What Cathy Eats! – Page 83

Kaelin’s Mi Pueblo- A surprising market in El Cajon.

April 25, 2011 Cathy Markets & Grocers, Mediterranean Restaurants, Taco Shops, What Cathy Eats!

Hi again. You are reading mmm-yoso!!! It's a blog about food in all its forms. Today Cathy is blogging, because Kirk is on an adventure somewhere in the world and ed (from Yuma) is busy. Really busy.

Kaelin's Market has been in the same location in El Cajon on Main near Greenfield for more than two decades. It has had its ups (it was THE fancy IGA in East County) and downs (it got pretty scary for a long while) and recently is under new ownership. It is still IGA.

There are always weekly specials in each department.

It's been cleaned up and the variety of selections have expanded, in a good way. Prices are excellent. Some surprises have been added.

As with other Ethnic markets I have posted about, there is a small area inside where you can order food to eat in or to go. The Taqueria area near the doorway offers five different Aguas Frescas daily(three more five gallon jars are along the other side of the counter). Next to the cash register, you can see small bowls of salsas and other condiments. There are burritos and tortas sold here, in addition to what I am showing in these photos.

The salsa and condiments include grilled onions, radishes, lemons and three types of salsas. However when you order, a 'proper' salsa is put on your item.

Tacos are $1. Every day. (The fried fish taco is $2). The store sells corn tortillas, sopes, hurrache shaped corn tortillas, flavored (chipotle, cactus and other flavors, depending on the day of the week) corn tortillas in the store. Those fresh tortillas are used for the items sold at the counter.

The carnitas tacos have been simmering and are rich flavored. Those are my favorite. The fish ceviche tostada ($3) is fresh and brightly flavored. Both carnitas and ceviche are sold by the pound at the Deli counter in the store, as are guacamole, salsa, refried beans, chicharrones…

The birria, a beef stew, is very good here. I have had birria made with pork or goat and never beef. This version is really good, tender and rich flavored.

On another visit, we got a pork adobada taco ($1). The pork is marinated in a vinegar based marinade and that breaks down the meat to be very tender. The hot sauce which was made for this was complimentary and negated the tartness of vinegar.

Mulita ($2). Two corn tortillas, each with melted cheese surrounding (in this case) al pastor beef. You can choose the meat for this quesedilla on steroids…excellent, filling, fresh. Worth it. Of course, beef made in the al-pastor style is cooked on a spit…

The most interesting aspect of the new Kaelin's is noticed as you are walking in
Two spits of meats- Al Pastor and schawarma. Yes, schawarma.

Just past the spits, there are ovens for baking flatbreads.

The Mediterranean flatbreads sell for 75¢.

Gigantic super sized flat bread, as large as the top of the indoor picnic table where we eat. Hot from the oven…the freshest you can get. Fresh hummus ($2.99) sold in the refrigerator next to the cash register, is the accompaniment.

Then there are the kabobs. Beef kabobs $1.25 each (or 99¢ each if you buy ten). You read that right. These are large, juicy, nicely spiced, beef (or chicken) really meaty, tasty kabobs. Five is too many for The Mister and I to eat for a meal. We always order five and always end up taking at least 1 1/2 home, to use for breakfast the next morning.

This store is not at all selling only Mexican foods.
The Meat Department is NOT Halal. It can't be. Know that Kaelin's sells spices, vegetables, and ready to eat items are Mediterranean based and this is not just a Mexican Market. Stop in if you have the chance.

Kaelins Mi Pueblo 1435 East Main El Cajon 92020 (619) 440-1423
Here is a photo of a carnitas quesedilla ($2) to show you the size perspective, as well as a flour tortilla…The quesedilla is very stringy melty cheesy…

I hope everyone is starting out the week on a good note!

Kaelin's Mi Pueblo Market 1435 East Main Street El Cajon Ca 92021 (619)440-1423

Cardoon Gratin – a green, in-season side dish (using those fuzzy green almonds)

April 22, 2011 Cathy Recipes, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a blog about food. Food consumed, food prepared then consumed, food in general. Today, a Springtime recipe from Cathy.

Hi. I haven't shown you a $5 Friday and a while, and with prices the way they are, not many meals are falling into that category, but as part of my New Year Resolution, I will share some recipes and meals which still fit that criterion.

