Food Love..what's yours in SD?

[Beach Chick]

For me, it's a guacamole taco at Las Cuatro Milpas with their hot salsa and wrapped in a warm flour tortilla.
Turkey/Cheddar on rye at the LJ Cheese Shop..beach it.
Cheeseburger with fries at Cheer's.
Mussel Bisque en croute at Dobson's.
Fish Tacos at Bahia's in Bird Rock with a cold Pacifico on the back patio watching the sets roll in.
Late breakfast at the outside corner table ocean/patio at La V.
Fresh corn at Chino's.
Tofu dumplings at Dumpling Inn with lots of chile sauce.
Couple of gobernador's at Marisco's German and a cold one in a paper bag from the liquor store.
Bucket of mussel's/chowder/oysters at the oyster bar at the Fish Market downtown.
App's and Marg's at Hacienda de Vega next to the waterfall outside patio.
Patty Melt at Longhorn's.

I'll think of some more..
; )

[Pegmeister]

As a first time visitor I'll say the uni roll at Fish Market is the stuff dreams are made of,

[gator28]

Carne asada/California burrito at Rudy's Taco Shop
Protein roll at Station Sushi
Taco plate with eggs and acai bowl at Mozy's
Pizza Noir at Wine Steals
Caddy margs at Tony's Jacal
Fish n chips at Shakespeare's
Shrimp and crab salad at Blue Water Seafood

[Beach Chick]

Love love love caddy marg's at Tony Jacal's...heading to the ponies at Del Mar next week, and Tony's is a must stop, along with my chile relleno fix at Fidel's and then a stop at Bully's Del Mar..
Miss when Shoe would hold court in the back booths at Bully's..
: (

[SteveRB]

Seafood Gumbo- Bud's Louisiana Cafe

Kung Pow Shrimp- China Max

Pho w/well done steak- Pho Cali or Pho Convoy

Clam Chowder- King's Fish House

Shish Kabob (filet mignon)- Sadaf (gaslamp)

-----
Pho Convoy
4647 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111

King's Fish House
5625 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Pho Cali
1400 Camino De La Reina, San Diego, CA 92108

Bud's Louisiana Cafe
10425 Tierrasanta Blvd Ste 105, San Diego, CA 92124

Sadaf Restaurant
828 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

China Max Restaurant
4698 Convoy St Ste 101, San Diego, CA 92111

[ski_gpsy]

HELP! Am exiled to North County to care for elders.
Any Food Love in Encinitas, La Costa, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Carlsbad, etc?

[cstr]

If you want some outstanding barbacoa, Vamos es Texcoco on 950 E. Vista Way in Vista, from the famed Aqui es Texcoco in SD. Their zuchini blossom rolled tacos are excellent as is their lamb.

[Beach Chick]

I live in North County and the food love is alive and well..
Having lunch today at Fish House Vera Cruz which has great fish..there are a ton of fab Mex restaurants/taco shops..
What kind of food do you like?

zucchini blossom rolled tacos sound so delicious...
; )

[cstr]

Right up your alley BC, sans the meat!! Did you ever try Aqui es Texcoco in SD? Another low key place for a good carne asada snack would be Primo market off Emerald. I do enjoy Fish House VC, nice place for lunch then walk through the village.

[Beach Chick]

I went to Aqui es Texcoco late last year.
It was fantastic..the rolled potato taquitos were outstanding.
I ordered the zucchini blossom quesadilla which was quite good but small.
The watermelon horchata was excellent too.
I wish more taco shops would serve papa tacos/taquitos...
; )

[ski_gpsy]

Hi Beach Chick, to answer your question about what kind of foods I'm looking for, I am loving all the fresh seafood we have here. In NoCo I enjoy King's and the Del Mar Fish Market, but in looking for something casual and less expensive I found the Harbor Fish Cafe in Carlsbad. Several people have recommended the Harbor Cafe in O'Side but that's getting a little north for me. (I live in La Costa and my family's in Encinitas.) I would love to find really great casual seafood in that general area.

I love Mexican and am going to Tony Jacal's this week based on your recommendation. I gauge a Mexican restaurant by their tamales. El Napalito in Encinitas has good ones, and the farm stand on La Costa Ave just east of the 5 are outstanding, if you get there before they're all sold out!

Because going out to eat often requires coordinating family members from all around South Carlsbad/Encinitas/Del Mar what I would love to find in that general area is killer Thai, authentic mom&pop Indian curry, and fun casual seafood. And when did Chinese get so expensive? We went to Chin's in Encinitas and almost had to sell a kidney to pay the bill!

I grew up in the South but have given up hope of finding any Soul Food here. I just have to make my own Pork Chops with Sweet Potato Pie, Black Eyed Peas, Collard Greens, Mac&Cheese, Shrimp Grits and Cornbread. On second thought we probably don't need to eat like that anyway!

Any suggestions you have, I'll try! Thanks, ski_gpsy

-----
Harbor Fish Cafe
3179 Carlsbad Blvd Ste B, Carlsbad, CA 92008

[Kitsune_SD]

Hell, I love sadwiches. Call me white trash if you want, but here's what I consider the best in SD:
Bratburger at Coronado Brewing Company
Cheesy Beef on Garlic Bread at Lefty's Chicago Style
Yardbird at Station Tavern and Burgers
Black and Bleu Burger at Bitchin' Burgers foodtruck

[dbwave]

There a few gems. My personal favorites:

Pizza at Wine Steals Cardiff
Artichoke appetizer at The Beach House
Tacos at Bull Taco. I was there on Sunday and had an Elk Taco..... delicious!
Carnitas at Don Chueys Solana Beach
A bit of a drive but Okan in Kearney Mesa never disappoints!

-----
Beach House
2530 S Coast Highway 101, Cardiff by the Sea, CA 92007

[dbwave]

A bit late to the thread but Tongue Sandwich at Milton's Deli.
Oriental Fish Salad at Cass Street Bar and Grill.
Gobo Root Salad at Okan.
Wild Boar Spring Rolls at Tractor Room.
Cocktails at Noble Experiment.

