J-K's Greek Cafe (La Mesa)

mmm-yoso!!! is a blog, written interspersedly by Kirk, Ed(from Yuma) and Cathy. Today, it's Cathy's interspersion.

J-K's, tucked in the corner storefront on University Avenue, has been in this location for more than 20 years. You might miss it if you aren't keeping your eye out for the signage.

 The little sign "Greek Style Whole Chicken $7.99" to the left of the door is take out only.

Above, the signage you'll see when driving on University.

When you step inside, you'll be greeted by someone working the grill behind the counter.  If you say you are eating in, you can take a seat at one of the eight tables. There are also two tables out in front.

If you come in Monday-Saturday at lunch time, you will be handed the Specials as well as the regular menu.

We enjoy the Greek salad here; cold, crisp lettuce, tomato, cucumber and onion topped with a house made herby dressing and Feta.  

On this day, I chose the chicken souvlaki sandwich lunch.  Served on soft, warm pita, unrolled in the photo, the marinated grilled chicken is surrounded with lettuce, tomato and onion and served with a house made tzatziki (yogurt-cucumber sauce) on the side.  

The Mister ordered the Grecian Burger lunch, which was an absolutely wonderful lamb-ground beef mix, cooked to a light medium.  So flavorful and served on the toasted fresh sesame-seeded bun, with lettuce, tomato and more fresh tzatziki, it was large, juicy and tasty. 

We also ordered a side of fried zucchini ($4.95) to share.  Fresh, crispy and not greasy, the fry here is done right. There are some herbs in the batter, which makes dipping in the tzatzki sauce a complimentary flavor. 

Above, the $7.99 Greek Style chicken to go.  Marinated (lemon and oregano are the predominant flavors), rotisserie'd, not as large as a Costco chicken, but oh so good...the meat falls off the bones. The Mister picked this up one evening not too long ago. 

 

The fresh tabouli ($4) goes well with the chicken.  It's made with parsley, onion, tomato and bulghur-the dressing of olive oil and lemon is on the side when it's a "to go" order.  I usually save some for the next day.

Fresh made (smoky tasting eggplant) baba ghanouge ($5.50, comes with pita) is a side I always enjoy. 

J-K's has withstood the test of time and is still going strong.

J-K's Greek Cafe 7749University Avenue, La Mesa 91942 (619)464-1915 website

 

 

Comments

[nhbilly]

Definitely looks yum. Got a joint here in SATX that does a decent job if only they have a lamb burger on the menu.

[Soo]

Wow! Fried zucchini and greek style chicken. :-) I'm gonna have to try this place. :-)

[TFD]

That chicken looks good! Is J.K. for Just Kidding? hehe.

[Cathy]

Thanks, Bill. The burger here is excellent.
In other posts, I have mentioned how Greek places make excellent onion rings, Soo. Sadly, no rings here, but the zucchini is prepared properly.
The chicken is so very good, TFD. I think the J-K a combination of husband and wife first initials...but that logo-on the building, sign and menu-only the husband...

[caninecologne]

This place's neighbors are a dog wash and a "massage" parlor. That eggplant dip looks so good! It's interesting to see the different spellings of "baba ghanouge".

[Cathy]

There is another neighbor in that small mall (the top sign behind), cc- http://www.therookbar.com/home.html (full contact chess!). The eggplant, however they spell it, is great here-fresh. I notice many different spellings of certain words on menus and try to stick to how each place likes to refer to the item (omelet vs omelette; hummus vs hummous; yogurt vs yoghurt).

[caninecologne]

Yes, that's how I would do it too. It's hard to "romanize" or "anglicize" foreign words. Better to stick with how the menus spell things.

Wut? Full contact chess? Are they in cahoots with the "massage" place? JK.