I know a lot of folks have been waiting for Da Kine's to reopen in their new location in La Mesa. I need to thank "FOYs" KerriK and DerekR for keeping me in the loop and providing updated information for me. So finally, a couple of weeks back Kerri told me that Da Kine's was in soft opening mode. Now I needed to make some time to check them out and I finally managed to do so this past weekend.
I've noted my history with Da Kine's in previous posts and Nelson even mentioned the reason he "gave" the various locations and "trademark" of the restaurants to employees during a visit to the defunct Linda Vista location.
When it comes down to it; it seems that "Uncle Nelson" as I've heard folks calling him has a connection with ex-pat Kama'aina's of a certain generation and their "ohana". I will agree, that be it for better or worse, his plate lunches do take me back to "those days". Simple, no muss, no fuss, no pretense "high maka maka" grindz. Beneath that kind of gruff exterior there always seemed to be someone who cared about folks....I posted on Da Kine's helping to sponsor a concert by Kalapana back in 1999, when I was doing a consulting gig here in San Diego. I had already moved to LA and was feeling a bit homesick and that concert lifted my spirits.
So, it was good to see the sign up for Da Kine's when I arrived.
There were also folks lined up outside the door when I arrived, 10 minutes before the 11am opening time.. That photo above was taken as I left the place.
The interior seemed quite modern, a change from the rustic themes of his former locations. There's both table and bar seating, all backed with a wonderful mural....with Valley of the Temples and Mokoli'i (Chinaman's Hat) in it.
It does look a bit modern and hipster. I would have taken a better photo of the mural, but several tables were quickly taken by folks who ordered ahead of me....one of the guys got three cans of Hawaiian Sun for himself! And he opened all three cans at once when he got to his table......nothing worse than needing a "POG" fix, right?
The young man working the counter was very ncie; though I could see Nelson holding himself back from actually working the line as he was training his kitchen staff.
So Derek, they do have kalua pork on the menu....I know you enjoy Nelson's version; of course they have a loco moco......but I had a bit of a drive so I thought I'd give the Teri Chicken ($15) another try.
First off, the good.....man, I really enjoyed the mac salad here, just as good as what I'd had at the Linda Vista location. Nicely seasoned, liked the amount of black pepper, amazingly still chilled after the drive all the way to Bay Park, just enough mayo. I've had mushy rice at Da Kine's in the past, but today it was perfect. You could see every grain, but it was still moist and tender.
As for the chicken? Well, at least it wasn't overly salty, but it could have used a bit more color and a stronger marinade/sauce (if he's still just "dipping" his chicken). It was not as dry as what I'd had before though.
So, perhaps when I do drop by again, I'll dine in and get a loco moco or kalua pork; or maybe Kerri, you could let me know if Nelson's going to have chicken long rice and lau lau on the menu?
In the end, if only for sentimental reasons, it was good seeing Nelson running around the kitchen area in his shorts and sneakers, teaching the young one's how to scoop rice and stuffs.
And the folks in line were a lot younger as well.......a couple of them looked like they might not have been born when I made my first visit to Da Kine's back in 1999. So I guess Uncle Nelson is feeding a whole new generation.
Da Kine's
7436 University Ave.
La Mesa, CA 91942
Current Hours:
Tues - Sun 11am - 6pm
glad the mac salad was as you remembered, hope when you get your loco moco it won’t disappoint:)
Posted by: kat | Monday, 27 June 2022 at 11:47 PM
I hope so too Kat!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 28 June 2022 at 06:51 AM
I'll have to make a trek over there now that they're open again. The last paragraph is making me feel just a bit old; I used to go to the nickel arcade on Sweetwater Road in 1999-2001 and Da Kine's was an occasional stop for lunch/dinner when I was in the area.
Posted by: Derric | Tuesday, 28 June 2022 at 07:38 AM
Mmm... I'll have to go and get a plate lunch.
Posted by: Soo | Tuesday, 28 June 2022 at 08:26 AM
I like to think I'm "well seasoned" Derric! Lol! ;o)
Hope you enjoy Soo!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 28 June 2022 at 08:29 AM
Wow Kirk, did you go Saturday or Sunday? We were there on Saturday lunch and I was thinking, wouldn't that be funny if we ran into Kirk? But I don't even know what you look like, lol. The loco moco was perfect and the kalua pig was lovely.
Posted by: Kerri K | Tuesday, 28 June 2022 at 09:04 AM
Looking forward to trying Da Kine's! The current hours are a bit limiting since I don't go to this area very often. I blinked and missed the Linda Vista location.
Posted by: Sandy | Tuesday, 28 June 2022 at 09:32 AM
Now that would have been funny Kerri! I was there on Saturday.....
I'm sure they'll expand hours after the soft opening period Sandy. I hope you get to cehck them out.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 28 June 2022 at 10:41 AM
Oh my gosh, we just missed you! We were there just before noon on Saturday. My receipt says 11:56am. Next time!
Posted by: Kerri K | Tuesday, 28 June 2022 at 11:13 AM
Wow, I would have never guessed in a thousand years that teri chicken would be your opening order. My food world is officially shaken LOL.
I'm glad to hear that the mac and rice is dialed in. That's at least half the battle and I think bodes well for the future! Thanks for the update!
Posted by: Derek R | Tuesday, 28 June 2022 at 01:28 PM
I got there a few minutes before opening Kerri! So, maybe next time! ;o)
Man, it was so hot that I just couldn't think about kalua pork or a locomoco Derek! ;o) That mac salad was pretty good.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 28 June 2022 at 01:59 PM
I still remember the Sweetwater location. Good memories. In other news Sab E Lee Linda Vista has a sign on the front stating ownership change. There's a banner that says coming soon "Zab Linda." I hope they retain staff and menu.
Posted by: Junichi | Tuesday, 28 June 2022 at 07:15 PM
That's interesting Junichi! Thanks for the heads-up!
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 29 June 2022 at 06:50 AM
update on sab e lee: https://sandiego.eater.com/2022/6/29/23188969/sab-e-lee-thai-restaurant-closed-linda-vista-san-diego
Posted by: Young | Wednesday, 29 June 2022 at 09:27 PM
Yes, I saw that Young. Dropped by and took photos and did a post. Thanks for thinking of us and commenting!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 30 June 2022 at 10:37 AM
Wow, I miss Da Kine's. They, along with Island Boy Grille were one of the first Hawaiian style spots I remember going to in the late 90's. Must check out the new Da Kine's one of these days.
Posted by: caninecologne | Tuesday, 05 July 2022 at 05:22 PM
Hope you get the chance soon CC!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 05 July 2022 at 07:10 PM