Thanks for returning to read mmm-yoso!!! Again, Cathy is writing while Kirk and His Missus are nearing the end of their vacation.
I wrote about this new El Cajon restaurant in February of 2022. In that post, the meal was a small sampling of a breakfast item, a cheese flatbread (manakish) and appetizers. Everything was wonderful and so fresh. We've returned a few more times. 
You can order 'to go' or find a seat. The 'to go' menu is on the wall to make it easy for the 'to go' people.
The 'for here' menu; a bit larger.
A cheese manakish ($4.99). A small version of a herby cheese pizza with no sauce. Excellent fresh bread: thin, slightly crisp, slightly chewy.
Here's a zaatar manakish (3.99) add cheese ($1.50). Zaatar is a spice mixture of thyme, oregano, sesame seeds, sumac and salt. It's herby, nutty, salty, savory and tangy. Sumac by itself has the 'tang' you get from lemon juice. In any case, this combination of zaatar and cheese is really good.
Six tweaks of falafel ($5.99). A nice version. Quite crunchy. The tahini dip is so creamy!
Kabab Plate ($13.99) Two very large beef kabobs with rice, grilled tomato and raw onion. Easily shareable.
An order of baba ghannouj (6.99) arrived with pieces of hot-from-the-oven pita. The roasted eggplant based dip is smoky and smooth and has a sesame flavor from the tahini. Olive oil and lemon juice as well as garlic round out the flavors. The version here is just lovely.
The Appetizers plate ($15.99). Choice of four. Plan on taking some home; the serving platter is deceptively deep. Hommus, fattoush, baba ghannouj and in the center, tabboule. All the salads are made here daily. The hommus and baba ghanouj are excellent versions. The fattoush is primarily a 'bread salad' with the pieces of fried pit toping lettuces, tomato, cucumber and other vegetables. It's another craving I've had. The tabboule is parsley, tomato, cucumber, mint, green onion and bulgur-crunchy. Its dressing (lemon juice, paprika, salt and pepper with olive oil) really showcases an excellent quality olive oil. 
A single beef kabab ($3) is sometimes quite enough for a nice snack/small meal. (This kabob is smaller than the two beef kabobs served on the kabab plate).
Quality, fresh food. Nice people.
Gate of Damascus 1142 East Main El Cajon 92021 (619) 312-0427 Open Monday: 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Tues-Sun 8 a.m.-midnight website
Free hot tea at the back; serve yourself.
I don't know what it had been before, but it's a pretty large space.
The menu is quite extensive. Since this was a first visit…
The Mister ordered the Ma Pu Tofu ($12.99). Quite large, a nice heat/spice level, plenty of pork.
My 'usual' first time eating at a Chinese restaurant, Egg Foo Young ($12.99) This choice was BBQ pork (getting to try another favorite in this order). 
The BBQ Pork was inside (rather than on top of) the eggy vegetable filled pancake. Another unique version and quite tasty.
We ordered a medium tamarind agua fresca (fresh water)($3.25)which is made in-house, not from concentrate. Excellent tamarind flavor; refreshing and not too sweet.
One complimentary lamb broth (consommé) was brought out because of one of our orders. You can also order one small cup for $3.25. A good deep flavor/concentrated fresh lamb broth made with lamb drippings and with garbanzo beans. 
The lamb mixiote ($14.75). Mixiote is traditionally pit barbecue but can be made in an oven. Cubed meat mixed with pasilla peppers, thyme, cumin, garlic and cactus pieces. Other spices are in the mix, too. It's all wrapped in parchment paper then cooked (if pit cooked, it's wrapped in maguey leaves) (either way, it's slow cooked). This unique 'stew' has such a medly of flavors, including the unique robust (not really gamey) lamb .
The Chicharron de Queso ($7) is just that- crisp cheese made on a flat top grill. The guacamole is included and is always fresh (and wonderful). By itself, this is a decadent snack.
An order of flautas ($9.50). Flour tortillas filled then deep fried to a light crispness, topped with lettuce, creama and shredded cotija. The filling choices are lamb, chicken, potatoes or beans. Three are are quite a meal, or good for sharing. 
Walk in, order, pay, find a seat inside or outside.
There are menus above and on the wall as well as physical laminated menus. 
The Mister ordered a Soup and 1/2 sandwich plate ($10.75)
He chose a hot half sandwich-grilled Pastrami and Swiss on toasted sourdough (instead of grilled rye). Russian dressing, lettuce and tomato were offered and since this order wasn't traditional, he got it all. This was very good.
There are four homemade soups offered here: Chicken Noodle, Chicken Tortilla, Broccoli Cheddar and Clam Chowder. The chicken ones are priced at $5.50 and $6.40; the vegetarian is $5.25 and $6.15 and the chowder is $6.50 and $7.75 if purchased as an individual cup or bowl. No extra charges for the combo plate. Clam Chowder it is, and it is wonderful. Creamy, rich with clam juice and a lot of clam meat. Tiny diced potatoes and celery. Perfectly seasoned (no need to add salt or pepper), this was really the best we've had out here. 
I ordered a grilled chicken salad ($13.75) with the house made ranch dressing (as you can see, three containers of ranch are given). The fresh vegetables and nicely grilled chicken made for a really great meal. 
We started at the top right corner of this map (Green Line), changed to the Orange Line and after getting downtown, changed again to the Blue Line going North, ending up at the top left of this map. (Going home, we changed from the Blue to the Green Line)
It was sunny leaving Santee.
Then it got a bit cloudy when we hit downtown.
Many people left the Trolley at this stop, since it was closest to the Ballpark and the Padres had a playoff game.
