Puesto Mexican Street Food, La Jolla, CA

my family at the window bar

Um, we just had THE BEST lunch ever. I was invited to bring in my family to Puesto Mexican Street Food, located in downtown La Jolla. They're an upscale fast-casual eatery that serves real authentic Mexican food made from whole, wonderful ingredients. All meals are made to order at a walk-up griddle in front of us, customer, and are uniquely curated based on the diner’s tastes and desire.

the prep station counter

Puesto is family-owned and operated by brothers, Eric and Alan Adler, native San Diegans and La Jolla High School alumni. They have been open for just 4 months and have rave reviews all around town. I am so glad I was offered to review them because we may have never known of them. We don't get to venture out to La Jolla to eat very often so this was a real treat. We went on a nice Sunday afternoon for lunch. A treat it was too, we have never had tacos SO GOOD. If you want to read more, continue on...

First of all, like with all places I go to, I check them out online, their menu, atmosphere, location, reviews...they seemed pretty cool, casual relaxing style, which we like.

So let me talk about how to order at Puesto. Have a look here first, you're going to either order tacos, rice bowls or salads. Then you choose your Guisados -meats, they have carne asada (steak), pollo al pastor (chicken), pork or camarones (shrimp) and salmon or vegetarian options such as papas con rajas (potatoes and chiles), papas con soy chorizo (potatoes and soy chorizo), huitlacoche (corn truffle), flor de calabaza (zucchini flower) and nopales asados (cactus).

Next you'll chose your toppings such as ting (hibiscus, chipotle onion), grilled pineapple, and jalapeno. They offer sides of black beans, rice, corn, chips and guacamole and tortillas. For the sweeter stuff they have frozen horchata and mexican street cups of fruit and veggie sticks with lime, chili and sea salt. They have lots of drinks to choose from too.

Whew, I hope I haven't lost you. But if you need help deciding, they offer a recommendation menu, which is how I ordered. No decisions to be made except meat or veggie style.

So their prices are fair, you can get 2 tacos for $6.45 or 3 for $8.95, the meat and rice bowl are $6.95 as well as the salads and meat add ins are extra. Everything else is a la carte, but let me tell you, these flavors are worth it.

Their menu cards is how you place your order, circle what you want and how many. Then you walk up to the counter where you can see your order being freshly made right in front of you. This is where I got lost, trying to take pictures of the process, help the kiddos with their orders that I didn't even get to watch mine being made. oops. So would you believe all three of our kiddos wanted salad. This is easier to order, they chose shrimp and carne asada, then you pick what lettuces and other veggies to add, at the counter and they mix it all up for you, and these are big salad bowls you guys.

salad w/shrimp on the side

my shrimp, carne asada and vegetarian tacos

So I ordered from their recommendations menu, shrimp, carne asada and vegetarian tacos. I love that they have different ingredients like cactus, hibiscus and zucchini flower. I think all three of my tacos had some of each in them. Oh and yes they are gluten free friendly. Mr. ordered a carne asada and shrimp taco and something else from his own choosing, but I forget what all he had on them (I meant to take pics of each menu card but felt rushed). I also wanted to try their mexican street cups and frozen horchata but forgot to mention it. Next time.

Mr.s tacos

So, we sat at the counters at the windows (see top photo of my kids and Husband eating), they have the cutest little wooden stools to spin on, I mean sit on. Then we all dug in. Oh. My. Gosh. the oohs and ahhs coming from our full mouths, wow. Every bite was so flavorful, I kept telling Mr. to try this one, try that one...he even agreed, he says they were the best shrimp tacos ever. The kids gobbled up their salads too.
Wow I could go on and on, but I've got lots of photos to share too, this may be my longest post yet. =)

All in all, it was a great lunch, we got there just before a crowd came in, parking was rough, there's plenty of areas to park, but finding a spot in a tourist haven town is crazy. We parked a couple blocks away which gave us a nice walk and I stumbled upon a cupcake shop that serves gluten free cuppies. =)

Your reward for reading through my book, is another book of all my Puesto photos, click here to check them all out.

Please follow along with Puesto on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Yelp and Blog.

Puesto
1026 Wall Street
La Jolla, CA 92037
phone 858.454.1260
Monday – Sunday 11am – 9pm
http://www.eatpuesto.com

leaving La Jolla

*Disclosure* I wrote this review for "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" about Puesto. The product(s) in this review were provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting my review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. Much thanks to Eric and Alan Adler for having us and my PR for inviting us.

