San Diego Reader

• Restaurant | American | University Heights

Hanna’s Gourmet

• 2864 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116 | Directions
• 619-280-5600 | Website

A lot of restaurants change their menus seasonally, but Hanna’s Gourmet goes a step further by featuring a different world cuisine each week in addition to their regular menu.

Get your borscht and mushroom pierogi fix during Polish week; dig into layers of savory ground beef, ripe plantain, and tomato sauce in a traditional Puerto Rican pastelón de platano; or relish a spicy Portuguese bacalhoada, chunky-full of salt cod, potatoes, onions, and olives.

Tried and true sandwich faves include a lovely turkey, pear, and brie on sturdy bread with a good schmear of cranberry aioli and a delectable grilled-vegetable version dressed in an addictive, earthy walnut spread.

Eggs à la Africana (eggs and fava beans topped with a tangy yogurt sauce), biscuits and eggs smothered in Italian sausage gravy, and red velvet pancakes are big draws for the weekend brunch crowd.

If you’re lucky enough to get there before Hanna’s famous ginger carrot cake sells out, be sure to grab a slice. It’s worth every moist, spicy, cream-cheesy bite.