Patty’s Cafe- Greek, American, Mexican (La Mesa)

Thanks for once again stopping by to read mmm-yoso!!!, a blog about food.   Kirk is dealing with some connectivity issues right now, Ed (from Yuma) is recovering from a short vacation (not in Yuma) and Cathy is connected and rested, so she is writing today. 

It's an El Niño year out here in Southern California and a day can range from chilly-cold to rainy to windy to hot.  It's kind of fun to never know what to expect when stepping out in the morning. A few weeks ago, The Mister and I stepped out and drove a short way to have breakfast.  

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Patty's opened on Lake Murray Boulevard in August 2012 in the Big Lots anchored mall, across the street from the Ross Dress for Less anchored mall, on the North side of La Mesa, about two doors down from Papa's Donuts.
IMG_4101Neat and clean, the small restaurant offers a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, has whiteboard specials and opens at 7 a.m. every day. IMG_4111 The Gyros Omelet, made with feta, tomato and onion and served with pita , sliced tomatoes and tzatziki sauce was a whiteboard special ($8) one weekday. (It is regularly $9.95)  Thick and heavy, the flavors melded well and we had leftovers to bring home. IMG_4108IMG_4116Mariana's Special Sandwich ($9.95) is a sort of craving for me.  A plain, toasted bagel with cream cheese, over easy egg, ham and bacon and served with home fries (or hash browns) seems to satisfy just about every early morning craving I have, all in one bite.
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The gyros and chicken salad ($11.95) is very large and served with dressing and tzatziki sauce on the side, along with toasty warm pita bread.  Both the gyros and chicken are flavorful and moist.

IMG_4745IMG_4748 The 1/2 lb gyros burger ($8.95) is great and adding onion rings ($2.95) makes this a meal for two.  A thick patty, lightly char grilled and topped with all the gyros made each bite enjoyable.  The onion rings were thick and fried properly.  

We'll be back for more meals at this great neighborhood Cafe.

Patty's Cafe 6155 Lake Murray Boulevard La Mesa, CA 91942 (619)462-1922 Website Open Mon-Sat 7-9, Sun 7-3  IMG_4694

2017 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade float road test #1 -Tan Hoang Huong (Tustin), Copenhagen Pastry (Pasadena) and Burger Basket (Corona)

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog with contributions about food consumed from various places under various circumstances.  Kirk and Ed(from Yuma) are relaxing today.  Cathy is writing about her circumstances.

Yes, it is that time of year again.  The PresidentTheme (Echoes of Success), Marching Bands and some float designs for the 128th Tournament of Roses parade were announced not long after the 127th Parade ended on January 1, 2016.  Floats are in the beginning stages of being built and a "T-1" (first float road test of mechanics and maneuverability) of floats built by Phoenix Decorating Company (who built 22 of the 44 floats in the 2016 parade) was held on Saturday morning at 7 a.m.

Listening to traffic reports, an accident had the North 5 with all lanes closed, so The Mister and I left home before 5 a.m. and stopped at Tan Hoang Huong (THH) in Tustin, since we were there before 6 a.m. (when Cream Pan (our usual stop) opens).  Located just West (under the 5) of Cream Pan, it is good place to grab a sandwich and other treats. I knew about it because of several posts on CC's blog.   

IMG_6695 IMG_6685IMG_6687 We ordered two egg rolls (@65¢) and a pork pate chaud (85¢) to eat while we waited IMG_6684 for our bahn mi to be prepared. IMG_6758 IMG_6760Yes, that's a 'spam' and egg sandwich ($4.25).

Fresh items, great tasting.  Not the same as K Sandwiches, but very good. THH 14081 Newport Ave Tustin, CA (714)731-1366 Open Mon-Sat 5 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Sun 7 am-4 pm website

We detoured around the accident (which blocked the North 5 for more than six hours) and arrived at the Road Test just after 7 a.m.

  IMG_6696 Raymond Street is the place. The floats were lined up. IMG_6730The Rotary International float is in a very basic stage.  You can see exactly where the driver and spotter are seated. They are communicating via headsets, as they will during the parade. IMG_6737The spotter on the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs float is the lady to the left in the photo.  She will be seated below the floor of that gazebo-like structure.   IMG_6701 The Kiwanis float is taking shape.  IMG_6706 IMG_6727 The City of Alhambra float has a fire engine being driven by both a fireman and a fire dog… IMG_6716Lions Clubs International is celebrating 100 years of Service in 2017.  I can tell this float will be even more magnificent once it is decorated.