San Diego Food Blogger's Bake Sale Update

my table set up

I could spend a lot of money in this store.

Saturday was the San Diego Food Blogger's Bake Sale in Pacific Beach at the Great News patio out front. The sale started at 10 am, the sun was out, the skies were blue and what a perfect day. Close to 40 of us local bloggers (whom I have never met) huddled together to find a place to display our baked goods.  Li'l Ms. Sueshine and I shared a table, she had the most adorable lemon cakes in a jar and pie pops. The crowds were a steady flow the entire time, including a large group of Saturday schoolers. I noticed as I took breaks to window shop and grab some lunch that when I returned, goodies were gone, samples were wiped out. Wow. Step away and they flock to grab some sweets. The sale went very well and I had a lot of fun sharing my treats and blog info with others. San Diego came in 4th place for the Share Our Strength bake sale fundraiser in the USA with sales reaching $3034!!! Amazing!! I can't wait to participate again next year.

Cupcakes packaged and ready to sell

The goodies I baked from scratch were: gluten free carrot cake cupcakes, peanut butter and chocolate bars, gluten free crumb cake cupcakes and cookie dough brownies. My biggest seller were the peanut butter and chocolate bars.

I offered free samples of my gluten free cupcakes, to show people how good they really are and not to be afraid because they are gluten free. I must say crumb cake rocked the house of those sales.

I took some time to go peek around at the other goodies and choose some to bring home for my family so they can try them for me. I did have a few cotton candy meringues that night, since those are naturally gluten free. =)

Goodies were:

Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Pie Pops from Li'l Ms. Sueshine

Giant S'mores Rice Krispy Treats from Cairns Manor

Chewy Cookies 'N Cream Cookies from Kirbie's Cravings

Assorted Cotton Candy Meringues from Full Circle Foodie

Pink Macarons (not sure of the flavor) from Jenny Wenny Cakes

Raspberry Almond Champagne Cupcake from Flavor Integrations

Macarons: Rose with Rose Water Buttercream & Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Buttercream from Live...Bake...Love

Maple Bacon Cookies from At The Patisserie

I cut everything up so they could taste some of everything. The loved it all. I did sneak some of the cupcake's champagne buttercream frosting and that was really good. My oldest liked the cookies and cream cookies and the maple bacon cookies especially.

that's me back there with my arms folded, it was cold in the shade.

Thanks Live... Bake... Love for the photo source.

See more of our photos from the bake sale on our Flickr group.

San Diego Food Bloggers Bake Sale, April 28th

So when I heard of the San Diego Food Bloggers Bake Sale coming up, I jumped at the chance to join in. I love donating to great causes and of course baking and sharing my goodies. Marie of Meandering Eats has helped put together this event that will help raise money for Share Our Strength.

Share Our Strength is  a national nonprofit organization, that is striving to end childhood hunger in America. Their goal is to end childhood hunger in America and with bake sales like this one, they hope to raise enough money by 2015.

This year's event will be at Great News (1788 Garnet Avenue, SD, 92109 in Pacific Beach) on Saturday, April 28, from 10a-2p. Great News is a cookware retail shop and a cooking school. Oh my, I know if I step foot in there, I could be in big trouble. More kitchen goodies? Yes, please! I do need a new food processor! *wink

This is San Diego's second year fundraising for Share Our Strength and we have a goal to raise $2500. We would appreciate any and all donations, which can be made directly to Share Our Strength via the DONATE NOW link, which is great in case you're not able to make it down to see us.

This year's San Diego Food Bloggers Bake Sale will have baked goods from a large group of local food bloggers and bakers, including sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan treats, something for everyone.

Please be sure to check out Great News on Facebook and Twitter.
Come see our San Diego Food Bloggers Bake Sale Facebook Event Page.

