15 Places
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Allan’s 5-star review: Finally, after weeks of anticipation, we were finally able to enjoy an evening at Din Tai Fung and this was a fantastic experience! The idea of utilizing reservations is clever, as it keeps the waiting of groups to a minimum which prevents the front from becoming clustered and the operation clean and efficient. Not too sure why people bicker about this, it's pretty simple to sign in and wait like the rest of us, totally worth the wait! Starting from the beginning, we set up our reservations towards the end of the evening. Getting there a little early we enjoyed conversation on the couches outside, the San Diego winter evening was brisk and delightful. Rolling up to the front desk, service started good and ended great! The greeter was very kind, the host waited patiently for us as she guided us to our seats because we were just so interested in glazing our eyes over everything, and then after we took a seat, quickly addressed us and informed us of the restaurants history and menu recommendations. I did ask if we could move to booth seats for more intimate seating and views of the restaurant when it wasn't as busy. Kind and helpful, they let us know they would check and we lucked out! They took care of us and really made sure we were comfortable at our new window seats. Pictures worth a thousand words, bright and colorful, mouth watering; this is how I'd describe the menu at DTF. We ordered four main items, all based on what we saw and it was on point! 1. The Shrimp and Pork Wontons w/ Spicy Sauce Some would say to save the best for last, but some things are just TOO GOOD to wait for. The wontons themselves were glistening and the sauce had that glow that just told you it would be a twinge of spice with lots of taste and thats what it was. With a careful garnish of green sprinkled on top, these are a MUST with any order. Juicy and overall colorful collection of shrimp flavors, pork juices, and wontons wrap with a spice that compliments the dish. If this doesn't make you want to try some, then let the picture show you. You don't even need to place them in your spoon with soy sauce, its great the way it is. 2. Shrimp and Pork Shao Mai This was like a 5 piece collection of asian artifacts, stunning and a wonderful display together. Tasty and cooked through, I was impressed with how juicy the shao mai was from the bottom to the top, thats the steaming method for you, and it was vibrant with that shrimp flavor as well! 3. Noodles with Minced Pork Sauce Another great dish that caught my eyes first. The pork was cooked well, the noodles shiny and great texture through and through. This is a great carb plate to go for between all the wontons and what not. 4. Pork XiaoLongBao The first dish to come out and all ten of these hand-wrapped delicacies were juicy and flavorful. I have no complaints only praise for this dish. Did I mention these were what put DTF on the map for greatness? It's no wonder and I wonder no more. Desserts 1.Eight-Treasure Sticky Rice A very pretty presentation, with filling on the inside, and decorative fruits outside, this is a good one to share and was great to cut into. Good flavor as well. 2. Red Bean Bun & Taro Bun Great fluffy buns that are squishy on the outside and contain a smooth red bean filling on the inside. Normally it's hard to find good, consistency with buns, but these were cooked very well and should be ordered to finish off the evening. Overall Opinion I don't have any complaints, just excitement for Din Tai Fung. Thank you very much for making our experience that evening one to remember. The service was great, the restaurant was pretty, and the buns were absolutely amazing! -
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Allan’s 4-star review: Looking for a Mexican food joint by my house I came across this place and it was an amazing find! I first walked in and noticed how nicely lit and clean the place is especially considering it's not in the fanciest of places. Cashier at the register welcomed me right away. I judge many Mexican food joints by their California burrito and the taco salads. I was surprised at how large the California burrito was and tasty it was indeed! A good balance of fries and tomatoes and meat with nothing being too much over the other. Expect to be filled and satisfied! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a nice chow for a decent price! The place itself has a nice homey feel that is fine for groups, dates, and loners all the same. There are interesting characters that come by that place but everyone is there for the same reason: MEXICAN FOOD! The only concern I could possibly find was that the food came TOO FAST I didn't have time to finish my Yelp Check-In review! If you're looking for some tasty Mexican food at the economic price, Taco Fiesta is the place to be! -
