San Diego, CA and Del Mar, CA..............

[Littleman]

I will be attending a convention in SD and staying at The Grand Del Mar Resort. We will have several opportunities for fine dining so I am looking for some good road food joints serving burgers, BBQ or seafood. Anything resembing a dive, diner or drive in is fine. We are interested in visiting just about anyplace in SD including La Jolla so all areas of town is appreciated. Thanks for your kind help.

[nutrition]

The Grand Del Mar Resort has the best food in San Diego of any hotel or almost any restaurant.
Lunch is a real treat.

Their Hamburgers are outstanding and very reasonable.
Baked goods are served in FRESH PERFECT condition.
THe Salmon (wild) salad was perfect.

So you don't have to go very far to eat the best you can in San Diego.

[Littleman]

Thanks for the great suggestions. I really appreciate all the kind help. Good luck.

[karaethon]

Seconded.

Addison is easily the best fine dining destination in San Diego, and Amaya is nearly as good at half the price.

[Fake Name]

Agreed. Amaya is the secret deal.

[Encinitan]

There are 2 dining destinations near where you are staying that you might be interested in.

Bull Taco's (a dive) menu includes various seafood tacos. It is in the San Elijo campground within Cardiff, right on the cliff above the ocean. Seating is outside with a view of the ocean. The quality of their food can vary though.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/bull-taco-cardiff-by-the-sea
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6718...

Seaside Market is also located in Cardiff. It is a small market that makes very good sandwiches. It is located on San Elijo Avenue, just off of 101. Get a sandwich there and take San Elijo Avenue south less than 1/2 mile. On the right side of the road you will find dirt area with one or more cars parked (drive in). This small area provides a beautiful panaromic view of Cardiff beaches.

[stevuchan]

You can also find a good example of the San Diego style Carne Asada Burrito at Rudy's on Stevens, a can't miss IMO.

[Island]

What's San Diego style?

[Encinitan]

It stays classy while you eat it.

Actually, I think it means no rice and beans.

[stevuchan]

Correct, with the standard for me being meat, guacamole, and pico de gallo. This should be accompanied with a chile de arbol based salsa.

[cgfan]

Rudy's happens to be my standout favorite Carne Asada in S.D., even when compared against Yaqui in Rosarito. Just my 2 cents, but I'd recommend having it either as a Torta (I discard the top bun and eat it open-faced for better balance) or as a Carne Asada plate.

We're talking about a Carne Asada that has all of the beefy flavor of a "cowboy beef jerky" but with none of the toughness or dryness. Think it'd be a shame to put it in a burrito...

http://tinyurl.com/yacacnu

[Island]

Oooh that does look good. May have to try it out, but carne asada on a plate never appeals to me. Not sure why; just need all that tasty goodness wrapped up tight. If it was plated I'm sure I'd be sticking bites in a tortilla anyway.

[cgfan]

"I'm sure I'd be sticking bites in a tortilla anyway"

He's putting - he's putting - he's putting it into a tortilla!

Watch it! Watch it, folks!

Oh the Bovanity!!!

Ah! It's–it's–it's–it's ...

o–ohhh! I–I can't talk, ladies and gentlemen.

(with apologies to Herbert Morrison - http://tinyurl.com/25gxdo)

:-)

[Island]

Oh the humanity cgfan! How the hell did you get there? LOL
If I get to Rudy's this weekend I'll definitely let you know how I liked their carne asada zeppelin. Better not crash and burn. Yuck, yuck..

[cgfan]

Would love to hear your take...

Not to prolong the side discussion, but the folks at Rudy's once told me that they reserve the traditional cut (the Arrancherra) for their Torata and CA Plate.

It might have something to do with the small chop they must do for a Burrito or a Taco, but another part of me wonders if I actually heard it right... (The taste of Arrancherra is so distinctive to me that I'll know in a flash, but I just can't get myself to order it that way in order to do the test...)

[cstr]

Now that's a darn good looking sammie!!

[deeznuts]

Must only be me. For some reason I don't like Rudy's Carne Asada. I lived two blocks away for 5 years and I still go elsewhere for Carne. Everytime I'm at rudy's I load up on Lengua tacos though