I can count on one finger the number of times I've ordered a wrap in the past ten years. I'm not talking about burritos, obviously, or gyro meat wrapped in a pita. When I say …
July 15, 2025
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Stories by Ian Anderson
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Steamy Piggy's got wrap game
There's a reason they line up at Tacos El Vaquero
It's almost not fair that the taco I'm holding stands among the best tacos I've eaten in Tijuana — or Mexico City for that matter. Because folded into this warm tortilla are fire-grilled hunks of …
June 26, 2025
Shaghf Cafe brings a touch of Dubai to El Cajon
I've taken a couple swipes at what I perceived to be overly sweet food over the past couple weeks, so in the interest of proving I’m not a sugar-hating troll, I visited a shop where …
June 17, 2025
Pizza Kaiju makes strange monster pizzas
"Strange creature" is the literal translation of the Japanese word Kaiju, a term most often applied to monsters in movies featuring the likes of Gamera, Mothra, and mightiest of them all, Godzilla. So when you …
June 10, 2025
Mission Bagel turns a home hobby into daily bread
It's kind of amazing that, five years later, we're still seeing Covid baking hobbies turn into new food businesses. It's even more amazing when the concept meets a need. Sure, I love sourdough as much as …
June 4, 2025
Farm to Smash shows how smashed a burger can get
It's not exactly health food, but a small counter shop in outer Escondido seems determined to put all the best of intentions into the smashburger trend.PlaceFarm To Smash1604 E Valley Pkwy, EscondidoCalled Farm to Smash, …
May 28, 2025
Sizzling House & Noodle knows just what to say
When it arrived at our table, the cast iron dish bearing our food was so hot, there was a cardboard sleeve wrapped around the thing to keep curious fingers from getting burned. Printed on one …
May 20, 2025
Habibi Taqueria adds halal tacos to a shawarma shop
There was pickled okra on my taco. And turnips. And tahini. These delicacies were draped and drizzled across the falafel patties folded into my corn tortilla. I hadn't exactly been dreaming of the day I …
May 14, 2025
Deccan Bites upgrades fast food chicken in Scripps Ranch
As I pulled into the parking lot of the new fried chicken spot Deccan Bites, I started kicking myself. Because I was realizing that it hadn't even been a year and a half since I …
May 6, 2025
Vinyl grooves set the mood at Nómade Tapas and Records
Don't tell the tech bros, but I've found a new bar and restaurant in North Park that gets me better than the algorithms ever have.PlaceNómade Tapas and Records3027 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA, San DiegoNómade …
May 1, 2025
Donna Jean now serves its vegan pastas and pies in North Park
I'm tempted to call it triple vegan déjà vu. Because I've been to this place before — a few times, actually — and while there always seems to be a new sign over the door, …
April 22, 2025
Eating and sliding through Museo del Taco
"It's not a taqueria," insists the web site for Museo del Taco. Except of course it is. To even reach the ticket window of Tijuana's "Taco Museum," you must first pass its bucking taco — …
April 15, 2025
Tus Chefs Favoritas make conchas to rival donuts
Easily the most recognized staple of a panadería, or Mexican bakery, is the concha. It's named after the Spanish word for "seashell" for a couple of reasons: one, because the sweet roll is topped with …
April 9, 2025
Diving into the sensational snakehead and sauerkraut soup of Fish With You
"More than 2500 Stores in 360 cities," announces a mural on the wall of newly arrived Convoy restaurant Fish With You. That would make San Diego rather late to the welcoming line for this juggernaut …
April 2, 2025
Bock Bar and Biersal revive a favorite beer haunt
I've spent a lot of hours in this room. Except not quite this room.PlaceBiersal Kitchen1521 30th St., San DiegoIt's been more than four years since flames consummated the decline and fall of Hamilton's Tavern, the …
March 27, 2025
What makes humble Beyer Deli San Diego's top sandwich-maker?
A few weeks ago, I started searching around Reddit, Yelp, and other sites in an effort to put together a list of standout local delis. Mostly, I just like a good sandwich. But now, I …
March 18, 2025
If it's Encinitas, This Musubi Love
It's less like visiting a restaurant, and more like going on a foodie scavenger hunt: drive on Vulcan Avenue toward Leucadia until you reach the Beacons Townhomes. Take the alley to the left of the …
March 13, 2025
Pha Khao Lao serves San Diego's next great noodle soup
It didn't used to be the case that I spent much time distinguishing neighborhoods such as Rolando Park or Redwood Village. Time was, I might go looking for food in these areas once or twice …
February 28, 2025
Bisbas Restaurant surprises with big portions and Somali flavors
Surprises were easier to come by before the internet. In most cases these days, by time I sit down to try a new restaurant, I've already researched its menu, read online reviews, and scoured photos …
February 12, 2025
La Familia Restaurant & Bar
Video:FEAST!: La Familia Restaurant & BarCount me among the many disheartened when Logan Avenue favorite ¡Salud! Tacos closed last summer, reportedly over a lease dispute. Tacos-wise, Barrio Logan will be fine—especially if Las Cuatro Milpas …
February 6, 2025
Cocina 35 Brunch: chilaquiles, bougainvillea, and a view
Video:FEAST!: Cocina 35 Brunch: chilaquiles, bougainvillea, and a viewPickled red onions, sliced avocados, and crispy tortillas smothered in spicy salsa. These are the images that used to pop into my head when I thought of …
