mmm-yoso!!!

Home Sweet Home Cafe (Escondido)

This is a food blog named mmm-yoso!!! Kirk usually writes here, but is busy navigating various forms of transportation in Europe while vacationing.  Cathy is writing a short post today.

I've often said that everyone has two 'go-to' places to eat a quick meal; one near home and one near work.  Usually those places involve fast food or chains but sometimes the 'near work' choices are even more limited to food trucks or an obscure, long time hole-in-the-wall eatery on a side street in a commercial area of town. After driving through the Escondido "Mile of Cars", continuing North into the area with all the various businesses located in large industrial buildings (even some repurposed quonset huts), there it is. The name and ownership changed in 2010 but it's been a breakfast-lunch restaurant for more than 20 years.  
There's a 12 seat counter area and two rooms of tables. None of the coffee cups match, there are quirky signs (as well as anything with "Home Sweet Home" imprinted), the tables have advertising for neighboring businesses embedded in the tops (tables were made by a neighboring business).  There is some holiday decor.  I think we interacted with each of the friendly waitresses (who greet 'regulars' by their first name).  A calm, familiar, cozy place.
 The Mister tried the "Devon" Benedict ($11.50)- corned beef hash topped with poached eggs topped with Hollandaise sauce, all on top of a toasted English muffin.  He chose home fries on the side.  Not fancy, but very good.  The hash was plentiful, probably from a can (the diced potatoes were a bit too perfect), the Hollandaise was house made, but didn't have lemon in it (I notice stuff like that).  The potatoes were fried to a crisp edge with creaminess in the center, along with the bell peppers and onions.
 I decided to try the 'French Toast Special' ($11) with three halves of French toast. Ignore the color; it is not burned.  I was asked if I wanted cinnamon on my toast and I asked for it to be on two of the three halves.  The bread was eggy and soft on the inside with the exterior just the right amount of light crisp.  The over-easy eggs were perfectly runny and I had a choice of bacon or sausage links or a sausage patty...oh yes, an excellent sausage patty. 

A great find. Breakfast and lunch are served all day.

Home Sweet Home Cafe 662 Enterprise Street Escondido, CA 92029 (760) 743-2233 Open Mon-Fri 5 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat 5 a.m.-1 p.m., Sun 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

Pappalecco

Welcome back to the food blog, mmm-yoso!!! Kirk and His Missus are somewhere in Europe, dealing with some transportation issues. Cathy does eat and takes photos, so enjoy her post today. 

13 years ago, the first location of Pappalecco opened in the Little Italy area of town, eventually expanding to three other locations and then one location closed, so at present, there are three locations total.  Each of the Tuscan influenced restaurant locations offer coffees, panini, croissant, salads, pizza, baked desserts and gelato-as well as breakfast on weekends.   We were on Adams Avenue at 42nd and decided to drop into this neighborhood location.  

 Walk in, order and pay.  There is a menu above the cash register as well as some printed menus. Your food will be brought to you. There are quite a few tables and seating areas, inside and out front.  
 We decided to try a Margherita pizza ($10.75).  The wood fired oven bakes an excellent (thin!) crust with a good chew.  The (imported) San Marzano tomatoes are unadorned and have a perfect, fresh picked tomato flavor.  The Fior Di Latte Mozzarella, Parmesan, fresh basil and olive oil make all the flavors of each ingredient stand out.  Really a perfect pie. 
We added a side salad (for one) ($5.99).  Mixed perfectly, each item (mixed greens, onion and cherry tomatoes), coated lightly with a garlic-y Caesar dressing, making each bite of the (quite large/easily shared) salad uniform and not in need of any condiments. (Lime Vinaigrette and Olive Oil & Balsamic are also choices).
 When you walk in, just to the right is the gelato display.  We had  to try 'something'.  
 So, we ended up with three flavors ($5.75).  On the bottom in the center, you can slightly see the Strawberry Balsamic-such a delightful flavor blend.  The scoop on the left is a wonderful, nutty pistachio.  The serving on the right in the above photo is "Thanksgiving" and has pumpkin, ginger, cinnamon and glazed pecans...what a perfect bit of every Thanksgiving dessert available!