There were more details, but you get the idea.  We were off to our next stop, Copenhagen Pastry (again, I knew about it from CC's blog), located East on Colorado Boulevard. IMG_6752 IMG_6744The truck (and a few cars) parked in front of the otherwise quiet street made the subtle storefront easy to find. IMG_6747The fresh selections were so tempting- yes, that's about everything offered-  IMG_6757 We bought a loaf of Rye bread ($6) the dense, chewy style, made with rye berries, sunflower and black flax seeds, a Spandauer ($1.95) flaky pastry topped with almond paste and custard and a slice of Kringle ($1.95) also filled with almond paste, custard and sugar.  We will return. 

Copenhagen Pastry 3731 Colorado Blvd Pasadena 91107 Open Tues-Fri 7-5, Sat-Sun 8-4 Website

This location of Copenhagen has closed

We began heading home, stopped at a Super H-Mart for some items and then hit another accident prone area of the 91 freeway, exited and decided to stop at   IMG_6788
Burger Basket, which we have driven past during prior sidesteps from traffic.  IMG_6786 IMG_6803 Order, pay, have a seat…watch the char grill happen.   IMG_6782A double cheese burger- (charred to perfection)($5.49) Gosh, I haven't had such a great burger since Sima's. IMG_6801 My semi-usual morning order of an egg sandwich with sausage ($5.89).  Let me say, this was heavy and huge with  unexpectedly large tasty breakfast sausages (skin slightly burned), a lot of egg and lettuce with tomato and mayonnaise.  Burger Basket has been at this location since at least 2007 and again, wish we had stopped here sooner. We will be back.

Burger Basket 1058 West Sixth Corona, CA 92882 (951) 734-1331 Open 7 days 6:30-9:30 Website

It was a long morning and we were home before noon.  I hope you are having a good weekend!

Descanso Junction Restaurant-breakfast in East San Diego County

Thanks for dropping by to read the food blog, mmm-yoso!!! Kirk is unable to get near a computer right now, as is Ed(from Yuma).  Cathy is available and has something food-related to write about.

More than once, I have heard about cities like El Cajon, Santee and La Mesa being located 'all the way out in East County' and too far to drive to, even for good food.  In return, I have told people to look at a map of San Diego County so they could realize the size and the real center of our County.   

Heading East on the 8 Interstate freeway, past Alpine are signs indicating you have entered the Cleveland National Forest, a 460,000 acre wilderness environment within urban boundaries.

IMG_6253Taking the Highway 79 exit and driving North for about 1.5 miles, you will see a few businesses and on the left-Descanso Junction Restaurant. The corner land and building was originally a gas station (in 1920) and in 2004, Descanso Junction Restaurant opened.IMG_6244
 IMG_6236 IMG_6232Stepping inside, the decor (memorabilia of motorcyles, horses and the West) is comfortable and reminiscent of the past.  There are many 'regulars' eating and meeting here.

The menu is rather extensive and there are also chalkboard specials (hanging in the Saloon area when you walk in).

  IMG_6242 IMG_6243Since I've only met clients here for lunch (and they were paying, so I ordered a quesadilla

/whiteboard special), the breakfast menu was overwhelming (in a good way, with my being undecided for a while).  I opted to try something more or less 'traditional'-the Country Scramble ($8.99)- scrambled eggs with homemade biscuits, homemade gravy and (really good, thick, skin on) breakfast sausage. Yes, I realize the gravy with country fried steak with this same gravy will probably be my choice next time.

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The Mister chose to ignore traditional breakfast choices and instead, the Smoked Bourbon Tri-Tip with eggs ($11.99). Wow!  The meat was perfect (medium rare, which he requested), the smoked Bourbon flavor was so good and new taste point for me, the over easy eggs had those yummy orange yolks and those home fries were really really great!

Check out the menu and Monday-Friday specials listed; in case you might want to eat on the way home after enjoying a staycation within the county  that doesn't involve the ocean.  There is a lot to see and do in San Diego.

Descanso Junction Restaurant 8306 Highway 79 Descanso, CA 91916 Open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. daily Website

Extraordinary Desserts for a small celebration

Thanks for dropping by to read mmm-yoso!!! Kirk and Ed (from Yuma) have been posting a lot lately and even though Cathy hasn't posted, she has been eating.  Today's post is one of her eating adventures. 

