2600 Golf Course Drive
San Diego Balboa Park Municipal Golf Course San Diego, CA92102 (619) 239-1660
Finally. We made it. This place has been on the radar for quite some time. I am reluctant to let this cat out of the bag but here goes. This is a jewel in San Diego’s culinary crown. This is the type of place that inspired this blog to form in the first place. The food is not bad. Add in the view, prices and service and there’s no room to complain. So don’t.
The burger and fries is a solid choice. Turkey and grilled cheese sandwiches are in effect. Fresh soup of the day will set you back $2.50. I have personally not had the pleasure of feasting on their breakfast menu but gospel has approved the menu fit for consumption. An 8oz draught will set you back…wait for it…..$2.
If you can find it, go. Now.
*Update*
I have dipped into the breakfast menu. I had the gravy-covered chicken fried steak (which btw is not chicken!!), eggs (over easy), O’Brien potatoes and wheat toast. It was as good as it sounds. I didn’t eat for the rest of the day, but it was good.
Neighborhood: North Park 3794 30th St San Diego, CA92104 (619) 255-8778
The Linkery has been in the North Park mix for years now and in their new location for one or two. I couldn’t remember having ever been.
But tonight was the night and what a delicious night it was with my special lady friend. Despite the unbelievably hard-to-read menu I was able to navigate quite a few edible options for my discerning palate. Updated daily online in pdf format (a nice, tech-savvy touch) take your time and read over it two or three times; something is sure to, ahem, pop up. Poached wild Mexican fluke (whys he gotta be mexican. why can’t he just be a fluke??), pesto grilled flatbread, grass-fed burger.
The grilled snow peas were off the hook, er grill. The pak choi not so much according to my friggin HOT date. I went with the single link, roasted garlic chicken sausage picnic plate (potato salad and and a nice un-creamy slaw). The portobello tacos were in effect. Carrot cake and beer bread pudding brought up the rear. A little pricey but a lot tasty.
Counterpoint
Neighborhood: Golden Hill
830 25th St
(619) 564-6722
Here we go again with the new spots. And what a delightful new spot it is too. Open until midnight, Counterpoint is a pleasant addition to the Golden Hill Culinary scene. They just opened so stay tuned for website and menu links.
In the meantime cruise in there admire the clean design and start with the artisan grilled cheese sliders. When they say small, they mean small. What they don’t say is delicious, which is what they and their accompanying salad are. Appetizers, sandwiches (our favorite), salads, beer and wine are on deck. We are looking forward to what this joint will bring. Go make it happen.
Neighborhood: Kensington 4116 Adams Ave San Diego, CA92116
(619) 584-2929
This review breaks our unintended soft opening streak. We just learned about this place on my way to the homies crib. Apparently it’s been open for over a year.
The menu is minimal, just like my personal aesthetic. The venue is small and stylish. Which basically means good luck finding a seat. The burgers are not too big, not too small and very, very tasty. I had the turkey burger. One of the best I’ve ever had at any restaurant in town. ADAMNT had the same and added an order of onion rings. It’s not the most reasonably priced burger in town. But I can say they make up for it with their service which is not unlike the food; not too much, not too little. Catch a show at The Ken, hit these guys up and then come see us at the Ken Club. Add whiskey and stir.
Food Factory
Neighborhood: Lemon Grove 7914 Broadway
(619) 463-1919
I’ve driven past this spot so many times, I finally stepped in to get a closer look at this old-school looking little place. Its definitely on the mom and pop, neighborhood diner tip. They seemed to know most everyone in there by name. That’s service you just can’t pay for nowadays.
A burger and fries will set you back $4.75. I had the cheeseburger plate; burger, fries and salad. $6.75. The patties are fresh, not frozen. There is a daily special everyday and they change those week to week. Great, clean atmosphere. Awesome service. Tasty, affordable menu of American diner standards. What are you waiting for?
Jacks Barbeque
Neighborhood: Hillcrest
1290 University ave
619.574.1644
The secret in town this year has been the economy buster/recession friendly/heads are broke pricing at many food spots these days. Jack’s has one; 1/3 lb Angus Burger, Fries and Drink – $5. These guys grill their burgers and the patties are tasty. I haven’t asked where they get their buns (insert joke here) but I will. Possibly the best part of the whole deal.
I had the grilled chicken way back after they first opened. It was competent as well. But it costs more than $5. Also on the menu are; baby back ribs, pork rib tips, beefy ribs, chicken (1/2 or whole), sandwiches, burgers, salads and your typical sides.
