After a tumultuous couple of eating years; it seems that the Missus and I are slowly, carefully, treading back to dining out. And one recent evening, the Missus requested a revisit to Talavera Azul. She was craving the menudo rojo there. It's seems that Talavera Azul was a breakfast favorite for us for a blink of an eye. It's hard to believe that our last visit there was over four-and-a-half years ago! I guess all those trips to Mexico and the pandemic put a damper on things.
So, to right our course, we decided to head on down to Talavera Azul on a recent Sunday morning. We arrived 10 minutes before the 8am opening.
We went and stood at the door. At about 5 till, what seemed like a mob of people got out of their cars and former a line behind us. I guess this is SOP here….at five to the line forms? A minute later one of the women came out and guided us in party by party. We took a window table.
We were going to order our old favorites here; the Missus got the Menudo Rojo ($14) which is still only served on weekends and I tried to order the Machaca Sonora, but was told they were out of it. So, I went with the Machaca Ranchera ($12.50 + $4 for two eggs) and of course some Cafe de Olla.
I like the version here; not overly sweet, with just enough cinnamon.
Soon enough things started arriving at our table.
The Missus just loves fragrant Mexican oregano. And we both enjoyed the smoky heat of the chipotle salsa.
Our food arrived in tandem, along with some corn tortillas.
The eggs were nice and runny, though it needed salt. The country style potatoes were on the dry side, though I did like the beans. The shredded beef which in this case was stir fried with red and green peppers, onions, and a scant bit of tomato were fine; though I prefer the more salty, beefy, toothsome, and intense flavor of the Machaca Sonora.
The Missus's Menudo was a mixed bag.
It lacked the richness and spice of what we'd had here before. It also needed a good bit of salt. And of course, the Missus laid it on with the oregano and lime. What was really good was the tripe, which had been cooked to an almost buttery texture.
Service was nice as always; though things were perhaps not as good as what we recalled in the days "BC" (before Covid). Though I'm sure that if Talavera Azul was in our neighborhood we'd visit every so often. These days, a 20 mile drive seems a bit long for us.
Talavera Azul
365 3rd Ave
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Current Hours:
Daily 8am – 2pm
I got my plate with Red Rice instead of white. The rice was done quite well, moist, good texture, there was another scoop of rice hiding under the eggs. There was a good amount of Portuguese Sausage, which was really crisp and hard, almost like it was deep fried! While I do like the exterior of my sausage crisp; this had taken it a bit far. The sausage was dry. The eggs were a nice easy-over and that egg yolk flowed beautifully over the rice. No off flavors: though I needed to get some salt as it seems that they don't season the eggs. I also like my eggs crisp around the edges.
The menu is the same and the price of each item has increased by $1, to $8.50.
Coffee (accompanied by sweetened condensed milk) remains at 70¢,
as does the hot tea.
This is #3, Fried Noodles with Bean Sprouts and Soy Sauce; always satisfying having a crunch for breakfast. #1 and #2 are also noodle dishes.
#31, all the way at the bottom of the menu, Fried Rice w/ Lunch Meat, is the only rice offered at breakfast and has a wonderful, smokey 'wok hei' flavor along with the "Spam", egg and peas and carrots. Sometimes we will order it just to we can take home for lunch. 
#10, Shrimp Dumpling Noodle Soup, is quite satisfying. The dumplings are quite large, with pork and shrimp and the bok choy and egg noodles are satisfying to round out the meal.
#8, Fish Filet Porridge, is almost always ordered just because it's a comfort-breakfast food. 
You can order a Chinese Donut ($2), which is made fresh (used to have to run across the hallway to buy one at the 99Ranch steam trays ) and it is freshly fried. 
Tearing the crisp, airy donut into the porridge brings up the comfort food factor. 
#23, Roast Duck Lo Mein, is a great savory item. The herby and savory 'soup' is just perfect for dipping both the duck and the noodles. 
#24, BBQ Pork Lo Mein, is also a good choice on some days. It all depends on what you are craving. 
The hot food display window is filled in the morning. The steam tray choices next to it are 'To-Go' or you can eat at one of the two tables in front of the display.
The exterior design is themed.
The interior also looks like you are inside a cabin.
The menu is a printed 'newspaper'.
The Mister chose the waffle "Bear's Choice" ($13.79) with the optional upgrade of the sausage patties ($1.99)(the kitchen makes their own). The eggs were perfectly over easy, the sweet cream waffle is more cake-like (denser interior) and served with warm syrup. The sausage patties are wonderful; menu states mild or spicy Italian and the mild flavor is just right for breakfast. 
I chose the Shasta Scramble ($13.99) with grits and added "loaded" ($1.99). The Scramble had spinach, tomato, onion, bell pepper and Jack cheese, topped with slices of avocado. The menu stated it was two eggs, but those must be the extra-large size, since this scramble was quite filling. All of the vegetables were quite flavorful/fresh. The grits were a tasty porridge of cornmeal and the 'loaded' part was cheese and bacon. Sometimes I only want salt, pepper and butter on my grits, but this topping made them special and more flavorful. 
It's located West of the I-15 at Auto Park Way.
This is the breakfast portion of the menu; lunch will be a separate post. Know that the entire menu is served all day.
