*** Update - Mo is back at Homestyle Hawaiian.
*** Mo's Island Grinds has closed
I was just about to do this post last night....when I encountered Internet connectivity problems. I was left hanging and I realized that I've become used to doing posts, and now that I was unable to post I felt kinda lost.....like "what the heck am I going to do now......"
This post is a few months late. Back in November of last year, Mo told me that they were going through with an amicable split with the Da' Kitchen franchise. Mo showed me the updated banner you see on the right. In December, Mo told me that the name change and all of the paperwork was going to be a long process. He wasn't kidding, I'd drop by every so often and Mo would smile, shake his head, and say, "I hope this is done soon...I hope."
So around April of this year all the paperwork had been completed, and viola, you have Mo's Island Grinds.
The sign on the street still says Da' Kitchen, which I'm sure will be updated soon. Of course, everything from the food, to the people, to the menu is the same.
There have been a few items added to the menu, I'm also pleased that since my first post back in December of '05, combination plates have been added.
Of course all the favorites are still available, like the Korean Chicken($7.95):
This sweet-soy-crunchy-mildly spicy, marinated, and deep fried chicken, along with the accompanying sauce is a winna'. Don't take my word for it, here's the Best of LA(aka BoLA) post. In a way, this one dish symbolizes the plate lunch as "melting pot" cuisine. It is called Korean Chicken, but the flavor is an amalgamation of traditional flavors. The batter seems to be Mochiko Flour based, and the sweet and soy sauce combination tips its hat toward a combination of Teriyaki-Soy Sauce-Bulgogi flavors. The dipping sauce here is very good, in fact the Missus will often eschew the Mac Salad, and just get extra shredded cabbage, and use the sauce as a dressing of sorts.
We've only had one not so stellar plate at Da' Kitchen/Mo's. On one Sunday, when Mo wasn't in house, I ordered the Korean Chicken.
Though the chicken was nice and crunchy, it was very light, and had not been marinated long enough. It was very bland. But of all my visits, this was the only time the Korean Chicken was not up to par.
Nowadays, I often get various combination plates. I usually can't finish them, but leftovers are a great thing, aren't they? Here's a Teri Chicken - Chicken Katsu combo plate($8.95):
I've come to the conclusion that my photos don't do the size of these plates justice. The "two scoop rice" is placed one on top of the other, and there were 4 pieces of well marinated boneless chicken thighs. The teriyaki is on the sweeter side, but I still enjoyed it. I always enjoy the Chicken Katsu.
In the theme of the world on a plate, here's the Kalua Pork-Chicken Katsu Combo plate:
There's the Chicken Katsu(Japanese), the mildly smoky and moist Kalua Pork(Hawaiian), and don't forget the Macaroni Salad(Caucasian - aka Haole). Of course, rice is very much a necessity....to the extent that some of my friends back home love Chili-Spaghetti....on rice!
On each of my last few visits, the lines at Mo's has been fairly long, a very good sign that Jocelyn's and Mo's hard work has paid off. They've done it without advertising, mostly by word of mouth....just like "back home". I've always had very friendly service at Mo's, the food may take a while sometimes, but it is always worth the wait.
Mo's Island Grinds (Formerly Da' Kitchen)
9823 Carroll Canyon Rd.
San Diego, CA 92131
Postscript - I've had some interesting questions regarding Plate Lunches, but there is one question that keeps popping up; "Is plate lunch Hawaiian Food?"
Unlike describing someone from Oregon as an Oregonian, "Locals" consider a Hawaiian to be someone of Hawaiian blood. The rest of us are "Locals". Likewise, for me Hawaiian food are items that are traditionally Hawaiian in nature, such as Poi, Lau Lau, Kalua Pig, etc.... So you can have Hawaiian food on a plate lunch, but a plate lunch is not Hawaiian food per se.
Here's an example of a local style menu.
So go get one of these......
best wishes to Jocelyn and Mo.
Posted by: RONW | Saturday, 21 July 2007 at 02:26 AM
is there a way you can email me?
i'm looking for a taco truck in sd for an event next week and you are the only info i've come across on google...any info on la princesita is appreciated. thanks!
Posted by: rain | Saturday, 21 July 2007 at 12:44 PM
I've never been a huge fan of their loccomocco patty, it always turns out super dry. But everything else there is A+! You get a pat on the back if you ever finish a whole order of food haha.
Posted by: clayfu | Saturday, 21 July 2007 at 10:32 PM
Hi RONW - Yes, they try to do a good job!
Hi Rain - I hope my emails are helpful!
Hi Clayfu - Really? I've found the opposite to be true...... You'll need more than a pat on the back if you finish everything...more like a nap!
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 23 July 2007 at 08:32 AM
I actually like the mushroom gravy there. Then again, I am a mushroom and onion junkie. Too bad shrooms don't fit through IV tubing. ;)
Posted by: Janfrederick | Monday, 23 July 2007 at 10:45 AM
Man I have to try that place, it looks great. Mmmm, mushroom gravey.
Posted by: Captain Jack | Monday, 23 July 2007 at 02:44 PM
I really love a new thing that Mo created -- Mahi Mahi with lemon caper sauce. Ok, it's not traditional local food, but boy, that Mahi is ono! (And by the way, Mo and Jocelyn are originally mainlanders who got hooked on local Hawaiian food when Mo lived on Maui for a few years. But hard to tell, cuz their food is pretty down home.) Shaka!
