Real Reviews

This place is really small and very good. We stopped by during their buffet day which was a very welcomed surprise. I like to quickly evaluate a place to find out if I am ever going to stop by again and the buffet was just the ticket. The menu had a lot of the main dishes and some not so main stream. It is cooked to order so no hot plates with stale food siting all day.

The pad Thai was really good and easily the best I have had since we lived next door to a real Thai place back in 2008.

The fresh rolls are Soooo good with the peanut sauce.

The green curry was good but not the best. (this is probably the American in me talking.)

And the total topper after stuffing my self full there was room for some Coconut ice cream. My stomach hurt after eating everything but the ice cream made everything feel a lot better.

Give this place a shot next time your in the area and see how you like it.

Another thing I would like to point out is their customer relationship, I could tell they have a lot of regulars and after seeing their web site I now know why. They give back to the community in a tough time and they are very friendly. Per their web site as of 7/1/11 Promotion every Monday from 5pm to 9pm 50% off every dinner. The food might not be American but they show American pride and spirit.

P & V Thai Cafe
13538A Poway Road
Poway, CA 92064
(858) 668-0888

I have been here twice now and both times my opinion has been the same. Ok food but unacceptable for a buffet. They serve a handful of main dishes no real desert and a salad bar bigger then the dinner bar (or so it seems). The only way for me to describe this place would be to rate it.

Rating 1 bad to 10 excellent
Food taste: 4 ( Sorry but a 4 is the best I can give them)
Service: 5 ( 2-3 pieces of naan bread per person is ridiculous and when your out good luck on the waiter returning. Same goes for soda refills)
Decor: 7 (Beautiful on the inside but the surrounding area out side is a normal “Next door to a marine base area”)

This dishes at the buffet are all chicken or cheese based, if they could only add lamb to the menu it would flip my opinion around. For the price they are currently charging it should have way more options and have on the spot service. Sorry but they only had one other family of 4 in the building and us to serve.

Recommendations: Find another place to eat.

Taste Of India
6780 Miramar Road #100
San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 566-0806

This is an awesome steakhouse and it doesn’t take a bite out of your wallet. It’s a regular peanuts on the floor roadhouse but I like this place for the service, big booths and great steaks.

My recommendation is to try the prime rib steak , all you can eat ribs, or the surf and turf.

Dalton’s Road House
775 Center Drive
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 746-8340

 I am a steak and mashed potatoes guy only because seafood is expencive for a small portion and you go home hungry. The portions at Joe’s crab shack is what you would expect, it leaves me still hungry for more and not in the good way. The spices and taste of the seafood is mediocre as I can cook the same meal at home. Some places need to learn using potatoes and corn as a filler isn’t going to last long. I say find just go to your favorite steak house and call it a night unless you have the money to blow on two dinners per person.

Joe’s Crab Shack
4325 Ocean Blvd. San Diego,CA 92109
(858) 274-3474
http://www.joescrabshack.com

I love Point Loma Seafoods, they are currently renovating but when they reopen I recommend to check it out. You can buy fresh seafood or order a meal and taste what can be done with the best the sea has to offer. I always enjoy the Crabcake Sandwich with extra tartar and a Bowl of White Chowder.

Point Loma Seafoods
2805 Emerson St.
San Diego, CA 92106
(619) 223-1109
http://pointlomaseafoods.com

So you like Sushi but the price is no good or if it is a good price the Sushi isn’t good, right?
Wrong, Chiba has great Sushi for a great price!

I have been eating Sushi for about 10 years now and 5 years of that have been in the San Diego, Escondido and LA area. Chiba out beats every other place I have been too. For a non-alcoholic dinner for two I normally pay around $25 minus tip.

I have tried almost everything on their menu and haven’t found something I didn’t like.
Crunchie roll
Spicy Tuna
Spicy Salmon
Hamichi Roll
Fried Soft Shell Crab
Sushi Popers
Fired Seafood Binto

I could keep going but this is making me hungry and I think you get the point. If you live, drive, or are ever near the Chargers / Qualcomm stadium you need to stop by Chiba and try a roll. (it’s only $3.75 for a normal roll!)

Chiba
10435 San Diego Mission RD
San Diego, CA 92108
http://www.chibasandiego.com

Mimis cafe has a very lovely french cottage building/decor.
We started with the Spinach and Artichoke Dip. The bread lacked of taste for some reason. They did serve a basket of bread and muffins that looked freshly baked and tasted wonderful. When we ran out of both breads and muffins they were quick to serve more.

