Tita's Kitchenette

I know my friends from "back home" will get a kick from the name of this Restaurant. Located on bustling Plaza Boulevard, I dare say that Tita's is a scoop of macaroni salad short of being the best plate lunch in San Diego.

In reality, Tita's is a "turo-turo"("point-point") style restaurant; that is, most items are on a hot table and you "point" out what you want. In my opinion Tita's is the finest example of his style of restaurant in San Diego. And the crowds and insanity around lunch time reflect this. In fact most of the "Local Bruddah's", all know about this place, word gets around! In order to  avoid the craziness, I'll usually plan a visit around 10 am on a weekend.

Even at that hour, the service is terse and tense. Where a place like Sammy's, is where everybody knows your name; at Tita's nobody wants to know your name. They just want you to pick your food, pay, and get out of Dodge...Next!!!! So today I'm asking, "Pansit Palabok?" Negative nod of the head. "Hamonado?" "No." Oh-oh two strikes! The little Filipino Lady behind the counter starts smacking her Metal Spoon into her hand; SMACK, SMACK, positively sending chills up and down my spine. I'm absolutely terrified of this barely five foot Female; I can feel a bead of sweat building on my temple. SMACK-SMACK. "Okay, Pork Adobo, Kaldereta, and two Chicken Barbeque." The Little Lady scoops up a huge spoonful of Kaldereta; "Dis Goat, you sure you want?" A reply is somehow stuck somewhere in my throat, I just give a positive nod. Everything is passed to the cashier, I pay, and walk quickly out of Tita's, as if flames are licking at my butt. So why do I put up with this pressure?

What you see costs $4.99, and it's enough for at least two meals. It's also good enough for me to put up with 5 minutes of intense pressure! The adobo is moist, sour, sweet, salty, with a nice touch of pepper. This is my favorite restaurant adobo. There's also a nice amount of oil and fat, in this case, very delici-yoso!!! The Kaldereta is nicely gamey, tart, spicy, sweet, and salty. Reggie on his site, KauKau Time has a nice description and recipe for Kaldereta. If this was actually goat is debatable, but it sure is good eats!

The reason I get there at ten is that I'll be assured of having Barbeque at that point. Go earlier and the barbecue may not be ready.

  The barbecue is priced at $2.09 a piece and consists of large pieces of marinated chicken or pork. One skewer with rice is enough for a small meal. I enjoy the chicken more than the pork which can be dry at times. The grilled chicken has a nice flavor, slightly smokey, and full of nice, possibly carcinogenic charred bits. There's a very light touch of chili pepper - delici-yoso!

The service at Tita's is not rude, but definitely not friendly. You're almost expected to know what you want by the time it's your turn in line. For some reason, having to make such a snap decision places such heavy pressure upon me. I really can't explain it!

Tita's Kitchenette
2720 East Plaza Boulevard
National City, CA 91950
(619) 472-5801

Did you say Adobo??????

Comments

[crazysalad]

Wow, Kirk, I'm impressed with your food blogging output. Every day there's a new entry to look forward to!

Great entry today. Besides your usual thorough descriptions of the food and the helpful photos, you really give a good sense of what it feels like to be there. I often feel this kind of nervousness when I go to a new place or one where I am not familiar with the food or menu.

I thought I knew San Diego, but you've introduced me to so many new eateries here in town. Thanks!

[alan]

You've made me hungry for some good adobo, but frankly, I'd be kinda scared to brave Tita's for it. And yes, I chuckled at the name :)

[Kirk]

Hi Crazysalad - Thank you for the compliment. I try to post at least 4-5 times a week, if possible. Yes, the fear of the unknown is pretty strong, though I've been to Tita's many times, it still surfaces, they really expect me to know what I'm going to order.

Hi Alan - Ya know, when I first heard the name of this place I went "What!!!???" I thought it was a joke - but they make tasty food and the portions are huge - I once weighed a plate in a 3lbs. I really like the pork adobo here, much better than the chicken.

[thess]

here in Holland we have a saying: 'ferocious being come from a small package', i guess this is true when they're barely 5ft tall :D

i wish we also have a point-point here that serves nice adobo

the doggy is cute!! ^_^

[elmomonster]

I agree with Crazysalad, I am amazed at your output of posts...and they're always fun to read, never boring. You truly are doing a service to all of us who visit S.D. often but with no idea where to eat.

Tita's looks like my kind of place! No nonsense, but with good grub!

[clare eats]

Cute Puppy!

Wow
that sure can be hard.... the pressure can make yo ask for things you don't want too .... at least the food is fabulicious

[Kirk]

Hi Thess - Thanks for commenting. No good "point-point" in Holland, eh? But by the looks of your cooking you don't need one! :o) That little brat is Frankie, one of my "Boyz". And yes, some of these Ladies are "little but mighty!"

Hi Elmo - Thanks for the kind words. I was just thinking that this might be right up your alley. As you can tell, I like to eat! BTW, if you do stop at Tita's and decide to eat an entire lunch, I hope you have a place for a nice nap!

Hi Clare - Actually all the things I (tried to) order are stuff I like to eat! But the pressure can get to you! Frankie thanks you...even though he doesn't wear short-shorts !!!! LOL!

[clare eats]

so he's not a purple people eater then?

[Kirk]

Hi Clare - Let me just refrain from all those tempting rude comments that are floating thru my mind.....LOL!

[Pam]

Ohhhh, so that's what "Point Point" means. My friend took me to this one Filipino place up here in LA called the Point Point Joint. I thought it was the funniest sounding name, though because I'm Chinese and she's Korean, none of us knew what it meant! Learn something new everyday!

[Kirk]

Hi Pam - Yes and I'm Japanese, imagine the con-fusion!! Though two of my friends back home are Filipino, and I've eaten alot of these dishes with them, it's our Admin Assistant who figures out what I'm asking about and gives me the proper "language".

[clare eats]

You know the SONG!

He's a one eyed one horned flying purple people eater
Pigeon toed undergrowed flying purple people eater
He wears short shorts
friendly little people eater
shore looks strange to me!

:P :P

[clare eats]

oh yeah....
put that in your magic mic and sing it HA!

[Kirk]

Hi Clare - Well he came down to earth and lit in a tree
I said Mr. Purple People Eater don't eat me
I heard him say in a voice so gruff
I wouldn't eat you cuz you're so tough

I remember bits and pieces and the microphone overloaded! My gosh, this is even before my time!

[Beth]

Kirk - I loved your description of this eccentric place. It reminded me of the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld! :)

[clare eats]

LOL!
We had these song books of old songs when I was a kid... in primary school... the only 2 I remember are bits of that one and bits of yellow subamarine :P

I can't believe it was actually in the magic mic!

[Kirk]

Hi Beth - They didn't make me go to the back of the line or anything - but it was a pressure filled five minutes.

Hi Clare - Sorry to give you the wrong impression, wasn't on the magic mic, but I specifically remembered that verse...

[clare eats]

lol :) oh well you can only hope ;)

[Kirk]

Hi Clare - I just checked the listing of all songs on all song chips and no Purple People Eater, tho they do have kookabura :-)

[Jack]

Too bad I have a lunch appt today or it would be a trip down south for some filipino food. A number of years ago when I was in college my mom had a small restaurant in National City. Like a poor, starving student, I would travel down the freeway often and make myself a huge plate of pancit palabok. It was an awesome sauce made from fresh shrimp/shells/heads. I guess I will have to have some tomorrow.

I also have to commend you on your blog productivity. It's great checking out new posts every few days.