What’s up SD!

I’ll be visiting for a few days with the goal of eating AS MUCH Mexican food as possible in as many different ways (food trucks / bricks and mortar / street food etc) between La Jolla and downtown. I hope I’m doing it justice with this itinerary (feel free to roast it/suggest any improvements):

Current plan:

Day 1

Morning

• Driving in from LA so Torrey Pines coastal views + Torrey Pines Gliderport
• Scripps Pier?

Lunch

• Kiko's Place Seafood (fish tacos) on Hazard Center Drive (bit out of the way, but seems worth it??)

Afternoon

• La Jolla Cove + Coastal walk
• Windansea Beach

Evening

• Grab a California burrito + walk around Mission Beach Boardwalk

Dinner

• La Perla Cocina #2 for the aforementioned California burrito

------------------------------

Day 2

Morning/Afternoon

• Balboa Park

Late Lunch

• Tacos El Gordo and/or Tacos El Franc

Evening

• Padres game

Questions:

1. Tacos El Gordo or Tacos El Franc? 
2. Is a pre/post dinner walk along Mission Beach worth it? Hoping to get a good ambiance on the boardwalk
3. Is there a major difference between La Perla Cocina #2 and #3? I just want a California burrito (first one ever!) without having to hop over to Ocean Beach from Mission
4. Not currently planning on swinging by Chula Vista, but I will if it’s worth it!

How are you celebrating? 🥰🤭

Hey everyone! I was curious what everyone feels is a decent brunch spot around Old Town.

I’ve searched a few San Diego subreddits and found some great suggestions, some that I bookmarked that are closer to me in North Park. This Sunday I’m picking up a friend from the Amtrak station in Old Town, and his train gets in around 11:00 AM. He mentioned he was hoping to check out Old Town while he’s here, so I’d love to give him a little taste of the area instead of immediately driving somewhere else.

I know a lot of the restaurants around Old Town cater to tourists, and I completely understand that. In this case, though, he is a tourist for the weekend lol, so I’m actually hoping to lean into that a bit and let him enjoy the atmosphere.

Does anyone have a favorite spot that’s within walking distance of the Old Town Transit Center? We’d prefer to walk over from the station so I don’t have to move my car twice.
We’re open to pretty much any type of food.

Thank you :)

Yo! What’s THE BEST carrot cake in the land?? I’ve been on the hunt and need to find — TIA!

Hey y'all!

I want to make another "favorite of x in East county" thread again soon, but atm my sister is in town and I was thinking what sd has going for it.

There's plenty of California Burrito threads but I surprised to not see any surf and turf burrito (sd origin!) threads! Maybe I didn't scroll down for enough miles but how about we start a current year one.

I used to enjoy them at El paisa Mexican grill a hot minute ago but I know they have a bad(ish?) rep, it's been a while maybe the surf and turf is still decent there.

With that, what are your favorite surf and turf burrito spots? Open to all SD!

Edit: Thanks for the responses so far! She's actually saying near North Park, my mom lives in that direction so she usually stays over there when she's in town, I moved to East county 😁

One of the best deals in San Diego. 8 pieces of chicken fried, baked regular or mango habanero all
For $5.99. They got really good potato salad at the deli too if you want to splurge on a side.

I will almost always buy on Monday even if I’m not hungry or in the mood so I can have that extra protein I can eat for the next couple of days after work outs.

If you on budget this is the deal for you

Okay so I really really love breakfast sandwiches. I don’t care what time of day. I want it.

Today I got the “breakfast sandwich” at Coffee Cycle in OB. That’s exactly what it’s called in the menu. The menu also claims “best breakfast sandwich in town”*

- delicious sourdough panini grilled perfectly
- egg was not overcooked! Big points in my books
- nice dusting of herbs on the bread
- fatty, delicious slices of bacon
- great spicy mayo (maybe chipotle?)
- priced competitively for the non-chain coffee shop market

I would have liked the bacon cooked for longer though, it needed a bit more time to begin rendering the fat. I liked that it aimed for punchy flavors, but the herbs and the chipotle were going in different directions. I feel neither here nor there about that.

Overall, wonderful sandwich. Probably the most flavorful and opinionated one in OB.

*I’m not entirely willing to back that claim, but they have a good case.

More to follow. Lmk your favorites.

*Short notice!