-----
The Tractor Room
3687 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

[Alaska4Me]

I miss the A&W drive-ins..the A&W recently closed at the Grossmont Center Food court.
their fries and their food,were just as great as I remember growing up,and going there with my Parents when I was young.

I wish family Pizzerias like Organ Power Pizza would make a comeback..
that was a great place from a great time in my life..Pizza,bottomless cola and organ music

[lsclark]

First of all, thanks for all those lists! My wife and I had a wonderful time in the San Diego area last month and were able to visit a some of the restaurants listed. Our thoughts were:

- 1500 Ocean - Nice but not great, especially at those prices.

- Kaito Sushi - Incredibley good! The best sushi I've had since our visit to Sushi Kura in Hakkodate!

- Jai - Disappointing.

- Anthology - A very nice venue for jazz with surprisingly good food. I wish we had one here in NYC (Blue Note, Birdland and Iridium could all learn something here).

- Cowboy Star - Very good! Fun atmosphere! Very attentive staff.

- Oceana - Better than average. Worth the visit.

Wish we could stayed longer and delved deeper into all the lists. Thanks again.

-----
Kaito Sushi
130-A N El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024

1500 Ocean
1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118

[lsclark]

As Unagi is the norm around here, having the Anago was a treat. Having the spine served along with it was "the icing on the cake"! Kaz also served us some Maguro heart! I'm not sure how it was prepared (sauted or perhaps braised) but it was delicious and also a first for me. I sure wish we lived a lot closer . . .

[pickypicky]

This thread and accompanying spreadsheet may be the best overview of San Diego food I've ever seen. Take it from me, after months in Sonoma and Texas, the food we got here ain't bad. It's just where you go to find it, and that's true of any place. ( I had more than a few lackluster meals in San Francisco and Austin!) Maybe that adage attributed to James Beard-- that the best restaurant is where you're known-- needs to be amended: the best restaurant is what you know and love. . .

[DiningDiva]

I think both are true - the best restaurant is where you're known, and the best restaurant is what you know and love.

It's all about the food being personal, and if you think about it, that's what it all boils down to in the long run. Our personal tastes, preferences and idiosynchrocies with the food we choose to eat :-)

[cgfan]

Bravo!

[cgfan]

So just thought I'd update this thread, some 8 months, 180 restaurants, and 17 SD Chowhound contributors down the road...

Here's a visualization of some of our favorite SD restaurants: http://tinyurl.com/4r8cj2x

Of course this is a very incomplete sample. If you'd like to throw your 2 cents in and are brave enough to make some edits in our group spreadsheet, you'll find a link from the page linked to above.

To vote, simply insert a new column for your entries and enter in your Chowhound "handle" at the top. If you don't find your favorite restaurant on this list, simply insert a new row, preferably in alphabetical order, with the restaurant name and location in the first two columns.

[Beach Chick]

WOW cgfan....Awesome!

[cgfan]

BC, I thought you'd enjoy it!

I was hoping that by bumping the thread that we'd get more SDChow posters to add to the spreadsheet, but I should've also re-posted the link. So for all those interested here's the link to our group-edited Google spreadsheet:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?ke...

Though it's a view-only link, you'll also find in the upper-left corner a link for those who'd like to add to the spreadsheet...

[surfrider2150]

Eggplant Pizza - Basic downtown
Pepperoni Pizza - Bronx
Fried Oyster tacos - Southbeach
Acai Bowl - Honeys in encinitas
Cali burrito - Papachitos
crabcakes - Oceanaire
Blackberry Banana pancakes - Naked Cafe in Solana Beach
Homemade Pasta Dishes - Via Italia Trattoria in Encinitas
Homemade Pasta Dishes further south - Mama Mia in PB
Napoleons - The lady who sells them at the north end of the farmers market in Solana Beach on Sundays.....my god..

-----
Oceanaire
San DIego, CA, San DIego, CA

Via Italia Trattoria
565 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

[globocity]

I keep forgetting to mention my absolute favorite, local restaurant: Avenue 5 in Banker's Hill. The mussels and mushroom pasta (forgot the specific kind of pasta) are exceptional. Great happy hour prices and really friendly, attentive service. We love the decor as well.

-----
Avenue 5
2760 5th Ave Ste 100, San Diego, CA 92103

[honkman]

Did you also go to Ave5 after their recent remodel and change of their menu (more tapas focused) ? We went their shortly after they opened and liked it a lot but every time we wanted to make reservations over the last few years on a weekend they told us that they close their kitchen always early and the last order has to go in at 9pm which is even for SD unreasonable. I hope they change their opening hours in the future.

[Fake Name]

Had a great meal there (albeit early- this ain't Berlin ya know) last weekend before a play.

They totally screwed up the service, our entrees arriving with or before our salads, but they handled the situation well and smoothly. I sent my entree back to the kitchen to enjoy my salad, and the entree that appeared later was NOT the same plate. They had properly remade the entree, not just stuck it under the heat lamp.

Very nice, will return.

[globocity]

I have only gone for happy hour so was never affected by kitchen closing at 9 pm.

Their tapas menu has a great selection, I think, including a delicious burger, seafood, and pasta.

[deckape]

Pozoleria Dona Maria for the obvious...Pulpo Mexicano tacos at MG...tacos de lengua at La Fachada...Tamales from El Chiapaneco...Pizza from Fat Tony's...Italian Village Special at Grab 'n Go...Mussel Bisque at my old stomping grounds - Dobson's...Pork Larb at Sab E Lee...Barbacoa at El Borrego...anything from Super Cocina...Szechuan Cold Noodles at Ba Ren...Breakfast Relleno at Beaumont's...Chilaquiles at La Cocina de Maria...

-----
La Cocina
681 Main St, Ramona, CA 92065

[cgfan]

"Pozoleria Dona Maria for the obvious"

Their corn tortillas? No, really, me thinks their corn tortillas are awesome!

