mmm-yoso!!!

2020 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade Road Test #4, Breakfast at Burger Depot (La Puente)

mmm-yoso!!!, a blog about interesting meals and how said meals came to be. Today, Cathy is writing; Kirk is exhausted with work.

Link to 2020 Road test #1 

Link to 2020 Road Test #2

Link to 2020 Road Test #3

Another Road Test weekend for the floats participating in the 2020 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade.  The Mister and I woke at 4, left home at 5, drove through on and off light rain to Tustin for some snacks at the Kolache Factory then headed to Irwindale to the Phoenix Decorating Company to watch floats for the Rose Parade being tested along Ornelas Street. 

 "Plant a Garden, Believe in Tomorrow" presented by Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day. Mrs. Meyer's makes household cleaners with scents inspired by a backyard midwest garden. The white 'outline' on the float resembles the outline on the label of each of the Mrs. Meyer's products. The flowers -both the sunflowers at the back and the roses along the sides- are animated and will be tilting (and smiling) along the parade route. 
It looks like the City of Hope float will simply have the same title, going along with the "Power of Hope" theme of the parade. 
Here is progression of construction of the float "Cultivating Curiosity" presented by The Huntington, a Pasadena Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens celebrating its 100th year in 2020.  Ed (from Yuma) and Tina enjoyed a lovely tea and visit here in 2014.
The Royal Court (which will be announced on Monday September 30) will be riding on this float during the Parade.  The Court serves as year round ambassadors for the Tournament and each member receives a small ($7500) education scholarship. Follow The Rose Examiner for more information about the Royal Court and other information about the Tournament activities. 
The Shriners float and the United Sikh Mission also had their floats tested this day.   The float barn is filling up!  22 of the 44 floats in the parade will be constructed here. 

The Mister and I headed home down Vincent Street, one block East of Irwindale Avenue.  We passed a few places that looked interesting.  Vincent turns into S. Glendora Avenue which then turns into N. Hacienda Boulevard. There's a five way signal light at the triangle corner of  N. Hacienda and N. Unruh.  Look at those signs.  Look at the shape of the building.  You know we had to stop. 

The menu, above and on the counter by the order and pay register, isn't too overwhelming. 

You can watch your food being cooked in a non-hipster open kitchen concept.  It's brought out to your table.
 The chicken breast and eggs breakfast ($7.55) comes with flat-top crisped potatoes and toast. The eggs were over easy (even that broken one still oozed yolk), the chicken was moist and tasty. A great, healthy breakfast.  
Chilaquiles ($7.99) were made to order (I saw fresh tortillas being grilled up before being drowned in the home made, chile de arbol based sauce (spicy!)).  Topped with perfect over easy eggs with sides of refried beans (also made here; many were whole) and more crunchy potatoes.  We are going to return to try hamburgers here, since the name is Hamburger Depot. They are probably pretty good. 

Hamburger Depot 1169 N. Hacienda Blvd. La Puente, CA 91744 (626) 917-1872

Las Pinches Tortas (El Cajon)

Thanks for stopping by to read mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog. Kirk is still busy at work and Cathy is sharing another food adventure.

For the most part, The Mister and I don't plan any of our food stops unless a gift card is involved.  On this day, we were (once again) driving about aimlessly, took the 2nd Street exit from the 8, continued South until 2nd turned into Jamacha (at Main) and continued for a few more blocks.  A bunch of cars were stuck at the signal light at Washington and we were backed up quite a bit. Looking West, both The Mister and I noticed this signage at the same time.  I pulled into the Laundromat anchored mall.  This is what it looks like from Jamacha; a large parking lot.

It turns out this family owned and run restaurant opened in June.  I can sort of see how we missed it.  I can also say we will be eating here often.  
 We walked in, grabbed a menu (thumbnails at the bottom of this post) and a seat before ordering. The kitchen area has an open window, the self-seating area is quite large. 
You order and pay straight ahead when walking in; I only noticed the signage at the order counter after we had decided what we wanted and had to turn around to discuss changing our initial choices.  Finally, I ordered, paid, got our beverages and looked at the condiment area.  The food is brought out to your table. 
 The Lunch Special of 1/2 torta and soup ($9.95).  This was a smart decision, because apparently the full size torta is huge.  This is a 1/2 size ahogada (drowned) torta. The bread is from Guadalajara.  The meat is (wonderful flavored meaty and crisped) carnitas.  There's a smear of flavorful black beans. The sauce, made with chile de arbol and tomatoes, is spicy and made here.  