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Allan’s 3-star review: First of all let me say that it's the carne asada fries and machaca that really bring this place together. Cons: 1. Cleanliness is very questionable. The facility itself is very dirty not to mention the outdoor bathroom which never seems to be cleaned. Door to the cooking area in the back gives you a look at the standards they keep when dealing with food. 2. Employees are rude and not informative. In order to give a proper evaluation of the employees I have come here several times in order to prove a point. When asking about the contents of the dish you are interested in their typical response is either they do know and they will tell you or they do not know. When you ask if they can find out for you they tell you they cannot ask and will roll their eyes at you as if you are not there. While sitting and eating, you can watch other customers pass by and if they do not know how to speak Spanish it seems as if the employees have a bad attitude and would rather not serve them. This is incredibly rude and should be addressed. 3. Food is not always fresh. I like judging my mexican food by the quality of the meat and I have to say that the meat does retain much flavor or juice. Pros: 1. Compared to the Colima's a block down, the taste is a step up better. 2. Regardless of the meat, the ingredients and tortillas actually taste really good. All the condiments are very tasty and there is a unique selection on the menu board. I do enjoy eating the Hot Cheetos burrito. It is a nice different taste and something unique about the place. After everything is said and done, this is a mexican food place and if you want mexican food well... you can have mexican food here. If you REALLY want mexican food. -
Allan’s 4-star review: For mall food, this place takes the cake. I first took an interest in this place watching them cook their bread in a giant stone oven (hence the name). Right off the bat you notice something very special about this place and that is the home made bread. That's right. HOME MADE. It is always a challenge judging food places located in a mall food court and that is because it isn't a fair playing field as opposed to a restaurant which stands alone and doesn't have shops around to bring in customers. Let's get started, the price is down right reasonable. For under $10 you are allotted a choice of a gourmet style sandwich, a side of either pasta, salad, potatoes, or bread. Their bread is made fresh there and you can watch them make it right before your very eyes. They make their own seasoning and comes out a beautiful soft pillow. I decided on a BBQ Beef Brisket with a side of bread and there is a nice selection of dipping sauces you can try. Unfortunately you have to pay. The employees are friendly every time I come in always greeting me then taking my order. I appreciate it when the chefs are focused on making quality food and you can see it in their eyes that they make sure each meal is just as nicely prepped as the first. Though I wish they gave a whole bread for a side, the meal itself has a nice fill to it allowing me to try dessert elsewhere. One important thing to note is the cleanliness of the little area that Stone Oven inhabits. They keep a clean counter top at all times so where they prepare the food is always in a clean environment. This is a great place to grab a bite when you're out shopping with the girls or by yourself. Enjoy! -
Allan’s 4-star review: A great refreshing place to enjoy boba and relatively quick internet! I would have to say It's Boba Time has a "cereal-when-its-first-opened" kind of feeling. You open the doors and WHOOSH! The wonderful aroma of fruits and other great smells fills your nose. It's a great place to come when you just want to sit down and chill. A modern upbeat feel, this place will put Tapioca Express on it's toes. Unlike Tapioca Express, It's Boba Time doesn't drill loud loud music into your ears. You are able to sit and have a decent conversation. On top of the ability to talk, the vicinity is kept rather clean and the tables are always wiped down. This is a great thing to take note of because many boba places such as Lollicup are terrible when it comes to maintaining cleanliness. This is always a positive in my book and should be in yours! Service is pretty chill here. The workers are very smiley and always seem to be in a good mood which just rubs off on you so you leave the counter feeling like "Yeah, I'm awesome and I'm going to have boba because of my awesomeness." They are not only quick to serve but they are quick to have your food ready. They also try new things with their menu and keep and updated ranking system of they drinks that are most commonly ordered. This make it pretty easy for me if I want to try something I haven't had yet but don't want to have to ask what's good. You can just look up and there is your Top 10 flavors. Coming here, yes you may want to initially get