Island Style Cafe

I must admit I was in a bit of a rut for a while. I was getting stale; and a bit bored with the places I had sampling. I have a pretty good collection of meals to post about, but could not muster the energy to post about them. But just like that; things would turn around. Starting first with Sab-E-Lee, followed by Wa Dining Okan, I've regained my enthusiasm. Fast forward to about a week ago..... I received an email from FOY "Shawn", who mentioned a new Hawaii kine grindz place that had opened up in Tierrasanta. Having read about my obsession with Loco Mocos, Shawn had taken the time out to send me an email about Island Style Cafe. With nice folks like TanyaS and Shawn keeping an eye out for me, it's almost as if I have my own Loco Moco Patrol out there! And I appreciate the effort. Shawn had even done my research for me: "The restaurant is owned by a husband and wife.  The husband cooks while the wife takes care of the tables.  The husband worked as a chef at the Four Seasons prior to moving here.  The wife worked for Aloha airlines until they went out of business.  They had initially planned on helping their brother/brother-in-law start a restaurant and commuting back and forth from Hawaii.  Well, once Aloha went out of business they said what the heck and moved here to make a go of the restaurant business." After reading that story, I made it a point to check the place out.

The interior of the restaurant is spartan, but very clean. The menu is interesting to say the least; all the regulars are represented; Teri-Beef, Hamburger Steak, Korean Chicken, and Chicken Katsu, are on the menu. What really stands out on the menu are the presence of crepes! Crepes? There are 4 "sweet crepes", and 4 "breakfast crepes" on the menu. This place is really into breakfast, as breakfast items comprise almost half the menu.

The other thing that stands out is Teri, who handles the front of house. She exudes warmth, and has the most sincere, wonderful smile. Once She found out that I'm from Hawaii(they are from Kona), the pidgin starts leaking out...from the both of us.

The Loco Moco-ish item on the menu is called the "Kaloko Moco". Unfortunately, the menu says it's served until 11am, and it's a bit past that when I entered the restaurant. But with Teri; all things are possible, and getting my Kaloko Moco($8.75) is not a problem. This is one pretty original Loco, I'll say that much!

It is very pretty, at least to me. If there is ever anything that I'd want a plastic version of, a la Japanese Plastic Food, it would be this.

This Loco came with the standard equipment, 2 eggs easy over (nice and runny), a hand formed hamburger patty (grilled with great flavor, but dry and tough), and gravy (Ono-licious, tasted like it was made from scratch). In addition, it was upgraded with Fried Rice, which I've had with a Loco Moco before. The fried rice had a generous amount of chopped Spam and Ham, and if a bit on the mushy side, had really good flavor, without being too salty. The item that was really different was the crepe! Yes, all of this cholesterol goodness was placed on top of a savory crepe. I wasn't sure if this would work; but the crepe was studded with chopped Spam and Ham, and even though there was a very mild sweetness, it didn't detract from the overall flavor. In fact, I thought it was a nice combination. And in a nice touch, Teri recognized I was a Kama'aina, and brought the required condiment to my table, a bottle of Tabasco, without a single utterance from yours truly. And though I've really cut down on my Loco Moco consumption, I'll have this again, without doubt.

On another visit, I decided to try out some of the items on the Plate Lunch menu. I went with a "mix plate" of 2 items ($9.75). I chose the Chicken Katsu - Korean Chicken combination.

A bit on the high side price wise, but this was pretty good. The Katsu was chicken breast, and very moist. The cutlet was fried to perfection, the panko crust crisp and light. The Katsu sauce was very "local style", ketchup based and tangy. The Korean Chicken was nicely marinated, and had obviously not been laying in a pan, and reheated. It was moist and tender, I enjoyed the marinade, which had a nice flavor, if a bit on the sweet side. The macaroni salad was spot on with regards to the amount of mayo used. It was also nice and cold, which is exactly the way I like my mac salad. I'm not a big fan of tuna in my mac salad, which is a personal preference, so this version is not my favorite.

As I'm writing this post, I've come to the realization that these folks get it, with regards to the food they serve. It is well made, the little things matter (the temperature of the mac salad), they care about what they serve, and it comes across as not just being "a business". At least that's what I think so far. It helps that Teri is warm and welcoming. The menu has several salads, and I overheard that some of the dressings(Mango Vinaigrette, Papaya Seed) are made in house. Burger are also featured prominently, and I think Dennis will be happy to know that there's Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich on the menu, though I gotta talk to them about the pineapple ring!

Even though the menu lists the hours being 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, I don't think they're open for dinner yet.

You know, 2 out of the 3 of the restaurants that I've enjoyed lately have happened because of recommendations. What would I do without you all!

Island Style Cafe
5950 Santo Road
San Diego, CA 92124

Thanks for the recommendation Shawn, this place is a winna!

Comments

[nhbilly]

I wish there was a really good loco moco joint around the OC area at any rate I need to get some loco moco fixen asap.

[Sandy]

I just noticed this place yesterday, and wondered if you had heard about it. I haven't had a loco moco in awhile, and this version sounds yummy.

[kat]

looks like the "real deal", glad it satisfied :)

[jeff c]

Kirk, just from the pictures alone, I can see the quality they put in to it. Its a bit more upscale in price but I think you get what you pay for. I hope they get a lot of support because I sure hope to try em someday, esp. the loco moco.

[ed (from Yuma)]

That's an amazing looking loco moco. Wow.