[Beach Chick]

that is one solid list deckape!

where's Beaumont's..relleno sounds fab!

[deckape]

It's in your territory, BC...exceptional relleno.

http://www.beaumontseatery.com/breakf...

[Beach Chick]

Patty Melt at Studio Diner....I've broken up with Longhorn's Patty Melt..

[cstr]

After that photo you put out from Studio, I heartly agree. Were there a lot of tears shed from LH? or was it an ugly split?

[Fake Name]

I'm sure it was the company with which she shared the last Longhorn PM.

[Beach Chick]

; )

[Beach Chick]

no tears..but I knew it was the wrong relationship when the Patty Melt was served open face..
I can only see myself with patty melts that are gooey cheese bombs of grilled onion goodness...with thousand island dressing oozing out of every bite!

[cstr]

open faced?? what, did they expect you to eat a PM with a fork and knife? never!

[Beach Chick]

I've had patty melts before at Longhorn's with Bill the cook who's been there since the 70's and this last time it was served open faced and not melded together like it should be...the cheese was cold and not melted and the onions were not carmelized.
I've never seen a PM served like this and I was with fab guests and didn't want to make a scene..

[ski_gpsy]

Ok, If it was late, and I only had time to list one I would go with my #1 fave;
Del Mar Fish House - Toby cooking at the oyster bar (MUST be Toby!) - his Calamari Steak sauteed in white wine, butter and garlic (you have to ask Toby for it, it's not on the menu). So rich, so delicate, so tender. Melt-in-your-mouth bliss.

[Beach Chick]

Where is the Del Mar Fish House...is it the Fish Market in Del Mar?

[ski_gpsy]

Yes! So sorry Beach Chick, it is the Del Mar Fish MARKET on Via de la Valle. Sorry for the confusion.

[daimyo]

I love walking into Super Cocina for lunch about 1030am. After an early morning surf and work...I can't wait any longer for lunch. What will they have for the day? I love that anticipation. No favorites like cilantro chicken or pipian? I can always get puerco enchilado, chilaquiles, tacos, birria....

Food Love=Super Cocina

[dmckean]

Cheeseburger and truffle fries - NineTen
Spinach and Ricotta Slice - Bronx Pizza
Tacos Adobada - Tacos El Gordo (national city)
Humpty Dumpty Sandwhich - Cafe 21
Grilled Yellowtail cheek - Wa Dining Okan
Chicken oysters with Franks Red Hot - Sessions Public
Herb crusted halibut with white corn - George's at the Cove
Tuna Melt - Blue Water
Bacon and Egg pizza - Blind Lady

-----
Wa Dining Okan
3860 Convoy St., #110, San Diego, CA 92111

[foodiechick]

Nice list!

[globocity]

Cheese plate: Nine-Ten
Black bean burger: The Station Tavern
Quinoa burger: Burger Lounge
Shrimp tacos: Mariscos German food truck on University and 35th Ave
Mac and cheese: Cafe Chloe
Veggie sandwich: Con Pane
Mussels in saffron broth: Bleu Boheme
(any kind of) ravioli: Arrivederci
Crepe with Nutella and bananas: Chocolat

-----
Cafe Chloe
721 9th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Bleu Boheme
4090 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116

Mariscos German
3515 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104

[Beach Chick]

globocity..
Outstanding list!!!
We must be from the same tribe..
; )

[globocity]

Beach Chick, thank you! I was thinking my list looked unsophisticated next to yours. You've inspired me to try the mussel bisque at Dobson's; a divine-sounding dish. Never been but have been curious about it. Any other dishes there you'd recommend?

[Beach Chick]

You're welcome globocity!
As far as the sublime mussel bisque en croute, that is the only thing I usually get...along with a couple glasses of wine!
Dobson's does a burger well along with their fish of the day.

I do something similar on my own with the lobster bisque at Costco and I get the croissant rolls in a can and bake it up and dash it up with some sherry and it's divine too.
I like to serve that with King Crab legs and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne..all from Costco.

[Beach Chick]

Did I mention my food love of the beloved Patty Melt?
Longhorn's thing of beauty with grilled onions with extra thousand island dressing with a side of piping hot fries and a cold cold beer..

[Beach Chick]

scallop sandwich from Point Loma Seafoods..

[lovesfood11]

Cheeseburger and fries- The Lodge at Torrey Pines
beet salad- Kitchen 1540
Parpadelle with Vodka Sauce- Asti
Penne Arrabiata- De' Medici
Onion Rings- Hodads
lemon snap cookie- Tartine Bakery
buttermilk pancake- Cafe on Park
Cinnamon French Toast- Isabelas Cantina
Neighborhood- Burger and Sweet Potato Fries
Lil Piggys BBQ- Pulled Chicken Sandwhich with Baked Beans
Bread & Cie- cinnamon bun
Petite Madeline Bakery- MORNING BUN, crossiant
Claim Jumper- Cheese burger and fries, Eclair, Mud Pie, and especially the Red Velvet Cupcake
Costco- Churro
Phoung Trang- Spring Rolls
Blind Lady Ale House- Margherita Pizza
Rose Doughnuts- Cinnamon Bun, any maple glazed doughnut
Lefty's Pizza- Cheese Pizza
Farmhouse Cafe- Ricotta Pancakes
Sab E Lee- panang curry, fried rice with their spicy plum sauce
In N Out- cheeseburger with grilled onions, fries, vanilla shake
Bruno's- Olive Oil Pizza
Elizabethan Desserts- strawberry cupcake, strawberry rhubarb pie,
Azucar- Diablow Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Passion Fruit Cake, chocolate sea salt toffees
Senor Mangos- any shake
Beach Grass Cafe- fried pasta, homemade rosemary bread, buttermilk pancake
Con Pane Rustic Bread and Cafe- Cobb Salad Sandwhich with pesto olive oil
Bread on Market- Cranberry French Toast
Zanzibar Cafe- Brownies
Takrhai Thai-Druken Noodles
Yannis Bistro- bread, Chicken Marsala
Phil's BBQ- Beef Ribs, Onion Rings
Burger Lounge- Onion Rings

-----
Elizabethan Desserts
155 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas, CA

Phil's BBQ
3750 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110

Blind Lady Ale House
3416 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA

Hodads Restaurant
5010 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107

Claim Jumper Restaurants
5500 Grossmont Center Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942

Tartine
1106 1st St, Coronado, CA 92118

Senor Mangos
200 W El Norte Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92026

Con Pane Rustic Breads & Cafe
, San Diego, CA 92101

Beach Grass Cafe
12845 Poway Rd, Poway, CA 92064

[LisaLM]

As someone who loves both food and spreadsheets, this thread is like manna from heaven.

