I tried to dig up a name for the mini-shopping center anchored by the 7-Eleven on the corner of Leucadia Boulevard and N. Vulcan Avenue in Leucadia, but alas non was to be found. So, I’m just going to go with the Leucadia 7-Eleven center.
You may know it as the former home of Chinatown, the only Chinese/Italian restaurant I know of, which I wrote about a few years back.
The center was given a fresh look recently, and included with the upgrades were some new food tenants, Crack Taco Shop and Banzai Bowls, and a crazy good sandwich upgrade at the 7-Eleven.
I’ll start with the sandwich as I find the backstory on this fascinating. In Japan, 7-Eleven locations are much different than here. They function almost like mini-food halls with full meals that include a range of ready-to-eat items—fried chicken, noodle bowls, dumplings, salads, desserts and the simple sandwich that has become a global sensation. The rollout started in US stores in late 2025, including in Leucadia.
The Japanese egg salad sandwich, or Tamago Sando, is simplicity defined. Two slices of crustless white bread called shokupan, a soft white loaf referred to as Japanese milk bread, that is slightly sweet and fluffy with a pillowy texture that compresses easy without falling apart. Basically, its spongy white bread elevated to the highest level.
The creamy egg filling made with Kewpie Mayonnaise is the big differentiator and primarily responsible for its international cult following. Unlike regular mayonnaise, which is made using whole eggs, Kewpie uses only egg yolks, producing a richer texture and deeper flavor. It also contains vinegar and seasoning that creates a tangy, sweet taste that works beautifully with the eggs.
The combined ingredients result in a sandwich that is luxurious way beyond its price point. Being a big fan of a well-crafted egg salad sandwich, this is one of the best I’ve had and, at $5.99, a heck of a value. I highly encourage you to give it a try. Hopefully the owners of the Leucadia store realize there is a captive audience here for higher-quality food available late night.
Next up is Crack Taco Shop, and all I should have to say to convince you to try this joint is that the crack they are referring to is Cardiff Crack. Yep, that’s the meat they use in their tacos and burritos, and it’s fabulous.
The co-owner/operator of the Leucadia location is the son of the founder of Seaside Market in Cardiff. That gives them instant credibility in my mind. And I must say my initial reaction was skeptical in an “OK, what about the rest of the menu?” Well, I’ve since eaten my way through most of it and it’s solid. All the breakfast burritos, a $2.95 fish taco, potato burritos and more were spot-on and really reasonably priced. Love the name Crackafornia Burrito as well.
I hate cheating on Juanita’s and Jorge’s, but when Crack Taco Shop is open 8 a.m.-11 p.m. seven days per week, they have a huge advantage over the others that close early. And the quality and variety of offerings from Crack Taco Shop is right up there with the plethora of Mexican taco shops in the area.
So next up is something I was completely unfamiliar with, the Banzai Bowls experience. Founded in 2008 by the husband-and-wife team of Joe and Tiana Bard, their focus is on serving authentic, high-quality acai bowls and more inspired by the North Shore of Oahu.
Evidently there is a lack of pure acai options, so they created a thick, antioxidant-rich, pre- or post-surf snack that has exploded in popularity and locations. They also offer a pitaya Bowl, so I had to do some quick research on pitaya and give that a shot.
Also known as dragon fruit, pitaya a tropical fruit from a cactus species native to Central America, with bright pink or yellow skin, scaly appearance and speckled edible flesh. It has a mild, sweet flavor often described as a cross between kiwi and pear, highly nutritious and packed with antioxidants, fiber and vitamin C.
I was down with that nutritional powerhouse, so I went with the pupukea, a blend of apple juice or hemp milk, pitaya, bananas, strawberries and papaya with a top consisting of granola, bananas, strawberries, raspberries, kiwi, bee pollen, coconut shreds and honey.
There was a lot going on in that cup of healthy goodness, and I could see making Banzai Bowls a regular morning stop when I’m leaning healthy. I should mention that these are all made to order so it’s not fast food by any means, but that’s part of what makes it so good. The lineup besides acai and pitaya bowls includes acai and pitaya smoothies, coffee and juices.
So there you have it. Next time you are in Leucadia, stop into 7-Eleven for an elevated Japanese-style egg salad sandwich, some seriously good Cardiff Crack tacos or burritos, and a healthy dessert or whatever you want to make it at Banzai Bowls.