All of the salsas are made here.  There are many salsas on the condiment bar and for each food item.   
The soup is a 'proper' tortilla soup.  **No chicken pieces** in it; just a good flavored chicken broth with garlic, onion, tomatoes, chile de arbol (so, it's spicy).  It's thickened with tortillas and topped with fried strips of tortilla, cheese and sour cream.  Hearty. 
 The counter also had a photo of a special of Chile en Nogada ($14.95).  This item is usually prepared around Mexican Independence Day (September 16), (the dish is meant to be the colors of the flag of Mexico, and the red pomegranates need to be in season).  It's a poblano chili, stuffed with picadillo and topped with a walnut based white sauce and pomegranates.  Sweet, savory, a bit salty, crunchy, soft...everything that describes a great melding of flavors and texture in each bite.
 Chile en Nogada is meant to be served at room temperature.  It was the best version I've had so far in my short life.

There are so many sauces, so many different torta breads, a great variety.  Despite the name (I know it's dirty), Las Pinches is sure to be part of our 'regular rotation'. Unexpectedly a great find.

Las Pinches Tortas 558 Jamacha Road El Cajon 92019 (619)593-0576 Open Mon-Fri 10-9, Sat 9-9, Sun 9-8

 

Barbecue Pit (El Cajon) Revisit

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog.  Kirk is busy with 'work' and will return soon enough. Until then, Cathy is writing.

Barbecue Pit is a longstanding (since 1947) restaurant in El Cajon. Posting in 2014 as well as in 2018, combined with Kirk's post of Wrangler Family Barbecue, in 2010 (Wrangler has the same menu, decor, ambiance and flavors as Barbecue Pit; it was once part of the chain) doesn't really show how much this place is part of our 'regular rotation'.  Its location, kitty corner from Beef 'n Bun, on the North East corner of Fletcher Parkway at Garfield, (next to the Baskin Robbins) has plenty of parking in front and in a larger area in the same lot, serving a 99 Cent Only store as well as a few other storefronts. 
 Step inside, walk up, order and watch your meal being prepared.  The Texas style, pit smoked (over oak) meats available are beef, pork, ham, chicken and links.  The sides are slaw, potato salad, baked beans and fries.  The soups are pea soup and navy bean.  The combinations for meals are plenty and delineated on the wall. 
Pay, find a table, grab your beverage, check out the condiment bar and grab some utensils.  
 I ordered the 'soup and sandwich' ($8.99). A large bowl of navy bean soup and a ham sandwich- smoky, thick slices of ham on a toasted bun.  The soup is a particular new craving of mine.  More on that in a moment.
We went on a Saturday night (the Barbecue Pit is closed on Sundays) and there was a Special on the white Boards- the Sloppy Joe beef sandwich plate was $9.99. Slaw and potato salad were the sides.  You can see this was a generous portion of smoked beef.  You can add more BBQ sauce as you wish...tangy and sweet, warm and luxuriously thick, the sauce is a compliment to the beef.
  Here's another visit. The rib and chicken combo plate with sides of baked beans and potato salad and cornbread ($16.50) was The Mister's order. 
Two large, juicy, meaty, well smoked (leaving a bark on the meat) beef ribs and 1/4 chicken (breast and wing).  Not using the sauce, the smokiness really comes through.  Using the sauce halfway through makes the meal a new experience. 
 On this visit, I tried the chicken sandwich and navy bean soup.  The soup really is all beans with carrot, celery and onion; a bowl by itself is a meal.  The chicken sandwich is plentiful and has a more delicate smokiness when tried plain.  

Everything here is good. 

Barbecue Pit 2388 Fletcher Parkway El Cajon 92020 (619)462-5434 Open Mon-Sat 10:30-9 CLOSED SUNDAY Website 

 There is dessert here, too. 

A-Bowl (Shanghainese)(Convoy)

Thanks for stopping by to read mmm-yoso!!! It's another day with another post about food.  Cathy is writing; Kirk is back at work.

