mmm-yoso – Page 329 – 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.

Midweek Meanderings: Don Diego’s becoming Balboa Taphouse, how does our garden grow, and other “hot” stuff

June 4, 2014 mmm-yoso Cooking

It's great to be home, though I'm still kinda "fuzzy"…..when I was younger there was no such thing as jet lag…but now…..

Anyway, here's a couple of things for hump day.

Don Diego's becoming Balboa Taphouse:

The day after returning from our trip, I headed off to Sprout's to restock some veggies and other stuff. The Missus has got me on this "diet" thing….more on that later. Anyway, I noticed the sign on what used to be Don Diego's was gone, so I walked up and took a look. Seems like this pseudo, gringo taco shop is going to be something called Balboa Taphouse. It probably a better fit for the folks who have the lease on this spot; they also own Jimbo's Liquor next door.

4421 Genesee Ave
San Diego, CA 92117

So how does our garden grow?:

The Missus deemed last year's garden a success, so we went kind of full bore this year, planting earlier, and in greater quantity and variety. Da' Boyz favorite uncle took good care of them and the plants when we were gone….

It seems that I might not have a black thumb after all. Of course, it's all about peppers for me. This year, in addition to Ghost Peppers , shishitos, and serranos, I've got a ton of Padrons, some red habanero, and…..a couple of Moruga Scorpion plants as well.

In addition to the usual cucumber, squash, zucchini, kale, and chard, the Missus wanted okra and corn….corn!

Never would I ever have thought we'd be growing corn in the back yard…….

Our current favorite seasoning – The Spice Lab Ghost Pepper Infused Salt:

Speaking of Ghost Peppers…….my good buddy Candice gave me this as a gift a couple of weeks ago.

So how do we like it? If you check out the bottle, you'll notice that it's almost gone…… It's a wonderful seasoning for grilled meats. It's mildly spicy, no big deal really, and goes really well with any seasoning containing cumin, chili, garlic, or smokey flavors……

The beef flap here is seasoned with the ghost pepper salt, sea salt, fresh ground black pepper, cumin, Mexican Oregano, granulated garlic, ground coriander, and ground chipotle. The grilled wings; ghost pepper salt, Himalyan pink salt, fresh ground black pepper, paprika, cumin, Mexican oregano, granulated garlic, ground ancho chili, and ground chipotle.

I gotta restock on this stuff soon……

Thanks Candice!

I hope you're having a great week!

The 2014 San Diego County Fair-Part One- Before it opens

June 3, 2014 Cathy Festivals & Events, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a blog about food: not just purchasing and preparing food, but purchasing and eating prepared food although sometimes we blog just thinking of the possibilities of food. Cathy is posting today because Kirk and Ed(from Yuma) are still out preparing and/or purchasing and/or thinking.

It is that time of year again. Saturday June 7 is the opening day of the 2014 San Diego County Fair- with its theme of "The Fab Fair". The largest County Fair in Caliornia and fourth largest in the USA, "our" Fair is a local happening for most of us.

The front gate has a Yellow Submarine theme.

The Midway is being set up. The usual vendors are here.Exhibits are being set up.Preserved Foods (the 'heart' of the Fair) have been judged and put on display.

The other Home and Hobby Competitions have also been judged and set up for display.

Chicken Charlie's will be opening a Brick and Mortar store in San Diego later this year, ostensibly to test new food items for the 2015 Fair season (and beyond) For now, the new items are listed in the signage above (fried chicken skins and that delightful looking triple decker cheesburger with a Krispy Kreme donut bun).

The Bacon-A-Fair booth will be selling a churro, injected with 1/2 shot of Jack Daniels, wrapped in bacon, then grilled, rolled in sugar and served with maple syrup and whipped cream.

The Grant Burger booth will be selling two new items: the bacon jam burger (bacon burger with an onion-garlic-maple syrup jam) and a chile relleño-chorizo-avocado topped burger on a pretzel roll (which will be conveniently cut into four pieces so you can share).

