mmm-yoso!!!

Pho Mai Cali (Santee)

Thanks for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!!.   This food blog is usually written by Kirk, but He is still on vacation with His Missus and Cathy is, once again, writing a post. 

One of the first restaurants where The Mister and I enjoyed "Eating In" since restrictions were lifted, Pho Mai Cali is on the 'other end' of the parking lot where the new location of Island Style Cafe opened earlier this year.  In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, this second location of Pho Mai Cali opened in the space formerly occupied by Flaming Wok, a 30 year Santee standby. (To the end, the Szechuan-Mandarin restaurant handed out forks, not chopsticks and our eat in order was always the same: the large bowl of  soup, and the Pu-Pu Platter).  The owners retired in April of 2020; it was the right time. 
 The interior was re-done, making space for a few more tables..   A nice touch is the chilled water bottle and glasses of ice brought to the table while you peruse the menu.  Condiments are brought out after you order.
 Spring rolls ($4.99)- rice paper wrapped lettuce, vermicelli, mint leaves, shrimp (and pork on the other side).  These seem to be made to order, as the shrimp have arrived warm.  There is a good amount of filling making this a light lunch.
 Cha Ca Thang Long ($10.99)- Grilled fish with dill and onion...except they didn't have dill, so I received extra onion.  Served sizzling on a cast iron pan with lettuce and various sides and dipping sauce, this was very good. 
 Grilled chicken and Cha Gio (egg rolls) ($9.99).  Under all of those toppings are lettuce and chilled rice noodles and when combined, each bite is a refreshing flavor of summer.
 This is a mango salad with beef ($10.99) and my latest obsession.  Shredded green mango and green apples, carrots, basil and perfectly cooked tender beef (you can opt for chicken or shrimp).  Not like a papaya salad and they shouldn't be interchangeable.  
 The Banh Xeo is better to eat in than 'to go'.  Trust me.  The crepe needs to be tasted while crispy, even if broken.  The pork and shrimp filling (with sprouts and mung beans) with bits of broken turmeric flavored crepe, wrapped in lettuce with some mint and pickled carrot and radish, dipped in fish sauce is refreshing and has distinct flavors and textures.
  The papaya salad ($9.35) is made with shredded green papaya, shrimp and pork as well as sprouts and carrots, topped with peanuts and fried onion and is quite good.  

This is the Pho Mai Cali ($11.99).  You receive the large bowl of beef broth with meatball and oxtail in it, then the sides (brisket and other cuts of beef) to add in as you wish.  Herbs, onion, noodles always have been fresh here.
  The Steamed Fish ($10.99) is always a good choice.  
 This is the above mentioned Mango Salad with beef ($10.99) in its 'to go' packaging.  Still great flavors, just not as dramatic of a presentation.
This is the "Special Appetizer" ($8) in its 'to go' presentation- two Spring rolls, two crispy egg rolls.  Lettuce, mint and fish sauce and peanut sauce.  Fresh made and well filled rolls. Definitely a meal.

We are fortunate to have this gem close to home. 

Pho Mai Cali 9888 Magnolia Avenue (at Mast) Santee 92071 (619) 328-2700 Open Daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Summertime Seafood Salads

It's Summer Vacation time here at mmm-yoso!!! Kirk and His Missus are enjoying a few days together.  Cathy is writing this post.

We have been having some daily heat waves over the past month or so.  Thankfully, with the cooling down at night, it isn't unbearable.  The Mister and I have been going out for lunch and I noticed a pattern in our orders.

We finally ventured back to Las Morelianas/La Bahia after missing it for more than a year and were happy to see it was still open and thriving.  

  We always try to order from each 'side' of the menu/kitchen and to compliment the carnitas craving, we decided on a simple fish salad ($9).  Nicely grilled tilapia on lettuce with cucumber, tomato and avocado.  Quite large and refreshing..
 When we went to Chopstix Too!, it was another memorable return. The menu is about the same and one of our choices that day was the Grilled Seafood salad ($13).  The wonderful char on the shrimp and the salmon was a forgotten flavor I had missed.  
 .Since Covid-19, the 'food court' area of the 'first' HMart had been closed (it re-opened about two months ago).  So, our pre-shopping meals have been at The Fancy Fish (after it re-opened with indoor seating).  Deceptive photo.  The salad bowl is HUGE, deep, filled with what might be the equivalent of a whole package of salad greens.  It is topped with FOUR soft shell crabs.  $14.50 and worth it.  Recently, returning to Anthony's in La Mesa brought back so many good memories.  We are happy they have managed to stay open.  It was crowded, there was a wait for tables both inside and outdoors, but seating in the Bar area was available.  The Seafood Cobb Salad ($18.95 on the lunch menu (Monday-Saturday)) was my choice. Real crab, bay shrimp and chilled cooked salmon, along with bacon, tomatoes, carrot, egg, avocado, the house dressing...a perfect meal.