The Mister and I were driving through another heavily packed parking lot on Convoy- and behind China Max, we saw a 'Grand Opening' sign and decided to check it out.  A-Bowl has been open for about a month and we hadn't heard about it.  Apparently the menu is Shanghainese and similar to Tasty Noodle House, according to some people online. We've never been to Tasty Noodle House, so can't compare.   In any case, people were stopping out front to read the menu and walking in.  It wasn't too crowded when we did the same, but was quite busy when we were leaving.  
Looking at that back corner, with the overhead lighting, this looks as if it may have been a Karaoke venue at some point (there are several Karaoke businesses in this mall).  It had been an InfiniTea-boba/beverage place before A-Bowl. 

The menu is quite extensive (over 100 numbered items) and everything we ordered was served in deceptively large bowls...small-ish circumference, but deep and filled.
 We decided to try the House Sauce Lao Mein ($8.99).  I pulled out a noodle so you could see the eggy goodness.  The 'House Sauce' was meaty (ground beef), ever so slightly sweet, slightly salty.  There were small pieces of dry tofu, garlic, ginger and onion in the sauce.  Bean sprouts and fresh cucumber slivers rounded this out.  Mixed together, this was delicious! Kind of a Mabo, but not spicy. Satisfying.
 We also decided to share the 'Spicy Sesame Wonton' ($8.99). Pork filled, large- two-bite-sized thin skinned wontons (there were ten; three layers in the, again, deceptively large bowl) topped with a peanut butter sauce, peanuts, pickled vegetables, cilantro and scallion tops. It wasn't that spicy and we added some of the tabletop condiments (soy, vinegar, white pepper and sambal) in various amounts to get the bit of 'kick' we were looking for, even though eating it 'plain' and with the pickled vegetables was quite good.
 We decided to try this interesting "Seafood Combination with Chinese Donut" ($12.99) Large pieces of fish, squid, shrimp and (small, Bay) scallops mixed with plenty of fresh crispy Chinese (fried) donut, covered in a pretty typical Chinese 'Lobster Sauce'-a mild white sauce, chicken based, with eggs, peas and carrots along with green onion.  This was great! The 'donut' stayed crunchy, the fish and squid were tender, shrimp were plump, scallops a bit chewy.  The combination of flavors was great and the crunch of the donut was satisfying (we asked for no rice and it wasn't needed).

So far, this looks like a good lunch stop.

A-Bowl 4690 Convoy Street, Suite 111 San Diego 92111 (858)384-2278 Open Daily 11-3 then Mon-Th 5-9:45, Fri-Sat 4:30-10 Sun 4:30-9:30 

 

Pacific Pizza (Poway)

mmm-yoso!!!, a blog about food.  Cathy is writing today, Kirk's exciting Labor Day weekend has been extended a bit.

The Mister and I shop about once a month at the Atlas World Fresh Market in the Poway shopping center located in the triangle shaped mall surrounded by Pomerado Road, Twin Peaks Road and Ted Williams Parkway in Poway.  Atlas has a small 'Food Hall' area with Persian, Korean, Indian and a few other choices, which we are slowly trying out, depending on what is open when we shop.  Sometimes we don't want to eat there.

We noticed this signage for Pacific Pizza about seven weeks ago and finally dropped in.   Locally owned, family run, this small shop has four picnic tables for indoor seating as well as a couple of small tables out front. 
The menu is simple, with pizzas, slices, salads, pastas, sandwiches, wings and a few other things, including Calzone and Stromboli.  You may recall my Stromboli-Calzone comparison post from ten years ago..or not. 
A small Greek salad (technically sized for one person, but the bowl is deep, toppings are plenty and we share) ($5).  Fresh ingredients and a good balsamic dressing. 
We ordered a calzone ($12.99, includes two toppings-we chose mushrooms and sausage)(additional toppings are $1.25 each and I don't think are necessary, since the cheesy mozzarella, parmesan and ricotta alone is great and would get 'diluted' with too many additions). 
 Two sides of fresh made marina also came with the calzone.  That white stuff is a piece of garlic, which, along with the chunky tomato pieces is a pleasure to eat alone or with the calzone.  You can see the thin delicate crust, which was brushed with garlic butter and herbs.  This calzone was quite wonderful.  