a drink, but I would advise you to maybe give the rest of the menu a moment of your precious time. These items aren't placed there purely because they want to make money (such as McDonalds), but rather, they are here to bring your tongue new flavors that you would have otherwise been deprived of if you're not a local to these parts. Their shaved snow plates are an amazing dish that let's you enjoy the refreshing flavors of fruits all slushed up. If you could imagine cotton candy texture as a fruity ice cream then you've got your shaved snow! Another positive is that the bathrooms are also relatively clean. I would only have to say that if they could add a tissue dispenser instead of just the air dryer then that would be great because not everyone likes to grab the door handle bare-handed after they just washed their hands. I often come here after class at SDSU or at Mesa college to sit and work on homework with a drink. All-in-all, a great place to bring your friends or just yourself. So come on in It's Boba Time! -
Allan’s 4-star review: A little hidden jewel in the Mira Mesa area, this is a great place to grab a snack and a refreshing boba (especially after class). This thing is, when you come to Mira Mesa, there are A LOT of these little plazas with different stores and such that it's like opening a box of goodies at each block. Tapioca Heaven is a small place that seems a little squished between two other stores but you should NEVER judge a book by it's cover or you might miss out on something nice. Parking never seems to be an issue here, considering the majority of the people in this part of town are running around doing many other things. Walking in, the music isn't blasting your ear drums out like Tapioca Express thank goodness. You'll notice quite a bit of pictures of items on the menu hanging on the wall and if something doesn't catch your eye by the time you've made it to the counter than you can take a few minutes to look at the menu with the rest of the items. The workers here are pretty nice and helpful if you're not sure about what you'd like to get. Ordering here can be a bit of a wait if you've ordered a food item but drinks are made relatively quick which is nice when you're in a hurry. As with many other places, they also have a card you can stamp each time you buy a drink which I keep in my wallet. I'd have to say though, the menu is very nice and simple with a variety of drinks to choose, from milk tea, smoothies, coffees, and even TEA BY THE POT. The snacks are pretty standard when compared to other boba places such as Tapex but you shouldn't expect anything more than that. The thing with boba places is how the boba is served. The boba is here doesn't come off hard and frozen or hard to chew. This is a great thing to keep note of because you can enjoy each drink the same way: How YOU want it. Sandwiches are pretty tasty and come with a side of Goldfish (that's pretty awesome in itself). The only improvement I would have to mention would be that it would be to their benefit to have the yogurt section up and running again because it creates a section where part of the store is not used and feels a little sloppy. They also have a random fish tank with sand and is more or less just there. Just these little changes could have a tremendous impact and I would urge this. Seating is comfy both indoors and outdoors. Enjoy your drink with a friend or a book in one of two arm chairs or a group of friends but keep in mind that this place is NOT HUGE. Emanating that little apartment feel, it can get a little squishy here when it gets busy which is typically on HOT days. Bathrooms are located upstairs and this is just because other stores also share this bathroom. Not such a big deal when you're just coming here for a few hours to snack on boba and the works. The tables outside are shaded so they make a good spot to enjoy the breeze inbetween classes or after work. Although there are signs that people shouldn't smoke, there are often times people smoking nearby so don't be surprised to catch the occasional whiff of smoke. Taking everything into account, Tapioca Heaven is a wonderful little boba joint in the middle of the hussle-and-bussle of Mira Mesa. If you disagree, come by and we can have a fun debate about it over boba on the breezy outdoor seats. -
