deeznuts's Profile
West Coast BBQ and Brew
Wood Ranch is not my idea of a BBQ joint. Went to the anaheim hills location. Think Phils. They roast then cook over a wood fire grill? That's basically Phils. No?
Tried Coops and it was ok. Closer, but not quite there yet.
Best BBQ is San Diego is still the one you make yourself. Time to bust out my Weber Smokey Mountain.
Best Steak in SD
Color me unimpressed with Peter Luger. I went once, and was not satisfied. Steaks were cooked fine but it was terribly bland and the sauce they give you with it? Blech.
I've been to cowboy star 3 times. First two times were excellent, 3rd time the steak left a lot to be desired.
Had Donovans about 3 months ago, big party, everyone agreed, where is the flavor? I mean, I understand leaving it simple to taste the beef but when there is no salt on it, it's a waste of time.
I'd rather have Mastros in OC/LA. Ruths Chris is ok, dependable if not spectacular.
One of the better steaks I had, surprisingly, was at the Palms.
Coop's BBQ (Lemon Grove)?
Any other experience with Coops? Lemon Grove is a trek so if it's worth it, I'm going.
Best Seafood Restaurant in San Diego
I haven't found any that I love, but I enjoy eating fish at smaller restaurants. I recall having a decent meal at Solana Beach Fish House, and also a fish sandwich at El Pescador in La Jolla.
There are also similar ones in Bay Park but I forget the names.
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Solana Beach Fish House
124 Lomas Santa Fe Dr, Solana Beach, CA 92075
Why do so many taco joints have "berto" in their name?
As a San Diegan, I found that article quite enlightening! Growing up in the 80's in San Diego is when I remember the "berto" explosion. Robertos was first. Then Albertos which dominated the scene for a while. Then you had rambertos, alibertos, alertos even. But now the "berto" restaurants have fell out of favor. They all really let their food go.
A chain called Santanas (now MXN) exploded, but their food is terrible. El Cotixan has been my favorite for years (at least 15 or so) in one location, now they are expanding. There are also restaurants kicking up the concept one notch, so it's slightly nicer than a drive through taco shop, but still fairly cheap, and a little better tasting.
My question is, how do these shops make their food? San Diego style cal-mex? Even going to LA you get Mexican take out that tastes much different. Is say, a carne asada burrito just tortilla, meat, pico and guacamole? That's all I want in my burrito, no rice, no beans etc.
ISO East Coast Style Pizza in La Jolla or nearby
I had Bronx a few years ago after the hype I just didn't get it. Seriously, it's a good pizza but nothing spectacular. I guess after eating Bonjiornos in Solana for years when I finally had Bronx I didn't find it that much better.
Regents Pizza is in Golden Triangle not sure how their pizza stacks though. I've only had their deep dish
San Diego Chinese - Dim Sum & Authentic Chinese
normalheightsfoodie got it right with, "good luck."
Growing up in San Diego I hated dim sum. Couldn't stand it. My ex-gf loved it, I didn't. My new girlfriend loved it, I didn't. Until I had real dim sum (yank sing in SF of all places). Now I love it .. just not in San Diego.
Seriously, nothing here really compares. Esp. comparing it to Vancouver and Yank Sing. I'll throw some names out and you really gotta pick, they're hit or miss. As mentioned there is Jasmine there is emerald, there is China Max (where me and my GF will go when we really have to have it). There is Pearl in Rancho Bernardo which is one place where I will enjoy a non-dim sum meal.
For good/great dim sum, if you can drive, really it's San Gabriel Valley. One LA board favorite which I loved was Sea Harbour. Good stuff.
Szechuan there is Ba Ren which I had and was very enjoyable.
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China Max Restaurant
4698 Convoy St Ste 101, San Diego, CA 92111
San Diegan coming to Addison/Dallas for the weekend, need your hidden gem recommendations!
Great Rec's that's what I'm talking about. Thanks.
I'll check out Afrah for sure that sounds interesting
San Diegan coming to Addison/Dallas for the weekend, need your hidden gem recommendations!