This year is slipping by; more than 1/3 is over and I'm still referring to '2015' on some documents. Work has been busy and visiting with friends and family has occurred.  The other morning, after a quick stop at San Diego International Airport, The Mister and I stuck around the Balboa Park area and stopped at a place we each had passed many times.  It was a time for us to enjoy some well deserved rest.

 IMG_5980 Extraordinary Desserts has been open at this location in the Bankers Hill area of San Diego (a block West of Balboa Park) since 2005  about 1994 and has had a storefront in Little Italy since 2006.  Karen Krasne, a San Diego native and Cordon Bleu trained pastry chef, was honored with multiple awards for her skills long before her storefronts were in existence (1988).

IMG_5963IMG_5962Walking into the store, though the outdoor seating area, begins the visual stimulation.  There are some condiments available for purchase, as well as whole cakes. IMG_5964IMG_5965Walking toward the cashier, there are three main areas to choose individual servings of pastries available that day. (The third area is on a shelf behind the open counter). IMG_5974There is also a small menu of coffee and other hot beverages to choose from.

You order, pay and have a seat and the preparation of beverages and plating occurs. Then your order is brought out.IMG_5971This wonderful slice of blood orange ricotta cake ($9.50) was quite filling and the plating included gold flecked orange slices, a mango-raspberry puree and edible rose petals. The ricotta cake is soaked in blood orange juice so is very moist and flavorful on its own. The whipped cream frosting is also made with blood orange juice.  Cranberries and raspberries are part of the frosting that is between layers.  This is so good.  

IMG_5969 This Blackberry and blueberry scone ($3.95) was warmed before the simple decorations of rose petals and powdered sugar topped it. It was a flaky layered, buttery rich pastry, not too sweet and complimented by the fresh berries. Quite large and an excellent scone.

Open late as well as early, this is great, locally owned place.

 

Extraordinary Desserts 2929 Fifth Avenue San Diego, CA 92103  Website Open Mon-Thurs 8:30 a.m.-11:00p.m. Fri 8:30 a.m.-midnight Sat 10 a.m.-midnight Sun 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

  IMG_5966 We did also purchase a cup of house coffee ($3) IMG_5978

COMC: Brunch at Tiger Tiger, Chef Chin, and Carnitas’ Snack Shack

**** All of these places have closed

Some photos that have been languishing around for a while….it's time to C(lear) O(ut the) M(emory) C(ard).

Brunch at Tiger! Tiger!:

We'd kind of avoided brunch here as the menu seemed uninspiring. After returning from our last trip, we'd been working hard, so decided to just relax and see how the brunch was here. We were pleasantly surprised. Especially by the wood fired potatoes with the guajillo aioli.

COMC TT Brunch 01

COMC TT Brunch 02

COMC TT Brunch 03

Tiger! Tiger!
3025 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92104 

Chef Chin:

"YZ" had completed a big project, so we decided to go out and grab lunch. We hadn't been to Chef Chin in a while. It was an ok lunch. The best item by far was the Xun Yu, the Jellyfish Head with Chicken the worst.

Chef Chin COMC 01

Chef Chin COMC 02

Chef Chin COMC 03

Chef Chin COMC 04

Chef Chin COMC 05

Chef Chin
4433 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111

Carnitas' Snack Shack:

It had been over a year since we last visited and the Missus wanted a snack…..and this is Carnitas' Snack Shack, right? We shared the pulled pork hash, which was delish….the fries were much too salty though.

Carnitas COMC

Carnitas' Snack Shack
2632 University Avenue
San Diego, CA 92104

Aaaah, there you go….my memory card is a bit lighter now!

Grinds & Vine- a coffee bar, with food (Inside Negotiant Winery) (North Park)

Grinds & Vine has closed

Here you are, back at mmm-yoso!!!, looking for someplace new, different or just to see if Kirk or Ed (from Yuma) or Cathy go to the same places as you.  Today's post is written by Cathy.

