mmm-yoso – Page 272 – 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.

Tobey’s 19th Hole (Balboa Park) revisits

November 27, 2015 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch

It's nice of you to stop by mmm-yoso!!! to read about food. This time, Cathy is writing while Kirk and Ed (from Yuma) are vacationing.

It's been about two years since I wrote a small post about Tobey's 19th Hole, the coffee shop restaurant inside the Balboa Park Golf Course Clubhouse since 1934.This San Diego Municipal course is located close to downtown and has inexpensive green fees (slightly higher for non-residents of the City of San Diego) and some holes have dramatic elevation changes, making the play here a nice challenge. This is the view from one of the tables inside the Coffee Shop…downtown…Point Loma…and a beautiful part of the course. The menu is simple in a Coffee Shop/Diner sort of way. I don't recall any other golf course menu offering liver and onions as a lunch entree.

Usually, we are here for breakfast, the primary reason being that since tee time begins at 7 a.m., the Coffee Shop is open then also. Being awake early and not always wanting to cook at home nor have fast food or a wifi connection while eating breakfast is very relaxing. Also, being able to enjoy Balboa Park without tourists makes us feel very 'local'.The Chicken Fried Steak ($10) is one of the more expensive breakfasts on the menu and it is so good. It comes with two eggs, choice of toast and a choice of potato…and we do vacillate between ordering crispy hash browns or home fries…this day, having some vegetables on the plate was our way of 'eating healthy'. The steak is thick, tender (fork can cut it; you don't need the knife) lightly breaded and fried to a good crisp. The gravy has pieces of a mild sausage and some black pepper and is just right.Some days I want French toast. There is an option of one-one-one ($5.25) or two-two-two ($7.50). Since I wanted to share some of the Chicken Fried Steak from The Mister's plate, I ordered the two eggs, two French Toast and two (skin on) sausages…if we aren't in a 'sharing' mood, then the one-one-one is an order. Just wanted you to see the 'over easy' egg is really prepared overly easy…and that the eggs here have such lovely orange yolks.When leaving the other day, we noticed this signage…and since The Mister and I have had the 'tradition' of Thanksgiving Day being inconsistently celebrated, we decided this year would also be different. The regular menu was presented to us, but we said we would like the 'special' dinner. A choice of soup or salad was offered. The vegetable beef soup was wonderful! The salad was crisp and cold and plenty; the Thousand Island dressing was really good. I'm thinking I had never ordered a salad here…and that I must do so in the future. Each of us receive the same overfilled plates of wonderful food: real (lumpy) mashed potatoes and gravy, a nice flavored (not too salty) stuffing which had crisp celery and onion, much white meat turkey (which had flavor without gravy), peas and corn and a nice helping of whole cranberry sauce (placed in the lettuce cup, which I thought was a brilliant way to ensure non-intermingling of watery sauce flow over). Also, a nice dense yet fresh dinner roll was served on the side with real butter and jam packets. {Yes, I made myself a tiny sandwich, slathering on a bit of everything as part of my meal…leftovers during the meal seemed right} The perfectly sized slice of pumpkin pie was chilled, which I now think is better than being still warm. The flavors had a chance to mingle and that 'pumpkin spice' was not overpowering as it is with some of the 'pumpkin spice flavored' products offered at this time of year. Coffee and tea was included in the price and this was just a nice meal for the two of us.

I hope all of you had a nice Thanksgiving day, too.

Tobey's 19th Hole 2600 Golf Course Drive San Diego 92102 (619)234-5921 Website Open 6-6 daily

#GoBlue

Where in the world are we? Part 2

November 25, 2015 mmm-yoso Hokkaido, Japan, Travel

The Missus told me She wanted to really experience a bit of winter on this trip. So, I figured on a trip further north. It did rain a bit and the temps did hit 30, but we only experienced a couple of flurries. It snowed the hardest when we headed to the city with the coldest recorded temp.

While that was the extent of things we got to visit the main branches of two of our favorites.

Add in another one of our favorites and I'd say we did rather well.

One of the day trips was to a charming fishing village.

There was a festival taking place.

See the folks in shorts? This was the temp while this was going on.

There were actual small flurries during the performance. Yeeesh!

The lunch we had at the local fish market was a bargain…..and super delicious.

We really ate well.

We were sad to leave. I'm pretty sure we'll be back.

Thanks for reading! Happy Thanksgiving Day from all of us at mmm-yoso!

