mmm-yoso!!!

And if things weren't depressing enough - Fire at China Max

So, we got Covid-19 going on, had a moderate earthquake five days ago....what else? Well, you all probably know about the fire at China Max...….though it had been a while since we've visited, this still made me quite sad. You see, the first post I ever did, nearly fifteen years ago, was in China Max.

Regardless of how you did or did not enjoy China Max....yes, we've had some not-so-great meals there over the years; you never want to see this happen.

And I understand neighboring businesses like Tasty Pot sustained damage as well.

China Max....may you rise again. 

Eating (and Drinking) in the Time of Covid-19 - Take-Out from Poseidon Project and Wa Dining Okan

A few more take-out orders....

Poseidon Project:

My favorite weekly "pau hana time" stop is now doing take-out pizza, beer, and family meals. So, how can I not support the place?

Mostly stopping to pick up a couple of beers now and then; though the Missus has really taken to the Wild Barrel Vice with Passion Cactus Dragon Fruit. I knew the Missus would enjoy this Berlinerweisse the first time I tasted it. I'm happy to get it for Her while they still have it in stock.

And once in a while; one of their pizzas will hit it out of the park.....

Poseidon Project
4126 Napier St
San Diego, CA 92110

Bentos from Wa Dining Okan:

If you're standing in line to get into Nijiya, you can't miss their signs.

I called while waiting in line at Nijiya and ordered the Karaage Bento. When I finished my shopping, I popped in.

While the karaage didn't hold up over the trip back home; I thought this was pretty good.

In fact, I kinda prefer this to my recent sit-down lunches.

And the miso soup was perhaps the best I've had from Okan.

I decided to order again on my last trip to Nijiya and this time ordered the Buta Kakuni.

And while I wish the eggs weren't cooked so much; the pork was surprisingly tender and full of flavor.

I might do this again while waiting in line at Nijiya.

And this post on Okan goes out to "FOY" (friend-of-yoso) ChrisR, who is always the first to gently remind me via email, of how wrong I am whenever I type a negative word on Okan. I hope you and yours are safe and in good health Chris!

Wa Dining Okan
3860 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111

Take care everyone!

Recently Consumed - Cream of Broccoli Soup and Hasselback Potatoes (sort of a recipe)

How are you hanging in there? Our hope is that everyone is in good health.

I know for a fact that many folks are cooking like crazy...….trying to keep busy during our "stay at home" during these challenging and unsettling times. We've been trading food with friends.

And the Missus keeps wanting soup.

I have a basic potato-leek soup recipe that I can use as a base for things, like the Cauliflower or Asparagus Soup. So, on this night the Missus wanted Cream of Broccoli Soup, which now, even though I've worked a full day (I've been going in at 530 am to do validation/tasks), I can pull off fairly smoothly.

Though on this night the Missus wanted Hasselback Potatoes....who the heck wants to make that on a weeknight? Aaaand She wanted it topped with Bacon and Cheddar Cheese.

Basically, to form the potatoes....I found some good sized Yukon Golds for this.

You line up two chopsticks on either side of the potato and make thin slices, leaving about a quarter inch of unsliced potato at the bottom.

Since I had made bacon, I strained the fat and brushed on the fat and used Maldon Salt to season the exterior and in between the slices.

I baked in a 425 oven on a rack over a baking sheet.

After 20 minutes, I noticed that the slices had started to separate, so I brushed on a nice coating of what remained of the fat along with some extra virgin olive oil.

After about another 25 minutes, it looked good to go. I turned the oven up to 500 and topped with some smoked cheddar that I had grated. Along with bacon.

After a few minutes it was ready.....but the Missus wasn't......talkin' about killing me!

Anyway, after a short wait, the Missus got Her soup and potato.

Not bad for a Wednesday night.

What have you been eating during these unsettling times?

The Pacific Seafood Mariscos Truck

I noticed that this Taco Truck is again parked in the lot of V-Outlet, so I thought I'd go ahead and do the post.

A couple of months back, I noticed a Mariscos Truck parked in the lot of V-Outlet.

It's been a while since I recall a Mariscos Truck in the area. So, after a bunch of delays, I managed to make a visit.

It seems to be a nice husband and wife team running this truck. Their young daughter helped mom put the sign and up kept herself amused on the wall in back of the truck.

On this visit, I decided to get one fried and one none fried taco....I really wanted a Gobernador, but didn't see it until after I ordered ("Governor"), so I got a fish taco and a shrimp a la diabla and ate on the hood of my car.

The woman kindly offered me some consommé......

Super hot, though lacking in seafood flavor and too much celery.

The beer battered fish taco was the better of the two.

The tortilla was basic, but decent. The batter on the fish was light and crisp. The fish while not being of the highest quality (what do you expect for two bucks?), was moist and tender. The cabbage was crisp; the tomatoes in the pico….well, wasn't fully ripe, but the textures were nice. not bad.

The Shrimp al la Diabla, wasn't my favorite.

Well, this wasn't very spicy, though those cebollas de habanero had quite a kick and added to the taco. The taco was quite hefty, though there didn't seem to be much shrimp in this and it was fairly greasy and really lacked flavor. The double tortilla was a good idea, but this was just mediocre overall.

Well that fish taco wasn't too bad, so on my next visit a couple of weeks later, I decided to go with something fried (shrimp taco) and the "Governor" (Gobernador). I was again graciously given a cup of the consommé, which tasted the same as on my previous visit.

The Beer Battered Shrimp Taco was probably the best thing I've had from this truck.

There was a good portion of shrimp, like the fish taco, the batter was crisp and fairly light......as before the pico de gallo left something to be desired, but this was pretty good....I'd have it again.

The Gobernador; while not as bad as the Shrimp Diablo left something to be desired.

I did enjoy the avocado, but again there was too much vegetables and "stuff" compared to shrimp, which was overcooked and on the rubbery side. It also was on the greasy side and fairly bland.

Overall, some nice folks, the food is definitely not on par with the Mariscos Trucks in the South Bay. The shrimp taco was decent....I think staying with the fried stuff here might be the way to go.

And yes, I just passed by today and the truck was in the parking lot.

Pacific Seafood Mariscos Truck
In the Parking Lot of V-Outlet
3020 Clairemont Dr
San Diego, CA 92117