In between rainy and windy days, there tend to be some really beautiful ones interspersed here in San Diego County.  Driving East on El Cajon Boulevard one of those days, we noticed the signage above the building as well as a sandwich board on the sidewalk.  You know we had to stop.IMG_4460Curious about the idea of having to go though the Winery door to get to the coffee shop area, we walked in and looked to the right, where the sunlight was streaming in through the open roll up wall door; because it is being constructed to be a pre-order and drive up spot.  IMG_4451

IMG_4455Back inside, there is a walk up sort of grab and go case of pastries, pre-made sandwiches, salads and bottled/canned beverages. But there is also a small menu of foods as well as beverages (hot, cold, smoothies).  The coffees are from both Lavazza and Bird Rock.IMG_4442We decided to try an iced coffee (the cold brew was not ready) which is kept cold with coffee ice cubes (you have no idea how much I appreciate non-diluting chilling methods).  There are so many 'Specialty' drinks offered here, a few seen on this blog post by cc, from September.IMG_4447
IMG_4450The Mister decided to try a 'Kale Superfood Salad' ($7.95) (add rotisserie chicken $3.50).  The bowl it was served in was quite large and deep.  We shared and this was great, quite enough food.IMG_4448The only person working that day was the owner and we overheard him talking to some 'regulars' about a Special for $6 and decided to order it.  Thick slices of cucumber, toped with a thick layer of goat cheese, topped with a nicely sweet/spicy chutney (there was ginger in it) and drizzled with honey.  Simple, yet a flavor combination I never considered.  We have since purchased several chutneys at Trader Joe's and enjoyed a similar snack at home.  

Grinds and Vine Coffee Bar 2419 El Cajon Blvd San Diego 92104 (Between Texas Street and Arizona Street)  (619) 512-2423 Website Closed Mondays.   Tue  and Wed 6:30 am – 3:00 pm.  Thur and Fri 6:30 am – 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm.   Sat 7:30 am – 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm.  Sun 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

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Lemon Grove Deli & Grill- revisits/new ownership

This is mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog.  Kirk (and his Missus) are on vacation.  Ed (from Yuma) (and Tina) have also been on vacation.  Cathy (and her Mister) have been staying in the County and eating food after taking photos of it.  She is posting today.

In April of 2015, Howard's Lemon Grove Deli & Grill was sold to a new family after many decades as a mainstay on Broadway Avenue.  The new owners are a very nice Italian family, who have made a few cosmetic improvements to the interior and tweaked the menu.IMG_2376

The exterior is pretty much the same. IMG_2361You can walk in and find a seat or stand and order items 'To Go'.  The menu is on the back wall.IMG_2366The corned beef hash and eggs ($8.99) is always a good choice.  Two eggs,  a choice of home fries or hash browns, and a choice of toast, biscuit and gravy or pancakes are al part of the meal.  The corned beef hash is very good and not too salty.IMG_2369IMG_4302Two  visits, I've ordered each of the breakfast sandwiches on the menu. Both with rye toast. The top photo is the "Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich" ($7.75)- scrambled eggs, cheese, bacon, ham, sausage, mushrooms, bell pepper and avocado. Hearty and good.

The bottom photo (directly above) is the simpler "Breakfast Sandwich" ($5.75)- Scrambled eggs, cheese (you have a choice of cheeses) and ham or bacon or sausage.  Bacon in this case. IMG_4303Unfortunately the Eggs Benedict is no longer on the menu, but a "Grilled Bone In Ham Steak" with eggs ($9.75) is. The Benedict and its sauce was very good when we ordered it.  The home fries are the same as in this photo. IMG_4308Since there is an easy way to order online, I've done it a few times. The "Famous Pastrami" ($8.50) is large enough for two.  The bread is grilled, there's a choice of cheese and a choice of ingredients.  8 ounces of meat.  Really good sandwiches here. 

Its great that the Roberto family has kept this East County  institution going. 

Lemon Grove Deli & Grill 7860 Broadway Lemon Grove CA 91945 (619)464-2928 Website Open daily at 7 a.m  Closes at 4 p.m. Mon-Thurs and Sat; closes at 5 on Fri; closes at 2 on Sun Website

2016 Rose Parade Showcase of Floats, Breakfast at Philippe the Original, Snack at House of Cookies

Thank you for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!!, a blog with almost daily posts about food. For over ten years, Kirk along with some help from Ed (from Yuma) and Cathy (and a couple of others) have been sharing cooked and purchased meals and incidental stories to go along with the consumption of said meals.  Today, Cathy is writing.

