Madre "ckagan2003@yahoo.com" L.'s Profile

I have seen this restaurant many times as I have passed by and if you blink you miss all of Descanso. But work took me out there a couple of weeks ago and one evening I decided to stop by with my hubby for a quick dinner.

It is indeed a very homey, laid back, "kitchy" type of place and as in many of these back county small restaurants the servers are young and not overly friendly.There was an older couple that was seated in the booth next to us and the lady immedialhy started telling us how friendly everyone was, how much like a family everyone was and delicious the food was.

Since I had never been there I seriously craned my neck back and forth to check out all the chotskys, read all the little country signs and just generally check out the joint.
At some point my nosiness must have made grandma doodles nervous because she pipes up "Do you need anything? Is there anything I can get for you?" I wanted to tell her what I needed was for her to mind her own damn business but you know my mama raised me right so I kept my mouth shut.

The young gal came and took our order and we waited in anticipation for our dinner....and waited....and waited....and waited some more until my husband finally got up and went to the register to ask where our food was. A couple of folks who came in after us received their food and still we waited.
I always try not to immediately think that in a place like Descanso where two brown people are probably more the exception than the norm, it's not a racial thing. After my husband checked on the food our server came over and nervously told us that the cook had somehow misplaced our ticket and that the food would be out as quickly as possible and it would be free...what? Say again? Free as it nada, nothing, we blew it so your dinners on us?

I have to hand it to that young lady, it can't be easy to tell two scary old people like us a lame story like that but offering us dinner on the house was not only a very professional thing to do but very brave.
My husband had a club sandwich and fries (he liked it) and I had the chicken fried steak dinner. We also had a couple of cups of something called "beef stroganoff soup" which was so good my husband had tears in his eyes...no, really he did!

The chicken fried steak was a "B" and the homemade mashed potatoes okay but the pathetic, over boiled, tasteless green beans they put on the side of the plate was a tragedy.
What a shame that a delicious chicken fried steak could not be accompanied by a killer green bean or other veggie casserole when there are so many undoubtedly good cooks in the area. The special that night were three dishes (salad, entree, dessert) whose recipes were provided by local cooks. Too bad they couldn't do the same thing for all the food on their menu.

We will be back to try breakfast and only because the young lady was a diplomatic and professional representative of the restaurant.

Okay, there are two Aldo's in Horton Plaza both of whom face each other, my review is about the smaller one on the side of the escalators. Less than a month I stopped by with a couple of gf's to "just look" and walked away with a beautiful blk bag and a couple pieces of great costume jewelry. The two young girls that helped me were amazingly friendly and helpful, When when I couldn't make my mind up between two purses, one of them even went in the back to bring hers out (she had the same purse) to show me how much of her stuff it held.
Fast forward to a couple of days ago and I'm back to return the same purse because the zipper broke a couple of weeks after I had it. Had my receipt and although I wanted my money back all the girl could offer me was another purse or a gift card. Strange and normally something that would've aggravated me to no end but the young lady was so friendly and professional I swallowed a big girl pill and started looking for another purse.
My 4 stars today are almost entirely for the customer service I received both times from the young ladies that worked there. I complain loudly and often when someone doesn't act like they want my money and give the CS of a monkey, but not these girls.
The young lady that helped yesterday was named "Dary" and was not only beautiful and sweet but very knowledgeable as well about her products. They were both very good at up selling and even after she exchanged my bag and told me it was even and I owed nothing, I still walked out $40 lighter from picking up a couple of pieces she suggested...yikes girl, you're good!
I will make the small Aldo store my regular stop when I in downtown from now on and the only reason they didn't get 5 stars was because of the funky return policy....but no problem, I loved the service!

This has always been my FAVORITE Vons bar none. The checkers are genuinely nice, even the young ones, everyone is helpful to the point of surrealism (here, I'll walk you over to the won ton wrappers) and like the first gal said, the store is always clean, bright and smells good.

I am disappointed that I wasn't the first one to review my Vons but unfortunately tonight will be the first time I have ever been treated so poorly.

This is the Vons where you are greeted each and every time by the checkers and some of the kids that bag your groceries are incredibly friendly. But tonight, feeling tired and in need of some warm soup and something to make for my hubby's dinner, I dragged myself in and then made it to the check out before I passed out.

As I walked up, I was the only customer in line and the man behind the apron and the register must have been in a VERY bad mood because dude, he totally took it out on me.

I got your number now "Roby" with one "B" you smelly,ill- tempered little gnome with a hideous Jeri curl and he ain't black sista! Just because I wanted to screw with his punky old ass, when he started ringing my groceries and didn't even look my way I said really loudly "I'M FINE, THANK YOU FOR ASKING, HOW ARE YOU THIS EVENING?"

I must have startled him because he immediately went into his most insincere a-hole mode and said somewhat slime-aly (that's not a word is it?) he responds with "I'm fine and how are you this evening ma'am?)

The checker next to him looked over at me and shook her head as if to say "sorry" and quickly turned away. He was also speaking rudely and loudly at the poor checker about finding some damn cookies for another customer NOT even in his lane...I was like, hey Mr. Psoriasis, how about pretending to be happy to take my money?

