So, I go on vacation and all hell breaks loose….sheesh…. So, this past weekend, I decided to take a short drive to see what happened while I was away.
LouiZiana Food Closes:
Soo mentioned this in his post just before we left on our trip.
They closed on August 21st and the signage is already down.
Really nice folks. I'm sorry to see them go.
7128 Miramar Rd.
San Diego, CA 92121
Strange thing is, I actually visited during the end of June and all seemed well.
SuperNatural Sandwiches Closes:
**** SuperNatural Sandwiches has reopened with new owners
So, this past Monday, I woke to a text message from Cathy, mentioning that SuperNatural Sandwiches had closed. I then checked my email to find 7 emails messages mentioning the same thing. All of them linked to SuperNaturals Instagram. I gotta say; I've been a pretty regular customer thru Covid and they've always seemed busy, so this was indeed a shock.
And I've got quite a history with them; from the days at the San Diego Public Market,to when they opened their first brick and mortar location in the same mall, to the current location.
I wish them well and perhaps one day the Siren will rise again!
7094 Miramar Rd.
San Diego, CA 92121
It Now Seems that JJ Chicken is NOT Coming to UTC:
I need to thank "Patty" for the heads-up on this one. She mentioned that there's no indication at JJ Chicken is opening in the comments section of my post from last year. Turnover in Renaissance Towne Center seems pretty high. I drove on into the parking lot and yes, looks like the sign for JJ's is goners…..
I did a quick search online and found nada……bummer. So, if anyone has any info….
Thanks for the heads-up Patty!
8895 Towne Centre Dr.
San Diego, CA 92122
But Perhaps Ramen Hanyuzur is Coming to UTC?:
**** Well, it now looks like this location will be Ujin Ramen?
I noticed this on the other side of the mall while checking things out.
It's the unit between Star Anise and Cote D'Azur. I believe this used to be an Italian restaurant?
Of course, after what happened with JJ's perhaps I shouldn't be counting my Ajitsuke Tamago before they're ready?
8935 Towne Centre Drive #113
San Diego, CA 92122
At the curve in the alleyway stood a little gelato shop. The Missus and I decided to take a short break here.
Good lord, this was so delici-yoso, perfectly roasted, the bones were bursting with buttery-beefy marrow, which just melted in your mouth. A perfect amount of salt and the herbs added layers of flavor. This was so darn good, that we immediately made reservations to return on our last night in Guanajuato.
The Missus enjoyed the wine selection and the service was professional and accommodating.
The eggs were perfectly cooked, nice tanginess, a bit of heat, a nice, hearty breakfast.
Most of this museum is dedicated to it's former resident; 
If you walk in the entrance on the right, you'll be at the proper area. 
If you had walked in the entrance to the left and counter-clockwise through the store, you'll see this overhead signage.
Grab a container and choose from the hot/steam trays
as well as from the chilled trays. At the end of the line are canned and bottled beverages and the cash register and seating area. Everything is $10.99/lb. {there is also a water fountain with cups in the seating area}
The fried items seem to be fresh when we are here; lightly crisp and not greasy. The squid and whole shrimp are a favorite (as you can see from these separate visits). The chilled trays always hold something wonderful. Each of these packed full trays weighed a little less than one pound.
You can also order something from the kitchen- the menu board is right above the trays.
The Bibimbap (mixed rice with meat and vegetables) has been a special taped to the bottom of the menu board for a while now ($9.99). Steamed rice topped with a variety of vegetables and marinated tender, thin sliced beef (you can also get the beef in the per-pound steam tray) topped with an egg. It's served with pickled radish, Kimchi and the mildly spicy, slightly sweet gochujang sauce. A spoon is necessary for mixing the ingredients together. You can have all of this served in a stone pot (dolsot bibimbap) so the rice is sizzling and brown/burned (in a good way) for $2 more (#10 on the photo menu).
#20 on the menu is 'pork cutlet' ($11.99). Topped with teriyaki sauce and served with rice and salad, this is quite a large meal. We were sad that on this visit, the pork was fried just about 30 seconds too long, leaving it a bit dryer and more chewy than usual. 
Depending on the time of day, the shelves may be filled with fresh donuts or not. 
A Raised Crumb and an Old Fashioned ($1.50 each) along with a large up of coffee ($2.49) is a nice treat.
The owner offered us a slice of 'bread pudding', a sort of experimental item which might be offered someday. It was wonderful, rich and milky and topped (as well as filled) with butterscotch chips. I would buy this. But, what kind of bread?
The croissants which are made here, of course!
When you walk in, the Coffee Bar is in front of you.
Also when walking in, the window art lets you know there are more than donuts sold here. 
These menus are displayed straight ahead.
And so that's what we were served! 
I must say, the sandwich had to be cut anyhow to fit onto one plate. 