Other new Fair Foods can be found via this link. Scroll down. The cauliflower sandwich at Grinders in Plaza de Mexico sounds very interesting.

The Exit gate.

See you at the Fair!

Check the website for discounts and details (scroll down; there is free parking).

The 2014 San Diego County Fair Website June 7-July 6, closed Mondays.

Shirley’s Kitchen (La Mesa)

June 2, 2014 Cathy American/New American Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! the food blog written by friends Kirk, Ed(from Yuma) and Cathy is back again with another post. Cathy is writing because the guys are adjusting.

Shirley's Kitchen, a quintessential Diner, open from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. seven days a week has been in this location on University near 70th for at least 20 years.

It's not fancy. It is clean.

When you walk in, daily specials are on the wall. The decor is eclectic. Your waiter/waitress will be efficient.

Basic condiments are on every table: you can order breakfast until closing.

You might be bored with more photos of breakfast, since I tend to order the same thing everywhere (poached eggs, rye toast and whatever meat craved that day or the Shirley's Special ($5.99)-2 eggs, 2 pancakes and choice of 3 bacon, 2 sausage or ham), so this post will be about lunch.

The pot pie dinner ($7.49) is always a good choice here. The shortening-based house made crust, filled with turkey and vegetables in gravy is why it's called "Famous Pot Pie" on the menu: people drive here for this. Served with mashed potato, vegetable of the day and more gravy as well as a side of cranberry sauce, this is a filling as well as good tasting meal.

I always enjoy a simple salad ($2.99) because of the house made Thousand Island dressing and pair it with the house made reasonably sized cup of chili ($3.99). Meaty and made with a great variety of spices, making it mildly spicy, the chili here is comforting and so very good.

The people working here know the 'regulars' and are always welcoming to new people. It's like eating at a friend's home.

Shirley's Kitchen 7118 University Avenue La Mesa, 91942 (619) 462-5732 Open 7 days 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

Van Hoa Vietnamese Restaurant (City Heights)(underrated)

June 1, 2014 Cathy Vietnamese Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for stopping by to read mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Kirk is adjusting to having to be somewhere at a certain time and ed (from Yuma) is adjusting to not having to be anywhere at a certain time. Cathy is writing this post.

At the Northwest corner of University Avenue and 54th Street is a small shopping center anchored by Vien Dong IV, the incorrectly numbered Vietnamese Grocery (Vien Dong III no longer exists). Kirk wrote a two part post about Van Hoa more than six years ago (FYI-the Banh Mi are the same (really good, but now $3.25, with the Special Dac Biet now $3.75 and there is a "buy five get one free" deal)), and it's a regular stop for The Mister and I when in this part of town, usually for a meal before our foray into shopping.

The simple decor and condiment trays, early opening (just like Vien Dong IV) and always fresh food (I believe it's a short walk to get their supply of fresh produce and meats) make the meals here simultaneously not pretentious, convenient and delicious.

You may have seen "Van Hoa" labels on grab and go items (spring rolls and desserts) sold at 99Ranch Market, Thuan Phat and World Foods. If you get here early enough, you'll see the trays being filled and loaded into trucks for early morning delivery to those markets.

As we are being seated and handed menus, I always order a Banh Xeo ($6.25) since it takes a bit of time to be prepared. The Van Hoa version of traditional crispy turmeric flavored Vietnamese crepe, filled with bean sprouts, pork and shrimp, served with lettuce, mint and fish sauce dip is my favorite. (Those small 'dots' of pale yellow you see inside are a type of soft lentil mung bean).

The Spring Rolls here are only one type: shrimp with BBQ pork. ($3.25). The Van Hoa version is heavy; solidly and tightly packed with lettuce, mint and sprouts and a sprig of cilantro sticking out one end. It's served with the thick and not too sweet peanut sauce. Again, my favorite (this brand is the only one I purchase at grab and go).

Then there are the Stir Fried noodle dishes, this one is shrimp with crispy noodle ($7.50). You can see the light, airy, crispy noodles topped with freshly stir fried carrot, broccoli, mushroom and some baby corn. The gravy is light and has great flavor without being all salty or MSG-ish. Again, this is my favorite version.

