My terrible revisit to Shan Xi Magic Kitchen had me wondering how it compared to the location in the rather desolate 99 Ranch Market on Balboa.
And I mean desolate....as in this was noon on a Sunday...…..
Anyway, I went with the Yang Rou Pao Mo, which has gone up three dollars in price since the place opened. It's now $11.99.
The young lady working here fit right into the mold....she was more concerned about stuff on her smartphone than customers.
While being just mediocre, a bit too thin, lacking richness, this was much better than what I had at the Convoy location. The broth wasn't overly seasoned with white pepper, the lamb was nice and "muttony". Still not a fan of "paomo" in the states. In China it's leavened bread.....here it waxy, dumpling like dough. A few random pieces of tofu....a few strands of bean thread.
At least it wasn't as bad as this:
Still, not very good at all.
Shann Xi Magic Kitchen
5950 Balboa Ave (In the 99 Ranch Market Food Court)
San Diego, CA 92111
As for those wondering how this location of 99 Ranch Market survives......it looks like there's some attrition going on. Looks like Mr A Café has closed....
It's really strange that this market can't get more traction. The food court still looks like a ghost town in your pics.
Have you visited Spicy Hut (previously Golden State Seafood) in Mira Mesa? I overheard patrons asking staff if they were somehow related to the now defunct Spicy King (?) in Vista. A reader mentioned perhaps the previous owners of Dede's is part of Spicy Hut.
Posted by: Faye | Thursday, 31 May 2018 at 09:17 AM
Hi Faye - Yeah, the place was so empty. I haven't been to Spicy Hut....I have it on my list.....though that parking lot is a horror show.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 31 May 2018 at 09:34 AM
Last time I was at Ranch 99 on Balboa I could have sworn I saw a tumbleweed roll through.....in the store....
Posted by: Alan in Clairemont | Thursday, 31 May 2018 at 02:50 PM
:(
Posted by: caninecologne | Thursday, 31 May 2018 at 04:10 PM
:(
Posted by: kat | Thursday, 31 May 2018 at 07:34 PM
And it ran over all the "crickets" Alan?
Very sad CC......
It's sad when something mediocre was even better than the restaurant location Kat.
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 01 June 2018 at 06:44 AM
A 99 Ranch that isn't busy? If I was still in San Diego I would have been all over that store.
Posted by: MrZ | Friday, 01 June 2018 at 08:17 AM
It is a pretty painless shopping experience here MrZ. Though I've heard that prices are a bit higher. Nice to hear from you. Hope all is well.
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 01 June 2018 at 10:29 AM