This recipe uses seasonal, local ingredients, which is the mainstay of keeping costs low.

Some of you may not have seen, or known what to do with what you have seen in the stores. Both of these items were purchased at Vine Ripe Market, in La Mesa, this week. I think you can find the cardoon and green almonds at other Ethnic markets and maybe even some Farmer's Markets.

Green almonds, which look like immature oval shaped peaches are available for about one month every year- you eat them whole…skin and all, except maybe the small brown hard part which is attached to the stem. They are located in a bin to your left at the doorway into Vine Ripe and cost $1.49/lb.

Cardoon sort of looks like celery but is a relative of the artichoke. It is priced at $1.49 for the piece. This casserole recipe tastes like artichoke hearts.
Green almonds are a 'preview' of the almond to come. A snack in Greece, the Mediterranean and Middle East, treasured because of being somewhat 'rare'…kind of taste like a raw pea pod, but with a tartness. An intense flavor, if used in a recipe (and cooked), they are used more to compliment the dish than as the main course, hence the slicing thin for this recipe. The center is jelly-like now, with a thin white skin and, with age, the hull and shell will harden and the center will form a crunchy nut, which will end up being the only part eaten.
When you separate the stalks of the cardoon, you can see how it resembles both celery and an artichoke in appearance. There are spines on a cardoon. The cardoons sold in stores now are the younger, more tender ones. If older, the spines will be more prominent and the stalks will be tougher. If using those older cardoons in a recipe, it is best to discard the woody exterior stalks, cut the center stalks into bite size pieces and parboil first.

Cardoon is a member of the aster family and is a naturally occurring variant of the same species as a globe artichoke. It is native to the Mediterranean/France and I have seen it grown in several home gardens around here; it needs a long , cool growing season and that certainly has been our weather lately.
The recipe is pretty simple and you need only 3 other ingredients- some flour, Mozarella and Parmesan. I used this Italian blend of shredded cheese, since it was on sale. You won't use a lot, depending on the size of your casserole dish.
Slice the peeled/cleaned young cardoon (about one pound) into bite size pieces, maybe 2 inches long. Slice the almonds (about 1/3 lb) thin. Place into a buttered baking dish (this is a 9×13).
Sprinkle a little flour over the whole dish. This will help absorb any liquid given off by the cooking.

Top with a layer of the shredded cheeses. I also put additional grated Parmesan on top.

Bake at 350° for about 30 minutes. The cardoon, if pricked with a fork will still be firm and not mushy, but will not be as firm as in its raw state.
This tastes like the best part of that artichoke heart Parmesan dip appetizer you have tasted…all artichoke sweetness, a bit of citrus and some cheese. The green almonds add the lemon/citrus taste which compliments everything. This tastes good cold or reheated in a microwave.

This ends our food adventure for this week. I hope everyone has a very good weekend!

[I've heard from Kirk and The Missus. They arrived safe and sound and are very much enjoying the first part of their vacation.]

Cardoon Gratin

One whole cardoon (about one pound), peeled clean and stalks cut into bite size pieces

1/3 lb (about 15) green almonds, sliced thin

2 Tbs flour

1-2 C shredded mild cheese (Mozzarella/Provolone mix is good)

Combine as above, top with flour then cheeses. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes.

Today's breakfast- a part of the sesame bread ring from Vine Ripe (50¢), bananas (69¢/lb at Vine Ripe), leftover cardoon gratin, a basted egg topped with Fines Herbes and a sliced and sauteed green almond. The cardoon is still crispy and a bit stringy. The flavor is all artichoke. The sauteed almonds are even more pronounced in the citrus flavor.

Fat Ivor’s and Meat by the Side of the Road-Valley Center

April 21, 2011 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, BBQ, Diner, Sandwiches, Stuff, What Cathy Eats!

Welcome back to mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog. Kirk is on vacation and Cathy is blogging in his place. ed(from Yuma) is in Yuma, not on vacation and not blogging.

Hi again. Long story short, I drive up Valley Center Road quite frequently, regularly noticed signs next to Fat Ivor's Rib Rack and back in 2002, I finally decided to stop and see what the signs were all about. I wrote a post about this in 2006.

