New Grater Taco in MV is Great

Plus: New Murals at Skateworld, LV Map Analysis, LV News Briefs, and Spring Book Reviews

Mar 30, 2023

If you have been up to the Friars Mission Center (Ralph’s shopping center) lately, you may have noticed a few new eating establishments. We have done reviews on Everbowl and Mr. Moto’s Pizza in the past. Driving around the center, we have been noticing the name Grater on more and more restaurants. First there was Grater Cheese Sandwiches, then Grater Greens, and more recently Grater Taco. So, on this past Taco Tuesday, we could think of no better way to celebrate than trying out a new Taco establishment.

Grater Taco is on the same side of the road as the Pet Market and Spa, and between Paradise Yogurt Shop and Union Bank. The interior of Grater’s is very light and airy and has that Southern California/Baja surfer vibe. They have an extensive menu of Tacos and Taco Plates, Bowls, Burritos, Rolled Tacos, Flautas, Nachos, Sides, Drinks and Desserts. Prices are very reasonable and plates include Beans and Rice.

The server was very helpful and friendly. He said they have been open a few months and all Grater establishments are owned by the same person. As always we perused the menu for non-meat items. There were several fish dishes pointed out to us and so I ordered a Fish Pastor Taco and Steve ordered a Gobernador Taco. I asked Steve what a Taco Pastor was and he said one blessed by a priest. He was wrong. Our server told us that they had a special of two tacos, rice and beans for $9.99 and we could mix the tacos, so we ordered that.

The Fish Pastor is actually grilled fish in Adobo with cilantro and onion mix salsa and pineapple. I was told it was a little spicy but not overly so. The Gobernador taco is a mix of peppers and shrimp with cabbage, cilantro line aioli, wrapped in a cheese crush. Our server was nice enough to divide up the beans and rice onto two plates and served us at our outside seats.

I liked the fish pastor very much. It had a slight kick, but was not so spicy that I had to fill my mouth with ice water. The fish was flaky and there was just the right amount of rice and beans for a light lunch.

Steve said his Gobernador was excellent. He liked the shrimp with peppers and the peppers were a little spicy and the dish very flavorful. He also enjoyed the taste of the tortillas, as well as the rice and beans.

So, next Taco Tuesday, stop in at Grater Taco and enjoy something from their menu. There are about 6 inside tables and the same amount outside. The sun felt good for a change, so eating outside was pleasurable for us. If you go, tell them you heard about them in the Linda Vista Update.

Grater Taco

5664 Mission Center Road

Hours: Mon-Sat 11:00 am to 7:00 pm; Sun 11:00 am to 6:00 pm

New Murals as Skateworld

It was just a couple issues ago when we published a commentary despairing upon the lack of a sports-related mural in Linda Vista. Though there are a number of attractive murals in the community, we noted that there was no artwork of any kind depicting sports or athletes. Fortunately, we can now say such artwork exists. Two murals recently put up inside Linda Vista’s famous Skateworld artfully celebrate the joys of skating. The main mural is a giant one that hovers over the skating rink. The other one is in the party room. Both of them greatly enhance the the already fun, playful atmosphere of Skateworld.

Eager to keep our readers informed, we asked Christina Stang (she and her husband Brett own Skateworld) to answer a few questions about the new murals. Here is what she had to say:

—Who painted the murals?

Carly Ealey (https://www.instagram.com/carlyealey) and Christopher Konecki (https://www.instagram.com/konecki_art/) both designed and painted the murals.

—What prompted you to come up with the mural idea?

One of the biggest things that a roller rink reminds people of is their youth and childhood. By tying into the memories of the past we are able to evoke those feelings in everyone who walks through the door. The idea of the mural is to also pay homage to the rinks of the past by including the “sign graveyard” while also playing into the galaxy theme of Skateworld.

—How long have the murals been up?

The main mural finished up in December 2022 and the party room mural finished just last month.

—What’s your opinion of the main mural?

We LOVE it. Everyone who enters the building comments on it! We feel like it gives a more immersive skating experience.

—Anything else you would like to tell our readers, either about the mural or about anything else going at Skateworld?

Skateworld is so happy to be a proud member of the LINDA VISTA community and we really appreciate the support over the last 48 years.

***

The Linda Vista Update wishes to thank Christina Stang for taking the time to answer our questions. If you haven’t visited Skateworld recently, we recommend you pay a visit and check out the new art work.

Three Linda Vista Maps

Everyone is familiar with that old adage “A picture is worth a thousand words.”Though we at the Linda Vista Update obviously appreciate written articles and essays, there are times when images/graphics can express meaning or multiple ideas as good as or better than lengthy verbal description. And sometimes they can successfully prompt us to think of familiar concepts in different ways.

Accordingly, we present to you three maps that provide information about three controversial San Diego concerns and how they relate specifically to our Linda Vista community. Also provided are links to the complete maps that show the entire San Diego situation for each concern.

—EV Charging Station Map

The below map shows the location of EV charging stations in the nearby area. Based on this map, it is obvious that Linda Vista is not yet ready for the EV car revolution. Linda Vista is, in effect, an EV charging station desert, with the only charging stations noted on the map being located on the University of San Diego campus and two other locations—one on Frankfort Street in the Morena District, and one other at an apartment complex on Friars Road. Apparently, Linda Vista is a fossil fuel rich and EV poor neighborhood. You can see the entire map, which covers all of San Diego County, by clicking here.