We will be back to try more of the menu.

Pappalecco 4202 Adams Ave. San Diego 92116 (619)255-4770 Open Mon-Thurs 7-9, Fri 7-9:30, Sat 7:30-9:30, Sun 7:30-9 Website

K Sandwiches (again)

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog. Kirk and His Missus are having an adventure in travel right now and Cathy is writing today's post.  

Kirk's second post about K Sandwiches, written in 2005, was complimentary about the (newly opened) banh mi joint.  K sandwiches thrived for a bit more than ten years. 

 There was a fire in August 2015, requiring a major rebuild.  The eatery finally reopened in January 2018. Lines were long. The menu was refined.  It is still a sandwich place with banh mi, French bread loaves, croissants and various sweets baked daily.

K Sandwiches is a 'regular' stop for The Mister or myself when out and about and eating alone as well as a place for sharing items when we are together.  The food items to be found here are various.
 Bahn mi sandwiches are always made to order. This is the #6, meatball ($4.75), which is quite good combined with the 'usual' banh mi toppings of pickled carrots and radishes along with cilantro and jalapeño slices and some mayonnaise.  The corse ground meat is very 'meatloaf' in style and flavor.  
Fresh made spring rolls, in a variety of meat choices ($3.49), are always a good choice. These shrimp and pork rolls were filled with lettuces, herbs, cucumber, carrot and sprouts.  

Pretty much every beverage we choose here is a black coffee, add half and half ($2.75).

The 'sweet croissant' ($1.65) was a new-to-me item from the grab-it-yourself baked goods area.  Soft yet flaky and still warm; satisfying. 

 The Honey Mayo Shrimp Croissant ($8.25) is the highest priced sandwich on the menu. Worth it. Lightly covered in rice flour then fried, the shrimp still have a slight crunch even with the mayonnaise coating.  Simply served on shredded lettuce along with a fresh made croissant, this is a wonderfully decadent meal.
The Mister has been ordering the Chicken Curry ($7) since 2007, when he saw someone enjoying it at another table.  You can get it with a banh mi or rice; the banh mi seems to be easier to work with, with all the sauce.  There were three chicken legs in this bowl, along with the onions and potatoes.  Such a great curry flavor! 
 Not much is inedible. That is a very deep bowl. Sometimes a simple #9, grilled pork banh mi ($4.75) is my craving.  Always fresh and tasty.  I think the warm, grilled-to-order, flavorful pork is part of the comfort.
  There are a few small menus taped to various display racks in the small store.  The Mister saw a "Rice or Noodle Combo, choose two items $7.25". He chose noodles (rice noodles served warm) and his items were grilled beef and pork cha (steamed egg minced pork meatloaf). There are lettuces, cucumber, pickled sprouts and carrots along with the jalapeño.  The dressing is topped with peanuts.  Combine all these flavors and you have Bun Cha, one of my favorite meals at every Vietnamese restaurant. 

K Sandwiches 7604 Linda Vista Rd San Diego, CA 92111 Website Open Mon-Sat 6-9, Sun 8-8

Crafted Greens (El Cajon)

Here we are, back at mmm-yoso!!!, a blog about food.  Cathy is writing today while Kirk and His Missus are enjoying sights and meals elsewhere.

For about a year, this former Starbucks location has operated in the strip mall which includes Junction Steakhouse and Harvest Ranch Market. Finally, The Mister and I dropped in.  We should have tried it sooner.  