Hong Kong BBQ & Dim Sum (inside Vinh Hung Supermarket) (revisit)

November 24, 2015 Cathy Chinese BBQ

Thanks to everyone who is stopping by to read mmm-yoso!!! even though it is only about a day before Thanksgiving. Kirk and His Missus are still enjoying the culture, food and weather in another country (or two) while Ed (from Yuma) and Tina are busily preparing for an American Thanksgiving feast (in Arizona). Cathy is writing another post while The Mister is making plans for Thursday.

Since I seem to be writing about restaurants that are inside Grocery stores, that 'theme' will be continued today. This time, a Chinese restaurant inside an Asian grocery store.From the entrance, you can sort of tell that Vinh Hung used to be a movie theater. Walking inside and going to the restaurant-to the right, just past the cash registers- might make it a bit clearer, especially when you see the stairways leading to the balcony and the lighting around what used the be the 'refreshment' area.

There is a lunch as well as a dim sum menu.

Kirk has written about Hong Kong BBQ & Dim Sum, as well as some other restaurants which are located inside the former 'lobby' area. Even I wrote one post, in 2009.The shrimp dumplings ($3.50) are pretty standard. The inside shrimp are large and juicy and mixed with a bit of ginger and garlic. The crystal skins (tapioca based) were not too thin, soft and didn't break. The steamed spare ribs in black bean sauce ($2.60) are one of our usual orders here. The meat is tender as are any rib bones attached. The sauce that has seeped into the bowl…well, I pour it over some rice, or I just eat it with the spoon. It has all the flavors I like.Squid Black Bean Sauce ($7.95) is so good. The amount of vegetables and squid- so tender- and the salty black bean sauce is one of my cravings. Orange peel chicken ($6.95) is a pretty standard dish, but when made fresh, the tang of the sauce with some mild chili heat…and the crispiness…it just all blends into a nice 'comfort food' dish for us.Putting this post together, I realized we order a 'something'in black bean sauce on almost each trip here. In this case, shrimp with black bean sauce ($7.95). Again, the vegetables with the sauce are so enjoyable and fresh and the shrimp are outstanding.The very last item at the bottom of the lunch menu has 'Deep Fried Flounder' ($7.95). Since I usually read menus 'backwards' as well as from the bottom up, this had been my first item, but usually bypassed in order to try something else. A few weeks ago, we ordered this and it's become a favorite. Not only is it a good price for a whole fish which isn't tilapia, but the fry is so very perfect:light and crispy. The flavor of the fish shines.

So, there you go, another restaurant in a grocery store. Shopping inside is interesting in the product choices (vegetable prices are good) but also looking around and picturing the projector rooms and seeing where the seats and screen used to be in each of the five movie theaters.

Hong Kong BBQ and Dim Sum 10550 Camino Ruiz San Diego 92126 (858) 408-4888 Open Sun-Thurs 9-9, Fri-Sat 9-9:30

Harvest International Market- Eat in the store (Clairmont)

November 23, 2015 Cathy Markets & Grocers, Mediterranean Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog. Kirk, Ed (from Yuma) and Cathy write most of the posts here. Kirk and Ed (from Yuma) are both busy this week before Thanksgiving and Cathy is not busy.

The building on the North East corner of Balboa at Clairmont Drive had finally opened in early 2013, as another location of North Park Produce. Then it closed. Harvest International Market opened in its place. There is another location of Harvest closer to home, in El Cajon, but it's smaller (used to be a 99 Cents Only store) and there is no eat in area, but a nice 'grab and go' selection. Harvest has some tables and chairs inside the store and out in front.When you walk in the door, to your right is the bakery, deli and kitchen. There is also a cash register there, so you can order and pay. The hot tea is always brewing next to the baklava area (to the left when you walk in).The by the pound area has a vast selection of premade salads, olives and cheeses, all sold by the pound. There's also a good variety of flatbreads and small loaves to choose from. That white stuff? It's a saltier version of Kirk's garlic sauce and quite heavenly. The other items are baba ganoge (eggplant dip) and shirazi salad (cucumber, tomato, onion, parsley and mint mixed with olive oil and lemon juice) all very fresh and very good with the flatbread seen beneath ($1).

I purchase the yogurt based beverages from the vast selection in the back corner store refrigerators.