In reality, the signs were only out near Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter…it took me a while to realize that was when I was driving regularly to Valley Center. Here's an accurate photo of my viewpoint. The yellow sign closest to the road is "Optimist Hams for Kids", next to a "Got Ribs? We do" sign, then there is that trailer with the Optimist logo on it and the sign for Fat Ivor's Rib Rack. Meat. By the side. Of the road. The driveway is at those signs and the parking area is for Fat Ivor's.

In the back of the parking lot, you can see the smokers, being used for the Optimist's hams, as well as for the beef and pork used on Fat Ivor's menu.
Walk into the restaurant through the left door and seat yourself. The right door is the outdoor Bar area. Fat Ivor's has been in Valley Center for decades and was rebuilt after it burned down two months after the original owner, Tommy Thomas, died.

The restaurant is decorated with American flags, pictures of President Ronald Reagan, John Wayne, patriotic items and is frequented by locals, especially at lunch time.

Locals take advantage of the "Lunch Specials", as well as the "Extra Lunch Specials" (which include a side and beverage if you get it as a half sandwich). You'll notice there aren't any smoked meats on the daily specials menu. This is a diner.
So, The Mister and I ordered from the regular menu and his meal started with a fresh, but unexciting salad with blue cheese dressing…which had chunks of blue cheese at the bottom, but was pretty watery overall.
The main part of His meal was a whole farmed trout-deboned and spread open gently, so as to stay in one whole piece. Lightly cornmeal breaded and perfectly fried, with skin on the bottom, this was fresh and a good, firm fish. It was a 'Lighter Meal' and came with cottage cheese ($10.95)
I ordered the BBQ pork sandwich ($7.95) which comes with a choice of two sides. Baked beans (meaty baked beans) and a lightly dressed cole slaw were my choices. The pork is smoked and sliced (not pulled). Real BBQ. The sandwich is topped with a homemade sauce, which seems to be sweetened with molasses. The sesame seeded bun is well toasted so the sauce doesn't permeate the bun to fall apart.
About midway through, I used the BBQ seasoning (that isn't red pepper) from the tabletop condiment choices. The very nice blend of seasonings, including hot chili, black pepper and salt complimented my sandwich.

Yes, Fat Ivor's is known for the all you can eat beef ribs, which are $13.99, seven days of the week. I've had them. They are well smoked, a bit fatty and better without sauce. People travel here for the evening meals.

Oh. The ham.
The best smoked ham ever. The Optimists use Farmer John hams and smoke them deeply with hickory. We could not wait. It was tonight's dinner…tomorrow's breakfast and lunch… and many more meals, including pea soup. We're having Turkey for Easter.

Fat Ivor's 27961 Valley Center Road, Valley Center, CA 92082 (760) 749-0600

Arigato Japanese Restaurant-La Mesa

April 20, 2011 Cathy Japanese Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Hi again. Kirk is on vacation. mmm-yoso!!!, the blog, is not on vacation. Cathy and ed(from Yuma) will be temping in the interim.

Located in the corner of a strip mall at the NorthEast Corner of Baltimore at Lake Murray, is what used to be an eight table (with three chairs in front of the sushi bar), unassuming, local Japanese Restaurant, Arigato. Fast forward more than 20 years, and it has expanded into the next two storefront units, adding another 12 or so tables and a small private banquet room.

Not fancy. Excellent food.

When you are seated and start to look at your menu, your beverages and a small bowl of edamame are brought out. I've noticed different preparations and presentation of edamame lately and will try to document in the future. These were simply steamed and cooled fresh soybeans…no salt added, crisp and fresh in flavor. The green tea is complimentary also.
It was lunchtime and we ordered three items, and all were brought out at the same time. The kitchen staff is efficient.

