As in, yoso-silly, yoso-hungry, yoso-full, or best of all; mmm-delici-yoso!!!!! A San Diego based food and travel blog. An Ex-Pat Kama'aina and Friends explore food, restaurants, and travel from San Diego and points beyond.
Just a quick post….man, so far it's been a pretty intense 2021 and both the Missus; who has been putting in 6 day weeks and I wanted to indulge ourselves. I hope you don't mind. You know where this is from, right?
Man, this was the best takeout we've had during the pandemic……well, perhaps it was just what we wanted?
What's your favorite takeout place?
Hope you're staying safe and having the best week possible!
Take care!
**** Pho Duyen Mai is under new ownership
A couple of weeks back "FOY" Sage sent me a Tweet letting me know that Pho Duyen Mai now had an option for "Fatty Broth with Green Onions" for 50 cents extra. Well, that got my attention as I figured it was Nuoc Beo. A lot of places will provide Nuoc Beo on request; but I don't recall seeing it on the menu in San Diego. So, when our latest storm hit; you know 50 mph winds, hail, locusts….water turning to blood (this is 2021 after all)……I decided that a bowl of pho (while I still had a chance), with some extra fatty broth would really hit the spot. I was tempted to do the 
online ordering; but quickly noticed that they didn't have "Them Bones" as an option online. So, I decided to drive on over on my way back from the office to check on Frankie. The nice woman was working who remembers me, even with some groovy longer hair and a mask on. She quickly told me that they did indeed have Beef Rib Bones available, which I added to my order.
This being yesterday….Monday the 26th, Duyen Mai was still doing takeout only, with only one party at a time allowed inside the front door at the table.
I was my order would be ready in ten minutes and waited in my car….and about eight minutes later, I was waved back in to pick up my order.
It felt quite hefty and I was a bit surprised when I unpacked things.
Man, along with a larger portion of broth like I had last time; there were four full ribs and all the meat. I was also shocked at how much bean sprouts were included as well.
The beef rib meat was much more tender than on previous visits. It came off the bone cleanly and I shredded it into a bowl with my hands…….nice beefy goodness right here.
I actually saved half the meat and a third of the broth with some bean sprouts and had that as a starter for dinner.
I got the #27…you know tendon, tripe, well done meats….especially since I was taking this togo. A little of the nuoc beo went a long way….not very beefy, though quite "lardy" and the scallions adds a bit of seet-pungency to things.
The proteins were in good shape; I especially appreciated the crunchy tripe, with no off flavors with the tender tendon as a foil. The well done flank as toothsome, but not tough and the brisket was nice and beefy.
Like I previously mentioned, there was a ton of very fresh bean sprouts and also a good amount of basil, which was on the precipice of starting to turn color. That lime came in handy as the broth; while decently beefy…something that is quite rare when it comes to pho in San Diego these days; featured something else that is the status quo with SD pho broth; it had that "sweetness", though it wasn't overly salty.
The only thing problematic were the noodles. Since it was packed with all the ingredients on it; I just moved it to a bowl. I should have removed all the toppings; though getting all the scallions and cilantro might be problematic and poured boiling water to separate. While the noodles were nicely prepared…..it still had some nice "strecth" to them; it was quite a task separating them without tearing the noodles to shreds.
Still, I have no complaints about this (1 – 1/2) meal(s). That rib meat was a winnah' and having the optino for Nuoc Beo…..well my old buddy Dennis of a Radiused Corner would be all over that in an instant.
Much thanks to "FOY" Sage for letting me know about Nuoc Beo and getting Duyen Mai back on my radar. It was so nice on a windy, chilly, rainy day.
Pho Duyen Mai
5375 Kearny Villa Rd
San Diego, CA 92123
(858) 560-5354
Current Covid-19 Hours:
Wed – Mon 10am – 8pm
Tuesday 9am – 8pm
Well, it's definitely ramen weather right now…..at least San Diego's version of it. Since She'd had a rather substantial and late lunch, the Missus asked if we could just go ahead and split a bowl of the toroniku ramen from Santouka, which sounded fine to me as I wasn't super hungry. So, we headed off to the Mitsuwa Food Court and wouldn't you know it, Santouka was out of shio broth, just like when I last did takeout in April. Oh well, the Missus went shopping for snacks while I waited for our large shoyu toroniku.
I gotta say; the broth wasn't as salty as the last time I had this.
And that pork cheek….while not as fatty as on previous visits, was so nicely flavored……welcome to shoyu-porkiness!
