“I tell you,” insists my friend Tim. “He gives the most. He’s the host with the most! He’s worth the trip!”“Uh, to Spring Valley?” I ask.“Hey! I live in Spring Valley. What’s wrong with Spring …

‘Over here!” yells Tim. We’ve split up, trying to find this one eatery. I’m on 26th street, with the naval supply ships at one end shoving their prows over the piers like nosey dogs. Tim’s …

“This is well-known among Powegians,” says my buddy Larry.“‘Powegians’?”“The good burghers of Poway, probably the least-known of all our cities.”“But I hear it’s a city for somewhat fat cats,” I say. “Not somewhere you’d find …

Video:TIN FORK: South Park’s Big Kitchen offers food, love, and politicsJudy the Beauty on Duty throws her head back and laughs. “Tres bien, tres bien!” She says it with a deliberate accent, partly to annoy …

“Stew,” says Kevin.“Pupusa,” I say.“Stew,” says Diane.“Pupusa,” I say. “Come on! There’s a Salvadoreno joint just around the corner.”“Pinoy stew!” says Kevin. “Used to have it off-base at Subic Bay. PI.”“PI?” says Diane.“Philippine Islands,” I …

Video:TIN FORK: Sultan Baklava's Turkish hospitalityIt’s morning in El Cajon. But it could almost be morning in Istanbul. I’m here sipping Turkish coffee among Turkish folk in a gold-trimmed maroon room in the oldest building …

Video:TIN FORK: the uber-cool Chocolat, around the corner at Fifth and University“Please, darling. Not Chinese. Not tonight.”We’re outside the Hong Kong restaurant. The place looks fine to me — but not to the beautiful Diane. …

Video:TIN FORK: Family House of Pancakes’ Persian quiche — the enduring omeletMan, it seems everybody’s going to Lemon Grove these days (See Ian Anderson’s recent <a href="http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2023/dec/12/with-each-location-el-pollo-grill-has-gotten-more-colorful/">El Pollo Grill review</a> from 12/21/23). Me, I’m here …

I'm looking at this dinner table, all laid out and ready for ten guests: there’s even food in the dishes. Tamales, bread, pozole, buñuelos, other things wrapped in corn husks, olives, nopales, frijoles, sweet corn, …