Closed – Page 11

Mikami- revolving sushi (no conveyor to revolve (covid-19))

August 27, 2020 Cathy Cajun, Southern, and Soul Food, Japanese Restaurants, Sushi and Sashimi, What Cathy Eats!

mmm-yoso!!! is usually written by Kirk and sometimes Cathy helps. Todays post is from Cathy, because Kirk is busy with work.

Long story short, it is 2020 and there are many reasons I haven't posted about meals since mid-February. Now that the world, as well as eating out, has changed, here is an update from my January 2020 post about Mikami, a revolving sushi bar. The Mister and I had been here twice more, but everything was about the same as that first post. Now, with Covid-19, there is no revolving sushi or indoor bar area. The "Dine In" signage is leftover from when there was a six week or so variation in Covid-19 'rules'; why take it down when things could change tomorrow?. As of now, all California restaurant dining is "to go" or outdoor tables. I understand not wanting to expose yourself to possible Covid-19 and The Mister and I will eat outside at the opening time of restaurants- assuming the unused tables were just brought out and are freshly cleaned.
On this day, only three tables were set up when we got to Mikami. One was for handicapped. We were given paper menus and a pencil. Most of one menu was rolls and typical two piece sushi and sashimi selections. Hot green tea ($2.85) came in a paper cup, water in a plastic cup (with a straw!) and condiments in disposable containers.
We decided to order the chicken karaage appetizer($6). This seemed to be a larger portion than we had here previously. Hot, fresh, tender, juicy, crispy/properly fried. It came with a mayonnaise and spicy (not Sriracha, which is sweet and not sambal, which has garlic) sauce for dipping. Delightful.
We chose two hand rolls: soy paper yellowtail and the spider roll ($3.75 each). The yellowtail was not the spicy version and had great flavors of fish, cucumber and a better (sushi) rice. The soy paper is embedded with sesame seeds, which adds a toasted sesame flavor and crunch. The 'spider' is a half of a soft shell clam along with crab, avocado and cucumber wrapped in seaweed. These were larger than we remember and were made to order.
We decided to order a "Mikami Seafood Bucket Shrimp" (one pound, $15, add $2 for headless). The Cajun style buckets have been available only in the bar area and we have been curious.

A variety of flavors as well as (cajun spice) heat levels are available and we were simple and ordered garlic butter, which lined the heavy plastic bag filled with hot, freshly steamed shrimp. The photo of the plate is about half of the bag and the 'dip' is the sauce poured out into an emptied ginger condiment cup. You can see there was some spice used in the cooking process and it was just the right amount.

Trying to patronize locally owned places, the food is good here.

Mikami Revolving Sushi and Bar 7319 Clairmont Mesa Boulevard, San Diego 91911 Open Tues-Sun 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Closed Monday {Covid hours; check website -things might change Website

The parking lot is empty if you get there at opening.

Takeout from Krispy Krunchy Chicken – “I Love the Smell of Frying in the Morning…..”

July 29, 2020 mmm-yoso Chicken Wings

**** Krispy Krunchy Chicken is now a location of Cluck n Sip

Did you know that today, July 29, 2020 is National Chicken Wing Day? Not that I really keep track of that stuff…..

And sadly; the only thing I have in my current collection of chicken wing photos is a revisit to Krispy Krunchy Chicken.

I stopped by the 99 Ranch Market on Balboa on my way home to check on Frankie…the Missus needed a restock of some "snacks". As I walked along the aisles I could make out the unmistakable smell (no, it ain't a fragrance – it's a smell) of deep frying going on…….I knew exactly where it was coming from. I think everyone knows that smell, right? Having worked at various restaurants when I was younger; I recall being coated in a film of oil when walking home…..the most intense was when I worked at a Drive In close to my High School. I swear that dust and other particles used to stick to me as I walked up Kaimuki Ave, crossing over the H-1 at 6th Avenue, before walking up Harding Avenue to home. My skin had an almost reflective sheen and my hair made me look like I was trying out for Sha Na Na (remember them?). Getting all that residual grease off my clothes and myself was always interesting. And yet, whereas the scent of deep frying bothers the Missus….She does enjoy the end product. Me, well….I learned to embrace it in a way.