 The menu is above as you walk to the cash register to pay.  
 You can see the fresh ingredients and side dishes for the day.  Once you pay, you get a number, find a seat and everything is brought out to you.   
 There are two scratch-made soups available, always the tomato-basil ($3.45) and a rotating flavor.  The tomato-basil has a fresh tomato and basil flavors (I know, I need a thesaurus) with a rich, creamy texture and the size of the bowl is good.  Easily can be considered a light meal.
 The flatbreads (there are five to choose from) are all priced the same ($7.95). Margherita was my choice on this Friday (I know, kind of redundant with the tomato soup, but it was a first visit and I wanted to try the 'basics').  A nice, crispy (not overly fluffy/chewy) bread with a good olive oil flavor topped with the Mozzarella, tomatoes and basil.  This is, also, a large portion and enough to be a light meal.  
 The Nicoise Salad ($9.95, add a protein $3(ahi tuna)) was wonderful!  Romaine, Mesclun, green beans, egg, tomatoes, fingerling potatoes, capers, olives, dijon balsamic vinaigrette...all very crisp/fresh/bright in flavors.   The medium rare Ahi tuna was seared with a Cajun seasoning, which was just enough to not need any of the other condiments offered.  

If you order a beverage, you get it yourself the first time (the machine is next to the cash register), but someone is always checking on how your meal is going and will refill your beverage (even water) from the soda machine.

We will be returning to try more of the menu very soon. 

Crafted Greens 745 Jamacha Road El Cajon, CA 92019 (619) 328-4044 Website Open Mon-Sat 11-8:30 Sun 11-8

 

Sichuan City (Mira Mesa)

mmm-yoso!!! welcomes you back after the long Thanksgiving weekend.  Kirk and His Missus are still enjoying their country hopping vacation and Cathy is holding down the fort here in San Diego.

In the first San Diego H-Mart location, the north end of the parking lot has been home to three restaurants; one has changed names a few times recently.  It had been Golden State Seafood (where Faye used to go with family) for more than 20 years and then in early 2018 the owners sold and it changed to Spicy Hut, which abruptly changed the name in May of 2018 to Sichuan City (it's the same owner).
 

 As with all Szechuan restaurants, there's an area of Cold Dishes to choose from, located in the dining area.  A plate is $7 with up to three choices.   
On this visit, we chose only two- the smoked chicken and smacked cucumbers. We munched on the flavorful smoked chicken and tried a few cucumbers while waiting for our order.  The garlic-y crisp cucumbers were saved to accompany the meal.  
 On another visit, we shared an onion pancake ($3.99) with our meal.  Wonderfully layered and light crispiness complimented that meal and the onion flavor was not overpowering.   Juicy Dumplings ($8.99) were fresh made and did have a thin skin, with only one losing it's soup filling when I accidentally tore it when lifting from the papered steam basket.  The soup filling itself was flavorful and the pork filling was meaty; a good sized bite.   The single cooked noodle soup (rice noodle) ($7.99) was a good choice one chilly day.  Ground pork, pickled vegetables, fresh cilantro and green onion along with a rich flavorful broth rounded out the bowl, complimented by the round and thick chewy noodles.  
 The fish filet in garlic brown sauce ($12.99) included tofu and mushrooms as well as carrot and onion.  A filling plate of garlic goodness.  We did order a side of rice ($1.50) to go with this (well, to go with the sauce) and the plate was a meal in itself.
 Shredded pork with pickled vegetable ($10.99) was not quite what we expected, but it was good. (I had expected pickled vegetables like those on top of the noodle soup, above). The pork, by itself...I could taste the flavors, including ginger, and it was a good stir fry of pork. Those fresh chilis...good (and sweet/spicy) on their own, but when combined with a bite of pork, overwhelmed all other flavors.  Not really a complaint (the menu did show two chilis indicating heat) but the fresh chilis were a surprise.  We did take home leftovers and separated the chilis from the pork and the heat level was just right for a second meal.

We will be back to try more of the menu Faye's post includes photos of the whole menu, linked here

Sichuan City 9460 E8 Mira Mesa Blvd San Diego 92126 (in the HMart parking lot). (858) 578-8818 Mon-Fri 11-3, 5-9:30 Sat-Sun 11-9:30

Where in the world are we part 2

So, we’ve had a bit of a whirlwind couple of days. 

From our arrival to a vibrant seaside city.

With some amazing sunsets......

And food, both traditional.....

To modern.....