There is also a good selection of daily soups; I've tried most by pointing at the selection behind the glass counter. Some are tomato based, others are cream based. The above one had spinach and garbanzo beans, was in a creamy chicken based broth and was topped with crispy onion. The bowl was $3.The beef shawarma plate ($7.99) comes with a salad and basmati rice. There is a lot of everything and any of the plates can be shared. On this visit, the shawarma tasted dry on its own and the tzatziki sauce was needed; I usually don't have to add any. It was very flavorfully seasoned and the next day, I heated the meat up and mixed it into scrambled eggs for breakfast and no additional seasoning was needed. There was a sign that beef or chicken kabobs were five for $10 and we asked and ordered just one of each at the $2 each price. Both kabobs were flavorful and very large. It was nice they gave us two roasted tomatoes on the plate…so much nicer than a sprig of parsley. Next to the shawarma spinning upright rotisseries is a third rotisserie with gyros meat. This platter was also $7.99 and when we asked if it came with pita bread, the lady told us to grab one out of the bread box near the front. It's a really good bread topped with sesame seeds. We also were given a choice of specialty rice, and asked for 'the green one', as there were eight different rices in view.

After some research, I found the rice choices are basmati with other primary ingredients: Zereshk Polo (barberry), Baghali Polo (Persian dill with lima beans), Shirin Polo (orange and carrots), Albaloo Polo (sour cherry), Adas Polo (lentils), Lubia Polo (green beans), Biryani (spices and meat mixed in) and Aloo Polo (dried plums).

All in all, we've enjoyed exploring the deli counter and trying various offerings before we go shopping in the store. It's a pretty standard Mediterranean Market with halal meats and some seafood and interesting cookies, sauces, teas and coffees as well as ice cream and snack offerings.

Harvest International Market 4220 Balboa Avenue San Diego 92111 (858) 810-8228 open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily Website

Tip Top Meats, again – The restaurant (Carlsbad)

November 22, 2015 Cathy German Restaurants and Food, Markets & Grocers, Sandwiches, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!! during this short week before Thanksgiving. Kirk is still vacationing and Ed (from Yuma) is enjoying the week before a holiday without having to rush and finish up things at work so Cathy is writing.

There has been a birthday breakfast post, an ordinary breakfast post, a lunch (sandwich and a steak and stein) post so now I will write about some more lunches and a dinner choice that's only available on Friday/Saturday/Sunday after 4 p.m., thereby still not covering even half of the menu available at this wonderful German Meat Market in store restaurant which has been in Carlsbad since 1977.Here's a photo of the actual entrance door into the market area, instead of the the side parking lot photos in all the other posts. The restaurant is to the far left as you walk in. Lentil, vegetable beef, beef barley or oxtail soups are some of the daily three usual choices. We tend to order the soups instead of salads here, because the salads are ordinary and served with a packet of dressing you squeeze on yourself…the soups are made fresh daily. The Lamb Chop meal ($9.99) is listed on the 'other' side of the menu board (which is above and on the way toward the cash register). Some people miss that other side of the menu board, although I've noticed the paper to go menus are stacked so that people can grab and read while waiting to order and pay.

The lamb chops? Excellent, beautifully grilled to a barely medium; tender, juicy and flavorful. Sides are the soup, mashed with gravy, a dinner roll and both red and regular sauerkraut (red kraut is sweet, the white kraut is more stringent (vinegar based) and has pieces of ham or bacon in it). There's a 'Cold Sandwich' menu board as well as a 'Hot Sandwich' menu board. Pretty much all the sandwiches are $8.99. So, the above pork cutlet sandwich was my choice one day; tender grilled pork cutlet on a fresh toasted roll with lettuce, tomato and grilled onion. I chose German potato salad as my side-it sort of reminds me of a smashed up baked potato (probably because of the bacon bits along with the fact that it is a warm potato salad).Year round, an Oktoberfest Plate is available ($8.99) Three grilled sausages: Polish, Knackwurst and Bratwurst along with German potato salad, kraut and red cabbage and a roll. The sausages are made fresh in the store and have a wonderful mix of seasonings and fresh flavors.Then there is my craving-stuffed cabbage ($9.49) a giant cabbage leaf stuffed with lean meatloaf then baked. It's topped with some sour cream and a tomato slice (excellent flavor, texture and temperature contrasts) and soup or salad, a sweet pickle slice, dinner roll and choice of cabbage…which I can never choose between, so I get both.Looking up at the menu on the wall/ceiling, both the Steak and Stein and 'Special Steak' Dinners have been 'special occasion' meals. My brother was visiting last month and we drove up to Tip Top and had a little feast for about $15 a person. Each us did choose a soup (two vegetable soups and one oxtail soup, which is pretty much a rich gravy rather than soupy), The Mister had chosen a Steak and Stein meal- so that's his stein (it was a tangerine wheat beer).The Mister's New York Strip ($14.98, including the stein of beer). It was topped with the grilled onions (which I received unceremoniously on my plate right after photos were taken) and His chosen sides of a baked potato and broccoli, along with a slice of sweet pickle and a roll. Look at the menu sign again, bottom right- Special Steak Dinner. Choose a steak, pay for it and it will be cooked for you…add $4.98 to get all the sides. Choosing the filet mignon size and marble he wanted, my brother's choice still ended up costing around $10 (the filet is $24/lb) plus the $4.98, but he did get exactly what he wanted, and the butcher gives you a selection of seasoning to put on the filet. (The Steak and Stein filet choice is probably smaller.) While waiting in line (all those people are in front of us waiting to order and pay). Notice the menu board ahead to the right above the refrigerated pastry case. {It's the third menu board from the left; those two are the breakfast menu}.

