I woke up early in the morning and decided to take a walk to a nearby large mall. I've always been curious about American mall culture, which is deeply rooted in residential areas rather than just city centers. Walking around an American neighborhood without a car is a pretty fresh experience. Since it's broad daylight, I probably won't get robbed or shot.
As I walked, I noticed the sidewalks were well-paved, but hardly anyone was actually walking. I only spotted the occasional morning jogger; everyone else was zooming by in their cars. It really made me realize that the US is a tough place to get around without a vehicle.
Along the way, I found a missing cat flyer taped to a tree trunk. It broke my heart thinking about how anxious the owner must be. But in a neighborhood where no one walks, I wonder how effective a flyer can really be. I just hope they found their cat.
As I was about to cross the street, I saw a "Welcome to San Diego" sign. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and sunny, keeping me in a great mood the whole walk. The wide roads and blue skies really made it sink in that I was in California. If you have a hard time walking, I highly recommend just taking an Uber instead of pushing yourself.
After walking for quite a while, I finally reached the mall area where all the shops are clustered. The natural landscaping with large rocks and trees gave off that typical American commercial complex vibe. Seeing the endlessly sprawling parking lot, it's clear that everyone drives here to get their groceries and eat.
I can't believe they still operate mailboxes like this
Near the mall entrance, I spotted some drop boxes with familiar logos. They were FedEx and UPS drop boxes, and I was amazed that they still operate these mailbox-like things out on the street. I guess this kind of unmanned collection system developed because the country's landmass is so huge.
Heading further into the mall, I saw an In-N-Out Burger. Honestly, In-N-Out still holds the number one spot in my heart for American burgers. But since I had already made up my mind to try a new brand today, I turned away with a bit of regret.
I crossed another wide intersection toward my destination. The traffic light system and road widths are quite different from Korea, so I kept looking around as I walked. The California sun is so intense that sunglasses or a hat are essential for a walk. Looking at that sizzling sun in the photo, you definitely need to apply sunscreen well, too.
I finally arrived at my destination: Chick-fil-A. Even Five Guys has landed in Korea now, but Chick-fil-A hasn't made it there yet, so I've always been curious about how it tastes. I looked it up and found it's a brand with quite a deep history, founded in 1946, and famously closed on Sundays due to the founder's Christian beliefs.
The atmosphere inside and the customer service were pretty standard, much like any other fast-food joint. I ordered the most basic item on the menu: the Original Chicken Sandwich. The price was around 5-6 dollars for just the sandwich, which is very reasonable and offers great value compared to premium burgers like Five Guys. Considering the cost of dining out in the US, it's a very welcome price point.
The taste was within the realm of what I expected—a very mainstream, familiar flavor that slightly reminded me of a KFC burger. It's lighter than the heavy, meaty taste of Five Guys, making it something anyone could enjoy without strong preferences either way. The only downside is that it's entirely focused on chicken patties, so your options are narrow if you're craving a beef burger.
The true charm of Chick-fil-A is complete when you eat it with their signature Chick-fil-A sauce. The unique sweet and salty flavor of the sauce pairs incredibly well with the chicken patty. I can pretend to be a gourmet and analyze it all I want, but at the end of the day, this kind of crowd-pleasing sauce is the best.
A friend had highly recommended that I try Chick-fil-A, and after tasting it myself, I understand why it's so popular. With its competitive pricing and universally appealing taste, I feel like if they ever open in Korea, they might expand even faster than Five Guys. The thought of walking all the way back on a full stomach is a bit daunting, but for now, I'm full and satisfied.
I woke up early in the morning and decided to take a walk to a nearby large mall. I've always been curious about American mall culture, which is deeply rooted in residential areas rather than just city centers. Walking around an American neighborhood without a car is a pretty fresh experience. Since it's broad daylight, I probably won't get robbed or shot.
