La Mesa Bistro and Bakery- a revisit

Hello.  You are reading mmm-yoso!!!, a food-centric blog.  Kirk and ed(from Yuma) are not blogging today, and Cathy is. 

Are you still trying to find a 'normal' way of doing things? With the return to Daylight Savings, and darkness upon us at 5 p.m. combined with the short work week and long weekend and having to catch up with everything...and neighbors putting out Christmas decorations along with the receipt of three Christmas cards in the mail, I feel very discombobulated.  Having a nice lunch in a quiet neighborhood helps to sort of return to 'normal', or at least feel that way for a moment. I posted about breakfast at La Mesa Bistro and Bakery last October, and promised to follow up with a lunch post.  Quick like a bunny, here's that post.

 

Still nestled in the far corner of an "L" shaped mall on La Mesa Boulevard at Glen Street, one signal light South from Jackson Drive (the next block over from the BMW repair shop, if you have had to go there), La Mesa Bistro and Bakery has established itself as a regular Breakfast and Lunch spot in this quiet part of town.  

It's a place where you order, pay and find a seat. You get a number and food is brought to your table, in this room, an adjoining room or the outside patio.  We usually grab a menu and sit down then go back up and order since there are also a few Chalkboard Specials which tend to tempt us and we tend to change our mind as to what we were planning to order.  But we usually come with it is not crowded here.  On weekends, there is a line waiting to just walk inside to pay. As you can see, there are ten hot pots of regular and two hot pots of decaf coffee to choose from. There are also smoothies and espresso beverages offered.  Water is also self serve here.  Quite a few people order a coffee or tea and bakery item to go some mornings.  But, again, we were here for lunch.

Since the restaurant is open from 6-3, breakfast is served all day on weekdays, so the table condiments are reflective of all the possible choices.

I ordered a Reuben sandwich($6.99), because I was craving both sauerkraut and the rye bread baked here.  As you can see, two cheeses and a lot of thin but not too thin sliced corned beef on the grilled, seeded rye bread. I did choose cottage cheese instead of fries, knowing The Mister was getting fries with his lunch choice.

Yes, a Chili Size ($7.99).  Basically an open face half pound burger, topped with chili. Both The Mister and I grew up eating Chili Size with knife and fork, not lettuce or tomato.  Anyhow, The Mister tried to assemble this like a regular burger, picked it up for one bite, then cut it up to eat.  The burger was done to a light medium, not quite medium rare, very juicy. The bun was lightly toasted and very fresh(baked here). The coarse meat grind makes a very good burger.  The chili, made the way we like it, is without beans and had a nice spicy 'kick'. (The fries here are season-salted and very good). 

La Mesa Bistro and Bakery is a good place for breakfast and lunch; its just down the road from Grossmont Mall, Grossmont Hospital and the La Mesa Trader Joe's. 

La Mesa Bistro and Bakery 8697 La Mesa Boulevard La Mesa 91941 (619)589-0806 Open seven days 6:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.  website

Comments

[Hungry]

Just like to tell you that I love reading your posts, Cathy. It's like reading a letter from an old friend.

[Cathy]

You just made my morning! Thank you, Hungry.

[ed (from Yuma)]

Trying to catch up (which is different from trying ketchup) -- been too busy to do anything enjoyable, like read your posts. But this morning, I haave had the pleasure to see where you've been eating lately.

To me, chili size is the ultimate truck stop food. I grew up (and grew out) trying them everytime I found them on a menu. But with lettuce and tomato?? That's just so wrong. Next thing will be tofu chili . . .

[Cathy]

Glad you have some free time, ed. I know what you are saying about chili size; it is a great food item. In the end, the version here was excellent...with a small 'salad' thrown in.