And on this day; the aroma of chicken frying meant that I'd be getting some chicken wings from KKC. Because of Covid-19 and the fact I was heading home; I wasn't able to take advantage of what I learned when I first visited KKC, if you order ten or more wings they'll fry you a batch fresh. These days; I'm just not up to the task of eating that much fried food.

And make no mistake about it….these are definitely fried….

Well, the steak fries were on the dry side and needed a ton of ketchup. The wings, being on the colder end of the scale was still crunchy, but had lost that wonderful "freshly fried edge" of heat and crispness and was also a bit drier…..thus in need of the Hot Sauce I availed myself of.

To quote from a previous post:

"Though I find the meat itself more moist and with a definite "saltiness" without the spice like Popeyes. Just a little dip into Louisiana hot sauce, the vinegar and spice really helps cut any richness….but not the guilt I'm afraid."

Not quite as good as what I'd had on previous visits. Freshly fried is many times better than sitting under a heat lamp……. But I got my fix in.

Krispy Krunchy Chicken
5950 Balboa Ave (Inside 99 Ranch Market)
San Diego, CA 92111

I mentioned the smell of fryer oil to the Missus who got kind of grossed out…….She's often told me that living next to a restaurant where they fried food would just be a total hell for Her. But then I reminded Her of the "bright side".

The bright side? Well, one of the main neurological symptoms of Covid-19 is anosmia (loss of smell)…and heck, being able to enjoy that strong smell of frying animal flesh in this context….well, it was a good sign right? So let's embrace that…..or maybe even embrace Frankie when he's overdue for a bath…..just to retest that olfactory system.

So, to paraphrase a well known quote: "I Love the Smell of Frying in the Morning….." For now…..

Happy National Chicken Wing Day!

Simsim Outstanding Shawarma – bc (before Covid) and dc (during Covid)

July 27, 2020 mmm-yoso Mediterranean Restaurants, Middle Eastern Restaurants/Cuisine

**** Simsim has closed

Simsim opened at the Gateway at Kearny Mesa back in August of 2018, I first visited a couple of months later…….I then just waited a while before visiting again….then wanting just one more visit before posting took my 'ol sweet time revisiting…..I'd been kinda underwhelmed, not at the portions (at first), but the flavors and such. And then the Pandemic hit. I've actually got a bunch of photos from places that I'd meant to revisit or post on. Simsim was one of them. But with the Pandemic; well, I was just going to delete the photos and call it a day. But I'd already had three visits to the place; so, two weeks ago, I decided to just do one more takeout visit…thus the "bc" (before Covid) and "dc" (during Covid) in the title.

So, here goes.

Simsim is located in the same strip mall as one of Cathy's favorites Niban, Elijah's, and the now defunct Souplantation. Much like Tahini Street Food, the set-up is "fast-casual" (i.e. the Chipotle, which by the way is also in this strip mall) model. You order at the counter and pick up your order when ready.

On all my visits the crew here were very nice and friendly.

The menu consists of wraps, bowls, plates, and sides with names like "Authentic", "Simple", "Spicy", "Tasty", and "Pure"…you get it, right?

On my first visit, I decided to just get the Beef and Lamb (the "Authentic"), which at that time was $10, it's now $12.

It comes with a side of standard issue thin fries, which I think could have been fried a bit longer as it got soggy quite quickly. It was nicely seasoned though.

The bread off the sajj was fairly brittle and lacking in a bit of stretch from other versions that I had enjoyed more. In fact, one of my Middle Eastern coworkers said that this is almost closer to a tortilla for a burrito. I also like a bit more slightly charred "crust" on my bread as well.

The amount of meat in this was quite generous, though it is obviously aimed as "food for the masses" (nothing wrong with that) and was quite mild in seasoning…it was also on the dry side and a bit ore chewy than I preferred. The tahini was also pretty mild in flavor as well.

Still, very nice folks…..so, after a couple of months, I decided to return.

I'm still looking for really good falafel in San Diego; so I decided to try the Falafel Wrap($9).

The fries were done a bit better this time around and the "bread" had been toasted a bit more and actually had some nice crisp spots on it.

