Eddels - Who you calling Puto???

*** Eddels has closed and is now Chibugan.

With a name like Eddels Deli, you'd think perhaps a European Deli....bakery.....hmmm... And that   name does look out of place on the sign for Vinh Hung Super Market on Mira Mesa. Though if you've taken the opportunity to check out Eddels, you'd know that it's a Filipino turo-turo (point-point, steam table fast food) and dessert joint.

Oh yes, In fact, you don't have to walk through Vinh Hung Market to get to Eddels....you just follow the sign:

Yes, that little sign.

You'll enter the little turo-turo joint and your senses may be overwhelmed by the various wonderful fragrances wafting through the air. The signage says that Eddels specializes in Cebuano Cuisine, food from the island of Cebu. And though I've had some of the specialties like Tinola, I'm far from an expert on regional Filipino Cuisine.

The fairly dark, interior of Eddels has that slightly organized, but disorganized, look that many turo-turo joints like Point-Point Joint have, the ubiquitous television running FTV soap operas, the Pepsi clock, the large map of the Philippines, next to a hanging planter with faux plants.....

To say that the prices at Eddels are reasonable would be an understatement. 1 item and a starch is $3.99, 2 items and a starch, is $4.99, and looks something like this:

First off, let me just say that I like the Pancit Bihon at Eddels. I think they use a good amount of broth or stock to flavor the pancit...even the Missus thought it was pretty good. Texture was decent, not mushy.

On this day I had some Paksiw na Baboy. Paksiw, if I recall correctly is a way of cooking that utilizes vinegar-sugar-soy, and usually uses leftover pork or lechon...or even pata. This version had nice sweetness, if a bit short in in the flavor of vinegar. And though the pork was a tad on the tough side, I enjoyed it.

Of course, once I saw the Sisig, I had to have that as well:

The Sisig was very moist, and not oily. There was much more "stuff" like red bell peppers, a few chili peppers, than I'm used too. And though Cebuan cuisine is known for the use of sili (Chili Pepper) I didn't find this to spicy at all. It was not bad, not great...too little vinegar and spices, but not bad. This version of Sisig, as is typical in San Diego uses left over Lechon....it just struck me, I ate two dishes of leftovers! It was very good leftovers though!

I had been told that Eddels was also known for their Puto...no NOT that kind of Puto....this kind of Puto:

Basically a rice cake, in this case steamed in a banana leaf. The Missus really enjoyed it, I didn't get a shot.....in short She told me, the "flavor of the banana leaf, and the fact that it isn't too sweet, and very moist makes this."

There's another version, that is caramelized, available as well. Both are $1.99:

The people at work enjoyed this version, but the Missus prefers the steamed-only version. Regardless, I've been told, this really good Puto!

On another visit this is what I decided to get:

To bad the Lechon Kawali had all the life sucked out of it by the heat lamps. It was more like dry, flavorless chicharron.

On this visit the really nice lady who appears to run the place started handing me samples. Noticing my non-Filipino-ness, She told me, "You know, I make the best BBQ" while handing me a piece of BBQ pork on a toothpick. And it was indeed pretty good...so I had some of that as well.

A bit on the sweetish side, and maybe too chewy, but overall not bad.

In case you aren't totally fried on the food at Eddels....here's BBQ Chicken and Pork Adobo:

The pieces of pork in the adobo was cut too big, making it very dry, and the meat flavorless. I also enjoy a bit of black pepper flavor in my adobo which this lacked.

The BBQ Chicken was okay, and bit too tough and dry this time. I enjoyed the nicely flavored charred bits though.

I wish I had brought my camera along on a subsequent visit...I was starving, and had a wonderful Kanding Caldereta(goat stew). I'll bring my camera next time...and hopefully they'll have that caldereta.