I know I will be providing some gluten free goodies as well as some other treats. I will be baking up delicious gluten free carrot cake cupcakes and  gluten free crumb cake cupcakes (free samples too), blueberry streusel muffins, cookie dough brownies and chocolate peanut butter bars.
I can't wait to meet the other local bloggers out here and possibly buy some goodies for my family to enjoy as well. I also hope you locals can get over here to donate for a great cause, come by and say HI =)

I'll be at the lime green table, please take a card =)

Snyder's of Hanover Healthy Snacking and Gluten Free Pretzel Encrusted Honey Dijon Tilapia

Becoming gluten free recently has made me really open my eyes into choosing healthier foods including healthy snacks to eat. What a perfect topic for those who believe in New Years Resolutions. Snacking Healthy. Before being gluten free, I love love loved Snyder's of Hanover Honey Mustard & Onion Pretzel Pieces. Now I am happy that they carry a gluten free pretzel, perfect for snacking and recipes of all kinds, like the lunch or dinner recipe I'll share below, it's gluten free too, but could be adapted to any of your favorite flavors of Snyder's of Hanover pretzels.

Here are some great tips on healthy snacking:
-Keep the junk food out. Instead opt for healthy snacking such as pretzels, they come in many flavors, are high in fiber and give you that crunchy factor you may be craving.
-Keep raw veggies and fresh fruits ready to eat, serve with your favorite low fat dressings, peanut butter and low fat yogurts to dip in. We love sugar snap peas in ranch.
-Try new veggies or fruits. Has your child tried kiwi, fresh pineapple, pomegranate seeds or how about crunchy Jicama?

By having these healthy snacks ready at hand, you won't be so tempted to eat junk food. You'll feel better about grabbing healthy snacks over a bag of chips. Snacking on healthy snacks throughout the day will help keep you focused and have more energy, plus if your children see you eating healthy, they'll want to eat healthy too.


Snyder's of Hanover Gluten Free Pretzel Encrusted Honey Dijon Tilapia

3 Tbsp Honey
2 Eggs, beaten eggs, beaten
3 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
3 Cups Snyder's of Hanover Gluten Free Pretzel Sticks
4 Tilapia fillets
3 Tbsp Unsalted Butter

Set eggs aside in a shallow dish. Combine the honey and Dijon mustard in another shallow dish , set aside. Place the pretzels in a food processor and pulse until they are the consistency of fine bread crumbs, set aside in a third shallow dish. Coat the Tilapia in the honey Dijon mixture, then dredge into the egg mixture. Next dredge tilapia in the pretzel crumbs, making sure to cover the fish well, pressing slightly so they stick. Melt the butter in a large sauté pan and place in the Tilapia. Cook the fish on medium heat, 3 minutes on one side, flip the tilapia and cook the opposite side for about 3 more minutes. Serve.

About Snyder’s of Hanover

Our tradition of good taste dates back to 1909 when Harry V. Warehime, founder of Hanover Canning Company, our parent company until 1980, began producing Olde Tyme Pretzels for the Hanover Pretzel Company. In 1963, the Bechtel Pretzel Company, founded by Bill and Helen Bechtel in 1947, was purchased and incorporated into Snyder’s Bakery. Bill developed the original recipe for the Sourdough Hard Pretzel that is still enjoyed by consumers today.
-More info on Snyder’s of Hanover
-Snyder's Product Listing
-Follow on Twitter, https://twitter.com/#!/Snyders_Hanover


*Disclosure* I wrote this review for "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" about Snyder's of Hanover. This post is for participation in the “Snyder’s of Hanover - Pretzel Recipe” for 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here. Product stock images provided by PR or Co.

Smashburger Local Blog Event and Review

My Husband and I were invited to join in the Grand Opening of the new Kearny Mesa Smashburger here in San Diego. Lucky for us, they are pretty much around the corner. Having never been to a Smashburger before we were excited to go check them out, as in a DATE. How nice, just the two of us.

Smashburger is an innovative restaurant concept that is redefining its category by providing a burger experience that combines the superior product, service and atmosphere associated with sit down casual dining and the speed and convenience associated with quick service restaurants. With its hand-crafted menu items ranging from smashed-to-order burgers, hand-spun Haagen-Dazs shakes, chicken sandwiches, salads, and sides made with fresh, premium ingredients and served in less than six minutes, Smashburger is putting the burger back at the center of the consumer dining experience. As the fastest restaurant company to reach the 100-unit milestone, Smashburger is well on its way to becoming a leading international brand.

they had a live Twitter feed going on the wall

We had 6:30 reservations and when we got there, I met Dara who had invited me in email *waves hi*. The place was already packed having started at 5:30, but our wait in line to order was not bad. It gave me a great opportunity to click some photos of the Restaurant. Plus having looked at their menu online ahead of time I knew what I wanted. We were also offered samples of their shakes, but we let the kids behind us have those.