People were ordering slices, some lunch specials, sandwiches, salads and pizzas while we were in here. One large delivery was being taken out when we walked in.

I hope Pacific Pizza does well; they are serving quality food and everyone working is patient, polite and friendly.

Pacific Pizza 14897 Pomerado Road Poway 92064 (858) 842-6000 Open Mon-Sat 10-9, Sun 12-8 website

Tip Top Meats (Breakfast and Lunch)(again)

Thanks for stopping to read this food blog, mmm-yoso!!!.  Cathy is writing today, while Kirk and His Missus are 'vacationing' and celebrating the long Labor Day weekend.   

The Mister and I drive to Carlsbad every so often just to enjoy a nice meal and pick up some German and/or European treats to enjoy at home.  OK, we stop here a lot.   This post, from two years ago, has links to my other five posts in the top paragraph. (Yes, seven posts in 13 years is a lot for one restaurant, but it is just so good). Breakfast can be glorious here.  The Big John (still $7.98) includes toast, herb-y home fried potatoes, three eggs (any style) and *all you can eat meat*.  Except bacon.  You can only order bacon once, at the first order.  People abused the privilege and now everyone must suffer. Pictured here is bacon and bratwurst.  There is a house made breakfast sausage, kielbasa and ham also available as part of your meat selection.  There are photos of Big John meats on the other posts; things here don't change.
The European Continental Breakfast ($8.99) is always interesting.  First, I crave the bread rolls (which you can purchase in the Deli section for 50¢ each), the Swiss cheese is thick sliced (creamy/buttery soft and a slight nutty flavor) then the meats which are on the plate are always varied. This day, there were two slices of six different lunchmeats (including braunschweiger(!), two salamis, a mild headcheese, veal bologna and thick slices of Black Forest ham). To me, this is a perfect breakfast. 

Eggs Benedict ($8.98) House made hollandaise (not very lemony at all) (compared to the hollandaise made at Costa's in West Covina).  Perfectly poached eggs on top of a quality (thicker than usual) toasted English muffin and served with the home fries (potatoes and herbs-nice).
 Meat Lovers Omelet ($8.99) Choice of two breakfast meats, three eggs. 
 Ham and bacon were the two chosen meats.  There was more of that than egg or cheese wrapped in the eggs.

On some weekdays, we drive up for lunch.  Smoked pork chops with both (sweet red and sour white) krauts, mashed potato and beef barley soup ($11.49). Thick, lean, smoked in-house chops.  When we left, we purchased more in the market for an at-home feast.  The soups here are, of course, house made; thick, flavorful and really wonderful.   Beef steak sandwich (from the hot sandwiches menu) on marble rye toast and a side of Cole slaw ($8.99). Oh my.  I've never ordered the Big John cheeseburger here; thought it would be 'average.  So wrong...this was a perfect medium rare cook of wonderful flavorful beef.  The other hot sandwiches as well as cold sandwiches are flavorful, fresh made, quite large and make a wonderful meal. 

I hope you are having (or had) a wonderful Labor Day celebration!

Tip Top Meats 6118 Paseo Del Norte Carlsbad, CA 92011 (760) 438-2620 Open daily 6 a.m.-8 p.m.

2020 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade Float Road Test #3. Food from Cream Pan (Tustin), Portos (West Covina) and The Hat (Murietta)

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog.  Still, there are so many reasons we end up eating the meals that we share here with you.  Cathy is writing today.

Link to Road Test #1 

Link to Road Test #2 

Link to Road Test #4

The 131st Tournament of Roses Rose Parade (and 106th Rose Bowl football game) will occur on January 1, 2020; the culmination of a week of many other Tournament events.  Preparation begins in mid-January, just after the prior parade is concluded.  The Theme for 2020 is The Power of Hope.  Some floats for the parade are built by Phoenix Decorating Company, which has monthly road tests noted on their website and Facebook page.  The website also notes where you can sign up to volunteer to decorate floats. This Link to The Rose Examiner has a lot of current happenings surrounding the Tournament of Roses.