But, unfortunately, like my last takeout visit, the noodles just didn't hold up and were mushy, lacking in that nice al dente pull and chew. So I guess it really doesn't travel well. The Missus agreed; I think She know believes that Menya Ultra is better; at least for takeout.
As we were both enjoying ourselves at the dinner table, we had one of those "moments". And we both blurted out; "remember going to Asahikawa and finding the original Santouka?" 
Yes, we were in Hokkaido at the end of November in 2015, and went to Asahikawa, the city where the coldest temperature in the history of Japan (-42F) was recorded…..I was in search of Otokoyama Brewery; the Missus, the flagship location of Santouka, which turned out to be a humble little shop (photo to the right). We both shared our memories and had a couple of laughs; there were actual snow flurries while we were on the train; we then caught a bus to Otokoyama Brewery, me having to ask the driver if the but went to the brewery….the wonderful bus driver made sure to let us know when our stop came up and when got out and headed in the wrong direction stopped and pointed the way for us! We miss Japan so much. Even though we had to cancel our planned trip last fall; these memories make sure that we'll return when we're able.
Here's hoping it's soon.
Funny how a bowl of ramen can transport you to a place 5,000 miles away and what seems a lifetime ago. Well, it's all we have for now; so it'll have to do….for now…..
Santouka Ramen
4240 Kearny Mesa Rd(In the Mitsuwa Marketplace)
San Diego, CA 92111
Current Takeout Hours
Daily 11am – 630pm
We hope everyone had a warm, dry, and safe weekend!
**** Sushi Yaro has closed
Well, as if things couldn't get bad enough. On Tuesday my good friends sent me a bunch of text messages telling me that Sam, owner of Sushi Yaro had a stroke. Which was really hard to believe since he's fairly young. I don't do Facebook, so I quickly went to the Sushi Yaro's Facebook and found that it was true.
Good lord, 2021 isn't turning out to be so great so far…..
I've known Sam for almost 20 years now, from his time working at Katzra, to when he opened Sammy Sushi, to Sushi Yaro. While not fancy……it's always been what I've envisioned as the neighborhood sushi bar, unpretentious, all are welcome, and regardless if you wanted rolls or sashimi, there was something for you.
I've always harped on the importance of the relationship between the Itamae and the customer and no where else was it so true then at Sushi Yaro. I could always waltz in and just order "some sashimi" and get a nice plate of well cut, fresh fish…..the best that was available. And, I've actually met some "FOYs" at Yaro!
I usually don't do this, but times are different right now. I have been alerted to a GoFundMe to help Sam. Especially with rent to keep him afloat. So, if you've been to Sushi Yaro and enjoyed yourself…….well……
Here's hoping Sam recovers….though having a stroke can't be great for the motor skill you need making sushi….but I'm hoping for the best.
Get well Sam!
The Missus and I aren't real breakfast/brunch kinda folks……especially the pancake/omelette/etc…… A simple croissant will often do. I know, the "most important meal of the day" and all that stuff. Still, breakfast will often make the Missus feel tired, lazy, and sluggish….so there's not much of that going on in our household. However, when we do want to have brunch (and then probably head back home for a nap) we enjoy something that's not quite conventional as you will soon see.
At the end of 2019 and during the beginning of 2020 I was starting to work on a collection of these brunches….and then Covid-19 hit. And who knows when we'll be happily munching and brunching away next? I was just going to delete these photos…..but since these places are still open for takeout; I thought why not just go ahead and do a "COMC" (Clearing Out the Memory Card) kind of post.
So here goes:
Tribute Pizza:
A favorite of the Missus had started serving brunch and we thought we'd try it out. And we really enjoyed it….this was our favorite of the four.
The Missus loved that kale with pesto, that I started making a similar item that's a staple for the Missus's lunches. (Photo on the right)
We really enjoyed this brunch. We haven't been to Tribute since the pandemic started, but will hopefully rectify things soon.
I'm hoping when the pandemic is resolved they start up brunch again.
Tribute Pizza
3077 N Park Way
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 450-4505
Takeout Hours:
Mon – Wed 4pm – 8pm
Thurs 4pm – 9pm
Friday 1pm – 9pm
Saturday 12pm – 9pm
Sunday 12pm – 8pm
Nate's Garden Grill:
I've enjoyed my breakfasts at Nate's.
I think I mostly enjoy the vibe and setting…..
The brunches have always been quite rustic and hearty.
And I believe they are doing brunch for takeout on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am – 3pm
Nate's Garden Grill
3120 Euclid Ave
San Diego, CA 92105
(619) 546-7700
Takeout Hours:
Wed – Fri 1130am – 8pm
Saturday 9am – 3pm, 4pm – 8pm
Sunday 9am – 3pm
Currently Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Dan Diegos:
And here's one from my 'hood. I hadn't been in a while.