San Diego hounder here. Fiance is working in the area, staying in Dallas. Do have a car so will drive (hey we're hounders). But the closer the recommendations, the better. Anyone can find the fine dining/steakhouse options in the city, but I love to hear what the locals think are their hidden gems. The place that if your relatives came to town, would be on your rotation.
I think I''ll skip the asian (japanese, thai, viet, etc.), tex-mex (unless it's something really worthwhile), italian. I don't get any BBQ or good Cajun or Creole out here unless I make it myself (I'm an avid smoker). For Cajun I see Nate's being tossed around. I believe that's in Addison so that works perfectly. For BBQ there is Lockhart? I don't need sauce on my bbq but my fiance does (what can I say, she's a sweet sauce bbq type girl) I love crawfish and will definitely be eating that
I am actually aging a 18lb prime ribeye roast right now, so the prime steakhouses aren't high on my priority since I'll be cutting and cooking that up when I get back. But if there is a decently priced high value steakhouse I'm all ears.
I'm excited to discover the good chow in the area!
EDIT: Looking into BBQ joints, C T's REal Deal in south dallas looks like it has potential with its soul food menu? I'd love to have some soul food as well.
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San Diego Restaurant
1229 N 18th St, Waco, TX 76707
Southern California Mexican Food and IN N OUT Burger in 1 week!
Funny. San Diegan here. My fiance is in Dallas for work (guess you guys had a recent hail storm a couple weeks ago or something) and when I said I was going to get a carne asada burrito she tinged with jealousy. I think I might send her here (she's in Addison ... which might be a little too far)
Heirloom Tomato Plants In San Diego
wow thanks for that rec. I gotta check this place out.
Sadly I havent' started my garden yet. I know, time is running out.
When Did the Califonia Burrito First Become the California Burrito?
You forgot the sour cream.
My first recollection of the california burrito was not fries or tots, but potato cubes or chunks. I would say I started seeing it more often around the early to mid 90's. My ex-gf was flying them to Texas to take to her aunt in 1995 (her aunt isn't from here but Port Arthur but when she visited, she had to have them)
When Did the Califonia Burrito First Become the California Burrito?
I love this article just because he wrote pendejos.
Five Guys coming to Encinitas
Went to five guys last year in Temecula. Never been back. I'm sorry, the only thing novel about it was that you get to choose a lot of toppings. Big deal the burger itself was very unremarkable. In-n-out is way better.
The fries were decent though. yes you get a ton. I have yet to have a fast food burger better than In-n-out. Shoot Thomas Keller flies into LA with a bottle of wine and hits up an In-n-out. That is a man of exacting taste! :p
Heirloom Tomato Plants In San Diego
Looking to start my first garden. I love tomatoes. Yet the tomatoes at the store are so woefully bad I decided to turn this little sliver of yard I have into a garden. Tomatoes and garlic are the plan! Garlic later in the year obviously.
So ... I'm in mira mesa. Where is there a good variety of plants, if any? My fiance can't eat anything acidic so a few plants are good enough. I'm excited to taste a real tomato possibly grown by me. I've never planted a thing in my life so I have some reading to do.
Thank you SD Chowhounds! Where we dined based on your recommendations...
Peter Luger was terrible when I had it. So overrated I should have listened to the NYC board.
Cowboy star was great the first two times I went, but the last time (about 3 weeks ago) was disappointing. The steak was tough and I get ribeyes only, so it's hard to make a ribeye tough. Wasn't that happy.
I prefer Mastros yes a chain but the quality has been consistent. And I've also been to Cut, but the one in Vegas. Had american wagyu excellent steak but you do pay for it.
I am a Pho Virgin...help me lose it to somewhere really good.
Sate, sambal and sriracha, a staple in my kitchen.
Not all sate's are the same too. Find one you like. My friends mother a Laotian (think super spicy) makes the most kick arse sate in the history of sate's. it's so spicy I put about a quarter pinky's worth (I can almost drink the regular sate's)
I am a Pho Virgin...help me lose it to somewhere really good.
Interesting, you're talking about Pho VN? Haven't been there in years and only then for necessity.
I was going to chime in with the Bolsa recommendation for Pho Ga. The owners are very nice (they try to hook me up with their niece from Australia every time I come in, always asking if I'm still with my current lady lol). But watch out, me and my mom have both independently come to the conclusion we have been overcharged there. And they know our family quite well.
