I really don't get up to Oceanside nearly as much as I should. I haven't been back up here since I visited Panca last October. Recall writing about the not yet opened Guahan Grill back in September of 2010. Time sure does fly....though I hadn't forgotten about the place. Recently, I was up in the area right at lunchtime, so I thought I'd check the place out.
I enjoy the bright colors of the restaurant, simple furnishings, a bar area, looking a bit smaller from the interior than I thought. As bright as the colors of the restaurant was, the young lady who served me shone even brighter. I believe her name was Karen. She was just perfect for a place like this; friendly, casual, and laid-back, but still professional. As the name indicates, the food here is Guamanian/Chamorro influenced, but also with some updated items like the "Guam Bomb", Guahan's version of Fries topped with barbecue chicken, melted cheese, and spicy mayo and Poke Tacos.
I decided to go with the Guahan Special ($12.75), which features a meat of your choice, kelaguen, empanada, rice (I chose red rice of course), and one side.....potato salad for me. It was a good bit of food.....
Karen instantly endeared me to her by bringing out a nice bowl of that wonderfully salty-sour-tangy condiment called Finadene. I've made the claim that I could eat cardboard with finadene. I really liked the version here, it had a nice zip....I could probably do shoe leather with this one! She also asked if I wanted boonie peppers, the answer was of course an immediate "yes"!
The plate was pretty large and the variety was enough to keep me interested.
So, it's off to the races....the kelaguen, probably my favorite Chamorro dish as I've as I've mentioned before. This version was a bit bland without the finadene and the chilies.
Everytime I write about kelaguen, I harken back to the amazing version my friend;s mom made back in Hawaii or Santos's version, so I'll spare you this time around. This just needed a better flavor base, though the finadene saved it.
Loved the texture of the red rice, though it was very mild in flavor until......yeah, you've got it, I hit it with finadene.
The empanada was nice and crisp. The chicken filling was very moist and tasty....sort of pulled chicken if you will. A bit mushy in texture, but nice flavors.
The potato salad was too sour for my taste. It reminded me of the version at the now defunct Islander Grill
The biggest and most pleasant surprise were the barbecue spareribs.
While these weren't the "pull the bone out cleanly" ribs, it was sufficiently tender. Nice fat, decent texture, the flavor was a nice salt and a touch of sour. Of course the finadene just made them that much better.
If I lived close by, I'd eat here every so often. I loved the service, there's a half dozen beers on tap....something which could probably be doubled with no problem. Karen told me her favorite dish is the marinated then fried ribs, which I'll definitely be back for. There's the Jahwaiian music that always keeps me happy. Life is good......
Guahan Grill
4259 Oceanside Blvd Suite 104
Oceanside, CA 92056
Hours:
Tues - Thurs 11am - 9pm
Fri - Sat 11am - 10pm
Sunday 11am - 9pm
I really gotta get up here more often.....
Interesting joint and it didn't fail miserably.
Posted by: nhbilly | Tuesday, 27 August 2013 at 05:38 AM
No it didn't Billy! Man, you're up early!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 27 August 2013 at 05:58 AM
Very nice Kirk! That's a lot of food on your plate!
Believe it or not, I only heard of this place when I visited Portland last year. We were eating at PDX 671 (a Guamanian food cart @ the D Street Noshery food pod)and the owner asked if I had eaten at Guahan Grill! We haven't been there yet, but plan to go soon (before my coupon expires too, ha ha). If only this place weren't so far!
Posted by: caninecologne | Tuesday, 27 August 2013 at 06:56 AM
Hi CC - You know, I can't believe I finished all that...really. I'm going back for the deep fried ribs.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 27 August 2013 at 07:11 AM
That looks like an awesome plate of food Kirk! I remember visiting Guam for a few days as a kid a long time ago but we basically ate gringo food there, ha.
Posted by: Dennis | Tuesday, 27 August 2013 at 08:10 AM
Yummy looking ribs!
Posted by: Soo | Tuesday, 27 August 2013 at 11:21 AM
Hi Dennis - You may want to give Chamorro Grill as try, they're on Mission Gorge Road. This is better though.
Hi Soo - It was better than expected. Ribs were decent.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 27 August 2013 at 11:27 AM
I've heard of this place for awhile but never remember to stop by. Maybe I'll stop by this week if it's not too hot. Gotta try that sauce. LOL
Posted by: TFD | Tuesday, 27 August 2013 at 11:02 PM
Hi TFD - I like finadene....actually, my mom liked on green mango. It's easy to make, but hard to make real well.
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 28 August 2013 at 06:02 AM
It's only 6:30am in SATX and I do need my breakfast ;-)
Posted by: nhbilly | Wednesday, 28 August 2013 at 11:18 AM
LOL Billy! Most important meal of the day!
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 28 August 2013 at 09:17 PM
looks great, Kirk. i missed having finadene with my friend's family whenever they have big gathering. you are right, i can put that on anything and eat them.
ribs look good. maybe when it cool down, i'll drive up. thanks.
Posted by: Didi | Sunday, 01 September 2013 at 10:51 PM
Hi Didi - I hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 02 September 2013 at 03:44 PM