Tropifruit (Fruiteria and sandwiches) (El Cajon)

mmm-yoso!!! is the food blog, with writings about random foods consumed at random places sometimes surrounding random events.  No such events to speak of in this post, though, sorry.  (Cathy is writing.)

Well here we are.  A new year.  Some of you may have made resolutions to 'eat healthier' or maybe to 'try new things'.  Those aren't resolutions to me, since I try to do those already (I also don't use drive thrus, try to only purchase organic milk, make an effort to clean for 15 minutes straight once a day, spend 15 minutes a week rearranging one drawer or shelf...different, attainable goals).  So to maybe give you an idea of 'healthy' and 'new', perhaps this post will be an impetus. 

Just on the other (West) side of Johnson Avenue from Parkway Plaza Mall is a small strip mall with a tire store, bank and Burger King. There's a Taco shop, a Thai Restaurant some other businesses and Tropifruit.

It's a fruiteria, one of  many in San Diego, has been in this East County location for years and was recently re-decorated.  We are so lucky to live here, with fresh fruits and vegetables available all year and I really try to buy local and enjoy what we have. (Here are two posts I've written about other currently open fruiterias. This is a link to one that is closed, but just to give you an idea.)

The menu has stayed the same since the remodel; breakfasts, sandwiches, smoothies, juices, waters, ices (raspados), fruits and salads.  All fresh and in season, all made to order. 

Here is a meal The Mister and I shared.  (The photo shows an odd perspective, but that torta roll/bolillo really is HUGE.)

This is a small pico de gallo($5.50)- bite size cut up fruits and vegetables, topped with a squeeze of lime and spicy salt. The fruits included grapes, mango, watermelon and papaya; vegetables were jicama and cucumber.  Spicy salt is Tajin (or a similar item), just chiles, lime and salt. This is always refreshing.This was the "Special Torta" ($6.50) which included both pork loin (lomo) and ham as well as lettuce, tomatoes, avocadoes and jalapeño strips on a freshly toasted bolillo roll. 

A recent breakfast we enjoyed included mollettes ($5.99), a toasted wheat bolillo roll topped with refried beans and melted cows milk cheese (I think this was Monterey Jack or white cheddar; it was very creamy).  This is very much a 'comfort food'  item for me...creamy, warm, toasty crunch. The accompanying (quite large) side of fresh chopped tomatoes, onions and jalapeño goes just perfectly.

We also shared a small fruit salad ($5.75) Apples, bananas, grapes, strawberries, pineapple topped with cottage cheese (or plain yogurt), sunflower seeds, raisins and granola accompanied with a side of honey is a good, sweet treat any time of day.

Tropifruit 100% Natural Juice Bar 762 N. Johnson Avenue Suite 103 El Cajon 92020 (619)588-0303 M-F 7 am-8pm; Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 10am-6pm

Comments

[Kirk]

Hi Cathy - That looks a lot more healthy than other versions out there.

[janfrederick]

"wheat" bolillo? How cool is that? Looks delicious.

[Cathy]

It's a really nice place, Kirk. Tasty as well as healthy; best of all worlds.
Yes, JF- I see "trigo" bolillos and telera rolls for sale at Mexican Markets. Used for a mollette (which isn't on every menu, so try one when you see it) makes it all the better for a comforting breakfast.