The Rule of Three - Revisits to GyroGrill, LouZiana Food, and Smack’N Guamanian Grill

So, I recently started returning to places fairly close to the office and when setting up this post I noticed something about three of these places. The number three comes into play. All three places are on Miramar Road. This is my third post on these places since the pandemic started.....yes, it's been that long. And all three are, well....take out visits. The one big difference is in my ordering mechanism.

So here goes.

GyroGrill:

Gyrogrill actually opened during the pandemic and my first post was back in October of last year. 

Since service and turnaround is fairly quick at GG....a big plus is that they open at 9am so I can get our lunches at around 10 and the place is empty and the parking lot isn't crazy. I actually order at the restaurant.

As I mentioned in my follow-up post, I....and my coworkers basically get one thing here. The pork gyros combo with handcut potatoes.

 So even though the pork gyros here isn't in the same league as Zgara, it's sometimes a bit on the dry side and could be more aggressively seasoned, it's way better than the ubiquitous Kronos stuff you get almost everywhere else. Decent pork flavor and everyone enjoys the crispy hand cut potatoes. And I've kinda gotten used to the really thick Tzatziki.

Gyrogrill
6780 Miramar Rd.
San Diego, CA 92121
Current Hours:
Mon - Fri 9am - 7pm
Sat 9am - 6pm
Closed Sunday

LouZiana Food:

**** LouZiana Food has closed

I think I'm pretty good at taking direction and on my last post on LouZiana Grill back in January of this year, "FOY" Dereck wrote this in the comments:

"Kirk, I don't know how you can get out of there without a roast beef po boy. It isn't like the debris sandwiches from NOLA, but it sure as hell does taste good when I want a fix!"

So, ok I decided to try the roast beef po' boy. My mechanism for ordering here (there's no online ordering) is to call in. LZ can get a bit busy at times and I still am a bit put off by crowds. The folks working are always friendly and my order is always waiting when I arrive.

I mentioned in my previous post during the pandemic, that I'm not a big fan of the bread here. But in this framework it does real well. Because sheesh.....

 Oh geez, look at all that remoulade sauce! But that bread holds up real well and is almost tailormade for all that mayo goodness. In fact, when I bit into one end of the sandwich...it basically "sharted" remoulade out the other end. Luckily, I ate over the wrappers! The sauce was fairly balanced; not too much sour-pickle juice tones, though I like my remoulade to be more garlicky and spicy this was not bad. Standard issue shredded iceberg and tomatoes. The one thing about not having and overly strong sauce is that I could actually taste the roast beef.

A messy, but pretty good sandwich. Thanks for the recommendation Dereck!

LouZiana Food
7128 Miramar Rd.
San Diego, CA 92121
Current Hours:
Daily 11am - 8pm

Smack’N Guamanian Grill:

Much like GyroGrill, I pretty much get the same thing from Smack’N Guamanian Grill during my pandemic takeout visits. The Chebot Plate, the combo of BBQ Chicken and Kelaguen (I sub out an extra scoop of Kelaguen for the cabbage slaw), with Red Rice. Smack’N has online ordering which I use.

And even though on my previous two pandemic visits the chicken was "masked" (i.e covered with foil)....I guess with new CDC guidelines, masking is now optional!

Smack’N has been pretty consistent over the last couple of visits and I know what to expect. The Kelaguen is very moist, though lacking in coconut tones and spice. It's not overly salty, has mild citrus tones, and is quite easy to take. The finedene is also fairly mild as well. I actually take the Kelaguen home and use my homemade finedene.....because, as you can tell, this a generous amount of food.

The BBQ Chicken is nicely grilled, fairly tender, and has really good salt-soy balance. It's much better than what you get from many of those "Hawaiian BBQ" places.

The Red Rice does a fine job of soaking up the chicken drippings and is quite moist.

Smack’N Guamanian Grill
9506 Miramar Rd.
San Diego, CA 92126
Current Hours:
Mon - Sat 11am - 7pm
Closed on Sundays

You know, it's hard to believe that I've now done three posts on these places during the pandemic......it just seems to go on and on. My hope is that the next time I do a post on one of these places; I'll be eating in and the worse will be but a tiny speck in our "rearview mirror".

Take care everyone!

Comments

[Kenneth Bonus]

Looks like we might need a 3rd surge before covid finishes working its way thru America.

[Kirk]

Or more Kenneth....guess what's been keeping me busy at work?

[Soo]

That's great there are great places to eat near your work.

[Junichi]

"sharted" remoulade almost made me laugh out loud at the office. Thanks for making my day!

[Dereck]

Those handcut potatoes were perfect when I got takeout from Gyrogrill about a year ago. I think I ate them all in the car on the way home.

Yes, the bread is a little wonky at Louzianna, but that sharting sandwich is the funniest thing that I have seen today!

[Kirk]

Well, at least "solid" if not great Soo.

I'm glad I could provide a bit of levity for you Junichi!

I almost enjoy those potatoes more than the gyro Dereck! And thanks again for the "sharting sandwich" recommendation! ;o)

[Som Tommy]

I go to gyro grill almost every week.

[kat]

hoping this pandemic is over soon, stay safe!

[Kirk]

Glad you enjoy GG ST!

I think it's going to be a rough couple of months Kat!