[LisaLM]

Thank you to whomever it was who sorted the spreadsheet for me after I added a couple of restaurants. I know you can *really* mess up a spreadsheet if you mis-sort, and I'm not super familiar with Google spreadsheets. So, risking a wrist-slap from the moderator, let me also remind the spreadsheet czar(ina) to make a backup! :)

I'll be on the lookout for additions... I'm trying some stuffed french toast at Cafe 222 Wednesday morning with a friend who RAVES about it.

-----
Cafe 222
222 Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

[Island]

Love this thread. I'm frequently the one who makes the crappy menu choice at recommended restaurants. Happy to follow your leads for tried and trues.

[Beach Chick]

Thanks cgfan for all the work into the spreadsheet!

Let's see more SD CH's..Foodiechicka, AliceQ, Cstr, SDGourmand, Goodhealth, Geeky!!!
Sorry if I've left some of you beloved posters out...now, let's get busy filling out the spreadsheet!
xo,
BC-CG Production

[cgfan]

...or is that =$BC-$CG...

...sorry, just a bad spreadsheet joke...

[foodiechick]

XOXO

[geekyfoodie]

Will do, BC!

And Cgfan... there's no such thing as a spreadsheet joke. Sometimes I may not live up to the "foodie" part of my handle, but the "geeky" part is always there. ;)

[Captain Jack]

Now down to 24

[Captain Jack]

Careful with the spreadsheet, adding restos seems to replace ones already there. DD, as u added restos, my count went from 31 to 27

[DiningDiva]

CJ, refresh the spreadsheet. Nothing dropped out on the spreadsheet on which I was working. There could, however, be some ramifications if multiple users are all accessing the thing at the same time. Sorry about that, I hope your items reappear, nothing was certainly intentional!!

Oh, BTW, I accidentally posted several items in your column because I couldn't figure out how to freeze the left hand columns with the restaurant names and scroll the columns with our names in them over. I think I did delete everything I accidentally added. That could be another reason you saw your count bouncing around.

[Captain Jack]

i'll check it out but as u added everyones numbers dropped

[The Chowhound Team]

This is getting pretty far afield of actual chow-talk. This seems like a pretty neat project, but we'd ask that you take the discussion of the technical difficulties with GoogleDocs either to email or over to the Not About Food board, rather than continuing them here on the San Diego board. Thanks.

[DiningDiva]

The Chow team has requested we take this to the Not About Food Board or private.

If we don't want to move the spreadsheet to NAF, we can use SDChow instead to post the link to the spreadsheet. CG, I think you're a member there, feel free to re-post your spreadhseet in that forum if you'd like. Anyone wishing to join should send an e-mail to:

[e-mail]

[Captain Jack]

I posted about the count number issue on the Not About Food Board as requested by the Chow Team. Go there for more info.
TY
Cj

[cgfan]

BTW I copied the link to the Not About Food thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7165...

As to adding restaurants, it does take a bit of care, which mainly amounts to making sure you do an Insert Row operation. If all else fails and you need to back out, just hit CTRL-Z to undo your changes. There is also extensive revision control in Google Docs, so if you post your issue on the Not About Food thread linked to above, I'll get around to taking a look at it

[Beach Chick]

We all should tackle someone else 'food love' list and see if their food love matches your level of love of that certain item.
Would be kind of fun..we should do the most opposite of our own list..we can report back and use this post as a check off list.
I would like to tackle on cgfan..his exquisite taste of things that I'm not used to eating would be great!
Who's up for it?
I'm in..

[daantaat]

are you going to do the Excel spreadsheet? ;-)

[cgfan]

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?ke...

(see my post below...)

[Captain Jack]

Ha, the speadsheet is fun. Thanks for that. BC, get on that, ur laggin ;)

[cgfan]

Hmmmmm, I was going to "volunteer" daantaat... :0

BC - an interesting concept... Might be a good Foodie use for a public Google Docs spreadsheet...

[cgfan]

How about this...

I created a public Google Doc (spreadsheet), and seeded it with all of the restaurants listed in this thread so far. I've also seeded it with my list.

Just add to it as you wish by putting your CH handle at the top of an available column, then enter in your favorite dishes below your name.

I've entered all of the restaurant names, but did not spend any time researching locations. Where I knew the location, I entered it in to the second column, and skipped those that I'd have to guess. I'm really not up to most of the Uptown scene, so I've left a lot of blanks there.

...and I have no idea what the community is called on India Street near Washington, so I just called it Mission Hills!

For multiple locations, I've only entered in the specific locations mentioned, as I know that many of us may like one location but not another. I'm sure I've left out many other possible branches of multiple location shops, but did my best with the ones that I knew were being specifically referred to.

If you wish to add a location of your own, carefully add a new row to the proper place - let's keep the alphabetical ordering folks!

Here's the link - you can all view, and if you're brave, edit it as well!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?ke...

[Fake Name]

WOW, thanks!

I've entered my small contribution, and will look forward to it's growth.

But, "sadly" I'll be unable to participate for a couple weeks, as I'm off to Tuscany this morning. You, know- Italy. My favorite restaurant. Well then there's France again next week, also a favorite. The South of France, which is very Nice this time of year.

