Fred's...Ummm Ed's Bistro

*** Ed's Bistro has closed.

I'd heard about Ed's Bistro in National City a while back...well I thought it was Fred's Bistro.

Tucked on a side street between 8th Street and Plaza Boulevard in a very unassuming space next to a barber shop and laundromat, I'd say that Ed's is in a pretty strange location. I was also told, that Ed's (Fred's) was well....."a bit different". I kinda got a hint about the name when I saw the Application for Ownership Change posted alongside the front door. As for a "bit different", when we entered, "Ed's" revealed itself.

And I couldn't stop smiling! Call it a "lounge", "bar & grill", "pub", or in this case "bistro", Ed's was an honest to goodness "bar"! The large karaoke set-up, really cheap furniture, 3 "lounge lizards" sitting at the small makeshift bar toward the rear of the dining area gave it away. You see I grew up with what I call the "Pau Hana Time Generation"...in this context, Pau Hana means "finished with work", and Pau Hana Time means basically Happy Hour! So "back home" there would be a "phone chain" of sorts, and without fail a few(or more) times a week, the phone would ring, and the following "conversation" would take place:

"Yeah?"
"So wea?"
"xxxxx"(name of the place)
"wat time?"
"'bout 5?"
"'kay den...."

So whether your pleasure was darts, karaoke, or just having "a few" and some good "grindz"(guess which I was), we had a pretty regular rotation. And it goes without saying that we all had our favorite dishes at the various  places; be it the "Fat Fat Chicken" at Fat Fat Bar and Grill(it is a real place lovingly called "8 Fat" by us, RIP Sy - we all miss you), Steak and Mushrooms at Hibiscus Club, maybe something from Anyplace Cocktail Lounge, or some really good grinds from Side Street Inn(also nice post here.) You get the picture, some of the best food was to be found in these, dark, sometimes a bit seedy, neighborhood bars...though Side Street has risen above it all when it comes to "Pupu" culture, with mentions in Savuer and Gourmet magazine.

The preferred language at Ed's is Tagalog, and the menu is a study in Filipino Bar Food:

There was one main reason we came to Ed's, it was for the Goat Kaldereta(Goat Stew - $13.95), we both love Kaldereta....though we often have to deal with, "you know this is goat, right?" At first the Missus was somewhat concerned with the price, but when the food arrived we realized the portion size was on the large (as in family-style eating size):

Though a bit short on the nice and gamy goat, this was some reaaal good Kaldereta, a bit salty, the tomato sauce based "gravy" was nice and tangy. The best part were the potatoes, which seemed to have been roasted before entering the stew, and the olives which added a nice briny flavor to the dish...there's not enough rice in the world for this dish.

Not knowing how large the portion sizes where we ordered some Pancit Bihon (Stir fried noodles - $8.95):

I've had better pancit, but this was a nice version with lot's of black pepper. The photo belies the size of this dish, to this day we haven't finished all the pancit. We got our money's worth on this.

I couldn't leave without ordering what I consider one of the ubiquitous bar dishes(along with garlic peanuts), the Sisig(not the Pampangan Sisig, but the regular - $8.95). Just a side note...I didn't which photo to use for this. Was it this one?

Or perhaps this one?

The Sisig was good, though I enjoy mine a bit more sour and spicy, but the Lechon Kawale used for the Sisig was plentiful and very good, I'm used to Sisig made with leftovers and lot's of onions so this  was a ncie change. At this time, Ed's started getting filled up, and Karaoke was going full blast, and every table had a plate of Sisig on it, so I guess I made a good choice. The Sisig tasted better the next day. I also wanted a beer to have with my Sisig, and in keeping with the atmosphere, there's no frou frou microbrew beer served at Ed's...don't get me wrong, I love Stone Brewery, and my trip to Portland was an education in microbrews...but the selection at Ed's is simple, "MGD, Bud ,Bug Light, Miller Light...and the premium beer, is Heineken!" Bottles, of course......