The falafel was mushy and pasty, and fairly bland…….in retrospect it was a good thing I had this before our trip to Israel and Jordan; because now I dunno what I would say about this.

After this I just kinda forgot about Simsim. Until the beginning of the year. I was kinda craving chicken with garlic sauce, I'd already tried the version at Tahini Street Food and Alforon was much too far away. So, I thought I'd try the version at Simsim. I got the "Simple" – Chicken and Garlic ($10.50) to go.

I quickly noticed that his wrap was shaped differently. It looked even more like a burrito than before! Also, the one thing I was most concerned about was that the fries would not hold up on the 10-15 minute trip to the office. Which turned out to be true.

The wrap itself seemed much smaller than before as was the amount of meat. Though the chicken had a bit of seasoning it was quite dry. The garlic paste was quite mild in flavor and I could have used more of it.

That same coworker I mentioned earlier told me that they don't make the bread for their wraps inhouse….

So, what you read above would have never (or perhaps should have never) seen the light of day. But, looking at all the "bc" photos I was going to delete, and knowing that Simsim was doing takeout during this time, I decided to call in an order and pick it up on the way home to check on Frankie.

They've got outdoor seating set-up right now.

My order was ready on the counter when I arrived. I had decided against getting a wrap this time around and seeing that they had Muhammara as one of their sides; decided on the "Signature Side Plate" ($13). Which came with very standard issue (and obviously not made inhouse) pita.

Of the four items on the "plate" (Muhammarah, Babaganoush, Moutabel, and Hummus), I enjoyed the Babaganoush the most. It had a nice smoky hint to it, great flavor, decent texture. The Muhammarah was decent, slight sweet-sour tones, it could use a bit more nuttiness and garlic for my taste. Not in the same league as the version at La Miche, though not bad. The Moutabal was nice and creamy; though for some reason the eggplant and tahini flavors were quite mild. The Hummus as just plain bland.

This was by far my "favorite" item I've had at Simsim.

The food here, like Tahini Street Food is a fusion take on Middle Eastern Cuisine for the Western Palate. I think I prefer Tahini to Simsim, but you may want to try both on your own. The folks here have always been nice and friendly and Soo seemed to like the place, so perhaps you'd like to give them a try.

Simsim Outstanding Shawarma
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 430-6717
Open Daily:
11am – 7pm

So, there you go……I've got a bunch of photos of one time visits….all from "bc" (before Covid), some from last year already. I'm fairly certain that if I do return to these places it'll be "ac" (after Covid). A few I probably won't return to. And if I do a post; I'll start from scratch and do a couple of visits. I'm not sure if it's worth posting mostly just photos from these visits.

So, what do you think?

Takeout from TJ Dumplings

June 12, 2020 mmm-yoso Chinese Restaurants

**** TJ Dumplings has closed

I started typing "way back on March 10th"……and then stopped, realizing that the 10th of March does seem so very long ago…..like a different year.

When leaving the Philadelphia Sandwich Company, my eyes drifted and TJ Dumplings came into focus….the sign saying "We're Open for Takeout". I was wondering how they were doing; so a couple of days later I called and placed an order. It was somewhat humorous as the really nice woman taking my order kept drifting between Mandarin and English. But, it's not hard to place an order at TJ (as in "Tianjin" not what someone from San Diego would automatically think) Dumplings. And I was told my food would be ready for pick-up in fifteen minutes.

Which was the perfect amount of time for me to head on over.

Entering the place I quickly noticed how the dining area has become excess storage……I guess that's one way to prevent folks from having a seat, right?

Arriving back to the office, I opened my little Styrofoam box, and was slightly disappointed; there was some leakage…..

Several of the baozi had juices leaking through and were mushy and doughy. The filling wasn't as moist as on my previous visit and not as tender. It was also lacking in the nice "porky" flavors as well.

This was rather mediocre….thank goodness for the black vinegar….

Here's what the Baozi looked like just 3 months ago…..

Still, this was more than I could consume, so I shared some with GK…..who did enjoy it.

