Midweek Meanderings: Banh Mi Bakery and Cafe Coming Soon, Boiling Passion Replaces Pho Paradise, and Mekong Cuisine Replace Sang Deuan

A  new shop coming soon and two new places for hump day......

Banh Mi Bakery and Café:

For some reason, this strip mall on the corner of Clairemont Mesa and Ruffin Road always eludes my attention. But on this past weekend, a sign with "Banh Mi" on it caught my eye, so I drove into the parking lot to check it out.

This is the strip mall with Giovanni's. This shop is right next to Palomino's #2, which Cathy has written about a couple of times.

9353 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92123

Boiling Passion Replaces Pho Paradise:

You can find my post on our visits to Boiling Passion here.

I noticed the sign when driving to pick-up a bento at Nijiya. I noticed that Pho Paradise had closed back in January. Boy did they turn this place around quick. But did they really want to name it "Boiling Passion"?

When I sent off a photo and text to my friends; "John" quickly texted me back asking if this was a massage parlor. I quickly sent off a string of texts about "meat" that isn't really appropriate for this blog.....I'll let your imagination go with that one!

3904 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111 

Mekong Cuisine Replaces Sang Deuan:

I went up the parking lot to turn around and noticed another change.

I hadn't even noticed this one! Sang Deuan sure didn't last long. Well, another place to try. They kept the "Lao & Thai" portion of the old sign, so I'm thinking the menu is probably similar to Sang Deuan's.

3904 Convoy St.
San Diego, CA 92111

So there you go....have a great week!

Comments

[Janfrederick]

FYI, I saw that Crab Hut in Mira Mesa was open yesterday. From the site, it looks like the 18th was the grand opening.

[Sandy]

Thanks for the updates - the banh mi place is close to work.

The name Boiling Passion is almost as bad as Shabu World where Shabu looks like Swab. I drove past this strip mall yesterday, but didn't look at it.

[Junichi]

I liked Sang Deuan but with Thai Papaya closer to home never made it out there that much. Hope Boiling Passion does well. That spot's been cursed.

[Kirk]

Hi Jan - I heard that they're really busy!

Hi Sandy - Ah yes; Swab World:

http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2012/01/shabu-world.html

Hi Junichi - I know; first Viet Bakery and Pho; then V Bakery, then Pho Paradise....now they really better have some Boiling Passion.....

[Passionate Relative =P]

My cousin owns Boiling Passion. I think the name is a loss in translation because in Asia there are no sexual connotations associated with the word "passion." Come try out the food though. It is a great little place and you get a good amount of food. If you are interested in getting a massage, there is a place in the same plaza. Superior Massage.

[Kirk]

Hi PR - Was actually there today. Great portion sizes, though in spite of the Chinese name, the stinky tofu wasn't very stinky and even though the menu says it's yang rou and suan cai, the napa cabbage doesn't taste fermented. The ma-la hot pot was the best......

[caninecologne]

Although I never got a chance to try Sang Deuan when they were there, there's that new place. Hope they last longer than Sang Deuan.

[Kirk]

I hope they last too CC!

[Eliza]

I wonder if Boiling Passion is similar to the extremely popular franchise Boiling Point in LA and Orange County? If it is, I would go there instead of a Shabu place. I like that the broth is already seasoned so the foods have more flavor.

[Kirk]

It is Eliza. The menus and the menu format looks almost exactly the same. Ownership is also Taiwanese.

[laurie]

You guys do the best travelling (and eating)! You should do a group tour so we can tag along-I would sign up-I like how the misses likes walking and you like eating.

[Kirk]

I'm flattered Laurie. Thanks for the kind words. You can always "follow along" on the blog and plan your own "food tour". If you have any questions; feel free to email me and I'll be glad to try and fill in the blanks!