January 29, 2025
The border wall not built by Trump
Video:FEAST!: The border wall not built by TrumpThe wall of instant noodles confounds me at first. Not because I can't reach the top shelf—though I can't—but because there's over a hundred ramen options looking back …
January 22, 2025
Sashimi and aguachile meet at Tsunami
Video:FEAST!: Sashimi and aguachile meet at TsunamiSmoke fills the small plastic dome before me, obscuring my guacamole and the glistening chunks of raw salmon that sit on top of it.PlaceTsunami Modern Cuisine205 Town Center Pkwy, …
January 14, 2025
Greenhaus puts broccoli on pizza, and you should see what they do with tofu
Video:FEAST!: Greenhaus puts broccoli on pizza, and you should see what they do with tofuBroccoli on pizza has become one of those easy to reach punchlines tossed around by snickering California bashers, right up there …
January 7, 2025
Mamma Mia! La Mesa's got your Gabagool
Video:FEAST!: Mamma Mia! La Mesa's got your GabagoolWe have known each other many years, but this is the first time I have come to you making mafia movie references while writing about an Italian eatery.PlaceMamma …
December 31, 2024
Roberto's Taco Shop celebrated 60 years in San Diego
Before we begin our 2025 adventure, we should take note of a milestone celebrated in 2024 by San Diego-born restaurant chain Roberto's Taco Shop, celebrating 60 years in business. According to its web site, Mr. …
December 26, 2024
At Comedor Nishi a world of cuisines meet for brunch
Video:FEAST!: At Comedor Nishi a world of cuisines meet for brunchBecause I asked for a taste, the kitchen sends out a blue and white bowl filled with a thick, chocolate-colored mole, and a side of …
December 17, 2024
Tuétano and Mujer Divina: two storefronts, one famous birria
Video:FEAST!: Tuétano and Mujer Divina: two storefronts, one famous birriaTo bone or not to bone. That remains the question at Tuétano Taqueria, San Diego's most famous yet precarious taco shop.PlaceTuétano Taqueria216 3rd Ave., Chula VistaFamous, …
December 10, 2024
For nutty pies at Pizza by Aromi in La Mesa
Video:FEAST!: For nutty pies at Pizza by Aromi in La MesaAlready, this was the year that I became an American cliché: I got a little hung up on something I ate in Italy, then got …
December 3, 2024
La Clochette brings croissants—and cassoulet—to Mission Valley
Video:FEAST!: La Clochette brings croissants—and cassoulet—to Mission ValleyI'd noticed the Pacific Beach cafe La Clochette had opened a Mission Valley location, but hadn't planned to visit. Good for Mission Valley, I thought, Everybody could use …
November 26, 2024
Syrian treat maker Hakmi Sweets makes Dubai chocolate bars
Video:FEAST!: Syrian treat maker Hakmi Sweets makes Dubai chocolate barsSmooth chocolate on the outside, crunchy, gooey, and green on the inside. People who are very online will have heard of Dubai chocolate, which has become …
November 19, 2024
Starvin Marvins, a sandwich party pad in Pacific Beach
Video:FEAST!: Starvin Marvins, a sandwich party pad in Pacific BeachI notice changes in Pacific Beach as I drive north along Mission Boulevard for the first time in a couple years or so. Newer buildings, refurbished …
November 12, 2024
Egglet griddles up sweet Korean street toast
Video:FEAST!: Egglet griddles up sweet Korean street toastBreakfast sandwiches have a surprisingly global history, beginning with the lardy egg sandwich 19th Century factory workers in London called a bap sandwiches, and extending to New York …
November 5, 2024
At 4pm, this Farmer's Table restaurant in Chula Vista becomes Acqua e Farina
Video:FEAST!: At 4pm, this Farmer's Table restaurant in Chula Vista becomes Acqua e FarinaThere's a red tractor parked in the grass outside Farmer's Table in Chula Vista. It fits the rustic imagery cultivated by the …
October 29, 2024
Tijuanazo makes Hillcrest part of the "Taco Megaregion"
Video:FEAST!: Tijuanazo makes Hillcrest part of the "Taco Megaregion"A new taco compendium regards Tijuana and San Diego less as neighboring taco towns, than as part of a sprawling taco landscape. Taco Megaregion: The Essential Guide …
October 22, 2024
Mama G brings saucy Peruvian flavors—and geography—to Mission Valley
Video:FEAST!: Mama G brings saucy Peruvian flavors—and geography—to Mission ValleyThere's a Peruvian flag planted in the middle of my pasta, which has been tossed with large pieces of red onion, tomato, and sirloin. And just …
October 15, 2024
JamPinoy: one cafeteria line, two cultures
Just about ten thousand miles separate the island of Jamaica from the more than 7,600 islands of the Philippines. I wouldn't know this tidbit, except I'm sitting in a particular eatery in Vista that happens …
October 8, 2024
San Diego Reader Best of 2024
Thanks for noticingLost Abbey finds a new wayAnderson’s apogeesAntique modernHeavenly hall undergroundMounting MadraParent-friendly playgroundThe van man canPeaceful, eaze-y feeling
October 2, 2024
Ian Anderson’s apogees
This year makes it 10 that I’ve been visiting San Diego restaurants and writing about it for the Reader’s Feast column, so I’m taking a look back at a few the best things I’ve eaten …
October 2, 2024
Hongyuan Kebab takes Korean BBQ for a spin
Video:FEAST!: Hongyuan Kebab takes Korean BBQ for a spinSometimes it feels like half the food I've ever eaten, I tried for the first time in the Convoy District. That was certainly the case when I …
September 24, 2024
Tender Hooligan sells food as an excuse to be around records
Video:FEAST!: Tender Hooligan sells food as an excuse to be around recordsThat's what I get for putting style over substance. I wanted to check out Tender Hooligan, the listening bar that recently opened on Chula …
September 17, 2024