Smashburger offers burgers of 100% certified Angus Beef in classic style and a variety of other styles, chicken burgers, hot dogs, salads, veggie burgers and sides of fries, haystack onions, fried pickles, veggie frites, chili as well as kids meals and don't forget their Haagen-Daz shakes, beer, wine and sodas.

We placed our order with our nice cashier, Lindsey and she told us it was on the House that night. How nice. So we tipped generously. =)

We found a tiny little table near the booths on the back wall and got our fountain drinks and looked over the menu again as we waited for our food to come to our table. Another round of shakes came through, this time strawberry, yum. The place had a constant line of customers coming and going, it was great to see so many come out for their Grand Opening. They had a live band playing out front where you could also sit and eat if you wanted. Our food arrived, and boy did it look great.

I ordered their Chicken Avocado Club: Fresh avocado, applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato on a multi-grain bun. I minused the ranch and mayo and had BBQ sauce added, then Mr.s Spicy chipotle mayo

added made it even tastier. I also ordered a side of their Smashfries: tossed with rosemary, olive oil and garlic. YUM. For being a non rosemary fan, these are really good. Even Mr. liked them.

Mr. ordered the San Diego Angus Beef Burger: Fresh avocado, fresh cilantro and onions, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and spicy chipotle mayo on a torta roll. Served with a wedge of lime. He also ordered their Haystack Onions, thinly sliced onions rings, fried, and comes with a dipping sauce.

Gosh it was all so good. The burger was juicy and flavorful ( I had a bite of his, loved the cilantro in it), my chicken burger was great -add the chipotle (horseradish) mayo, even more wow. On our way out we were offered another shake sample, the Oreo...oh my, that was my fave.

The prices are like any other burger place, reasonable, it is à la carte though, perhaps making it a little more $$...but it's good food, fun atmosphere and friendly service. OK, writing this late at night is not fair. Now I want an Oreo shake and burger. lol

You may follow them on Twitter and Facebook also. Come see photos taken at this event here. If you're a local, come on over to 3737 Murphy Canyon Rd. and have a great burger and shake oh and fries too. For other locations check here.

*Disclosure* I wrote this personal review for "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" about Smashburger. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. Product info & stock images provided by PR or Co.

My Honey Nut Cheerios Breakfast Party

All the good foods all ready to go

WOW, it's like Christmas out there.

For being a fan of Honey Nut Cheerios and for helping make Honey Nut Cheerios America’s Favorite Cereal, I was one of many to host a Honey Nut Cheerios Breakfast Party. They provided me with all the decor, cereal and more to help me along. I had the party last weekend here at our home and I had my kids and Mr. help decorate while I prepared delicious foods in the kitchen. I made in honor of the party, Honey Nut Marshmallow Treats and Banana Honey Nut Crumb Muffins. Also there was Baked French toast and Berry Yogurt Parfaits with Honey Nut Cheerios sprinkled on top. I think there was 23 of us here, so I made sure we had enough to eat.

Everyone had a blast, and afterwards I handed out Honey Nut Cheerios Tshirts, bowls, cereal and kazoos (oh my). All the kids went out to wake the neighborhood up and play with the huge bee cut out. Everyone enjoyed themselves and are asking when the next party will be. Thank you Honey Nut Cheerios for sponsoring this party. Take a look at our party pics below:

Honey Nut Marshmallow Treats and Banana Honey Nut Crumb Muffins

Berry Yogurt Parfaits with Honey Nut Cheerios

All decorated

Honey Nut Cheerios Bee and Tshirts for everyone

Everyone digging in

Here we all are goofing around and not paying attention to the camera

*Disclosure* I wrote this review for "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" about Honey Nut Cheerios . The product(s) in this review were provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting my review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. Product info & stock images provided by PR or Co.

Food Bloggers, Please Come and Link Up!

  

I have created Flavorful Fridays on my recipe blog, and I'd love for you to come and link up your flavorful dishes and take my button for your blog! Please help spread the word, come and find new dishes to prepare.
Today I am sharing a Potsticker soup with a side of baby bok choy, Mmm I loved it! Come on over!

fla·vor·ful (-fəl)
adjective
full of flavor; having a pleasant flavor

add my button:


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