Last Saturday, a few floats were tested for mechanics and maneuverability.  "Hope Keeps Us Going", the entry for the City of Alhambra looks to be ready for detailed decorating. SInce you see the artist rendition here, I thought that showing you the back of the float might be interesting. 
This float, ridden by the Royal Court (who will be chosen and announced soon) will be the same float as last year, with fresh decorations. 
The same is true for the 'Closing' float- the last in the parade (there's usually someone singing on it). The float reminds everyone to tune in to the Rose Bowl football game, which starts about four hours after the Parade ends.  The Opening, Closing, Royal and Honda floats are never in competition for the awards given for float design and decoration. 
The Huntington is celebrating its 100th year with a float in the 131st Rose Parade.  This was a first Road Test. You may recall this wonderful post, written by Ed (from Yuma) about the lovely visit he and Tina had at The Huntington in 2014. 
 The City of Hope will enter a float for 2020.  It sort of looks like a large tree, with doves, flowers, butterflies and bees randomly scattered in the tree limbs.  I bet it's going to be beautiful.  Hopefully there will be an artist rendition and more details next month.  A quick peek inside the Decorating Barn is showing quite a progression being made on float construction.  

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On to the food portion of the blogging.  

We leave our home at 5 a.m., get to Cream Pan by 6:20.   I have been afraid we are taking Cream Pan for granted and barely even post about our stops here.  Not to fear; there was a notice inside that they are hiring for their new store in Fountain Valley! This morning, we chose a ham and cheese croissant ($2.80) (always good, meaty, cheesy and flaky), a (still warm) crispy cheese bread ($2.50) (fulfills cravings) and an 'orange chocolate' ($2)-new to us-It's almost like croissant dough in torn pieces mixed with dark chocolate bits and a great zip of orange flavor; now another favorite.

Cream Pan 602 El Camino Real Tustin, CA 92780 Open daily 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Website

Watching floats and then leaving, we were six miles away and had to stop at Portos, again.  (My third ever visit, The Mister's second).  Underneath that egg is a wonderful light, soft masa with whole pieces of corn, filled with shredded, slow roasted pork accompanied by a great salsa verde, the Tamal a Caballo ($4.75) is kind of a perfect breakfast.
Since we haven't tried the whole menu (yet), a Medianoche (Midnight sandwich; same fillings as a Cubano, but a different bread) ($5.99) was shared.  Fillings are slow roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, Cuban dressing and pickles.  Great flavors and another good choice any time of the day. 
We also shared a ham croquette (95¢)-smoked ham and parsley in a roux, coated with a crispy layer of bread crumbs.  Also one of the trademarked Potato Balls ($1.05)- mashed potato filled with a picadillo (seasoned ground beef with red bell pepper and olives).
Because we were eating in, the Porto's cortadito ($2.69) - two shots of espresso and sweetened condensed milk- was delivered to the table in this cute plastic espresso cup with its own tiny spoon (yes, I brought it home).  We also shared an iced coffee ($2.25). There were also lists made of what else to try, both for us and for cc, Bert and TC.

Porto's 584 S. Sunset Ave., West Covina 91790 (626)214-3490 open Mon-Th 6:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Fri-Sat 6:30a.m.-9p.m., Sun 7 a.m.-8 p.m.  Website

The Mister and I weren't really hungry until at the split of the 15 and 215, in Murietta.  The last (or first, if you are heading North) exit is the closest location of The Hat,  just East of the 215 exit.  The Hat started in Los Angeles in 1951.  "World Famous Pastrami Dip" is the primary food item here.  But, there are a few other items on the menu.  

There's a beef dip sandwich ($10.49)
There are also onion rings ($4.99) (whole onions, a nice crunchy breading and quite a large size).
But no.  The Mister has begun looking at photos online.  This.  This is: chili fries ($6.99) (The chili here is noteworthy, the amount of fries you get in a regular 'small' order fills a paper bag) add cheddar cheese ($1.69) add pickles and tomatoes (20¢) add pastrami ($4.99).  It weighed more than two pounds.  After ten minutes, with both of us eating, maybe 1/4 of it was gone.  We took it home.  There were small bites taken for dinner, there were fried potatoes and pastrami for breakfast the next day...
 The Hat 40476 Murietta Hot Springs Road Murietta, CA 92563 (951) 304-2244 open daily 10 a.m.-10p.m.Website 

Tomson D - Chinese (and Krispy Krunchy Chicken) (La Mesa)

This food blog named mmm-yoso!!! has Cathy posting on this hot summer day.  Kirk is enjoying the start of a long weekend.

