Corner Cafe — Restaurant in San Diego

Yelp and Google have done it again. I’m visiting San Diego and had a hankering for some Chinese food. Searched Yelp and got the name from there and with my trusty Google Maps, drove right to the location.

Non descript from the outside, this powerhouse joint serves up great food and customer service to boot. My mom and I had a few questions and the expert cashier/host walked me through the popular items on the menu. Was extremely patient while I rattled off all of the food aversions I have and provided an off menu item as a solution.

My mom was much simpler in her order and he even talked pop culture tv shows with us while we waited.

Though we were the only in person customers, my understanding is that this place has a very lucrative and booming online order business as the phone didn’t stop ringing the entire time we were there. We got our food, said our cheerful goodbyes and were on our way.

Back at the AirBnB, we dove right in and we’re pleasantly surprised for the flavor and the attention each item was given.

My mom had the Pork Fried Rice and Pork Egg rolls. She could only eat half of the rice and one egg roll. Her dietary restrictions prevent her from eating more than a cup of food at a time, but she said she thoroughly enjoyed it.

I ordered Chow Mein with shrimp and chicken and pork gyoza. While I prefer mi fun noodles, I can’t have the Singapore peppers and curry. I don’t eat pan fried noodles so the next best thing is the chow mein. The noodles had a good, rich flavor wheat flavor and the shrimp were plump and delicious. The only thing I didn’t really care for was the cooking style of the chicken. I prefer either roasted chicken or “fajita” style chicken in my Chinese food dishes, but that didn’t take away from the fact that it was a hearty dish. My fave thing was the gyoza. There are so many ways this could have gone wrong but it didn’t. They still had a good bite and were warm, even after the 15 min ride back to the rental. The only thing I would have asked for was a ponzu sauce or a thicker sauce to go with them as I used soy and it leaked out the other end of the pot sticker.

Overall, the food and service secure high on my list of food joints to visit when I return...

Perfect location for me to get a bite to eat while the rest of my friends hung out at the bar next door. They weren't too interested in eating at the moment but I was hungry.

So I was told that this hole-in-the wall had good Chinese food. It's not the most eye-catching or neat in an appearance place but it was enough to get me in and eat my bowl of shrimp noodle soup. There were plenty of seats to choose from. I was in a good spot facing the street, watching passer-byers go by.

I had placed my order and paid the person at the register. She appeared to be the only one working. I had waited for what I felt was a long while. There were others sitting at a table and another person ordering. Perhaps, the cook, was backed up. Nonetheless, my bowl of shrimp noodle soup was brought over to my table steaming hot. It took me awhile to start eating as it was way too hot. I had to take lots of sips of soup until I was able to bite into one shrimp. The entire bowl arrived fresh and yummy, portioning was more than expected but the taste was missing a little something. The soup wasn't awful, it was just missing that Chinese soup taste. I'm not a fan of spicy foods but in the case is the soup, it definitely needed something - a kick. I didn't bother complaining. Perhaps, I should have added some soy sauce or hot sauce but wasn't feeling it. I had finished my soup in no time. It definitely hit the spot. Corner Cafe did its job.

Staff was not overly attentive but enough to get what I needed (ie fork). She was polite and mild mannered. From the looks of the way business ran, it was an over-the-counter order type of place. Don't expect much. Pretty much, self serve.

I would return again, but I may try...

Recommend for Chinese takeout or delivery especially in the Balboa Park, Banker's Hill and Hillcrest neighborhood.

Hands-down - our entire household LOVES their Wor-Wonton Soup. Hint: order the LARGE/Family size portion for each adult - you will want 2 servings for yourself (today, or today & tomorrow)!!

Not only the best Chinese soup - but in our household the go-to OTC to beat any cold coming on, or to remedy the post-vaccination body aches, or anytime feeling under the weather.

Makes any rainy or chilly evening perfect. Not that we get many - but no better dish to match on those occasions.

Other solid fav choices from the Corner Cafe: their BBQ Pork Fried Rice, Lo Mein noodle dishes, hot and crisp Spring Rolls of course and last but not least their Pork Egg Foo Young.

Food is great and very convenient, and consistent in quality.

For takeout or delivery, service is great.

Atmosphere - It's a small functional space, fine...