—Short Term Rentals with License Map

The below map is one in which many residents would like to have Linda Vista sites remain as minimal in number as possible. We don’t see too many Short Term Rentals (STR) in our neighborhood. Short term rentals include Airbnb, VRBO and Vacation Rentals. If you check out the entire STR map for San Diego, you’ll notice many more STR’s located near the beach. I guess tourists find the beach a more interesting place to stay than Linda Vista, and that’s okay! We won’t take it personally. You can see the entire map—put together by Nice Neighbors San Diego—by clicking here.

—Smart Streetlight Map

The below map shows the location of Smart Streetlights in the area. As many of you are aware, the San Diego Police Department is recommending the use of streetlights equipped with surveillance cameras and automated license-plate readers as tools to solve crimes. As reported by one internet source, “the smart streetlights were in use in San Diego for several years before city leaders agreed to deactivate the video recording capabilities of the devices in 2020 amid protests over perceived government intrusiveness and demands for limits on how they could be used.” There were approximately 3000 streetlights and listening devices placed throughout the city. Based on this map, it appears Linda Vista residents are relatively safe from possible privacy violations. You can see the entire San Diego Smart Streetlight map here.

To summarize all three maps…not many Smart Streetlights, enough STR’s, and not enough EV charging stations.

LV News Briefs:

—Farmers Market: The Love, Linda Vista Farmers Market has been cancelled for today March 30 due to the forecast of rain and high winds. The Farmers Market will return next Thursday from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Linda Vista Plaza Shopping Center.

—Fish and Chips: Holy Family Catholic Church (1957 Coolidge Street) is sponsoring a Fish and Chips Dinner this Friday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Take out orders are available.

—Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt: This Saturday April 1, your Neighborhood Realtor®—Bree Partington— is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt at Mission Heights Neighborhood Park (500 Acari Street). The Easter Egg Roll for kids 3 years and younger will go from 11-11:30. The one for 4 years and older will be held from 11:45-12:15. Dog’s hunt starts at 12:30. All are welcome to come and enjoy refreshments and treats! Please text 858-683-9380 to RSVP or with any questions. Hope to see all of you at the park!

— Carson Family STEAM Night: Carson Elementary School will hold its Family STEAM Night Friday April 21. This is a great opportunity for the community to check out how the school is addressing student needs in regard to science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. It is a fun event in which students will create products for sale to the public. Check out the below flyer for additional details. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by going to the website indicated on the flyer.

—LV Multi-Cultural Fair/Parade: The ever popular Linda Vista Multi-Cultural Fair and Parade will be held Saturday April 29. If you or your organization wish to participate in the fair and/or parade, please visit this site to apply for parade, entertainment, booth, volunteer, or sponsorship opportunities. And check out the below flyer.

LV Update Spring Book Reviews

Now that the rainy season is coming to a close, many of us may want to relax by sitting outside, taking in the sunshine, and reading a book. If so, our two outstanding resident intellectuals and loyal Linda Vista Update subscribers have provided a couple of entertaining book suggestions for us. One book is a witty, humorous novel. The other is an exciting, suspenseful tale. Please read below, and then start scheduling your relaxation/reading time.

Straight Man: A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries)

Martha B. writes… My book recommendation for this month is Straight Man by Richard Russo. The book came out in 1997, before Richard Russo won a Pulitzer Prize for his book Empire Falls in 2002. For purposes of this book, “straight man” refers to the deadpan role in a comedy, not to sexual orientation. The main character, Hank Devereaux, is an English professor in an undistinguished Pennsylvania University. The story is set in the midst of Hank’s middle aged breakdown. The campus politics of the English department he chairs are out of control, his long and good relationship with his wife is going through a difficult stretch, and his two grown children are having problems and making demands of their own. The constant commentary Hank makes on his life is laugh-out-loud funny and outrageous, but the main characters seem barely exaggerated, endearing, and real. Somehow Richard Russo manages to write both a deeply comedic and moving dramatic novel.

As a bonus, Bob Odenkirk (who played Saul in “Better Call Saul”, and also the same sleazy lawyer in “Breaking Bad”) stars as Hank in a new TV series based on Straight Man called Lucky Hank. The 8 episode series is available on Amazon for $14.99 and on AMC+ for free. The first episode is available now and the remaining 7 episodes will come out in future weeks. If the first episode is any indication, the series follows the book closely and Bob Odenkirk embodies the main character beautifully. I highly recommend the book, and hope that the TV series will live up to it.

Marla M. writes…David and Cheryl Burroughs were living the American dream until one night a tragic event forever change their lives. David is now serving life in prison for the murder of his three year old son. A crime he did not commit.

Five years into his sentence, David’s former sister-in-law, Rachel, pays him an unexpected visit. She shows him a photo that was taken by her friend at a theme park. In the background is a young boy with a very distinct birthmark. Much to his astonishment, David realizes that his son, Mathew might be alive.

With Rachel’s assistance, David plots a daring and implausible escape from prison to rescue his son from possible harm, to clear his name and to find out the truth about what really happened that horrific evening.

I Will Find You is a page turner filled with suspense, secrets, lies, power, and murder.

***

The Linda Vista Update thanks Marla M, and Martha B for their helpful book reviews.

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