A sort of odd location, next to a Subway in a curved row of storefronts, this used to be Slides,  a great concept with nice owners (I still crave the eggplant as well as the fish sliders from here).  Now owned by a friendly couple, who seem to always be working, Tomson D has an interesting mix of food offerings as well as clientele. 
When Tomson D first opened in October 2017,  it offered Mongolian BBQ in addition to the still existing menu items, hence the empty 'salad bar'/refrigerated area to the right, in the above photo.
 To the left, when you enter, is a wall menu of various appetizers,Chinese offerings and beverages. 
 To the left of the cash register is a display of fresh Krispy Krunchy Chicken, a Louisiana style franchise with four San Diego locations. (Which Kirk has written about, twice.).  The chicken display always seems to be fresh and we have noticed that it is changed out regularly during the day if not sold out.  

First things first.  I've been here on my own before, on Fridays, when I don't eat meat.  The 'Appetizer' menu has 'fried white fish' ($2.68 per piece).
One piece is quite large, and cut in half per order. 
 Light, crispy batter with some herbs; the tartar sauce isn't really necessary, but I end up using it on the second half, if I want variety. The fish is meaty, flaky and properly fried; not greasy.
 The Chinese menu sells items by size- lunch, dinner and party.  This is the "Tomson Beef" (L $7.38).  Pretty much beef and onions.  The beef is tender with a nice sauce of garlic and chilis.  Each Chinese meal comes with a vegetable egg roll, served in a glassine paper bag.  The Tomson Shrimp (L $7.98) isn't spicy and is stir fried with zucchini, carrot, onion and mushroom.  Very plump shrimp and good, fresh vegetables. 
The Pekin chicken (L $7.58) has a one chili 'heat rating' and it's pretty mild.  Bell pepper, mushrooms, onion and chili are the ingredients and it's all fresh, juicy, flavorful.  

Our first time trying the Krispy Krunchy chicken.  We did order the three piece 'Meal Deal' ($5.59) and received four pieces, which was a nice accident.  So, two legs and two thighs and a honey butter biscuit.  Wow.  The biscuit was really well made- fluffy inside with a crisped bottom and topped with definite honey butter covering the crispy crust; a perfect biscuit. What great fried chicken-light, crispy, the crust- seasoned 'politely' and not 'overwhelmingly'.  The chicken meat was juicy, moist.  Nothing needed to be added.  

A great local owned restaurant with choices which should satisfy most cravings. 

Tomson D 7406 University Avenue La Mesa, CA 91942 (619) 597-6666 Open Tues-Sun 11-9 CLOSED MONDAY

The menu has several teas offered, each for $3 (boba extra).  The peach tea is very nice; you can taste the tea. But really, they sell chicken here. 

Mr. Falafel (Clairemont)

mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog for more than 14 years. Kirk is working a lot this short week before a holiday weekend, Cathy is blogging.  

Kirk has written about Mr. Falafel a total of three times; it's closer to His workplace.  However, I drive around a lot.  There are several signs directing you to this small storefront, (a strip mall *behind* the Panda Country on Clairmont Mesa at Genesee (the Southwest corner)). It used to be a Mexican Bakery where we would stop after eating at the small Mexican restaurant, also in this strip mall.   The signage used to indicate it was 'Mediterranean Cuisine' and now it is more specific- 'Lebanese Cuisine'.  There are 8 tables (two outside), 18 chairs.  The menu is simple.  The owner is very friendly and takes your order, apologizes that you will have to wait while it is being prepared, brings the food out to your table and checks up on how you are doing.  It is his place and you can tell he is proud of his quality.  Did I mention he is friendly?  He is also happy, sings with the music playing in the background while cleaning the tables.  It's like you are guest in his home.
 The entire menu.  Of course, we had to try the falafel.  Knowing this was Lebanese meant the falafel would have fava beans in addition to chickpeas (I mentioned falafel ingredient differences in this post).  A 'Munchie' ($5.99) of falafel was ordered.

