Mr. Spicy (Grantville)

Here we are, mmm-yoso!!! Blogging about food.  Cathy has blogging duty today, because Kirk and Ed(from Yuma don't want to blog; they are busy.

Going out for a meal with The Mister has always been random.  We get to an intersection, "left or right?", drive more, turn more, exit because of traffic or not and at some point the question of "fingers, forks or chopsticks?" is asked, answered and we each begin a search for signage of anything that looks interesting.

Things changed a bit in December and pretty soon the equation and questions became a bit more detailed: "spicy?", "Mexican, Thai or Chinese flavors?" became part of the routine.  About that same time, a new place opened just down Mission Gorge Road, at Zion near Friars Road.
 First, we only noticed this small sign on the edge of the mall where Chamorro Grill is located. This mall is just Kitty Corner from the Kaiser Hospital corner (where Longhorn and Pho Xpress still are going strong) and next to the mall which contains Ra-Ka-De-Ka, Troys Greek, San Diego Brewing Company, Saigon Star and Gaglione Brothers.Clean, neat and small (less than 50 seats), this family run business seems to have a steady flow of clientele picking up 'To Go' orders.  There are lunch special plates (Mon-Fri 11-3) with prices ranging from $5.99-$7.99 and the regular menu has a maximum price of $13.99.  The admonishment at the bottom of each menu page is the same: "Hot & Spicy- Please be aware of the spiciness for the spicy food".  This fact is confirmed when you order.When we first sat down, I had no expectations.  The standard Chinese Zodiac place mats, forks, plastic tablecloths were all signs of this place being "ABCDE" (American Born Chinese Dining Establishment). Into the ordering process, I was happily disproved while asking questions (we asked for and got chopsticks)  Our waitress took our order and went to the kitchen window and *yelled* it in to the chef.  This talented man works magic with the wok.First up, a simple sesame pancake ($1.99).  Fresh, flaky, delightful and this would prove a perfect item to use when sopping up flavorful oil.The menu does not provide much in the way of description other than categories of Noodles/Rice (where the pancake was listed), Green Chili, Sizzling Plate, Dried Pot, Boiled Bowl, Pork/Beef/Lamb, Chicken/Fish/Shrimp, Vegetable/Tofu, Soup and Featured Specials.

Above, Chicken with Green Chili and Hot Sauce ($8.99). Red and green bell peppers, a spicy fresh green chili (looks like a jalapeno but it isn't), dry red chilis, garlic, black beans and plenty of chicken.  This is delicious and so very fresh."Featured Special" Twice Cooked Fish with Dried Red Pepper ($11.99).  Wow.  Dry red pepper, ginger and garlic make the heat and flavors, as did the celery, sweet red bell pepper and plenty (we counted eight) filets of twice cooked, lightly breaded, perfectly crispy fried fish.Returning later in the week, with the intention of ordering a lunch special, the waitress recognized us and brought out two cups of the daily soup before we had ordered.  Turns out that the lunch specials looked kind of dull to us and we each were more curious about other menu items.  Above, Boiled Bowl two kinds with Hot Sauce (I chose lamb and beef) ($10.99). The bowl is HUGE.   Here is a bit of what is in the bowl.  Not only beef and lamb (each meat you could taste through the heat of the pepper and garlic) but also plenty of cabbage. The leftover sauce and cabbage was used as a base for soup at home that night.Chicken in dried pot ($8.99)- there is a sterno flame under this pot, which had the most flavorful melding of spices, almost chocolate-like.Underneath all of that were onions (which kept cooking in the heat until almost melted) and really nice, fresh sprouts. 

We will be trying the rest of the menu.  

Mr. Spicy 6618 Mission Gorge Road San Diego 92120 (619)546-6686 Mon-Sat 10:30-9

Comments

[caninecologne]

Lots of good eats in that area! I want to try the is the twice cooked fish...

I recognize the drive thru coffee place, Cuppa Cuppa. I had a really good iced cold brew coffee there (which came with coffee ice cubes)...

[janfrederick]

That boiled bowl looks good. Almost like soup.

[jack]

That boiled bowl looks like a great excuse to OD on rice! I've been here three times and and have enjoyed most everything that I've tasted. I'm so surprised (and happy) that this place is in Grantville

[Ed (from Yuma)]

What a find! That looks like the real thing - or at least close to it. Keep posting and exploring that menu. Thanks!

[Cathy]

Probably because Kaiser Hospital is so close, having so many food choices within walking distance is a good thing, cc. I really liked the twice cooked recipe version done here- even gave the chef a 'thumbs up' after my first bite. I've got a post started about drive thru/walk up coffee/beverage stops and love that Cuppa Cuppa has coffee cubes.
It did end up being a base for soup that evening, JF...and next cold/rainy day, we will be at Mr. Spicy, eating it that way.
So happy to know someone else who has been here, Jack! We are enjoying the variety of flavors in each dish; nothing is the same. It's just down the road from Santee (no freeways) and a great addition.
The Mister is getting his 'spicy' cravings met here (and a few other places) Ed. There's no proclamation of 'Szechuan' and they don't ask for a heat level (but I'm sure you could specify) but the flavors as well as heat with that center of the tongue 'zing' is just so good.