The soft shell crab appetizer ($5.95). Perfectly fried, not at all greasy. Light batter. Served in this boat shaped platter with a light sauce which was not needed if you had already squeezed the lemon onto the crab. I did, however, dip some of the cabbage, which was a cushion under the crab, into the sauce and the flavor of the sauce went with the cabbage. This was a very good size crab and appetizer.
The Mister ordered "Pork Mayonnaise- thin slices of pork in a special sauce" ($8.25). This was a wonderful tasting dish. The pork was moist, not crispy and had a very rich flavor…no sauce on the plate, just somehow absorbed into the meat…we are looking to see if we can duplicate this dish at home.
The Mister's plate included the rice and a miso soup (good, with lots of tofu) and this extremely crisp salad. (Both were brought out before the three dishes from the kitchen, if you were reading along and not just looking at photos.) Unusually, remarkably fresh crispy tasty romaine lettuce topped with a gentle sesame-ginger dressing. I can't emphasize the freshness of this lettuce. The small grape, instead of a tomato was a colorful touch…

I wanted to try the Sunomono, described as "Variety of rawfish with cucumber, seaweed topped with special vinegar sauce" ($9.95). There was a small amount of lettuce, a lot of thinly sliced cucumber, an interesting, curly black seaweed, the radishes and burdock, as you see…that bit of octopus tentacle and a shrimp, some crab, hamachi, albacore, salmon and some bits of a cooked fish.
Here is a better photo of the unique seaweed. It was tasty and firm, not slimy. Different and the vinegar based dressing was excellent.

All in all, this was another excellent meal. I wondered why we stopped regularly eating here…the menu for lunch and dinner is the same – no price increase. I suppose because there are no lunch 'specials'…we had started going elsewhere. Now I realize we don't need 'specials'. The quality of food and service here are excellent, as always. Arigato is back on 'our rotation'.

Arigato Japanese Restaurant 5775 Baltimore Drive, Suite 110 La Mesa, CA 91942 (619) 469-3157 Open Mon-Sat 11:30-3:00 and 5:00-9:00

Panda Country Restaurant- The one in Santee

April 19, 2011 Cathy Chinese Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! That's us. A few friends writing about food they eat. Kirk is on vacation, ed (from Yuma) is busy at work, so Cathy is writing today.

Hi. San Diego County has an area of about 4200 square miles. There are a few restaurants which have multiple locations here. I hesitate to call them 'Chains', since they seem to be more or less family owned and run. However, the reason they expanded is because the first location did well and they thought to spread out in a nearby community. One of those restaurants is Panda Country. Albeit an "ABCDE" (American Born Chinese Dining Establishment), and Kirk not being overwhelmed by the food he consumed at 'his' location on Clairmont Mesa Boulevard in San Diego, the Santee location enjoys a steady business and has tasty food. It has been in this same mall since 1979, moving to a new building when the Movie Theater was demolished. (Yes. 'The' movie theater.)

There are lunch specials, which cost about $8 and then also a daily lunch special for $5. In any case, every meal starts with this:

Plum sauce, hot mustard, plate of fried wonton skins…and the ever present Chinese Zodiac placemats. The plum sauce is a pretty pink and has the texture of applesauce, but the flavor is tart and not sweet.

The Mister and I decided to go completely ABCDE and ordered an appetizer we used to share when we were dating: shrimp toast ($4.95). The ever craveable paste of shrimp, salt and sugar slathered onto a piece of white bread, pressed into sesame seeds and deep fried.

Here is a cross section view. It isn't greasy, has just the right crunch. You can taste the toasted/fried sesame seeds and the shrimp and even the bread with its crunch is yummy…it brings back memories.

This was a Friday Lunch Special ($4.99). Three ingredient taste: shrimp, beef, chicken, peanuts, scallions and a mildly spicy, rich sauce. This came with a cup of egg drop soup and a fried vegetable egg roll. Everything tasted fresh and 'bright'-The Mister's description.
I wanted to try the Moo Goo Gai Pan ($7.25) from the menu. The waitress called it 'mushroom chicken'. It is wonderful. The white sauce is not sticky and has a chicken base. As you can see, fresh mushrooms and broccoli are part of the dish at this location.

As with all Chinese restaurants, you get a Fortune Cookie with your bill. See what is different here? These are not pre-packaged Fortune Cookies. Not a big deal, I suppose, but different..and tasty. These cookies are thicker and seem to have a more pronounced vanilla with a touch of almond flavor.

I found these photos from a February dinner. As you can see, a tablecoth is used, along with cloth napkins. I missed the Chinese Zodiac placemats, even though I pretty much have them memorized. However, you get the same house made plum sauce, hot mustard and fried wonton strips as soon as you sit down and look at the menu.

