Restaurants

By Carolyn Howard
PassPort to San Diego

I brought my 11-year-old son with me to Chicken Charlie’s on a late Thursday afternoon. Already familiar with Chicken Charlie’s deep-fried treats from the San Diego County Fair, I was now visiting Charlie’s first restaurant, which opened in October at the corner Balboa and Genesee Avenues in Clairemont.

A healthy eater, I tend to steer clear of fried foods. This time though, I sampled several different of Charlie’s signature items. My “bites” turned into my polishing off most of the food in placed front of me. Clearly, I couldn’t help myself, nor could my son! Chicken Charlie’s menu was that good and addicting.

I started off with real food, knowing the desserts would follow. My son ate “the best chicken tenders he’s ever had,” while I devoured the baby-back barbecue rib-and-bacon-wrapped shrimp combo with onion rings and coleslaw.

The ribs were lean, meaty, falling of the bone with a finger-licking barbecue sauce. The large shrimps were wrapped in bacon, and flash fried and on a skewer. I couldn’t believe how light and non-greasy they were. Absolutely delicious! The onion rings were a perfectly crunchy golden brown and the coleslaw was crisp and tasty.

On to the sweet stuff! I couldn’t decide between my favorite deep-fried Oreos or the deep-fried Kool-Aid. These delectable desserts tasted equally amazing! Both came topped with a scoop of ice cream — the perfect way to end a meal!

The menu may change, new items will be added including some more health-conscious dishes. Currently, there are salads available and a grilled-chicken sandwich. Everything is fresh, using high-quality ingredients and the portions are generous. The prices are a great value. (Not County Fair pricing!)

I will definitely be a returning customer, as there are so many more items I need to try. My stomach could only hold so much and I even brought home leftovers!

Owner “Chicken” Charlie Boghosian is usually on site making sure his customers get top service. A genuine and friendly man, he has a passion for cooking and creating a unique dining experience that you will be telling all your friends about!

Chicken Charlie’s FryBQ is at 5407 Balboa Ave. in San Diego. Call (858) 279-1111 or visit http://www.chickencharliesfrybq.com/.

 

By Cynthia Lamont

PassPort to San Diego

I recently attended the 25^th Annual Taste of Main Street Encinitas 101, which was attended by over 1,000 foodies.   Over 30 restaurants, taverns and stores participated in this event to promote the areas exceptional dining venues. Sip Stops (wine and beer) where hosted by local shops and salons.

I discovered many hidden treasure restaurants and enjoyed visiting and sampling these restaurants specialties, while listening and enjoying live music at multiple venues.

My first stop was the Lumberyard Shopping complex, where I stopped at the Lobster West restaurant. Being raised in Boston, and my family having owned some of the best restaurants there, I know my clam chowda’ and Lobster West has the best in town. The chowder was creamy, not to thick, and lots of tender clams. Be sure to try their famous lobster roll that’s full of chunks of main lobster.

In the same complex was the Lotus Café, which sampled mock chicken and grilled organic vegetables, basted with their homemade balsamic dressing that was delicious. The café serves many tasty, healthy, fresh foods that are featured items on their menu.

My next stop was Chuao Chocolatier were I tried the signature, “fire cracker truffle”, which I can’t quite describe, but to say, “WOW” amazing. Another great taste was the spicy maya, a warm cinnamon, velvety chocolate that was delicious and is a best seller too.

A few doors down was the Savory Spice Shop. This is a fantastic place for cooks like myself to find that certain spice isn’t at the local grocery store. You’ll also find that there are other fantastic items for sale to enhance any cooking adventure.

A great discovery was the Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria, which sampled the most interesting and delicious dessert…Butterscotch Pudding with sea-salt, carmel and whip cream on top. The pizza was delicious using the freshest, organic ingredients.

Also in the Lumberyard was the 3^rd Corner Restaurant & Wine Shop sampling a very tasty Mexican Shrimp Cocktail. The restaurant was very busy with diners. They have a great selection of wine from their retail store that you can pick to enjoy with lunch or dinner, just a $5 corking fee.

My next stop was the St. Tropez Bistro where I enjoyed a wonderful French pastry and a tasty onion soup. The sandwiches and other pastries looked amazing as well.

Across the street was Trattoria I Trulli, a fantastic Italian restaurant, which sampled a penne pasta dish served with either a red sauce or an enjoyable pesto. This was a quaint Italian restaurant with an outside dining patio.