chefsteban

Bravo to Hummingbirdkiss for her perspective on hunt & forage VS getting screwed by Whole Foods and other of that ilk. In my area, quite urban by the way, it is easy to forage for something good to eat. There are canyons that have immense patches of cactus paddles...free...and an excellent source of nutrients. The near-by valleys offer up wonderful mushrooms....and I can always find free growing trees of limes, lemons, oranges and grapefruit. Not everything needs to be bought......we would become a better society if we just took the time to see what we have and what Mother nature is offering us.

When it comes to celeb products, I do believe that P.T. Barnum said it best when he proclaimed that there is a sucker born every minute. But I am waiting for the Emeril Nose-hair trimmer to hit the market.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. The place in between SC and Fruitilandia (which, btw, is worth a visit) is , IIRC, La Moreliana and I've been asking around about it for the last few months. I'm glad to hear it's good. Have you tried Carnitas Uruapan in Lemon Grove? It may, or may not, be owned by the people that own Carnitas Uruapan in Tijuana. The Lemon Grove branch is really, really good. How does the place next to Super Cocina stack up? Pork - and really good carnitas - is one of my major downfalls No...REALLY...it is ← Im with you on the carnitas being a major downfall.....I love the stuff. I really can't compare SCs food with Morelianas, as I only go there for the carnitas.....It would be hard to top Super Cocina. I've heard that both Uruapans are owned by the same family...I've never been to the Lemon Grove one, I just love the TJ place......the more mariachis the better......a loud party atmosphere brings out the best in a carnitas meal. Today looks like a good day for a carnitas lunch...

36th & Uni? That's basically across the street from Super Cocina and Fruitilandia. I'v e never looker further than that, because frankly, in that part of town I'm more apt to be jonesying for Mexican than a burger. Have you tried the Western Steak Burger (their on El Cajon Blvd. somewhere, I've forgotten the cross street) or Tioli's Crazy Burger on 30th just a block south of El Cajon? ← Super Cocina!! what a great place...love their menudo. Next door to the super cocina is a great place for carnitas callled La Michocanensa.or something like that. Crispy pork with freah corn tortillas and fiery salsa. You can buy the carnitas by the kilo for takeout with all the fixings....... Never heard of Western Burger, but I did try Tiolis once. It was pricey and on the dry side. The Carls Jr. up the street could give Tiolis serious competition. Burgers and Mexican........my two favorite food groups.

If Corona Beach is in front of the Corona Hotel then i know the place you are talking about. The restaurant used to be called Pancho's.....always good food and service. The breakfasts there are killer. They serve a huevos rancheros with a salsa de chorizo that is worth a trip to Ensenada all by itself. Let me check with friends and see who is the chef these days. It has been two years since Ive been to the then Panchos. what wre the dishes that you ate that you want to recreate???

I never understood the attraction of Hodads burgers..yes they are big, but way too messy and so much goop that you can't get the flavor of the beef.....Now Rocky's...there is a hamburger you can sink your teeth into, altho their fries leave something to be desired. There is a great hole-in-the wall on University @ 36th street called Canada Burger. Juicy burgers full of flavor and great fries too. The rest of Canadas menu is just as good. Its across the street from a strip joint, but don't let that put you off.

This was a small part of Kalypsos list: In Little Italy - on Kettner Bud's Lousiana Food Shoppe - very good. Owner used to have a resto in New Orleans Waterfront - former dive bar with pretty good burgers, crummy fries. OMG Kalypso say it ain't so.....Waterfront...former dive bar? I haven't been there in a long time, and now I am not sure I ever want to go again Ya gotta blame it on people like the Coens..and their plastic trendy food joints.....I am bummed.

Oh Yummy yum..sweet tamales and a mug of hot mexican chocolate. I thought I was in trouble when HBK wanted to know about sweet tacos then it came to me.....How about a nice warm corn tortilla filled with picadillo?

"Again with the ten foot pole!!.....is there magic in a ten foot pole when it comes to mobilized taco vendors??? Would I use a ten foot shaft to avoid, say, bad Italian food? Or a ten foot cylinder to keep Macdonalds burgers at bay?? Or, if I can't find a ten foot pole, would a 6 foot swede or a five foot Estonian work?? Just wondering. " Chefsteban awesome words!!!! Words are the most important thing in life and how they are used is even more important! I have been to Huston and had tacos (as well as other great food) from the taco trucks there ..fantastic tacos ...along with other foods that are of the day... an entire meal for $3! come on... when traveling how can not beat that with a 10 foot poll? ...no reek I am not sure what you are smelling or seeing .....just very good ..very fast food ..not to mention some great conversations and advice on where to go ..get this ..to buy and eat wonderful food in the city! If there is a line at a taco truck you are bound to see me in it as well! I adore menudo and posole sometimes on Saturday these trucks have a pot of it going and there may not even be a sign so ask ..and for sure ...count me in for a bowl with all the topings!!! does a 10 foot poll keep you safe I wonder? I have worked in high end places that dumped bleach water on food and called it fresh...always astounding to me that someone will dunk an old chicken in bleach water then cook it up and serve it ..then charge an arm and a leg... personally some of my best recipes have come from these places and I have learned to cook things I would have never known existed if I kept myself 10 feet away from people I like being close up ...you learn so much, are nurtured and get fed so very well ...if you take your barriers down .... ← OHMYGOD Hummingbirdkiss!!!! You like posole and Menudo???? I'm in love Come to me my love....we will make such sweet tacos together.........

