mmm-yoso – Page 122

Takeout from TJ Dumplings

June 12, 2020 mmm-yoso Chinese Restaurants

**** TJ Dumplings has closed

I started typing "way back on March 10th"……and then stopped, realizing that the 10th of March does seem so very long ago…..like a different year.

When leaving the Philadelphia Sandwich Company, my eyes drifted and TJ Dumplings came into focus….the sign saying "We're Open for Takeout". I was wondering how they were doing; so a couple of days later I called and placed an order. It was somewhat humorous as the really nice woman taking my order kept drifting between Mandarin and English. But, it's not hard to place an order at TJ (as in "Tianjin" not what someone from San Diego would automatically think) Dumplings. And I was told my food would be ready for pick-up in fifteen minutes.

Which was the perfect amount of time for me to head on over.

Entering the place I quickly noticed how the dining area has become excess storage……I guess that's one way to prevent folks from having a seat, right?

Arriving back to the office, I opened my little Styrofoam box, and was slightly disappointed; there was some leakage…..

Several of the baozi had juices leaking through and were mushy and doughy. The filling wasn't as moist as on my previous visit and not as tender. It was also lacking in the nice "porky" flavors as well.

This was rather mediocre….thank goodness for the black vinegar….

Here's what the Baozi looked like just 3 months ago…..

Still, this was more than I could consume, so I shared some with GK…..who did enjoy it.

After my previous post on TJ Dumplings, FOY "Som Tommy" paid the place a visit and said the Shao Mai (Siu Mai) was pretty good……which I really wouldn't have thought to have order – especially at $3.99 for four Shao Mai.

But this was not bad; quite hefty.

In terms of texture this was quite good, moist, tender, the wrapper not hard or brittle. Like the baozi filling; it lacked a good porkiness, but this wasn't bad at all.

It does look like TJ Dumplings is hanging on; there were several orders ready on the Grub Hub table, so I'm happy they are surviving. I do hope that if I return, the Baozi would be back to what they were like during my first couple of visits.

TJ Dumplings
6780 Miramar Rd.
San Diego, CA 92121

Man, was it warm enough for you the last couple of days?

June 10, 2020 mmm-yoso Beer, Pizza

So, I'm kinda stewing in my juices here wondering what post I should do…….

After sitting for a while….I just decided to cut my losses and grab a pizza.

That's a pesto chicken pizza from Poseidon Project.

And have a cold one…..I had a couple of cans of Avery Brewing Ellie's Brown Ale…..I really just got it because I loved the pooch on the can.

And that's it for today.

I'm glad things will be (hopefully) cooling down the next couple of days….this dry heat and the Santa Ana's have meant some pretty dramatic bleeding from my nose the last two days…..not a great look with a mask on.

Be safe and have a great rest of the week!

Covid-19 Takeout – Da Kine’s

June 8, 2020 mmm-yoso Local Kine Stuffs in San Diego, Loco Mocos, Plate Lunch

**** The La Mesa location has closed and Nelson is currently only doing catering

**** Da Kine's has reopened in La Mesa. You can find a post here.

While working one weekend back at the beginning of April, I was wondering what I could pick up on the way home that wouldn't be too far out of the way.

Which got me thinking about Da Kine's which just reopened in September.

So, I decided to call….I think this was just after Da Kine's reopened for take-out. Anyway, Nelson answered……..and a very typical conversation ensued.

Me: "Can I get one loco moco to go?"

Nelson: "Ok, mac or tossed salad…."

Me (sounding a bit offended): "What? Mac salad of course!"

Nelson (laughing): "Ok, mac salad….when are you picking up….."

Me: "I'm heading on down right now…."

Nelson: "Whoa, wait…….give us at least fifteen, twenty minutes!"

Me: "Oh, sorry, I'm heading down from UTC…."

Nelson (sounding a bit relieved): "Oh….good….I thought you was across the street or something."

And so, about 20 minutes and change later; I picked up my loco moco, and took it home.

Egg a bit overcooked for my liking and oil had gathered at the edges of the plate…probably dripped down from the eggs, but I wasn't complaining….because that mac salad, still nicely chilled, hit the spot, the burger nicely charred, beefy, for some reason I don't mind the filler in this burger, the gravy not overly salty, the rice nicely done.

A little bit of comfort at a time when things seemed so out of whack. And yet, who knew how, but two months later….things are even more messed up.

