Lucky Seafood Supermarket/Express Deli

Lucky Seafood Supermarket is the very popular Vietnamese Supermarket on Mira Mesa Boulevard.

Once you enter the Market, even though Lucky Seafood is clean and the aroma is kind of kept to a minimum, there is no way you'd confuse Lucky Seafood with the now defunct Lucky Supermarket chain! Maybe the produce department from this view looks just like any other.

But once you look a little closer.....well I don't think you'd find Ngo Gai(sawleaf herb) in one of those Supermarkets.

As with many of these Supermarkets, there is a good variety of produce, from plantains:

To purple sweet potatoes:

Though the interior of these sweet potatoes reminded me of "Okinawan Sweet Potatoes" back home in Hawaii, they were much larger in size, and not as "sweet".

As with World Foods, or Vien Dong III Supermarket, the meat and seafood section occupies the entire rear section of the market.

Today, there was a small crowd gathered around the fish tanks, for the free show called; The Fishmonger versus the Carp. It seemed that the Carp had the upper hand at times, but eventually the Fishmonger prevailed.

After watching all of the splashing, you'll know that the warning sign is for! As I turned to look at the various relatively fresh fish, I noticed some really nice looking "Uhu", also known as Parrotfish, which I really haven't seen in a while.

All of the usual suspects were in view; from the wall of fish sauce:

And the aisle of noodles:

Now what was I doing wandering around Lucky Seafood? Well, it's because of this:

Express Deli, is the not so little Take-out operation located in Lucky Seafood. And with everything from Spring Rolls, to Salt and Pepper Shrimp, to Fried Fish, to Stewed Pig's feet, there was quite a nice variety of Vietnamese and Chinese-style food available. You can purchase items ala carte or get a 2 item combination plate(with starch) for $3.89, or a 3 item combination for $4.89.  But today I opted for the Banh Mi which Express Deli also makes.

I ordered the Banh Mi Thit Ngoui($2.25) and a BBQ Pork Banh Mi ($2.25). The Thit Ngoui, basically a lean pork sausage and "head" sausage sandwich:

I saw them place the sandwich in a toaster, and that created a nice crisp crust, though the bread was kind of soggy and gummy. There was a nice smear of pate', just enough for a nice balanced flavor.  There was also a good amount of "pickles", in fact, just about the most pickled veggies I've had. Two slices of Jalapeno added some nice heat; though I'd have enjoyed a single thin long cut so the heat would be spread through every bite, much like the cucumber spear. The cilantro had stems which were tough, and you couldn't help but pull out all the cilantro when you bit into the sandwich. The sandwich was a bit skimpy on the meat for my taste, the slices were almost paper thin. Still, not bad for $2.25.

The BBQ Pork sandwich was basically more of the same:

This 8 inch sandwich did have a good amount of soy-fish sauce-sugar flavored pork, though there were several really tough pieces of inedible fat in the sandwich. Still, a decent Banh Mi, and it's really hard to complain for a sandwich that costs two-bucks-and-a-quarter!

The Young Lady who manned the cash register, as well as the one who assembled my sandwich were very nice, smiling, and both apologizing for having to wait for a sandwich.

So, you can get some good looking deli food, shop in a clean "environment"(if that kind of stuff bothers you), and wait; it's not over yet! Check out this sign and you'll know what's coming up next:

Lucky Seafood Supermarket
9326 Mira Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92126

As I ate my Banh Mi, I couldn't help but laugh. I'd mentioned Lucky Seafood to someone, who wrinkled Her nose, and said: "that place is so gross, they even have live fish that they catch and clean and chop up, and all of that kind of stuff in that place." She had entered the place thinking that this was one of the other "Lucky's" Supermarket. I was going to ask her if she knew that fish didn't live in the wild in filet form, or in cans.....but I held my tongue! Imagine a beautiful school of salmon filets.........

Comments

[Kirk]

Hi Joseph E - I haven't seen sichuan peppercorn in San Diego in ages. You will find them at:

T & K Food Warehouse
9681 Bolsa Ave
Westminster, CA

Might be worth a trip to Westminster - it's a very cool "Food Warehouse" - you might grab some good Pho' or Banh Mi while you're there are well!

[Diana]

I'm looking for the following items:

galgangal (fresh)
kaffir lime leaves
fish sauce

Does this store carry these items?

[Kirk]

Hi Diana - Lucky Seafood will usually have galangal, and of course fish sauce, but I've seen Kaffir Lime leaves only on occasion. Let me recommend:

United Oriental Food Market
5349 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92115-4730
(619) 582-8999

For what you're looking for.

[irena]

Hi All! I was wondering if anyone knows what is the name for the noodles with napa cabbage they serve at the Lucky's Express Deli? Or recipe may be?
Thanks

[Kirk]

Hi Irena - I hope someone is able to help you out...never having anything but Banh Mi here, I'm not much of a help.

[Sandy]

Actually, Lucky Seafood is located in what used to be a Long's Drugs (which moved across the street when the Mira Mesa Marketplace opened). Pic N Save become Big Lots but didn't change locations.

Lisa is correct that Lucky Seafood was the old 79 Supermarket on the Mira Mesa Blvd on the east side of I-15, which has since been demolished. And 79 Supermarket used to be a Big Bear Supermarket.

It's funny - I would never have thought to confuse Lucky Seafood with the old Luckys Supermarket stores!

[Kirk]

Hi Sandy - Isn't that funny? A few people I know thought it was "Luckys".......

[Judy]

I'm so happy to have found this site. After 10 years travelling in Eastern Asia, there are many things I long for. You've already answered many of my unanswered questions. However not the big one. Ranch 99 used to carry Laksa soup mix ( my all-time favorite), but not for the last year. I'll try Lucky Seafood. Any other suggestions? I have made it from scratch but to do it well, its very time consuming. Any place serving Laksa in SD? Its Indonesian and Malaysian. Otherwise I guess I have to order it online. Thanks, Judy

[Kirk]

Hi Judy - You may also want to give United Oriental Food Market a try - they stock a nice variety of items. Mostly Lao or Thia specialties, though.

United Oriental Food Market
5349 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92115

Also on the same street is World Foods.

World Foods Supermarket
5245 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92115

I'll keep me eye open.