I've got a bunch of one or two-off sets of photos consisting of visits to various "turo-turo" (point-point) shops all of San Diego. I really didn't know how, or where to place them. I was thinking of just doing a week of these "steam table" shops, which are a staple. I do wish there would be more medium range restaurants like Tribu Grill and Gerry's Grill in San Diego, but alas, whether based on attitudes or local culture it is not to be. So I've decided to do one of these places every week or so until I run out!
You may have seen the sign, so you may think that name of this joint is "Filipino Lumpia". Unless, of course, you've read Dennis's post, which you can find here.
But if you enter through the door.....
You might find a quaint "turo-turo" shop. I say "might" because the first time I ventured through those doors, right after I saw the Filipino Lumpia sign, the place was empty, totally empty, and not even my "hellos" would create a stir in the place.
My next visit would be much, much, different. I happened to walk in when Rocky was working. Rocky, along with his wife Olga run Olga's Food Place and Lumpia Factory. Rocky, originally from Cavite is a jovial and friendly soul. At first glance, he reminded me of retired entertainer Teddy Tanaka, circa 1970's in dress.
There are usually 8 steam table offerings daily, and something even more special on Fridays and Saturdays:
In case you think that Filipino and Cuban food make strange bedfellows, you wouldn't be alone. You see, Olga is Cuban, and the quiet older woman there on Fridays and Saturdays, who I believe is Olga's Mother cooks one or two Cuban Dishes. Rocky is easy to talk to, and if you show any interest or knowledge of Filipino Food, he'll undoubtedly ask you, "are you Filipino"? I saw him ask a somewhat incredulous African-American young man this, when he ordered the adobo; "you know ADOBO! Are you Filipino???" Somehow, coming from Rocky, this is just plain charming, as I've been asked three times, and can't help but chuckle........
On this day, I went with the two item and starch turo-turo standard($5.00), selecting the just prepared Cuban Arroz con Pollo (Chicken Rice) as my starch.
In one corner, I selected the Fish Sarsiado. This sarsiado preparation used tilapia, which was on the dry side. The tomato-onion based sauce had good flavor, and this was very low on the "patis" (fish sauce) scale.
In the other corner was Cuban Chicken Fricasse (Fricasé de Pollo):
Mild in flavor but very moist, this was a rustic home-style dish.
My favorite was the Arroz con Pollo, in spite of the fact the rice was on the mushy side, was full of flavor.
On other occasions, I've arrived to find the place packed with a swarm of young folks, reading, playing, and just being kids. I think that Rocky and Olga have a huge family, and extended family.
One non-Friday I arrived and just went with the simple two item combo, this time with a version of Tocino and Adobo.
The radiation red tocino was dry and flavorless, and left me unimpressed.
The Adobo on the other hand was pretty good. Notice I say "adobo", not chicken adobo, or pork adobo. This was a combination chicken and pork adobo.
The meats were tender and moist, and the black pepper flavor in the sauce stood out. This was not bad. I'd say this was easily worth the five bucks, not "National City level" food, but I think a bit better than Phil-Am a few miles away.
Olgas main business is in lumpia. At four for a buck, it's pretty much a bargain.
The pork, and the "mixed" is better than the beef, and though not quite as good as FredCel's lumpia, you can get 100 lumpia for $25!
Overall, an interesting Mom-and-Pop-Filipino-Cuban-turo-turo joint. Now that's one of a kind.....
Olga's Food Place
2314 Morley St
San Diego, CA 92111
Please read Dennis's post on Olgas on a Radiused Corner, which can be found here.
Thanks for the mention Kirk! I cracked up after clicking on the Teddy Tanaka link.. :)
Posted by: Dennis | Thursday, 09 July 2009 at 10:13 PM
hi kirk - i saw dennis's post a while back too. i've always wanted to eat at that place in linda vista (was just there today for sab e lee). you can't miss that big sign - FILIPINO LUMPIA...
btw, Filipinos can look like anyone! i'm not surprised that the guy was asking!
Posted by: caninecologne | Thursday, 09 July 2009 at 11:17 PM
lol! Teddy Tanaka, wow, that's a flashback!
I'll have to swing by next time I'm in the area.
Posted by: Carol | Friday, 10 July 2009 at 08:01 AM
Hi Dennis - There is a resemblance, isn't there?
Hi CC - My statement was based more on the way he says that, rather than what Filipino's looks like. Coming from Hawaii I understand that.......
Hi Carol - After you drop by, let me know what you think.
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 10 July 2009 at 08:16 AM
hi kirk - i know, i know : ) - the dude was probably happy that anyone knew what filipino food was since our cuisine doesn't seem to get much respect.
Posted by: caninecologne | Friday, 10 July 2009 at 05:22 PM
this is PERFECT for me today!!! I can't handle the Sab-E-Lee spice level tonight (and what's the point of going there if I can't indulge?)and we need a place to eat close to our hotel. Thank you so much, Kirk! BBL to share my thoughts, after dinner...
Posted by: micaela | Friday, 10 July 2009 at 07:26 PM
aggggggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! They were closed, there was a sign on the door that due to equipment problems, they'll be closed until 7/14.
SO. BUMMED.
We wound up at Pampas Argentine Grill, which definitely a mixed-bag dining experience.
Posted by: micaela | Friday, 10 July 2009 at 10:07 PM
Hi CC - Filipino cuisine gets lots of respect in our household and office, and should get the same respect as any other cuisine! You gotta hear Rocky say, "are you Filipino???" There's such joy in it.....
Hey Micaela - Closed until 07/14?? I just drove by a coupla days ago! Actually, in reading your first comment I was more worried that they'd be closed, they close kinda early. You should have just hit Pho Hoa Hiep.....
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 10 July 2009 at 10:23 PM
whoa teddy tanaka...that brings back some images..."are you filipino?"...lol
Posted by: kat | Friday, 10 July 2009 at 10:32 PM
Hi Kat - Funny, yeah??? I don't know why, but in my mind I suddenly saw Teddy Tanaka...... might be an indication of some serious issues! ;o)
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 10 July 2009 at 10:37 PM
hey Kirk, I was really needing some comfort food last night, which for me is PuertoRican, Cuban, Dominican, or Argentinian (in that order). Having been thwarted from the Cuban -- that chicken fricasee would've totally hit the spot -- and as we were starving, we settled on the nearby Pampas. The food was expertly prepared, but the prices were pretty unreasonable and the service pretty much sucked (which made the prices even more offensive).
Posted by: micaela | Saturday, 11 July 2009 at 09:33 AM
Interesting combo Kirk. I love chicken fricasee glad to know this place serves it
Posted by: Masa Assassin | Saturday, 11 July 2009 at 06:59 PM
Hi Micaela - I've eaten at Pampas as few times, but have never been impressed.
Hi MA - They prepare it very homestyle, it was much milder in flavor than other versions I've had.
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 11 July 2009 at 09:15 PM
what an interesting find! I love restaurants with character.
Posted by: sandy | Monday, 13 July 2009 at 09:20 AM
Hi Sandy - Yes, quite the combination.....
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 13 July 2009 at 11:50 AM
Lumpia's are so freakin' good! Piping hot out of the fryer!
Posted by: melissa | Monday, 13 July 2009 at 01:47 PM
Hi Melissa - I couldn't possibly agree with you more!!!
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 13 July 2009 at 06:42 PM