As in, yoso-silly, yoso-hungry, yoso-full, or best of all; mmm-delici-yoso!!!!! A San Diego based food and travel blog. An Ex-Pat Kama'aina and Friends explore food, restaurants, and travel from San Diego and points beyond.
Just another quick post from abroad.
We’re in the land of castles,
And where there’s a bridge that the devil might have built.
Regardless, there is great beauty here.
And the food has been oh so delici-yoso.
Tomorrow we’re off to a city famous for their Byzantine mosaics. I’m fairly tired right now.
So it’s time for a rest.
Thanks for stopping by!
Here you are, reading mmm-yoyo, wondering what Kirk is eating. Well, today it's Cathy writing this meal post. You just have to wait for Kirk.
It's been almost four years since my most recent Greek Chicken post, even though it is a regular stop for a quick bite. This 30+ year family owned mainstay in East County now has three locations and is consistently good, fresh and a great choice when meeting out of town friends.
The Graves Avenue location (same block as the DMV) used to be a Fosters Freeze, so has a quite large inside eating area, (as well as the soft serve machine). It seems to always be busy; I haven't been there at a 'quiet time'-so no interior photos.
The side salad, which came with our friends quarter chicken meal is quite good on its own- not much lettuce and instead, bell pepper, tomatoes, cucumber, onions and Feta topped with a light, herbed dressing makes this a great small meal on its own.
This is the medium chicken salad ($10.25). It's that Greek salad topped with sliced rotisserie chicken-plenty of it. This is enough to share as a meal.
The gyros pita ($6.45) is also quite large and stuffed into a fluffy pita. It also can fill a craving and be a quite large meal in itself.
Of course, the onion rings ($1.75 as a second side) here (and every Greek restaurant I've ever been to) are large, hand breaded slices of mild onion and are fried to a perfect crunch-consistently great.
A San Diego East County institution for a reason. Who else has been here? Soo and Maggie (for birthday meals).
Greek Chicken 1468 Graves Avenue El Cajon 92021 (619) 401-0700 Website 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m., daily
The combo meal ($9.95) consisted of the salad, a quarter chicken, garlic bread and a beverage. Another great deal.
Yes, it’s that time again. We’re off on another, all too short trip.
Guessing this one is easy.
From the amazing art.
To the great architecture…..
Land views are lovely.
We’ve stuck to mostly local, traditional dishes and the food has been surprisingly good and hearty.
Every meal seemed to be better.
People here have been amazingly nice. Though the crowds can be maddening.
Anyway, I don’t want to hog up your time.
We hope everyone has a Happy Easter!
mmm-yoso!!! is the food blog you are reading. Kirk is taking some time off and Cathy is writing a few posts, like this one today.
I wrote about Nutmeg Bakery and Cafe in September, mentioning that I wanted to try the weekend brunch…and finally I did.
Located just East of the 15 at the Poway Road exit then left at the first signal light, this five and a half year old Sabre Springs mainstay has been embraced by the locals. The bakery is excellent, making the baked goods (some gluten free as well as vegan) from scratch. The meals also are made using organic as well as locally sourced foods.
The restaurant style is order and pay first, find a seat and your food is brought out to you. We got here just before 8 a.m. and there was a good line of people waiting for the door to open; by the time we left, around 9, there was a line out the door.
The weekend brunch menu changes weekly and has a few 'standard' items. I saw there was a 'special' menu for St. Patrick's Day and suspect there may be a 'special' menu for Easter; if so, I will post it at the bottom of this post. Prices here are reasonable for the quality.
The steak and egg quesadilla ($12) made with grilled skirt steak, grilled onions, corn, cilantro mixed with (local, free range) scrambled eggs folded into a spinach tortilla with a three cheese blend. It was served with a wonderfully medium spicy home made salsa.
The spicy fries ($1.50) were a nice addition and plentiful (I brought the leftovers home).
The Nutmeg Scramble ($13) was excellent- local scrambled eggs with sundried tomatoes and organic spinach, hours made pork sausage and goat cheese, served over herbed potatoes (you see why we had to take potatoes home…so much…) and served with a from scratch buttermilk biscuit (and butter and locally made jam) as well as fresh fruit. This was a really great and special breakfast.
