New to the Rotation (You can probably guess) - The Market At HFS and Zgara Grill

Yes, you can probably guess which places are now on our "rotation". And, I'm pretty sure after this pandemic is over these two places will still be frequently visited by us that I didn't even write "Pandemic Rotation" in the title.

I'm sure you already read my initial posts on HFS and Zgara as those two posts probably had the most comments I've seen in a while.

Anyway, here goes:

Hawaiian Fresh Seafood Fish Market:

Geeez, the Missus has me going at least twice a week, sometimes three times, you can tell She's been missing "home". Here are a couple of things I've noticed.

1 - There's more variety on the weekends.

On Saturday, they have two lines for poke. And, there's often something different on offer; like on this particular weekend.

Yes, it's the "Pretty Much Just Ahi"...….just seasoned with salt, sesame seeds, green onions. The quality of this fish was quite good.

The Missus added a bit of shoyu and wasabi to Hers......I didn't need anything.

On one weekend there was bluefin shoyu poke.....that was ono!

The item I've seen every weekend was the Hawaiian Ahi. It has a bit of limu in it, not much, but enough for you to get a taste.

2 - Of course weekends are also kinda busy.

I usually get to HFS right before they open and have noticed over the last couple of weekends, there's a line to get in before they open. It's getting longer every week.

I guess word is getting out.

3 - Don't forget to get Da' Card.

HFS has a card that will earn you a stamp for every $10 purchase.

After 10 stamps; you get a free medium poke bowl.

Sad thing is; that you gotta be ova' the increment of $10...….if you spend $29.99, you only get two stamps. Oh well.

Still, that's my third full card ready to go.

4 - Speaking of Medium Poke Bowls.....

If you're not going to eat the bowl right away - get them to split it for you. They'll separate the rice from the fish.

There's no way I can finish all that rice. In fact, the Missus and I will split the rice, so this works out perfect......only thing is, She is making me order brown rice now!

Also, this is a nice way to try smaller portions of other "stuffs" like the tako or albacore....the sesame albacore isn't bad and once they had kimchi tako that was pretty good as well.

So there you go.....I know I missed something, but heck, that just means I can do another post, right?

Hawaiian Fresh Seafood Fish Market
6491 Weathers Place
San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 282-0591
Covid-19 Hours:
Daily 10am - 4pm

Zgara Greek Grill:

Right now, since they've reopened on Morena, Zgara has been a twice weekly stop for me. I know I'll eventually try some of the other stuffs on the menu....but the pork gyros was already my favorite from their days in PB. And upon walking into the shop, I'm fixated on that beautiful rotating pile of pork.

So, I'm sticking with that for now.....

I'll let you folks tell me what else is good on the menu.....

Not much else to say. And while I've heard that "ChrisW" said I had a moment of "uncontrollable incontinence" (my translation) when confronted with my pork gyro; to be perfectly clear, I didn't. Though it did get mighty close there. I'm not quite that old yet.

Still, his might be well worth peeing in my pants for.....

I spoke to the owner on my last visit since I've seen him there every day. He told me that finding someone who can make his food the "right way" is difficult to find; so he's working everyday for now. A definite win for us, but I hope he doesn't burn out.

I had a "FOY" who asks to remain anonymous send me this screen shot a few weeks back (thanks!) - from back in 2015! I had forgotten all about it. It still holds true today:

Hmmmm…….I think I know what's for dinner.

Zgara Greek Grill
1229 Morena Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92110
Hours:
Sun - Thurs 11am - 9pm
Fri - Sat   11am - 10pm

So, there you go....I think you'll be free of more posts from HFS and Zgara for a while......I've just kinda stopped taking photos since I've been going to both places so often.

Hope everyone is keeping safe and in good health!

Comments

[Chris]

Kirk it is an honor to be mentioned in your blog even under these um, circumstances. I tried this place based on your recommendation here and it was AMAZING... eating there again today. This is one of my goto websites that I check every day (I no longer even live in San Diego full time), so please keep up the good work!!

--ChrisW

[Jason]

I've been to Zgara twice now and have enjoyed it. Usually get the gyro lunch special but the fries aren't too much to write home about... not bad, but just filler, probably would be just as happy just getting the sandwich.

[Kirk]

The honor is all mine Chris! Thanks for the, ahem, comments whether on this blog or elsewhere; though I'm still not a big fan of Five Guys! Thanks also for continuing to read our little blog!

Hi Jason - If I recall; the Greek Salad ain't much to write home about either. I'm waiting for them to have Loukaniko in stock to try.

[Sandy]

Thanks for the tips on ordering at Hawaiian Fresh Seafood, especially on the poke bowls. Haven't been to Zgara yet.

[Kirk]

Yes, having the fish and rice separate really helps when taking out Sandy. Hope you're enjoying the poke!

[RedDevil]

HFS ❤️. Only know about it because of your blog! Thanks again!

[Kirk]

Glad you like HFS RD!

[kat]

glad you & the missus are getting your poke fixes:)

[Junichi]

Whenever I see HFS it reminds me of the beer that Apline Beer Co makes. Except that stands for something else (Holy Fxxxing Sxxt). Apparently blurted out by the brewer after tasting it for the first time since it was so good. I've been to Zgara a few times but haven't been to HFS yet.

[Kirk]

We are Kat! Hope all is well!

Lol Junichi! Well, maybe it should be HFSFM - but that could be inteerpreted as Holy F#(k!^G $@!T M0TH*& F#(k*&....which ain't so great either! ;o)

[Loren]

It was fun to hear my mom talk about this amazing new Poke place only to realize I got the mmm-yoso scoop ahead of time. I did have to take credit for knowing about it, I have a reputation to maintain (Sorry :-D)

Girlfriend and I visited for the first time this weekend, was everything you said it was. Besides having a POG juice for the first time since I was last in Hawaii, the poke was absolutely phenomenal. I will admit wholeheartedly that there was just waaaay too much mayo on some but the others like the bluefin, shoyu ahi and garlic salmon were light and delicious. Pro tip btw; buy the poke, eat it with potato chips. Sooooo good.

[Kirk]

Nice move Loren - both with Mom and the chips! Glad you enjoyed the poke. I dropped by this weekend as well.....the place is getting kinda busy.