San Diego Reader

Downtown can be daunting if you just want a pick-me-up but don't want the big deal of a full-on meal.

One of the coziest...

...places if you just want a quick bellyfiller is The Local (1065 Fourth Avenue, downtown, 619-231-4447).

Go for the tortilla soup. It's four bucks for the small bowl. Comes with avocado, cheese, and tortilla strips. I had one with an IPA beer ($5.50) and came out happier, fuller and $9.82 poorer, after tax. Okay, $11.82, including the tip.

This was happy hour...

...but the soup prices are anytime.

The tortilla soup was so good I slurped it all up before I could whip out the camera. But I kinda like the place, for its attitude, humor. Like, wise words on the evil/benefits of drink…

And foodwise, playing the whole purist locovore thing…

One thing they are pretty purist on though: always having local craft beers on tap...

...If you live around here, it’s a good place to hang your hat...