Sunday Sandwiches - Gaglione Bros (Mission Gorge) and Where I've Roamed in the Time of Covid-19

I actually took a day off; like a real, what's supposed to be a working day off.......mainly because I needed to take my car in for service. It had just gone over the 10k mark (yes, I bought it last year.....that'll be part of an interesting post; in hopefully the near future).

In the past, I'd make an appointment to take my car in on Saturday and then take the trolley to the Gaslamp or another place where parking was somewhat of an issue to explore and pass the time. In the time of Covid-19 though; I really  wasn't going to do that. So, I made an appointment during the week; when I thought things would go faster and things would be less busy. So, I found myself ensconced on a table a bit far from the rest of the folks waiting; there was some good spacing set-up by the dealer....and masks were required; though there was that part of the population wearing their mask below their nose......sheesh.....

Anyway, I was at a pretty safe distance from everyone.

And my car was done in under two hours.

As I drove the car off the lot; I wondered where I could pick up some lunch on the way home.....I hadn't been in the Mission Gorge area in a while.....in fact, other than trips to the dry cleaners in Tierrasanta, which allowed for a stop at Island Syle Cafe.....I hadn't been East of the I-15 since....well, maybe not at in 2020!

I had been craving a Cheesesteak, since the last rather mediocre one I'd had a month or so back. And I hadn't been back to the MG location of Gaglione Bros in over six years! So, I decided to had on over. Walknig in, things were fairly controlled, though not quite clear on a few things....like where to wait for your sandwich or even where to pick your sandwich up when it was ready.

At first I waited outside; but there were two guys eating at the table there. So, after a few minutes, I went inside where another customer was waiting for his sandwich. At least there was only the two of us; so spacing was not a problem. Eventually, my sandwich made it to the counter.....and sat there for a while; until someone decided to call out my name.......

Anyway, I ordered the Mushroom Cheesesteak......feeling a bit hungry; I made it a large ($11.99), with White American cheese. It was quite a handful...or mouthful....

It was still pretty darn hot when I got home; the meat was fairly tender; there was a good amount of not-overly-sharp, milky, gooey cheese, the mushrroms added a nice savory-earthiness to the mess. The Amoroso was starting to go on the beast, but this was much better than what I last had at the Point Loma location two years ago. My only complaint was how salty this was...... Still, quite a large lunch....great pre-siesta stuff for a day off.

Gaglione Brothers
10450 Friars Rd
San Diego, CA 92120

I mentioned a bit earlier that I hadn't been in the Mission Gorge area since last year......which kind of surprised me. Then I got to thinking about what my "footprint" was since mid-March. Especially since I had texted "CC" when she mentioned a couple of places in the South Bay; saying that I don't think I've been south of the 94 since this whole mess started.

Wondering what my Covid-19 "range" was and quickly did a Google Map. The area below is where I've been to.

It's very telling in some ways......I haven't been South of the 94.....and of course I'm missing all of our favorites down there, Aqui es Texcoco in their new location, Mi Pana, and all the other favorites. Other than my quick run to Kindred, I haven't been south of University ot North Park Way. Not being East of the 15 means I've been missing all the good stuff in City Heights. And other than quick stops at R&B and TP Banh Bao 3, I haven't strayed north of Mira Mesa Boulevard. I've only been West of the I-5 on trips to Trader Joe's in PB. The Missus's footprint is even smaller, no further south than Washington Street, no futher North than La Jolla Village Drive....and She actually walked there (that's also for another upcoming post). And of course I'm wondering how the Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings at Royal Mandarin are doing; or really want to check out De Cabeza, which occupies the former location of Aqui es Texcoco. But I'm trying to keep my travels concise; trying to consolidate stops...trying to do what I consider to be the "right thing".

So, how far have you "roamed" since mid-March?

Comments

[kat]

farthest has been okachimachi and it was only once...other than that I try to go where I can walk without taking the train....have a safe week!

[caninecologne]

My first foray anywhere out of CV was in May. Since then, I've been as far north as OB and as far east as the new Mostra in 4S Ranch. Mask on of course and keeping my distance from folks.

[SageOlson]

Heh my map is partially the negative space of yours, though that’s in large part because I live over by Fry’s (and work in Kearny Mesa, though I’ve been working from home most of the time). If I didn’t live in this portion of Serra Mesa I wouldn’t have much reason to wander over.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0257/8237/files/c19.png

[Peter]

Occasional forays to Alpine Beer in Alpine to refill my growlers, otherwise, staying in either 92037 (Valley Market + restaurants to-go) or 92109 (Gelson's + Better Buzzed + restaurants to-go) -- that's it. And now that 92109 is a hot spot, gonna dial that back.

[RedDevil]

Glad you got a day off. Got a meatball sub at the MG Gaglione bros when I used to work near there. It was an absolute salt bomb. Never been back. Saw a new branch of Joyee’s just opened on Poway rd but it looks out of your range. Stay safe!

[Hangzhou Hero]

Glad to hear you took a day off Kirk. And thank you for always posting. Reading about your adventures has been so comforting during this whole situation!

[Kirk]

Yeah, I would not feel comfortable riding the trian either Kat.

It's kind of interesting seeing where I've actually driven since March CC.

That's so interesting Sage. Since I'm considered essential, though non-frontline I have a "footprint" that kind of fits.

Hi Peter - Yes, last time I checked that zip code was heading toward the 1300 mark with regards to positive Covid-19 cases. Great to hear from you. Take care!

Hi RD - Yes, the cheesesteak was on the salty side. Poway is a bit out of the way for now....which is kind of sad, because I used to love to head out and explore on the weekends.

Thanks HH! I really appreciate te kind words.

[Sandy]

I can tell you that the Royal Mandarin salt and pepper wings are still good! I dropped off some wings for my brother-in-law when he had a birthday during self-quarantining. He was a happy camper. My footprint has been mostly SR/RP/Mira Mesa/Poway. In fact, I just noticed the Joyee's in Poway.

[Kirk]

That's good to know Sandy! I'm sure he really appreciated that. Hope all is well!

[Soo]

Looks like we eat in roughly the same area. That's nice they give you lots of meat.

[Kirk]

I think Gaglione Bros has always been pretty generous with the amount of "stuff" in their cheesesteaks Soo.

[Junichi]

Farthest I've gone is Ramona and Chula Vista. All my meals have been within a 2~3 mile radius. Only dined out 5 times in the brief window we had. All on Convoy. I filled up gas the other day for the first time in 2 months!

[Kirk]

2 months Junichi! Man and I thoguht my friend filling for the first time in 6 weeks was crazy. Great to hear from you, hadn't heard from you in a while and was starting to worry a bit. Take care!

[Loren]

So I ended up taking a crazier approach to COVID and just drove alot all over the place - combined with walking it was how I kept my sanity and got outside for a bit. Food wise I was very similar and part of that was finding local places I've visited in the past and spreading my eating out dollars wherever I could - mostly take out. Recently I was trying to eat out at restaurants more to support places I'm fond of and want to see do well.

I also did some trips around California, one to Santa Barbara (the urge to just get away was astronomical) and managed to eat and drink nicely on State Street. The other was Long Beach and Huntington Beach for brunch (Lowkey Burritos - best burrito stand around) and dinner with the gf and her friends. All of it car wise (again so nice to just get around) but by and large people were being safe.

[Kirk]

We need to keep sane Loren. I'm sure you are being safe and thinking of the welfare of others as well. The Missus and I are thinking of a road trip later the year....when/if things normalize. Take care!

[Janfrederick]

As far west as Mexican Hat, UT. But not for the food. :)

[Kirk]

Man, that's quite a drive Jan.....