What's Good in Carlsbad?

[Fru]

2 moms and 2 adventurous 10 year old boys heading to Lego land from SGV. We will be staying in Carlsbad for 1 or possibly 2 nights so we're looking for good breakfast and dinner rec's. We will be within walking distance of the village and would like to keep it that way. Most cuisines are fine. Just want to make sure quality meets moms' standards, not excluding hole-in-the-wall places. We eat all cuisines (that we are familiar with); Mexican, American, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Middle Eastern (Persian, Armenian, etc.), Italian...
If you want to direct me to previous threads, that is fine. Thanks in advance!!!

[Enorah]

Fish House Vera Cruz (walking distance)

Pelly's Fish Market & Cafe (not walking distance, but more affordable than Fish House Vera Cruz)

Both have really great fish

[Fru]

Thank You Enorah. I was so excited when I saw what I thought were 3 people making constructive suggestions....

[Enorah]

What is being communicated here is that Carlsbad really does lack a lot of good restaurants. If you are willing to get in your car and drive about 15 minutes south to Encinitas, well then, you will get a bigger response.

In Encinitas for Mexican
Bety's Tacos - delicious & laid back. Mom & Son operation.

For Tapas style Japanese
Yumeya - really good. If you have not had traditional izakaya, well it is really fun (I think the kids would like it).

[monku]

In Encinitas for a hearty breakfast and huge pancakes....Potato Shack Cafe
http://www.potatoshackcafe.com/home.htm

[littlestevie]

Knockout pizza is on Carlsbad blvd. I give a hearty thumbs up to fish house vera cruz. For breakfast al's cafe is popular but I have never been there, and I am not really sure of the allure of the place. Another option for breakfast is The Naked Cafe, In the mall behind the big Victorian, this is their newest outpost, the first is in Solana Beach, and I have only been at the SB location. Not great, but centainly decent is Karl Strauss, right across from Legoland. It is good for burgers and Salads. Also by legoland, is Kings Fish house, a good option for dinner.

[Fru]

A sincere thanks guys. I get it that Carlsbad doesn't have "destination" dining. Was just hoping to be able to sort the wheat from the chaff. I appreciate all of the suggestions thus far.

[nosh]

Fru, I notice that you seem to be from the L.A. area. As you drive down, you will take the 5 and go past the nuclear power plant, then Camp Pendleton, then Oceanside, then several exits for Carlsbad. Legoland is at the northern one, Palomar Airport Road. Right there on the beach side of the freeway is a little shopping area that has an In-n-Out Burger, a Claimjumper, and a couple of other chains. As you continue further down south, the Coast Highway will be right along the ocean, then the 5 a bit further east inland, and finally El Camino Real which is a bit further east parallel with the coast until it cuts in further south. Going south from Oceanside is Carlsbad, then Encinitas, Solana Beach, and finally Del Mar, with Leucadia stuck in there somewhere.

The Coast Highway is a bit slow, with a lot of shops on either side as well as surfers and tourists, but it is fun to drive down. Towards Encinitas, you will pass three small Mexican places on the ocean side -- my favorite is Juanita's Carnitas. As opposed to L.A. taquerias, one of the best items at Juanita's is the crunchy taco, stuffed with either beef or chicken and a lot of lettuce and Mexican cheese. Of the soft tacos, the al pastor has good texture and flavor and the carnitas comes with a big unadvertised glob of guacamole. The green salsa is hotter and more flavorful than the red. I didn't like the fish taco (like a cafeteria frozen fish stick), the quesadilla (bland) or the breakfast burrito. Very popular, order at counter sort of place. Two others are Karina's, known for good ceviches and shrimp, and El Super Norte, for soups (though some feel is going downhill). These put you close to V & G Donuts, on the other side of the train tracks, for lots of fun sweet treats. Any of these would be slightly closer than Bety's, which is on the far side of El Camino Real on Encinitas Blvd. On the other hand, Enorah is a dedicated poster about eating all food at all levels in the area -- before your trip click on her and look up her "Encinitas a Year Later" thread.

[littlestevie]

Are you thinking of Especial Norte not Super Norte. Down in Encinitas for Italian you might try Trattoria I Trulli or When in Rome. Somebody mentioined the Viggiluchi Chain, they have two places in CB, while fine, I think the other places are better.