After my previous post on TJ Dumplings, FOY "Som Tommy" paid the place a visit and said the Shao Mai (Siu Mai) was pretty good……which I really wouldn't have thought to have order – especially at $3.99 for four Shao Mai.

But this was not bad; quite hefty.

In terms of texture this was quite good, moist, tender, the wrapper not hard or brittle. Like the baozi filling; it lacked a good porkiness, but this wasn't bad at all.

It does look like TJ Dumplings is hanging on; there were several orders ready on the Grub Hub table, so I'm happy they are surviving. I do hope that if I return, the Baozi would be back to what they were like during my first couple of visits.

TJ Dumplings
6780 Miramar Rd.
San Diego, CA 92121

Covid-19 Takeout – Golden City

June 3, 2020 mmm-yoso Chinese BBQ, Chinese Restaurants

**** Golden City has closed

I’m starting to work from home on some afternoons now that things are settling down a bit. The main reason being Frankie is getting up there; he’ll be 17 in three weeks. We’d rather not leave him alone for long periods of time. So, on the days when the Missus isn’t off, or is working a long shift; I’ve arranged the work from home stuff during the afternoon…..it’s not that much mind you; after all, I get into the office around 515on most days….so, by the time 1130-noon rolls around….. The one thing this has let me do, is to order lunch to pick-up on the (somewhat round about) way home.

The Missus was missing roast duck, and at the time of this visit Noble Chef hadn’t reopened yet (they have for takeout as of June 1). So, I decided to do an online order for my favorite item at GC, the Kwai Fei Ji and also order a lunch special of Roast Duck for the Missus.

This was an interesting visit…..as the guy working….I think he’s the dining room manager, I’ve seen him many times before seemed totally out of sorts………like in total chicken-without-a-head mode. He quickly told me “too busy….too busy…..”; in other words they weren’t doing walk in take-out. I told him it was an online order and he displayed five different pieces of paper for me….I explained what I had ordered and he said; “going to be a while……” and then busted out two order slips; one for $297 and the other for $210…..and said “only me and two cook….” Who the heck orders nearly three hundred bucks of food for lunch from GC?

Sadly, all walk-in orders were turned away, like that poor woman above who was left just standing and cooling her heels until the guy made an appearance out of the kitchen to tell her that ordering take-out wasn’t going to happen….luckily, I had placed mine online….so, they had no choice but to make mine.

As for my Kwai Fei Chicken….well, it was nice a juicy….I actually took it out of the container, put it on a plate, placed it in the fridge while I booted up my remote desktop, and got things going in my home office. When things were ready, I put everything on a plate, poured the juices back over the chicken, along with the wonderful ginger-scallion sauce, busted out my chopsticks and had lunch while on my conference call.

It was just what I needed and wanted.

For the Missus, who would not be home until later in the evening, I tried an old hack of mine that I hadn’t used in a while.

I took the duck out and placed in a container, the rice in another….poured the drippings out separately. When the Missus got home and wanted Her duck; I turned the toaster oven up to broil, brushed just a bit of the sauce over the skin of the duck and broiled for 3-3 1/2 minutes on high to crisp up the skin. While not the best roast duck we’ve had; a bit too salty, it was fairly tender, mildly gamy, and the skin was slightly crisp. Pour the fat back over an voila! Dinner for the Missus.

Since Noble Chef is back in action, not sure the Missus will wanting anything from GC….so it’ll be Kwai Fei Chicken for me for now.

Current Covid-19 Takeout only hours – Daily 1130am – 830pm

Golden City Restaurant
5375 Kearny Villa Rd.
San Diego, CA 92123

Turo-Turo Tuesday, the Covid-19 Edition Part 3 – Mama Cinia Rice & Noodles

June 2, 2020 mmm-yoso Filipino Restaurants, Sisig

**** Mama Cinia Rice & Noodles has closed

Sorry for the gap between posts…….I just didn't feel like posting after the events of the last couple of days.

But here's one that I need to finish; the last of the trilogy of turo-turo take-out from Mira Mesa – Mama Cinia.

Like other places, they've blocked off the small area where tables were. The folks here are really nice and friendly, marks on the floor for social distancing, though not quite as good as Manila Fast Food and Desserts. Still, things worked out fine. I decided on the Sisig (of course) and the Pinakbet looked pretty good…..and just "half rice".

