Fruitland & Deli has closed.
mmm-yoso!!! is the food blog you are perusing. Cathy is writing today, because Kirk is busy perusing things and ed (from Yuma) is busier perusing even more things.
Hi again. In the last two years, a friend has taken me to Jamba Juice. Twice. I was overwhelmed both times, having to order from the huge menu board with many choices and derivations. I always have gone to Fruiterias around town and could not understand how JJ had peaches in February... and finally asked my friend who looked at me and slowly said "it's frozen fruit"...Oh. OH. I tried to explain my not understanding.
Then, I realized I have never even posted about Fruiterias on this blog. So, here is a post about one in East County. {A fruiteria is basically a fruit shop where fresh fruit is served in various ways and other items, usually sandwiches and chilled seafood, are offered so as to make small meals. A neighborhood Mexican Bistro Cafe -no tacos or burritos or salsa bar.}
Fruitland and Deli has been on this corner where Second turns into Jamacha at Main Street in El Cajon for about three years now. It is in the same parking lot as Dubai (now Sultan)is located.
Clean and not too small (seating for about 25) inside, it offers items all Fruiterias offer...
with a menu in English above the ordering area.
Happy colors decorate the interior. A selection of hot sauces are on every table.
Ices(raspados), smoothies, milk drinks(licuados), all juice-juices, 'diet' juices (not with artificial ingredients, but with vegetables as well as fruit...(you drink for the diet effects)), iced coffee drinks, fruit bowls-large in size, even the 'small' for $6.50-(plain, topped with yogurt or cottage cheese, crema or condensed milk and granola), paletas(ice cream on a stick..wonderful flavors), sandwiches, seafood, tostilocos (another post), tamales and salads.
#1 Licuado (milk shake) (small) ($3.60)There is powdered milk in this one, made with papaya, banana, cantaloupe, banana and strawberries.
Medium camarones coctele (shrimp cocktail)($9.60) We counted 23 good sized, plump and flavorful shrimp in this one. The broth was mostly lime juice, not overly tomato. However the cucumber, avocado and cilantro made this quite delightful and very flavored. It's refreshing.
We decided to share a pork torta (#1)($6.50), especially after the Young Man behind the counter told us the bread was made fresh daily in the store.
This sandwich, made with a good portion of sliced, moist and flavorful pork roast and a bit of mayonnaise, was topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeno and avocado and is definitely a meal in itself. The bread was indeed fresh, with a nice crispy crust and it was toasted.
Everything here is fresh, seasonal and takes a short while to be brought out, because it is all made to order. This is how I enjoy eating.
Fruitland & Deli 109 Jamacha (between Main and 2nd) El Cajon 92019
Glad you posted. I just had to peruse it. Now I gotta find one of these here in Yuma. The food looks good and the fruit fresh.
Posted by: ed (from Yuma) | Saturday, 22 January 2011 at 09:01 AM
Always fresh at the fruiterias, ed...so much that I never considered them to be unique until I went to JJ and realized the model they must have followed. The food-no fryers or refried beans..just pleasant, not trying to be healthy/trendy...yet always has been.
Posted by: Cathy | Saturday, 22 January 2011 at 10:13 AM
Highly recommended for its smoothies and fruit, I know the owner she's a very hard worker and is doing everything she can to create the best product. Drink and eat up and enjoy.
Posted by: Loren | Saturday, 22 January 2011 at 07:53 PM
I do plan on a follow up post about the smoothies and fruit bowls, salads (and tostilocos) Loren. The the freshness and localness of fruiterias in general is something I want to stress. I do think this particular Fruiteria is one of the best we have in this large county.
Posted by: Cathy | Sunday, 23 January 2011 at 12:05 PM