Hillcrest eatery offers familiar fare with an occasional twist... and donuts.

I liked Brian's American Eatery, it was one of my go-to breakfast spots back when I lived within walking distance. The menu and portions were absurdly gigantic, but the service was consistently friendly and there were plenty of a la …

Surprise deals on top of Nordstrom's

"Sweetheart, corazon, will you be downtown today?" Warning bells! She's going to ask me to do something I don't want to do. "Uh, maybe." "Great! Would you take this lipstick to Nordstrom's and exchange it for Doublewear Stay Ruby, or …

Tijuana micro-brewery celebrates grand opening with a free jazz cumbia show and a limited edition beer.

This week, I reviewed a burgeoning craft beer bar in the arts and culture alleyway of Pasaje Rodriguez in Tijuana. Mamut Brewery Co. is more than just an inspired brewery slinging bottles of unpasteurized, top quality beer for about a …

A quick lesson in eating hot wings based on a too-expensive--but otherwise good--multi-state chain's spicy chicken bites.

So, a Wingstop recently opened in University Heights, right next to the Lovin’ Hut. 1901 El Cajon Boulevard, 619-297-9464. Maybe the owners have a sense of irony, sticking a chicken wing shop in next to the all-vegan noodle hut. Maybe …

New fruit and ice cream eatery delivers health the Mexican way

Okay. Here's the menu for dinner: Apples, bananas, sandia (watermelon), mango, piña (pineapple), papaya, melon, strawberries, cottage cheese, granola, coconut, raisins. We're in Barrio Logan, so Spanglish rules. 'Course I could have had pepino (cucumber), jicama, sandia, mango, piña, papaya, …

Ed doesn't believe they're just $5 home-made sausages. Who would?

I sit here looking down at this...creature. Things are weird enough already. Here I am, surrounded by an oryx, a blackbuck antelope, a ram... http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/aug/07/50911/ http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/aug/07/50918/ http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/aug/07/50921/ Okay, talking trophies on the wall. But they set the tone for this …

What's next for the perpetually troubled location adjacent to the Hillcrest 24Hr Fitness?

Lotus Cafe gave it a go, but the Hillcrest location is done. Stick a fork in it. The original location in Encinitas remains, hopefully unharmed by the failed venture in Hillcrest. “We will be waiting for you [at our Encinitas …

Ed finds American comfort food in the heart of Old Town

Nothing more delicious than a guilty late brekky. Sitting on the red bench seats in the sun outside the Living Room (2541 San Diego Avenue, Old Town, 619-325-4445). Okay, table wobbles, hot noonday sun, no umbrellas, and a skillet handle …

In addition to off-the-wall barbecued lamb, South Bay's premier barbacoa restaurant sells ancient Mexico's favorite booze!

Aqui es Texcoco (1043 Broadway, Chula Vista, 619-427-4045) has mostly enjoyed success for lamb barbecue. Much like Mama Testa becoming synonymous with fish tacos in the eyes of TV audiences, Food Network and Travel Channel talking heads have dubbed Aqui …

Kensington's new restaurant of note serves shellfish with style, flounders on the drinks, but rallies with impeccable service.

Fish Public (4055 Adams Avenue, 619-281-4014) got its fair share of hype following the public closing of the Kensington Grill and the onslaught of hyperbolic PR surrounding the new seafood restaurant’s development. But there’s no denying that the Urban Kitchen …

Ed's search for the best sprouts in town reaches a high point on Golden Hill

Most popular spot on Golden Hill? Has to be here, just about opposite the fire station. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/aug/05/50645/ Counterpoint (830 25th Street, Golden Hill, 619-564-6722), is, a kinda boxy-modern place between Broadway and the 94 freeway. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/aug/05/50646/ But walking past about …

Luscious chipotle chicken sandwich and meatball soup for $7.49

Suddenly get the munchies coming out of Office Depot down near the Santa Fe. Instead of heading back to Broadway I jes' carry on towards the trolley line. Seaport Village. And right there on well, G Street is the G …

Mamut microbrewery is the scene for eats and arts

“I estimate we have 60 microbreweries in Tijuana now,” says Juan Jose Quesada. “And maybe 20 in Mexicali, and 30 in Ensenada. We’re happening.” He’s happening too. We’re in the Pasaje Rodríguez, between 2nd and 3rd streets, and between Revolución …

South Park lounge and restaurant joins Societe Brewing to showcase the farm-to-table flesh of The Heart & Trotter Butchery

A couple years ago, I crashed a party at a home in the hills of Valley Center, where about thirty guests had gathered to take part in the slaughter of two pigs. The local butcher showed up with his 13-year-old …

Point Loma chicken rotisserie and teriyaki is a strip mall hidden gem for cheap lunches and filling dinners.

Natural Style Chicken (3944 W. Point Loma Boulevard, 619-223-9887) is the kind of place you have to stumble upon, unless directed there by someone in the know. The name almost makes it sound "free-range-grass-fed-organic," but in this case it just …

El Colegio is a class in Baja-Med cuisine

Up on Revolución, thinking about maybe Chiki Jai for a Spanish snack. But at Fifth, kitty-corner from Caesar's, whoa, brand new eatery. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/jul/26/50142/ Has that semi industrial feel of places in Diego like Blind Lady. But all new, with things …

New bar downtown makes an effort with the comfort food...and the chaps.

Skipping past the juicy but irrelevant PR hype (“ermhagerd it’s owned by a Playboy Playmate!”), the Lucky Bastard saloon at 840 Fifth Avenue looks like its trying harder than most to put food worth eating on the menu. This is …

Place has its own ranch in Guadalupe Valley

I was wandering down Tijuana's Puente Mexico, aka First Street, ten at night. Near the wax museum. Only sign of life: a little low-lit balcony loaded with people. They were drinking wine and chatting quietly away. This is La Faraona …

Whole Foods and 7th Ave Pub host some of Baja's finest food and drink.

Have unpredictable border waits deterred you from crossing south to experience the wines of Valle de Guadalupe, the world-renowned cuisine of Tijuana, or the many burgeoning breweries in Baja? Worry not! From Friday, July 26 through Sunday, July 28, Taste …

Downtown restaurant replaces Sora with an easy, fun concept and good wines by the glass.

Talk about taking something in the opposite direction! Sora, which wasn’t long for this world, tried an elaborate Japanese-Italian fusion concept that hinged on a grip of eccentricities to tie it all together. Meatball Cucina (655 West Broadway, 619-564-7100) replaced …