Jerry Y.'s Profile

Based on a mmm-yoso!!! post, I was looking forward to getting some Southern food at Stockdales, but it was closed. Luckily, a few stores down in the strip mall, there was a place called Mim's Grill. I didn't know what it type of food they served or if they were even open for business yet.

I walked in and the place was obviously still being put together, but the kitchen was open and food was being cooked. Found out they serve Eastern African cuisine. No particular country was mentioned, and I'm not forward enough to ask. The menu consisted of salads, pasta dishes, a goat dish, some spaghetti dishes, and sandwiches (gyros and shawarma, mostly). I have no idea what authentic East African cuisine is, but this certainly wasn't what I was expecting.

Since I was on my way to work, I settled on a chicken shawarma sammich. It was a very good. Lots of white meat chicken, a flavorful tzatziki type sauce, and lots of veggies. My only complaint is that it could have used some sort of hot sauce on the side to give it a little more kick, and the bread seemed to be your standard tortilla. The thing that sets a good shwarma apart from a great shwarma (like the one's at Mama's) is the bread. You can't wuss out on the bread.

While I was waiting, the woman cooking the food (it's all in the open, it very much feels like a homemade meal) brought out one of the spaghetti dishes to another customer, and my, did it look good. Kind of hard to screw up spaghetti, I know, but I'm very interested to taste the Eastern African twist on it.



As I mentioned, I don't think this place is "officially" open yet, so I expect that the food, already good from what I know, will get better. I also expect the menu to expand and include a wider selection of  dishes exclusive to Eastern Africa. I know I will definitely be back. No shawarma can live up to Mama's, but for $5 and right down the street, Subway is about to lose a lot of my business.

I first stumbled into Mama Testa back in 2004 thinking, based on the name, that it was an Italian joint. Quickly found out it wasn't. It's a Mexican restaurant, and soon the owner was explaining to me the origin of the name (and concept). Something to do with the Spanish Conquest and a covert language used by Indians - I don't remember the details. So while Mama Testa is a Mexican restaurant, it is not what you're thinking. Yes, there are tacos, salsas, rice and beans, and many of the other trappings you're familiar with. But Mama Testa focuses on regional specialties from all parts of Mexico.

I've liked everything I've had. The Yucatecos (marinated pork tacos) are especially good. But hands down my favorite thing at MT are the Mojados. Easiest way to describe it is "rolled tacos cut up and served in a bowl of tortilla soup". Doesn't sound all that exciting, but they are so good, I almost look forward to cold weather. Oh, I eat them during the summer, but they are perfect for a chilly night.

Another thing I love about Mama Testa is the salsa bar. There are at least ten different types, from mango to a salsa with sesame seeds (my personal fave). Oh, the parmesan/tomatillo salsa is definitely worth mentioning as well.

I meant to write about Mama Testa when I first moved back to San Diego a year ago. I was a little scared they might not be around, as University Ave sees a lot of turnover restaurant-wise. But lucky for me (and you) it seems to have found a little niche, and is highly recommended. Definitely in my top ten San Diego places to eat.

I went in with a mini-chip on my shoulder, thinking this place, with their fancy schmancy espresso machine and the European vibe, was going to be annoyingly snooty. Heck, I might still feel that way. But the food made the trip worth it.

I had the Carpe Diem Panini, which is a Turkish Sausage called sucek, some kick-ass hoity-toity cheese, and peppers. I was guessing that the sausage would be similar (or the same) as the Armenian soujouk served at Mama's Bakery. It is. The panini was divine. It's going to be hard to try and order something else next time, I'll tell you that.

Plus, the panini comes with a salad featuring some of the better cous cous I've ever had, and a side of various fresh fruits. At 9.75, it wasn't the exactly a bargain for a sandwich, but I certainly didn't feel ripped off. The quality is worth it, and I will certainly be back.

Also didn't hurt that the espresso was great, rivaling Influx for my San Deigo favorite.  

If you can get over the feeling that you are not cultured enough for a European cafe, which my borderline WT self had to do, you're in for quite a treat.

My love for taco shops is well known. I have my own ranking system for them, with your Trujillo's and your Santana's at the top and your Adalberto's and Sombrero's at the bottom. One place that has never cracked the upper echelon, but is quite close, is Valentine's. So a few weeks ago I jaunted over to I-5 and Washington to get me some Valentine's, but it was no longer there. In its place was a funky spot called Lucha Libre Taco Shop. Of course I had to try it.

It's a real gimmicky place, that gimmick being, obviously, lucha libre and luchadores. The place is crammed with goofy pictures and gaudy crap everywhere. There's even a goldglittered booth you can reserve and be catered to by "waiters" in luchador masks. The gimmicky factor of all this should be highly irritating , but for whatever reason, it's not. But if you do find it irritating, once you try the food, you wouldn't care what the hell theme they go with.

They have standard taco shop faire, but I haven't tried any of it yet, because the original items beg to be tried. I went with a "Queso Taco". Despite the name, it does have carne asada, but the cheese is fried and crispy, one of my weaknesses. It's  amazing. One of the best taco's I've ever had.

The other item I had is the legendary Tijuana Hot Dog. Bacon wrapped, grilled onions and peppers, kethup, mayo. $1.50. Glorious.