Perhaps I need another trip back to Da Kine's……

Da Kine's Plate Lunches
5401 Linda Vista Rd. #402
San Diego, CA 92110

Currently Open Tues – Sun 11am – 5pm

Sunday Sandwiches – A Revisit to the Philadelphia Sandwich Company and a Visit to Cali Banh Mi (Convoy)

June 7, 2020 mmm-yoso Banh Mi, Cheesesteaks, Sandwiches

Revisiting the Philadelphia Sandwich Company:

So, after getting that weird answering machine message from The Sandwich A'Fare and deciding to drive past and figure out what was going on….well, I still needed lunch. So, I just went ahead and called in a takeout order to the Philadelphia Sandwich Company. As before, I ordered the "Joe's Special".

It's kinda interesting as this time around they included a fork wrapped with my Cheesesteak?

Lots of mushrooms and peppers on this one this time around. The bread, which was an Amoroso, was on the soggy side, the meat a bit too chewy and bland.

Though I did learn something……the nice woman working recommended I get some hot sauce for my sandwich, which I took….tasted like Frank's Red Hot…..but strangely, it added acidity, heat, and most of all, more flavor to the rather bland sandwich.

Go figure……

I do like the folks working here….wish the Cheesesteaks were a bit better though……

The Philadelphia Sandwich Company
6904 Miramar Rd. Suite 207
San Diego, CA 92121

Cali Banh Mi (Convoy):

After doing a bit of shopping at Nijiya I headed home, but wanted a bite to eat. I decided to stop in at Cali Banh Mi. I hadn't been to the place since it changed from being a location of Cali Baguette Express.

There were benches set-up for distancing from the counter.

I got a simple Banh Mi with Egg……I tried to order an Op La; but the young man had no idea what I was saying…..I'll give him the benefit of the doubt….that my pronunciation just sucked.

This wasn't terrible, but the banh mi was too chewy and doughy, lacking in the light, flakey-crustiness of a good banh mi. The fillings were fine, if a bit on the stingy side….even for a Banh Mi….where I usually argue that proportion is the most important thing. So, after this location, along with multiple visits to the Garnet Avenue locale, my opinion remains the same. Americanized Banh Mi not to offend……

Cali Banh Mi
4425 Convoy Street
San Diego, CA 92111

Clearing Out the Memory Card – More Takeout from Sushi Tadokoro

June 5, 2020 mmm-yoso Japanese Restaurants, Sushi and Sashimi

Here's a bunch more takeout photos from Sushi Tadokoro.

While it is probably in the "first world problem" category, the Missus and I have been missing our nights out and even more, we celebrated the Missus Birthday at home in nearly a decade. I'd made a promise a decade ago that we'd always celebrate Her birthday, even though it might be a few days after, in a different locale, and whether it was in Madrid, the Czech Republic, Lisbon, Budapest, or even Alaska, we were able to do that……but this is 2020 and things are different…..much more different.

And, while there are limits in place….some of which we've determined work for us…being able to get takeout from Tadokoro has surely enabled us to have a nice dinner at home…..

So here's a collection of photos form the last couple of weeks…..which usually starts with a nicely wrapped package like this.

And yields some pretty delici-yoso stuffs……

Which have led to some pretty nice meals……

And while many places have opened back up for dining in; Tadokoro included, Take-san made sure to show me the plexiglass dividers, UV and air purification devices in place….we're not quite ready to take that step yet.

So, we're just happy to be able to get stuff like this……

To have in the perceived comfort of home….until we're ready to once again sit in front of Take-san and say "please, make us what you think we'll like……"

We're just happy Tadokoro is still accommodating us.

Sushi Tadokoro
2244 San Diego Ave
San Diego, CA 92110

Covid-19 Takeout – Golden City

June 3, 2020 mmm-yoso Chinese BBQ, Chinese Restaurants

**** Golden City has closed

I’m starting to work from home on some afternoons now that things are settling down a bit. The main reason being Frankie is getting up there; he’ll be 17 in three weeks. We’d rather not leave him alone for long periods of time. So, on the days when the Missus isn’t off, or is working a long shift; I’ve arranged the work from home stuff during the afternoon…..it’s not that much mind you; after all, I get into the office around 515on most days….so, by the time 1130-noon rolls around….. The one thing this has let me do, is to order lunch to pick-up on the (somewhat round about) way home.

The Missus was missing roast duck, and at the time of this visit Noble Chef hadn’t reopened yet (they have for takeout as of June 1). So, I decided to do an online order for my favorite item at GC, the Kwai Fei Ji and also order a lunch special of Roast Duck for the Missus.