My friend, Ms. C, ordered a small latte which was so pretty. I had a cup of drip coffee- Mostra is served here. It was great.
She also ordered a slice of slice of this cake (I think it was German Chocolate cake, but am not sure; I'm not a 'chocolate' person), to go. She said it was wonderful!
I'll be going back again- soon. Nutmeg is a great place.
Who else has been here? cc, of course.
Nutmeg Bakery and Cafe 12640 Sabre Springs Parkway , Ste 107 San Diego, CA 92128 (858)486-8863 Open Mon-Fri 7:30-3, Sat-Sun 8-2 Website
mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog. Kirk has been blogging most of the year and is taking a break. Cathy is writing this post.
August 4, 2015; K Sandwiches burned. It was a sad day for many, even us here at mmm-yoso; Kirk wrote about this Vietnamese Snack and beverage corner first in July 2005 and again in November 2005. I first wrote about it October 2008 and again in 2012. There have been numerous mentions within our blog posts concerning sandwiches.
After the great fire, it took more than two years for K to re-open…January 5 of this year.
Since this was a former bank, the primary walls remained and so did the footprint; the remodel was not a complete rebuild. Now there's bit more modern feel.
The wall to the right when you walk in is Instagrammable.
The menu boards are clear and with only a few photos. Of course, prices have increased.
The grab and go area at the front has some interesting items.
Like my favorite brand of Chinese sweet sausage in links and in bulk.
As well as fancy refrigerated desserts including artistic jellied items.
The bakery area in the back carries the same items, especially my favorite item to grab when in a hurry-ham and cheese baked in bread (now it is $2.75, the price of some banh mi sold at K Sandwiches years ago)
Pate chaud and other baked items are on the counter being kept warm.
The center island is filled with various snacks and day old bread ends; easy to grab.
Opposite the counter warmer is another warmer with more fresh items and also another refrigerated area.
But, for my first visit back, the order was the same: a Number 9 (grilled pork banh mi)($4.25) and a cup of black coffee ($2.75)
The cilantro still has stems, the pickled carrots and daikon are just lightly pickled, the grilled pork is properly cooked and seasoned, house mayonnaise is just enough and the bread is so very fresh. I had been looking for these flavors for so long and only K Sandwiches seems to do it the way I like it. My comfort food is back.
K Sandwiches 7604 Linda Vista Road (at Mesa College Drive) San Diego 92111 (858) 384-7373 Open Mon-Sat 6 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 8-8 Website
Thanks for stopping to look at this food blog, mmm-yoso!!!. Cathy is writing today; Kirk is taking a break.
I wrote about Charley's in 2006 and again in 2013. This 45 year old (yes, since 1973) mainstay in Lemon Grove has been consistent and pretty much unchanged (other than for inflation and, as you can see, new signage) in all this time.
People seem to use the drive thru as much as the walk up window to order at the small kitchen area.
There are six 'specialty shakes' on the menu( caramel, apple turnover, banana, cookies and cream, peanut butter and black raspberry), as well as five 'traditional' shakes (chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, cherry and root beer) . Even though the apple turnover shake is made with two fried pies, and I enjoy the ice cream with pieces of crust, I seem to revert to my (comfort food) banana shake ($3.25) lately when ordering here.
Well, that and a double kabob sandwich. While the burgers are very good here, the unique kabob meat, served on pita is a particular craving for me.
Two pieces of the lightly seasoned ground beef with shredded lettuce, tomato. onion AND chopped green peppers with sliced radishes served on pita bread with mayonnaise. The flavor and crunch of the green bell peppers as well as the crisp, refreshing radish makes this a refreshing and very tasty sandwich.
Charley's Famous Burgers (kabobs and shakes) 8213 Broadway, Lemon Grove 91945 (619)460-2690 Open 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
mmm-yoso!!! is the name of this food blog. Kirk has been writing posts most of the year, while Cathy has been busy with work and occasionally a meal. Here's a short post about a new place she found.