We started with a seaweed eggdrop soup ($4.94). Amazingly fresh tasting and not at all salty.
Because I order this wherever I see it on the menu, I chose the vegetable egg foo yung ($8.45). Basic egg and bean sprout cakes, cooked to a nice , non-greasy crispiness- but made with cooked (rather than raw) bean sprouts…a very different taste and texture than egg foo yung made with raw bean sprouts. The three cakes were topped with fresh mushrooms and sugar peas. I like this version. The gravy that comes with is not gloppy/cornstarchy, but smooth and mushroom flavored.

As you can see, we also got a colossal sized gigantic bowl of rice. The rice bowl was larger than the soup bowl.
The Mister, on the other hand, always likes to order Ma Po Tofu when he sees it on a menu. This version has just the right amount of spicy heat, enough that you can still taste the pork and the silky bean curd. ($8.45)

On the menu, this was described as spicy ground pork with bean curd…

However, the pre-programmed description for the bill is different.

Oh yes, it has the same decor as the Clairmont location…

I don't know if the food at this location is better than Panda Country closer to Kirk's home. When The Mister and I first moved to San Diego, we lived just down the street from that San Diego Clairmont Drive location, but never tried it. In any case, the food at the Santee location is fresh and tasty.

Panda Country 9621 Mission Gorge road Santee, CA 92071 (in the Vons Shopping Center) (619)449-7061

Stone Flats- flatbreads, salads and soups.

April 18, 2011 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Stone Flats has closed.

Hey there. You are reading mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog based in San Diego. The part usually played by Kirk is being played by Cathy.

In about November of last year, Stone Flats opened in the Mira Mesa area, in the same mall as the Trader Joe's (East of the I-15). I had been curious about it and had a chance to meet Mr. C (my partner in food adventures when The Mister isn't available) for a quick lunch and exchange of paperwork last month.

There is a menu above the counter or you can just start talking with the very helpful and informative workers behind the counter… just walk along…it is sort of like Subway in the way of ordering…

You first pick a flatbread (it is thin and crispy and fresh) in white or wheat and in regular ($5.50)or large size (large costs $2 more and is wider and a bit longer than the regular size)

Pick a meat : chicken, steak, pepperoni, sausage, bacon
Choose vegetables: tomatoes, red onions, bell peppers, sauteed mushrooms, basil, cilantro, scallions, pepperocinis, black olives, basil… (and pineapple)
Choose cheese: Goat cheese, Feta, Mozzarella (regular and low fat), smoked Gouda or Blue cheese.

You also can choose a sauce: marinara, roasted garlic or BBQ sauce. When I was here the first time, hummus was also a sauce, but now it seems to be off the menu.

Nothing costs extra, unless you want more meat. Really, the portion size is enough. If you eat light. The flat bread is just that: flat, more of a cracker crust, not pizza crust.

You pay, get a number and get your own beverage and have a seat. The interior (and exterior) is decorated with steel bar framed tables and chairs-modern. Considering how high the ceilings are, the noise level is low and you can have a conversation here.

The flats are placed into the oven (it is a gas oven…I don't know where the "stone" comes in) and heated so that the cheese is melty.

You can also choose a salad, to make it a combo($8.50) Pick a lettuce/green -I chose spinach in this case- topped only with grilled mushrooms and tomatoes, with a balsamic dressing (there are several dressings to choose from). This was a good size and fresh. A side salad by itself is $3.50.
You can also order a combo with soup. This is a cup of pulled chicken and rice soup. It is very good and not salty. It has a touch of a spicy 'kick' to it.

Soon enough, the flats are delivered to your table. My Flat- the regular size, wheat. I chose the hummus, grilled mushrooms, green peppers, tomatoes, red onions and olives, the goat cheese and steak. I didn't want any 'sauce' and the hummus was nice, the goat cheese tangy. The steak was good but not powerfully flavorful…it was enough.
Mr. C's Flat. The large size, also wheat. He chose a garlic olive oil for the base and topped it with grilled mushrooms, green peppers, olives, basil, Mozzarella and steak. The combination of basil and the garlic oil was an excellent choice. (The large size is wider and a bit longer, so it is more than just two more servings, as you see cut)
I returned with The Mister for another visit a few days ago. I chose a combo with a cup of tomato soup with basil on top.This was an excellent tomato soup.
The Mister's entree salad ($7.95) He chose the lettuces, toppings, goat cheese and grilled chicken as toppings. The regular size salad is a very good portion, the large looked crazy huge.
My (large) flat: whole wheat, with the garlic olive oil sauce, pulled chicken, Mozzarella, tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms, basil, arugula and black olives. Melted cheese is wonderful!

