Sunday Stuffs: Ban Lao Cuisine Takes Over the Que Huong Space, if You've Ever Wondered What I Sound Like, and Other "stuffs"

Just some "stuffs" for Sunday.

Ban Lao Takes Over the Que Huong Spot:

After picking up lunch at Fredcels, since I hadn't been around City Heights since March, I decided to take a quick peek on University to see what was going on. I drove over the 15 freeway and to the corner of Marlborough and University; noticing that Cafe Dore had their doors open. I then took a quick look left and noticed that it seemed that Ban Lao's sign was gone. I was bummed.....I then took a turn into the parking lot and was even more shocked......you see Ban Lao had taken over the space where Que Huong used to be. Que Huong was gone! "CC" had told me that Que Huong had changed ownership a while back and that Jay and his sister no longer owned the place. But this was still quite sad since I'd been visiting here since 2005! Bummer......I'll miss my favorite fish sauce chicken wings and boneless chicken feet salad. After seeing this; I just decided to turn around and head back home.

RIP Que Huong.

Here's a link to something from 2012.

4134 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92105

Speaking of sad - I've been looking at posts I did from my Portland Trips:

So, this all started when I read in Portland Food and Drink that Cheese Bar was closing. Wondering what all this collateral damage was from Covid-19, etc. I started looking at all the places we visited during trips to Portland and I was shocked at how many places were recently permanently closed or soon closing. Not including those places that are still temporarily closed.

All Pok Pok locations

Tasty N 'Alder - This one really hurts since it was a favorite of the Missus and even inspired a copycat version of the Missus's favorite dish there.

Bailey's Tap Room

Blue Star Donuts

Toro Bravo

Alma Chocolates

Ataula

You can find a list here.

Have you ever wondered what I "sound" like?:

Back at the beginning of October; I received an email from Kristy Totten at the UT:

"I host a podcast with Abby Hamblin about interesting people around San Diego and we were wondering if you'd come on our show this week or next."

Which caught me totally off guard. I'd always thought that I have done a pretty good job of flying under the radar. So naturally, the first thing I did was take a quick look at the Podcast; which is named Name Drop San Diego. I was and still am not quite certain why "FOY ChrisR" recommended me for the podcast. And after reading first the description:

"Name Drop San Diego is a weekly podcast from The San Diego Union-Tribune celebrating people who have shaped San Diego and been shaped by it. Join hosts Abby Hamblin and Kristy Totten each Tuesday as they get to know the people who make San Diego proud."

And looking at the line-up of folks who had already been on the podcast....frankly, I was thinking someone had made a mistake here.....

Still, I agreed to a phone call with Kristy and Abby, who were both so warm and friendly....setting me immediately at ease, I agreed.

Abby and Kristy made the whole process quite fun to be perfectly honest. I'm not sure how; but they worked some magic and made my rambling answers seem somewhat coherent. So kudos to them.

There were a couple of things that were somewhat funny. First, not being a big fan of my voice (though I will say; I got a great face for podcasting), I was surprised at how fast I speak. Second was a totally on the nose observation made by some of my close friends, each of whom said in a similar way that I'd totally fail the "lightning round" since there was just no way I could answer questions on food in a single word or sentence. I guess they know me well.

So, if after all this rambling you're still interested here's the link.

Kristy and Abby if you do read this post; thanks so much to the both of you for a wonderful experience. It was a pleasure.

And Chris, thanks....I think; for the recommendation.

And, I was also reminded of another one I did back in 2008 - here's the link from the wayback machine!

Thanks for stopping by!

Comments

[Jason]

Congrats on the notoriety, I agree you've always tried to stay inconspicuous but I'm glad you're getting some recognition you deserve (whether you want it or not).

[Soo]

Congrats on your 15 minutes of fame!

[Sandy]

You haven't lost the Hawaii accent!

[TFD]

You sound very Hawaiian on the phone. Super adorable though. LOL

[kat]

nice recognition! sad about all the closures.

[Kirk]

Thanks Jason!

More like 15 seconds Soo!

That's actually a great indicator of how comfortable I was with Kristy and Abby Sandy. If I'm on guard I tend to lose a bit of my "accent".

Thanks TFD......

Thanks Kat.....I was shocked at how many places we visited in PDX were permanently closed.

[Pam from Santee]

Recognition well deserved! This blog and the community around it is a wonderful resource.

[Elle]

Great interview! Funny that they cropped out the face on the SDUT article, haha: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/name-drop-san-diego/story/2020-11-03/get-to-know-kirk-k-founder-of-the-mmm-yoso-food-blog-based-in-san-diego

[Kirk]

Thanks so much Pam! Hope all is well.

I actually asked them to do that and they so graciously agreed Elle. Really nice foilks.

[Junichi]

I was shocked when Bistro Montage closed in Portland. I'll also miss the wings from Pok Pok.

Congrats on being featured on UT. I think I've been reading this blog close to 10 years now.

[Kirk]

Thanks Junichi! I really appreciate your comments and having to take the time out to read our posts.

[john m. dowd]

I thought you did a very nice job. The interviewers were in way over their heads. I can't believ a "fussy eater" is interviewing a foodie, that does not usually work. I also chuckled about what you call Mainland Poke. Our family calls it McPoke, sounds like McDonald's only Mac-Poke.

[Kirk]

That's funny John. And thanks for listening to the podcast!

[alnc]

You were great on the podcast. I agree with JD about the interviewers being a bit overwhelmed but you brought them some information in a very kind and useful way.

I recently listened to the Good Food podcast where host Evan Kleiman interviewed Pok Pok founder Andy Ricker about the closings. It sounded like it was about being burnt-out more than the COVID situation. It's a tough business.

[Kirk]

Thanks alnc. I heard that podcast as well and I think it's a combination of both. I think he kind of over extended things and then when the pandemic hit and there was a whole new set of problems he decided to call it.

[Stephanie]

I’ve been reading the blog for years and I’m so excited to listen to this podcast. Very cool!!

[Kirk]

Thanks so much Stephanie! I hope you enjoy my kinda crazy ramblings. The two hosts were really fun and nice!

[Jenne]

Oh no, Que Huong closed?? So sad!
I haven't tried Ban Lao though, it sounds great. It's been too long since I had nem khao!

Will have to check out the podcast! You are too humble, I think most San Diego foodies (at least those of us who like interesting food more than fancy food) think of you as one of the OG experts.

[Kirk]

Jay sold Que Huong a year or two ago and the new owners just couldn't make a go of it. Thanks for the kind words!