Wait- what's that I smell? It's chow authenticity wafting in my direction. All I have to to is endure the next 20 hours of the hell that is air travel.

Xanax, take me away!

[tattud_gurl]

Does it have to be in San Diego proper?
The crouque madame at Barbarella in La Jolla.............
AND the mussels with meyer lemon......

[tattud_gurl]

OMG, fake name....no sympathy....
If you're in Paris at all....try Le Petit Canard. wonderful duck menu!

[cgfan]

"You, know- Italy. My favorite restaurant."

Bravo FN! Said so simply I missed the clever turn of phrase until a second read.

tattud_gurl: Coverin' the entire county! Afterall we eat up here in North County too!

[Josh]

I'm pretty jealous. Have I mentioned you suck? ;-)

If you haven't tried Il Latini in Florence, you ought to.

[Beach Chick]

I'm with Josh...You SUCK.. ; )
Have a great time Fakey!
Please give us little morsels of food love updates from Italy..
I'm sooooooooooo jealous..but happy for you and Mrs. Fakey!

[DiningDiva]

Any room in your suitcase for a stowaway ;-)

[Beach Chick]

W.O.W...
That is SO impressive cgfan!!
Love that.
Count me in!
Thanks again for doing this incredible spreadsheet..
Best,
BC

[cgfan]

All credit is due to your idea...

[Beach Chick]

but an idea is only idea BUT to put it on paper and make it come alive..that my friend, is where the credit is due and a beautiful thing!

Awesome job cgfan!

[DougOLis]

Wow, impressive cgfan. Thanks for putting that together as it's going to be mighty handy. I'll add mine on sometime.

[foodiechick]

Very impressed. Great idea Beach Chica - you and cgfan tag team may get us SD CHers all on one page yet!

[SaltyRaisins]

My Washington Street/India zone is and has always been called Middletown.

Cheers!

[Fake Name]

Middletown or Five Points. Some folks like to include it in Mission Hills as well- the boundaries are not well-defined.

[stevewag23]

Yeah, even real estate hype people can't make up their mind.

[SaltyRaisins]

Yep...it's a bit of a Twilight Zone down here, but not as bad as the Rosecrans/Sports Arena Neverland (I think that's what DD dubbed it). One example among many in California of a hood being obliterated in the name of the interstate highway system. I'd heard of Five Points, Señor Name, but had forgotten. I've got Middletown written in the ghosty-font on a few of my printed maps. I propose "O'er-The-Freeway-On-Way-To-Airport-y."

Wonder if the old Mission Brewry is home to a thriving clutch of restaurant tenants in some other expression of the multi-verse, sans I-5...

Cheers.

[Josh]

Raising the question, which neighborhood was instead obliterated? Or is that the one with jetpacks?

[SaltyRaisins]

Call me a cretin, but I don't get the jetpacks. I'm all for progress, and love me a good freeway as much as the next guy, but playing connect-the-streets on a map reveals what a Popeye-style Sweethaven the hood used to be.

What about Saffron-Gelato-Vault? Or Land-O-End-O-India?

Cheers.

[Fake Name]

In my meeting tonight with city planning wonks, it was called "the five points area at Washington and the 5".

[littlestevie]

So what are the five points? Inquiring minds want to know.

[stevewag23]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Poi...

[littlestevie]

So as usual, San Diego is trying to copy New York.

[stevuchan]

Sportsoloma, is a name I've heard for the area.

[stevewag23]

I think Five Points (no relation to the Five Points in NYC) is west of the 5 and Middletown is east of the 5.

But ask the majority of people in san diego if they know either and you are likely to draw blank stares.

I refer to the Wine Vault/Saffron/Blue Water area as Mission Hills for ease.

What do you call where Starlite is?

Middletown?

Or just "India Street on the other side of the freeway?"

[Fake Name]

I call it "down by Camp Runamutt, just down the hill".

[stevewag23]

That works.

[RB Hound]

Just say El Indio - everybody knows where the best darned taco shop in San Diego is located!

[Fake Name]

I'll bite- where?

[Josh]

Logan Heights, obviously.

[jmtreg]

I always thought Middletown was west of the 5.

[stevewag23]

I guess it could be. The trolley station is.

"Middletown is a neighborhood located north of Little Italy (Downtown San Diego), south of Mission Hills and Hillcrest, east of San Diego International Airport, and west of Bankers Hill. Interstate 5 passes through this neighborhood and San Diego Trolley has one station in this neighborhood."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middleto...

[globocity]

This conversation reminds me of a friendly yet somewhat fiery discussion of the Normal Heights boundaries. My NH friends would like to claim either North Park OR University Heights.

Before BLAH, Jayne's, and Wine Proprietor, I rarely ventured into Normal Heights.

[jmtreg]

Really? Not even for the Ould Sod or for the Street Fair?

-----
Ould Sod
3373 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116

[jweg]

Dry cooked beef and won tons with hot sauce at Ba Ren
Cheese pizza at Bronx
Ma Po Dofu rice bowl at Chopstix
Shrimp dumplings at Mitsuya
Pho tai at Pho Cow Cali Express
The number 1 at K's
Uni at Sea Rocket Bistro

I need to get out more

-----
Chopstix
4633 Convoy St Ste 101, San Diego, CA 92111

Sea Rocket Bistro
3382 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104

[ipsit]

