Where are some of your favorite places to have lunch in SD?

[Beach Chick]

Some of my fave's are..

George's out on the ocean terrace
El Pescador
Dobson's
Fish Market Oyster Bar Downtown
Las Cuatro Milpas
Point Loma Seafoods
Con Pane
Longhorn's

[Beach Chick]

Just saw Larry Himmel of Channel 8 talk about Haggo's Tacos in Leucadia..
Chef James Haggard, formely of Rancho Valencia resort, opened up a funky organic taco trailer resto..
I am so all over this place!

www.yelp.com/biz/haggos-organic-taco-...

[cstr]

The Linkery, great links! Stopped by while in the 'hood, had a link sammie and a cold craft brew. Attentive service, fresh ingredients, great flavor, works for me.

[Beach Chick]

Wish Jay would make a soy sausage with lots of herbs and garlic..if that's possible.

[cstr]

You should try their grilled broccoli (whch is killer), the baked goat cheese and a house salad. You could be well satisfied, just add a good draftie or 2!.

check the website:

http://thelinkery.com

[The Office Goat]

We ordered a baked goat cheese there by accident; turns out it's huge and delicious!

[cgfan]

Barrio Logan
* El Porvenir (Carnitas Taco)
Little Italy
* Lounge Burger
Uptown
* Mariscos German/Alex (South Park & City Heights - Mixto, Pulpo, and Marlyn Tacos)
* Caffe Calabria (light sandwiches/Paninis)
Kearny Mesa
* Yakitori Yakyudori (Shio Ramen)
* Okan (Bento lunch)
* Santouka (Tonkotsu Ramen)
Mira Mesa
* Luong Hai Ky (VN-style Chinese - everything)
* Pho Cow Cali (everything)
Solana Beach
* Rudy's (Carne Asada plate or Torta)
Fallbrook
* Las Brisas Taqueria (Menudo & Carnitas)

...still need a viable replacement to the now defunct Umenoya (Miramar)

[Ms. Verde]

Love Super Cocina--near my workplace in the hood.
When I'm on vacation, I love Chocolat in Hillcrest and Fairouz Cafe in Midway area.
Playa Grill in Costco Mission Valley has great early happy hour Merry Pigglest sliders and margarita lunch

[Beach Chick]

Hey cg!
Are they opened back up... El Porvenir?
Great list!

[cgfan]

Thanks BC... I don't get out there often enough, but by being open again if you mean since a year or two ago, then yes, they have. They still run with the same charming disregard for typical food service, which is partly why I love to go there. My understanding with the new owner (who still is family) was that his goal was to restore the original family recipe.

[cgfan]

Ooops, just had a chance to drop in to El Porvenir today, and it turns out that they got foreclosed on and had to shut down. They did say that they might be featuring their cooking at the market just down the street, however.

That's so sad, especially since they've been in business for so long.

[royaljester]

Super Cocina
Opera in Sorrento
Chin's in Convoy
The Kebab Shop in Mira Mesa
Little Lamb Hot Pot (Clairemont)
Okan in Convoy
Nijiya supermarket in Convoy
Yakyudori

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Super Cocina
3627 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92104

[SteveRB]

Koon Thai Kitchen
Pho Hiep + Grill
Bud's Louisiana Cafe
Spicy House
King's Fish House (mission valley)
Nico's
Point Loma Seafoods

[buzznutter]

There are a number of hotels that have great outdoor dining venues. The Veranda at Rancho Bernardo Inn, 1540 at L'auberge Del Mar, Torrey Pines Inn, plus I like sitting outside at Blue Ribbon Pizza

[pRon]

Hey Beach Chick,

I'm sorry nobody backed you up on Las Cuatro Milpas!

I'm here to say that if you want GOOD old fashioned Mexican food this place is hard to beat...

Thanks for your support, pRon

[ibstatguy]

Wet Stone Wine Bar; Cowboy Star; Red Door; Dobson's; Craft & Commerce

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Wet Stone Wine Bar & Cafe
1927 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

[pickypicky]

Yesterday we had lunch at Tender Greens-- and it was as delicious and fresh as when it opened. Chef Husband and I were away 15 months, half of that in Sonoma, and this was our first visit back to TG. As we sat outside in the Perfect San Diego Sun and ate our lunch, we tried to remember any place in Sonoma, Napa, or Marin as pleasant, fresh, and reasonably priced as Tender Greens-- and couldn't. Northern CA has incredible bread, cheese, wine, and produce, BUT, as we learned, most of the everyday restaurants we visited were ho-hum. Before leaving, I did nothing but bitch about SD restaurants, and now I'm just happy to be back and find out that my TG Tuna Nicoise Salad is still perfectly composed and dressed. ( No one has the al fresco dining we do. . . )

