Restaurants
So how has the Gaslamp fared through covid? Walking up Fourth around Market, got to say, not too well by the looks. Lot of doors closed, patios empty, and the ones that are open, not …
Oh man. I do this every time: show up at my wannabe favorite place, Chennai Tiffins, just as it’s closing for the afternoon. This is in Little India, up by Miramar. I sit down in …
I knew it was going to be a difficult day when I locked myself out. “We have to be there by 12, remember?” yelled Tim. He was waiting in his car. The guy has a …
Last week’s tortilla-throwing incident came just as I was discovering a new dimension in San Diego’s tortilla/taco world. It was an accidental discovery. I got off the 235 rapid bus after an hour-long ride (and …
“Okay, I give up,” Mag says. “Why is this place called Pegah’s Kitchen?” “Because it’s a breakfast place and ‘Pegah’ means ‘Dawn’ in Persian. Breakfast time!” I’m guessing about that last part, because this is …
Is the world going Korea-kerazy? Might could be. Not just K-Pop. Also KBBQ. Everywhere I look, there’s another Korean barbecue joint popping up. “Missy wants to go there,” says Maggy on the phone. “It’s good …
Eduardo Gonzalez guards the door to the dungeon, as he has been doing for decades. Nobody gets past without his say-so. The neon sign shines red. Sótano Suizo. “Swiss Cellar.” Swiss in TJ? Well yes. …
Oh mama. I was counting on these guys. Just hopped off the 44 where Linda Vista Road meets Mesa College Drive. ’Cause I know a couple of über-cheap places where I can pick up a …
“This is our sport,” says Annie, “and don’t you Sassenachs forget it.” Did I mention? My friend Annie is Scottish. “Sassenachs” (“Saxons”) basically means anyone who’s not Scottish. We’re standing at the entrance to the …
I am sitting, staring like a stunned ox. “I told you it was real,” says Sully. My buddy and I are sitting here, under tents, a stone’s throw from the 805, on Plaza Boulevard in …
“Never start a restaurant on the moon,” says my friend John. “Why’s that?” “It’ll have no atmosphere, dude.” Man. Should have seen that coming. He’s just declined to take the trolley with me south to …
Sparkling waters! Blue, rippling, and fresh. You come across them suddenly, on this twisty road in the mountains, heading towards Valley View Casino. It’s Lake Wohlford. First time I’ve ever seen it. Two minutes later, …
“Listen, kid, people have been flinging their fangs around these little guys for generations. I think we can handle them once and live to tell the tale.” “I’m not touching them. Forget it.” ‘They’re salty. …
Cheery-looking chap’s taking a sip of beer. We’re in the Barrio, up from Northgate Market, in this little restaurant row beside Cesar E. Chavez Parkway. Sign says “Liberty Call,” and shows off big anchors and …
“Believe me!” says my new friend Timothy. “It’s like ‘When burrito met Philly.’ It’s just meat, Philly cheesesteak carne asada, onions, bell peppers, and Monterey Jack cheese, melted. But that’s all you need! Slices of …