While driving to meet a client in Spring Valley on a late Friday afternoon, I noticed this signage, across from the Starbucks, about a block away from Butler's Coffee House. Since I had about an hour to kill, I decided to give it a try.
Neat and clean with about seven tables, the menu is on the wall and grab and go products are easily seen. The menu is pretty standard, with fruit salads, vegetable salads, tortas and sandwiches, smoothies, juices, raspados, ice creams and a few other items. When I first walked in only one other person was there, but by the time I left, it was very busy. I noticed most people ordering smoothies and beverages…but I hadn't had lunch yet…
Since it was a Friday (when I don't eat meat), I thought a Panela cheese torta ($5.99)would be good…the man behind the counter suggested a Queso Fresco torta instead. I do like various Mexican cheeses and Fresco is lighter/airier and more like a Farmers Cheese (which I use to make Mom's cheesecake), so I said I'd try it. Same price.
Served on a fresh, very good quality toasted bollillo, with lettuce, tomato, onion, cucumber and a thousand island style dressing, the sandwich was simply perfect. It also was quite large and I ended up taking half home for a late night meal.
Since I was hungry when first ordering, I also asked for a small pico de gallo ($4.99). Fresh coconut, mango, pineapple, watermelon, jicama and cucumber topped with lime juice, chamoy and chili powder.
The savory sauce and spicy chili perfectly rounded out the sweet fruit flavors.
All in all, hearty, tasty and plenty for two meals for less than $12. I'll be back.
Fruity Loco 9766 Campo Road Spring Valley CA 91977 (619)825-7800 open daily 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Just a couple of things for a sleepy Saturday
Rice Noodle King Opens:
Replacing Dumpling Hut.
My sources tell me that it's the same owners as Sizzling Pot King a few doors down.
8046 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92111
The Stories of Boiling Passion's Demise Are Greatly Exaggerated:
Speaking of a "few doors down". I was surprised to see this sign when I recently went to grab lunch at Izakaya Sakura.
Which wasn't in place when I noticed that Boiling Passion was becoming Focus BBQ. Looking like the place is reopening a few doors down from the previous location.
So I guess Boiling Passion is back.
3904 Convoy St Suite 114
San Diego, CA 92111
Just to finish things up. On one of my visits to Con Pane to pick up some bread, I decided to drop by the New Americans Museum.
Mainly for this exhibit.
The photo on display to the right below kind of freaked me out…….that gentleman bore a striking resemblance to my Dad.
'nuff said……..
New Americans Museum
2825 Dewey Rd
San Diego, CA 92106
I was a bit intrigued when I first read about Shank & Bone opening in North Park. A Vietnamese place in North Park? Though this little phrase in that post caught my attention “traditional, authentic cuisine and flavors of Vietnam". Okay! You know what I think about using the term "authentic" when it comes to a cuisine. But "traditional", I can buy into that. Could it be? I decided to visit a few days after the place opened.
Traditional or not; the interior design of this shop is something to see. From the Shepard Fairey print to the bright colors and clean design.
In the category of "something to see", so are the prices on the menu; especially "that" bowl of pho…..more on that shortly.
I saw Beef Carpaccio ($12) on the menu. So I decided to start with that.
I also saw watercress; so thought the dish was perhaps a cross between Bo Xao Xa Lach Xoong and Bo Tai Chanh. Turns out it was closer to the former. I love watercress, so I enjoyed the veggies, the mint really helped; though the nuoc mam was weak on the fish sauce and too sweet for me. The beef was rolled up into balls, not the most visually appealing presentation. Upon unravelling the protein, I realized how large the four slices were. This was basically repurposing beef sliced for pho. It was a bit too thick for my taste.
Still, not a bad dish.
I also got the "Signature Pho" ($17). The bowl, sans soup was delivered to the table, and the broth poured from a pitcher tableside.
I noticed a couple of things right off. The basil and sprouts, the portion size of which was small, were starting to turn brown. The broth had a nice fat content and was dark brown, but gave off no fragrance. It was pretty weak; very mild beefiness, no anise tones, very little of anything. The noodles were too soft for my taste as well.
