Big Joy Family (Bakery & Cafe) (dot com)

mmm-yoso!!! is the food blog, mostly written by Kirk, along with some friends.  He is almost at His vacation destination with The Missus and has no internet access.  You get to read about what Cathy eats in the interim.  The title of this post has to do with their signage...

Hi.  Not long ago it was the "seven days of feasting" when The Mister and I celebrate the week between our birthdays with at least one meal out a day...he gets to choose the first three days and I get to choose the last three.  The middle day we have to both agree upon.  So anyhow it was his turn.  Again.  He likes sweets. Why play games?

If you have ever been to Phuong Trang, you've seen this place.  It is right next door.  We would pass by, after having our fill of (middle of the road) food and look through the window.  For years.  We took a chance one day...and return here as often as we go to French Cake. The influences here are Japanese and Korean, an interesting mix.

If you haven't been paying attention, I do not crave chocolate. Don't expect to see any in this post. I chose this cream filled stick ($2.25) It is about 12 inches long and since we were eating in, it was served to us cut into six pieces. A non-sweet whipped fresh cream inside a light slightly bread-dy textured, faintly sweet tasting shell.

I, of course, got a hand drip coffee (large $2.95).  Served with real cream and whatever that stuff in the colored packets is...

The Mister wanted a mango banana smoothie (large-$3.95) served in this very cool looking tall glass. It is made with Monin mango syrup and a real banana. He also wanted a small plain frozen yogurt ($3).

I decided I wanted to try a red bean topped flaked ice (small-$3.50) which is also topped with tapioca like cubes, small rice cakes (mochi) a red bean powder and a scoop of very nice, rich vanilla ice cream.  This is more than enough for two.  The large is served in the same size bowl but has two more scoops of ice cream.  You can also get fresh fruit and green tea powder as optional combinations.

The real reason we came...on Friday and Saturday only, the bakery makes an organic raisin walnut bread.  $2.75.    We ate one loaf, sliced for us and served with an *excellent* salted creamy butter.  We got another loaf to go.  It has a crispy crust, with a soft textured, light, non bulky wheat interior, filled with plump raisins and crispy nuts. 

All of this food was less than $22 total, served to us, fresh and wonderful. We did not go out to dinner that night.

You can see other items made here on the website.  The cakes are beautifully decorated.  Just walk in and try something.  There are comfy tables and chairs and free wifi M-F.

Big Joy Family Bakery and Cafe 4176 Convoy San Diego 92111 M-Sat 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed 1st and 3rd Mondays each month. (858)627-0888

Comments

[sawyer]

that raisin bread looks delicious. did you eat all of that in one sitting? that is definitely a lot of sweets. that ice cream you got looks good too. i love mochi as a topping.

[ed (from Yuma)]

Always wondered about that place. Looks good.

[Josh Neumann]

It all looks great. Probably not good enough to fly cross country, but if I'm ever in San Diego, I'll have to check this place out.

[Cathy]

Oh Sawyer, Me and bread. It has to be fresh and good bread...but oh...my very first job was working in a Polish bakery in Detroit. There was a bakery, bar or small grocer on almost every corner in my neighborhood. Oh yes, we finished off that loaf. It is fairly small, though-probably only 1/2 lb. That is a small plate in the photo.
It's very nice here, ed...next time...put it on the list.
But if you are out here anyhow, Josh, it can be one of your stops. It is not a pretentious as some other places. Welcome to the commenting side of the blog..

[andy]

The mango banana smoothie looks like a winner... but not for my diet..thanks

Andy
www.recipebuddys.com

[Cathy]

Well, considering your URL shows you were commenting from a computer in Israel, Andy, no, it wouldn't be worth the commute. It is a good smoothie though: no added sweeteners. Thanks for reading our blog.