The sisig was pretty good, meaty, with nice crunchy bits. In terms of texture, this was the best of the three I sampled. I still think it needs more "umph", needs to be more spicy and more vinegar, though on this visit, it was definitely better than Manila Fast Food. The pinakbet wasn't bad either, though the eggplant was a bit over-cooked and while the bittermelon had that wonderful tannic-bitterness, I think it could have used a bit more bagoong.

Still, not bad at all.

Mama Cinia Rice & Noodles
9178 Mira Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92126

All three places had processes in place, which while perhaps not perfect, did the job. So, Spam comment dude, you got it all wrong man. Enough with all this stuff already.

Food should bring us together; my grandparents working on the plantation enjoyed an interesting variety of dishes…..because, even though the plantation management tried to keep all the nationalities apart to control them, they all had lunch together in the fields. A shared experience, one where in spite of the jokes we make about natto, balut, and harm ha, respect for each other is gained, smiles and food are shared, a wonderful cultural exchange. As travel has taught me….we are more alike than we are different.

Covid-19 Takeout – Smack’N Guamanian Grill

May 11, 2020 mmm-yoso Guamanian/Chamorro

**** Smack’N Guamanian Grill has closed

These days, I usually get to work between 515-530am….and sometimes, like on this day, there’s an unending chain of meetings, calls, and fires to put out. It was past noon and I decided to call Smack’N Guamanian Grill to see if they were open. And the young man who answered said they are open from noon from Monday – Saturday right now, so lucky me I guess since if I’d called earlier there might have been no answer and I would have assumed that the place wasn’t open.

Anyway I placed my order, jumped in the car, and went down the street to Snack’N.

At this time, Smack’N is only accepting Credit Card transactions; no cash.

My BBQ Chicken plate was waiting; it was less than 5 minutes to pay, grab, and go.

Returning to the office, I removed the plate from the package and opened it……the first thought that went thru my mind when I saw the plate was; “sheesh, even my lunch is wearing a mask now!”

This might be the best plate I’ve had from Smack’N! The chicken was much better, nicely “grilled”, fairly moist, decently tender, good salty-soy tones, much better then what I had before. The best thing about having the chicken on top of the red rice was that the drippings had permeated the rice; adding additional moisture and flavor, a winning combination.

The Kelaguen was pretty much what I’d had on my previous visit; lacking in coconut and spice, with good citrus tones and not overly salty. Sadly I was given one small container of finedene.

Overall, this did the job….and it was way too much food. The chicken was much better than what I’d had previously and better than what I’ve had at other Guamanian/Chamorro places in San Diego…..heck, I’d even take it over most of the generic Hawaiian BBQ places in town.

I ended up taking most of the Kelaguen home to have the Missus try it out….She wasn’t too impressed and ended up pouring a ton of the stuff I had in the fridge on it. And guess what the Missus had me make that sweltering weekend?

Still, I did enjoy that chicken, so I’ll definitely return.

Smack’N Guamanian Grill
9506 Miramar Rd
San Diego, CA 92126
Currently open at noon (closed Sundays) and only accepting credit cards

Hope everyone is safe and in good health!

Covid-19 Takeout – LouZiana Food

May 6, 2020 mmm-yoso Cajun, Southern, and Soul Food

**** LouZiana Food has closed

I was wondering if LouZiana Food was open during the current pandemic. I went ahead and called just to see and the nicest gentleman answered the phone. So, I ended up placing an order and fifteen minutes later (man, no traffic on Miramar Road) I was walking into the restaurant.

I decided to get the Red Beans & Rice and the Gumbo. Really liked the gentleman working the front counter, so friendly and warm….so when he said I really needed to try the Bread Pudding….well, even though I'm not a "sweets" guy, I ordered it.

The Red Beans & Rice here is solid, slightly smoky, good amount of sausage this time around…..decently creamy.

I ordered the Gumbo because I really didn't care for it last time. I enjoyed much more this time around; it wasn't quite as greasy this time around and the chicken wasn't reduced to stringy bits, the Gumbo was nice and rice, without the bitter tones I detected last time.

