In our never ending search to bring something new and different to our Wanderers group each month, Fran and I headed off to Chula Vista. Yes, Chula Vista. Did you know that it was the lemon capitol of the world until around 1960? That's when Sunkist finally left the area. It has an interesting history, many historic buildings still standing, some beautiful Victorian homes, an extensive nature center that is part aquarium, part zoo, part nature trails. It also has some great Mexican food, bakeries, meat markets and Mexican delis.
Let me tell you about a wonderful hole in the wall restaurant, if you ever get down that way. It's call Vanessa's Deli (it used to be Vanessa's Water Store). 600 F St., corner of F and Broadway in Chula Vista. 619 585 8102. Originally it was a water store. People would come in and fill up their bottles with water. I never knew such stores existed, but Fran remembers seeing other stores like this many years ago. Anyway, it is now a Mexican deli selling healthy Mexican food you're going to love, rotisserie chicken, tortas (Mexican sandwiches), fruit salad extrodinaire, a large variety of fruit drinks, homemade soups and wonderful looking Mexican desserts.
Where do I start? I'm looking at a menu as I write this, but the only menu they had was in Spanish, so I'm struggling. We had 6 flautas, tortillas filled with shredded chicken rolled and fried, then covered with shredded lettuce and a white sauce. Absolutely delicious. The fruit salad (small size was not really very small and priced at $4.50) included mango, strawberries, papaya, watermelon, pineapple and banana. It can be topped with cottage cheese, or sweet cream and granola. It was fantastic. The tortas (sandwiches) looked fantastic. Carne asada and ham and cheese are just two of the many choices. All sandwiches are piled high with ingredients, including lettuce and tomato. Tamales, various tacos and burritos, carne asada nachos and tostadas are among their other offerings.
Did I mention they also do breakfast? They have an extensive breakfast menu which includes eggs done many different ways, breakfast burritos, omelettes, and bagels!
The deli is in a little strip center next to a laundramat, so don't expect much in the way of ambience. Just a few tables sprinkled around the room and a deli counter in the back. And oh, the friendliest workers. With no English menu we were stuggling, but they were so helpful. Just 30 minutes away from Del Mar, but we were in another world and loved it.
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