mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog, written by friends. Kirk and His Missus are on another interesting vacation and Cathy is writing about places to eat in San Diego County.
Long story short, I met a client at 7:45 a.m. on a Saturday and asked her where was a good place for breakfast. She asked if I liked chilaquiles, I said yes and The Mister and I ended up here, near Brown Airfield. {Take the 905 East until it ends, turn South and take a right at the first signal light (Airway Road) and look for the feather flags} In the midst of an office park you will find the nicest little place which serves "Old School Mexican" from this modern building near the Border. It's family owned, been here for seven years with a location downtown on 6th Avenue and another one set to open soon in Liberty Station.
Step inside and you can scan the QR code next to the door if you want to see prices, otherwise, walk toward the cash register and place your order, after passing the multiple examples of possible choices.
You are given a table number while waiting in line and your beverages after you pay.
We decided on a cafe de olla, which was kept refilled (there is liquid piloncillo on the table if you would like some of that brown sugar flavor in the cinnamon coffee) and a "La Verde" Aqua Fresca (each $4.95).
Soon, our orders were brought to the table. The Mister had ordered "El Patron" ($18.75, with carnitas ($4.75)). Crispy cajeta toast (a French toast topped with cajeta (Carmel-like sauce made with goats milk and sugar), two eggs (over easy requested and perfectly made), beans (not refried, but more liquid and meaty flavor) and chilaquiles with rojo sauce and topped with a light very flavorful (not fatty) carnitas. The chilaquiles were tossed in the salsa, not merely covered, so that each piece of crispy tortilla was coated. Wow-each item was quite perfect and flavorful and so very good.
I ordered the Enfrijoladas ($14.75)-Four corn quesadillas topped with frijoles, puercos cream, sour cream, cheese, onion, cilantro, two eggs (over easy), beef chorizo and avocado. This satisfied all of my cravings. I wanted to try the chorizo (IYKYK) as well as corn quesadillas, which are just something I enjoy. The bean sauce/topping had bits of pork, adding to the flavor and everything came together in each bite.
Noticing this poster when leaving, I'm sure we will be back for lunch.
Cocina 35 9335 Airway Road, Suite 112 San Diego 92154 Website Open daily 8-2
What an amazing selection! We need more restaurants like this in SD,and although it is way to far for me to go to hit this location, I really do hope that they carry on the same quality in Liberty Station!
Posted by: Dereck | Tuesday, 04 April 2023 at 09:08 AM
This place is the absolute best in San Diego for chilaquiles; my wife and I love the one downtown and go there far too often for our own good. Honestly everytime we've gone there we get Divorcados so we can split a plate and enjoy two different flavors, but the Enfrijoladas are truly delicious too.
Glad you discovered and enjoyed the place!
Posted by: Loren | Tuesday, 04 April 2023 at 01:04 PM
looks like quite a lot of food, but everything looked delicious
Posted by: kat | Tuesday, 04 April 2023 at 03:32 PM
It's great, Dereck. When you do get a chance, go early/when it first opens; the crowds are apparently overwhelming with long wait time, especially on weekends..
It's so nice to know someone else who has been to Cocina 35, Loren. Divorciados will be my next order (something I do look for but was overwhelmed at this unplanned first time stop). I want to try all the salsas and all of the meats!
It was a lot of food, Kat. Even though we saw the serving sizes on the exact plates, we still ordered it all along with two beverages; unusual for us. There were leftovers.
Posted by: Cathy | Wednesday, 05 April 2023 at 03:44 AM