresh flavors.Then there is my craving-stuffed cabbage ($9.49) a giant cabbage leaf stuffed with lean meatloaf then baked. It's topped with some sour cream and a tomato slice (excellent flavor, texture and temperature contrasts) and soup or salad, a sweet pickle slice, dinner roll and choice of cabbage…which I can never choose between, so I get both.Looking up at the menu on the wall/ceiling, both the Steak and Stein and 'Special Steak' Dinners have been 'special occasion' meals. My brother was visiting last month and we drove up to Tip Top and had a little feast for about $15 a person. Each us did choose a soup (two vegetable soups and one oxtail soup, which is pretty much a rich gravy rather than soupy), The Mister had chosen a Steak and Stein meal- so that's his stein (it was a tangerine wheat beer).The Mister's New York Strip ($14.98, including the stein of beer). It was topped with the grilled onions (which I received unceremoniously on my plate right after photos were taken) and His chosen sides of a baked potato and broccoli, along with a slice of sweet pickle and a roll. Look at the menu sign again, bottom right- Special Steak Dinner. Choose a steak, pay for it and it will be cooked for you…add $4.98 to get all the sides. Choosing the filet mignon size and marble he wanted, my brother's choice still ended up costing around $10 (the filet is $24/lb) plus the $4.98, but he did get exactly what he wanted, and the butcher gives you a selection of seasoning to put on the filet. (The Steak and Stein filet choice is probably smaller.) While waiting in line (all those people are in front of us waiting to order and pay). Notice the menu board ahead to the right above the refrigerated pastry case. {It's the third menu board from the left; those two are the breakfast menu}.

"Prime Rib Roast $14.98 From 4:30 – 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only
A massive portion of prime rib served with mash potatoes and gravy, baked potato or french fries, red cabbage, sauerkraut or broccoli, soup or salad and a dinner roll".The first time that The Mister and I came to Tip Top Meats, the line was the same, the menu board was the same (except for the prices- the Prime Rib Roast was $4.98 then) and the food was almost the same; you also were given one rib bone on the plate back then.

This is a weekend evening only special and so very good. Yes, you are looking at two very thick slices of prime Prime rib plus everything else I usually choose for my plate.

I hope you have an organized, planned week ahead!

Tip Top Meats 6118 Paseo Norte Carlsbad, CA 92011 (760)438-2620 Open seven days 6 am-8 pm Website

2016 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade float road test #7, Quick meal at Pharo’s Burgers (Alhambra)

November 21, 2015 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch, Burgers, Festivals & Events, Los Angeles County, What Cathy Eats!

Here you are, looking at mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Today's post takes place North of San Diego, because that's where Cathy went to eat and do some other stuff. As you know, Kirk is on vacation. Essentially, Ed (from Yuma) is also on vacation.

What a day. The Mister and I thought we were getting a head start by leaving home at around 4:50 this morning and we hit all sorts of traffic- a horrible accident, a lot of road construction…more accidents and just backups of traffic everywhere. We zig zagged on side streets and finally got to Phoenix Decorating Company at about 7:30, just in time to see the three floats which will participate in the 127th Rose Parade being tested for safety and maneuverability today. Union Bank is back with a float this year, teaming up with the American Heart Association. Their "Union of Hearts" float celebrates both the 30th year for Union and one of the many goals of the AHA- exercise. It's a cute float…the 'female' heart waves one arm while the 'male' heart arms are alternating 'lifting weights'. This is what the float collapses down to, so it can fit along the parade route. Honda, the sponsor of the parade, will have this extremely long float at the start. We were fascinated watching it maneuver back into the decorating barn. The wheels are independent and the float seems to work like a ladder fire truck. The front part (in front of the bridge) will depict National Parks in Japan, and at the rear of the bridge,
where the driver is seated (up high) is a diorama depicting National Parks of the USA. The 2016 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade is co-sponsored by the National Park Service. The theme is "Find Your Adventure".

Western Asset has another beautiful float this year, "Let Your Imagination Run Wild". Taking a peek inside the barn, I could see the amount of work that has taken place since we were last up here…painted outlines are on most of the floats and so much is being done- Dry Decorating starts in two weeks! Here is a link to The Examiner's article about all the floats which will be in the 2016 parade.

