I've been curious about this place for years and even more so after Cathy posted on it back in 2008. The name though, has always given me pause; as FOY Howie once said, "so, Natural Chicken, eh.....would that be versus, Unnatural Chicken?"
Still, when I recently passed by on my visit to Gaglione Brothers, the place was doing good business with the folks who know good cheap eats; postal workers and cops.
So when I had a chance to drop by a couple of days later I did. This time a large table was filled with city workers having lunch....always a good sign.
The place is dated, simple, and looks like it has seen better days.....but I do like the large brick rotisserie mounted in the front of the restaurant. It must get pretty hot in here when that thing is running....
If you look at the name, you might be surprised when you went to the counter and saw bulgogi on the menu. The place is Korean owned and on this day a really nice woman was manning the front counter.
The sign said "Best Teriyaki Chicken in San Diego" and while it isn't $4.49 anymore, it's still a great deal at $6.19. I ordered it and the woman asked what kind of dressing, when I told her she just turned to the window and simply said "Ranch!" My next surprise happened when I turned to take a seat....well, by the time my butt hit the bench, my food was ready! The chicken as Cathy described is skinless rotisserie, moist and tender, the teriyaki sauce is a "tweener", not overly sweet like the bentos from Nijiya or Mitsuwa, nor too salty. If you prefer it either way, this might be considered bland, but I thought it decently balanced. The rice was good, no complaints there. The "salad" was chopped iceberg with watered down ranch, but what did I expect at this price point?
The food here is priced right and my blue collar roots appreciates places serving honest food at decent prices. If I were still driving a truck or working in frozen foods, or heck, still doing short order work, I'd be here quite often......
"Lookin' out on the morning rain I used to feel uninspired And when I knew I had to face another day Lord, it made me feel so tired
Before the day I ate you, life was so unkind But your flavor was the key to my peace of mind
'Cause you make me feel, you make me feel......"
Well maybe not.....but you know what I mean, right?
Natural Style Chicken
3944 W Point Loma Blvd
San Diego, CA 92110
Hours:
Open Daily 11am - 9pm
Looks like the healthiest thing you've blogged so far.
Posted by: Nhbilly | Monday, 03 March 2014 at 08:31 PM
I like what Nhbilly said :)
Posted by: kat | Monday, 03 March 2014 at 11:56 PM
So happy to see you finally stopped here. The Mister and I have fond memories of meals we've shared at this simple little place; reminds me that we need to go back.
Posted by: cathy | Tuesday, 04 March 2014 at 03:35 AM
Quite possibly Billy!
I did too Kat, quite funny!
Nice folks here too Cathy.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 04 March 2014 at 06:25 AM
I visited the big food court down here in Sorrento Valley a few days ago and was surprised by the addition of ranch dressing salad with my broccoli beef. Strange. But it didn't bother me too much. I guess I'm a sucker for iceberg with ranch.
Posted by: janfrederick | Tuesday, 04 March 2014 at 07:54 AM
That's kind of a weird combo Jan....
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 04 March 2014 at 06:26 PM