Man, this was soooo much food…..
And that huge bowl of gravy went straight to my arteries.
So, of course the fruit bowl made me feel much better……right?
Really nice folks here. More about diner/pub grub and portions….but every once in a while….
No longer serving brunch, but open for takeout.
Dan Diegos Pub
2415 Morena Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92110
Current Takeout Hours:
Mon – Thurs 330pm – 930pm
Fri – Sun 1pm – 930pm
So there you go….one from the memory card. Who knows when we'll be brunching again. And even though it's never been a priority for us…..I do miss it.
A few weeks back, I was craving some chicken wings; so I thought why not grab some K(orean) F(ried) C(hicken). It was lunch time and I decided to see if and how Bonchon was doing and was happy to see that they still did the lunch special for wings (8 Pieces + side, $10.95) and haven't raised the price, even during the pandemic.
I was quite impressed with the whole online process. I placed my order, got a text message letting me know when it would be ready. Right when I got to the parking lot, I got another text asking me to respond when I arrive. I responded and when I walking into the restaurant, the young man asked me my name and my order was right there. Really efficient.
I initially was just going to order the Soy Garlic Wings; but decided to give the Spicy one more try and got half and half.
I didn't order the Soy Garlic easy on the sauce; but it wasn't too over-sauced and sticky, nicely lacquered, moist, and retained a good crisp crunch without being too hard. Not overly sweet….though I could always go for more garlic, these are definitely my favorite at Bonchon.
I'm kinda giving up on the spicy….unlike on previous visits, the Spicy wings were actually spicy! However, I could not detect the savory, almost beany flavor that was present on past visits. These too retained a good measure of crispy-crunchiness and were moist. They seem to take really good care of the wings here.
I do miss the wing tips though; as it seems those aren't included on the wings anymore. I get great pleasure munching on those. It seems the drumettes are getting a bit larger….I prefer them a bit smaller to enhance the skin to meat ratio, but these were fine.
I got my usual accompaniment to these wings; the pickled radish, which was decent this time around, nice and crisp, though still a bit too sweet for me. It still does a decent job of restoring my palate after all the fry-o-lated goodness.
I was really tempted to do what FOY Junichi recommends when having these wings……go for a cold one; but I was still on the clock. Maybe next time!
The lunch specials are available from 1145am – 245 pm Tuesdays to Friday.
Bonchon
4690 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 836-1287
Current Hours:
Mon – Thurs 1145am – 930pm
Fri – Sat 1145am – 10pm
Sunday 515pm – 930pm
There's that magic of being married or together for ages…….you understand the verbal "codex", you develop your own vocabulary. And the Missus does have "Her moments", like Sam Woo the "Killer Whale" and why a Marshall Tucker Band's song is about fried chicken. It doesn't happen every often these days; but every so often…. The recent warmer weather had the Missus wanting some Thai food; one dish in particular; but it seems that Thai Papaya will not reopen….so say goodbye to the Som Tom Khai Kem and what the Missus was craving, the Kai Yiew Ma Pad Kra Pow (Spicy Thousand Year Old Eggs) at Thai Papaya. So the Missus asked if I could order takeout from that "Chubby Thai place". And I knew exactly what She was referring to.
I went ahead and placed my order online, then headed off to pick it up….no muss, no fuss…..making it home in no time at all.
I got the Khao Kluk Kapi (Shrimp Paste Fried Rice) with Honey Pork, which was just as good as on my previous visits.
From the pungent shrimp paste fried rice, to the sweet-salty (and even more tender this time) pork, to the fried egg…which unfortunately, I am not allowed to consume with the Missus present…..She quickly snatches it from the takeout container, this is my favorite dish from Chaba.
Sadly the Spicy Basil Chicken with Century Egg wasn't very good this time around.
The ground chicken as hard and dry….with some really hard pieces (which I liken to biting into a "toenail"). It was also quite salty and lacked balance. There was but two slices of century egg, which hadn't been battered and fried properly……needless to say; the Missus wasn't a happy camper.
FOY "Si O" has recommended the Khao Mok Kai and perhaps I'll try that out sometime in the future…..though I think I'm on my own when ordering from Chaba Thai for now.