We've also been stopping at La Mesa Bistro, but mostly for breakfasts.  We arrived at 11:30 one day and looked at the lunch menu.  The "Gourmet Tropical Salad" ($10.95) caught my eye.  I saw you could add tuna salad or shrimp for $5.50.  Perfect! Cabbage, cucumber, carrots, tomato, walnuts. dried cranberries, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries on top of organic mixed greens, with a basil vinaigrette (which perfectly complimented the sweet berries).  The tuna salad- high quality tuna, simply made and plenty (the two scoops were more than one can in volume).

Hoping everyone is enjoying the Summer of 2021!

 

Zion Market Food Court-eating in

Today, mmm-yoso!!! is being written by Cathy. 

Before The Mister and I go food shopping, we try to have a small meal.  Most markets have a steam tray area or nearby restaurants with the same ethnic foods, so we get an idea of what we might buy inside the grocery store.  Zion Market does have a prepared foods area, as well as a food court area (the building used to be a K-Mart and is very large).  We can buy inside the market, pay, then sit at a Food Court table. 

However, during Covid and all the restrictions, we chose to give our business to the storefront restaurants in the Food Court area. All of them.
  This post began in late June of 2020. As of now, just assume most every entree is around $12. 

Wok Bar- Mabo Tofu.  Plentiful, spicy hot and good on a rainy day.  The soft tofu and ground pork, along with the creamy spicy sauce is very satisfying.
 Gala Chicken (it used to be inside the Market).  The three piece leg combo (or you could get wings or chicken strips) is a perfect size.  The chicken is lightly breaded and crispy. The Mac salad is lightly dressed and the shredded cabbage and its dressing are just the right sides to go with the rice. $1 for the side of radishes because it tastes good.  
The generically named storefront has a great version of Bibimbap.
 When it was packed 'to go', it was just as tasty and plentiful as the 'for here' version.
 The pork katsu is a good choice when you are craving crispy. The Mister loves the choices at Poke U.
 The medium size bowl is quite large, includes four scoops of marinated seafood, a base of rice and/or salad, cucumber, seaweed and krab.  There are about six sauces and eight shakers of seeds and spices you can have mixed and matched on top.    There are also Bento box options  as well as some appetizer-ish sides (takoyaki) for about $5. 
  The former CDD Tofu and Grill changed hands sometime in 2020.  
 The bulgogi platter is quite large, very flavorful and the side of calamari ($4) made for an easily shareable meal.   The Bibimbap here is wonderful and almost always a choice... But there was this day when I thought...'hmmm, a Tuna Mayo Bowl", let's try that.  Then I ordered the side of sweet potato.
 Oh my!  Tuna, mayonnaise, rice and lots of seaweed.  Perfect, simple, wonderful.  The sweet potatoes were lightly breaded and fried and just, well just all of this was a perfect meal.  This place.  The menu is loosely translated.  Number Seven. The receipt says Tangsuyuk.  Get it. 
 No, that isn't styrofoam.  It is magic surrounding tender pork.  It is addictive in texture and flavor.  The vegetable dipping sauce that comes with it is warm.  It's really good.  The yellow things are radishes.  A wonderful surprising meal. 
 Paris Baguette.  So many choices.  We have been stoppng here and picking a dessert to take home. The lemon meringue croissant is one of the seasonal choices.  Get it.  The coconut cream croissant, also seasonal, also wonderful.
 Everything here is good. 

Sadly, Cocohodo closed in May 2021.  We would stop to enjoy a small, sweet treat if we were not going to go to Paris Baguette. This was where I saw the infamous 2020 Covid Concoction, Dalgona Coffee, being sold. I never was sure I made the simple recipe correctly at home and really liked the thick version here.

Always interesting and always good.  The Food Court here is unique.

Zion Market Food Court 7655 Clairmont Mesa Boulevard 92111

   Our dear piano playing teddy bear has gone into isolation.  Damn Covid!

 

La Miche Kabobgee -lunch indoors

Welcome (back) to mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog.  Kirk is enjoying time alone with His Missus while Cathy is writing  about meals.

