Tapioca Express

Mango snow bubble (left) and tapioca milk tea (right).

Beef stew combo.

Crispy chicken combo.

Rating: Two thumbs up!

Date: 2/21/11

Time In: 6:35 PM

Time out: We sat around and talked for ages, but you could just get your food and go.  Lines can get pretty long, though.

Server's recommendations: Crispy chicken, mango snow bubble

What we ordered: Crispy chicken & mango snow bubble (Miko), beef stew & tapioca milk tea (Jenne)

Number in our party: 2

Final check amount: $17.51

Notes:

• It's fast food, but it's delicious.  The crispy chicken is a great snack -- like popcorn chicken, but tastier.  (By the way, even the mild is a little spicy.)
• I get the mango snow bubble every time.  It tastes like fake mango flavoring, but I like it.  (Miko)
• The beef stew is good, but we'd rather have the crispy chicken.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION

Address: 4646 Convoy St, Ste 106B

Phone number: 858.636.7889

Website: http://www.tapiocaexpress.com

Accepts credit cards? Yes

Parking: Private lot shared with rest of plaza -- it can get a little crazy, but you can usually find a spot if you drive around a few times.  But the spaces are teeny.

Ideal group size: 2-6

Available vegetarian options: French fries, fried string bean, fried tofu, oolong tea egg, drinks

Noise level: 4 (you have to yell to be heard).

Shabu Shabu House

Beef and shrimp lunch combo.

Beef and fishball lunch combo.

You cook your vegetables and meat in the hotpot.  Add sauces as you like.

The rice was not the greatest.

And now it's a bowl of udon!

Rating: Two sideways thumbs.  

Miko would make an effort to come back and Jenne would not, but with a few slight changes, this place could be great.  And that's strangely frustrating.

Date: 2/11/11

Time In: 1:45 PM

Time out: ≈2:45 PM

Server's recommendations: Beef & shrimp, beef & scallop, lamb, pork 

What we ordered: Beef & shrimp lunch combo (Jenne), beef & fishball lunch combo (Miko)

Number in our party: 2

Final check amount: ≈$28 (I forgot to write it down because I'm a terrible secretary -- Miko)

Notes:

• They slice up the meat in front of us on a big machine, which is cool. 
• The rice is a little overcooked and mushy.
• The shrimp tasted a little like dirt.
• I love fishballs of any kind.  These were not the best fishballs, but I loved them anyway.  (Miko)
• It was my first time eating shabu shabu, and I was utterly charmed by how the hotpot turns into a bowl of udon.  (Miko)
• The servers were a little over-involved in the cooking process for me.  I wanted to do it MY WAY.  And also they seemed happy to let MIKO cook her own food!  Psh, I've spent more time in Japan than she has!  (Jenne)

RESTAURANT INFORMATION

Address: 4646 Convoy St, Ste 107

Phone number: 858.268.8648

Website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shabu-Shabu-House/351511476097

Accepts credit cards? Yes

Parking: Private lot shared with rest of plaza -- it can get a little crazy, but you can usually find a spot if you drive around a few times.  But the spaces are teeny.

Ideal group size: 2-4

Noise level: 2

Who not to bring: Small children, people who don't like interactive food

Chopsticks: On the table