Chaba Thai Kitchen
8010 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92111
Current Hours:
Daily 11am – 9pm
Well, so far the first couple of weeks of the New Year has been quite hectic….not only work, but sadly, Frankie had a seizure on New Year's Day. He's doing fine now, eating, drinking, pooping….going on walks. He's been blind for a while and has dementia, but hanging in there. We've set-up sort of a "senior living" area for him, with an indoor/outdoor rug, several beds, indoor dog gates, and one of those indoor wifi cams with pet motioned detector, and such. He's doing as well as possible considering the circumstances.
And like I said, we take a couple of walks during each day and I'm surprised that there are places within two blocks of home that I had never discovered before.
And then of course; there's been the weather! From the mid-40's around New Year to record breaking highs in the 80's this past week.
Our eating definitely reflects that.
We started with our usual takeout from Menya, during the first week of January with temps dipping into the high 40's and low 50's; adding in a "ahem" snack for me, some Negipon; which the Missus also enjoyed.
I've gone thru "my drill" with the stay at home kit before; so I won't beat that dead horse. I will say that I used the leftover noodles to make a nice Japanese curry noodles for one of my lunches.
Menya Ultra Ramen
8199 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92111
858-571-2010
Current Hours:
Mon – Thurs 1030am – 2pm, 4pm – 8pm
Fri – Sun 1030am – 8pm
And then this past week happened….man, I don't recall having the mercury hit the mid-80's where we live in January. So the Missus was wanted Her "fix" from HFS.
I had to work a couple of hours during the weekend anyway and then headed off at around 935, getting to HFS right before 10…..and there were already 3 parties ahead of me in line!
Regardless, things went quite quickly. I hadn't been here since winter hit…..now HFS has two registers and things go a bit faster.
The Missus got Her fix….though one of these days I'll go through "the drill"….as the Missus has Her poke "done" a certain way.
In my opinion, still the closest I can get to "home". Though "FOY" ChrisR, who is from Hilo told me things can be slim pickins' around closing time at HFS……which makes sense; we wouldn't go to our poke places near closing as all you going get is da leftova's….
Anyway, we're hoping you're hanging in there. My true hope is that we're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
The Market At HFS
6491 Weathers Place
San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 282-0591
Current Hours:
Daily 10am – 4pm
Take care and be safe!
My apologies for the lack of posts. The last couple of weeks has been some of the most challenging I've had in my career, which stretches back to 1989. Never thought I'd be working this hard in the twilight of my career. Anyway, hoping to catch up on some posts this week.
And share stuff I've eaten, like this with you all soon.
Take care, be safe!
After doing that crazy three stop takeout thing for the Missus, I started thinking about other Chinese Restaurants in the Convoy area. And Yummy House came to mind. For some reason, I thought that I hadn't been there in over a year…..but doing a search, I found that I actually last visited in February. Well, I guess with the pandemic raging, February of 2020 just seems like a different time these days. Anyway, since I'd pretty much have never seen customers in the place, I was wondering if they were still open. On one of drives I passed by and did notice they were still open. A few days later, I gave the online ordering on their website a shot.
And I'm happy to say, everything went fine as my order was ready and waiting when I arrived…..I barely spent 3 minutes in the place!
I unpacked the three dishes I ordered when I got home and set to work.
The Stir Fried Pork Intestine ($13.98), was passable, nice texture, mild musty-funkiness, with a bit of heat.
It was a decent prep, but nothing special, and perhaps could have even used a bit more savory-saltiness….sheesh, when was the last time I said that about any takeout Chinese food?
My usual favorite the Beef Tendon Pot ($16.98) portion size was quite a bit smaller than I recalled.
And while the "sauce" was a bit thinner than on previous occaisions, the tendon was pleasantly textured; slightly firm, but yielding easily when bitten into. I like the tanginess of this tomoato based dish, but the Missus isn't fond of the amount of acidity. The beef was sligtly toothsome, but full of beefy goodness. Still my favorite dish here.
For the Missus I got the Lamb with Suan Cai ($16.98)….I had to laugh as this is called Sauerkraut with Lamb on the online menu.
While the suan cai here wasn't overly fermented in flavor; and we were out of our homemade which we like to add to these type of dishes, our first batch of the year was bottled two days ago, so the Missus thought this was pretty "weak" and then proceeded to polish it all off, so perhaps it wasn't that weak after all? I did manage a few bites and found the lamb to be on the dry and chewy side, but nice and gamey. It definitely could have used more sour-fermented tones; but this was not bad and far from bland. 
So, overall a not bad meal. I Yummy House is surviving thus far and I'll probably order from them again when I'm craving the Tendon with Tomato Hot Pot and perhaps find some other items I enjoy on the menu.
Yummy House
4633 Convoy St.
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 499-8999
Current Hours:
Tues – Sunday 2pm – 1030pm