San Diego, CA + Add a trip

Great Mexican Restaurants

Fidel's in Solano Beach for sit down (great value, too!) Not too far from racetrack.

For Fast food Mexican: Roberto's in Del Mar

Quick and tastey eats Saffron

thai fast casual food. Great for grabbing a bite before heading back to the airport. Gas across the street if you need to fill up your rental car.

Excellent Seafood

Awesome seafood and very good drinks. Best....crab cake....ever! You may have seen the Executive Chef on the TV show "Top Chef".

Waterfront grill in Del Mar

You should check out 'Jake's Del Mar' which is to me the quintessential California experience. Located at beach in Del Mar, it serves great seafood (even in European cuisine standards, really!) and it's really on the beach. I've taken many business guests and friends there and everybody has always been extremely satisfied. Valet parking costs almost nothing. Reservation recommended, but 30min waiting time was not that unpleasant.

There's a cool place in the Gaslamp Qtr. called Sevilla. It's a Spanish restaurant that has great food and lots of fun... Take a cab there or walk because you're going to be in the mood to have cocktails. Perfect place for a date or a gathering of friends, I think.

Juanita's Taco Shop in Encinitas, CA

Best carne asada burrito in San Diego County.

http://atlasparasite.com/2009/09/09/wine-steals-in-san-diego/

I was made to go to this place by a person claiming he knows what he is doing. It was 10 of us being insulted by a staff that is not sarcastic. They are very plain and rude and unpleasant. Food was not bad but not very good either, it was decent. For the drinks I would not know, as I was drinking water. I would recommend it to any teenager, as this would be their level of fun.

This is a micro brewery with seasonal beers that will hit the spot. There are good old American dishes, and some hearty European comfort foods. Very large, with a good choice on where to sit. Nice setting in all the locations. I am very picky about my beer, and have lived in Germany, and so when I say a beer is good, then the beer is good. It's good here.

Just about every Christmas I go to a Jewish deli. Cantor's in the Fairfax district of LA is one, Jerry's in Encino is another - and of course the City Deli! This is a place for salads, and these alone will feed two. The menu is long and so you won't be lacking in a choice. City Deli is in the fun Hillcrest district, and the people watching is a delight. A great staff too, and cheerful feeling.

City Deli is very close to the Landmark Theater, a place for independent and other interesting films. It is also a block away from the medical centers.

When you visit this Aussie place, make sure you sit at the counter facing the street and do some serious people watching. My favorite is the thick pork chops. These are serious pork chops too, and go well with one of the beers from Down Under. This is a very cheerful and fun place, the servers are friendly - plus you're right in the Gas Lamp, surrounded by great shops. I suggest this place for some beer and grill just before seeing a game at the nearby stadium. Watch the fans go by!

When I'm surfing early in the morning, this is the stop for some protein. Anything with Canitas is going to be good! This is an Encinitas icon. What surfer doesn't stop here?

Pretty good food, but I went there especially for the blueberry mojitos, only to find they didn't make them anymore. Best drink I've ever had, not sure why they took them off the menu. They tried to substitute a banana mojito but it wasn't even close. Bring it back!

Amazing gelato, worth a stop after dinner.

Must order "The Onion Rings" first before even consider ordering their famous hamburger.

I've taken many business guests and friends there and everybody has always been extremely satisfied. Valet parking costs almost nothing. Reservation recommended, but 30min waiting time was not that unpleasant.

Currently CLOSED. Moving to 5th Ave.