Realizing that Kirk posted about La Miche last month, I was hesitating to post about our recent visit.  It was the first time in a long while The Mister and I had an unhurried meal and it was kind of perfect.

 The tables are 'socially distanced' and business inside as well as 'to go' seemed steady.

 Menus are under glass on the table top, making it a bit easier to keep sanitized (as well as unnecessary for a QR code). Prices seem odd, because when tax is added, the final number is round.
 After ordering, a dish of fresh hummus and three hot pita breads are brought out.
 The Mister chose the Combo Pita plate ($12.50).  Beef and chicken shawarma and falafel in fresh pita breads, each with its own toppings (Beef shawarma with a (really good) pickled cucumber, hummus, tomatoes and tahini sauce. Grilled, moist chicken with garlic sauce, pickled cucumber and tomatoes.  Lebanese falafel (garbanzo beans and seasoning, made in house from scratch) with tahini sauce,  tomatoes, pickled turnips and pickled cucumber).
 The Fish Kabobgee ($14).  White fish sautéed in olive oil, butter, garlic and lemon juice.  It is so much more difficult to have things plain and simple yet is achieved in the kitchen here.  All flavors are bright and fresh and distinct yet blended perfectly.  

La Miche Kabobgee 9350 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. San Diego 92123 (858) 565-1165
Current Hours: Mon - Thurs 11am - 3pm Fri 11am - 730pm Sat 4pm - 730pm Closed on Sunday Website

La Miche Kabobgee 9350 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. San Diego 92123 (858) 565-1165
Current Hours: Mon - Thurs 11am - 3pm Fri 11am - 730pm Sat 4pm - 730pm Closed on Sunday Website

Wa Dining Okan-lunch (again)

Thanks for stopping by to read mmm-yoso!!! at the start of a three day weekend which we all might be able to enjoy this year.  Cathy is writing while Kirk (and His Missus) are vacationing.

The Mister and I have ventured out a bit more recently and have tried to visit places which satisfy cravings we have been unable to recreate at home.  (Here's a link  to Kirk's first Wa Dining Okan post; there are at least 20 more). The tight indoor eating space is now socially distanced with outdoor seating making up the difference.
 
 There is a large menu board outside the door.  
  Once you are seated, a two sided paper menu page, including a QR code, is given.  The Mister chose the Deluxe Curry Udon ($13.50) from this menu. Rich, beefy, (with a light blend of onion, potato and carrot) curry, firm udon, two tempura shrimp and a poached egg.  This blend of flavors and texture was completely satisfying.

 From the QR menu, I chose the Katsu pork set ($11), adding the tempura mini bowl ($6), because I wanted a different crunch.

. The mini bowl had the two tempura'd shrimp as well as potato and shishito peppers; a delightful combination.  The BBQ Yakiniku set ($11) was  filling with the flavorful thin sliced sautéed beef and vegetables and slaw along with the other parts of the Set (a great miso soup, white rice and varied pickled sides).
 I chose the Kakuni (pork belly) Set this time.  Tender braised pork belly in its sauce with a boiled egg...a perfect blend of flavors.   We always order hot tea here ($2 each). It is an excellent green tea.

Wa Dining Okan 3860 Convoy, Set 110 San Diego 92111 (858)279-0941 Website

Charlie's Best Breads (again)

mmm-yoso!!! a blog about food. Kirk and His Missus are enjoying some well deserved time off and Cathy is writing today.

There has been a another post about this Charlie's location, and The Mister and I were customers long before there was any walk-in/sit down area (Charlie's has been here since 1988).  We enjoy a good bakery, and the organic products used here are a plus.  Pre- and post-COVID-19, Charlie's has prevailed.  There are currently a few spaced indoor tables and a nice outdoor area.


 Since working from home, we have tried to make 'fancier' meals. To us, this means fresh/hot bread for sandwiches or as a side.   We've noticed a few places selling par-baked breads, but the rolls at Charlie's are our favorite. We pick up a bag at every visit ($4/dozen).  The Italian bread loaf (medium, $1.80) is topped with sesame seeds and satisfies cravings for a 'nice slice of bread with butter' at breakfast.   On top of the counter at the cash register, the smaller version of the Italian bread (a frenchette), simply filled with ham and Swiss ($1.99) is available as a 'grab and go' sandwich.  To me, it's perfect in size and flavors.
 The prosciutto with fig jam,  Manchego cheese and arugula on a sourdough seeded ficelle loaf  ($6.98) is easily shared and is a nice way to start the day. There are 'Toasts' on the menu and the Smoked Salmon ($9.98) on a slice of ciabatta (delicate crust; not chewy) with a Brie spread, onions, capers and a chipotle sauce (unnecessary) is also a good choice to share.  Also on the top of the counter when paying is a gluten-free seasonal choice- right now, it's an almond tart, which is sort of delicate, almost like whipped marzipan along with slivers of almonds.  (I don't know and don't care about the price; it is  great).