On January 2 of this year, The Mister and I drove to Pasadena to see the 2016 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade floats lined up end to end, at the Showcase of Floats.  The 42+ floats were viewable at 2 p.m. on January 1, but we were watching a football game and didn't want to drive up.  I've been keeping you up to date with the float road tests as well as a day when we helped decorate floats for this parade, themed "Find Your Adventure", which was co-sponsored by the National Park Service (which is celebrating its 100th year as a government agency).  This gathering is all the floats at the end of the parade route, on display following almost a year of work.IMG_3998The City of Los Angeles float "Discover Los Angeles" is the float that  Dennis, The Mister and I worked on and it is quite beautiful with all the organic materials.

IMG_0495IMG_4008Singpoli Group's float "Marco Polo- East Meets West" and the detail of one of the dragon paws gives you an idea of the work that goes into each of the floats in the parade.

IMG_4003The Lions Club "Camps for All Abilities" float was a magnificent display of use of live and dry materials.IMG_3839IMG_3837The South Dakota Department of Tourism sponsored this float, "The Great Faces and Great Places of South Dakota", which was overwhelming in detail. Notice the multiple colors/materials used to depict the carved rock and shading of Mount Rushmore.  This was my favorite.IMG_3800Rotary International float, "Working Together for Peace" was filled with great details, like this grasshopper on a watering can.
IMG_0491Trader Joe's "Fearless Flyer" in full decoration (he's even wearing a Hawaiian shirt) was magnificent.IMG_3869IMG_3870The details of The Sierra Madre "Rollin on the River" are just beautiful.IMG_3851The 'bees' stuck on the beehive on the Miracle-Gro "Life Starts Here" float are really peanuts!IMG_3941The American Heart Association teamed up with Union Bank to celebrate its 30th anniversary in  "A Union of Hearts".  So Cute! IMG_0480People were posing along the side of the surreally large "Every Second is an Adventure"float sponsored by the Los Angeles Lakers.IMG_3929Northwestern Mutual sponsored this float, "Dancing Into Adventure". IMG_3914The City of South Pasadena constructed and decorated "Fishing Follies".

IMG_0506"Adventures in Real Food" sponsored by Real California Milk was displayed next to several booths which were handing out samples of yogurt and cheese, along with coupons and t-shirts.IMG_3919Just to give you an idea of how crowded the Showcase can get, this is a view from the East end at about 10 a.m..  That's the Royal Court float a bit to the left; they were posing for photos.

All in all, a great parade.  The theme for the 2017 Parade has been announced: "Echoes of Success" and the planning has begun.

 Of course, there was food involved in this day.  Since the Showcase opens to the general public at 9 (although Seniors and Handicapped can go to view the floats as early as 7 a.m.) we drove up at a leisurely pace and took the 101 from the 5.IMG_3728IMG_3697Philippe The Original opens at 6 a.m. daily.  Kirk has posted about a meal here and so have I. It's the same system, just not as busy in the morning.  Walk up, order and the nice lady orders from the kitchen, which prepares most of the meal while she is preparing your tray.  You pay her (they take credit cards now!), grab the tray and find a table. IMG_3705The whole meal was $15.04.    IMG_3708I am fascinated with this self serve water dispenser; it reminds me of elementary school.IMG_3711The ham and cheese omelet is $6.60- it comes with the potatoes, biscuit (or toast) and coffee (or tea or juice). Quite large and good.IMG_3709The egg & cheese sandwich with sausage ($5.60) because I always order breakfast sandwiches.  I like this version. IMG_3710A slice of still warm fresh made coffee cake ($1.60) rounded out this meal.  

Philippe the Original 1001 N. Alameda Street Los Angeles 90012 (213)628-1731 open seven days 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Website

 

When we drive to the Showcase, there are three entrances.  You can park for free and take a bus directly to an entrance gate for $3, pay for parking closer, or park a bit farther on a neighborhood street for free and walk.  We park on Washington Street, nearest the North entrance.  IMG_4013We've stopped at House of Cookies, run by a very nice husband and wife only a few times over the years, I posted about it once. The wife (who is usually working) remembers us.  This year she asked why we don't stop in more often…and we told her that we live in San Diego.  She was surprised that we stop at her place, and we were surprised she remembered us.  It was nice. IMG_4012
IMG_4014 IMG_4015The store is a tiny tiny place.  Everything is fresh and tasty.   IMG_4017
We bought the potato cheese filled puffy pastry and the Napoleon and the tiramisu all for less than $4. 

This was a great second day of 2016 and prepared us for the upcoming year.  

