Chiki Jai

[@SteelSplinter]

If you lived in the San Diego area, and had adventure in your heart, this place was magic. I was in my late teens early twenties. I guess it's no surprise that I live on a tropical island off of Thailand now, and still make my own Basque food dinners. Used to go the Chiki Jai almost every weekend, mid 60's til 1971 or so when Operation Intercept became a reality and guys with long hair were no longer allowed into TJ. Still went from time to time, but things had changed. Picon Punch on ice at a little table outside to watch Revolucion go by as the sun went down. Then move inside for little loaves of hot shepherd's bread, the bean/bone soup of the day, & some freshly cut raw vegetables with olive oil poured on your plate from a green glass container that stayed on the table. Then, 'Chipirones en su Tinta' (squid in its own ink), or Pochas con Codornices' (roast quail with fresh picked white beans & tomatoes cooked all day.) A little carafe of locally produced Sto Tomas red wine (included with the price of your meal) somehow remained half full for over an hour. After dinner, slowly navigate on back to the tiny bar to finish with lighthearted politics and an ice cold 'La Navarra' (pacharan). It was then on over to the Fronton next door. Big smiles all round. !Satisfecho! Many many many stories from those days.

[@KaiserWilhelmIV]

My mother brought me here almost every month for years from 1968-late 18980's I remember a overweight woman with large 'bumps' on her chin and neck as the main server. Mother always ordered Paella and i always ordered the 3 taco special. First they brought blue cheese a bread, followed by soup and a plate of vegetables ( uncooked). It was a great deal and the quality was consistent. I remember the walls being kinda crooked and wavy, but the memories of these times will never be forgotten.

[@MrBeach]

Back in the 70's and 80's I ate there with my parents, (Basques). And, then in the late 80's and early 90's I took my high school and college friends there BEFORE we would hit the nightclubs on Revolution St. That's the first restaurant that I EVER had a paella not prepared at my home, (or my relatives), probably around 1971. I usually ordered the Bacalao for myself, served with fresh crusty bread. The place was never anything more than you see in this video, as far back as I can remember.

[@jamesguadarrama3105]

yo trabaje con don Manuel monje y doña paquita y soy especialista en paella valenciana.

[@jamesguadarrama3105]

saludos a todos chiky jai de marcos de toluca saludos a ángel .

[@jamesguadarrama3105]

me gusta mucho la paella pero mas la que preparo yo.