The two slices of top round were typical; on the dry side, though the flank and brisket were nicely done.
The biggest disappointments were the oxtail, which needed more cooking time as it was dry and tough, and the bone marrow, which sounds really good in theory, but quickly became a rather unsightly globule of fat in the bowl and for some reason had lost all its flavor.
Not my favorite bowl of pho by any means. And maybe "no MSG" might not be a good thing in this case? And I was left over thirty bucks lighter in the wallet as well.
The staff though, were a joy, very friendly, and just a nice group overall. Dishes did take a while, but I wrote that off to having just opened.
I was on my way back from Northgate Market the next day and decided to take a detour and try a couple of other dishes at S&B.
This time, I was seated at the bar. I looked over the beer, sake, and soju list. S&B does not have cocktail license, but I was intrigued at the "Old Pho-shioned" ($10). Which, while a bit on the lighter side…to be expected, was fairly decent. I enjoyed the anise-clove-burnt orange tones of the drink.
As for food; well, this time I went with the "Saigon Chicken Wings" ($10).
These were smaller sized wings; which I prefer for the skin/batter to meat ratio. The batter was a bit on the hard side and the glaze really, really sweet. The wings were also fried a bit too long as the meat was on the dry side. Not terrible.
I saw Banh Mi Bo Kho ($11) on the menu during my previous visit and was curious about that.
The beef stew, while on the thinner side had a nice amount of fat. The broth, while lacking a good amount of tanginess, had more than enough black pepper and beefy flavor. The beef was nicely done; not mushy and over-cooked, but unlike the oxtail not tough. I could have used more pungent onions and some anise tones in the broth, but this was fine. I also missed not having beef tendon. But this was, by far, the best item I had at Shank & Bone.
I was going to quit while I was ahead. But then I read Kirbie's post on Shank & Bone (please check it out) and there was a dish that caught my attention. So I decided to head on back.
The same great crew were present. I went ahead and ordered a "Plenty for All" and the Banh Xeo Tacos ($11).
This riff on banh xeo uses the "crepe" as the taco "shell". Very nice and creative. The filling is a combination of chopped pork, shrimp, bean sprouts (not enough), and jicama (not enough). It was on the mild side in terms of flavor. and the nuoc mam was low on the fish sauce and much too sweet. I liked the lettuce and mint, but missed the basil and tiet to (purple perilla) which adds a nice citrusy-anise flavor to banh xeo. Also, the crepe shells didn't hold up real well; but had a nice, light crunch while they did.
I needed a companion to my "tacos" and because that was a pretty large fat globule of bone marrow in my pho on my first visit; I decided to try the Roasted Bone Marrow and Banh Mi Crostini's ($13).
This just wasn't a good value as there wasn't very much bone marrow in these rather "skinny" bones. It was all gone with one slice of banh mi. The "chimichurri" had way to much citrus making it too sour….not a great match for bone marrow.
So that's it for Shank & Bone for now. I wish them well, but there's just so many almost $40 dollar solo mediocre lunches and dinners I can take. Still, it's a nice atmosphere, the staff is friendly…..but it's all about the food with me.
Though if you want hipster Vietnamese, well….this just might be the place.
Shank & Bone
2930 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92104
Hours:
Sun – Mon 11am – 9pm
Tues – Sat 11am – 10pm
Just a quick post of the Missus's favorite breakfast spot. We've done so many posts on Aqui es Texcoco over the years. We're usually here early in the morning, when the place looks like this.
And yes; we order the usual suspects.
And while I'm still fairly consistent, or as the Missus says, "boring". She's been changing things up a bit.
Two recent favorites of Hers. The Enchilada Mixto. The Missus usually goes with lamb, pork belly, and beans.
And She's grown rather fond of the Codornices Asadas - Grilled quail.
Of course, She's not able to eat both in one meal; so She'll often get the quail "para llevar" and snack on it later. It's a bit low on the "return on investment" side of things for me, but the Missus enjoys it.
And that's what really matters…….
Aqui Es Texcoco
1043 Broadway
Chula Vista, CA 91911