**** You can find my post on my first visit to Pho Lucky since the reopening here.
My buddy "Calvin" told me that he heard Pho Lucky was reopening so I headed on over this past weekend. And guess what?
This brought a smile to my face. While perhaps the pho was not always consistent, Pho Lucky made my favorite version of Bo Kho. Though looking at the sign, I'm thinking this might be a whole new set of folks? Hopefully, we'll soon see.....
9326 Mira Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92126
And it's been 900 days......
I went over to Nijiya to do some shopping....something I do a couple of times a week it seems.
And for some reason; I flashed back to this:
And this.....
And then I did a quick check on my date/time calculator and saw, that it was going to be 900 days since "that day". I think of that day being March 16, 2020 when all the closures pretty much started. Like I mentioned in my TK Donuts post it really hit home on the 18th of March. I was already going to work super early; like before 5am and by now nothing was open for coffee, not even 7-11 or Starbucks. I drove down Clairemont Drive and onto the I-5 North and saw not a single vehicle....getting off at Nobel Drive, ditto.....nothing until I passed a police cruiser near Genesee. It was eerie, like I was transported to some sci-fi movie.
I'll never forget that morning.
And of course, since this is a food blog, I mourn the loss of so many places, some personal favorites, and others places with a long history in their neighborhoods. So many places......
Things continue to change; new challenges arise. Frankly there were times when I wondered if I should keep on posting So many have stopped or moved on to the latest platform/app. But the desire to eat and share our meals/shopping/travel hasn't abated. For this I thank all of you for the wonderful comments and emails!
Take care and have a wonderful weekend!
Yes, I think we all remember how strange it felt in the early stages of the lock down. What surprises me now are so many restaurants and microbreweries that survived the lock down and are only just now shutting down. The cynical lawyer in me wonders if they just didn't want to repay their covid loans. But, overall, just glad to be seeing a rebirth in the food industry. Glad you still have places to eat at and post about!
Posted by: Kenneth | Friday, 02 September 2022 at 08:18 PM
Thanks for continuing to post. Always enjoy hearing your thoughts. Many bloggers only do it for a short time so your longevity is pretty amazing. I’ve learned a lot too following along. Hope you continue for a lot longer.
Posted by: RedDevil | Friday, 02 September 2022 at 08:32 PM
I'm glad about that too Kenneth! And I especially appreciate your comments and emails.
Thanks so much for reading and your comments RD! I always look forward to them.
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 02 September 2022 at 08:54 PM
I heard a couple of weeks ago that Pho Lucky was re-opening, and saw the banner yesterday. I can tell you that the family members who heard the news were very happy!
Posted by: Sandy | Friday, 02 September 2022 at 09:16 PM
It's been a very weird few years and I'm glad your blog was there and is still here to document it. Who would have thought figuring out social didtancing logistics and online ordering would be a topic. 😂
Posted by: Lori_1e | Friday, 02 September 2022 at 09:18 PM
thanks for continuing to post, it’s been nice seeing different parts of the world through your adventures!
Posted by: kat | Friday, 02 September 2022 at 11:04 PM
That's funny, my wife went to Lucky Seafood this week and came back excited about Pho Lucky as well. Hopefully they still remember their recipes!
Posted by: Jason | Friday, 02 September 2022 at 11:20 PM
My birthday is March 16, so March 16, 2020 is indelibly marked in my brain. I wanted to go to O’Brien’s to celebrate my birthday, as I’d done many years beforehand, but I just couldn’t bring myself to go anywhere that day.
Thanks for continuing to do this. As we had to shift modes throughout the pandemic, it was comforting to see your posts about dealing with the same. (And as a child of the Web 2.0 era, I’m glad I don’t have to post this to you on Instagram amongst a slew of trashy comments.)
Posted by: SageOlson | Saturday, 03 September 2022 at 12:10 AM
Thank you for continuing to travel, eat, enjoy and post!!!
It has helped many of us pass the time with you and stay hopeful.
Posted by: Laurie | Saturday, 03 September 2022 at 02:48 PM
Glad Lucky is coming back
Posted by: Som Tommy | Saturday, 03 September 2022 at 03:29 PM
I'm excited to check them out when they reopen Sandy!
Time sure have changed Lori! Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
Thanks Kat!
I hope so Jason!
Oh my.....sorry to open up that wound Sage. Thanks so much for all your comments!
Thank you for reading and commenting Laurie. It's all of you that keep me going.
I am too ST!
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 03 September 2022 at 07:29 PM
Your blog helped so much during this COVID time. Pointing out the places that managed to stay open. Sometimes the stories were so amazing. You also provided tips about how to order and pick up that were helpful. Above all, your optimism and good cheer brought a smile. Thanks, Kirk.
Whether or not you decide to hang it up or not should be something that only you can decide but as long as you're posting, I'm reading.
Posted by: alnc | Monday, 05 September 2022 at 09:55 AM
I'd like to think you're a food historian for San Diego! Haha. It's always great reading your posts and not just only for reviews, but also the stories that come with them.
Posted by: Elle | Monday, 05 September 2022 at 01:09 PM
Thanks Alnc! I've been blessed with all the folks who read and comment on our little blog.
Oh man Elle! I guess that means I've been around for a while, huh? ;o) Thanks so much for the kind words!
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 05 September 2022 at 02:17 PM
I remember those early days of the pandemic. I also took a bunch of pictures of the bare shelves at the grocery store. Remember when they shut down the beaches and parks?
Posted by: Junichi | Wednesday, 07 September 2022 at 01:40 PM
Yes, the shutdowns seemed like something out of some sci-fi movie Junichi.
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 07 September 2022 at 07:00 PM
I learned that Pho Lucky was reopening a few weeks ago, and yesterday I had seen the poster. I can tell you that the friends and family who got the information were really thrilled.
Posted by: Jack Mart | Thursday, 08 September 2022 at 02:02 PM
Pho Lucky is now open! Looks like the interior was updated.
Posted by: Sandy | Sunday, 09 October 2022 at 10:39 AM
Hi Sandy - Yes, I know. I'll get a post up soon. Thanks for thinking of us!
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 09 October 2022 at 12:02 PM