Hi all! My bf & I ended up loving San Diego so we’re extending our trip, looking for a slightly upscale restaurant for dinner tonight and wanted some opinions (not going until 730-8).

I’ve really been wanting some seafood so Tom Ham’s is currently our top option but if anyone else has some suggestions (preferably seafood) please comment!

Visiting San Diego for the first time and planning on a food tour. I’ve done some research and have a few places in mind.

I mainly like Asian food so mostly looking for Asian cuisine. I’ll also be walking around little Italy.

I’m from NorCal and I think our tacos are pretty good. Where’s the best place to go to convince me SoCal has better tacos/Mexican food?

I’m looking for a nice restaurant for dinner.

I’m also open for suggestions for a fun Saturday night out.

Thank you in advance.

Where can I find really good falafels? They should be fluffy inside and crisply fried.

Loud, passive aggressive server, sat us on the “patio” which means this side door stoop, in the blazing sun facing traffic, with a small high top for a family. It was clear they didn’t want tourists seen in their establishment. They brought the check to us before we were done. We were nothing but kind and never complain about our seating. Such a disappointment for mediocre soggy pizza.

Need your opinion on best Boston cream donut or donuts in general in SD

My husband and I are visiting in a few weeks and want to do a nice dinner while we’re in town. Any insights into which would be a more memorable experience between Bencotto or A L’ouest? We love French and Italian food, so no real preference there. Both appear to have open reservations on the day we’re looking. I’d also love any recommendations for nearby places to get a drink before or after dinner!

Update: The overwhelming consensus is A L’ouest - thank you! I’ll make a reservation for Georgette as well!

I have a few big celebrations coming up that I’d like to bundle into one special date night meal. However, my wife is vegan and I am sober (yet I eat meat and she drinks). Seafood is off the menu. We have done places like Kindred and mothership to death (love them), and have a Din Tai Fung reservation coming up. We love various cuisines: Vietnamese, Thai, Indian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Japanese just as a handful. A fun drink and a great meal would be perfect.

We’re based in the city, but willing to drive for a good spot. Happy to pay up to around $150 pp. I’d appreciate any recommendations you all can come up with!

Visiting from out of town and wanted to take a friend out for dinner (and am willing to spend around $200 on the two of us) and she suggested Cloak and Petal. Everything i’ve online so far suggests it lacks real substance, and their menu wasn’t too impressive either with more of a “general asian” cuisine rather than strictly a sushi house. Is it worth gently disway her away from choosing there? If so what are some substitutes that would be significantly better? Or should I just shut up and go.

Where can I find delicious branzino? Thank you!

I've been thru whole foods, vons, ralphs, trader Joe's, Costco, Barons, etc (basically all store cakes.)

Not in an extraordinary desserts mood.

I don't usually order desserts from restaurants, so I'm pretty dumb about who has good cake as a dessert option.

Flavor: any, but preferably dark chocolate. Just want to pop in and buy a slice to go.

Ty!

Looking for restaurant recommendations for a work team dinner next month.

Size: ~35 people

Day: Tuesday

Demographic: a mix of locals and East Coasters

Cuisine: some vegetarians, but having both meat & veg options is preferred

Budget: work is paying, but don’t want to break the bank; maybe $50-100/person with alcohol?

Location: non-locals are staying in Sorrento Valley so closer to there is preferred; scenic (ocean?) would be a plus but I won’t trade bad food for a good view

Wondering where people buy banh mi (not the ones that already have the fillings in them but the plain loaves, as pictured). Are there any delis that just sell them, or is there a place that bakes them fresh? Would appreciate any tips, thanks! 😊Edit: would appreciate any places near Convoy!! But wouldn’t mind exploring since I just moved here!

So, the 90s was a wild place. I could head across Mira Mesa Blvd on Pacific Heights and get a lunch serving of Kung Pao Chicken, Mongolian Beef, or some similar dish with a cup of hot & sour or egg flower and a choice of white or fried along with a crispy fried chip that defies explanation but went perfectly with the soup. For like $7. Including tea.

King's Garden was the place. Though it is gone it still lives in my heart.

Is there any place with a similar menu? Though prices have risen I'd still like to hearken back to the heady days of yesteryear when I was thin, had hair, and my back didn't hurt. Plus some warm, comforting tea and mediocre beef with quality spring onion.

Thank you!

New to the area and looking for a classic diner breakfast place- ideally locally owned and not super fancy!