Eating at my Desk: Nijiya, Tita's Kitchenette, Nanay's Best BBQ, Yum Cha Cafe, and Artisan Bento

Things have been pretty busy the last year and a half or so. I've noticed that I eat more lunches at my desk than I ever did before. Yes, I know it's spposed to actually hurt productivity. But there are those things called conference calls, web meetings, and the ever looming and shifting deadline.

Most often, I'll run out and pick up something from Nijiya; probably at least once a week. So many of the lunches I have at my desk look like this.

I'm definitely not complaining about this one....it's comfort food.

Nijiya Market
3860 Convoy St Ste 109
San Diego, CA 92111

"MG" is a good family friend; the Missus is one (I didn't know that folks can have as many as seven) of her son's Godmothers. We used to work in the same department and had some really fun potlucks. We're now in different departments, but she will sometimes drop by to make sure I'm getting fed. Like bringing me hamanado and tapa from Tita's for lunch. Good lord......how in the world was I able to finish this before?

For some reason, it seems time, at least in my mind, hasn't been good to Tita's...the grey color, the tough beef...though I still like the hamanado. In spite of it being on the tough side I like the mild sweetness and the salty tones.

Yes, it's pretty much about quantity....the love of abundance. It's enough for at least two meals.

Tita's Kitchenette
2720 East Plaza Boulevard
National City, CA 91950

One day she dropped off this:

I recognized it immediately...I asked if it was from Tem's and was told "no, it's from Nanay's". Which left me a bit confused, until I found out that Tem's is now Nanay's and apparently the food is basically the same. I will say I enjoyed the "spicy chicken" much more than the pork version I had when the place was Tem's. The "BBQ" chicken kind of reminds me of food court stuff, but it's not terrible....which the rice was, with quite a bit of hard grains in it.

Nanay's Best BBQ
6715 Mira Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92121

Speaking of bad rice.......

Just because I have to eat at my desk doesn't mean I can't have stuff to post on. So on the way back from a meeting I stopped by Yum Cha Café. I hadn't been here in ages. I got the Hainan Chicken Rice....mostly because I must be a glutton for punishment. I mean, the place used to have passable cheap grub, but if this is any indication, they've really taken a dive. Dry tasteless chicken...the rice was hard and dry....ick.

Yum Cha Cafe
6933 Linda Vista Road
San Diego, CA 92111

And then there are the times I get to follow-up on a place I had been wondering about. In this case Artisan Bento. I got the Delux Bento...which clocks in at $13.95! I chose Ginger Pork, Shogayaki...which, being on the more salty side really reminds me of what my mom used to make.

I gotta say that these folks seem to have it down. From the time I ordered to leaving the place, less than 10 minutes!

I still enjoy the ohitashi. The kyuri (cucumber) was really bland. The miso soup seemed much more watered down. I usually cringe at the thought of multi-grain rice. But for some reason, I like the version at Artisan Bento....sheesh...what next? Macramé???

For dessert I chose the strawberry cheesecake which I proceeded to give away. I think I can do the regular bento next time.

Artisan Bento
2505 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92103

One change from my previous post. They now open at 11....so no more walking in at 10 to find out they don't serve food until 11.

So, let me ask you.....do you eat at your desk? If so, what's your go to meal to have there? and what do you think about having to eat there?
 

Comments

[Sandy]

My workplace frowns on having (hot) food at your desk. When I do need to eat at my desk and didn't bring lunch from home, I will pick up either sushi from Zion Market or a banh mi from Cali Baguette.

[kat]

nice variety, though some hits & misses

[caninecologne]

You can't go wrong with the bentos from Nijiya.

My lunches look so sad compared to yours, ha ha. Too bad about that chicken/rice from Yum Cha.

[Kirk]

So cold food is ok, Sandy?

Yeah....I'm trying to still explore food even though I have to eat from my desk Kat!

True, hard to go wrong with bento from Nijiya CC!

[nhbilly]

$13 bucks, wtf. At least the chicken didn't have feathers on it.

[Sandy]

I heard of some departments in our office that banned eating lunch at your desk, but not mine. I wouldn't say that cold food is ok, but it's easier to fly under the radar. I should add Nijiya's bentos to my rotation!

[janfrederick]

Hard rice? Sounds like an epidemic of stubby fingers to me.

[Soo H]

Lucky! Wish somebody would bring me lunch...

[Kirk]

Funny...I've had chicken with a feather or two on it before Billy! Not too happy with those meals.....

Keep flying low Sandy! Check out Marukai and Mitsuwa too.

It's basically not caring about what you serve Jan.

You need to make the right friends Soo! ;o)

[Junichi]

I eat lunch every day at my desk. Albeit I make lunch. Then I read food blogs to decide where to eat for dinner!

[TFD]

I don't have a desk to eat at but I usually get fast food from 99 Ranch. Something about the greasy chinese food brings me back to my college years. I think that's why I love plate lunch so much. Kate and I usually finish the whole plate. LOL.

[Kirk]

Hope you had a great dinner Junichi!

Man, even I can't eat that stuff TFD.....

[foodhoe]

dang, I am so jealous that you can run out for Nijiya bento! In fact, that is a very fine lineup of lunches you have been enjoying.

[Kirk]

Hi FH - Yeah, Nijiya's bentos are a staple for me.