My all-veggie all-stars

Mirchi Bajji, Masala Dosa, Veg Manchurian - Copper Chimney truck
Sev Khamni, Chhole Puri, Sev Puri - Surati Farsan
Mattar Paneer and Garlic Naan - Punjabi Tandoor
Jeera Aloo, Shikanjvi - Curries and More
Banh Mi Chay - K Sandwiches
Fresh Sugarcane juice - K Sandwiches
Sesame Noodles - Ba Ren
Hot Pot with vegetarian/spicy vegetarian broth, and grilled corn - Little Sheep Hot Pot
Kimchi Boiled Tofu, Mountain Vegetable BiBimBob - Tofu House
Veggie Ramen - Yakyudori Ramen
Grilled Shisito peppers - Yakitori Yakyudori
Faux Pho, Potstickers - Sipz
Mushroom or Cheese slice - Bronx Pizza
Cheese Slice, Garlic Knots - Fat Tonys
Green Omelette, Chilaquiles - Swamis
Sweet Potato fries and Mustard Aioli - Kensington Grill
Semolina Bread, Tagliatelle - Linkery
Mac n Cheese - Urban Solace
1 lb Veggie Burrito with potatoes - Santana's
Calabacitas, Empanadas de requeson, Nopales - Super Cocina
Vegetarian Chilli - Jyoti Bihanga
Bittersweet Chocolate Budino - Cucina Urbana
Just about any pan dulce - Panaderia Ortiz
and
the vegetarian omakase (with apologies to Morita san) - Kaito Sushi

[Josh]

I love shisito peppers. What other veggie items can you find at Yakitori Yakyudori?

-----
Yakitori Yakyudori
3739 6th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

[cgfan]

Here's what I could come up with from memory...

Cabbage salad - complementary salad
Shishitou - Japanese green peppers
Shiitake - Shiitake mushrooms
Pucchi (Petite) Tomatoes - great as a palate cleanser between proteins
Bakudan (bomb) - roasted head of garlic
Tezukuri Atsuage Tofu - handmade deep fried Tofu

[daantaat]

nice all-veggie list! where is Curries and More?

[ipsit]

San Marcos. Typo - the name is actually Curry and More (not Curries).
http://www.curryandmore.com/

[daantaat]

thanks--will hit it up when we're that far north some time. Is is worth the drive from the UTC-ish area?

[mayache]

Polenta board at Cucina Urbana
Bone-in ribeye at Cowboy Star
Toro at Kaito
Burger w/ caramelized onions at Station Tavern
Birria de chivo at Super Cocina
Mole (both!) at Cantina Mayahuel
Roasted duck at Jayne's
Chicken hearts at Yakitori Yakyudori
Tom kha gai, chicken larb, or spicy mint leaves noodles w/ beef at Sab E Lee
Papas locos at The Mission
Wahoo taco at South Beach
Beer-battered garlic fries at O'Brien's
Bisteya at Kous Kous
Cheese pizza at Fat Tony's
Roast chicken at Starlite
Buffalo wings at Bub's
Guilty pleasure: California Burrito (while sauced) at Santana's

[Josh]

Tacomal at Mama Testa
Marlin taco and tostada mixta at Mariscos German
Barbacoa de Chivo taco at El Comal
Birria de Chivo, Chilaquiles, Huevos Oaxaquenos at Super Cocina
Smoked Salmon Sandwich at Bread & Cie.
Black Bottom Cupcake at Babycakes
Bun Tom Nuong at Pho 5th Ave.
Grilled Shrimp w/ Chipotle glaze over greens with bleu cheese at Blue Water Grill
Charcuterie Plate and Potato/Artichoke pizza at Blind Lady Ale House
Cheeseburger w/ Jalapenos and no sauce at Burger Lounge
Dry-Cooked Fish, Pickled Chinese Greens Soup, Wood-Ear Mushroom appetizer at Ba Ren
Pirikara Maguro, Albacore Tataki, Japanese Omelet at Sakura
Mysore Masala Dosa, Delhi Chaat, Ragda Samosa at Surati Farsan
Chile Relleno Burrito at Benny's Mexican Food
Smoked fish tacos at Ortega's Cocina
Carne Asada Flatbread, Pastrami Sandwich at Linkery
Jalapeno Cheeseburger at Toronado
Brunoverde, Blanco at Pizzeria Bruno Napoletana
Dark Chocolate Gelato at Chocolat
Peach Salad at Neighborhood
Agave-sweetened cucumber-kiwi agua fresca at the Hillcrest Farmers Market
Kasekrainer sandwich from Knight Salumi at Hillcrest Farmers Market
Potato Pancakes at Original Pancake House
Vegetable/Egg Scramble, Beignets at The Big Easy

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

Linkery
3794 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104

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

Blind Lady Ale House
3416 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA

Mariscos German
3515 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104

Pancake House Restaurant
1000 N 2nd St, El Cajon, CA 92021

Benny's Mexican Food
1244 30th St, San Diego, CA 92102

Chipotle
3680 Rosecrans St, San Diego, CA 92110

El Comal
262 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910

[foodiechick]

Forgot about Brunoverde at Pizzeria Bruno. Thumbs way up.

[pegasus505]

I'm new to San Diego and check this board frequently to find new places to explore. I see many references to La V. What is that? Is that the restaurants at La Valencia in La Jolla? Love to see all your comments.

[foodiechick]

You are correct, La V is the local slang for that hotel.

[Fake Name]

Damn. I feel so- so- downmarket. All you guys with your fancy foods.

[Beach Chick]

Fakey!!
Make your gussied up pedestrian list..we won't make fun!
swear on a stack of tortillas from Las Cuatro Milpas!

[Fake Name]

Pfft.

Everybody who's anybody knows there is no good food in San Diego, and we're all Luddites for even considering food in San Diego.

I'll stick with my Carne Asada Burrito. I know, not authentic, and created by a chef who has (horror!) not mastered the classic cuisine on which it's based before doing a spinoff.

I'm confident (Chef) Sergio, however super he may be, lies awake at night with the guilt of his non-mastery of the classics pressing down on his chest like the weight of ten thousand origami cranes.

His offering drive-thru service is clearly pandering to the lower element of diners who care only for the leatherette of their car seats and the ability to listen to Dr Laura during their dining experience.

Once, my burrito took more than 60 seconds to be passed through the diminutive pass-through window, and my demands to speak with a manager were ignored.