The prices are not low-low; they are fair. The quality here is superb.

Van Hoa 4016 54th San Diego, Ca 92105 Website (619)582-2642 Open Mon-Sat 6-8, Sun 6-7

Rose Donuts (near USD) {Breakfast and the elusive blueberry fritter}

May 31, 2014 Cathy Bakery, Breakfast/Brunch, What Cathy Eats!

Thanks for stopping by to read the mmm-yoso!!! named food blog. Kirk is adjusting to his current time zone, Ed (from Yuma) is adjusting to his current job status and Cathy is adjusting to whatever new crisis occurs in her path, while writing a short post.

Last December, I made a casual mention about an item I can only buy here. You can see it in the last two photos of this post. Somehow, I was never back in this neighborhood for almost half a year. Located on the SouthEast corner of Linda Vista Road at Napa Street, just down the hill from the University of San Diego and just up the street from a San Diego Police Station, this location of Rose Donuts has been here and open since February 2006. By that, I mean open 24/7, closed rarely, for family emergencies.

There are more than donuts sold here. That's an ice cream freezer to the far right. You can see signage for Thai iced tea and Vietnamese iced coffee. Then there's all the stuff right in front of you.

The selection of donuts is not huge, but always a bit interesting. The brisk business here assures always fresh. What also makes this donut shop interesting is the menu of made to order Breakfast Sandwiches-which you can purchase during any of the 24 hours of the day. You might notice the small print at the bottom of the above menu. A "combo" comes with your choice of six donut holes or one regular donut and a small coffee or cold beverage. What a perfect dining establishment.

This day, we purchased only one Combo (shared a coffee) and chose the cake donut covered in orange frosting. Not just orange colored, but orange flavored-with bits of orange peel in the frosting. I like that neither the donut nor the icing is too sweet. The fritter? It's apple with blueberries (look close) ($1.05; smaller than a regular apple fritter ($1.55)). No other bakery makes this wonderful item, which, since eating this, has re-developed my craving for it and all frittered items.

Above is the "Sunrise" ($3.65, combo, $5.10). The croissant is made here, soft, flaky, fresh, warm and, as you can see, filled with simply fried egg and two types of cheese (white and yellow).

Above, is the "Early" sandwich ($3.65, combo $5.10). Served on a choice of white, wheat or sourdough toast with good, crisp bacon and, as you can see, two cheeses.

A great place for fresh items, a meal or a snack, any time you have a craving.

Rose Donuts 5201 Linda Vista Road San Diego, CA 92110 (619)294-8856

Where in the world are we – the home stretch

May 30, 2014 mmm-yoso Belgium, Travel

We leave for home in the morning. This has been a heck of a trip…..

Perhaps not as challenging as Tunisia or amazing as Peru or Angkor, but this trip has been pure joy for us. We've learned so much.

And also seen quite a bit.

We visited several cities and even took a short trip into an area not in most guides.

In a search of the "Holy Grail" of beer.

We've been having blast and doing a ton of walking.

And even though it's been overcast and even rainy most of the time, it hasn't dampened our spirits.

For some reason we didn't visit many museums…..just a few.

Yesterday we returned where everything started.

We ate rather well on this leg of the trip. We didn't go for anything particularly fancy, but had some great meals.

Well, our glasses are empty….

And we're missing Da' Boyz, so it's time to come home.

Thanks for reading!

Posted with Blogsy

Señor Mango-fruiteria (University Heights)

May 29, 2014 Cathy Breakfast/Brunch, Desserts, Fruiterias, Mexican Restaurants, Sandwiches, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is the name of this food-centric blog. Today, Kirk is relaxing and looking for sunshine, Ed(from Yuma) is indoors, seeking air conditioned comfort and Cathy is trying to find a way to achieve satisfaction from the current San Diego heat wave.