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Tender Greens
2400 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, CA 92106

[DiningDiva]

"( No one has the al fresco dining we do. . . )"

I'll gladly second that, especially yesterday and Wednesday, just about perfect

[honkman]

"as we learned, most of the everyday restaurants we visited were ho-hum" - Our experience is the other way around. There are of course also numerous disappointing restaurants in SF and the wine country but there is still a very large number of everyday restaurants with outstanding food for good prices which I would love to have in SD, e.g. Scopa, Barndiva, Zin, Willi's Seafood Bar, Zin, Ad Hoc, Oenotri, (and that's just a few in the Healdsburg/Napa area)

[pickypicky]

enough said.

[Fake Name]

Funny- I'm in Yountville right now and dammit, I can't find a drive-thru anywhere. I suppose Taylor's Refresher (now Gotts Roadside bla bla) will have to do for lunch. Breakfast this AM will be an armload of goodies from Bouchon Bakery.

[Beach Chick]

Fakey!!
Gott's has the best Ahi burger...
The Grill at Meadowood Resort for breakfast or Redd for Sunday brunch..
Have a great time and we'll see you this Wednesday!
BTW, I'm so jealous..bring me some Silver Oak Cab..
; )

[Fake Name]

Here for a wedding, so food options are narrowed.

Ahi burger? Nah...

[Beach Chick]

The Ahi burger is one of their most famous items..trust me..

www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/best-b...

[honkman]

Not a drive-thru but the sandwiches at Dean& Deluca and Oakville Grocery (both in St. Helena) are quite good.

[pickypicky]

Fremont Diner, Hwy 121, between Sonoma and Napa. No website just incredible food.

[cstr]

Oakville Grocery is a wonderful display of excellent sammy material and tons of sides, their sampling stations are incredible.

[cstr]

Y'all didn't have much el freshco in TX...Mammm!

[goodhealthgourmet]

i very rarely eat lunch out, but when i do i love outdoor seating with a view. can't beat Cardiff State Beach with takeout from Seaside Market!

other faves:
- Swami's
- Lotus Cafe
- Naked Cafe
- Rimel's
- Ki's

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Swami's Cafe
1163 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA

Naked Cafe
106 S Sierra Ave, Solana Beach, CA 92075

Rimel's Rotisserie
1030 Torrey Pines Rd Ste E, La Jolla, CA 92037

Lotus Cafe
765 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

[liza.calderon]

I had forgotten about Rimel's! I LOVE their rice plate with the rotisserie turkey! The sauces that come with it are so complex and wonderful. Yum!

[goodhealthgourmet]

this is SO great to know - i've never had their turkey...i love the grilled mahi mahi and the fire pit-seared scallops.

just steer clear of the mussels - i had them at the Cardiff location a couple of months ago and they were HUGELY disappointing.

[palmtree38]

Anyone like Hodad's for lunch???
We love watching drive ins and diners and their bacon hamburger looks pretty darn good...

Previous San Diego holdiday
El Pescador was really good for pick up lunch
Georges at the Cove (great fish taco's and gorgeous view for lunch)
Mama Teste's loved the salsa bar! (take out )

This future trip Super Cocino and Mariscos German are musts to try!

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Hodads Restaurant
5010 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107

Mariscos German
3515 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104

[cstr]

You're probably going to get an earfull about Hodad's, but just go. Depending on where you're staying there are many Marisco's locations.

[Indirect Heat]

Hodad's makes decent burgers, but they're not worth the line around the block that they often have. If there's a short line, I think they're a perfectly lovely lunch place.

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Hodads Restaurant
5010 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107

[palmtree38]

so whats the scoop on these diner/drive in places?? Is it restaurants that want or need a pick up so they get noticed from this show?

Any other drive in dinner place that would be a better choice in SD?

We are going to Mariscos on University/35th... Hear this is a good location..

[Beach Chick]

Wow..what great places you all lunch at!

[daantaat]

Okan
Izakaya Sakura
Tender Greens
Copper Chimney Indian truck
Surati Farsan Mart
Mama Testa's
Saffron
El Cuervo
Sab e Lee
Buga Korean BBQ
Coffee Cup Cafe
Pacifica Breeze Cafe

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Mama Testa
1417 University Ave Ste A, San Diego, CA 92103

Surati Farsan Mart
9494 Black Mountain Rd, San Diego, CA 92126

Pacifica Breeze Cafe
1555 Camino Del Mar # 209, Del Mar, CA

Tender Greens
2400 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, CA 92106

Coffee Cup
1109 Wall St, La Jolla, CA 92037

[RB Hound]

I'm envious; I'm lucky if I get out of my office for lunch, much less the La Jolla Village / UTC wasteland. I really should pick up an occasional sandwich from Spirits of St. Germaine, though - I've heard from multiple sources that they are pretty good.

