Stories | Tin Fork
Healthy Lunch in Ballparkland
Published Nov. 4, 2009
Washington may declare that the recession is over, but don’t tell that to Chad and his cousins at Market 32. They’ve had to close the doors on their original, very green idea. These guys from Yuma ...
Chocolate with Your Beer
Published Oct. 21, 2009
Answer this: What kind of place gives you a big chunk of chocolate to munch with your beer? A real serious-about-beer place. Where a man can find a far-out stout. Sayer the server hands me the ...
Curry Pies, Coffee, Art
Published Oct. 14, 2009
I’ve been called flaky. But hey, this is flaky. Who woulda thought? Eating a pastry-covered curry pie for breakfast in a converted condo in East Village? Here’s how it happened: I was wandering hopelessly around downtown, ...
Dessert Oasis Published Oct. 7, 2009
“And now for a special live report from the border, here’s our border-affairs reporter, Ed Bedford. Ed?” Cue Ed: “Yes, Cindy. I’m actually standing on ... More Comment (1)
A Chat Over Mexican Eggs Published Sept. 30, 2009
Hey, Mr. Sumption! Greetings from October 2009. You stamped this piece of sidewalk with your moniker a century ago, almost. “H.W. Sumption, October 1910.” And ... More Post a comment
Trek Extra Published Sept. 23, 2009
“I starred in Star Trek. You don’t recognize me?” Bill looks at our blank faces. We don’t recognize him. “Okay, so not exactly a starring ... More Comment (1)
The Real Middle East Deal Published Sept. 16, 2009
“Russ?” “Yup.” “It’s me. I’m in El Cajon.” I’m calling on my first-ever cell phone. Hate the end of freedom. But now I need this ... More Post a comment
Passion Project Published Sept. 9, 2009
“Know why this area’s called the ‘Stingaree’?” asks Mark. We’re at the bottom of Eighth, right where it meets Market, inside this Asian bistro I ... More Comment (1)
Dog Bar Afternoon Published Aug. 26, 2009
Do I follow the crowd? Hell, yes. This one, anyway. It’s Sunday afternoon, down at Quivira yacht basin. I’ve been wandering past boats with names ... More Post a comment
Greek to Me Published Aug. 19, 2009
“What men or gods are these? What maidens loth? What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape?What pipes and timbrels? What wild ecstasy?” Huh. I impress ... More Post a comment
Like Family Published Aug. 12, 2009
From the start, you pretty much know: everybody getting off the number 3 bus at Fifth and Elm is headed there. Five o’clock on a ... More Post a comment
Thai Hot, Lao Hot Published Aug. 5, 2009
“Hot? Hot-hot? Hot-hot-hot?” Sanaa stands there, in one hand a big pestle at the ready, in the other, a bunch of nasty little green and ... More Post a comment
Tacos for Life Published July 29, 2009
“Juanita’s Carnitas of Encinitas! Juanita’s Carnitas Encinitas!” This is Ted’s kid, chanting. Best way to get the carnitas tacos he loves. “Juanita’s Carnitas of Encinitas…!” ... More Comments (2)
Art of the Q Published July 22, 2009
I know. My friend Naomi’s been here. Matter of fact, that’s part of why I stopped by. For me, barbecue’s like art. I don’t know ... More Post a comment
Kiwi Crowd Published July 15, 2009
So here I was, walking the Gaslamp one night, minding my business, when this dude thrusts a flyer in my hand. “Burger, fries, and draft ... More Post a comment
Teaming History, Heaping Plates Published July 8, 2009
La Colonia? Ah, yes. The story comes back as I sit up to the old tiled bar. “1697–1997,” says a weaving hung on the wall. ... More Post a comment
Big Kahuna Flavors Published June 24, 2009
Huh? Last time I came through these doors this was a Chinese place, the Silver Sea. Now it’s Hawaiian. Very Hawaiian. Bright yellow and sea-green ... More Comment (1)
The French Get It Published June 10, 2009
“This is on me,” says Carla. “I’ve been saving. True! Ever since you didn’t take me out on my birthday. You forgot, remember?” Sigh. Yes, ... More Post a comment
They Know Fish Published June 3, 2009
Bay Park. Whoever knew where that was? I’ve whisked past it a zillion times, driving with Hank up Interstate 5 or on the Coaster or ... More Post a comment
Samoan Aloha Published May 27, 2009
Up here near the 94 College exit, a blue 1966 Valiant sits parked between a Frazee’s and a Weight Watchers place. Only one man in ... More Comment (1)
A Little Boost Published May 20, 2009
I can’t believe it. Here I am on deepest Revolución, when I spot that black hat, that gray-red beard, that loping walk. It can only ... More Post a comment
Poor Little Devil Published May 13, 2009
Clunk! Man. Umberto Falcone’s kinda surprised I’ve tossed the bocce ball anywhere close to the jack. Call it beginner’s luck. Luck: Guess that’s how this ... More Post a comment
Gathering Lunch Published April 29, 2009
“Slow down, you move too fast. You’ve got to make the morning last...” Can’t help humming that Simon and Garfunkel ditty. Life’s pouring through my ... More Comment (1)
Einstein's Cousins Published April 22, 2009
Can’t believe it. Here I am in North Park, yapping away with Albert Einstein’s cousin! Evelyn, who runs this eatery with her husband Jeff, casually ... More Post a comment
Feels Like 1913 Published April 15, 2009
“Be nice or go away,” says the sign above the bar. Hmm...none too welcoming. But, hey, I’ll be nice, ’cause what a bar, and what ... More Post a comment
The Italian Leprechaun's Pub Published April 8, 2009