 I had their “Classic Oven Fresh Pot Roast” with mashed potatoes, although I was full from the starter and complementary bread/muffins, the Pot Roast seemed kind of dried like it had been sitting. The mashed potatoes were thick and creamy like mashed potatoes should be (I would also like to complement them for not putting potato skins in their mix). I took this meal home and made it three meals since it was so large.

After we were done with our meal the manager came over to our table and gave us a four muffin to go box as a complimentary fist time gift. The service and decor makes this a place to go for a unique but quaint dinner.

Mimi's Cafe

I was down in Mission Valley and really couldn’t decide what I wanted to eat for once. I finely decided to stop and have a once in a year expencive dinner at Gordon Biersch.

When we walked in I felt way out of my element, I thought they were going to ask for my ID and income statement at the hostess counter. The decor has very upscale private club look and feel to it.

For a starter we had the calamari. In my opinion 90% of it was cooked to perfection but the other 10% was chewie and had a mild taste like the ocean beach pier.

I had the Gorgonzola Bone-In Ribeye with the Gorgonzola butter on the side, garlic mashed potatoes and vegetables. I didn’t know what Gorgonzola butter was but after putting it on some of the steak I found it went great together like fries and ketchup. Although the butter was a little over powering I would order it on the side again.

Janelle had the Lobster and Jumbo Lump Crab Cake Sandwich with garlic fries. She said there was something a little off with the sandwich maybe the spices or maybe the lobster was instead langostino lobster. The Garlic fries were wonderful and had a breaded tangy garlic taste the left you wanting more.

Gordon Biersch

I know what your thinking… “It’s a tourist trap!” but this is really much more and is very price efficient. When I was a kid I hated these kinds of places but Calico is actually worth a stop. For a family of three your total cost (parking, train ride, and tours) will be around $22 to $30. This isn’t bad when you compare a family trip to the movies can cost $30 easily without popcorn and soda.

Through out the town you will learn the way of life in the 1880′s. Some places accept credit cards and one shop even has an ATM. Unfortunatly we didn’t eat at the Calico House Restaurant so I don’t know anything about the food. If I would have know they had a Restaurant I would have skipped Denny’s that morning.

Fun for the family:
Train Ride tour
Mine tour
Photo Parlor
Gold Panning
Mystery Shack and more…

This is a must see even if you have to make this a day vacation.

Calico Ghost Town
P.O. Box 638
Yermo, CA. 92398
1-760-254-2122
1-800-TO-CALICO
Fax: 1-760-254-2047

CALICO GHOST TOWN

Over the new years holiday we decided to stop to Thelma’s Restaurant on our Big Bear trip. The restaurant decor has an atmosphere of a mountain cabin and reminds me of my hometown in upstate New York.

I had the Saturday all you can eat ribs. The ribs were cooked to perfection and the barbecue sauce was a splendid not to tangy or sweet taste that left you want more after every bite.

Janelle had the Prime Rib Sandwich, this was a big slice of prime rib on an open face sandwich with french fries.

If your ever in big bear this is a stop you should not miss out on.
Thelma’s Family Restaurant & Bakery
337 Big Bear Blvd.
Big Bear City, CA 92314
(909) 585-7005
http://bigbeardining.com/thelmas.html

Thelma's Family Restaurant

Over the new years holiday I made a last minute decision to take a trip to big bear. I could not get a room in the big bear area as they were all booked. I searched my GPS for other locations and came up with Ace Motel 14 Miles away. I called and they said they have two rooms available. When I arrived I seen a sign TV is out due to the storm they had a few weeks ago but after getting into the room it looked more like they haven’t everhooked it up. The coaxial wire was striped and hanging out of the wall. The bed sheets were as thin as cheese cloth but thankfully I had bought thermal underwear with me. My main distort was the next morning when I woke up and was ready to take a shower there was no hot water. So I did the basic wash my face and find a pubic hair on the sink and it wasn’t mine.

Stay away unless you like to slum it for a night.
Ace Motel
31818 California 18
Lucerne Valley, CA 92356
(760) 248-7524 ‎

Bangin’ Burgers has a unique bar and burger atmosphere that makes it a real relaxed but good burger place. If it was a choice of Fudruckers or Bangin’ Burgers I would pick Bangin’ Burgers ten out of ten times. I recommend to try the Peanut butter bacon burger and add a fried egg on top for a taste-bud bliss.

Bangin’ Burgers
7070 Miramar Road
San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 578 8000
http://www.bangin-burgers.com/

Kous Kous is my favorite date night place that has a romantic decor. The food is spectacular and robust with authentic Moroccan spices that will light up your taste-buds with delight.

Kous Kous Moroccan Bistro
3940 4th Ave. Suite 110
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 295-5560
http://kouskousrestaurant.com/

Kous Kous Moroccan Bistro