But the attenuated acid balance and delicate flavor undertones were missing that day anyhow, and the wrapping paper was slightly torn. I was both horrified and disappointed, and prayed to nonspecifichigherpower for Sergio's speedy recovery.

I remain faithful to Chef Sergio. I'm without doubt a pawn in the San Diego Hype Machine.

[Beach Chick]

Wow..all your food love lists are damn impressive.
Keep them coming..

[cstr]

Well BC, after a long day at play, I like to kick off my heals and go for some:

Lamb or Rabbit at Aqui es Texcoco
Anything on the menu at Marisco's Godoy
Fish tacos at Marisco's Pescador in CV
Grilled fish sammie at El Pescador
Carnita's at Martiza's
Breakfast al fresco at The Cottage
Apps and some wine at La V
Happy Hour at Clay's
Sat prix fixe at Wine Vault
Happy Hour at Miller's Field and watch a game
Rib-eye at Donovan's
Fillet at The Palm
Burger at Bully's
Patty melt at Longhorn

Man I'm getting hungry, got to go get some chow!

[jasont]

I haven't heard anything on here about the rabbit at Aqui es Texcoco. How does it compare to the lamb?

[kare_raisu]

It is a Mixote preparation - thde newest item on the menu. I doubt you can find this north of the border anywhere else.

[Jenkay]

I guess I know what my food field trip is this weekend..

[kare_raisu]

Pani Puri and Masala Chaash -- Surati Farsan
Antichuchos -- Latin Chef
Tamales de Mole Negro -- Panaderia Ortiz, Esco
Lamb Flautas & Consome -- Aqui es Texcoco
Tostada de Pata - Delicas Del Sur
Costillitas en salsa Verde amuse bouche with Best tortilla in SD county - Menuderia Din Vincente
Carnitas -- Las Brisas, Fallbrook
Acai Bowl -- Whole Foods Hillcrest]
Any lunch set -- Okan
Mirchi Bhaji -- Copper Chimney
Soft shell crab roll -- Fish market sushi Bar
Pescado Zarandeado and Michelada -- Mariscos Godoy
Banh mi Dac Biet - Cafe Dore
Pork in Pipian, Huevos Oaxaquenos, Chilaquiles -- Super Cocina
Pork Shiso and Chicken wings _ Yakitori Yakudori
Tacos al Pastor and tripitas, Tacos El Gordo (National city only)
A Tray full -- Panchitas

-----
Latin Chef
1142 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109

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

Mariscos Godoy
651 Palomar St 25A, Chula Vista, CA

Cafe Dore
4135 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105

[cgfan]

A year of Omakase meals at Kaito Sushi, Encinitas
Shio Ramen at Yakyudori Ramen, Kearny Mesa
Mi Gan va Bo Kho at Tan Ky Mi Gia, MIra Mesa
BBQ Duck at Sieu Sieu BBQ, Kearny Mesa
Shio-aji Horumon at Yakitori Yakyudori
Crabcakes at Oceanaire, Gaslamp Quarter
Dream bowl of Pho - noodles from Pho Saigon, Escondido, broth and proteins from Pho San Marcos
Washington State Kumamoto Oysters at Kaito Sushi, Encinitas (actually everything at K.S.!)
Pho Tai Gau Gan at Pho Cow Cali, Mira Mesa
Menudo w/Pata at Las Brisas Taqueria, Fallbrook
Bun Bo Hue at Pho Convoy, Kearny Mesa
Yoku Moku cookies at Neiman Marcus, Fashion Valley
Cherry Lattice mini-pie at Elizabethan Desserts, Encinitas
Matcha Cream Pan at Sun Flour Bagel, La Costa
Nama Wagashi at Hogetsu-do, Chula Vista
The corn tortillas at Menuderia Don Vincente, National City
Water-cooked Pork Intestines at Ba Ren Szechuan
Tacos at Tacos El Paisa, Logan Heights
Carnitas Burrito at El Porvenir, Barrio Logan
Banh Mi Thit Nuong at Sorrento European Bakery, Mira Mesa
Marlyn Tacos at Mariscos German, City Heights
Shio Chankonabe at Oton
Any of the Oozara at Okan
Tienguanyin Oolong at Infusions of Tea
Agua Frescas at Tacos el Paisa, Logan Heights
Carne Asada Plate at Rudy's, Eden Gardens, Solana Beach
Anything at Viva Pops
Kyoho grapes at Nijiya Market, Kearny Mesa
Straus Family Creamery Non-homogenized Whole Milk in Glass at Jimbo's Naturally, Carlsbad
Fresh Burrata at Venissimo Cheese, Del Mar
French Toast at Big Joy Family Cafe, Kearny Mesa
Finding Flying Horse on Earth Brand Nuoc Nam Nhi at Lucky Seafood, Mira Mesa
Finding Yuasa Ki-Ippon Soy Sauce at Nijiya Market, Kearny Mesa

-----
Yakitori Yakyudori
3739 6th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

Venissimo Cheese
754 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103

Kaito Sushi
130-A N El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024

Ba Ren Szechuan
4957 Diane Ave, San Diego, CA

Elizabethan Desserts
155 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas, CA

Lucky Seafood
9326 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA

Nijiya Market
3860 Convoy St # 109, San Diego, CA

Tacos El Paisa
840 S 47th St, San Diego, CA 92113

Pho San Marcos
700 S Rancho Santa Fe Rd, San Marcos, CA 92078

Big Joy Family
4176 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111

Mariscos German
3515 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104

Pho Convoy
4647 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111

Tan Ky Mi Gia
9330 Mira Mesa Blvd Ste A, San Diego, CA 92126

[foodiechick]

OK, in all seriousness (and in no particular order):