This was an interesting visit…..as the guy working….I think he’s the dining room manager, I’ve seen him many times before seemed totally out of sorts………like in total chicken-without-a-head mode. He quickly told me “too busy….too busy…..”; in other words they weren’t doing walk in take-out. I told him it was an online order and he displayed five different pieces of paper for me….I explained what I had ordered and he said; “going to be a while……” and then busted out two order slips; one for $297 and the other for $210…..and said “only me and two cook….” Who the heck orders nearly three hundred bucks of food for lunch from GC?

Sadly, all walk-in orders were turned away, like that poor woman above who was left just standing and cooling her heels until the guy made an appearance out of the kitchen to tell her that ordering take-out wasn’t going to happen….luckily, I had placed mine online….so, they had no choice but to make mine.

As for my Kwai Fei Chicken….well, it was nice a juicy….I actually took it out of the container, put it on a plate, placed it in the fridge while I booted up my remote desktop, and got things going in my home office. When things were ready, I put everything on a plate, poured the juices back over the chicken, along with the wonderful ginger-scallion sauce, busted out my chopsticks and had lunch while on my conference call.

It was just what I needed and wanted.

For the Missus, who would not be home until later in the evening, I tried an old hack of mine that I hadn’t used in a while.

I took the duck out and placed in a container, the rice in another….poured the drippings out separately. When the Missus got home and wanted Her duck; I turned the toaster oven up to broil, brushed just a bit of the sauce over the skin of the duck and broiled for 3-3 1/2 minutes on high to crisp up the skin. While not the best roast duck we’ve had; a bit too salty, it was fairly tender, mildly gamy, and the skin was slightly crisp. Pour the fat back over an voila! Dinner for the Missus.

Since Noble Chef is back in action, not sure the Missus will wanting anything from GC….so it’ll be Kwai Fei Chicken for me for now.

Current Covid-19 Takeout only hours – Daily 1130am – 830pm

Golden City Restaurant
5375 Kearny Villa Rd.
San Diego, CA 92123

Turo-Turo Tuesday, the Covid-19 Edition Part 3 – Mama Cinia Rice & Noodles

June 2, 2020 mmm-yoso Filipino Restaurants, Sisig

**** Mama Cinia Rice & Noodles has closed

Sorry for the gap between posts…….I just didn't feel like posting after the events of the last couple of days.

But here's one that I need to finish; the last of the trilogy of turo-turo take-out from Mira Mesa – Mama Cinia.

Like other places, they've blocked off the small area where tables were. The folks here are really nice and friendly, marks on the floor for social distancing, though not quite as good as Manila Fast Food and Desserts. Still, things worked out fine. I decided on the Sisig (of course) and the Pinakbet looked pretty good…..and just "half rice".

The sisig was pretty good, meaty, with nice crunchy bits. In terms of texture, this was the best of the three I sampled. I still think it needs more "umph", needs to be more spicy and more vinegar, though on this visit, it was definitely better than Manila Fast Food. The pinakbet wasn't bad either, though the eggplant was a bit over-cooked and while the bittermelon had that wonderful tannic-bitterness, I think it could have used a bit more bagoong.

Still, not bad at all.

Mama Cinia Rice & Noodles
9178 Mira Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92126

All three places had processes in place, which while perhaps not perfect, did the job. So, Spam comment dude, you got it all wrong man. Enough with all this stuff already.

Food should bring us together; my grandparents working on the plantation enjoyed an interesting variety of dishes…..because, even though the plantation management tried to keep all the nationalities apart to control them, they all had lunch together in the fields. A shared experience, one where in spite of the jokes we make about natto, balut, and harm ha, respect for each other is gained, smiles and food are shared, a wonderful cultural exchange. As travel has taught me….we are more alike than we are different.

Covid-19 Takeout – EE Nami (Revisited) and The Original Sab E Lee

May 28, 2020 mmm-yoso Japanese Restaurants, Thai Restaurants

EE Nami (Revisited):

Well, in my previous post on EE Nami, I did mention my desire to revisit to try out the Pork Filet Tonkatsu. And of course, I try to be a man of my word….honestly, the Pork Loin Tonkatsu was easily the best I'd had in San Diego, so I'd make up any excuse to return to try the filet version.

Which, like my previous take-out tonkatsu from EE Nami, this was still crisp when I got home to consume it.

The pork filet is a lot thicker, meatier, and tender….though I think of it as being a bit "mushy-moist" than the pork loin version, which is more toothsome and has a nice chewy "fat cap".

So, you can pick your poison based on your preferences…..both were quite good, though I prefer the pork loin.

Current, Covid-19 Takeout Hours are Tuesday – Sunday, 11am – 2pm and 5pm – 8pm.