Allan’s 4-star review: It may just be me but I haven't come across shaved ice this good since, well, I can't even remember. Think, flavors brought to you in a most chilly and fluffy way. Finishing up a good climbing session over at the Solid Rock Climbing Gym, we were looking for something cold to quench our thirst and we came across this cute little place on the way to the freeway. Walking in I didn't know what to expect but what I found quite the find. You walk in and before you even see the counter, your eyes are drawn to a long wall covered in sticky notes, each and every one decorated by a person who has come in and enjoyed a shaved ice. This little but very important part of the store really adds that "home-style" feel to the place. Before I could sit down and decorate a sticky note of my own to place on the big beautiful wall, I went ahead and looked at the menu. They have a nice selection of flavors to choose and you are allowed to mix up to three different flavors in either a small or large bowl. Since I don't usually expect much of shaved ice, I went ahead and ordered the small shaved ice with the three flavors, Dreamsycle, Strawberry, and Passion Fruit. A few short minutes later, my shaved ice was ready. They first thing I should mention here is that as soon as I took my spoon and dug into the shaved ice, I noticed how smooth my spoon entered and how fluffy the S.I. was. This was a shocker to me and when I tasted it, it was like eating a juicy cloud filled with flavor all in one bite. Now this may sound strange but I then handed my spoon to my girl and I told her to take a scoop of this shaved ice and she immediately noticed how different the texture and taste was. Up until this point, many other places that sell shaved ice usually have ice that is still more solid and crunchy. This was the complete opposite. Imagine biting into a nice bed of freshly fallen snow. That's what I found here. Winter in Spring. I will also mention that they serve teas and different kinds of boba which is nice if you're looking to something else. The only improvement I would have to mention here would be for the workers to pay a little more close attention to customers orders. It's ok to relax while working and not rush everything so that you can make sure each time the order is the right order. I ordered a green tea with no boba and they brought that out with and extra scoop of boba. Not such a big deal but when I ordered my shaved ice, they forget several items so I had to hand my shaved ice back. Also smiling and welcoming customers is a small but very important detail in helping make any business even better. I began to decorate my sticky note while enjoying my shaved ice and it was fun to sit and talk and decorate the wall with little drawings. Bringing kids and your friends would be a good thing, TRUST ME. They also have a few games you can take to your table to enjoy which is a nice touch. It seems like many places are starting to do this such as Lollicup and various other boba places. Bathrooms are kept pretty clean so don't feel bad if you REALLY have to go, it's there and it's clean. The atmosphere is pretty lax so you can enjoy your dessert without anything breaking your ear drums. All-In-All, if you decide for yourself this summer that it's a little hot and you could use a refresher, stop by this place, because I can guarantee you, I will be spending plenty of time here. -
Allan’s 4-star review: What better way to pick it back up on Yelp than with some tasty seafood? Yes I did say tasty and that was a little of an understatement. My chemistry buds and I decided to come here after our final and it was most definitely worth it. Having been to both Crab Hut and here, I will be doing a B-&-F review (back and forth). Coming in around 8 in the evening, there were quite a bit of people so we kindly waited which was no problem at all. Don't worry, they have a bench for you if you'd like to sit down and just chat with your company. Crab Hut on Convoy isn't as big but that might be due to the location so waiting is most likely done standing outside. After a quick 15, we were seated and a few minutes later immediately served water and offered there famous bibs to tie around our necks. Crab Hut does a good job here as well as they are quick to get to you and they also have their bibs to protect you from the food. I decided on ordering the 1lb shrimp with medium hot sauce, the whole-she-bang (the full array of spices with the shrimp), and a full pound prepped the same as my shrimp. Waitress was very kind and helpful with our order informing us about each dish, how truly "hot" each sauce was, and did it all with a smile. When service is great, a smile on a waiter/waitress' face can turn any good night out to a great night out. Before each meal it's good for people to practice washing their hands. I always go in and take a look around the bathroom, the status of the bathroom really says a lot about the place. I gotta say the bathroom was pretty good. Not trashed, not much graffiti, very clean and doesn't hold a stench when you walk in. This gets me excited because if a restaurant keeps their bathrooms clean, I wonder how much better they do with their food. Needless to say, I walked out of that bathroom with a smile on my face. I sat down and my food was brought to me very quickly, hot and ready. The shrimp was steaming nicely, after peeling I dipped it in my pepper and lime which they provide you on the side. Shrimp was very fresh and tasty. I didn't realize that 1 pound of shrimp and 1 