In a few months Wal-Mart will finish building their Super Wal-Mart and then we will all have an opportunity to buy groceries at a bigger discount and hopefully nicer people. I won't leave my Vons unless I'm buying big but I won't get in the stinky gnomes lane ever again.

So we went to D'Amatos for lunch today, my second time and the first for my co-workers. There were four of us and we all had the lunch specials, two of us had sandwiches and the other two ladies had the lasagna.

The first time I visited I picked up a delicious hot sausage and onion sandwich sans green peps and was eager to go back and share the good news with the other ladies.

One of the main reasons they get three stars is because of the customer service. The lady who runs the register, takes the orders, delivers the foods and cleans the tables seems to be the daughter of the owner. "Mama D'Amato" seems to come out only to deliver the food and take orders but she was also very nice.

Unfortunately the food only gets two stars and that was only for our food because although the lasagna was a lovely dish to look at, it was cool and not hot enough for my friends. The sauce was heavy and tasty but cool as well...what a shame to not serve such a yummy dish bubbling hot from the oven.

My torpedo sandwich was delicious mainly because of the incredibly good bread and my friend had a chicken parmigian sandwich which she liked. The daughter brought a basket of fresh french bread to the table (twice) it was warm and heavenly.

BUT, she had to do everything and forgot our extra sauce until we were almost done and I had to chase her down for the check. A decent place to eat, full of guys if you are on a manhunt and it's small and cozy.

I will probably go back by myself but I will go back.

This review is for one of the last remaining if not THE last Jimmy's trying to survive in San Diego. The Fireside Room shares the same building as the Jimmy's restaurant or did before they went out of business.

It boggles my mind that even when business is shitty people can serve such crappy food and continue give such lame customer service.
My husband and I took my parents there to eat, it was about 2 pm and the place was nearly deserted.

My husband had a pastrami sandwich (dry and tasteless) my dad had the same, I had the ribs (BIG mistake) and my mom had a patty melt which was the deal breaker.

Yes, it seems like a cafeteria in a convalescent home and yes it's true that most of the customers are over 90 (except my parents of course) and unfortunately they are still one of the last restaurants to serve canned, over boiled veggies as a side dish...

But none of those things were the deal breaker...the bummer was as my mom was biting into her patty melt she caught a whiff of spoiled meat and made a face. I asked her what the problem was and she said "the meat smells spoiled, smell it."

I did and it stunk, I called the waitress over who seemed surprised but the real surprise was when I caught a glimpse of the hostess taking the plate and lifting it up to her own nose to smell. She shook her head as if to say "there's nothing wrong with this sandwich."
Having grown up in the restaurant business, I know that smell and it's the smell of meat that is past its prime and the cook is trying to make it work instead of throwing it out.

Yeah, I know it's a bummer to throw away food but good God people, at least mask it in a bowl of chili or something!

My mom then ordered a Greek salad with chicken which came at the exact time that we all finished our food and she had to ask for a to-go box. The surprising thing was that they not only charged us for the meal, they didn't apologize and offer to make things right.

C'mon people, we could've gone anywhere and we will next time...sorry Jimmy's, now I understand why your dining room was like a ghost town.

Okay, so it's the first night of the Breeders Cup which started on 11/6 and ended on 11/7/09. We were from San Diego with our good friends Downie and Karen and after a long day at the races we were looking for a decent place to eat within walking distance of our hotel.

First stop, Olive Garden (45-55 minutes wait) so after trying a couple more of the other surrounding restaurants Downie suggested Matt Denny's as a back up. Since he had arrived earlier than us he had done some reconoitering (sp?) and thought Matt Denny's looked promising. Boy, was I glad we stopped.

There was about an hour wait inside but the patio had some empty tables and we decided to sit outside because it was such a nice night. Aftrer a slightly rough start with the wait staff we were finally served by a very nice young lady who apologized for keeping us waiting and promptly took our order.

Quite honestly I don't remember what anybody else had (nor do I care) but I had the rib sampler plate and I was stoked! I love good ribs and I am constantly on the search for all kinds of barbecue styles. Little did I know that I would find a yummy plate of goodness in the middle of the city.

The weather was excellent that night, the owner came over and made nice with the strangers from San Diego, then proceeded to turn on the flat screen tvs for everyone to enjoy. There were two couples sitting close to us and interestingly enough the husbands had North and South Civil War hats on so you know I had to stop and ask them if there were reenactors. They were not but one of them was a bouncer at Matt Denny's and he good naturedly answered all my questions about the restaurant and their hats.

Thank you MD's for making four San Diegans feel welcome far from home, thanks for the yummy food, man it's good to be a grownup!

First of all, do all great barbecue places have really cool hostesses? Phil's BBQ on Sports Arena Blvd. has that marvelous lady who stands at the front door and greets everyone with a big smile, friendly hello and sometimes a joke or two.

Famous Daves in Imperial Valley on the 8 East has Miss Nanette, a wildly friendly, helpful and all around awesome gal. She is part of the reason that I gave the restaurant five stars, but really, the customer service on the part of everyone was outstanding.