EE Nami
4706 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92117
858-246-6903

The Original Sab E Lee:

**** TOSEL is now Zab Linda

Usually, when the weather starts warming up, the Missus starts craving take-out from Thai Papaya. Unfortunately, Thai Papaya is currently closed….with signs saying that The Original Sab E Lee is currently open seven days a week.

So, I decided to head on over to place a take-out order. Sadly, no Som Tom Khai Kem…….no salted egg at TOSEL. On the very nice side of things; the young man working often works at Thai Papaya and was so happy to see me that he made me a Thai Iced Tea without asking and I was obligated to take it. Really nice gesture.

I got the Issan Sausage, which was as expected, the duck larb was very nice once chilled, we got the regular papaya salad…heat level 5, which was spicier than we recalled…..must be getting soft in our old age. While we missed the layer of savory flavor the salted egg usually brings to the papaya salad, it was decent….not perfect, but ok.

The Missus loved the little dry shrimp in the papaya salad….and I pretty much enjoyed the cabbage and the sauce.

Nice lunch, but we can't wait until Thai Papaya opens back up.

Current Covid-19 Hours are 11am – 330pm and 5pm – 930 pm Monday to Friday and 11am – 930pm Saturday and Sunday.

The Original Sab E Lee
6925 Linda Vista Road
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 650-6868

Midweek Meanderings – Bird Rock Morena Reopens, Is the Sandwich A’Fare Closed, and Other Stuff

May 27, 2020 mmm-yoso Caffeine Fix, Sandwiches

Bird Rock Morena Reopens:

I got the word via their website. The Missus was happy….Bird Rock is Her favorite.

Perhaps being closed for a few weeks actually helped this location of Bird Rock….of course we missed their coffee, but the place was undergoing renovation anyway and this is what it looked like a few weeks back.

Now let's forward the calendar a bit……

Pretty spiffy, eh?

I was a bit confused at first; but you just follow the yellow lines……

Lot's of plexiglass dividers up. Currently cashless transactions and limited hours. The crew here is still wonderful to work with.

And the Missus got Her "Geisha" pour over, not cheap at $10 a pop….but it puts Her in a better mood…..which is priceless.

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
1270 Morena Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92110

The Missus is happy to have them back.

Is the Sandwich A'Fare Closed?

I'd been doing phone orders from The Sandwich A'Fare about every other week since mid-April. So, I became a bit worried when I called and got a weird message that went something like "all routes closed". It seemed very strange; so I drove on over and the Sandwich A'Fare looks like it's closed.

Which would be a bummer. I have a soft spot for these little Mom-and-Pop sandwich places.

And where else in the area can you get a decent sandwich for $6.25????

I'm certain the location….hidden in the back of Miramar Center doesn't help things…..

I just Googled "Sandwich A'Fare" and it says permanently closed.

Sad……

The Sandwich A'Fare
6904 Miramar Rd. Suite 107
San Diego, CA 92121

Speaking of sad……

I went by Clairemont Town Square a few weeks back…..to grab the Missus a croissant from Arely's and some cash from the ATM. I'd heard that Troy's Family Restaurant had closed.

Even though I wasn't a big fan of the place; I believe that every neighborhood needs a place like Troy's or Perry's or Rudford's…….places like those are like the roots of a neighborhood, they keep things anchored in place, nourish it even as it grows and spreads out to the sky and replenishes the fruits that grow above. It's a place of cherished memories…..

It's quite sad….and oh my, the notes taped on the windows and doors.

I feel the pain.

After all, I read that a favorite of mine from small kid time, a place I cherished, Like Like Drive had closed after 67 years.

Not much else to say really……

mmm-yoso makes 15.

May 26, 2020 mmm-yoso Cocktails, yoso-silly

I was just organizing some photos this last weekend when I suddenly realized that our little blog was turning 15! And by coincidence; this is post 4,350 – we got more posts than Pete Rose has hits!

Sheesh….15……who'd have thought when I pressed "Publish" for that first post in 2005, that we'd still be doing this fifteen years later.

Granted, this is somewhat bittersweet for us. With Covid-19 changing the way we live, socialize, work, and eat. Also, there's a reason I haven't done a "bloggaversary" post since 2009. We're usually travelling during this time of the year. Except, you know….this year has been different.

So, anyway I'd like to propose a toast to all of you; who have read, emailed, taken the time to comment on our little blog over the years! We've been honored to have been given the privilege of sharing our meals and travels with all of you.

Thank you again from the bottom of our hungry little hearts. And who knows, maybe I will get to 5,000 posts?

And, I'm kinda wondering, when did you start reading?

Thanks again! Take Care!