“This rib of yours is the bone they cut the ribeye steak out of.”
October 21, 2015
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Stories by Ed Bedford
Get thrown a bone and ball at Po Pazzo
'Wiches and brew at La Mesa Oktoberfest
The two old crones stir the vats surrounded by circling bats. Okay, no bats. No quoting from Macbeth. No crones. But these gals really are stirring up brews in vats, with billows of fog coming …
October 14, 2015
Go-slow dough: Secret weapon?
One thing I like about Napizza is that they were serious about going green from the get-go. They claim to be the first pizzeria in San Diego certified by the Green Restaurant Association. They try …
October 12, 2015
Go for the fruit and score a bulging torta also
Was Frederico's Mexico-style frutería the first across the border?
October 7, 2015
Wine, nuts, and ghosts in Little Italy
Wine. Because no great story starts with a salad. This is what stops me. It’s a sign scrawled on a chalkboard outside a beautiful old Victorian cottage, huddling between three concrete buildings. It makes you …
October 3, 2015
Palate and wallet favor cod over lobster
“This truck’s been open in this spot for three weeks, and already they’re popular.”
September 30, 2015
McDonald's out, well-being in — but some treats remain
Did you see how Cleveland Clinic (5 million patients a year, 3000 doctors) has kicked McDonald’s out of its hospitals as of September 18? They want to put their money where their mouth is in …
In the land of tango and empanadas
"I tell you,” says Patrick Brown, “San Diego has the most competitive happy hour on the whole coast. And I’ve researched happy hours from Seattle to San Francisco to L.A. We have the best.” I’m …
September 16, 2015
Himalayan Dine Inn's herbs and lentils could start a knife fight
"My name is Bhim. The name means ‘bravery.’” Bhim’s as tall standing as I am sitting, but he’s stocky, fit-looking, and confident. He’s wearing a Nepalese-style cap, with a little replica of two crossed knives …
September 2, 2015
Weak at the knees — That's What Cheese Said!
Fact is, I’m in a bit of a hurry. Bus to catch in 20 minutes. Just time to down a couple of those $2 quickie beer tasters they have here at Mission Brewery on 13th. …
August 26, 2015
Chez Loma creates super quackos
This is the kind of place where only Beautiful People need apply. Looking in, you expect silk scarves, stilettos with red soles, and people taking phone calls on their Apple watches. But turns out this …
August 20, 2015
A trolley view and Brazil's latest export — the tapioca crêpe
"Tapioca is just healthier. And it’s our native food. Tapioca is a Brazilian plant.”
August 19, 2015
Kentucky chicken Somali-style
“We do have what’s called ‘breakfast,’ for eating in the evening after prayers, breaking the fast.”
August 12, 2015
Country breakfast? Ribs and cornbread
Skull Creek: I’m bouncing past in a 955 when I spot it. Want to yell “Stop the bus!” Instead I just pull the cord and wait while we cruise another country mile up this long …
August 5, 2015
I depend on an angel on the San Diego Transit info line
“My family were dairy people from the Azores. We adore things like cheeses and anchovies.”
July 29, 2015
Lake Lindo Grill brings kabobs to Lakeside
“99.99% of our customers love our food,” says the blurb. “It is known that Lakeside and Santee have many kinds of restaurants…but there was a shortage of Mediterranean (Greek) food.” This is from Lake Lindo …
July 26, 2015
South Park stomach vibe
‘Listen,” says Wayne. He holds two tuning forks up to my ears. Silence. He brings them closer. Suddenly, OmmmmmmMMMMMMMmmmmm. They’re the most crazy-beautiful bell tones, in two different keys, like musical humming birds hovering right …
July 22, 2015
Peckish, bookish
As much as I love the new Central Library and kinda go “Wow!” every time the bus or trolley I’m in rolls under its beautiful dome, I’ve never gone inside. And the reason is just …
July 15, 2015
Coronado’s crowned king of cocktails
“Every cocktail has a story,” says Jose Palma. And the man ought to know. He’s been creating, serving, and keeping up with cocktails for 26 years. And always here at the Hotel Del, where patrons …
July 15, 2015
These are trotters!
Stop me if I’ve blurted this before, but I’ve always had a good feeling about the Philippines since I came across the Mangyan people. They live on the island of Occidental Mindoro, south of Manila. …
July 8, 2015
Delicious bad stuff
‘We could see the blizzard coming,” says John. “I was ten. Our school was small. Five students. Winnie, my pony, was waiting outside. This was winter, Wyoming. Had to get home ahead of it. It …
July 1, 2015
Civico 1845 arrives in Little Italy
Is Little Italy on the move or what? Latest opening is at the Piazza Basilone (named for San Diego’s Italian-American war hero). It’s in the spot that was Zia’s, on the corner of India and …
June 27, 2015
Certified fat cat at Sevilla
It’s sunset on Fifth, Friday night. Gaslamp’s rocking. Pedicabs strain by with tourists squeezed three across in the back and reggae music blasting out. The cyclo guy’s calf muscles bulge as he hauls his load …
This public house is popping
Wow. Last time I met so many submariners at the same time was at the late, great underwater sailors’ hangout named the Horse and Cow, across from Liberty Station. Tonight, there’s a bunch of them …
June 17, 2015
How much food, and how long will it take? Answer: Sandwiches
Attacking a snack like a cobra around midnight.