I really like the freshness and more healthy aspect of the food choices here. It is a great idea and fun to be able to sit down with a friend and share a meal and good conversation. I have overheard some people saying that the 'could make this at home' and I know you could…just as you can with any food item…if you have the ingredients and inclination.

Stone Flats 9844 Hibert Street San Diego 92131 858-444-2280 Open 11-9 daily Website

Troy’s Family Restaurant- American (and Greek) food

February 16, 2011 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Diner, Greek Food, What Cathy Eats!

Hi, it's Cathy blogging for mmm-yoso!!! today. Kirk is under the weather and ed (from Yuma) is busy.

An ocean of time ago, The Mister and I moved to San Diego for the last time. Our apartment was within walking distance of Clairmont Square, and we used to eat at Troy's Family Restaurant. A lot. Until we bought our home, about 25 miles East of here.
It's been in the Clairmont area since 1973. The mall has expanded and been rebuilt a few times since then, but the owners and a lot of the employees are the same. We were in the area on this sunny day a few weeks ago and wanted to see if things, like the decor and food, were still the same.

The cool dishware is as I remembered. Curvy scratched water glasses and thick ceramic cups. I love old, thick coffee cups; they make coffee taste better. ($1.75). Served with real half and half in the container on each table.

The Ranch dressing on the salad is homemade and better than any bottled stuff I have ever had. The lettuce mix, with shredded carrots tomatoes and packaged croutons is standard crispy fresh.

The salad was part of the special of the day (Monday) – Tilapia ($7.95) which was dipped in an egg wash and then seasoned flour and lightly fried. A light crisp crust enhances the flavor of the fish. It is served with a vegetable of the day (no frozen vegetables here…these were fresh cooked, un-mushy carrots, hand sliced) and mashed potatoes-also fresh. The gravy is a standard brown gravy, smooth and not lumpy. There are at least three daily specials offered all seven days of the week.
Since the restaurant is named Troy's and the font on the outside indicates some air of 'Greek' to it, I wanted one of the Greek menu offerings… really, only two are available. Gyros in the form of a sandwich and in an omelete and souvlaki with breakfast or a sandwich. At this time, the souvlaki sandwich ($7.45) stood out on the menu. Marinated, skewered pork, cooked lightly (it was just pink on the inside, very moist and the char on the exterior of the pieces was just right) served on a piece of garlic toast, with cole slaw (instead of fries) and tossed salad (with Thousand Island dressing-again, made in house and excellent).

It was as we remembered it: Good, home made food made with care and flavor.

Troy's Family Restaurant 4827 Clairmont Shopping Center San Diego 92111 (619)276-7651

Mon-Sat 6:30-9:00, Sun 6:30-8:00

Burger Week 2011- Elsa’s Kitchen

February 11, 2011 Cathy Burgers, What Cathy Eats!

Yep, you are reading mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog. Welcome. Here is another of Cathy's favorite places to get a burger. A good burger. It's not a fancy place.

Hi again. Another place I frequent ( and have blogged about )(go ahead, look at that post; the prices here have not changed since I wrote it in October 2007) when I want a good, hand formed, coarse ground, fresh burger, is Elsa's Kitchen. It's in a plain strip mall at the NorthEast corner of 70th at El Cajon Boulevard, near SDSU.