[Enorah]

I am sure nosh means La Especial Norte which has good, dependable food. We agreed here that the downhill trend was just a momentary glitch. We ate there recently and had a really great meal. I like La Especial Norte, but I love Bety's. I think the quality of food and the preparation at Bety's is better than La Especial, but there is nothing wrong with La Especial.

[nosh]

Thanks Enorah and stevie -- Yep, my mind glitched thinking of something superlative and confusing El Super Taco which is expanding here on the westside of L.A. Glad to hear that you opine that the recent criticism of Norte has been corrected, and that our whole area is finally getting some much-needed rain.

[Fru]

You guys have really restored my faith in humanity. Thank you again!!!

[Fru]

Our trip was a little hectic because of one 10 year old having a massive cold. Anyway, we took Enorah's suggestion and went to Yumeya in Encinitas on Wednesday night. I'm so glad I called first (5:15) because I was told they had a reservation coming at 6:30 so if we could get there soon, she could hold a table for us. Well, the whole restaurant consists of a long bar and I think 3 tables. It was great! Everything was delicious. My only complaint is that a couple of items were what I consider salty (the miso black cod) but my girlfriend who is 3rd generation Japanese American assured me that that is typical. I love how the tables are set with little origami swans. The chopsticks are laid out gracefully across the plates with little decorative paper cuffs. Lots of attention to details. We had a little bit of everything from croquettes to sushi to octopus balls. Their miso was some of the best I have ever had! Thank you Enorah.

The 2nd night we were tired and were just looking for convenient. We went to the Mexican restaurant next to the Carlsbad Inn(where we stayed). I knew from the spicy tomato sauce salsa that it wasn't going to be my best dining experience. Probably the worst Mexican food I have ever had. I had a carne asada torta. I don't think I would have known that it was carne asada except for that I am the one who ordered it. No stomach problems later, just really bad. Oh yes, I ordered an upgraded Margarita (to Jose Cuervo from what I don't remember). Anyway, I am a lightweight so I'm happy to go light on the tequila. Well, light is an understatement. I never even tasted it so for those that are considering this place for a drink, forget it.

Again convenience won so breakfast both days was at The Daily News. Quality was decent. Help was earnest if not a bit laid back. My eggs over medium were done right and the hash browns were ok. One of the boys ordered poached eggs. I could see they were pretty watery. Gross!!! Should of sent them back but it wasn't my call. Again, they were very accommodating and I'm sure they would have taken care of it. I just don't understand how something like that gets to the table in the first place. If I can see what is wrong, the server should be able to too.

I am now home with both a sick husband and child so I went to our favorite comfort food restaurant for soup, pot stickers and scallion pancackes and brought them home for dinner. I love the SGV!

[Enorah]

So glad to know you enjoyed Yumeya.

[daantaat]

oooohhhh, pot stickers and tsung yao bang!!!! yuuuummmmm....

[The Old Man]

"We went to the Mexican restaurant next to the Carlsbad Inn(where we stayed). I knew from the spicy tomato sauce salsa that it wasn't going to be my best dining experience. Probably the worst Mexican food I have ever had."

Are we talking about the tremendously overrated Fidel's? Or the used to be good, 10 years ago, Southwest style, Coyote Café?

[Fru]

If you are facing the entrance to the hotel, the restaurant that I am referring to is to the right. It's a nice venue. Too bad the food was so bad. I hope to come back to try some of the other Chow recommendations but it won't be to visit Lego Land.

[The Old Man]

Though I don't know the history it's currently called Norte, but it is Fidel's. As it says at Dining Guide Network, "Can You Really Have Bad Mexican? Fidel’s Answers, 'Yes!!'" Or as it says at the Carlsbad Inn's website, "The famous Mexican Restaurant, Norte's, is located on-site." Weren't you lucky?

[Fru]

I am now appreciating your irreverence(big smile).

[The Old Man]

Thank you--it takes people of great intelligence to recognize it. However if you come again, and will expand your radius to about 10 miles I'm sure there are people here who will show you excellent things. For example, as you hear over and over, the greatest sushi in San Diego county may be at Kaito in Encinitas. I can't vouch for it, I don't eat sushi--it's too underdone for my taste. ; )

[Fru]

Still laughing...I am going to add this to my favorites to remind me to make sure I check out the surrounding San Diego towns next time. I just need an excuse to get out of SGV cause we've seen the last of Lego Land. I think a trip to the Zoo and Sea World are in order but my husband isn't as willing to drive for a great meal as I am.