Greek Style Chicken-mmm!

mmm-yoso is NOT on vacation. Cathy is merely blogging about food while Kirk has a day off.  You tuned in to see what was new, didn't you? Here it is.

Hi, again. 

So, say you are driving north on Highway 67...hmmm, most likely the reason would be to go see Autumn colors in Julian, or perhaps you are really going to a casino. Whatever your reason, on the south end of 67, close to Interstate 8, you see this sign at that first exit, Bradley.

I know you've asked yourself.."Self, I wonder if that place is any good?..." and you kept driving.  You really should stop.

This used to be the Fosters Freeze next to the DMV (hey, if you live in East County, you've been to the DMV), so it still has the drive though lane (yes, if people can drive through Starbucks for a beverage, they could also drive though for soft serve ice cream).

This place took over the Fosters Freeze about four years ago now and makes the best flavored Greek Style foods, served in great sized portions in the East county.

You order, pay at the front counter, sit down, wait for your number to be called and pick it up to take back to your table.  You don't have to buss your table at the end.

This is the gyros sandwich ($4.25) and I bought a small side of zucchini sticks ($1.75)...yes, that is the "small" order.  The zucchini is cut like french fries then breaded with cornmeal and fried.  You can see some of the zucchini skin in the photo and the cut is just thick enough you do taste the vegetable. The gyros is tender, well seasoned, served an a remarkable fresh textured/tasting bread with tomatoes, onions and the tzatziki sauce is on the side, also very fresh made with cucumber.   The zucchini is breaded with a *very* light crust that has a light herb seasoning to it and is served with a quite large container of ranch dressing.  I cannot convey enough the breading is light and crispy. 

This is the  #6 Combination: 1/4 of a chicken, with  a beef kabob and a side of onion rings as well as a quartered pita bread. ($8.55)

The chicken is so nicely marinated with Greek herbs and lemon.  It is cooked so the skin is wonderfully crispy and the meat also has the flavor of the lemon and herbs.  The kabob is placed on the skewer interspersed with thin sliced onions and is marinated before cooking just enough for the meat to cook but remain very juicy.  Oh those onion rings... fresh made, thick sliced with that light crispy slightly seasoned crust.  Delightful!

The Greek chicken salad is always a favorite($7.45).It is really the Greek salad-with onions, cucumbers, feta and topped with warm, herb infused chicken meat..a *lot* of chicken..I swear, this bowl weighs close to a pound.  Yes, this is the small side of onion rings, again...($1.75)..fresh made, lightly corn meal breaded and wonderfully not greasy.

This is the fish and chips plate ($6.25) with the zucchini fries substituted for the "chips" part (no extra charge)(ALL of that stuff under the 3 pieces of fish is zucchini; I think that is what the "large" side order consists of, but I have never been that hungry to order it) ..and a banana shake: vanilla soft serve blended with a fresh banana ($2.25).  The fish is cod, but it isn't the preformed, frozen with batter on it stuff; its made for you, with a very light egg and herb infused batter...very nice..and also served with garlic bread.

Next time you are on Highway 67, take that exit and stop in.  The portions are huge and the food is quality.

Greek Style Chicken 1468 Graves Avenue (at Bradley) El Cajon, CA 92021 (619) 401-0700

11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 7 days

Comments

[nhbilly]

Hey Cathy!

That looks very very very YUMMY! You guys suck! Why do I keep torturing myself every morning reading this stuff and to make it worst it's all in San Diego!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhHHhhH! ;-)

Thanks again for torturing me...

[cathy]

Oh, like I woke you up, turned on your computer, clicked onto this site and sent you here....

Did you know the weather reports here show rain mesured in 1/100ths of an inch?...and that the Mister and I BBQ our Christmas meal? ....

[RONW]

"fish and chips" with zuchini fries sounds marvelous. you flinging around pots and pans today? whoops.

[cathy]

Hey, Ron...Hi. I was just being a little silly...If nhbilly is jealous of the food here...well, there are plenty of other things to envy also...

The zucchini fries are wonderful at this place, I must admit...

[Ted]

Wow... that chicken does look really good, as do those onion rings. I also liked how you said "greek style" because chances are it's not authentical Greek food. Growing up in a Greek-American household, i'm kinda strict on what "Greek" food is. Out of curiosity, did the tzatziki have dill in it?

[nhbilly]

hehehe, Just want to thank you guys for keeping me entertain in the morning and starving by noon
;-)

[cathy]

Hi again, Ted...I learned from you about 'style' versus 'authetic' Greek...and the tzatziki was more homemade, fresh tasting, no dill.

Yesm I could make a meal of the onion rings...the real thing, fresh.

Good mornin nhbilly- plan you lunch now...

[Bill Close]

Sorry, Cathy, but that fried food fest looks...gross. I haven't been overly impressed with any of the places you visited while Kirk was gone, they just don't seem to be anything special, just really pedestrian looking stuff. This isn't any personal attack on you, you eat what you like, but I wouldn't eat at 90% of the places you wrote about.

[cathy]

Hi, Bill- Well the onion rings and zucchini are just sides, the main stuff from this place is pretty healthily prepared..and none of it is overly greasy.

We all have our preferences, and I do go to a lot (most) of the same places Kirk does, and I don't want to repeat...that would be kind of boring.

This is a blog of what Kirk and I eat, mostly from the San Diego area... and I am just showing a variety of what we (the non-Asian, Polish girl from Detroit who married the Finnish boy) eat.

I am glad you look, though. If you have anyplace you think is interesting, let me know...I am not afraid of eating or trying anything....

[Didi]

Oh, I've been to this place.
The chicken indeed is very good. The lemon taste is excellent. Not too greasy either.
That's pretty much what I ordered there.

[PBHomey]

On the other hand Cathy, as a pedestrian, I would eat at 90% of the places you posted. As well as 90% of the places Kirk eats. You are so right; we should try a little bit of every thing!

[cathy]

Hi Didi-I have tried almost everything on the menu (the ribs are neat)also...I do like the lemony chicken here more than other places...

Hi PBHomey. Its OK, Bill wasn't saying anything bad, he just wouldn't agree to go to many of the places I go to..but I've probably been to places he has been to, I just didn't blog them...yet.

Its my first attempt at blogging and I mainly did familiar places...I have some places I have gone to the first-and last- time and will also blog them. I kind of want to make sure it wasn't a one time bad day for the kitchen...and really if a place is bad, it won't be in business,whether I say something or not...

One thing you will *never* see me eat is lima beans, a horrid childhood memory...

[Jack]

I've seen this place and have always thought about checking it out. Thanks

[pnutz]

this is a personal favorite of mine...best potato salad ever! so suprised to have seen some fellow foodies blogging about it. good pick and take care.

[cathy]

Hey pnutz- I am so glad I mentioned this one...was unsure how many East County Foodies there are...I have to evaluate the potato salad again, now..I know they make it in house....