To visiting an ancient fortification on a plateau that I had read about in elementary school.

And then visiting the lowest land based elevation in the world. That afternoon had us crossing the border into another country to see amazing sights.

And then visiting what was my favorite locale the next day. An area where the subject of one of my mother’s favorite movies of all time was based.

I’ve been using the word “amazing” way to much, I know.

After some crazy flight delays and such, we’re now at our next stop. Where we’ve met some of the nicest and have had encounters with some of the rudest, self-righteous, folks we’ve come across in our travels. But, this is a complicated and confusing part of the world. So we’ll focus on the positive. The history here is breathtaking, the bread, in all forms the best we’ve encountered.

And it’s dinner time, so I’m signing off.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

It is finally THE day.

Maybe you are busy preparing your home and a meal to welcome family and/or friends or are just preparing a side dish to take along to a feast elsewhere or maybe you are busy getting ready to go to work or just relaxing at home alone.  This last Thursday of the month is a day to reflect, give thanks and the 'official' beginning of a busy holiday season. 

While Kirk is off in foreign lands, enjoying wonderful meals with His Missus, Cathy and The Mister have already prepared two complete turkey-centric Thanksgiving meals since October and also aren't going to have a 'traditional' meal today.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at mmm-yoso!!!

 

Eat A Pita (El Cajon)

The writer of mmm-yoso!!! today is Cathy, because Kirk (and His Missus) are on vacation, gathering photos and memories of lovely meals.  

In August, a new restaurant opened in the Vons-anchored mall on Avocado at Chase in El Cajon.  The Mister and I found ourselves at Eat A Pita a few weeks ago and decided to drop in for lunch.  

 
Walk in, order, pay, get your own beverage, find a seat. Food is brought to you. The interior is spacious, with many seating areas.
 A cup of lentil soup ($3.50) was an automatic choice.  The flavor with herbs and spices and the well cooked lentils, was fresh and just a wonderful soup. 
 On another visit, I tried a cup of the lemon rice soup, which was even nicer, with the fresh lemon 'zip'.  Each bowl included a fresh, warm pita half, which went well with each soup.
 A side order of falafel with tzatziki ($3.99) was also an automatic order for me, and another great choice.  Lightly crisp exterior and fluffy, herby interior of mashed garbanzos along with the house made yogurt-cucumber dip, was just a perfect addition to one of the meals.  
 The Mezza Trio ($6.99).  I chose the classic hummus, tabouleh and baba ghanoush.  This was a nice way to try a few items on the menu without ordering full sizes. Each item was definitely fresh made and bright with flavor.  The classic hummus was very fresh; the Greek olive oil is unique and the tahini with its sesame stood on its own, with the garlic not being overpowering. The olive oil and lemon dressing on the tabbouleh made the parsley, tomatoes and finely chopped cucumber flavors jump while the crunch from the cracked wheat bits rounded out the texture.  The ghanoush had a great smoky flavor, great tahini/sesame flavor and smooth texture.  I was eating it with a spoon and not using the accompanying pita bread. 
The Mediterranean salad ($6.25-make it a large, add $2.54=$8.79), add on gyros ($2.50) made a large, satisfying meal (the bowl is deep).  The salad has chickpeas, olives, cucumber and a large topping of tabbouleh along with crispy pita chips.  The addition of gyros filled out the bowl.  Everything, again, was so very fresh.   
 We were here on a Saturday, when the Pita of the Day was  Chicken Souvlaki ($6) (you can see the daily pitas above and in front of the menu which is on the wall in the second photo above).  Moist, flavorful nicely grilled chicken pieces; a great souvlaki. It was topped with a mild tahini.  We did ask for a sample of the garlic sauce,
 which was also complimentary to the flavors, but I think unnecessary overall.

We'll be stopping here to try more of the menu.

Eat a Pita 1255 Avocado Avenue (at Chase)(SE corner) El Cajon 92020 (619)447-1500 Website Mon-Tue-Wed-Fri-Sat 11-10, Thursday 11-6, Sunday 11-11