El Comal

Inside El Comal w/Rosa ©PK Hawk 2010

El Comal serves Mexican, El Salvadorian and American dishes

Rosa, is one of the waitresses, and has been with them since El Comal first opened.  Rosa always has a lovely smiling face to greet customers, too.

This is a smaller place, that originally was a sort of “Truck Stop” type place for many years.  A few years ago the owner of the previous café had illness in her family, and she was also getting on in years. So she sold the business to the family who now runs it.

El Comal is located on Mission Trail about half a mile south of Malaga and the Albertson’s Market Shopping center.

Actually, the area with the lime green frame, is the kitchen.  The darker green wall separates the dining room from an area that is for preparation of coffee, toast, etc.

Wall Decoration, Main Dining Room ©PK Hawk 2010

All walls in El Comal are distinctly Latin in design, and very colorful. Both English as well as Spanish is spoken, and as you may well know, a good sign you are getting authentic Latin food, is how many people of Latin origin eat there.

Let me tell you, there are probably an equal number of both cultures who eat at El Comal now that everyone knows how good the food is.

As in most establishments that serve Latin food, El Comal has Menudo and/or Posole every Saturday, and Sunday.  Yes, they also serve beer, both Mexican as well as the usual American varieties.  They also serve “Aguas, ” popular fruit and flower drinks such as Jamiaca, and Orchata in addition to the usual soft drinks, coffee, and tea.

El Comal Outdoor Sign ©PK Hawk 2010

Pardon the striping across the sign to your right, as those are shadows from overhead power lines.

You will find a rather extensive menu, especially for this size place, but it is all fresh and delicious.

El Comal also serves seafood.  They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Juevos Rancheros with beans and Spanish Rice ©PK Hawk 2010

Just out of camera range is my order of fresh tortillas.  You have a choice between flour or corn, all handmade here at El Comal.

You may notice that I have already sprinkled my meal with ground black pepper, as I am allergic to peppers, so have to improvise since I had to eliminate them from my diet.

For those who don’t eat chile peppers, or hot salsa, just ask for “Picadillo.”  It is just the same, without the jalapeños. Personally, I like to add some lemon juice to my picadillo for a little zest, even when I could eat the hot version.

El Comal-Second Dining Room ©PK Hawk 2010

Lights were off here as I got these shots before other diners had arrived.  You will notice more paintings and wall hangings depicting Latin lifestyles.

Michilada, Menu, And Salsa ©PK Hawk 2010

For any who are not familiar with what a Michilada is, it is a beer based mixed drink that also contains tomato juice, or Clamato. It is usually served with a sate rim like a Margarita, and with a wedge of lime or lemon.

Since this was my drink, I had ordered it without salt, and actually drank half of it before I remembered to take the photograph.  I had already squeezed the lemon into my mug, and discarded the rest.

El Comal Front Fountain w/Seasonal Flowers ©PK Hawk 2010

Cafe China Buffet

Buffet Tables Room (Cafe China Buffet)

This is a place I just love to eat.  It’s always clean, and the people are friendly. The food is some of the best Chinese food I have even eaten, and there are about 120 items on the serving tables everyday.

The manager’s name is Mandy, and she is always very friendly, and sure to get you seated quickly.

You can have your choice of hot Green Tea, or coffee, or soft drinks.  They also serve wine, beer and saki. You have a choice of using fork and spoon or chop sticks.  There is almost no wait to have your used plate removed form your table, leaving you room to bring your next dish to the table after you have chosen what you will be eating next.

There is no limit to how many dishes of food you may take, but please be sure not to take more than you will eat, and it is very bad manners to throw away food that you have taken just because you can.

Can you believe that seniors even get a 10% discount from these prices?  Why you can’t even eat fast food for these prices, and here you get to serve yourself, and eat all you want.

They even have special pricing for young children, with those under three, eating for free.

In the evening, after 3:30 is when the price changes, as they are then serving crab legs, salmon steaks, and coconut shrimp in addition to all the other wonderful things. There are always many dishes to choose from, including steamed and fried rice, four types of soup, several chicken dishes, squid, various shrimp dishes, as well as stuffed mushrooms, fresh uncut green beans, cabbage with carrots, bean sprouts, and even fried bananas.

For salads, you can choose a fresh mixed lettuce salad, or cucumber salad, seafood salad, as well as separate garnishes, and dressings. They also have two or three types of sushi, with wasabi, and it is all fresh and delicious.

One of the top 100 Chinese Buffets in USA doer 2009

Cafe China won an award and trophy for being one of the top 100 Chinese Buffets in the United States for the year 2009, and may well win again in 2010.

Below, you can see their plaque and trophy.  I have eaten at many Chinese places before, both restaurants and buffets, but this is by far the very best I have found. When possible, I eat there several times a week.

The food is healthier that eating fried junk food, and I just avoid any breaded meats, and opt for plenty of seafood, including baby octopus, squid, and a couple of the shrimp dishes, as well as plenty of green beans, and cabbage with carrots, and whatever else vegetables they have each time I go.  I usually eat plenty of cucumber salad, as well. I have also lost seventeen pounds, and eat my fill.

Fresh Cucumber Salad (Cafe China Buffet)

Every day this is one of the salads on the chilled salad bar, and there are many more choices. I will insert photos of some of the dishes that I eat, and love at Cafe China.

Large Shrimp on Ice (Cafe China Buffet)

This photo is also one I took right off the serving table. The shrimp is large, and always fresh, with no fishy aftertaste, either.

The baby octopus is also on ice, and really delicious, and healthful, too.

From what I have learned, it’s only bad to eat a lot of seafood, if it’s large, and something that feeds on smaller sea life, as that is why larger fish have more mercury, from eating many smaller fish and crustaceans.

Two Varieties of Shushi (Cafe China Buffet)

The Sushi here is also very good, and is not raw, so not to worry about getting sick from eating raw sushi. I have eaten is many times, and have never once gotten ill. Their wasabi is very fresh, and always eye-watering, but I just cannot leave it off of my Sushi.

Fresh Chilled Fruit Salad (Cafe China Buffet)

If you like heavenly hash, this will please your pallet. It is always well chilled, and is delicious, too. You will find it on the salad bar section of the buffet serving tables on the far right of the room.

Baby Octopus on Ice (Cafe China Buffet)

Here, you will also find plenty of fresh and chilled baby octopus, which is a good source of protein and low in fat. I don’t think an octopus even has fat. They are practically nothing but muscle. I usually eat several octopus, as well as squid, and shrimp.

Cafe China Buffet (Main Entrance)

This photo was taken prior to their receiving the engraved plaque