Hit The Puerto Rican Spot Truck which calls themselves the first LA Chicago’s Jibarito, Chicago style Puerto Rican food.
The jibarito sandwich was something I’ve never tried before. In place of the bread, they used flattened fried plantains. I got the steak which had a good marinade and tender.
Was in Vegas last week for March Madness and managed to sneak in a dinner at Raku. As usual I overindulged with rich dishes. I not only got two orders of the tendon, which I love there but a couple other smaller items not pictured. The salmon collar was one of the daily specials and I’m glad I got it. Loved how well prepared it was and it was one of the best collars I’ve had with the luscious fattiness of the meat, not a single spot that was over or under cooked.
Also tried the new Soulbelly bbq from a Top Chef alum. Got the fatty brisket, pork belly, and the pork and cheddar sausage. Tried a piece of my friend’s rib tips and smoked portobello mushroom
Liked the brisket and sausage a lot, the pork belly was good but not necessarily something I’d go out of my way to get. The rib tips glaze was a little too sticky sweet for my tastes. I would have liked the option of getting it without sauce. The mushroom was pretty good.
The intestine and tendon were by far my favorite items, like reason to go there favorite, get two orders favorite. It was like if Langer’s took the pastrami off the menu.
Mariscos y birrieria el prieto truck from south San Diego started parking near me in Mira Mesa. I may or may not have gone Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There goes the diet.
As much as it pains me to agree with @robert, I do think AR’s excellence was severely diminished long before it left. All the creativity - and many of the best dishes and specials - disappeared before the place did (but not the amazing red plastic map of Japan which I believe is still there - or was when @J_L and I tried the new joint that’s there). I came away deeply saddened many times in that last year.