"Prime Rib Roast $14.98 From 4:30 – 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only
A massive portion of prime rib served with mash potatoes and gravy, baked potato or french fries, red cabbage, sauerkraut or broccoli, soup or salad and a dinner roll".The first time that The Mister and I came to Tip Top Meats, the line was the same, the menu board was the same (except for the prices- the Prime Rib Roast was $4.98 then) and the food was almost the same; you also were given one rib bone on the plate back then.

This is a weekend evening only special and so very good. Yes, you are looking at two very thick slices of prime Prime rib plus everything else I usually choose for my plate.

I hope you have an organized, planned week ahead!

Tip Top Meats 6118 Paseo Norte Carlsbad, CA 92011 (760)438-2620 Open seven days 6 am-8 pm Website

2016 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade float road test #7, Quick meal at Pharo’s Burgers (Alhambra)

November 21, 2015 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch, Burgers, Festivals & Events, Los Angeles County, What Cathy Eats!

Here you are, looking at mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Today's post takes place North of San Diego, because that's where Cathy went to eat and do some other stuff. As you know, Kirk is on vacation. Essentially, Ed (from Yuma) is also on vacation.

What a day. The Mister and I thought we were getting a head start by leaving home at around 4:50 this morning and we hit all sorts of traffic- a horrible accident, a lot of road construction…more accidents and just backups of traffic everywhere. We zig zagged on side streets and finally got to Phoenix Decorating Company at about 7:30, just in time to see the three floats which will participate in the 127th Rose Parade being tested for safety and maneuverability today. Union Bank is back with a float this year, teaming up with the American Heart Association. Their "Union of Hearts" float celebrates both the 30th year for Union and one of the many goals of the AHA- exercise. It's a cute float…the 'female' heart waves one arm while the 'male' heart arms are alternating 'lifting weights'. This is what the float collapses down to, so it can fit along the parade route. Honda, the sponsor of the parade, will have this extremely long float at the start. We were fascinated watching it maneuver back into the decorating barn. The wheels are independent and the float seems to work like a ladder fire truck. The front part (in front of the bridge) will depict National Parks in Japan, and at the rear of the bridge,
where the driver is seated (up high) is a diorama depicting National Parks of the USA. The 2016 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade is co-sponsored by the National Park Service. The theme is "Find Your Adventure".

Western Asset has another beautiful float this year, "Let Your Imagination Run Wild". Taking a peek inside the barn, I could see the amount of work that has taken place since we were last up here…painted outlines are on most of the floats and so much is being done- Dry Decorating starts in two weeks! Here is a link to The Examiner's article about all the floats which will be in the 2016 parade.

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On to the food portion of this blog post.

You might recall I mentioned that the traffic today was the worst we've ever experienced. We drove a completely new-to-us route and ended up in Alhambra on the way to Pasadena, so we left the same way…and stopped here.. The corner of Garfield and Atlantic is where Pharos has been since 1994. 'Pharos' means lighthouse…see the shape of the front sign? Inside, up on top of the shelving and scattered on the counter near the cash register are a collection of lighthouses. The menu is on the wall. Order, pay, have a seat and your number will be called. Usually, my order anywhere is a 'breakfast sandwich with bacon, on rye'. It was no different today. ($5.79) A good rye toast, griddled eggs, a thick slice of tomato, folded lettuce leaves, mayonnaise and plenty of crispy bacon. A perfect meal…for me.
The Mister asked and then ordered a pastrami burger ($6.79) and also a large order of onion rings ($3.75). Charbroiled burger. Good pastrami (not peppery) on a toasted sesame seed bun. Wonderful not greasy onion rings. The food here was excellent; we brought home leftovers.

