Searching for Sandwiches in Clairemont
Plus: LV News Briefs, Commentary on Possible Digital Billboard Activism, Foster Kitten Adoptions, and Kiko's Taco Truck in the Morena District
The Linda Vista Update
Did you ever get a craving for something that you haven’t been able to find? Do you ever long for something from back where you grew up? Well, that is how I have been feeling about finding a deli like the ones on every corner back on the East Coast where I am originally from. I don’t mean Subway or Jersey Mike’s. Of course, a deli has a different connotation for me now that I don’t eat meat. No more pastrami on rye, turkey piled sky high, Reuben’s, and Italian subs. But you get the picture — the Italian/Jewish/New York style deli. The craving was still this there past week so I Googled “deli sandwiches near me” and up popped Sandwich Emporium in Clairemont. It looked interesting and didn’t seem too far away. My mouth immediately started watering for a giant dill pickle, and perhaps egg salad or the old standby tuna.
I read that the Sandwich Emporium was established in 1974 but was purchased in 2004 by two San Diegan brothers, John and Peter Le. They advertise unforgettable and delicious meals, fresh veggies and high quality meats. So off we went for lunch to 3054 ½ Clairemont Drive. Their hours are Monday – Thurs. 8:00 am to 4:00 pm; Friday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm; Saturday 10:30 am to 6:00 pm; and Sunday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
They serve Breakfast sandwiches such an egg and cheese, brioche bun sandwiches, including egg with either ham, sausage, bacon and cheddar cheese. They have many lunch type sandwiches such as chicken, turkey, veggies, grilled cheese, tuna and more. Their most popular sandwiches are the California (roast turkey, provolone, avocado, lettuce, tomato, red onion, mayo, mustard on sourdough), and the Saigon Grinder (turkey cucumbers, house Asian coleslaw, pickled jalapenos, cilantro, mayo on a garlic roll). Not the typical deli sandwich of the East Coast, but hey, this is California. Of course they have pastrami and Italian, and many other menu items you can see on line. You can order ahead and pick up there.
I ordered the tuna melt which was albacore tuna salad, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, mayo, mustard on grilled sourdough.
Steve ordered the Palermo which was avocado, cucumber, sprouts, lettuce, onion, pesto on sourdough bread.
Our Carnivore Sidekick had a Pho Wich which was roast beef, fresh basil, tomato, onion, cucumbers, pickled jalapeno, hoisin mayo on a buttered garlic roll. Again, not a typical back home deli item. And not a giant dill pickle to be found.
The tuna was delicious with a large amount of chunk albacore and veggies on grilled sourdough. It was so large, I could only eat half and Steve ate the other half as another meal.
Steve enjoyed the Palermo and said the pesto was not overpowering but just right, and of course, he loves avocado. Again, a large sandwich, but he ate it all.
The Carnivore, of course, had to have his Pho even in a sandwich. He said it was very good and replicated the flavors of Pho very well The beef was tender, and he ate the whole thing. He is a basil fanatic, used to growing his own, so if something says Pho and basil, he is all in.
The restaurant has indoor and outdoor tables. It has a nice vibe and although it was not crowded when we got there, there was a line by the time we were leaving. Guess people in Clairemont eat lunch later than those in Linda Vista. Prices were reasonable and the quantity more than adequate. I did miss my pickle but since I would consider the cuisine more fusion than New York style deli, I will forgive them.I think you will enjoy the Sandwich Emporium and it only takes about 15 minutes to get there.
LV News Briefs
——Parks After Dark this Weekend: The popular summer Parks After Dark program at Linda Vista Neighborhood Park will be held this Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The program is free with entertainment for families. For additional details about the program, please click HERE.
—LV Library Activity for Kids: As part of its summer program for kids, the Linda Vista Library will host Sparkles the Clown this Saturday afternoon (June 28) at 2:00 pm. All kids and their families are invited to attend.
—Rite Aid Closing: The Rite Aid store located at the Linda Vista Plaza Shopping Center will soon be closing. On July 3, 2025 all prescriptions will be available at the CVS Pharmacy (5644 Mission Center Road # 201) in Mission Valley.
Commentary
Are Digital Billboards the Future for LV?
Recent controversies stemming from a variety of City Hall decision-making has played a direct role in generating a rare degree of Linda Vista resident activism. In the past few months, we saw local individuals and hastily formed groups mobilizing to protest or support such matters as Accessory Dwelling Unit policies, trash collection service fees, and proposed City budget cuts. All this energy proved a pleasant surprise. These individuals and groups did a great job of representing our community’s concerns at City Council meetings. But what will happen with this newfound sense of activism? Will it dissipate as the City moves beyond these controversies? Or will new issues stoke even more participation at LV and City civic meetings?
I see several new controversial City issues looming on the horizon, and there is a possibility they may impact Linda Vista residents in varying degrees. For example, the City’s need for more money could possibly result in new parking restrictions affecting LV residents…maybe even the installation of parking meters within LV community boundaries. I can see some motivated Linda Vista residents showing up at City Hall with picket signs that say, “Linda Vista Means Beautiful Views, Not Parking Meter Dues.” On the other hand, the City Council’s new push for a $25.00 minimum wage for “tourism workers” can’t be expected to be a hot issue for LV activists since our community has no “large hotels, theme parks, convention center or entertainment venues.” However, there is one other upcoming issue that I see as playing a significant role in Linda Vista politics, and that is the City’s plan to allow digital billboards.