It looks like a kind of hole in the wall…Really though, you order from a hole in the wall…

Elsa's has been here many years. Sometimes, there is a wait for the food to be prepared. The wait is worth it.
I feel the need to show you a size comparison. This, a side order of onion rings, the small size ($1.75). The burger is a half pound steak burger. I feel the need to mention that every single Greek restaurant which makes onion rings knows how to make them *so* wonderfully perfect. From scratch, sliced thick, lightly corn meal battered and fried just right. Always order the rings at any Greek place. They are wonderous.
The half pound burger ($4.50) is hand formed, coarse ground, flavorful and juicy. The bun is toasted and buttered. The toppings are standard, including thousand island dressing. Yes, my hand is small, but this is a very nice, large burger (in the back is The Mister's Gyros salad ($ 6.45)- The salad is made with mixed greens, Feta, cucumber, onion and tomato. Dressing is served on the side as is a side of tzatziki).

Eh, here's a photo of the salad. The gyros is good here. The portion is crazy large.
Here is a photo of the burger with a bite out. I let them cook it the way they think is proper, and it is cooked medium. Still, it has flavor and is juicy but not dripping. You can see more of the hand formed shape, and that the bun has sesame seeds on both the top and bottom. A really good bun.

You may have noticed the sign on the front for a 1/4 lb burger with fries and beverage for $4.49. This is the more 'average' portion size and affordable meal. Maybe not as exciting photographs, but excellent food.

I substituted fried zucchini for the fries. The zucchini is sliced into sticks, lightly breaded, fried to just crisp and is not greasy. This also technically is the small size.

Even this 1/4 of a pound burger is cooked just right and stays juicy and has great flavor. The toasted bun is the right size for the burger, has a good amount of the standard sauce and toppings and is so beefy flavored. I really like the burgers here.

Elsa's Kitchen Greek and American Food 7022 El Cajon Blvd (619) 464-6711Mon-Sat 9-9, Sun 9-8.

{Oh yes, they make breakfast. Gyros and eggs ($4.49) , breakfast gyro and a 2 egg gyros omelet for $3.99 are great choices.}

Burger Week 2011- Anny’s Fine Burger, Santee

February 8, 2011 Cathy Burgers, What Cathy Eats!

Welcome back to mmm-yoso!!! This is one of Cathy's contributions to the heck with your New Year Resolution Burger Week 2011.

At the Trolley Station in Santee (end of the Green Line) we have a Starbucks, Einstein's, Quiznos, Panda [something] and now, Anny's Fine Burger. It used to be VGood
and the cook/owner is the same, as is the CalTrans Orange paint on the walls. (Really. Click onto the link for the VGood post)
The menu, however has taken over one wall…It's right there as you walk in; you can't miss it. All the main items offered are served in a burger form. Hot dogs, chili and sides are also on the menu.

Anny's Fine Burger makes Burgers. Burgers of angus beef. 1/2 pound burgers. (But you can substitute chicken, turkey or veggie burgers). All are char broiled. All the sauces are home made.

I'll start out showing you The Mister's Pastrami Burger ($5.99), since it comes with cheese and the pastrami topping can be removed and eaten separately… Baked pastrami, not fatty, but nicely smokey flavored, piled on a hand formed, half pound burger cooked medium rare. Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato pickle and a smokey, house made teriyaki sauce topped it off. The bun is more of a Kaiser roll, fresh and toasted. Toasted in butter. The burger is very flavorful and juicy-but not so juicy as to ruin the bottom bun. Char broiled. Just enough char flavor without being overpowering.
Since, like Kirk, I also like the taste of a pure burger, here is my usual order – the Basic Combo. (#1 on the menu-$4.99) ($5.50 as the combo) the half pound burger (no cheese). Lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and a house made thousand island. The Combo comes with plain fries and a beverage. I like the simplicity and ability to taste the basic ingredients. Everything is fresh-and good. The burger meat has some seasoning which brings out the meaty flavor. The meat is coarse ground and a texture I enjoy. As with all the burgers here, the char broiling imparts just a bit of smoke flavor.

The fries are cut here from fresh potatoes and double fried. Pretty darn good and crispy. Above is a side order of sweet potato fries ($3.99). Cut from fresh sweet potatoes. Quite a large order. Good flavor, proper frying technique. I do appreciate proper frying.

Just for fun, here are some other choices from the menu. #10, The Blue Cheese burger ($5.99). Crumbled blue cheese as well as a house made blue cheese dressing. Again, excellent beef flavor. Cooked medium rare. Juicy and flavorful. They used a mold to form the burgers on this visit. The beef is not frozen and tastes good on its own.

