MisterM's Profile
Habanero Nightmare
Holy Hot Tamales, Batman!
Sounds like you got some particularly mean Habbies. If you thought that was hot, try working with Naga Jolokia peppers. Those are murder!
I think you did the best you could, Bladerobbins. Washing it off and putting ice and waiting. Gloves are great as long as you don't touch anything but the peppers! :-P
Holy Hot Curry Pot, Batman.
Hot Oatmeal for breakfast, can't get it right.
Ditto the above, plus, (unless you are on a salt restricted diet) add a pinch of salt after your oats are cooked. This brightens the flavor. McCann's is real Irish type Oatmeal rather than just rolled oats.
Sometimes, with Quakers Oats, I mill the Oats in the food processor, toast the resulting oatmeal lightly in a saucepan with a little butter, add the water and let cook. (Be careful not to burn the oatmeal when toasting).
This gives the oats the Oatmeal texture you are looking for and the toasting adds a lovely depth to it.
I sometimes add walnuts, raisins, a pinch of cinnamon and a pinch of cardamom to the mix for Raisins and Spice flavored oatmeal.
I wish I wasn't on a carb restricted diet! I'd make a bowl of that right now! Yummy!
Good Buritto in San Diego
Cool!. Tanks DD!
See Deb!
There's hope yet. One even CLOSER to you. They're takin' over, I tell ya!
Good Buritto in San Diego
Deb,
No kidding...if you know of a 'Taco Truck' that comes in or around the area you work, you might give one a try.
Some of the best tasting burritos can be found on some of those (and some of the worst).
One use to visit us in UTC called 'The Truck'. I'd match their Machaca Burrito against anyones. Soooo good...just don't worry about the grease, that's the best part! These trucks service our migrant workers in the area. Though poor, they expect to eat well for their hard work...the Trucks really try for them.
I'm a bit lost in North County with all the new development. I know that in South Bay no one can beat Super Sergio's on Sweetwater Rd. for the best Carne Asada burrito in town!
San Diego restaurants are bad
Hi Phee! - La Hacienda is still my favorite although (pardon the silly name) Casa D'el Taco on Sweetwater Rd. in National City makes fantastic Carnitas. Its like a Pork Fat thing, ya know?
I've gone to a number of these other Mexican places and they are way too gringoized for me...especially in Old Town. I mean Alcapulco...cummooon!
I keep hearing about this Milpas place in Barrio Logan. I've heard this about that and that about this, bada-bing. Ya know. ~shrugs~ What's the deal? And this Pokez place. What's that?
I'll be sure to give Lidos a try. Does it have any scary looking men talking about their Godfathers there? If not...fogheddahboudit. They also need to use garlic to be good.
Hi FoodWarrior - I'm afraid the Gaslamp is a tourist trap. But...you should'a seen it 30 years ago! Yeeks! Now THAT was filthy! Heroine anyone?
Now, Carlsbad. There you have something. Sleepy as it may seem, the place is actually a BOOMTOWN! Its like half the County's economy is based there now! I need to start nosing around there more. I'll probably be working there soon. I'll take you up on the El Camino Grille deal. That sounds like a fascinating place!
San Diego restaurants are bad
I am fairly lost as a person who eats out in San Diego County, anymore. I've been here so long and have seen things come and go with such alacrity that I hardly have a chance to try something before its gone. I have also seen places change that were once good and are no longer.
Rubios, for instance. I remember when it was a backlot wallfixture just off of the San Diego State campus. I defy anyone to match the goodness of those fish tacos of that time. I eat a Rubios taco now...I want to barf. A Mayonnaise Mess of greasy mushy fish and limp cabbage. BLAGH!
Well, at any rate, there are still a few places worth eating that I treat myself to sometimes. My tastes are probably pretty plebeian to most of you, but I know what I like and I eat what a like.
Here are some places I go for good food:
Mexican: Carnita's La Hacienda on E 18th St. in National City. This place is a Node In Time. It hasn't changed for over 40 years. It is, without exception, the best Mexican Food in San Diego. Its old. Its beat up. Its dusty. It sometimes has graffiti. Its absolutely my precious treasure! I am fond of their Barbacoa, but just their plain old Chile Relleno is a thing of utmost beauty! Tacos-go to a taco shop. Burritos-go to a 'bertos. Order a --plate-- of something good here! I even think they have Oaxacan style moles here...but I'd have to check to be sure. Brush up on your Spanish--It helps big time here!
