Is rice still nice? Revists to Homestyle Hawaiian and Point Point Joint

Over the two years or so, my rice intake has really decreased. I'm not so sure if it's age, environment, or what. These days, Da' Boyz are the biggest consumers of rice in the household. It used to be that when we were on vacation, I'd be missing rice after a couple of days....but this time... nada. In fact, the Missus specifically asked me a couple of times if I was missing rice, and strangely I wasn't. And as a matter of fact, it wasn't rice that I was missing. So was rice still nice? After a couple of weeks, I had ample time to see with some revisits:

Homestyle Hawaiian:

I hadn't been back around these parts since last year. The plate lunches here are still pretty much a bargain at around $6 - $6.50. And Mo will always try to make what you want. Even though it isn't on the menu per se, I wanted a Chicken Cutlet.....

 

Basically a chicken katsu plate with gravy....there's a whole scoop of...yes, rice under that chicken and gravy. It did hit the spot, though I wasn't able to finish it off. An acquaintance of mine just can't figure out why I like this..... the main issue being the chicken starts getting soggy under the gravy. Of course this person loves chicken katsudon??? Go figure....

The one complaint I may have about the plate is the mac salad.... I still think Mo needs to add more salt to it.... it's kind of bland for my taste.

Homestyle Hawaiian Island Style Food
7524 Mesa College Drive
San Diego, CA 92111

Point Point Joint:

When you're in need a rice fix, one usually never needs to look further than a good old Filipino "turo-turo" (point-point) joint. And where better to go then a place actually named point-point joint, right? Actually, I wasn't intending a visit to PPJ...... earlier in the weekend, my good FOY (friend of yoso) TammyC just happened to mention sisig, which suddenly had me craving it. I initially went to Conching's since I really like their sisig. TammyC and I always joke about buying a tray of sisig for one of our potlucks, but we're afraid that we'd be the only ones who'll eat the stuff, which is not necessarily a good thing. You'll die with a smile on your face though! Anyway, Conching didn't have any sisig, and what they had looked terribly greasy on this day. I hadn't been to Point-Point in a couple of years, so I thought I'd drop by.

 

It had been about four years, but not much has changed. Seven bucks got me a huge plate of rice, three scoops of sisig, ginisang ampalaya thoughtfully put into a separate container, since I told the friendly woman (and surprised I order this, "OOOoooh, you like this?") I obviously wouldn't be able to finish off the whole thing. Along with the freebie sinigang.....

 

The lechon kawale used for the sisig had almost a jerky-like texture, I'm fairly certain it was fried twice. Not necessarily a bad thing since it didn't get soggy. I'd prefer it a bit more crisp.

 

There was a good ratio of pork to onions, but the flavor was very mild. I enjoy a more bracing sisig; a stronger vinegar flavor and more spice. Not bad, but nothing to write home about.

The bittermelon was strange.......

 

Both oily and bland, a strange adjective to use when a dish uses bittermelon. The bittermelon wasn't very strong in flavor, which sometimes is a plus. But in this case the dish had almost no flavor, too much "soup", and a oiliness that coated your tongue in a rather unpleasant way.

The sinigang at PPJ has always been pretty good. The Missus used to want this when She wasn't feeling well. This wasn't bad, but it had almost a pure vinegar flavor... almost like the vinegar hadn't been simmered.

Point-Point Restaurant
916 East 8th St
National City, CA 91950

I guess in the end, rice is still nice (I'm sure you'll enjoy that AZ)..... I just don't have the capacity, nor crave it quite as much anymore....which may not be a bad thing.

Comments

[The Food Detective]

Your dogs eat very well.

I didn't know there's a PPJ down there? I think Conching has the best sisig in the area. I can eat a whole to-go plate of it. Let me know if you find a place that has better sisig. They also have the best sinigang...ok and also best halo-halo with ice cream.

[kat]

ooh oily bittermelon not good...glad you still like rice though :)

[Kirk]

Hi TFD - You didn't? Conching has my favorite sisig down here as well...... I actually thought that the sinigang at PP was better. Funny, I thought you've been reading forever....did PP back in 2006.

Hi Kat - Yeah, the ampalaya was pretty unpleasant.

[tammy]

I started reading 3 years ago I think.

Oh, may I also add, I think Conching and Valerio's have the best turon.
How come you don't post about the squid dish?

[Kirk]

Hi Tammy - Can't eat turon from anywhere in SD. My friends Mom used to make it, and it's much better than any of the greasy stuff yoiu get here. As for Adobong Pusit, which i believe is the squid dish you're referring to (?). I've never found a decent version here.... so I've quit trying. Most places don't know how to prepare squid here, and I'm kinda picky. You'll notice that I almost never order it from a restaurant in San Diego.

[Hannah J]

wow.. that first plate of chicken katsu looks so mouthwatering. I bet I'd like that gravy. mm, how can someone not understand the allure of soggy fried chicken?? it's the best! haha.

[Kirk]

LOL Hannah! I agree. I hope things are going well for you!

[AZ]

Hi Kirk! Been reading faithfully, but to lazy to comment. Truly enjoyed your vacation photos. I'll never get tired of rice, it sustains me :o) !

[caninecologne]

hi kirk - too bad about the ampalaya. that's one of my favorite dishes (the one you had) - normally i eat it in pinakbet. i've had adobong pusit at a few places (jnc pinoy food mart and the now defunct lutong bahay) and liked it both times. and the sinigang had vinegar? ugh.

[Kirk]

Hi AZ - LOL! I know rice sustains you..... that's why I mentioned it.

Hi CC - PPJ used to make pretty good sinigang.... so hopefully that was just an off day.