It's been beautiful outdoors the past week, slowly inching to the edge of being a bit too warm. The Mister and I found ourselves on 30th near Adams Avenue the other day, and decided to stop for a quick lunch. Señor Mango's has been in this small non-air conditioned shop, in the middle of a block of homes and small businesses, for more than ten years. When you walk in, to your right is a glass case displaying most of the fresh fruits available today.

To your left is a wall painted with the menu. Prices and menus are in clear plastic pocket folders at the cash register (straight ahead) where you order, pay and wait for your number to be called. There are five tables inside and five tables out in front. Many people call in orders to pick up and many others order their items "To Go". We like to eat "here", so while one of us is ordering, the other is seeking a table. Beverages available here are Smoothies (fruit plus ice plus sugar and OJ, blended), Licuados (fruit plus low fat milk plus sugar plus ice cream, blended), Aguas frescas (fruit plus water, sugar and ice, blended) or Juices. Above, a small Vampire juice ($3.75); squeezed and/or pressed to order, served at room temperature; not watered down. It's made with beets, carrots, celery and orange. Always good; you can taste each item.Above photograph- half a Lomo (grilled pork tenderloin seasoned with guajilla peppers) Torta ($5.50) (The Mister had grabbed his half before I could take a photo of the whole thing). Fresh, toasted bolillo roll, topped with lettuce, tomato, cheese, onion, avocado, some mayonnaise and plenty of still warm lomo. A perfect sandwich and enough to share.Above, a small "Fruity Mix"($5.50) bowl-seasonal fruits topped with cottage cheese (or you could choose yogurt), raisins, granola, shreds of coconut and honey. Seasonal fruits in the bowl this day were banana, apple, orange, cantaloupe, strawberries, honeydew, papaya, mango and pineapple.

Always fresh and delicious, I enjoy the availability of so many Fruiterias in our great County. Hope you're staying cool!

Señor Mango's 4607 30th (between Adams and Madison) San Diego 92116 (619) 584-0041 Open Mon-Sat 8-8, Sun 9-7 link to website, which is horribly out of date (Escondido location is closed, hours are different and menu is "404 not found"

Chic-Boy (Filipino sit down fast food) (National City)

May 28, 2014 Cathy Filipino Restaurants, What Cathy Eats!

Here you are, back at reading mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Today's adventure takes us to National City, because that's where Cathy drove. Kirk is still on vacation and Ed(from Yuma) is still clearing out his office.

So, let's get some things cleared up right now. A) Baboy is Tagalog for pig/pork. The name of this restaurant is a shortened version of Chicken-Baboy, or Chicken-Pig, which are two of the primary items served here. There also is fish on the menu (Isda in Tagalog), but that word doesn't fit the signage in a non-double entendre way. {I'll wait while you go through the possible combinations in your head} 2. There are three tables (with a total of eight chairs) to sit at inside this tiny shop, so if you are here and can't find a place to sit and eat, don't be surprised. Located in a a mall anchored by Popeye's and Starbucks, across the way from a McDonald's, Chic-Boy is one of more than eight Filipino owned businesses in this mall near the South East corner of 805 at Plaza Boulevard. Despite my tendency to blog about places and food items that nobody else has blogged about, I was happy to find Faye did blog about Chic-Boy last year. Now I don't feel too far out of the loop and am glad to share one of her (an my) (and cc's) snack food favorites with you (hint: last photo of this post).

Yep, that's pretty much the entire menu on the wall (there is a sandwich board out front, listing some specials) and the other three photos are the entire counter, showing items available. We were here early, so everything was available.Above is a "BBQ Pork Stick Combo"($3.78)[The combo includes a choice of canned beverage]. The rice is jasmine and very good, the BBQ pork stick is moist and has good flavors (there is vinegar in the marinade, making it not so sweet, which I like).

Above , the BBQ chicken breakfast bowl ($4.99). The BBQ chicken stick, is also moist and not overly sweet. This is also served with a good amount of jasmine rice, some stir fried bok choy (the only vegetable I've ever seen here) and an over-medium egg. Just a perfect mesh of ingredients for a hearty meal. Those greasy bags to the left in the glassed in area? Fried dilis (anchovy), fried bulaklak (pork intestines) and, above, fried chicken skins(the snack of choice by both Faye and myself). Each priced the same, ($8.99/lb) and served with a cup of garlic infused vinegar, a perfect, tasty, non-carb snack.

