The French Gourmet
960 turquoise street, +1 858 488-1725, (http://www.thefrenchgourm...). has been serving delicious pastries and desserts to san diego since 1979. you can stop in and try one of their many desserts or you can sit down for a whole meal. their main entrã©es are just as tantalizing as the desserts. the breakfast menu includes omelettes, crepes and french toast and is served on weekends from 8am-2:45pm and on weekdays 10am-2:45pm. lunch is served until 3pm and dinner is served everyday except sunday and monday. they are also a full service catering and wedding cake company.
The Fishery
5040 cass street, +1 858 272-9985, (http://www.pacshell.com). the retailer pacific shellfish seafood company was founded in 1979 but their attached restaurant debuted in 1998. with many different species of seasonal fresh fish in their cooler, youâll be able to find something to tickle your taste buds from a simple tuna melt to a wild-caught alaskan salmon. since itâs a market too, you can verify that all the fish are fresh. and just in case you didnât know what your particular entree looked like before it was caught, there are taxidermied models on the wall, displaying the fish in their full glory.
Karinya Thai Cuisine
4475 mission blvd., +1 858 270-5050, (http://www.karinyathaicui...). m-sa 11:30am-3pm, su 1pm-4pm lunch; m-su 5pm-10pm dinner. tasty thai food, very vegetarian-friendly. lunch is $7.50 and includes soup, tempura vegetables, and an entree. good amount of food for the price.
Pop's Jersey Style Steaks
1730 garnet ave, +1 858 483-2600. the place in san diego to get a philly cheesesteak, owned and operated by pop's a local from new jersey, him and his family are usually in the store, they do offer a military discount as well.
Fredâs
1165 garnet avenue, +1 858 483-8226. more of a food place for people who like to drink. it addition to the regular mexican fare of tacos, burritos, fajitas and enchiladas they offer burgers and salads. the portions are big and the atmosphere is fun. the 5th of every month is celebrated as âcinco de fredâsâ and every tuesday is âkiss my taco tuesdayâ. both events feature drink and food specials. if youâre in town long enough and daring, you can join fredâs tequila club by taking shots of 50 different tequilas. 10 shots gets your name on the wall, 15 gets your picture on the wall and 50 gets you airfare to cabo or vegas. ask the waitresses for more details.
Cotijaâs
1092 garnet avenue, +1 858 273-1241. no frills or gimmicks, just delicious mexican food. located in a strip mall next to barber shop, the painted windows lure you in off the street with 99 cent fish tacos and bean and rice burritos. for a little more you can order a quesadilla but donât let the name fool you, quesadillas at cotijaâs are like burritos with cheese. also tasty are the multiple breakfast burritos, one of which has hash browns â and theyâre not limited to breakfast. for true san diego flavor, try the shrimp burrito also available in the fiery but amazing "diablo" version. the line to order crowds the dining area as the bars close but thereâs nothing like a gut brick to put you to sleep after a long night on the town. and be sure to bring cash because they donât take plastic.
Konoâs
704 garnet avenue, +1 858 483-1669. open 7am-3pm. located across the entrance to crystal pier, this eatery has the best budget breakfast in town. a sign on the wall boasts how many days have passed since they last raised their prices; a figure which is easily over 365. on weekends the line outside gets so long youâd think it was nightclub, but the food is well worth the wait. they specialize in big breakfasts and breakfast burritos.
Most of the restaurants take advantage of San Diegoâs signature weather by offering outdoor and sidewalk seating.
Thereâs practically a Mexican joint on every corner in PB, most of them could be considered holes-in-the-wall but at least they donât have wheels. None of them are bad, most of them are good and a handful of them are great. Every San Diegan has a place in their heart for their favorite Mexican restaurant. Ask a local and sheâll definitely share with you her opinion.
Rafaelaâs Italian Restaurant
5119 cass street, +1 858 272-0466. at first glance you might not notice this place. itâs located on a residential block and used to be a house. just look for the white christmas lights and all the plastic patio furniture set up in the front yard. the menu has a selection of salads, sandwiches, pizzas and pastas. the wine list, however, leaves something to be desired. in fact, there is no wine list. but thereâs also no corkage feeârafaelaâs is byob, making it more affordable and more popular amongst the locals. if youâd like wine with your dinner, make sure to stop by a liquor store on your way. due to its precarious location, the kitchen is only open from 5-9pm, daily, so get there early.
Rubioâs
910 grand avenue, +1 858 272-2801, (http://www.rubios.com). now a minor fast food restaurant chain in the western united states, but whatâs significant about the one in pb is that it was the first. in 1983, founder ralph rubio capitalized on the unique flavor of baja california taco stands by replicating one in san diego accommodating, of course, for local health codes. the beer-battered fish tacos, the carnitas and carne asada tacos were an immediate hit.