Man, did some one flip the "summer switch" or what? I was actually planning on doing my post on Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai last night but it was just too hot to even think about ramen. So, I thought perhaps I'd do it today....but after stewing in my juices (literally) I decided to just put off that post until next week. I think folks would enjoy a post on ramen more when (if?) the weather is a bit cooler or at least when we're at the point where we've grown a bit more used to the heat.
Of course the rather warm weather has changed my eating habits a bit........so here's what I've had for lunch this week.
Tadian Café:
It had been a while since I've had a sandwich from Tadian. The fact that they open at 9am is convenient as is the fact that an online order can be placed with no service fee. So, I can order online and head on over and pick up my sandwich in no time at all. As always, my sandwich was waiting on the counter when I arrived. The young lady who works here is always smiling and friendly.
As before, I got the Thai Roast Beef ($10.75), on which I requested jalapenos and extra toasted (no charge), and avocado ($1.25).
I removed my fairly hefty sandwich from the package and quickly noticed the, ahem, "skid marks".
And yes, the bread at the bottom of the sandwich, even though I ordered it extra toasted was saturated. The sandwich is quite "bready", so the addition of jalapenos really adds some umph. I enjoyed the interplay of the creamy avocado and the pickled, banh mi-ish veggies. Also enjoy the cucumber, though I wish there was more cilantro on this. I can barely make out the "peanut sauce" used on the sandwich.
Like I noted previously, this is almost like a bready, pseudo banh mi. I think I'll pass on the mayo next time.
Tadian Cafe
5955 Mira Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92121
Paris Sandwiches:
I know, I just posted on Paris Sandwiches two months ago. I actually drove to the area thinking that I'd do some takeout from Ngon Ngon. But when I got out of my vehicle it felt so darn hot that I turned right instead of left and headed on over to Paris Sandwiches.
For some reason, some nem nuong sounded good to me so I ordered the Nem Nuong Banh Mi ($6.75).
I enjoyed that the bread was airy, crusty, and slightly yeasty. The bright and acidic pickled veggies pared well with the good amount of cilantro which was mostly leaves...having a banh mi full of cilantro stems is a pet peeve of mine. There were two slices of sinus clearing jalapenos in the sandwich. I enjoyed the savory, slightly sour, nem nuong, which also had a nice slightly chewy-meaty texture.
I'm appreciating the consistency of the banh mi at Paris. Heck, I may have just found my new favorite banh mi shop in San Diego!
Paris Sandwiches
10606 Camino Ruiz
San Diego, CA 92126
I hope everyone is keeping cool and staying hydrated!
paris sandwiches sounded nice!
Posted by: kat | Thursday, 13 July 2023 at 11:01 PM
Eating ramen in pools of sweat in Japan right now. Hope to see your Kitakata post soon.
Posted by: RedDevil | Friday, 14 July 2023 at 02:09 AM
It was Kat!
That's awesome RD! The Japan part that is! Hope you're having a great time!
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 14 July 2023 at 07:09 AM
I went to Ban Nai opening weekend when it was still ramen weather. I bet there's no wait now!
Posted by: Junichi | Friday, 14 July 2023 at 09:34 AM
I went twice last week and it wasn't very busy Junichi! Not like the locations in Costa Mesa and Irvine.
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 14 July 2023 at 10:36 AM