Current Obsession: Mango, Chamango, Mangoneada.

You are reading mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog.  Kirk is busy (with things to do and eat in an exotic part of the world), ed (from Yuma) is busy (with things to do and eat in Yuma) and Cathy is busy (blogging about things she did and ate recently).

So.  I was cleaning up 'my' area of the kitchen today and noticed something about my current snacks. There is a commonality in all of these items.

I'm not a chocoholic; never was. Sugary sweets don't interest me.  I am currently a craver of a combination of tangy mango with salty-savory-pickled-sour with chile powder heat and occasionally the sweet of gooey tamarind candy. Every possible receptor cell taste bud being active in a single food item.  How did this happen?

In December I went on a Major Food Crawl with fellow Bloggers caninecologne (Pink Candles at Ridgemont High), Carol (CAB Cooks) and Dennis (A Radiused Corner)-no, I never wrote about the eight or so places we stopped at; I started to and the post got *huge*.  Instead, I have returned to each of the eateries we stopped at and have been enjoying the specialties enjoyed at each.  There will be more posts.

This is where the spicy and mango comes into play.  We stopped at Teresita's Fruiteria.

Teresita's is located in a mall anchored by a KFC and McDonald's on the Northwest corner of I-805 and Palm Avenue. Technically, it is in San Diego City, but it is way South. 

There is an extensive menu, however, not only was it late in the very long day for the four of us, but CC knew what Teresita's sold that nobody else does- Chamango.  We ordered four.

A frozen mango smoothie-with chunks of mango, swirled with chamoy  liquid and topped with bits of Chaca Chaca- a gooey tamarind candy.  The combination of sweet-tart mango with the pickled sour saltiness and chili heat of the chamoy and the gooey fruit candy bits of tamarind was delightful, refreshing and a combination of flavors I had never tasted (and those who know what I do around this time of year know that I have tasted a lot of bizarre stuff). I have returned many times to Teresita's, even though it is a long drive from home.

I really only want the Chamango (small is about $4) but also order a small pico de gallo ($3.50) (the long white pieces on tope are slices of fresh coconut) (really good) and, on this visit a grilled cheese sandwich ($2.50) so as to appear to be eating a healthy meal. The pico, topped with Tajin, or a Tajin-like mix of salt, red chile and lime is a wonderful combination of fruit, vegetable and heat. The grilled cheese is particularly addicting for me.  There is only one bread, no choice.  It is a *really* nice, chewy whole wheat that is crisped up and...filled (you can see) filled with an unusually high quality sliced processed American cheese. Really.  I *hate* Kraft slices and don't even want cheese on burgers, but this cheese, slightly melted with this bread...heaven. Creamy and salty and a great sandwich.

Teresita's Fruiteria 4370 Palm Ave, Suite 5 San Diego 92154 

 So.  I have posted about Tropical Fruit Paradise, a fruiteria right down Mission Gorge Road, closer to where The Mister and I live.  

I do enjoy fruiterias because the whole concept of a fruit shop is fascinating.  Growing up in colder climates, the idea of walking into a store and finding fresh fruit, much less having it prepared in various ways was never considered by either myself or The Mister.  

In addition to the torta sandwiches mentioned in my other post, wraps are offered here.  

The chicken wrap costs about 50¢ more than a turkey or ham wrap.  All are made with a spinach wrapper and simply filled with lettuce, tomato and Ranch dressing.  But the chicken is heated on the grill and tastes that much better.

As with most fruiterias, Tostilocos is (are?) available ($3.99). The version here uses regular cucumber as well as jicama and the hot sauce coating everything is quite spicy hot.  A bit different and very good. 

The mango-chamoy beverage here is a Mangoneada.  It is made with frozen mango chunks and orange juice.  The chamoy is nicely distributed as the beverage is poured in the cup.  BUT instead of being topped with tamarind pieces- the straw is coated in Chaca Chaca, the chewy, salty tamarind candy...

That's a small Fruit Salad Freeze ($3.75). Also very good -strawberries, peaches and banana.

I hope everyone is having a good weekend and satisfying current cravings. Thanks for introducing me to this one, caninecologne!

 

Tropical Fruit Paradise 10387 Friars Road San Diego 92120 (619) 584-4786

 

Comments

[caninecologne]

wow, that Mangoneada looks amazing! i like the "straw" too!

i learned something new. i never knew the tamarind candy in the Chamango was called 'chaca chaca'. i'll be sure to look for it next time i seek Mexican candies... :)

[Cathy]

Hi, cc! The only difference is orange juice mixed with the mango in the Mangoneada-and the excess of tamarind that I can get from that straw. Thanks for showing me this wonderful treat and flavor combination that I never would have tried on my own. The link I put to Chaca Chaca was a sarcastic one, but the candy can be found in most Mexican Markets.

[ed (from Yuma)]

Looks and sounds interesting. I need to explore the fruiterias out here.

[caninecologne]

hi cathy - both you and carol are HOOKED on these Chamango drinks! the trick to making your drive down south worthwhile is to buy two - drink one and freeze the other! i noticed the sarcastic link (yikes, lead? i remember when that was in the news but didn't know it was that kind of candy)....

[Cathy]

Fruiterias are so much more interesting than Jamba Juice-type places, ed. I want to call the stores old fashioned for some reason. I bet you'll like it.

Look at the first photo, cc. The Chile Spiced Mango from Trader Joe's-$1.99 for 8 ounces. (Chile mango in the bulk bin at Sprouts is $5.99/lb). I have one slice of the TJ mango every day, just to satisfy the craving. But to freeze and then have to scrape a bite from a Chamango each day...oh that sounds so good. The Chaca Chaca they sell now is safe.

[Nerdswithfood.wordpress.com]

In my opinion, the chamango at Teresita's is the best. Don't get the chamango at Neveria Tocumbo. What you'll end up receiving is chamoy slushie and some cut mango on top. VERY disappointing. Get the Mangoneada instead there. That place makes a mean one. I'm glad you blogged about the one in Mission Valley! I've been looking for a chamango closer to home!

[Cathy]

Teresita's does have the chamango version I like the most. Thanks for the recommendations, NWF. I tend to patronize Fruiterias in East County, but Mission Gorge Road does go from Mission Valley to Santee, so the drive is easy for me.

[Jane]

Bobalicious in Mira Mesa next to Babies R Us serves chamango, also. It was where I had my first taste of it & I love it! They use the coated straws, also. I always take an extra straw because I like to let the Chaca Chaca, as you call it, melt into the rest of the drink. I'm having one right now as I type this!

[Cathy]

Isn't it just a perfect sweet-salty combination, Jane? So good even in the 'winter' of San Diego. Welcome to the comment side of our blog and thanks for the tip- I now need to stop at Bobalicious!