My boss and I were in Imperial Valley on business and had to eat lunch somewhere so we stopped at Famous Dave's. It's a cool vintage style, funky musicality experience and we loved it!

We told Miss Nanette that it was our first time ever in the place and not only did she give us recommendations, she gave us a Q sauce "tasting' which blew me away. That's never happened at any restaurant I've been to and it was interesting. There are five main sauces and they took the time to pour five little spots on a small plate and after describing them, encourage you to taste them all.
She also brought us a small plate with samples of their two most popular sides, the coleslaw and the potato salad; I love me some good coleslaw and this was freakin' awesome!

We both ordered the lunch specials, my boss had a one meat plate, I had the two meat plate. I LOVE barbecue and am not a snob, I'm willing to give anyone a chance and FD did not disappoint. We both had the baby back ribs and I also had the beef brisket. Both types of meat were tender and juicy beyond compare the the killer corn muffin was just the icing on the cake.

The servings were just right, we ordered a side of delicious french fries and they willingly brought us a couple of little cups of ranch to dip them in...yeah, I know, I totally don't need to dip my fries in ranch but what the hell...when in Rome...

All in all, an awesome experience and apparently they have a restaurant in Oceanside...they're both about an hour away from home but worth the drive. Thanks FD...you guys rock!

Had dinner last night at their cafe (which used to be a buffet) and both the big guy and I had prime rib. I know, I know, what the hell are you ordering prime rib from a casino cafe but we were really hungry and the meal was $17.99 for a 16 oz prime rib.
We live out in East County and had to drive out for business so decided to stop for dinner. It's funny how you can be served a meal that looks so technically delicious but it almost like that play plastic food you used to play with as a kid.
The best part of the dinner was the server Mr. Salvador who was talkative and friendly. The prime rib was easily 17 or more ozs, there was a pile of french fries, my husband had a baked potato and we both got a little bowl of steamed broccoli. So you look at the plate and your tummy rumbles but when you put a bite in your mouth you're like whaaatttt?
We both ordered the prime rib very rare and it was but it was dry...how does that happen? The french fries were hard and tasted as thought they had been sitting there for hours and the big guys potato was dried and waaaay overly cooked. Honestly, the best part was the little dish of broccoli, steamed lightly and delicious. The meat looked so good but delivered so little. What a shame when a casino is such a beacon of light in the desert and yet even knowing that business is down for everyone they don't at least try and make their food the best thing about driving the hell out there.

I agree w/everything all my predecessors said, cool place, cooler bartenders, live band the weekend we were there (Labor Day) and a drink made for me by a bartender who said " Sorry sweetie, we ran out of Diet Coke so if your drink is too strong...I'll make you another." Yeah right dude...As a wise man once said "when monkeys fly out my butt:"
A nice blend of all ages of folks, most seemed like regulars but we felt right at home..great weekend :o)

Okay, so here's the thing...You know you need work done on your car but unless you know someone who knows someone you will just have to take your chances at some chain auto repair place and pray tha you don't have to use every penny in your bank account to get it out. Once you get in there and they start talking shop, in the back of your mind you wonder..."Are they for real? Or are they just trying to jack me because they know I don't know shite about cars?"

And forget it if you're a woman...you might feel intimidated and totally vulnerable but dammit, you gotta get your car fixed right? When I was at R & L's the other day it occurred to me that I had never written a review for them but as good as their service is and as friendly and decent as they are I knew they had to have a string of compliments...not so, I'm the first one!!!

Maybe most folks who go there just want to get their cars fixed and don't give a hoot about leaving reviews but here you go....They are in South Chula Vista right off Palomar Ave on the West Side. You hang a right at the light and it is immediately to your left. Yes, it's a divey looking joint to be sure...and yes, it's totally old school Mexican style with junky looking old cars parked all over the place but man oh man...are they some good mechanics.

The place is owned by two brothers but in truth I have only dealt with Luis, I think his brother prefers the back end of the business. They have an assortment of very sweet, very quiet sisters who work at the front desk and it's a total family business.

Luis is the front man and what a hell of a guy...early 30's, genuinely friendly, reliable and educated about all things that are cars. I have NEVER gotten anything but excellent customer service from them and even my poor hubby who thinks everyone is out to rip you off was happy with them!

Example 1: Took in the old Explorer because of some funky, annoying scary, whinning broken sound by the third row seat. Turns out to be a broken fan and Luis tells me "If no one sits back there, you may want to rethink replacing it because it's a $300 piece...no thanks Bro, appreciate the heads up!

Example 2: Took in my Ford Focus at the last minute desperate because my signal light was out...talked to Luis, he said, "no worries" and fixed in within 20 minutes.

Example 3: Again took the aging Explorer in for a 100K overhaul/checkup and although Luis quoted me a certain price for the whole shebang  but it ended being a couple hundred dollars less because he found out that a couple of things didn't need to changed.

If you want patronize a family run business where you can become a regular, really trust the mechanics and know that you will always get the straight truth and a decent price...give your business to these gentlemen...and if you're a girl...never hesitate to drop by..they treat everyone wonderfully...give em a shot!