* Platter of Three Terrines with House Made Pickles and Dijon Mustard @ AR Valentien:
Chicken Liver Pâté, Zucchini Pickles, Grain Mustard
Short Rib Terrine, Pickled Wax Beans, Tarragon Vinaigrette
Duck and Pistachio Pâté, Endive, Cumberland Sauce
* Cucina Urbana: Stuffed squash blossoms, burrata + prosciutto caprese, risotto carbonara
* Dobson's: Mussel Bisque en Croute
* Oceanaire: Crab Cakes. Best I have had outside of D.C.
* Cowboy Star: Bison
* Hacienda de Vega: Chicken Poblano Enchilada
* Church of Chino's (always drive out on quiet Sunday mornings): Corn, tomatoes, strawberries
* La V: Steak tartar (under heavy personal supervision) and Whaler
* Cheese Shop La Jolla: Warm pork loin sandwich with cilantro and melted jack.
* Wine Vault: Oysters on half shell with horseradish ice

[geekyfoodie]

I went to Cucina Urbana last week and the risotto was grilled summer corn with guanciale and fried cilantro crisps. I would have paid them any amount of money to give me a vat of it and a spoon. And maybe wine to wash it down.

That dish made my food love list instantly.

[Fake Name]

Carne Asada Burrito from Super Sergios on Convoy.

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

[daantaat]

corn, tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries, French melons, watermelons and lettuces from Chino Farms
any cheese from Venissimo
gobo root salad at Okan
Ozanza noodles at Okan (basically, anything at Okan)
omakase at Kaito
beignets and potatoes w/ caramelized shallots at Cavaillon
spicy miso nabemono at Oton
stir fried chilies w/ chicken at Dede's
chevre and black pepper bonbon from Chuao
spicy hot chocolate made w/ milk from Chuao
mashed potato tacos at Mama Testa's
anything from Copper Chimney truck
dry potato curry from Surati Farsan Mart
shrikand puri from Surati Farsan Mart
Double Happiness bowl at Coffee Cup Cafe
Dutch apple pancake at Ricky's
truffled popcorn at Blanca's (do they still have this on the app menu?)
shio ramen at Yakyudori Ramen
the chocolate cupcake that looks like a Hostess Ding Dong from Elizabethan Desserts
berry buckle and any of the mini pies from Elizabethan Desserts
chirashi bowl at Izakaya Sakura

I'm still waiting for a real Jewish deli and good dim sum around here...

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

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

Elizabethan Desserts
155 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas, CA

Cavaillon Restaurant
14701 Via Bettona, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92127

Coffee Cup
1109 Wall St, La Jolla, CA 92037

[goodhealthgourmet]

daantaat, i checked Blanca's website and the popcorn is listed on the online menu. i think it's current/updated because the new chef's name is on there..

[daantaat]

sweeet! thank you!

[Myerslaue]

Have you tried D.Z. Akins off the I-8 near San Diego State? It is, in my opinion, a great Jewish deli, and I grew up in Skokie, Illinois. I love the matzo ball soup and the potato knish and the rughlach cookies. They also have good potato latkes. It's crowded like mad on Sunday mornings, really all weekend.

[Fake Name]

< Fake Name, fearing being caught in crossfire, dives for cover >

[daantaat]

I have been to D.Z. Akins and it was decent, at best. Not as awful as Milton's or Elijah's, but not anywhere as good as deli in LA or the now defunct Rascal House (RIP).

[RB Hound]

I'm still trying to figure out why the food shown on DZ Akin's commercial looks more appealing than what I have gotten when I ordered the same things, or why I never heard Ted Leitner yelling out "SCORE!!!" on any of my visits there.

[dbwave]

Did you try the tongue sandwich at Miltons? Besides the matzoh ball soup, it is the only thing I have had there. Where do you go in LA? Why is it that much better than what we have?

Thanks!

[daantaat]

I have not had the tongue sandwich. However, I had enough to know that I'd rather save my time, $$ and calories for better food in SD and better deli elsewhere. Our go to place is Brent's Deli in Northridge and Westlake Village. Fresh, cake-soft rye bread, corned beef that is not fatty but full of flavor, chopped liver salad that actually made me want to continue eating it b/c it wasn't overly mineral-y or liver-y, whitefish salad that was packed with fish and not too mayonnaise-y. Matzo ball soup as big as your head but still tender and soft. Cabbage soup with the right balance of sweet and savory (even better w/ a squirt of Sriracha). Tongue is soft, flavorful and not overly salted. What made me realize it was great deli was the first time I ordered corned beef hash and it came out lean, flavorful and not greasy or fatty like other corned beef hashes. Then everything else followed....

[honkman]

How would you compare Brent's to Langer's.We normally go to Langer's for the legendary pastrami sandwiches but are always interested in new places.

[daantaat]

Unfortunately, I have not been to Langer's and hear that it is the mecca of pastrami. What I can say is that Brent's has lean and regular pastrami. The lean is reasonably tender, peppery and flavorful w/ enough fat for flavor. Out of their deli meats, I like their pastrami, corned beef and tongue the best.

The best pastrami I've had was made by a catering company in the Valley. It was juicy, dripping w/ flavor and extremely tender! Reminded me of the descriptions of pastrami in "Save the Deli."

[dbwave]

Sounds amazing. I wish we had something comparable to Brent's here in San Diego. I have not a true "NY Style" deli experience, but I have never been disappointed at Miltons. Maybe my standards are low though!

[foodiechick]

Ah...table #1 at La V terrace.

[goodhealthgourmet]

- heavenly arame salad from Jimbo's in Carmel Valley (but not Carlsbad - they don't make it right)
- peanut butter gelato from Bubby's in Encinitas
- portobello omelet at Americana in Del Mar (preferably eaten in one of the ocean-view outdoor booths on the 15th street side)
- protein roll at Station Sushi in Solana Beach
- la coppa gelatissimo (gelato sundae) at Trattoria Acqua in La Jolla cove
- sampling my way through the Sunday Hillcrest farmers' market
- a few items from the deli counter at Cardiff Seaside Market & a bottle of wine, enjoyed on a beach towel at sunset
- coffee or tea at Pannikin in Encinitas

i'm sure there are more.