 Crisp exterior, fluffy interior, onion, garlic, parsley mixed with the garbanzo and fava. Quite perfect.  Made to order (of course) and served with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and (a very mild) tahini.  This could be a light meal. 

So. Lebanese.  Top center menu item, Lebanese chicken panini ($7.95).  Chicken, pickles, garlic spread on a pressed French roll.  This is a Lebanese restaurant...Alforon and chicken tawook came to mind.  Could it be? 
 Oh yes!!! Freshly pulled roasted chicken (there was a small bone in one bite), a nice amount of pickles and the light, fluffy smooth, garlic paste on the nicely crisp yet fluffy pannini'd bread.  All the flavors I crave. When you order the sandwich, you can also get a small size of any side item (hummus, tabbouleh, cucumber yogurt salad, potato salad fries or baba ganoosh) for 1/2 price.  Ganoosh it was!  Smoky, chunky, fresh-wonderful.  The 'Munchie' part of the menu says a choice of either fresh pita or pita chips, and we were given some of each.  The regular pita here are the nice, thin version (which is what the toasted pita are made from)- and I like thin pita rather than the fluffy, bread-y style.  

A longtime (since 2011), local owned, friendly place serving wonderful, fresh food.   

Mr. Falafel 4461 Clairmont Mesa Blvd (BEHIND Panda Country and the gas station) 92117 (858)490-0170 Closed Monday, 11-8 Tues-Sun Website

Ol' Rodeo's Market and The Yogurt Mill- Lunch and dessert in El Cajon (Bostonia)

Thanks for stopping by to read about food here on mmm-yoso!!! today.  Kirk is enjoying the weekend and Cathy is writing.  

El Cajon has some interesting, local places which have withstood the test of time. I haven't written or even photographed some of my 'little secrets' in over ten years of blogging and finally have gotten around to it.  

Located at the South East corner of Broadway at Mollison, this small market is known for its meats, fresh tortillas and small kitchen, located just to the right when you walk in.
 The menu is uncomplicated.  Everything is fresh and prepared to order, by taking the meats straight from the sales counter over to the kitchen area.  There are a few (5) tables in the center of the store (which has a small Produce area, wall of refrigerated beverages, wall of refrigerated staples and one (two sided) set of shelves). 

These photos were all taken from my seat at the table.  Ol' Rodeo's is small.  
 Soon enough, our 'Combination Plate' ($6.99) order of birria (choice of goat or beef; this is goat) was brought over (also, four freshly warmed tortillas, not pictured). This flavorful, rich, spicy stew hits all the taste points.  The obligatory leftover photo; you can see bay leaf and some bones and gristle.  This large bowl of stew had close to a pound of meat in it. The rice and beans here are very good in addition to the fresh corn tortillas.
 We also ordered an adobada taco ($2.49), so we had something to eat while the other person was enjoying the birria.  As mentioned, the meat for grilling was pulled from the meat counter (where it is $3.99/lb).  The pork pieces, marinated in red chile sauce with vinegar and oregano was so fresh and flavorful.  I was asked if I wanted avocado or guacamole on top.  No extra charge. 

Superior quality food, wonderful people working here (it's a Mom and Pop place).  Known for its carne asada, which will be a separate post.  

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

Want dessert? Go out to the parking lot...

This landmark building used to be a pizza place called "The Leaning Tower" (there were two other locations in San Diego; one is still partially standing (last photo) and the other, which anchored Clairmont Square, is gone).  This family run frozen yogurt business has existed for 41 years and this location was purchased when the Leaning Tower of Pizza went out of business, around 1988. 
 The menu changes a bit each day and there is always one dairy free and one sugar free option, as well as two or three low fat yogurts in addition to nonfat choices. There are plenty of topping choices, but we are purists. 
 Tart Mango and Pomegranate Blueberry, Baby size ($3.60)- a lot of frozen yogurt to share (especially after that birria). Tart, well flavored, quality yogurt.

Yogurt Mill 935 Broadway El Cajon 92021 Open daily Mon-Thur 10-10, Fri-Sat 10-11 Sun 11-10

This is why you can walk from Ol' Rodeo to The Yogurt Mill...