Some openings and closings for hump day.
(Blue) Korea House is Becoming Prime Grill:
At least that's what the posted piece of paper says. You really couldn't miss seeing the façade for Korea House was gone. So we'll see about this one...here's hoping for some stellar Korean BBQ - I'll ping my sources to get more info. With this parking lot, it'll take some really good food to draw people in...here's hoping for the best.
4620 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111
The Former Albertsons (and Haggen) is Becoming 99 Ranch Market:
I really couldn't put Haggen there, because it was only open for such a short time. According to Eater San Diego, it's now going to be 99 Ranch Market! So we'll have two locations within a couple of miles?
Actually, I'd love a Gelson's; but figured the area would be the wrong demographic. And BTW "CC", there's supposed to be a 99 Ranch Market coming to 505 Telegraph Canyon Road as well. I'm sure welcomed news for our friends in the South Bay.
5950 Balboa Ave
San Diego, CA 92117
Mama's Grill has closed:
I was planning on doing a sandwich follow-up on a couple of places in Clairemont/Kearny Mesa, so I dropped by Mama's Grill and found the place stripped down and closed.
I thought they made a decent sandwich, but I guess they couldn't keep up with all the other fast and not-so-fast food places in the strip mall.
7420 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92111
Thanks for reading!
Hi Kirk,
Yeah I heard about the Telegraph Haggens turning into Ranch 99 about a month ago. There is excitement down in the South Bay for that! That parking lot us going to get even more busy!
Posted by: Caninecologne | Wednesday, 13 January 2016 at 08:44 PM
shoot! dennis just got a restaurant.com gift cert to Mama's Grill. i did notice multiple fivestar offers from them though. it didn't keep the business alive...
i ate at blue korea house 10 years ago when I first moved to SD. maybe a revisit is due at the new spot :p
Posted by: Lynn @ Oh-So Yummy | Wednesday, 13 January 2016 at 09:49 PM
Given that you can walk from the current 99 Ranch location on Clairemont Mesa to the new location on Balboa, it seems odd that Tawa's adding an additional location. Maybe they're going to eventually close the Clairemont store once the Balboa store is open? (I'm speculating, I haven't heard anything about this.)
Posted by: Jessica | Thursday, 14 January 2016 at 12:13 AM
That great news for folks in the South Bay CC!
I hope Prime Grill is much better than Korea House Lynn! Perhaps Mama's will reopen elsewhere?
I had the same thoughts Jessica. It just seems odd that they would compete with themselves.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 14 January 2016 at 06:44 AM
I remember when Korea House was the only game in town and I was a regular there. That parking lot is awful!
Posted by: jack | Thursday, 14 January 2016 at 08:20 AM
The new Ranch 99 location looks real attractive with the big parking lot...
Posted by: Soo @ hungryones | Thursday, 14 January 2016 at 08:46 AM
When I lived in SD, I went to Korea House a couple of times. That's all it took to keep me away for the next 18 years.
Posted by: Ed (from Yuma) | Thursday, 14 January 2016 at 10:05 AM
Wow. Korea House has been there forever. Never understood why it lasted so long.
Posted by: Junichi | Thursday, 14 January 2016 at 12:03 PM
Intriguing at the new Ranch 99. I could see them moving to a better location however the current one is kind of an institution now, it's been the consistant backbone of the convoy area asian mecca.
Posted by: Jason | Thursday, 14 January 2016 at 01:13 PM
Sad to hear about Mama's Grill. I just went there for a sandwich a few weeks ago; first time there in about 2 years when I used to work nearby. Thought they did a nice job cleaning up the place since I was last there. The sandwich I had was still plenty good, too.
Posted by: Derric | Thursday, 14 January 2016 at 02:18 PM
They had been able to survive for quite a while Jack.
It'll be quite interesting to see how they do here Soo.
Well Ed......I tried twice when we first moved here....and never returned. Never been to a Korean Restaurant where I was the only Asian in the place.
It's a mystery to me too Junichi......
Hey Jason - You know; I don't know if they are planning a move or keeping both locations.....
Hi Derric - I was quite surprised to see them gone. They were doing decent business during my visits. And they did make some pretty decent sandwiches.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 14 January 2016 at 07:55 PM
I heard that it may open in June 2016 or maybe later in 2016 and the 99 ranch in Chula vista will open in later 2016.
Posted by: ruby barnard | Saturday, 16 January 2016 at 06:20 PM
Hi Ruby - June 2016 is what I heard as well.
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 16 January 2016 at 06:49 PM
wow the Filipinos and other Asians are going to be happy in Chula vista because they wont have to drive all the way to Kearny mesa to go to 99 ranch they have one already there in Chula vista plus seafood city is there also in Chula vista so it looks like seafood city and 99 ranch have some competition.
Posted by: ruby barnard | Sunday, 17 January 2016 at 01:47 AM
When we were looking at houses in 2009 we saw one in that neighborhood just south of that Albertson's, like 3 houses away from the parking lot. I would have been pleased to have a 99 Ranch that close!
Posted by: MrZ | Monday, 18 January 2016 at 03:00 PM
Well MrZ - The family can always move back! ;o) It's going to be an interesting location that's for sure....
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 18 January 2016 at 03:28 PM