As we left Ed's the place was going full blast, there was a large family, with kids in tow celebrating a retirement.....a Gal had come in to help keep everybody in beers and handle the Karaoke. And I felt a twinge of homesickness.......

Some notes on Ed's: The lady working was very, very, nice, and was the young lady who came in later, and tried to get me to sing. At heart this is a Mom and Pop Bar and Grill, so don't expect your food to arrive at your table in a blink of an eye, there's just one guy cooking in the back, and it's pub grub after all. The portions are pretty large, we made the mistake of ordering waay too much food(of course we ate a lot of rice as well), though leftovers are a good thing. Even though most of the people converse in Tagalog, everyone understands English...what a nice bunch of folks, and I'll never forget the lounge lizard who made sure to sing 2 BeeGees songs before heading home....sigh. There are times that I miss home!

Ed's Bistro
933 S Harbison Ave
National City, CA 91950

Open Tues-Thurs 5pm - Midnight
Fri-Sat 4pm - Midnight

We'll be back...and I think I'll do a post on our next visit.....

Did someone say Sisig????

Comments

[clayfu]

kirk! you can't go to a bar and have non microbrews! that's very un-sandiego-in of you!

[The Office Goat]

They have Heineken but not San Miguel?

[elmomonster]

This place is goin' on my growing list in the glovebox. Next time I'm in SD, I'm getting that sisig!

[Kirk]

Hi Clayfu - LOL! Tell that to my Bud Light....

Hi ToG - Nope no San Miguel. I had been told that they served San Miguel Dark....but I guess not anymore.

Hi Elmo - That Sisig was pretty good, the Kaldereta was very good. Make sure to drop me a line when you visit!

[sher]

That looks like a great place. I am always feeling very envious when I see the restaurants available to you. Great, yummy pictures!

[Kirk]

Hi Sher - I just wish I was as good a cook as you!

[clayfu]

bud light: please go away and make room for the premium brews. =P

[honkman]

That looks good but there is one thing I hate in restaurants/bar - Karaoke.

[Passionate Eater]

Hmm, I wonder if that "lounge lizard" is related to me, because I love singing the BeeGees! And sorry I've been so quiet lately Kirk, but I've been voraciously reading Mmm-Yoso!! as I always do!

[Chubbypanda]

Awww! Da boyz got haircuts!

I miss my favorite pub back up in NorCal as well.

[Annie]

Wow this looks great! I haven't tried a lot of filipino food yet -- I should probably try some soon!

[mizducky]

Cool! I've just started exploring the Filipino eats in National City, so maybe I'll go scope this joint out sometime.

[Kirk]

Hi Clayfu - I've just decided to change your name from Clayfu..to Clay-frou-frou! LOL!

Hi Honkman - Then I'm sure Manila Tokyo is out as well....

Hi PE - Nice to hear from you! ;o) Another BeeGee Karaoke singer, eh????

Hi CP - You are one observant Panda, let me tell you that much! I guess my problem is I miss my favorite bars....as in plural...

Hi Annie - You'll have many choices in National City!

Hi Mizducky - There are quite a few good, and quite a few not-so-good places for Filipino Food in National City, but you won't be short of choices.

[Kathy]

Hey Kirk!
I've lived in Hawaii my whole life and just realized I've never had Filipino food before! You've just reminded me of how much good food I am missing out on (...and to pay side street a visit when I come for summer :)

[Kirk]

Hi Kathy - You must have had lumpia and pancit, right? As for Side Street, you may run into Alan Wong there...I've seen him there a few times!

[stef]

Hi Kirk! I echo the ? -- WHAT!? No San Mig???

Hey, we'll be in San Diego the 16th through the 19th (doing mostly kids stuff like Legoland), so I'm going through your listings here and having the kids decide where they want to eat!

[Kirk]

Hi Stef - Let me know if I can be of any assistance!