pound of sausages would fill me up but it did and the spice was exciting to my tongue I recommend the medium spice to anyone that likes flavor on their tongue. It did get a little messy but I don't think the bib is exactly necessary but for the fun of the place put it on anyways. This is a great place for finger foods and just being messy with friends. The atmosphere was fun, drinks were good (water), and price was decent for seafood. Beware, if you wait to look at the menu at your table the prices aren't necessarily shown so while you're waiting to be seated try to look at the menu in the front with all the prices and think reasonably. We started off with spicy seasoned french fries between the 4 of us as a little appetizer and then the 1 pound was good for each of us along with lots of socializing. All in all, The Boiling Crab will be book marked for future visits and I recommend if you are just having a long day or finishing up a long semester, go out with a few friends, get a little messy and enjoy some finger seafood! -
Allan’s 5-star review: UNDERBELLY?!?! More like IN-MY-BELLY! If you're looking for great food, positive vibes, and a spot to rest while the rest of the busy San Diego city passes you by, I admonish you to give this place a try. First off, when you're trying to get there, expect parking to be tricky (and that's being nice) considering its located in one of the busier areas of downtown. The ideal times to go would being during the weekdays when people are at work and you're thinking of a late lunch. Be wary, any time you decide to visit the Little Italy area after 5pm, you're risking your life, JK! But seriously, it can get very hectic and wait times can increase dramatically. If you're the type who enjoys large crowds and close quarter spaces (I'm not talking about a club), then evening times would be best suited for you, otherwise, take my advice and go when the sun is out. Seating is flexible with the option to sit inside looking out, or outside looking in as well as the possibility to sit upstairs by walking up a tight circular stairwell. Otherwise you have several benches outside along the hillside for which they have heaters to accommodate for the cold and shade to protect from the sun. Take a look at the menu before hand, the line goes by pretty quick, but for them to prep your ramen of choice and appetizer to start, they're going to need a little time (which isn't always a bad thing in this case so breathe easy and let your eyes wander). To start, the crispy chicken wings in a bundle of three have a nice bright red glaze of sweet and spicy just by looking at it, I couldn't tell if my eyes were salivating -err, I mean tearing, or my mouth from the thought of getting to bite into! A reliably interesting bowl I default to would hands down and feet down be the Belly of the Beast. Anyone familiar with ramen even in the slightest (this means good ol' cup-o-noodles as well) will come to see that the ramen served here is unique with a twist of zest and that would be my opinion on the matter. Good things to look for within the dish itself would be the oxtail dumplings which absolutely melt in your mouth while you watch the street cars pass by on that chilly winter evening, or, in this case, the warm summer nights. To top off that oxtail, are slabs of tender meat that fall apart very nicely and we have yet to speak on the matter of the noodles which come out with that al dente texture we long for. This is a good size portion to leave you with that satisfied feeling that says you had a good meal. (For those of you who enjoy a nice spice with their bowls, you can roll with the standard oil and chili powder, OR you can challenge yourself with their signature ghost pepper sauce, because lets be honest, who doesn't want to tell all their friends they've tried ghost pepper and survived? [; ) I've heard people complain about the lack of dessert and my answer to them has always been this: GO TO A DESSERT PLACE THEN. Underbelly doesn't need to continuously add on new items to their menu in order to keep up with the world, their ramen brings people back time and time again already. Little Italy is a community for locals and tourists alike, so when you're ready for dessert, cross the street to Cafe Gratitude or take a stroll towards the heart of India street and enjoy some ice cream from Salt & Straw! The balance that Underbelly brings to the Little Italy scene, in my opinion, is incredibly underrated. From the friendly, chill vibes the staff brings, to the background oldschool/underground/lofi sounds radiating all around you, its no wonder this place feels a whole lot less mainstream and more like an exclusive getaway amidst the fast paced, crowded metro area that Little Italy has become. Rest your weary feet, feed your hungry bellies, and when you're ready, go and have an adventure all you foodies out there!
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