///////////////////////////////////////

On to the food portion of this blog post.

You might recall I mentioned that the traffic today was the worst we've ever experienced. We drove a completely new-to-us route and ended up in Alhambra on the way to Pasadena, so we left the same way…and stopped here.. The corner of Garfield and Atlantic is where Pharos has been since 1994. 'Pharos' means lighthouse…see the shape of the front sign? Inside, up on top of the shelving and scattered on the counter near the cash register are a collection of lighthouses. The menu is on the wall. Order, pay, have a seat and your number will be called. Usually, my order anywhere is a 'breakfast sandwich with bacon, on rye'. It was no different today. ($5.79) A good rye toast, griddled eggs, a thick slice of tomato, folded lettuce leaves, mayonnaise and plenty of crispy bacon. A perfect meal…for me.
The Mister asked and then ordered a pastrami burger ($6.79) and also a large order of onion rings ($3.75). Charbroiled burger. Good pastrami (not peppery) on a toasted sesame seed bun. Wonderful not greasy onion rings. The food here was excellent; we brought home leftovers.

I hope you're having a good weekend.

Pharo's Burgers 1129 N. Garfield Alhambra 91801 (626) 284-2800 Website
2016 Float tests: #1 (we couldn't make it to road test #2) #3 and #4 #5 #6

This link is to the artist renditions of all the floats that Phoenix Decorating Company is producing for the 2016 parade.

Maritza’s Mexican Food (and carnitas Wednesdays)

November 18, 2015 Cathy Mexican Restaurants, Taco Shops, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for stopping to see which food ethnicity mmm-yoso!!! is writing about today. Our blog posts are a sort of ongoing diary of where and what we eat. Cathy is writing; Kirk is enjoying nice weather and Ed (from Yuma) is busy with other things (in Yuma).

When The Mister and I first moved to San Diego, we lived near this small nondescript strip mall, in the middle of a neighborhood. There was a great little market on the far end, 'Green Grocer', where we regularly shopped. After moving out, we still came back to shop at Green Grocer and noticed Maritza's moved in (around 1987). This was the same time that small taco shop (run by their in-laws) had opened across the street from (presently under reconstruction) K Sandwiches. Maritza and her husband still own and run this wonderful little shop.Nondescript was the word I used. There's a Liquor Store on the other end of this strip and some other shops in between.Walk up, order and pay and have a seat. Marita brings the food out to you.When you walk up to order look at the wall to your right, not just straight ahead. There are specials listed. The above 'Flying Saucer'($6.75) is a good choice when you just aren't sure. The shredded stewed beef, on top of refried beans on top of a crispy fried flour tortilla and topped with the generic lettuce, tomato, cheese, guacamole and sour cream is a good way to eat what you want…with drops of the wonderful multi flavored, spicy/medium heat house made salsa.The enchiladas are a similarly easy to try option…again the unique house made enchilada sauce is really good. I just wanted to take a photo of the sauce. These are cheese enchiladas ($3.25), my Friday standard order.Look at the order counter in the second photo, there's a paper taped to the beverage dispenser, in the center.

Sopes ($2.75)…hand made circles of fried dough (crispy on the exterior and soft and kind of fluffy on the interior) (so tasty of sweet corn) topped with refried beans and, in this case, carne asada. Standard toppings of lettuce, tomato, guacamole and cheese round this out. An order of one is very filling.

The carne asada here is the best of anywhere. Maritza's husband makes it himself, mixing the spices and marinating and it is just perfection.Here's a cross section of a carne asada burrito ($5.55). It is really, really flavorful steak. Scrolling back up to the second photo again, taped on the wall straight behind where you order is a sign: "Wednesdays Special Carnitas".

Again, Maritza's husband makes the carnitas and it's available until sold out. A great carnitas…fried pork, shredded and served with corn tortillas…and everything you see above, including the house made green salsa, seen on the far right in the above photo (and mentioned in my post about sauces and salsas and divorce.) The plate is $9.95 and a burrito is $4.95.

Maritza's is a local little shop and a treasure.

Maritza's Mexican Food 3582 Mount Acadia Boulevard (between Mount Burnham Drive and Mount Abbey Drive) San Diego 92111 (858)279-8866 open 11:30-8:30 Mon-Fri Closed Saturday and Sunday