June 10, 2015
Jumbo Doggz, not your average wiener
“Honestly,” says Carla. “This is the best damned dog I have ever had. Ever.” Is somebody paying her to say this? Not possible, because I’ve just brought this baby back to her from a pop-up …
June 7, 2015
OB Sushi Sushi hooks Ed Ed Bed Bed
“Alas, people usually throw away the whole head of the fish, where all the flavor is.”
June 3, 2015
Stanley Cup at the Stout
“Oh no!” I hear it from B Street, plus a racket of laughs and arguments and cheers. It must be Stanley Cup time. The fan clans have gathered at Sixth Avenue between B and C, …
May 28, 2015
One mile into inland Oceanside, 52 years of practice
“You won’t regret it,” says Karen.“The iron rack. It’s totally seasoned.”
May 27, 2015
How different is Nepali food from lowland Indian food?
What did the rest of the world do before the Spanish brought tomatoes back from New World?
May 20, 2015
The way figs feel
The charro and the pioneer lady set the kids into teams. “Now, don’t worry about breaking the eggs,” says the lady. “They’re made of wood. First team back with the egg still in the spoon …
May 13, 2015
What makes a great taco?
Grill House at Big Ben’s Big Ben’s is a 65-year-old grocery outlet famous for its carnitas tacos right in National City’s Old Town. A disastrous 2013 fire was good luck for us. They did an …
May 13, 2015
Get hot at Pho Hoa
I take a chunk of meat, collect some noodles and bean sprouts, and shove them in my maw.
May 6, 2015
This is a new burger day!
“The End is Beer,” reads a little sign. “Uh, you do food?” I ask the gal at the bar.
April 29, 2015
Banana burgers?
A burger with buns made of bananas? Welcome to the Caribbean, East Village-style! It takes the form of a big blue truck with “Caribbean Escape” pasted over its sides. It’s parked in the Quartyard space …
April 23, 2015
The history of the world is written in food
So good to be back. I first came here two years ago. Then popped in earlier this winter when I discovered their happy hour. Devoured a totally delicious $3 eggplant roll. Promised more in this …
April 22, 2015
Happy hour all day at La Mentirosa by Karina's
It’s not every day you get greeted by a president’s grandson. I’m in this oasis I’ve come across at the empty end of B Street, near City College. It’s called, uh, “The Liar.” Or, because …
April 15, 2015
They treat you like a full-paying customer
Lou & Mickey’s If you can handle conventioneer types, this place has the best terrazza in town. It feels like a cross between a Chicago fish ’n’ steak joint and a Paris brasserie. Best of …
April 15, 2015
Quartyard’s other eatery
The Quartyard is going great guns. It’s the empty lot that students from NewSchool of Architecture & Design have turned into a social gathering place for East Villagers. See Tin Fork for review of S&M, …
April 12, 2015
Sausage party at the Quartyard
Shipping containers, Porka-cola, 'roo sausage, and downtown denizens brought to the 'yard.
April 8, 2015
Legit salad
“People around Nazareth only harvest the olives every second year, so the trees have time to recover.”
April 1, 2015
Grandmother's tongue at sunset
Broadway? This must be the narrowest patio west of 25th. I mean, two people can sit at each of the half dozen tables, but nobody can get past you. You have to scrinch in from …
March 27, 2015
Pop-up BBQ pops up downtown
I smelled it first: BBQ. Then, as I crossed 14th Street, a block from the ballpark, I saw the flare of flames bursting up from a gas cooker on the night sidewalk. It was right …
March 19, 2015
Double dose of taste
"Yes,” says Habtamu. “This bread is two days old.” Okay, sounds like a confession. But, no, it’s a statement of pride. “Our bread,” he says, “needs time.” We’re talking injera, the famous Ethiopian bread that …
March 18, 2015
Satisfactory clank!
Getting escorted out of Lou & Mickey’s...to the redesigned patio.
March 11, 2015
Downtown baa-becue
If you can get in through the two-ton door, this place has some surprising bargains. It's Friday afternoon around fiveish. I have just resisted the temptations of the House of Blues and its $2 Happy …
March 6, 2015
Nachos: Respect at last?
Is this the most beautiful mess of food you ever saw or wot? And maybe the best belly-filling deal too. I've just had a kinda revelatory reminder here at Costa Azul that nachos are suddenly …
March 3, 2015
East Village: Contain yourself! Your temporary town square's almost ready
“Ring for kisses,” says the red bell at the counter. “See how it feels.” Oh, I see: The "See how it feels" bit is talking about the tip jar. Still, the bell sets the atmosphere. …
February 27, 2015