By the time we were headed on the 'new' line, alongside Interstate 5, there was full fog.
We stayed on until the last stop, followed signage (and the other people who exited) to the Mall (through the parking lot) and eventually got to the Food Court, which overlooks the Ice Rink.
After checking all of the Food Court offerings, we decide on a meal and went off to order. The Mister stopped here, at Craft Pizza.
He ordered a Calzone with ham, sausage and mushrooms; an item going back to our dating days. This was excellent.
I went over to Kebab Grill and ordered a 'Lunch Special' advertised behind the cash register to the left in this photo.
Salad and
Lentil soup. Each was really good and made for a filling and complete meal. Then we started walking around the mall. 
The Mall has remained about the same, with new stores taking the place of old ones. There were some interesting vending machines.
Then we saw this. Had to stop.
A great selection of cookies, cupcakes, pastries and ice cream as well as hot and cold beverages. 
We shared a cup of coffee and a 
It was still overcast changing from the Blue Line to Green Line in Old Town.
Passing the new Snapdragon Stadium and back to sunshine by the time we got home.
That's the "Drive Up" window; there is no speaker or place to order before getting to the window. The entrance is just alongside that wall; it's small.
Step inside, order, pay and find a seat. Four booths and three tables with chairs inside as well as tables outside and under the canopy. Again, small. 
During the waning down of Covid-19, we could eat inside, but the meal "meal for two" was served in a in a 'to go' container ($14.50).
Rice, beans, one pound of carnitas (deep fried pork), warm corn tortillas. Of course, cilantro, onion, tomatoes and limes are the perfect condiments.
Now that things are back to "normal", the 'Carnitas for Two" is served on plates and just seems to taste better.
My current favorite item which satisfies a craving is the Maggi Burrito ($8.50) (carnitas, chicharron, whole beans, guacamole and pico de Gallo). The crunch of the chicharron with each bite of flavorful shredded pork and everything else (you can taste each ingredient; no one flavor overpowers the other) is so balanced and satisfying.
Another order when I want something different is the #9, Enchiladas Suizas ($12.50)
Chicken- lots of shredded chicken- wrapped in corn tortillas topped with Swiss cheese and a creamy green salsa (not the same green salsa as you get to go with a taco or burrito). 
When ordering, the final item-not to eat here, but 'to go' is always a 1/2 pound of chicharron ($4.50) which is cooked fresh. Such a treat!
The menu is on the wall, or you can scan a QR code and read the menu on your phone. 
The Mister wanted Boiled Tofu, and it was furiously boiling when brought to the table! He had ordered the 'Chef's Special' ($13) which included shrimp, pollack roe, clam, oyster, mushroom and kimchi. (white rice is included, but the multigrain rice option is an extra $2; get it). Great, fresh seafood and smooth, satisfying tofu.
I've been craving something from a hot stone pot (because crispy rice). Ordering the "Chef's Special Hot Stone" ($20) was just the flavor filled melange I wanted. Marinated beef rib eye as well as beef short ribs over the sizzling rice, topped with plump shrimp and small but flavorful scallops really hit the spot. 
Your condiments are brought to the table after ordering. 
The interior decor is timeless.
We decided to share an order of mixed tempura ($7.95). Not at all oily, the batter was a little hard/crisp and acted as a protectant for the vegetables and shrimp; everything was moist and flavored of itself; not the batter. The tempura sauce was a perfect blend of soy sauce, dash and mirin-bright and 'crisp' in flavor. 
Having really enjoyed the Ten Zaru Soba ordered a few months ago at the newly opened 
The Mister chose to order from the Lunch Special Combo menu. This is #16, Beef Teriyaki and Gyoza. All lunch specials come with miso soup, rice and salad. It was a nice soup (not salty). The beef was very tender, well marbled and had a good flavor without the (house made) teriyaki sauce. The gyoza were nice with a thin wrapper and fresh vegetable and pork filling. The soy based dipping sauce was not the same as the noodle dipping sauce on my plate. 
The former 
The sleek interior is utilized well, along with outdoor seating.
There are a few nods to the County Fair painted discretely on the walls.
The menu is extensive enough, many adult beverages are offered. There is a daily special listed on Facebook, or you can ask when you are seated. 
On this day, the special was Fish and Chips ($14) (substitute tots $1). (Regular price of fish and chips is $18.75).
Good size (4 ounce) pieces of fish, expertly fried in a crisp, light batter so the fish was cooked well but still flaky (not rubbery; a fault I find with some fish and chips orders). The tots were quite nice, also fried to a nice crunch. 
As soon as I saw a beet salad ($14.74) on the menu, I knew that was going to be my order. I added grilled chicken for $5. Red and yellow beets (plenty), Feta cubes, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber and onion on lettuce. A very good portion of grilled chicken. This was a filling meal. 
A 14 pound Jennie-O, 90 minutes at 400 degrees. There was poultry seasoning, salt and pepper sprinkled on the skin, handfuls of salt and pepper inside the cavity to force out juices. The meat is very moist.
We doctored up some Stove Top stuffing mix by adding cooked Italian sausage, fresh chopped celery and much more butter than recommended before placing in the oven for 30 minutes with the yams while the turkey was resting.
My 'usual' fresh sweet potato/yam side dish, 
Simple cranberry sauce made with fresh whole cranberries per the package recipe with added tangerine.
Dessert is mincemeat strudel, from 
Here is the first meal, including a roll made from frozen Bridgeford dough and frozen Martha Stewart spinach casserole (found at Grocery Outlet). We've already had a 'leftovers’ meal, and it is only Wednesday!