Revisits - Tu Thanh and Manila Fast Food and Desserts

A couple of revisits for you......

Tu Thanh:

I was surprised that Calvin, who's missus is from Westminster, like Bun Mam, had never heard of Bun Mang Vit. They had to ask an aunt who knew all of these Vietnamese dishes. So a couple of months back, I was craving Bun Mang Vit again.

It seems that everytime I visit, something has changed at Tu Thanh. Still, it the Bun Mang Vit I'm after.

And while this was good; it wasn't quite as good as what I've had in the past. The duck was haphazardly cut, some slices too thick, others with slivers of bone. The flavor was still the same though. The broth was a bit lighter in flavor and seemed to have a bit more msg.....I still enjoy the rehydrated bamboo shoots.

When it comes down to it; perhaps it's the sauce that makes everything tick; the garlic-ginger-sweet-salty tones just brings things together.

Which is what it did for Calvin, who had never had Bun Mang Vit before.

The menu seems to be ever expanding here now.

Perhaps someday I'll try something different. But not on this day.

Tu Thanh
4804 University Ave. #A
San Diego, CA 92105
Hours:
Thurs - Tues 9am - 9pm
Wednesday    9am - 5pm 

 Manila Fast Food and Desserts:

So, "FOY" (Friend of Yoso) and periodic commenter "SomTommy" sent me and email after my post on Mama Cinia asking me which Chicken Adobo I prefer; Manila Fast Food versus the rather new Mama Cinia. Hmmmm.....good question. Chicken Adbobo isn't usually the first thing I choose. So I decided to head on back to Manila Fast Food. I hadn't been there in a while. I got the combination with Chicken Adobo and, well, sisig of course.

As you can see, the portion size, typical of these "turo-turo" places was quite generous. That chicken adobo, other than being salty was pretty bland....no nice vinegar, nor black pepper flavors.

The sisig was, unlike previous visits, pretty weak. Too little vinegar, too little spice for my taste. Also, much too waxy in texture.

Kind of a bummer since the sisig, while not traditional, and the kaldereta kambing (which I haven't seen in a while here) were the dishes I enjoyed the most. I actually prefer the sisig at Mama Cinia to this.

Manila Fast Food and Desserts
8979 Mira Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92126

Comments

[Som Tommy]

Thanks for your review of the adobo.

[Kirk]

My pleasure ST!