There are tables and booths available. If you can see the mechanics in this photo, the separating wall at the left booth can be lifted up, making a large booth-seating area for a group.
The Mississippi Skillet ($16.59) is made with ham, sausage, crisp bacon, bell peppers, onions and mushrooms and topped with Monterey Jack cheese and added avocado (99¢). Excellent flavors and there were leftovers. The choice of a scratch made biscuit was a good one-a light, crisp crust with a fluffy crumb. It didn't even need the butter. 
Huck's Combo ($11.99) with ham (a nice, thick ham steak which was juicy/almost sweet and not at all too salty), two (perfect) over easy eggs, add country reds ($2.59)(sliced and fried red skinned potatoes with bell peppers and onion) along with a half of a butter-crisp waffle (choice of that or a sweet cream flapjack or a slice of French toast). Each item was excellent in portion size (again, leftovers) and flavor-the waffle didn't need much of any toppings and was indeed crisp yet had a fluffy interior. 
About two weeks later, I made it a point to return with The Mister since I hadn't tried anything 'huckleberry' on that first visit. A Benedict Scramble ($14.99)was my order, because I was craving the ham. The slice in the Benedict was not as thick as on the Combo I had last time, but was still flavorful on the toasted English muffin topped with plenty of scrambled eggs and a slightly lemony creamy hollandaise. The potatoes (75¢) are so nicely crisp.
The Mister ordered a Monte Cristo ($14.99) Sourdough stuffed with ham, turkey and Monterey Jack, dipped in egg batter, crisp fried and topped with powdered sugar. He chose the optional sweet potato fries (99¢) and the platter arrived with syrup for the sandwich and 'Huck's Sauce' for dipping. He also added on a biscuit and gravy ($3.99) because he really liked that half biscuit leftover I brought home. The sausage gravy here is excellent. 
Yes, blueberries are the first ingredient for the jam. 
In the midst of an office park you will find the nicest little place which serves "Old School Mexican" from this modern building near the Border. It's family owned, been here for seven years with a location downtown on 6th Avenue and another one set to open soon in Liberty Station.
Step inside and you can scan the QR code next to the door if you want to see prices, otherwise, walk toward the cash register and place your order, after passing the multiple examples of possible choices.
We decided on a cafe de olla, which was kept refilled (there is liquid piloncillo on the table if you would like some of that brown sugar flavor in the cinnamon coffee) and a "La Verde" Aqua Fresca (each $4.95).
Soon, our orders were brought to the table. The Mister had ordered "El Patron" ($18.75, with carnitas ($4.75)). Crispy cajeta toast (a French toast topped with cajeta (Carmel-like sauce made with goats milk and sugar), two eggs (over easy requested and perfectly made), beans (not refried, but more liquid and meaty flavor) and chilaquiles with rojo sauce and topped with a light very flavorful (not fatty) carnitas. The chilaquiles were tossed in the salsa, not merely covered, so that each piece of crispy tortilla was coated. Wow-each item was quite perfect and flavorful and so very good.
I ordered the Enfrijoladas ($14.75)-Four corn quesadillas topped with frijoles, puercos cream, sour cream, cheese, onion, cilantro, two eggs (over easy), beef chorizo and avocado. This satisfied all of my cravings. I wanted to try the chorizo (IYKYK) as well as corn quesadillas, which are just something I enjoy. The bean sauce/topping had bits of pork, adding to the flavor and everything came together in each bite. 
Noticing this poster when leaving, I'm sure we will be back for lunch. 
It was a nice day and a good hike, though I was kinda huffing along at the top of the peak. Considering that Santa Fe is at 7,000 feet and adding another 1200, it's no wonder.
This is the 
Yes, mini huaraches with adobo rabbit. Loved the mild adobada seasoning with the "corny" huarachitos, the acidity of the salsa verde, and the calming avocado salsa. Even though the rabbit was on the chewy side, the interplay of flavors was quite nice.
The eggs were nice and runny. The chiptole harissa flavoring was interesting, not as acidic, quite smoky. Man, that baguette was quite good as well. This prep really brought out the citrus-peppery tones of the cilantro.
It was a pleasant stop and we'd eat here again if in the area. And we saw Jean Pierre walk to the dining area and engage in a lively conversation with another gentleman……in full on French. The Missus and I loved it!
Man, this place was quite busy. The lines did move quickly though. The Missus bought some chocolates and a couple of bags of "elixirs" and we headed on out.
Well, to be more specific; it's about the staircase in the chapel. The construction of the Lorreto Chapel was completed in 1878. Unfortunately, due to some weird "oversight", there was no way to reach the choir loft which was 22 feet above. After many consultations the Sisters of Loretto were told that the only way to access the choir loft would be by ladder as a staircase would interfere with the design of the chapel. At wits end, the Sisters started praying to the 
In some ways this really represented the neighborhood, bright colors and varying textures. The poached eggs were cooked to perfection, just wonderfully runny, with no off flavors. I really got to appreciate the peppery-minty-anise tones of hoya santa. The hoya santa rellena was filled with mildly milky and sharp queso menonita and even more tasty beans. Didn't care much for the "salsa" which was watery and weak. The plantains was an interesting addition, though perhaps it made things a bit too sweet for me.