Again with the ten foot pole!!.....is there magic in a ten foot pole when it comes to mobilized taco vendors??? Would I use a ten foot shaft to avoid, say, bad Italian food? Or a ten foot cylinder to keep Macdonalds burgers at bay?? Or, if I can't find a ten foot pole, would a 6 foot swede or a five foot Estonian work?? Just wondering.

Add to the dislike column: The bimbo who is the editor of Food & Wine mag...whatever her name is......Her monthly "places I've eaten at" blurb makes me wanna chuck my ups. What a snotty and snobby bitch. ugh. My fave is Tony B.......now that guy knows how to live and eat.

I have had the privelege of taking classes with Ms. Kennedy several times and have never, ever been disapponted. The woman is a walking encyclopedia of information on Mexican cuisine. I consider myself to be very knowledgeable on Mexican foods and I have always come away from her classes enriched with facts that I didn't know. One memorable class that I took with Ms. Kennedy, found her short-handed on kitchen help--she asked for a volunteer and I siezed upon the oppurtunity to work with the master herself...It was an experience I will never forget. God love that woman. Never pass on the chance to take a Diana Kennedy class..... I have not had the chance to take one of Ms. Tausends classes, most times my own scheule hasn't allowed the time, But I have been honored to have had recipes of mine published in one of her cookbooks. All in all, Mexican cooking classes by Kennedy, Tausend, Nunoz or Quintana should not be passed on lightly, they will enrichen your life and your kitchen.

Oh My!!...Looking at those great photos of Izote's food make me wonder why I am in San Diego. I have had the extreme pleasure of cooking with Patricia three times and have come away each time with renewed sense of what Mexican food is all about. I am planning my next Mexico trip and a visit or two to Izote will be at the top of my list. Thank you Esparranza and Parmhero.

My fondest memories of Huatulco were my meals at a small restaurant on the beach. Once, While reading the menu, two children came up to us and offered up some of the largest clams we had ever seen....I bought them and then asked the restaurant chef to take the clams and prepare us Almejas Rellenas......the results was spectacular, aided by a few Coronas and we were in hog heaven. I hope to go back someday soon......there are still bargains to be found in Huatulco. You might try taking a cab to the nearby town of Los Cruces. some very good places to eat on the zocalo and very reasonably priced.

Yo chris.........I'm getting ready to try one of them dogs.......but it will take a few cervezas and maybe a shot or two. Maybe we ought to see if we can find a few eG fanatics and make a day of it in Tj.......there are more than a few cool bars to hang out at...just keep me out of the Chicago Club or Bambi's

Caarina, PLEASE tell a fellow san diegan where this market is located......I found something simular one time at the tiny market beside Andres Restaurant on Morena Blvd.

I remember an online source for latin american books....Karno Booksellers in Valley Center, Ca. I believe the URL is www.karnobooks.com. or someting close to that. Another excellent book on all things gastronomic in Mexico was written by Sabastian Verdi. I don't recall the title , my copy seems to have grown legs and wandered off--probably into the arms of my ex...grrrrr . At any rate, the book is as excellent work of the cuisines of Mexico as I have ever read. The book covered everything in astounding detail right down to regional festivals and foods. I did find another book by Verdi, El Nopal: principe de la campania azteca. A definative work on all things cactus from ensaladas to bebidas and entree. Even some poetry.

I found the bit on food-porn worth a giggle or two, but mostly it was food fluff....much like a cheeto. Thinking about it, I do believe that the first TV personality to connect food and sex had to be the original Galloping Gourment, Graham Kerr, during his drunk-as-a-lush days. But then who wasn't excited and stimulated by the food orgy scene in the movie "Tom Jones"??????

I made duck fat tamales last week with great success......the flavor is almost indescrible. I highly recommend everyone to do try some duck fat......actually, the fat goes quite well with many other mexican dishes. I love to refry black beans in some duck fat and some cumin.

.....I say AFLAC!!!

Ain't nuttin' like a good, fresh tortilla chip with guacamole or a simple salsa.....The store bought chips suck the big one....as mentioned above, look for a local tortilla shop and buy some of the best ( and freshest) chips your taste buds will ever come across. Here in San Diego, we are fortunate to have many great place to buy chips that are still warm.... I recommend Tortilleria Lily on University Ave near 43rd St-- just walking into the shop is a head-trip with the aroma of freshly cooked corn tortillas that promises earthly delights.

1. Huichol brand salsa--egges just ain't eggs without it. 2. Kimlan soy sauce, 3. a nice grainy dijon mustard. 4. ...and I MUST add a 4th...really I must I must I must have catsup.

I am in full agreement with DeVeaux.....I'm not Irish but I've always had a few Guinesses and a corned-beef sandwich on St. Pats while at the yearly St. Pats parade in Balboa Park in San Diego. It works for me!

oh hell this one is easy....a piece of cold pizza and a Corona for breakfast......not real gourmet, but fast and pretty darned good.........