Super cocina's top 3 entree recomendations?

[palmtree38]

3 adults and want to try Super Cocina for lunch. if you had a to choose 3 meals what would they be?
Also appys or sides can be added.

Were going to share some of the items so we can try a variety..

With kids in tow I take it they have mild quasadias or something of this nature?

-----
Super Cocina
3627 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92104

[DiningDiva]

I met up with some friends this morning for a tour of the Viva Mexico exibition at the Mingei Museum in Balboa Park. We got done around noon and were, of course, hungry. We ended up at Super Cocina where I had a dish that was new to me and really delicious.

Chupadera (or it could have been chupedera), but whatever the name, it is was a winner. Chunks of soft, luscious pork in a deep, richly robust dark, dark brick red sauce. The women manning the counter called it both chupadera and puerco in adobo. I suspect adobo is the base seasoning but the sauce was much more complex than a standard adobo. It was spicy without being overly hot, and best of all, perfectly balanced. I would definitely get this again.

We also had their calabacitas, which I have to say is probably one of the best versions I've found in SD. I am not a fan of zucchini at all, but calabacita I will gladly eat. The preparation here included big chunks of calabacita, sliced onion, roasted and sliced pepper (probalby a poblano), corn and tomato. Once again, it was expertly seasoned so that each ingredient was enhanced but not one over powered the other.

The rice was perfect, the beans undersalted. Portions are generous.

And to Palmtree38, they had little trays of crispy tacos, rolled tacos and quesadillas on the steamtable, as well as some breaded potato patties (which looked fabulous), so I don't think you'll have difficulty finding something for your kids.

-----
Super Cocina
3627 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92104

Balboa Park
1549 El Prado Ste 8, San Diego, CA 92101

[Josh]

That's one of their best dishes. I believe Juan Pablo calls it chupadores, because it's so good you're licking your fingers after.

[DiningDiva]

This was the first time I've seen it there. I could drink that sauce straight it's that good. And I got the last serving.

[berliz]

had the chilequilles this morning - they were sensational...

[palmtree38]

were big cilantro fans!!!!

so if we go in the afternoon the specials of the day wont be on as i believe you said 4-8pm??

therefore ordering one of the above favorites off the board?

[DiningDiva]

The menu at SC is rather fluid and depends upon who's cooking that day. The owner has made it a practice of hiring mostly home cooks and he has a rotating cadre of them. When he interviews them he has the potential employee cook their specialty(ies) for him. While there is a relatively stable core of daily dishes some of the other dishes are only cooked when the cook that does them is working. And once a special dish is gone, it's gone. Hence the lack of daily specials as the day gets later. You also need to remember that the main meal of the day - Comida - is usually eaten sometime between 2 - 4 pm and that Cena (or Merienda), what the Mexicans eat at night, is a much lighter meal. Many of the dishes at SC are dishes that would be served at comida and not necessarily cena. The Mexican meal pattern is extrememly civilized and makes a great deal of sense. I almost always loose wieght when I go to MX because of it :-)

Super Cocina is sort of quasi-cafeteria style. Walk in and about the first thing you see is the steamtable. You'll order off of that, but the people manning the steamtable will give you tastes of almost everything, and they are patient. Don't be put off by the steamtable, during peak hours (say about 11 - 3) it has nothing to do with the quality of the product in it. Most of the guisados and sauce dishes (i.e. pipianes and moles) benefit greatly from the moist heat, and because SC has a strong following in the Mexican community as well, there is fairly rapid turn over of the product. Also, since family is terribly important in the fabric of Mexican life, and they tend to indulge their children quite a bit, you may not have too much difficulty getting something manageable for your kids. English and Spanish are both spoken by most of the counter staff, but it does tend more towards Spanish at times. You shouldn't have a communication problem.

SC is Mexican home cooking, and cooking that is fast disappearing from the Mexcian home as well. It is not fancy, nor is it flashy. What it is, is simply good.

-----
Super Cocina
3627 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92104

[Josh]

They have a lot of options there, but it's not really a conventional menu. Plain quesadillas are available, and listed on the menu board.

They have some items that are always available:
Chlle Relleno
Pollo en mole
Puerco enchilado
Dried shrimp cakes w/ nopales
Stewed chicharron
Carnitas
Pozole
Birria

Then there will be another 4-8 daily specials.

If the everyday items, the ones you shouldn't miss are the puerco enchilado (spicy), chicharron, and birria. All are good, but those are my favorites.

[cstr]

Ever try the Pollo en Mole?

[Josh]

Yeah. I like it, but I usually find one of the daily specials more compelling.

[cstr]

Yah, that's what happens to me, I know the regular stuff will always be available, so i hit the specials.

[jmtreg]

The last time I tried the pollo en mole, I thought it was too sweet.

[Ewilensky]

Once had a pollo that was in a cilantro cream sauce that was incredible... Never seen it since...

[Ewilensky]

The menu changes on a rotating list of recipes.

They're incredibly generous with sample tastes. Just point to the items in the steam tray and ask.

Never had a bad dish there.

Chili relleno is quite mild and suitable for a kid. But incredibly accommodating to children so they'll be able to make something up.