Our Revised Rotation - What is yours?

So finally...... I've revised our "Rotation Page". And removed a few places, a few because they've closed down (Sammys and Mo's), and one because, well, we hardly go there anymore (Mama's - which may make a comeback when the weather gets a bit warmer).

In place of those 3, I've added 2.

**** Pho Lucky is under new ownership.

First, folks keep asking about my favorite Pho shop. And my quick response is Pho Lucky. 

 

There are places that have better tendon and places that have better overall meat, and on any given day there are several places that can do a great job. But for my money, I enjoy Pho Lucky. In fact, when FOY (Friend of Yoso) the "CAB" asked about my favorite bowl of Pho, I was quick to recommend Pho Lucky. You can read about her experience in this post. 

I also enjoy the Banh Mi Bo Kho(Vietnamese Beef Stew w/Baguette) here as well. But on one recent visit with Cathy and Ed from Yuma, I was less than pleased. So before doing this post, I (well the weather helped me to) decided to have the beef stew again. 

   

On my visit with Ed and Cathy, I found the beef to be tough, and the broth to be lacking in flavor. On this visit, everything was as I remembered. Hopefully, that was just an off day. The bread itself is unremarkable, I'm pretty sure they get it from Le Chef, as I've seen tags from their packages lying around. Still, I enjoy the beef stew here.

So if you hold my feet to the fire, I'd have to recommend:

Pho Lucky
9326 Mira Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92126

**** This location of Sab E Lee has closed

And of course, Sab E Lee would have to be added. We've been eating there at least once a week. I still go for most of the larb and salad style dishes. Like the Larb Pet (Duck Larb):

  

Recently, I got to sample a new addition to the menu Naked Shrimp, served the right way.... that would be raw:

 

The first time I had this dish with a group of FOYs, I thought it pretty good, but a bit out of balance with regards to the amount of citrus. But a few days ago, I tried it again with Ed from Yuma, and it was very good. Nice heat from the chilies, with the bite of raw garlic, topped off with tangy citrus. Ed compared it to Camarones Aguachile, but with a more interesting and complex flavor. As I mentioned before, for me it's the Issan dishes that shine here, so of course it's a bit humorous to hear folks saying the food here isn't "Northern Thai" because it's not like what they had in Chiang Mai (which is Lanna, not Issan). Issan is Northeastern Thai food.......

Sab-E-Lee Restaurant
2405 Ulric St
San Diego, CA 92111 

So if you're interested, our updated Rotation Page can be found here.

And I'd love to hear what's on your rotation this winter!

Comments

[kat]

your list sounds comforting and delicious. hmm, I'll have to think about this one...

[sawyer]

aww man, i forgot about sab elee....i'm going to have to try that next time i come down...the naked shrimp looks really interesting...

[the office goat]

Sadly, I haven't been to a plate lunch place since Mo's closed. They ruined me on L&L (although the prospect of manapua might get me back).
:-/

[Cathy]

Know where The Mister and I were on Sunday? How about Tuesday? Of course you do. Stalker.

[Porta Rickin Rick]

Hey Kirk,

Looks like some good additions to the rotation. We have been in the market for a new Pho place, so Pho Lucky it is, it looks delish. As for Sab-E-Lee, well, I was one of those funny little people comparing it to the cuisine in Chiang Mai, so I really appreciate the clarification.
As for our rotation, we are looking for a Vietnamese place, but have been checking out Ann Hong Pho Pasteur lately and have really enjoyed it. We are also in the market for a new Thai place. Found a good Mariscos place (Godoy) and Mi Rancho Taco Shop Numero Uno is going back in there along with Tita's. Definitely soliciting ideas though. Also, have you heard anything about Hak Haeng or other Cambodian places in Long Beach?

[Kirk]

Hi Kat - I'd love to read about it!

Hi Sawyer - Check it out next time.... I think you might enjoy it.

Hi TOG - Yes, we'll need to work on that one!

Hi Cathy - Like I always say.... great minds and all that.

Hi PRR - LOL! Also, Red Duck Curry is a BKK specialty. For some different Vietnamese, Que Huong makes some pretty different things by San Diego standards. As for Long Beach, I've had recommendations for Siem Reap, Sophy's, and New Paradise. Nice list you've got!

[Chris]

Hey Kirk- do you think you will ever go south of the border? (Tijuana)There is some REALLY interesting food going on there.You absolutely MUST try the queso tacos at Tacos Ermita!

[Didi]

Hey, Kirk.

I must check out Sab-e-Lee. Thanks.
I like Mien Trang for Bun Rieu, and Pho Hoa Cali for pho (haven't been to Lucky Pho).
Shanghai City for the beef noodle soup. Hmmmm.

El Nopalito in Encinitas for homemade ceviche, good meat, hot salsa, tasty birria. Oh, and the tortillas are good.

[Kirk]

Hi Chris - I'm sure someday..... but I think we'll be going a bit further South than that soon.....

Hi Didi - That's a nice rotation.

[foodhoe]

wow, that shrimp dish with the raw garlic and chilies looks snap back gnarly!

[Kirk]

Hi FH - "snap back gnarly"!!! LOL!

[Carol]

Thanks for the shout-out, Kirk! Pho Lucky (which I've been calling Lucky Pho) is also on my rotation list (thanks to you). I got almost every week. The Mister doesn't want to go anywhere else either.

And we still haven't made it to Sab E Lee yet. The Mister says we're going next week, right after Buga, hehe.

[David]

On our family's rotation is Akaihana (formerly Shien of Osaka) over in Rancho Bernardo. We have been a patron of Nakamura-san for many years. It was where I was introduced to sushi, and made me the sushi fiend that I am today.

[Jeffrey C]

That Pho looks awesome. I never really appreciated the complexities of good pho until my wife became addicted to a pho place near us. Thanks for the recommendation Kirk.

Happy Holidays to you and the Missus.

[Passionate Eater]

Any place on Kirk and the Missus' rotation should be called "Lucky" to have such great and loyal customers. :) Happy holidays Mmm-Yoso!! family!

[Kirk]

Hi Carol - I call it Lucky Pho too! I hopw you enjoy Sab E Lee!

Hi David - Thanks, now I have another one for my "list"!

Hi Jeffrey - Happy Holidays to you and the Missus as well.

Hi PE - Thanks, Happy holidays to you too!

[Porta Rickin Rick]

Hello Kirk and everyone,

I have a question for anyone that has a good answer. We will be heading back to SD from Santa Barbara and my wife really wants the best ramen between here and SD. Her favorite ramen that she's had was from Oahu, so is there any place between here and there that has the goods? And which is the best?

BTW Kirk, we did stop at Hak Heang Cambodian/Chinese and got some amazing food, but they were "out" of a lot of their Cambodian dishes. I'll write about it at some point.

[Kirk]

Hi PRR - Just saying "Ramen" isn't quite that simple...what style? Assari-Kei or Kotteri-kei (tonkotsu??). I used to really like Daikokuya in Little Tokyo (not OC) for the rich tonkotsu style - sort of broth. But I've come to understand that since they've expanded the quality has come down. Shin Shen Gumi in Gardena (I've also heard good things about the location on Rosemead) is another favorite for the Hakata style ramen. I still like Santouka in Torrance, and think it is much better than the locations in SD & Costa Mesa.

This is an excellent - spot on site:

http://www.rameniac.com/index/

[Porta Rickin Rick]

Thanks Kirk, this is very helpful. We are definitely not experts on this, but the pictures of the Shoyu and Shio ramen look perfect, so looks like we'll stop off in Torrance on the way back. Thanks again.

[Kirk]

Hi PRR - Good luck, and let me know what you find!