SHOMI NOODS @Cravings by 99Ranch (Chino)

Well.  Here you are wondering about that (scandalous!) title while looking at mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog.  Cathy is writing today while Kirk and His Missus are busy doing other things.

The other day, while recovering from a long day working for the Registrar of Voters, the internet showed up on my iPad.   Something about a 'new concept' for 99 Ranch, the local grocery that has two locations in San Diego, each with small Food Court areas.  Cravings is in Chino (a 90 minute drive on the weekend with no traffic if you leave early), opened on October 20 and is half warehouse, half Food Court and very interesting. 
Walk in and to the right is the Food Court area.  We weren't very hungry (had had breakfast and this was a spur of the moment drive) and decided on the Takoyaki ($5.45) and Karaage ($5.95) from the ramen place (I didn't say the name out loud until we were driving home and realized the alliteration and literally did Laugh Out Loud).  

{There are ten businesses in the Food Court area; not all were open and several were very crowded. Photos to follow this food portion of the blogging}

The takoyaki, crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside filled with minced octopus were wonderful - you can see the flaky skin, the gooey interior and some of the octopus in this cross section bite. The thick slices of dried bonito flakes were 'dancing' on the freshly fried octopus balls.  Six pieces made a great snack.  
Do not be afraid of the karaage.  It is dark, 
does looked burned, 
but it has been marinated and only lightly coated in flour and was moist inside, crispy and light.  Also, there was plenty of chicken.  Another perfect snack.  

So, you may be wondering about the rest of the Food Court. Here are some photos.
  Piju (adult beverages and bar snacks) (launched by Cravings)Madbun (meat or ice cream stuffed house made baked or steamed bao/buns)
 Wingman (fried chicken with rice, fries or in a cone)
 Dos Chinos (Latin Asian Grub)
Oi Asian Fusion (Filipino) Cauldron Ice Cream ( https://www.cauldronicecream.com )
Pinky Promise, a patisserie/modern Taiwanese bakery.
Tenori (Japanese- rolls and rice bowls)  
 Red Envelope (freshly fried and grilled fish and shrimp and chips(Cajun style)).  To the left is where you can park your cart after paying, so as not to crowd the Food Court area. 

 Views from the Food Court toward the Warehouse area.  There are bulk items and plenty of freezer items and the fresh produce area has one entire refrigerated/closed door area as well as an open shelving area, but almost everything is pre-packed, unlike the regular 99 Ranch store.  

Cravings by 99Ranch 4024 Grand Avenue Chino, CA (Chino Spectrum Mall)  (909) 760-8899 website  Market open daily 10 a.m., Food Court open daily 11 a.m. 





 

Comments

[caninecologne]

This looks promising! Too bad it's so far. Why can't the newer 99 Ranch have a food court like this? I like it when the bonito flakes "dance" too! :)

[Soo]

Cool looking eateries. I'd give Wingman a try if I was nearby.

[Cathy]

I like the idea of this larger store, although miss the bakery, cc. (There were two types of the bread sold at 'our' stores sold here; must be brought over). The food court quite large and has such variety, it would be so busy if at the new location...which is about the right size for a combination warehouse store-ten vendor food court.

Wingman was the busiest when we were there, Soo. A lot of people had something from Madbun or Tenori on their table also. It's kind of hipster (a bar open at 11 daily) but not as crazy as Anaheim Packing House https://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2014/09/the-packing-district-a-food-centric-road-trip-to-anaheim.html

[kat]

so many interestingly named shops!

[RedDevil]

That’s a funny name! Thanks for the intel!

[Cathy]

Oh my, yes, Kat. It's just that the Food Court opens at 11 and we do drive this way after float road tests...so would make for a long day if we waited to stop here. Had to make this special trip and will do so again. (Have to be on a 2019 calendar search soon).

Yes, yes it is, RD. It was an interesting adventure and a good place to find.

[caninecologne]

Looks like Red Envelope is gone and replaced by that vegan burger place.

[Cathy]

Yes, it's actually the only 'new' food court restaurant, cc. When I posted this, the Red Envelope had changed its menu from what was originally posted on the Cravings website...I think the vegan/vegetarian option is a good choice for people dropping in to the Food Court. Must go back hungry!