Converting the static advertising billboards that grace many San Diego streets into eye-catching digital billboards is seen as one more way for the City to get more revenue. By converting traditional billboards into digital ones that can change advertisements every four seconds and be placed strategically in certain areas, the city is expected to generate an additional 3 million dollars for our money-starved local government. This will require a change in City law, which currently bans digital billboards. Of course, many people oppose the idea of digital billboards, complaining that they distract drivers and create visual blight. They say things like “Digital billboards will make San Diego look like Times Square.”
At first glance, you may think LV activist residents will sit out this controversy. After all, there are over 600 billboards in San Diego. Many of them are in the Midway District, but there are only 5 billboards in Linda Vista, and one of them is currently blank. With so few billboards, you might say LV is practically a billboard desert. But I suggest we look at it another way. You see, I personally like Times Square. It’s part of what makes NYC an exciting place to visit. Yes, it’s glitzy with all kinds of flashing lights exhibiting the over-the-top nature of crass American capitalism, but in my opinion, there is a certain exhilarating energy in the air that one feels whenever walking around Times Square. And we could use some of that energy in Linda Vista. I contend Linda Vista needs some oomph!! More razzmatazz!! With the upcoming departure of Rite Aid at the LV Plaza Shopping Center, we need to be careful that Linda Vista doesn’t become even more laid back than it already is, and that it doesn’t fall into a downward spiral of dullness. No one wants Linda Vista to become an “excitement desert.”
Accordingly, I suggest LV residents start mobilizing support for MORE billboards in our community. We should form an organization called Neighbors for Flashy Digital Billboards. Have people sign petitions and carry picket signs. Advocate for placing a whole bunch of billboards starting alongside John Baca Park and the Linda Vista Plaza Shopping Center, and then moving further down Linda Vista Road. One billboard after another. The more glitz the better.
Eventually, Linda Vista will look dazzling with so many digital billboards flashing their messages 24 hours a day. Like Times Square, people will come to this area of Linda Vista for dramatic photo opportunities, and to take pics with costumed Disney characters and superheroes. If we are lucky, people throughout the country will start referring to Linda Vista as Times Square West or Little Times Square. And one day a major TV network will broadcast their New Year’s Eve celebration from our very own Little Times Square.
Fellow LV residents, let us build on the activist momentum created by the ADU and trash collection service controversies and get ready for our next cause…more digital billboards. Bring on the glitz! Digital billboards are the next great idea from our City government, so what could possibly go wrong!
Good News
Foster Kittens Adopted
We are happy to report the two foster kittens we featured in last week’s issue of this newsletter were adopted at the SD Humane Society. We are sure they will make great pets for those people who ended up adopting them.
We want to take this opportunity to thank the staff and volunteers at the kitten nursery, and all the personnel at the SD Humane Society’s Wellness Center who helped the two kittens prepare to be adopted.
Regarding the SD Humane Society, we also wish to pass along that in preparation for the dog related problems caused by 4th of July fireworks, the SD Humane Society is:
Offering free microchips through July 3 for residents of San Diego Humane Society’s jurisdiction. Learn more at sdhumane.org/microchip.
Waiving reclaim fees for stray pets at all campuses through July 8. If your pet is brought to our shelter, you can reclaim them with no fee. (Other fees, including relinquishment, licensing and spay/neuter fees may still apply).
Update on the Odyssey of Kiko’s Taco Truck
We first wrote about Kiko’s Food Truck back in 2020. We recognized it as one of the best places in Linda Vista to get tacos and other types of Mexican food.
At that time, Kiko’s was located in the parking lot of Del Mesa Liquor (at the corner of Via Las Cumbres and Friars Road). Unfortunately, due to a rental cost conflict, Kiko’s was required to move away from the parking lot and on to a nearby spot on Friars Road. Though Kiko’s remained extremely popular with hungry LV folk, that spot didn’t work out as residents in a neighboring townhouse development complained about the noise, litter and aroma caused by the truck and its customers. We ended up writing about this “taco turmoil” in a 2023 issue of the LV Update.
As a result of this turmoil, Kiko’s was forced to move a few times. But like the Greek warrior Ulysses, forced to roam the seas for a time, Kiko’s finally made it home to a safe sanctuary. So, if you are hungry for some great Mexican food, all you need to do is head out to 1170 West Morena Boulevard, at the former site of the Cole’s Carpeting store, and you will find Kiko’s Place (The Seafood King). The familiar truck is there conducting business, serving up great food.
The food truck has a formal rental property agreement with the owner of the site, there are no residential neighbors in the vicinity that might be bothered by noise or aroma, and there are containers available for trash. The owner of Kiko’s has also set up a nice shaded dining area for his customers, much better than you will find at most taco truck sites. And there is plenty of space for parking.
The owner maintains that his most popular items continue to be the fish tacos and the ceviche dishes.
The food truck is open until 8:00 pm each night.
He has a daily special for each day of the week. You might want to check out the Taco Tuesday special: Fish tacos — 3 for $7.50. That is definitely an inflation beater price.
I am sure that the hero Ulysses ran into some great food while visiting all those islands during his ten-year sojourn through the Aegean/Mediterranean waters, but I seriously doubt if it was any better than the food offered by Kiko’s.
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Ms Morales. Thank you for your response. I want to let you know that we are recruiting local residents for our new organization—People for a Greater Digital Billboard Future. Our first meeting will be held soon. Please attend. Look for further meeting info advertised on one of LV’s billboards.
Comparing Linda Vista to New York City Time Squares is ridiculous.
Linda Vista is a residential Neighborhood.
A low-income neighborhood, the last thing anyone wants to see is the city installing parking meters!
I am sure that someone's hair brain idea for the city to make more money by allowing digital billboards in Linda Vista.
From one extreme to another, installing parking meters to installing digital billboards.