Always a nice stop with quality products. 

Charlie's Best Bread  1808 Garnet Avenue San Diego, CA 92109 Open daily 7-7 Website

 

Max's Restaurant- Cuisine of the Philippines (Mira Mesa)

Thanks for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!!, a blog about food.  Cathy is writing today; Kirk is elsewhere.  

Long story short:  in the late 1980's, not long after The Mister and I moved to San Diego, we were driving on Eighth Street in National City and saw a building with "Max's, The House That Fried Chicken Built" as the signage.  After one block, I stopped and made a U-Turn.  We regularly stopped at Max's, primarily to have the fried chicken skin appetizer, over many years.  That building is now Villa Manila and our memories of Max's have been fond and longing.

Well, we were in Mira Mesa, looking for someplace "new" and saw this building in the parking lot with Target,   Golden Island and our probable destination, Hong Kong BBQ and Dim Sum.

 We found Max's!
 We were seated in the larger conference room and given the simple menu.
 Ordering was simple for this decades old 'return' visit- Lechon Kawali ($14.29).  A good size portion of par-cut crispy pork belly with the only condiments needed; pickled vegetables and the traditional vinegar-garlic-sugar sauce.  We did order the small size garlic rice ($4.99), which is kind of perfect. This was the only leftover from this meal. 
 Since it had been so long (and also no chicken skins on the appetizer menu), I ordered the half fried chicken ($10.99).  The plate comes with fries and banana ketchup as the condiment.  The chicken skin was crispy and thin and flavorful  as we remembered, the chicken was moist and cooked perfectly.

We will be trying out the rest of the menu, soon.  What a wonderful find! 

Max's Cuisine of the Philippines 8265 Mira Mesa Blvd San Diego, CA 92126 (858) 397-2180 website

Ramona Family Naturals Market- lunch

mmm-yoso!!! is the name of this food blog. Kirk has been doing most of the posting this year and is taking a break.  Cathy is able to help out with some posts. 

Long story short: after my most recent post (in January), there was an incident involving Urgent Care and Orthopedics.  The Mister turned into my chauffeur, took his responsibilities seriously and while waiting for me to return from meeting a client, used his (new) phone to do 'searches' for 'food' and when the pin dropped, he would then research menus.  That's how we found Ramona Family Naturals.    In 2009, Ramona Family Naturals was an online shop which eventually became a Brick and Mortar storefront.  Organic and natural foods, beverages and produce are sold within the market.  In the far corner is a small deli, which makes food to order.  Tables and chairs are outdoors, in front.   
 As you can see, we ordered a grilled turkey melt ($12.99) and a chicken tortilla soup ($5) to share. 
 The meal was brought outside to our table (we paid at the cash register and also purchased a bottled beverage). {There is a coffee  area inside the entrance (to the right) which also sells smoothies and fruit bowls}.
 Delving deeper into the soup bowl- wow!  Plenty of chicken, organic veggies and a rich broth.  Would definitely buy this again.
 The turkey sandwich- on 21 grain organic bread (really good) was layered with turkey, tomato and avocado, as well as hickory bacon, grilled onions, Havarti cheese and honey mustard. The best sandwich we have had in a long time. 

Excellent, quality, local.  Very happy The Mister discovered this gem. 

Ramona Family Naturals Market  325 Sixth Street Ramona CA 92065  (760) 787-5987 Website

A winter road trip-Denver to San Diego

mmm-yoso is a food blog.  Todays post is about food but not about any local places and is written by Cathy.  Kirk is really busy.

Long story short: 2020 was a sad year for all of us and for my family personally.  Death certificates were involved and a small consolation was the availability of a vehicle with low mileage (opposed to mine with 230K miles).  My brother started driving and called from Iowa last Tuesday.  I flew into Denver on Wednesday and we began driving West together.  Here are some highlights of the trip, with food. 