#23. The Sand Dune Burger ($6.50). There are beer battered onion rings on the menu, but this burger comes with onion strings, which I like and can't get any other way. This burger also has bacon, cheddar, lettuce and tomato as well as a smokey teriyaki sauce. It is a nice melding of flavors and texture. (This presentation was about 6 inches high)

I like the coarse grind of fresh meat used for the burgers here. I haven't tried any chicken, turkey or veggie patties because when I get here, I am usually craving a 1/2 lb of beef. The sauces all made here- including lemon mayo, spicy mayo, sun dried tomato mayo, garlic mayo, ranch, bbq, honey mustard..in addition to the thousand and teriyaki are made from scratch and are very good. The fresh Kaiser buns are toasted and brushed with butter always; the optional whole wheat bun is very good also. Anny's is a really good choice for burgers.

Anny's Fine Burger 9862 Mission Gorge Road Santee CA 92071 (right at the Trolley station, near the Starbucks)(619) 258-8288 Mon-Sat 11:00-9:00, Sun 12:00-8:00

Mission Gorge Cafe-Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner: Greek, American, Mexican

January 27, 2011 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch, Diner, Greek Food, Mexican Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Mission Gorge Cafe has closed.

Welcome (back) to mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog. A written record of food eaten, prepared and enjoyed by some friends. Kirk and ed (from Yuma) aren't writing any records today. Cathy is writing and recording.

Hi. A few weeks ago (as you can see by the rain soaked parking lot in this photo), The Mister and I were out and about and saw that Taste of India had changed ownership. In fact, it seems the the people who had worked here before it became Taste of India were back. (It used to be Frank's Happy Chef, which I hadn't posted on despite eating there a lot…). This location is on Mission Gorge, very close and between to the two Kaiser Hospitals, in the same mall as Souplantation.

The interior tables, chairs, and other inventory is the same (although the walls are no longer painted to match the fuchsia pink of the chairs). As always, a fresh rose on every table…

The Mister ordered the "Mighty Swiss Alps" fritatta ($7.95) Eggs, mixed with ham, mushrooms, Swiss cheese, tomatoes baked in the pan and topped with sour cream (sort of looks like snow on Swiss alps…) and chives. It was a really good blend of flavors, served with the country fried potatoes (nice and crisp) and the English muffin.

I wanted something more "Greek" and since it was still breakfast time, I ordered the gyros omelette (7.95). Gyros meat and tomatoes mixed with the egg and topped with Feta cheese and served with the tomatoes, lettuce, more Feta, tzatziki sauce and pita bread. Excellent flavors, satisfying my cravings.

A few days later, we were again in the area at lunch time and The Mister ordered the chicken and gyros Greek salad ($9.45). More than enough for two, served with hot pita bread…

The Greek salad was made of mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers,onions, olives, Feta Cheese and a home made Greek dressing which did not overwhelm the flavors of anything. The gyros and chicken were fresh grilled, still warm and very complimentary.

A few days later we were again back in the area and it was lunchtime. Something Mexican was in order, and since it was still raining, a bowl of the tortilla soup sounded good. ($3.45). An excellent portion, filled with chicken and vegetables and very definitely home made. The vegetables (carrots, celery, onions, potatoes and rice) were plentiful and chopped in random shapes. The chicken had flavor on its own and the tortilla strips were fresh made and crispy.

I decided to try the 1/2 pound gyro burger ($6.95) and pulled out the gyros meat for this photo. The addition of hand breaded onion rings was $2.95 and worth it. Excellent frying technique.

The burger is a 1/2 lb steak burger ($5.95)and was char grilled ( we were not asked how we wanted it grilled, but it was just right). Good flavor, moist and went well with the soft sesame roll, topped with standard burger toppings. The amount of gyros was significant (only $1 more than the 1/2 lb steak burger) and the tzatziki sauce went with everything-together or eaten on the side).

I'm very happy Mission Gorge Cafe is here. I guess I could say it's back…it has the same owners as Miramar Cafe ,who started their business when Frank's closed. Both places are good.

Mission Gorge Cafe 6171 Mission Gorge Road San Diego 92120 (619)283-2887 Mon-Sat 7 am-9pm, Sun 7 am-8 pm