This is a great place to stop for good, fresh food.

Chic-Boy 2220 E. Plaza Blvd, Suite T National City, CA 91950 (619)472-2449

De Mi Cafe Cafe- Breakfast

May 27, 2014 Cathy Breakfast/Brunch, Caffeine Fix, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is a San Diego based food blog. Writers here include Kirk, Ed(from Yuma) and Cathy. Everyone but Cathy is busy today, so here's a post she wrote.

I've passed by this corner of Friars Road at Via Las Cumbres countless times in the past year, always noticing a dear favorite, Mr. Peabody's, always seeing the 'new' signage for De Mi Cafe Cafe and then continuing on to wherever I was headed. Finally one weekday morning, The Mister and I stopped here.

As with any Cafe, you walk up, order, pay and your food is brought to you. It turns out the owner, Michal, was also our cashier and the barista that morning. He is a very nice, interesting person and quite efficient.

Of course, there is an espresso machine (and most people were ordering espresso based beverages), but we decided on a 'regular' coffee to share. One of the condiments offered at the counter was organic half and half.

Whiile waiting (and after perusing the various refrigerated treat offerings), I noticed the glass topped chest freezer to the side, filled with some delightful items, which we will be returning to try very soon.

The Mister chose a De Mi egg sandwich ($5). It's served on a choice of breads-this is on white toast, and it is a good, hearty white bread. Made with ham, scrambled egg and cheddar (choice of cheddar or provolone) cheese, this was surprisingly flavorful and filling.

I chose the De Mi Breakfast Plate ($6.50) with the wheat toast (again, a very hearty bread). Served with Italian salami, the cheddar and provolone, a large pat of good, unsalted butter and the tomatoes (as well as unseeded grapes), this was another filling and wonderful breakfast.

Oh- and that croissant on the first plate- chocolate ($2.50). Made here. Still warm. Wonderful.

This was a wonderful, European style breakfast right in the midst of Mission Valley.

De Mi Cafe Cafe 6110 Friars Road, Suite 102 San Diego, CA 92108 (619)246-0968 M-Th 6am-4pm, Fri-Sat 7-7, Sun 8-7 Website

Where in the world are we (Part 3)

May 26, 2014 mmm-yoso Czech Republic, Travel

We've moved on from this wonderful, colorful country. But here's a round-up. Most folks only visit the one popular location, with good reason. We, on the other hand, decided to get out and visit some of the other larger cities.

We found the folks much more friendly, helpful, quick to smile. We visited three different cities and there was a ton of history. We learned about Plague Towers.

Visited cathedrals…

We travelled first by train….

Then later by bus….which turned out to be better.

We took a day trip to one of the smaller, but popular towns for tourists. Though the town was pretty quiet on a Sunday….

There was local music being played and sung for visitors….

We moved on to the second largest city in the country….which we loved. Perhaps the place isn't in many guides, it's well worth a visit.

Rick Steve's, the well regarded travel guide institution, doesn't even have a mention of this city, but should.

Much of the weather we encountered to this point had been wet, cold, and drizzly. On our last day here, the sun came out. We enjoyed sitting on the square and watching scenes of daily life. The Square, like in other countries is the center of social life. There was a band playing, dogs (lots of really well behaved dogs walk leash free), and folks generally enjoying life.

We also started noticing the little twists…..each story or landmark has a little "story", some little twist that adds color….

Eventually, we returned to where we started here….the weather was now bright and sunny, the crowds adding color to everything. Not that places like the "Lennon Wall" needed any more color.

The views and sites were amazing.

And of course there's the food. Some of which have interesting "names" which I'll go into later on.

We're now on our last third of our trip and still enjoying ourselves….everyday is something new. I'll try to get one more post in before we get back home.

Thanks for reading!

Posted with Blogsy