I hope you're having a good weekend.

Pharo's Burgers 1129 N. Garfield Alhambra 91801 (626) 284-2800 Website
2016 Float tests: #1 (we couldn't make it to road test #2) #3 and #4 #5 #6

This link is to the artist renditions of all the floats that Phoenix Decorating Company is producing for the 2016 parade.

Where in the world are we? Part one.

November 19, 2015 mmm-yoso Japan, Korea, Seoul, Tokyo, Kamakura, and the Kantō Region, Travel

Yes, we're out and about again. The itch started upon return from our last trip. We had a day layover then hit our first primary stop. I'm not sure why we hadn't visited before.

The city is amazing juxtaposition of the old and new. One of palaces and one a very modern metropolis.

While it's been a bit cold and rainy, we had one marvelous day…..

And we have been eating well. Folks here are to the point, but very nice overall.

We've been mainly sticking with the standards, many found down side streets and alleyways.

It's been a heck of a start to our vacation. We're off to our next stop in the morning.

Thanks for reading!

Maritza’s Mexican Food (and carnitas Wednesdays)

November 18, 2015 Cathy Mexican Restaurants, Taco Shops, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for stopping to see which food ethnicity mmm-yoso!!! is writing about today. Our blog posts are a sort of ongoing diary of where and what we eat. Cathy is writing; Kirk is enjoying nice weather and Ed (from Yuma) is busy with other things (in Yuma).

When The Mister and I first moved to San Diego, we lived near this small nondescript strip mall, in the middle of a neighborhood. There was a great little market on the far end, 'Green Grocer', where we regularly shopped. After moving out, we still came back to shop at Green Grocer and noticed Maritza's moved in (around 1987). This was the same time that small taco shop (run by their in-laws) had opened across the street from (presently under reconstruction) K Sandwiches. Maritza and her husband still own and run this wonderful little shop.Nondescript was the word I used. There's a Liquor Store on the other end of this strip and some other shops in between.Walk up, order and pay and have a seat. Marita brings the food out to you.When you walk up to order look at the wall to your right, not just straight ahead. There are specials listed. The above 'Flying Saucer'($6.75) is a good choice when you just aren't sure. The shredded stewed beef, on top of refried beans on top of a crispy fried flour tortilla and topped with the generic lettuce, tomato, cheese, guacamole and sour cream is a good way to eat what you want…with drops of the wonderful multi flavored, spicy/medium heat house made salsa.The enchiladas are a similarly easy to try option…again the unique house made enchilada sauce is really good. I just wanted to take a photo of the sauce. These are cheese enchiladas ($3.25), my Friday standard order.Look at the order counter in the second photo, there's a paper taped to the beverage dispenser, in the center.

Sopes ($2.75)…hand made circles of fried dough (crispy on the exterior and soft and kind of fluffy on the interior) (so tasty of sweet corn) topped with refried beans and, in this case, carne asada. Standard toppings of lettuce, tomato, guacamole and cheese round this out. An order of one is very filling.

The carne asada here is the best of anywhere. Maritza's husband makes it himself, mixing the spices and marinating and it is just perfection.Here's a cross section of a carne asada burrito ($5.55). It is really, really flavorful steak. Scrolling back up to the second photo again, taped on the wall straight behind where you order is a sign: "Wednesdays Special Carnitas".

Again, Maritza's husband makes the carnitas and it's available until sold out. A great carnitas…fried pork, shredded and served with corn tortillas…and everything you see above, including the house made green salsa, seen on the far right in the above photo (and mentioned in my post about sauces and salsas and divorce.) The plate is $9.95 and a burrito is $4.95.

Maritza's is a local little shop and a treasure.

Maritza's Mexican Food 3582 Mount Acadia Boulevard (between Mount Burnham Drive and Mount Abbey Drive) San Diego 92111 (858)279-8866 open 11:30-8:30 Mon-Fri Closed Saturday and Sunday

Pho Hoa (Huong?)(I Eat Pho!)

November 17, 2015 Cathy Pho, Vietnamese Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is the name of this food blog. Kirk is out and about, in a different time zone. Ed (from Yuma) is also in a different time zone and Cathy is in the here and now, blogging.