I'll chalk it up to mistake.
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Bolsa Restaurant
9225 Mira Mesa Blvd Ste 118, San Diego, CA 92126
I need to replace my bamboo chopping board - what kind shall I get?
There are some sellers on ebay that use Titebond (food safe) glue. I was looking at a black walnut one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Black-Walnut-Butcher-Block-Cutting-Board-NEW-end-grain-/270609566272?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f01964a40#ht_1279wt_905
That one is a little small. Check out his other items. I'm thinking 12x18 (actually I'm thinking 16/18x24 but my fiance says our kitchen is too small for it. It is, but I don't care!
List of Shops in San Diego to buy cooking ingredients
Sounds great! Too bad about the meat curing ingredients though, maybe consider adding a very small section? :)
At least some bacon curing ingredients ...
25 Forty Bistro?
Any experiences at this place? I read one person's experience (great meal) in the New Restaurants thread, was wondering if there were any other. Yes it's the groupon deal so I wanted to see if it was any good. Yelp had good ratings but we all know how that is sometimes misleading ...
Oahu Report
Forgot to add two places. Ono Hawaiian Food. Was a decent homestyle meal. We got the kalua pig and chicken laulau. Loved the laulau. It had a good flavor even for being undersalted. The rest of the meal was ok. The lomi salmon and the jerky dishes were ok, nondescript, not bad, not great. Poi ... yeah I don't think I'll be eating that again. Not my thing. If there was more rice (I should have asked) I would have been more happy, The haupia was decent.
Last place was Ono Seafoods also on Kapahulu. I wanted to try their poke. Got 1/2 lb of their shoyu. At first I couldn't place the taste, if I liked it or not. But the texture of the tuna was awesome. Firm, fresh and unctuous. After a couple more bites I began to appreciate the flavors and really enjoyed it. I wished I had discovered this place before my last day. I would have visited more often and tried more varieties the fish was absolutely delightful. The owners were surprised we were Vietnamese (I Overheard them talking in the back hehe). All in all, wish I visited it earlier in the week. So cheap and accessible!
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Ono Hawaiian Foods
726 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816
Vietnamese in San Diego
mien trung really is a bold broth but then again Im not a big fan of lemongrass (eek) so possibly that's why I liked Hoai before. I know, how do I not like lemongrass. Basically if I notice it, I'm not going to like it. However My gf's cousin ordered two humongous pots of mien trung bun bo hue for her daughters birthday a couple months ago and it was pretty darn good too though. I should do a taste off comparing the two just to see which I prefer now.
Funny about them not being from Hue, as I said earlier my gf's mom is, and she didn't say anything hah.
Where to buy alaea salt and other salts?
Yeah I would have totally bought it if I didn't read Joebob's rec. i did grab some black lava salt there.
Thinking of throwing some things together this weekend to use the salts and then wish we were still back on the islands ..
Oahu Report
I'll make a note of Keneke's when I go back. My good friend is getting married in July so hopefully sooner rather than later!
Weird about Side Street didn't have flatware, I know right? Hey, can I get a fork or even a spoon. Sorry only chopsticks. Serious? Haha. Maybe it was closing time and they put it away? I don't know, but it didn't ruin or mood or anything, just chalk it up to a unique experience!
Yeah I always cancel reservations if I can't make it. I feel guilty as all hell. One time my flight was delayed to San Francisco by one hour, ruining my dinner plans (my fiance travels for work) and I called them on the plane. Opentable makes it so easy, just log in, hit cancel. Don't even have to talk with a human being or anything!
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Keneke's
PO Box 654, Waimanalo, HI 96795
Oahu Report
Yeah, it was the only bbq I had on the island, so maybe there were better, but I got it off a recommendation on these boards and it did not dissappoint. My fiance (kekeke) puts up with my chowhound expeditions and normally just goes along for the ride but this time she was excited about the food.
Oahu Report
She did, and we haven't announced it yet so I'm still used to calling her a GF. since I don't know any FNF who visit this I guess I can call her my fiance on chow! Hah