Neighborhood: Logan Heights 2802 Ocean View Blvd
San Diego, CA 92113
(619) 239-3782
Neighborhood: Spring Valley
1000 Grand Ave
Spring Valley, CA 91977
There are several locations around SD County. Here at Probe-4 we consider this particular establishment as a paradigm shift, a touchstone, a proverbial life-changing experience. This is the place that will go down in San Diego lore as the place where I was introduced to the Taco Gobernador, a patriotic dish rivaled only by Italy’s Margherita pizza. With its grilled green and red peppers and white onion, melted cheese and grilled jumbo Shrimp this is not a tj taco. German’s take on this Sinaloan treat is a true transcendental culinary experience.
And yet this is no one trick pony. You say you like fish tacos? How about battered and fried fresh when you order? How does $1 sound? No, not in Rosarito. This is San Diego. Here’s an equation for all you math wizards: Taco Gobernador+Fish Taco=$5. If that doesn’t change the world i don’t know what will. Maybe the smoked Marlin taco (also with melted cheese and grilled peppers). Yeah, that might do it. Oh, and go ahead and have the consome. Besides, its complimentary not an obligation.
Neighborhood: University Heights 4628 Park Blvd San Diego, CA
With this post I think we officially become the soft opening review. That means either we’re that cool or there’s not that much going on in San Diego…
The Hamilton’s crew does round two and thankfully it does not suck. Finally a beer bar with booze (I would go soon while they still have Makers in the well!). The menu is interesting. My well read and well dressed lady friend and I shared the kobe sliders. These fuckers come with no fewer than three dipping sauces which i can’t remember the names of except that one was horseradish-y, one was lemon-y and the last was a sweet bbq type thing. We’ll update this once they get their menu online. The beef (in the sliders) was succulent, juicy and very tasty. The slightly seasoned ’shoestring potatoes’ were nothing to write home about. Keep your eye on this post for updates. There are several menu items that seem worth trying. One note: There is a lunch and dinner menu. The items are identical, only the prices change. Plan accordingly.
They offer breakfast and sunday brunch as well.
*Update* Nothing better after a basketball session than a nice burger. I was craving one and was also due to try the small bar burger after having the smaller burgers (see above). Solid burger. The rosemary bun was especially impressive. The patty was thick and cooked perfectly (medium well) maybe a little bland but nothing some ketchup couldn’t cure.
Also I verified the three dipping sauces on the sliders. They are; Creamy wasabi, lemongrass aioli, and asian bbq. Do it!
Neighborhood: Chinatown 1001 N Alameda Street Los Angeles, CA90012 (213) 628-3781
Obviously this place is not in San Diego. We would only break protocol here for a very good reason. We feel that being open for over 100 years is a very good reason.
The original home of the French dip sandwich and a Los Angeles institution since 1908, few places compare on the nostalgia scale. I couldn’t help feeling like I was in Chinatown. Maybe it was because I was in Chinatown. At any rate, after a quick gander at the extensive menu I settled on a turkey dip, potato salad, a slice of boysenberry pie and a coffee. To top it all off my friend and I split a leg of lamb dip. While it all tasted incredible it is also worth mentioning that the coffee is still priced at $0.10. Yeah, for real. There are some photos below but you should really see and taste for yourself next time you are cruising around the revitalized Downtown LA area. I mean, when was the last time you had boysenberry pie and 10 cent coffee?
Neighborhood: South Park 2204 Fern Street San Diego92104
(619) 255-0657
With some tightening up during the soft opening phase, this place will end up being a go-to spot. A step in the right direction for the neighborhood, it was nice to see Station open after YEARS of watching their construction.
The menu is basic and affordable and that’s exactly what we need. While the food did not suck, it was far from spectacular. I had the turkey burger with carmelized onions. While the patty was a tiny bit dry, I did like that the burger came without any sauces on it. The homie had a cheeseburger which seemed slightly overcooked as well. My crew and I agreed The service left something to be desired. Gospel noticed the most glaring omission; that we were not asked how we wanted our burgers cooked. A small but substantial detail for a burger place, in our opinion. I’m just now realizing we didn’t get the signature sauces with the garlic fries (which were not very garlic-y either). The beer selection was not my cup of…beer(?). I think they had one Stone brew. The rest of the selection was pilsners and lagers. In case they didn’t notice, this will not cut it in this neighborhood no more.
Standing out is the railroad inspired design of this joint. With much open space, it feels bigger than it actually is. The family and dog friendly outdoor ’sandbox’ area was an interesting touch. All in all a very relaxed atmosphere, affordable grub and the standard South Park neighborhood vibrations will prevail in time.