Posted by: Helen | Monday, 23 July 2007 at 06:01 PM
Hi Jan - So you thinking about intravenous gravy therapy??? ;o)
Hi CJ - I think that maybe you'll be able to finish that loco moco.
Hi Helen - Actually, the first time I saw the Mahi with capers was at I Love Country Cafe, also on my last trip to Maui many people were ordering it at the Honokowai Okazuya & Deli. Jocelyn and Mo are great, I think they're originally from Chula Vista??
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 23 July 2007 at 07:22 PM
Hey Kirk, the Mister and I were at Mo's about 3 weeks ago and noticed there a few more new items on the menu. he had the Korean Chicken and me the Korean combo; both really good. I also had one not-so good order once of Korean chicken. It was exactly the way you describe it. But so far, that was the only bad order.
I'm, for one, glad Jocelyn and Mo decided to bring local plate lunch to SD. I dream about plate lunches (and you know that's no joke)! I have got to start trying other plate combos. Maybe next time I should just order 2 plates, my regular Korean plate combo and then something new.
Posted by: Carol | Tuesday, 24 July 2007 at 09:13 AM
Hi Kirk, I just thought it was finally time to stop lurking and say thanks for all the great information (and mouthwatering pics) on the blog. I had never heard of Mo's (fka Da Kitchen) until discovering your post on mmm-yoso maybe a year ago. I was born and raised in Hilo and really disappointed by all the plate lunches I'd had in San Diego until I tried Mo's...it's been on my rotation ever since. Thanks again for a great find!
Posted by: Lori | Wednesday, 25 July 2007 at 12:55 PM
Hi Carol - You dream about plate lunches? Oh my, you are hardcore! ;o) Jocelyn and Mo have done a great job.
Hi Lori - Thanks for delurking(is that a real word?) and commenting. It is always very rewarding when someone finds some use for our humble little blog. Mahalo for the kind words!
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 25 July 2007 at 01:45 PM
CHEATERS NEVER PROSPER! Jocelyn and Mo are betrayers and thieves. They've launched their new name disregarding the hard work and efforts of the owners and creators of Da Kitchen restaurants in Hawaii, that includes the incredible time tested recipes, huge portions, and other elements that have contributed to their great success.
Anyone who wants to know the truth of what these people have done can call headquarters at 808-871-7782 to confirm that Jocelyn and Mo, after purchasing rights to open Da Kitchen in San Diego, and training over months with the owners to learn the secrets of their recipes and success, have changed the name to their own without the owners in Hawaii knowing! They never asked for permission, they never even mentioned it to them... and this is an outrage!
That they would now place their name over what is not their creation is dispicable. I hope that people will read this and boycott their restaurant, because what they have done is highly unethical... so why contribute to this type of behavior.
I personally know the owners of Da Kitchen and have watched the long hours each day over years they have dedicated to creating a restaurant that is really great! Now that everything is perfected and they have their great success, Mo and Jocelyn sweep in to steal their thunder, putting everything under their own name! Disgusting!
Mo and Jocelyn, I think you should drop Da Kitchen recipes and create your own and see if you can even begin to create the same success as the Da Kitchen owners have. Otherwise, you very well could be facing the repercussions of your criminal actions.
Ultimately, people who cheat and steal never prosper. I don't see anything positive ahead for this restaurant. Nothing good can ever come from a betrayal like this!
Posted by: Aurora Juliana Ariel | Saturday, 18 August 2007 at 02:09 PM
Mo and I have worked hard to keep this restaurant up and running. We never purchased rights to "Da Kitchen". We paid to fly to Hawaii and learn how to run a restaurant. Mo spent only 26 days learning the trade and I spent a week to learn how to run the front. After only 26 days in training and no manual or recipe book Mo had to revamp all the recipes in order to fit the taste and needs of our customers. There was never an agreement that we would have to keep the name of "Da Kitchen" or follow any certain guidelines or report to anyone in Hawaii of what we were doing.
We had no help or guidance from anyone other than ourselves and the employees that we train. Mo worked the long hours and used recipes that have been passed down over generations. Recipes such as teriyaki sauce that has been changed over and over again to make it our own. We have grown to love our customers and take their input and try to evolve into a place where they can come and enjoy a taste of Hawaii.
These accusations against us are completely false. "Da Kitchen" is not a franchise and we NEVER purchased rights or had any form of agreement with Hawaii. We did not have their recipes but a variation of what all Hawaiian restaurants provide a menu that through the 2 years that we have been open changed and evolved to what we know now as Mo's Island Grinds. We take pride in our food and work hard to provide food that is different than our competitors.
It's unfortunate that someone who knows nothing about the situation to slander us and our business. Try opening a restaurant with a name that is not well known and hoping it will succeed. That is exactly what Mo and I did. We have been blessed to have a good base in customers that came from no advertising. Our customers are mainly walk in customers from the local business. We continue to be thankful for the support that all our customers have given us. In the long run the only thing that matters is that we know we did not cheat, steal or betray anyone. We are two normal people working hard to provide food that our customers will enjoy.
Posted by: Mos Island Grinds | Thursday, 11 October 2007 at 06:50 PM
Mo has been a friend for many years. We had worked together at two different companies. Mo wanted to open a restaurant, took a huge risk and followed his dream. The food is great, and Mo is very ETHICAL. Only the people that do not know the real story will dispute. Good luck Mo and Jocelyn.
Posted by: Brian B | Tuesday, 12 February 2008 at 07:52 AM
Closed by the Health Department as of this posting.
Posted by: CD | Thursday, 04 September 2008 at 01:50 PM