Arsen Bakery House of Cookies 2451 East Washington Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91104 (626)794-4280
 

T’s Cafe Restaurant & Bar (Solana Beach) (Breakfast)

Thank you for reading mmm-yoso!!! all these years.  Kirk really needs a break and so does Ed (from Yuma); Cathy is writing her first post of 2016…so much for that resolution to help Kirk on a more regular basis… 

Late last year, The Mister and I were driving down Highway 101, looking for breakfast and noticed cars in front of this unassuming Cafe.  We decided to park and walk in.IMG_3437IMG_3435IMG_3434Noticing the narrow ramped entrance and neatly decorated lobby, the architecture and decor made us think this restaurant must have been here a long time.  The menu (a small photo is at the bottom of this post) states that T's Cafe Restaurant and Bar has been family owned and operated since 1978. IMG_3422This was a chilly morning and we saw an empty table near the fireplace and asked to be seated there.  We were here close to the 7 a.m. opening and only two other tables were occupied at the time.IMG_3418The walls are filled with historic photos and descriptions of the local (Solana) area.  The seating area is comfortable.  There is a back patio area that is used for groups. IMG_3426The Mister has been on a waffle kick for the past few months and this day was no exception.  He ordered the "Combo Wombo" ($11.95) with over easy (local) eggs, (homemade) sausage patties and a really good Belgian waffle. He could have chosen bacon or ham and also French Toast or pancakes.  This was a tasty and filling meal.IMG_3425Noticing the corned beef hash was also homemade, was definitely my choice. ($11.25) I chose poached (local) eggs, rye toast and grits. The corned beef was finely ground and mixed with a minimal amount of potatoes and fresh herbs.  It was light and fluffy in the center while being lightly crisped on the edges; a really excellent version.IMG_3427It is difficult to find good grits and these are excellent.  You can see a pat of butter was 'hidden' in the middle of my serving. 

So glad we stopped and discovered another local place. 

 T's Cafe 271 N Highway 101 Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 755-7642 Open Wednesday-Monday 7 a.m.-2 p.m., closed Tuesday IMG_3414IMG_3438
 

Sunday Sandwiches: Maggies Cafe

Ever since Kokoro stopped serving lunch and our offices moved further North to Kearny Mesa I haven't been in the Serra Mesa area much. Recently I had some meetings nearby and I decided to drop by the nearby strip mall to see what was up. The place looks kind of depressing…..it just hasn;'t been the same since Henry's left the strip mall. I did notice a shop I hadn't seen before….Maggie's Café.

Maggies Cafe 01

I remember when this location was….for a very short time, Leilani's Restaurant. I decided to stop by.

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the women working were very friendly. The place is fairly generic, but wide open and bright. The menu is an amalgamation of themes; everything from Alfredo to Faijitas, Eggs Benedict to Poptstickers……part Mexican, part diner, part sportsbar. Kind of scary, but sometimes places like this work because they put out honest, solid, food. So why not give it a whirl.

I ordered the Torta Oaxaquena ($11.45), holy smokes, this thing was huge.

Maggies Cafe 03 Maggies Cafe 04Good lord, how does one wrap their mouth around this. Separate the parts weren't very impressive; the carnitas was basically oven pulled pork, the bolillo standard issue. The milanesa was somewhere in there. Somehow the sum of the parts made this a decent sandwich……..the queso added a eaminess; though I appreciated the avocado more. Red onion, pickled jalapenos also added to the experience. And yes, there were some fries hidden behind the gigantic sandwich. It was perhaps a bit too much….. For some reason, this "Gringo Torta" had me reminiscing back to the La Torta days.

Maggies Cafe 05

There's no denying that you get your money's worth here as I could only finish half the sandwich.

So of course I decided to return. I've mentioned before that I hold a special place in my heart for the old fashioned Club House Sandwich, so I decided I should just go ahead and try it here ($10.95).

Maggies Cafe 06  Maggies Cafe 07While quite large, this didn't quite do it for me. The bread was a chewy sourdough and several slices were burnt. The bacon wasn't crisp making it rubbery. I did enjoy the addition of avocado, but overall, not my favorite clubhouse sandwich.

So what to say about Maggie's Café? I think every neighborhood should have a place like Maggie's; it's not about haute cuisine, it's about full bellies, satisfied customers, a good value, and unpretentious food. Which is what Maggie's Café does. I'm not sure the place is worth going out of the way for, but I sure wish I had a place like this in my neighborhood.

Maggie’s Cafe
3232 Greyling Dr
San Diego, CA 92123
Open Daily:
9am – 9pm