Leilani's Café:
If you think it's been awhile since I've had a loco moco, you'd be right. These days the joyful combination of rice-eggs-hamburger patty-gravy is a treat...something I'll have maybe 2-3 times a year. Perhaps it's been about 8 months since I've had a locomoco; it's been over 8 years since I've visited Leillani's Cafe on Cass. I'd been to the now defunct location in Serra Mesa as recently as 2009, but it's been a mighty long time since I've been around these parts. not since I visited Alex's Brown Bag inside Latitude 32.
While Leilani's might be a bit more spiffed up from what I recall; it's still that tiny shop....truly a café. I'd attempted visiting one time before, but the place seems to be doing a nice amount of business. However, on this rainy weekend morning. One in which I sorely missed a loco, there was room for me....and my Hilo Loco:
For some reason; I think the Hilo Loco is better than I recalled. Perhaps time has made the heart grow fonder....but having time between these will make sure my heart doesn't stop mid-beat.
The rice was nice (how's that for a rhyme), nice pieces of Portuguese Sausage give it enough spice and mild heart, making it even more hearty. The gravy is by the book; no complaints here. The hamburger patty is still a bit overworked, too lean, and tough for me.
The eggs....well, while I'd have loved some crisp edges....I'm not going to complain when oozy yolk is staring me in the face.
Leilani has carved out a nice little niche for herself. She even has a shop next door to this cozy little cafe. It's good to know that the Hilo Loco....well...is still a Hilo Loco.
Leilani's Cafe
5109 Cass St
San Diego, CA 92109
Open Daily 7am-3pm
nice! we just had makeshift loco moco for breakfast today! have a good week:)
Posted by: kat | Tuesday, 28 April 2015 at 04:00 PM
You know it'll be a great day when you start it with a loco moco, right Kat?
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 28 April 2015 at 07:46 PM
I missed the Leilani's in Serra Mesa; it was close to my office. I haven't had a loco mock for awhile; guess I'll have to trek to PB soon!
Posted by: Sandy | Tuesday, 28 April 2015 at 09:53 PM
Or maybe Island Style Cafe Sandy? Though I haven't been there in a while....
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 29 April 2015 at 06:37 AM
I haven't had a loco moco over a year I think. And yours look so ono! Love when fried rice has Portuguese Sausage in them.
Posted by: Carol | Saturday, 02 May 2015 at 09:03 PM
Hi Carol - This one hit the spot! Hope all is well.
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 03 May 2015 at 08:39 AM