When I started to write this post, checking on whether or not I had written a prior post (to link) was a bit tedious. Of this location, I saw that Kirk had blogged about it twice now, calling it Pho Hoa-Huong', but the signage now has …"I eat Pho!"…

In addition, there is also a Pho Hoa located on El Cajon Boulevard, about which Kirk has also twice posted.

Then there is Pho Hoa Hiep, located on the other end of this same parking lot as "I Eat Pho", which is anchored by Thuan Phat supermarket. Anyhow, this pho shop has been here a long time, the interior hasn't changed, the food is consistent and gets to the table extremely fast once you order.Delivery from the kitchen this visit was so fast that the Pho Tai ($6.30, small) raw beef still wasn't cooked in the hot broth when it was placed on the table. We like the pho broth (herbal-meaty) and noodles (not in a clump) here. You can order Cha Gio as a full or half order ($3.50), which is nice. The rice paper fried wrapper is my favorite. The fresh fried spring rolls have a good meat to veggie filling ratio. For years, I've been trying Bo Kho (beef stew) ($6.65) at various Vietnamese restaurants, even though I know the best is at Pho Lucky. The stew here is my second favorite in the County; it's rich and satisfying, with tender meat and a multi flavored broth.

Hot foods on a cool day, what a nice feeling. Hope all of you are enjoying this weather.

Pho Hoa 6921 Linda Vista Road San Diego 92111 (858) 492-9108 open daily 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Golden Egg Omelet House-Escondido

November 16, 2015 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, Breakfast/Brunch, Sandwiches, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for stopping and reading mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Kirk is not here, Ed (from Yuma) is in Yuma and Cathy is writing a post about another San Diego breakfast-lunch place.

Golden Egg Omelet House is located at an obscure corner of an obscure mall just South of the 78, on Broadway at Centre City Parkway(at the NorthEast corner). Once you see the McDonald's, drive in and go around and behind the building that is behind the McDonald's Drive Thru. You may or may not have ever seen or heard of it, but it's been in Escondido over 35 years. A local spot.The decor is unique…let's call it 'Country Charm'.Walking in, there is a White Board of daily specials.

The menu is one large page-breakfasts on one side and lunches on the other side. There are almost 100 omelet creations to choose from, with primary meats of Bacon, ham, sausage, ground beef, turkey, chicken, Italian sausage, Polish Sausage, corned beef, shrimp and even chili. There's a choice of just about every vegetable imaginable: tomato, spinach, mushroom, zucchini, bell pepper, green onion, green chiles, avocado. artichokes, olives, broccoli and potato. Of course there's also a choice of cheese: Jack, Cheddar, American, Pepper Jack or Swiss. If you don't see an omelet listed, you can make your own; they have the ingredients.

One note: the omelets are HUGE. They come with toast, no potato. If you'd like Dudley's date walnut toast, it's an extra 39 cents.The #89 omelet ($11.09 plus 39¢ for the fancier Dudley's toast). Bacon, ham and Polish sausage with Jack cheese. A wonderfully filling, protein packed meal. So flavor packed.

There is also a separate menu of just potato casseroles. A midwest favorite, sometimes referred to as Hotdish - all the components of a meal in a dish. Each casserole is named for a State.

This is the Nebraska ($9.99) It's one of those Costco sized baked potatoes, chopped up and topped with ground beef, mushrooms, onion, tomato, Jack cheese and topped with a mushroom sauce. This is quite large, filling and easily could be shared or used as a side to share at the table.Here's some more of the eclectic indoor decor. Just about everything decorating the interior is for sale…this is good in case something strikes your fancy.One Friday, The Mister decided to order the White Board "Rat Race Special" ($8.59) (it's only available Mon-Fri). The soup of the day was mushroom. Made from scratch, wonderful, solidly mushroom flavored. The fact that it comes with a full (not half) sandwich is great. Turkey- a lot of turkey, on very large slices of fresh, soft whole wheat with mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato. This was a wonderful meal.Ever since I had 'found' a tuna salad stuffed tomato at The Village Kitchen this summer, I've been on the lookout for other versions. The version here ($9.69) exceeded all expectations.

The (excellent) tuna salad stuffed tomato is on top of a bed of lettuce- enough to be its own salad. The accompaniments- artichokes, hard boiled egg, avocado, cheese and pickle fully round out the plate and then there's the delightful toasted garlic bread…a meal. A wonderful meal.

Golden Egg Omelet House 316 West Mission Avenue Escondido 92025 (760) 489-6420 Website open 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m., daily
This wonderful 1950's signage (and store) is on the opposite end of the same parking lot.