The Toyota dealership, where I took in the car for service in July. Free coffee and free donuts. 
There is no seating; there is no soup; there is a "Cash Only" sign. There are 12 steam trays and each item is $2.39. (You can choose rice or lo mein or half and half for the $2.39).
So, we chose and paid and drove home. 
The styrofoam containers are the 'small' size, but are packed full. This one included 1/2 lo mein and 1/2 rice, chicken and vegetables and orange chicken. 
This box was all rice (leftover for breakfast), pork with vegetables and ginger chicken. Total price with tax $15.68.
Here's my plate: the pork with vegetables (onion, bell pepper, celery and peanuts)(not spicy); rice; lo mein; ginger chicken; orange chicken; chicken with zucchini and onions. Everything was very fresh; no mushy vegetables (the line was constant and the steam trays were kept full). 
Kirk wrote about Chopstix 
Menu selections are consistent; no need to change what is good. The most recent 'change' is that hot tea is now $1. 
An order of mixed tempura ($11.95) is, as always, perfectly fried and includes three shrimp along with eight pieces of in-season vegetables.
I was craving Hiyashi ($13.95) on this warm day and did select the 'traditional' egg-ramen noodles (being able to select udon or somen is always an option). The colorful bowl, anchored with chilled noodles and cold, crisp vegetables (cucumber, sprouts. ginger, seaweed and corn) and shredded egg/omelet along with the moist, perfectly crisp pieces of chicken karaage and pieces of imitation crab when mixed with the tangy, sesame/soy vinaigrette dressing is very refreshing.
The Mister was craving both the sweet and spicy flavors of Mabo (stir fried ground pork with tofu) ($10.95) and also Ton Katsu (deep fried breaded pork) ($2), so He ordered the Mabo Don set which includes the miso soup and a small salad. A full meal for $12.95.
Located at the 'corner' of the 
Walk up, order, pay and wait about five minutes. All items are made fresh.
One day, I had ordered my meal at another Food Court business and decided that my 'side dish' should be a cheddar-mozzarella ($4.45). This is probably now my favorite item here; quite large and wrapped in the delicious, slightly sweet fried dough. The condiments of 'cheddar cheese' and 'cheese mustard' are tasty additions to add a variety to each bite (I add condiments on the second half of most menu items, enjoying the intended flavors on the first bites).
One day I decided to try the Sausage Kkwabaegi ($3.25). Not very large, a good sausage surrounded by the same light, sweet dough. This was a nice snack. 
Of course, the traditional Kkwabagi (two for $4.49) are what most people order. The Mister chose matcha and ube flavors, saying he thought they were 'photographable'. Very true and very nice flavors. The matcha mixed with sugar had a nice 'background' flavor of green tea/tannin and the ube was lightly flavored but still the starch of ube was discernible. The light crunchy exterior and chewy interior of these yeasty, twisted doughnuts is enhanced because they are still warm when served. 
It turns out that online, this relatively new (it opened in April 2020) shop is called Solomon Bagels and Donuts. However on this day, there were no donuts (I overheard that something wasn't working that morning). We weren't looking for donuts anyway.
The menu includes beverages, hot/cold/vegan sandwiches, a variety of toppings as well as donuts and donut holes on most days.
We were here around 10:30 in the morning and a lot was already sold out. Good for this local business!
I chose to try the Ukrainian Everything bagel with cream cheese. A pumpernickel base with typical 'everything' seeds on both sides of the bagel, this was wonderful! A good, chewy, New York style bagel (smaller than you find at the larger chain bagel stores). I enjoy the rye flour base of pumpernickel. 
We also tried the countertop special of a Pastrami (on toasted rye, of course) ($8.99) with sauerkraut. Lettuce, tomato and onion are also standard add ons for sandwiches. The pastrami was of good quality; no pepper crust (which neither of us like). Quite a large sandwich and another excellent, seeded rye, chewy bagel.
Located in a nondescript strip mall with a nice sized parking lot at the NorthEast corner of El Cajon and 73rd, next to the gas station,
Elsa's Kitchen has been here since at least 2009.
The pastrami burger ($6.99)is hand shaped and char-broiled. I *love* the char broiled flavor. It's topped with a quality pastrami (not the pepper coated one; a regular smoked corned beef; the Liquor Store next door sells Boars Head deli meats and I think they get the pastrami there) and the usual toppings. Hefty and very, very good.
The bun is toasted, both on the top and inside, making for a non-soggy sandwich.
The large greek salad ($10.99) is a great meal. Plenty of gyros and very fresh traditional Greek salad- romaine, tomato, onion, cucumber and Feta, served with a really nice dressing and tzatziki. 
As always, a large order of onion rings ($3.99) was ordered. I have mentioned before that all Greek restaurants make wonderful, from scratch, thick cut rings from sweet onions. No exception here. 