The bread was too dry and crumbly for my taste.

And my coworkers enjoyed the bread pudding!

Overall, I enjoyed the food more this time around and really liked the guy working.

LouZiana Food
7128 Miramar Rd.
San Diego, CA 92121

Covid-19 Takeout – SuperNatural Sandwiches (Miramar)

May 1, 2020 mmm-yoso Sandwiches

**** SuperNatural Sandwiches has closed

Man, it was a hot couple of days, huh? Record high temps, 20 degrees above the norm. It was definitely sandwich weather. I decided to call in and do some takeout from a regular on my "sandwich rotation", SuperNatural Sandwiches.

I arrived a quarter after eleven, it seems that their current hours are from 11am to "between 230 and 330 PM", Monday to Saturday. There were already three people in line waiting for their order.

I was a bit confused about where the walk up window was as the "order here" mark on the ground was tight in front of a closed door and folks waiting just seemed to be hanging out with no social distancing. But all was fine once the nice young lady arrived at the makeshift counter to the right and greeted me. From there, it was a fast process and my order was ready to go.

There was no confusion as to how good this was. And as "FOY" Loren recommended before, the fries are quite good and hold up rather well for an hour or so.

Plump, moist shrimp, the roll held up well.

Delivered as expected. I actually wished they still did their sandwiches as salads during this time, but totally understand the limited menu.

SuperNatural Sandwiches
7094 Miramar Rd. #122
San Diego, CA 92121

Hope everyone is in good health and staying sane during this challenging time!

The Pacific Seafood Mariscos Truck

April 2, 2020 mmm-yoso Food Trucks, Mexican Restaurants, Seafood

I noticed that this Taco Truck is again parked in the lot of V-Outlet, so I thought I'd go ahead and do the post.

A couple of months back, I noticed a Mariscos Truck parked in the lot of V-Outlet.

It's been a while since I recall a Mariscos Truck in the area. So, after a bunch of delays, I managed to make a visit.

It seems to be a nice husband and wife team running this truck. Their young daughter helped mom put the sign and up kept herself amused on the wall in back of the truck.

On this visit, I decided to get one fried and one none fried taco….I really wanted a Gobernador, but didn't see it until after I ordered ("Governor"), so I got a fish taco and a shrimp a la diabla and ate on the hood of my car.

The woman kindly offered me some consommé……

Super hot, though lacking in seafood flavor and too much celery.

The beer battered fish taco was the better of the two.

The tortilla was basic, but decent. The batter on the fish was light and crisp. The fish while not being of the highest quality (what do you expect for two bucks?), was moist and tender. The cabbage was crisp; the tomatoes in the pico….well, wasn't fully ripe, but the textures were nice. not bad.

The Shrimp al la Diabla, wasn't my favorite.

Well, this wasn't very spicy, though those cebollas de habanero had quite a kick and added to the taco. The taco was quite hefty, though there didn't seem to be much shrimp in this and it was fairly greasy and really lacked flavor. The double tortilla was a good idea, but this was just mediocre overall.

Well that fish taco wasn't too bad, so on my next visit a couple of weeks later, I decided to go with something fried (shrimp taco) and the "Governor" (Gobernador). I was again graciously given a cup of the consommé, which tasted the same as on my previous visit.

The Beer Battered Shrimp Taco was probably the best thing I've had from this truck.

There was a good portion of shrimp, like the fish taco, the batter was crisp and fairly light……as before the pico de gallo left something to be desired, but this was pretty good….I'd have it again.

The Gobernador; while not as bad as the Shrimp Diablo left something to be desired.

I did enjoy the avocado, but again there was too much vegetables and "stuff" compared to shrimp, which was overcooked and on the rubbery side. It also was on the greasy side and fairly bland.

Overall, some nice folks, the food is definitely not on par with the Mariscos Trucks in the South Bay. The shrimp taco was decent….I think staying with the fried stuff here might be the way to go.

And yes, I just passed by today and the truck was in the parking lot.

Pacific Seafood Mariscos Truck
In the Parking Lot of V-Outlet
3020 Clairemont Dr
San Diego, CA 92117