Tomson D - Chinese (and Krispy Krunchy Chicken) (La Mesa)

Tomson D has closed. It will be missed. 

This food blog named mmm-yoso!!! has Cathy posting on this hot summer day.  Kirk is enjoying the start of a long weekend.

A sort of odd location, next to a Subway in a curved row of storefronts, this used to be Slides,  a great concept with nice owners (I still crave the eggplant as well as the fish sliders from here).  Now owned by a friendly couple, who seem to always be working, Tomson D has an interesting mix of food offerings as well as clientele. 
When Tomson D first opened in October 2017,  it offered Mongolian BBQ in addition to the still existing menu items, hence the empty 'salad bar'/refrigerated area to the right, in the above photo.
 To the left, when you enter, is a wall menu of various appetizers,Chinese offerings and beverages. 
 To the left of the cash register is a display of fresh Krispy Krunchy Chicken, a Louisiana style franchise with four San Diego locations. (Which Kirk has written about, twice.).  The chicken display always seems to be fresh and we have noticed that it is changed out regularly during the day if not sold out.  

First things first.  I've been here on my own before, on Fridays, when I don't eat meat.  The 'Appetizer' menu has 'fried white fish' ($2.68 per piece).
One piece is quite large, and cut in half per order. 
 Light, crispy batter with some herbs; the tartar sauce isn't really necessary, but I end up using it on the second half, if I want variety. The fish is meaty, flaky and properly fried; not greasy.
 The Chinese menu sells items by size- lunch, dinner and party.  This is the "Tomson Beef" (L $7.38).  Pretty much beef and onions.  The beef is tender with a nice sauce of garlic and chilis.  Each Chinese meal comes with a vegetable egg roll, served in a glassine paper bag.  The Tomson Shrimp (L $7.98) isn't spicy and is stir fried with zucchini, carrot, onion and mushroom.  Very plump shrimp and good, fresh vegetables. 
The Pekin chicken (L $7.58) has a one chili 'heat rating' and it's pretty mild.  Bell pepper, mushrooms, onion and chili are the ingredients and it's all fresh, juicy, flavorful.  

Our first time trying the Krispy Krunchy chicken.  We did order the three piece 'Meal Deal' ($5.59) and received four pieces, which was a nice accident.  So, two legs and two thighs and a honey butter biscuit.  Wow.  The biscuit was really well made- fluffy inside with a crisped bottom and topped with definite honey butter covering the crispy crust; a perfect biscuit. What great fried chicken-light, crispy, the crust- seasoned 'politely' and not 'overwhelmingly'.  The chicken meat was juicy, moist.  Nothing needed to be added.  

A great local owned restaurant with choices which should satisfy most cravings. 

Tomson D 7406 University Avenue La Mesa, CA 91942 (619) 597-6666 Open Tues-Sun 11-9 CLOSED MONDAY

The menu has several teas offered, each for $3 (boba extra).  The peach tea is very nice; you can taste the tea. But really, they sell chicken here. 

Comments

[kat]

that krunchy chicken sounds nice!

[caninecologne]

Good choice with the fried fish and the chicken meal deal (wow, that honey butter biscuit has a nice crisp top).

[Cathy]

It's really good chicken, Kat. A proprietary recipe which is unique.

The location is across from a High School and I think some of the deals are good for the kids walking home, cc. It worked out well in my case with the fish and then The Mister and I discovered the wonderful quality Chinese flavors and food from the kitchen. I never tried the Krispy Krunchy when I saw it elsewhere and now am craving it; would be perfect on a crispy salad.

[Sandy]

I didn't know that Krispy Krunchy Chicken had more than one location in SD!

[Cathy]

Yes, Sandy! No matter when the craving hits, you can find Krispy Krunchy within a few miles. If you are with someone who doesn't want the chicken, the Chinese options are great, too.

[Soo]

The food looks pretty good. Bummer they got rid of the mongolian bbq.

[Cathy]

It's very good here, Soo. Mongolian BBQ is a pretty specific item and until you've done it, you might not want to try it 'alone' for the first time. The freshness of everything and the queries if we liked it all was very refreshing to encounter.