Pacific Plate

Recently, I had to get some replacement parts for the Missus's camera. Andy at work, who's also a professional photographer recommended that I go to Nelson Photo Supplies in Point Loma. It was a great recommendation as they were amazing and it's always fun to see folks as nerdy about something as I am about food. Anyway, I was a bit hungry as I left and since I hadn't been in the area since before the pandemic, I thought I'd see what was up with Embargo Grill. Well, what was up with Embargo Grill was......well, they were gone! I guess they're another casualty of the pandemic....sad. Still, I needed something to eat and I noticed a place called Pacific Plate at the corner of the strip mall.

So I decided to take a quick peek inside.

And.....it turns out Pacific Plate does various plate lunches...many with names that reference various video games "Haduken" or animated series, "Kakarot"....though to be perfectly honest; a first glance I saw "Kaka-roach"..... Along with musubis and of course, the de rigueur poke bowls and such.

I decided to get a mixed plate....well, here it's called a "2 Item Plate" ($15). I walked up to the counter and the young lady.....well, she really wasn't into it, greeting me with a "yes". Anyway, I placed my order, waited about 15 minutes, the young lady plopped the package on the counter and walked away. Since I was the only customer in the place I figured it was mine and luckily I was right.

I had ordered the Teri Beef - Chicken Katsu combo; you get two "sides" with a plate so I chose rice and mac salad (of course).

   Well, this was interesting; the rice was really mushy, the mac salad had too much mayo and lacked salt. The teri beef was the better of the two items; it was adequately tender, though quite bland. I had to use some of the watered down teriyaki sauce for more flavor.

The chicken katsu had been fried too long and the panko breading was really hard and slightly bitter. The katsu sauce is "local" style and ketchup based.

Pretty mediocre overall. Also, there were no utensils or napkins in the package......but I was having this at home so it was ok. Though I could imagine if I'd decided to stop and eat at a park or something, I would have not been happy at all. There was no sign nor indication in the shop saying that utensils would not be provided or that you had to request it.

I wasn't quite sure I was up to it; but since I decided to do a post on this place, I went ahead and revisited.

This time, the young man was very nice, he even walked out my order and handed it to me....and guess what, there was a fork included....though strangely, no napkins?

I went with the combo again and after giving it some thought, I decided not to get the kalbi....not a big fan of the "LA Kalbi" most of these places use. So, I decided on the Teri Chicken and Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings.

   I decided against the mac salad this time around went with the coleslaw, which, while very generic at least had some flavor. The rice was much better this time around.

The salt and pepper chicken wings didn't hold up well during the 15 minute trip back home; it had gotten soggy and greasy. In terms of flavor, this was not bad, not overly salty. The garlic had been fried and mixed in with what looked like crisp panko. The wings could have used bit more spice.

The teri chicken was better, it was dark meat, so it had more flavor and was sufficiently tender, though, like the teri beef, it needed that generic teriyaki sauce.

For some reason Pacific Plate just didn't "scratch that itch" if you know what I mean. And at fifteen bucks a crack, well, I don't think the quality of the product nor the execution is particularly good. 

If you do check them out; let me know what you think!

Pacific Plate
3960 West Point Loma Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92110
Hours:
Daily 11am - 8pm

Comments

[kat]

bummer

[Jack]

My experience completely mirrors your's Kirk. I went twice, once there was no engagement whatsoever with the staff, the second time they were very accommodating. Unfortunately, both times the food was underwhelming....it was fine I suppose, but didn't "scratch that itch". I may try them again, since I really want to give these small businesses a chance.

[Kirk]

It was Kat!

Yeah, I was just kind of disappointed overall Jack. I have an inkling that the place is just another "concept". It's great to hear from you and I hope all is well!

[Sandy]

I usually stick with Gaglione Brothers when I'm in that area; I guess that won't change! Kona Kakes is now in that strip mall. When I stopped by in the summer, they were pretty much order only.

[Kirk]

I actually considered Gaglione Bros and the Brazilian place....but thought I'd give Pacific Plate a try Sandy.

[Junichi]

Seems to be the new normal during the pandemic. They hire anyone they can get their hands on. Some places are offering $20/hr for dishwashers but nobody applies.

[Kirk]

Yeah, it's kinda a new normal Junichi......though I think it'll end soon enough.

[caninecologne]

Oh no, I did not realize that Embargo Grill was gone (another covid casualty I presume). The Brazilian place is pretty good (I went there with Mary last summer).

[Kirk]

I noticed that they serve Moqueca there CC....so perhaps I'll visit soon.