History’s in the air. Talk about hidden jewels. Turns out that here in National City they have the only original transcontinental railroad terminus in the ... More Post a comment
Cisco's Salad Published April 1, 2009
I still can’t believe it. My buddy Frankie. He’s gone. Checked out. Died. Had half his life to live, still. And my hands aren’t clean. ... More Post a comment
Veggimaginary Published March 25, 2009
“La Dolce Vita,” reads the sign above the counter where I’m sitting. Well, my vita’s in no way dolce right now. Whose is? But this ... More Comment (1)
Meat Treat Published March 18, 2009
“Camel meat,” sighs Mukhtar. “That’s what I miss most. It’s the meat treat in Somalia. Here, I think it’s not even legal.” He grabs a ... More Post a comment
The Real Low Down Published March 4, 2009
The view, the view…a man could faint from the über-coolness of this whole scene. You can see over the Gaslamp roofs to the Pacific. Heck, ... More Post a comment
Burger in the Sky with Mushrooms Published Feb. 25, 2009
Cc,c,c,c,cold. I stand out in the slush and snow, trying to decide if I can afford this place, a joint for sophisticates, by the looks ... More Post a comment
Mount BBQ Published Feb. 18, 2009
Oh, man. Gonna faint. Just ran a hundred steps up one side of the convention center, two at a time, I swear, and down another ... More Post a comment
Total Tapas Published Feb. 11, 2009
“Spare change?” says the guy sitting on the sidewalk. Must know I just cashed a paycheck. It’s Friday night, around 6:00, at Sixth and C. ... More Post a comment
Very Thai Published Feb. 4, 2009
I’m confused. Here I am, top of India Street, breezy Friday, trying to decide between Mexican and Thai. El Indio and Saffron. Each one’s a ... More Post a comment
Sushi Secret Published Jan. 28, 2009
Remember the guy who hijacked a tank and drove it through the streets of San Diego? They say this is where he got the tank, ... More Comments (2)
Mussels with a View Published Jan. 21, 2009
"Ho, ho, ho.” He sits four chairs down, at the end of the bar. Cherry cheeks, white mustache, Burl Ives beard. Would make a perfect ... More Post a comment
Dream Burgers Published Jan. 14, 2009
“It’s demeaning,” says Carla. “Treating them like sex objects. And the men! They look so stupid, like kids spying on a nudist camp.” Part of ... More Post a comment
Pizza and Politics Published Jan. 7, 2009
Is this where Obama won the election? The little pizza shop was a hotbed of political debate for the longest time before the Great Victory. ... More Comment (1)
New Latino Squared Published Dec. 30, 2008
Should I or shouldn’t I? I stand at the base of the steps. Up top, a couple of “log” fires are burning in their chimeneas, ... More Post a comment
Pie A-Peel Published Dec. 23, 2008
I admit it: I’m moth to the flame. Just ambling down Garnet, around 8:00 at night. Place is buzzing with life. But right across from ... More Post a comment
Up in the Air Published Dec. 17, 2008
I can’t believe this. I’m looking down — way down — at the kelp beds off La Jolla. Brown bruise on blue ocean. Jet fighter ... More Post a comment
Food and the Law Published Dec. 10, 2008
And then the Great King came forth, and he did spake, saying, “Let There Be Law!” Thirty-seven centuries later, I’m lookin’ him in the eye, ... More Post a comment
Beepers and Omelettes Published Dec. 3, 2008
Nobody goes to the hospital unless they have to. Or their buddy has to. My buddy Cisco had to today. Tests. He’s like me: car-free. ... More Comments (4)
Good-bye, Mr. Wing Published Nov. 25, 2008
“Oh, man. Where am I going to get my curry now?” Jim stands staring at the notice taped to the front door. “Dear customers,” it ... More Post a comment
A Moose from Greece Published Nov. 19, 2008
“Totally Nude, 6:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m.” Dang. It’s only 5:00 p.m., here outside Club Fantasy Gentlemen’s Club. Actually, I’m jes’ passing by, minding my business. Too ... More Post a comment
East Village Local Published Nov. 12, 2008
“I didn’t drive here,” says Dale. “Why would I? I live two blocks away. This is my local. I used to spend $200–$300 a month ... More Post a comment
Two Eds Published Nov. 5, 2008
She buries her face into his shirt. He stares, bug-eyed, out the window. You know he’s pondering a bi-ig problem. They’re sitting on the side ... More Comment (1)
Kettnerburgers Published Oct. 29, 2008
Fever Crotch’s drummer whacks his drum — the box he’s sitting on — with his bandaged hand and teases his cymbal with a drumstick held ... More Comment (1)
Breakfast Beer Published Oct. 22, 2008
"End Times Christian Soldiers Mission," says the church near Oak Park School. Lord, why does everyone love this "end is nigh" stuff? I'm aboard the ... More Post a comment
A Trillion Peaces Published Oct. 15, 2008
It's 6:30 in the morning. Loan ("Lo-Ann"), the beautiful, solemn-faced Vietnamese girl in the green smock, hands me the note. It's from my lifeguard buddy. ... More Post a comment
Organic? Published Oct. 8, 2008
"Spare a buck?" Scott asks. That's what starts it. I'm ambling innocently up Fifth toward University when I come across Scott, squatting against a wall, ... More Comment (1)
Anything but Dessert Published Oct. 1, 2008
Sunday evening. Light's fading. Wandering up Ash and Union, the echoey streets of the world above Broadway. You know, wrong side of the tracks. All ... More Post a comment
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