[janfrederick]

Wow, this looks like the same strip mall as the fish place Cathy blogged about a while back. There's a small produce market there too. I just might have to stop by.

[Kirk]

Hi Billy - I'm sure Elmo would have some idea....

Hi Sandy - It's a bit different, but in a good way. I was surprised at how the crepe was with the gravy....

Hi Kat - Not your standard issue Loco Moco, but pretty darn good!

Hi Jeffrey - I think these folks will do pretty well.....it really looks like they care about what they do.

Hi Ed - Yes, not your average Loco Moco, that's for sure.

Hi Jan - Yes, that is the strip mall....

[Dennis]

Thanks for the shoutout Kirk! Sounds like an interesting place with lots of neat sounding stuff to try.. Since you liked the loco moco gravy I take that as a really good sign judging by all your past loco moco posts!

[penny]

mMMM...that loco moco looks amazing Kirk-there's an hour to go til lunch and there is no plate lunch place in Walnut Creek within walking distance...or at all, I think. :) I'm drooling.

[cheese cheese]

I've been lusting for that locomoco ever since 10am - that locomoco picture is going on my wallpaper!

It's Korean Food Week starting tomorrow.
http://silkroadproductions.us/koreanfoodweek.html

[Kirk]

Hi Dennis - Yes, this place is pretty good.

Hi Penny - Oh my.....I'd be dying....

Hi CC - Thanks for the info, I'd heard about it, but now I have more info. Good looking Loco Moco, huh?

[Karen]

Funny - I just sat down at my computer, with the menu for this place, so that I can email you about the loco moco on a crepe! Geez, you're fast!

I live in Tierrasanta and I'm thrilled that we now have a island-style restaurant. Between them and Bud's I'm pretty happy! Hmmm, I'll have to search your blog to see how many Tierrasanta places you've been to. ;-)

[Kirk]

Hi Karen - First off, thanks for thinking of us! I appreciate it. Off the top of my head, other than Bud's, we've done Rickshaw corner, and Cathy's done Fish Bucket....any other rec's are always appreciated.

[Rachel]

Hi kirk! so glad you found a good eating spot. I love great recommendations :) That loco moco sounds wonderful! I have yet to even try a standard loco moco let alone one with a twist like this one. It sounds really yum! Looking forward to seeing what else this place can churn out.

[Kirk]

Hi Rachel - Welcome back, we haven't heard fom you in a while! It will be nice to see what else is in store......

[Carol]

Hey Kirk, I have got to stop reading the posts so early in the morning. That is a beautiful loco moco. I love it when they come with fried rice. I'll have to stop by for lunch. Thanks for the review!

[Kirk]

Hey Carol - I think you'll like this place......

[PedMa]

Nice, looks good. Also, if you are looking for a new pizza place, try the Sicilian Thing....nice crust, the real deal. If you order the whole pie, plan on 4 days worth of leftovers but its worth it. Best Sicilian in San Diego.

[Kirk]

Hi PedMa - Thanks for the rec!

[alexander]

Passed by it a couple of times over the year. The write-up and pictures make for a visit. Thanks for the FYI....

[tina marie]

That Loco Moco made me drool a bit. I'm embarrassed to admit that. haha I'm definitely going to have to take a trip there with the Mister and wee one next time I'm in San Diego. Thanks for giving me faith that a good Loco still exists.

[Kirk]

Hi Alexander - the prices are on the high side; but the food is pretty good.

Hi Tina Marie - That loco moco was good....and the crepe on the bottom was a nice surprise.

[Samantha Godfredson]

Eww, no. I recommend not eating here. The food was nothing special and was too expensive for such a cheap taste. I plan on not returning, ever.

[Kirk]

Hi Samantha - I did think the prices for some of the entrees was high...but cheap taste? I dunno what qualifies as "cheap taste"....maybe men wearing capri pants? Wait, that's bad taste...and truly deserving of an ewww.... Perhaps you have some recommendation for local kine grindz???

[the office goat]

I just went here last week, for the first time ever, and brought food home to split with the wife and kids. It was great! I don't feel so bad now about not having Mo's/Da Kitchen/Da Kine's around anymore. It's not super close to the Mira Mesa area, but it's not a bad drive.

I loved the mac salad (so did my kids), the included fish was a welcome addition for us. At many plate lunch places (like the old Island Boy and Da Kines) I'd skip the mac salad for another scoop of rice, but not with this.

Got the fried rice locomoco with eggs over medium, clean forgot about the huge pancake until I opened the box at home. I'm a pancake slut so this dish was like a dream come true. Perfect for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner.

You know when you go to a restaurant for the first time and have something so great that you end up ordering it every time you go? I have a feeling my relationship with their loco moco is going to be like that.

Also got a mixed kalbi/bulgogi/teri chicken plate, another teri chicken plate and a kalua pork plate. One green salad with the mango dressing which was nice and worth eating -- definitely not just an afterthought item in the box alongside the rice and main dish.

The kalua pork had big slices of cabbage leaf (though not too many of them), not just wisps. We had so much food that there were kalua pig leftovers which made great fried rice the next day, and the robust cabbage bits held up to reheating and were tasty on day two as well.

The folks running the place were very nice, too. I'd be happy to take my parents or my kids there. Not like the old Island Boy where you could listen to the owner yell at the staff 3' from your table. We didn't eat there too many times after that...