The Lady who runs Eddels is very warm, always smiling and nice. The Gentleman who works there is a bit of a grump, but is okay. The prices are very reasonable for the area(Mira Mesa) and portion size. For less than the price of a bowl of Pho at most places in the area...you can have 2 meals.

Eddels Deli
10550 Camino Ruiz
San Diego, CA 92126

(858) 527-0072

Hours to the right: 

Comments

[Kat]

Wow! all that great food and for really cheap too. Love it :)

[caninecolognecanine]

nice post on the pinche putos! i have a friend who makes her puto out of bisquick. i haven't made them myself because i don't have a steamer.

we passed by eddels last month when shopping at vinh hung. i thought i'll have to try their stuff one day. i haven't really tried cebuano food so it's something we plan to try next time we're in the area. as always, an informative post!

[thess]

Now I'm jealous! How I wish we have such restaurant here. Yes, we do have one in the city, the only Filipino restaurant in Holland, but I never liked their food.I'm surprised it still exist. (now I'm sounding not too nice, sorry )
Oh yes, please do take some photos and of course do a review of their kambing caldereta..

Hi Kirk! :-)

[janfrederick]

Oh man, and to think I shop here at least twice a week and rarely go to Eddels. I guess I'm too obsessed with cooking my own stuff. But I'll definitely get my lunch on here next week.

[Ed]

FYI, Bicolano, not Cebuano, cuisine is known for its use of chili peppers.

[Carol]

Hey Kirk! I'll have to pop over and try the Caldereta for lunch sometime. The puto looks good. Those are great prices.

[Indra]

Hey Kirk -

Thanks for all the great posts. If it weren't for you I would never have discovered Sakura, my favorite.

I am working with Jade Theater http://www.jadetheater.com on their Grand Opening. Don't know how else to reach you, other than posting here and I wanted to invite you to the party. Drop me a line if you're interested. Thanks.

[Kirk]

Hi Kat - It is very reasonable.

Hi CC - I'm not very familiar with Cebuano food either.....

Hi Thess - Caldereta, one of my favorite things in the world.

Hi Jan - I still have to make it to RB.

Hi Ed - Thanks for the info, the only Bicolano dish I know of is Bicol Express, which is good stuff. I went by the info I got from someone I know...so I did some quick research and interestingly enough - sili + Cebuano comes up with these 2 hits:

http://www.wayblima.com/cebu-food-cuisine.html

http://goasia.about.com/od/philippines/a/hadcebu_3.htm

Hi Carol - I don't think they have the Caldereta all the time...I've only seen it there once.

Hi Indra - Thanks so much for the kind words.....I'm truly humbled by your invitation, but just knowing that our little blog was of some help to you will be enough for me. I like the interesting menu, and perhaps the Missus and I will check Jade Theater out once they open up for ourselves. Thanks again for being so thoughtful!

[Alejandro]

Hahahaha...the title of this post got a definite guffaw out of me...food looks good. BTW, been to Lima in Tarzana? I'm getting ready to post about it, you may be interested.

Saludos

[Kirk]

Hey Alejandro - Happy New Year! Nope, we haven't been to Lima in Tarzana, I'm looking forward to your post!

[the office goat]

How does the BBQ compare to Tita's? Eddels is close enough to us that I'm hoping we might not have to make the long trek down to Tita's just to get good, cheap filipino BBQ.

[Kirk]

Hi ToG - I think Tita's is still better - the BBQ is sweeter than Tita's, and the pork is in my opinion better than the chicken. It's only $4.99 for 2 items and a starch, so it may be worth your while if you're in the area. Cheaper than some of the Pho in the area.

[Toshiko]

Hi Kirk. I just went to Eddel's yesterday evening and discovered that new management took over and it's undergoing some renovations. They're planning to re-open on 8/8/09, but they looked like they're behind schedule. The new restaurant is called Chibugan. I hope they have puto and bibingkas too!

[Kirk]

Hi Toshiko - Thanks so much for the update and thinking of us. We'll be sure to check it out!