[DougOLis]

Have you been to Fibonacci's before? It's run by Waters Catering and they have some pretty good options. Nothing crazy (other than their TJ Bacon Dogs last week) but it's a lot better than most corporate cafe places in the area. Worth checking out.

[honkman]

Tried Fibonacci's for the first time on Thursday and it is a good addition to area. Philly Cheesesteak was bit underwhelming, vegetarian quesadilla was quite good. We were in a hurry and didn't have really time to look through the menu but saw that Andrew Spurgin was cooking at that day.

[goodhealthgourmet]

RB, have you ever been to Croutons? i'd love to hear some CH opinions - my next door neighbor is the founder/CEO of the company but i've never been there.

[RB Hound]

Yes I've been to Croutons, especially the one on the UCSD campus (there is also one in front of the La Jolla Village Square Ralph's).

It's pretty decent. Like I always do, I overdid it early on and got a bit tired of it, but I got back from time to time. I almost always get a soup/sandwich combo.

I have not been over to Fibonacci's (in Qualcomm/SAIC land). I may want to try that sometime as well - good suggestion.

[goodhealthgourmet]

thanks for the response. he wants me to consult for him on some menu adjustments they're planning to make, and i said yes without ever having eaten the food...i was mildly concerned about what i might have gotten myself into ;)

one more thought for you - Bristol Farms on Genessee at UTC. certainly not cheap as grocery stores go (but neither is Whole Foods!), and i haven't been to this location, but the quality of prepared and takeout food at their LA stores was usually good.

[RB Hound]

I lived right by Bristol Farms for a few years. Though their deli sandwiches were pretty decent, they don't really warrant any sort of trip (in my opinion). I liked their crepe bar, and though I understand why they ditched it, that was the only thing that I felt that stood out.

[jmtreg]

Okay, because I work Downtown. . .

Mama Gucci's
Simon's
La Gran Tapa
Old Gallery
Ai Sushi

I used to like the Sixth Avenue Bistro, but the service is spotty, at best.

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Mama Gucci's
1157 6th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Sixth Avenue Bistro
1165 6th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

[liza.calderon]

Dobson's downtown. It is so old school, but they have the best sourdough bread and delish comfort food. The bartenders are awesome and Mr. Dobson himself is always around to greet you.

[foodiechick]

All al fresco La Jolla edition:

George's Terrace
Birdrock with an El Pescador plate
Bahia Don Bravo
Patio at Trattoria Acqua (not gazebo)
Barbarella (garden sidewalk)
La Jolla shores beach with a Cheese Shop sammy
Piatti patio
The terrace at AR Valentien
La V - back terrace overlooking Scripps Park

[DougOLis]

Super Cocina
Brett's BBQ
Surati Farsan Mart
Bull Taco
Urban Solace
Pho Cow Cali
Aqui es Texcoco
Tacos el Paisa
Santouka
Yakyudori Ramen
Ba Ren
Fibonacci's Campus Point Bistro
taking something to the Torrey Pines Gliderport and eating on a picnic table there

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Urban Solace Restaurant
3823 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104

Surati Farsan Mart
9494 Black Mountain Rd, San Diego, CA 92126

Super Cocina
3627 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92104

[Indirect Heat]

Second Yakyudori Ramen, Ba Ren, Pho Cow Cali.

Add Mama's Bistro.

[keena]

I openly admit I am not a ramen expert but lately I do love going to Yakudori ramen for lunch at least once a month. I also like: Tender Greens, Bread Cie, Salad Style (to go), Lean n Green, and a lovely little place for a leisurely lunch in Hillcrest is Olivetto. None of these are spectacular but they are just what I love for lunch. PLSF is too insane at lunchtime for me but I love the scallop sandwich.

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Tender Greens
2400 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, CA 92106

Olivetto Restaurant
860 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103

Salad Style
807 F St, San Diego, CA 92101

[cstr]

2nd El Pescador, excellent grilled fish sammies
Maritiza's in Clairmont for a Carnita's plate
The Cottage in LJ
Marisco's truck on Industrial or the truck in OB
Burger Lounge

[MrKrispy]

sitting on Sunset cliffs with a deli sandwich from Olive Tree Market or a burrito from Nico's.

[Fake Name]

Santanas
Saigon
Super Sergios
Grab n Go India Street

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Super Sergio's
4125 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111

[RosiD]

I second Saigon! It's my favorite lunch place in the world... the City Heights one, that is, not the Hillcrest one. Majorly lacking in ambiance, but a bowl of pho and an order of spring rolls is the best.