The Denver Airport is huge and there are three terminals/train stops before you get to luggage pick up.  I was fascinated.

 We were on our way in the chilly weather, with a view of the Rockies. 
Needing to fuel up and get a snack or two, we stopped into one of the many Convenience Store Truck stops that line our highways and byways, Kum & Go.  Yes.  It was mentioned in the middle of this post. 




 There is more, much, much more offered.
 No, I did not purchase any branded merchandise, not even the washable face mask.  We took the Exit in Golden, Colorado to Historic Central City, Colorado, a former Mining Town  which has the primary road named Casino Parkway.  We stopped here, the Monarch Casino Resort Spa. There's a 24 hour Cafe.



 Shrimp linguine, a bowl of (really good) clam chowder and a side salad with my undecided dressing choices. Great food, pretty town. Still decorated for Christmas.
That night we got to Silt-Rifle, Colorado and stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, which had a beautiful view from the room. and a bagged breakfast instead of buffet, because...Covid.  (and yes, it was cold- ). 
Eventually, we got to Utah,  which has Rest Areas with explanations of your view. 

Freeway exits notify you of businesses at that exit.  We saw "Mom's Cafe" and had to. It's about two miles form the exit.


The Special- Hot roast beef w/ mashed potatoes and vegetables.  Soup of the day: Chicken noodle.  We each ordered the same thing.
 Home made noodles.  Dumplings, really.  A wonderful, perfect broth.  Quite a bit of chicken.  A great cup of soup.

 A huge portion of roast beef.  Real mashed potatoes, lovely beefy gravy and more fresh carrots.
 Our nice waitress, Kathryn, brought this warm delight out.  She called it a 'scone' and said it was what Mom's was known for.  It was a sort of Indian Fry Bread.  Still warm, it tasted slightly sweet and was fluffy and nice.  With the honey butter on top, it was a fancy donut! So glad we stopped here. 

Price?  each special was $8.99, beverages $2.29

Mom's Cafe 10 East Main Street Salina, Utah 84654 (435) 529-3921 Website

We continued driving through Utah, a bit of Arizona and then Nevada, which had pretty rest areas.
I dropped my brother at the rental car area at the Las Vegas Airport and checked into the hotel, which had this view from the 9th floor in the morning.
  My dinner was an appetizer plate.   Breakfast the next morning was the corned beef hash.  Driving home to California, I stopped in Baker, but only for photos.  Then I continued on to San Diego.  A winter trip, with food,   and a new (to me) car.

Stay safe!  

Ol' Rodeo's Meat Market and Yogurt Mill (El Cajon) again, but it's COVID-19

Thanks for stopping by to read mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog trying to share a bit of 'normal' during these decidedly abnormal times.  Cathy is writing today while Kirk enjoys His job.  

I wrote about our favorite 'secret' place for great food with great dessert back when times were simpler, all the way back in August of 2019.

 The small, conveniently located market has been in El Cajon for at least ten years.  The Mister and I purchase warm tortillas and carne asada as well as other meats from the butcher shop counter, while ordering from the in store taqueria. Way back when 'eating in' was allowed (October?November?) The Mister and I woke up talking about craving the birria.  The meal is now $8.99 and was brought to one of the properly spaced in-store tables. The birria is either beef or mutton (depending on the day) and is a deep flavored, long simmered (at least three hours) wonderful stew.  There are ancho as well as guajillo peppers, garlic, oregano and a wonderful mix of herbs and spices.
 We have been ordering birria "To Go" and the packaging is nice.  The broth is kept separate from the meat and the serving size is the same or larger as the in-store plating.
We usually order one taco ($2.50), so that the other person has something to eat while the other is enjoying the stew. Our favorite here is the adobada (marinated pork).
 Although the carnitas is quite nice.  

Eating local; an easy resolution.

Ol' Rodeo's Meat Market 927 Broadway El Cajon 92021 (619) 401-7351 

Right next door is The Yogurt Mill.  (That is Ol' Rodeo to the right in this photo)
 Family run now in its 43rd year. Just frozen yogurt and a variety of toppings. Five of the flavors change daily (including one non-dairy and one non-sugar), five remain the same (chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, coconut and peanut butter).  The "Baby" size ($3.60) is enough for sharing.  

  Flavors shown here are tart peach and pistachio; peanut butter and coffee (not photogenic, but tasty); strawberry and coconut.  

Always a nice ending to a good meal.

Yogurt Mill 935 Broadway El Cajon 92021 Open daily 11-9