Greek: There is a fast food place in Seaport Village owned by an old San Diego Media Fixture named Jerry G. Bishop. Its called the the Greek Islands Cafe. Order the Athenian Chicken and eat out on the patio next to the bay at sunset. You will remember...
I also like Athens Market (though its gone upscale on me). Moussaka's really good.
Indian: Madras Cafe. They serve you on a thali. You eat with your fingers. Be prepared to drink lots of water and sweat a lot. Not a lamb shank or a Tandoori Chicken leg in the carload. No meat at all in fact. No insipid Tikka's or Masalas here. As a matter of fact, you might want to bring an Indian friend along to tell you what you are eating (coz you won't have a clue - although the sweet little lady with the saffron sari tries to be very helpful). This is the --real-- stuff to cater to the many Indian nationals that work in San Diego's little known 'Little India' just on the east side of Miramar Rd at Black Mountain Rd. Address: 9484 Black Mountain Road. Uh...remember to pay in cash - you will get a big white smile if you do.
Nice Dining (albeit not 'fine' dining): Barbarella at La Jolla Shores. The owner here seats you herself. You get the full treatment with candles and white tablecloths if you like, etc. A wonderful Chef. A real brick oven. You can eat outside in the English Style garden or in the patio or inside if its a chilly day. Stylish and wonderful food at a very reasonable price for what you are getting and you don't have to dress up to eat here. I see a --lot-- of La Jolla locals eating here. You know...the kind with BIG trust funds. As my friend said when I took her here 'I can smell the money'. Fun to car watch too. I dig custom-made Lotus's. This is the --real-- thing...may Tapanade go to Hades. 2171 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla.
Strange Dining: Marrakesh Restaurant: Go Saturday nights. Harrisa. Bestija. Couscous. Spicy lamb tagine falling off bones. Olives. Mint tea. Belly dancing. Its fun!! You can even sit on a mushroom. 634 Pearl Street, La Jolla,
Other than these, I have little to recommend. Most of the places I liked to go to are long gone now or have changed beyond recognition.
I'll have to try Ba Ren -- right after I learn Mandarin, I guess. That might fill one of the things I've been SORELY missing in San Diego, a decent Chinese restaurant. Although Ba Ren is Szechuan and my preference is Cantonese, but I still would like to get some good Chinese dishes, even nuclear hot ones. (What I wouldn't give to have Sweet and Sour Pressed Almond Duck Cake again!!!)
I'd also like a good family Italian place that isn't Boca d'Beppos - not my fave. I don't mean one of those 'trattoria' wannabe places either. Just good ol' Sicilian cooking. The kind like Mama Filippi used to make on India street when she was still alive, may God Grant Her Peace.
Not all San Diego restaurants suck...just most of them...and they didn't USED TO!!! Maybe I oughtah open a restaurant. I make a mean red sauce :-P
NY/SF style Chinese food in San Diego
mjoc,
Try 'Hong Kong Chef' in the UTC area on Governor. Its a real hole in the wall place. Its in the same shopping center as a Henry's market.
This place is as close as I've been able to come to the kind of American Chinese that you and I remember.
Strangely, El Chevere's comments aside, San Diego once did have some good Chinese-American type joints...but they are becoming quite rare...and I, for one, am sad for that.
In any case, Hong Kong Chef has great Almond Chicken, Lo Mein, and (though I've not tried it myself) the Egg Foo Yung looked pretty good. That's a hard one to find anymore.
A special note to you, I see a lot of New York types come to this place as well as quite a few Chinese. It reminds me of the mix we once had at a place in Chula Vista called "The Teapot Inn" which was, bar none, the best Chinese food I've ever had.
Give it a try!
Does San Diego do East Coast Chinese Food?
It is very hard to find good 'East Coast' style American Chinese style food in SD anymore. This was, at one time, also considered West Coast style American Chinese too...before the Dark Times...before the Yuppies!
Now too many 99 cent places and Panda Palaces with their Orange Chickens and hideous and greasy chow meins (lo mein) have moved to supplant them.
But...that said:
I go to a little hole in the wall in UTC on Governor called 'Hong Kong Chef". I have never been disappointed there, though their fried rice is a little lack-luster.
I usually get their Almond Chicken, but I've also gotten Wor Won Ton Soup which is an instant cure for any cold, I promise!
Their Lo Mein is the best I've had in many a year.
The folks there are Chinese and speak with a Cantonese accent. I think they're legit and might even be able to cook some REAL South Chinese dishes if you know what to ask for.
I see a lot of old school New York types going to this place...its got the right flavor and feel.
Give it a try!
