Guidebook for San Diego
Food Scene
Pizzeria Luigi
1137 25th StBest New York style pizza in town. Only 2 blocks away!
Great burritos, outstanding salsa. I get the take out here nearly every week. Call ahead, its ready in the time it takes you to walk the 2 blocks.
6 locals recommend
Colima's Mexican Food
2302 University AvenueGreat burritos, outstanding salsa. I get the take out here nearly every week. Call ahead, its ready in the time it takes you to walk the 2 blocks.
Get 3 tacos here, you can't go wrong. I like the chorizo best, but all are excellent.
150 locals recommend
City Tacos
3028 University AveGet 3 tacos here, you can't go wrong. I like the chorizo best, but all are excellent.
New place here with excellent omelets, good value for your money.
280 locals recommend
Breakfast Republic
2730 University AveNew place here with excellent omelets, good value for your money.
I don't eat donuts, but my brother does and he assures me these are excellent.
9 locals recommend
Golden Donut
2360 University AveI don't eat donuts, but my brother does and he assures me these are excellent.
Great coffee and nice selection of freshly baked goods in the AM. They make pizza also but have not tried them for dinner.
124 locals recommend
Caffè Calabria
3933 30th StGreat coffee and nice selection of freshly baked goods in the AM. They make pizza also but have not tried them for dinner.
This is a value place, quite often they have a very good midweek deal. Quick service.
27 locals recommend
Sicilian Thing Pizza
4046 30th StThis is a value place, quite often they have a very good midweek deal. Quick service.
Where else will you find a fried chicken and donut shop? Chicken is excellent. Order ahead of time or pop into Toronado for a pint while you wait. 25 minutes to make your chicken is the norm.
24 locals recommend
StreetCar Merchants Chicken Bar
4002 30th StWhere else will you find a fried chicken and donut shop? Chicken is excellent. Order ahead of time or pop into Toronado for a pint while you wait. 25 minutes to make your chicken is the norm.
Quality food, good value. Being on 30th street they have to have a good beer selection. Burgers and fries are always good. I have tried a few of the exotic meats but generally go with the basic burger here.
34 locals recommend
Crazee Burger
3993 30th StQuality food, good value. Being on 30th street they have to have a good beer selection. Burgers and fries are always good. I have tried a few of the exotic meats but generally go with the basic burger here.
New place that has a great tap list. Best fries i have found in north park. Good mains. Overall a very nice place that I have a hard time passing without popping in.
44 locals recommend
Encontro North Park
3001 University AveNew place that has a great tap list. Best fries i have found in north park. Good mains. Overall a very nice place that I have a hard time passing without popping in.
Used to be a Raman House. They do pho now and they do a fine job. Nice piece of art inside from a fairly well known street artist. Good food, good vibe.
21 locals recommend
Shank & Bone
2930 University AveUsed to be a Raman House. They do pho now and they do a fine job. Nice piece of art inside from a fairly well known street artist. Good food, good vibe.
One item on the menu and its there in the name. I like the beef ones. They also have chicken, potato and vegan. The spicy red salsa is very hot, but that is what I like. Recently opened in summer 2018 but looks like the go to place for this specialty item in North Park.
El Tianguis Rolled Taquitos
2810 El Cajon BlvdOne item on the menu and its there in the name. I like the beef ones. They also have chicken, potato and vegan. The spicy red salsa is very hot, but that is what I like. Recently opened in summer 2018 but looks like the go to place for this specialty item in North Park.
This is my alternative to Carnitas Snack Shack. Carnitas has the best sandwiches but less options on the beer. This place the sandwiches are at the same level, but the beer selection is outstanding given that it is Inside the Rip Current Brewpub. Its at the corner of Polk and 30th. Easy walk or electric scooter ride.
Craft House
4101 30th StThis is my alternative to Carnitas Snack Shack. Carnitas has the best sandwiches but less options on the beer. This place the sandwiches are at the same level, but the beer selection is outstanding given that it is Inside the Rip Current Brewpub. Its at the corner of Polk and 30th. Easy walk or electric scooter ride.
Wood fired pizza. These guys know what they are doing. if you want slices, its Luigi's. If you want a whole pie, this is the place. I like the El Jefe, but i don't think you can go wrong with the less spicy choices.
24 locals recommend
Pizzeria Bruno Napoletano
4207 Park BlvdWood fired pizza. These guys know what they are doing. if you want slices, its Luigi's. If you want a whole pie, this is the place. I like the El Jefe, but i don't think you can go wrong with the less spicy choices.
This replaced ritual tavern. Its a nice walk from my place and the food is good and budget friendly. I liked the Shrimp and Grits.
18 locals recommend
Working Class
4095 30th StThis replaced ritual tavern. Its a nice walk from my place and the food is good and budget friendly. I liked the Shrimp and Grits.
its a bit of walk up to Hillcrest , but very good breakfast. biscuits are excellent. usually a line out the door on weekends, but easier to access on weekdays.
Sunnyboy Biscuit Co.
its a bit of walk up to Hillcrest , but very good breakfast. biscuits are excellent. usually a line out the door on weekends, but easier to access on weekdays.
across the street from breakfast republic. flat walk from my house, really my favorite breakfast place near the house.
133 locals recommend
The Mission North Park
2801 University Aveacross the street from breakfast republic. flat walk from my house, really my favorite breakfast place near the house.
easy walk,, 2-3 blocks. they make excellent coffee and have light food options. this is my go to place if you just want a quick coffee to start your day.
146 locals recommend
Communal Coffee
2335 University Aveeasy walk,, 2-3 blocks. they make excellent coffee and have light food options. this is my go to place if you just want a quick coffee to start your day.
Drinks & Nightlife
Dive bar. Happy hour is flexible. Pool table attracts some very good players, juke box is outstanding. Lights are very low. And that's a good thing in a dive bar. Pets are allowed.
27 locals recommend
Live Wire
2103 El Cajon BlvdDive bar. Happy hour is flexible. Pool table attracts some very good players, juke box is outstanding. Lights are very low. And that's a good thing in a dive bar. Pets are allowed.
excellent pizza, great beer selection. a good reason to explore Normal Heights.
174 locals recommend
Blind Lady Ale House
3416 Adams Aveexcellent pizza, great beer selection. a good reason to explore Normal Heights.
Barn is the same people that run poorhouse. It is closer to my place. Usually have some good farmhouse ales. And the music keeps me there for a second round.
16 locals recommend
Barn Brewery
2850 El Cajon BlvdBarn is the same people that run poorhouse. It is closer to my place. Usually have some good farmhouse ales. And the music keeps me there for a second round.
Home brewer open this place. The Hop Fui American IPA is well balanced. Also like the American stout. Good ambience, attentive service. They have tasters, so you can seek out your favorite.
57 locals recommend
North Park Beer Company
3038 University AveHome brewer open this place. The Hop Fui American IPA is well balanced. Also like the American stout. Good ambience, attentive service. They have tasters, so you can seek out your favorite.
Everything Else
The experimental IPA is always interesting. And I like drinking beer from mason jars...
23 locals recommend
Poor House Brewing Company
4494 30th StreetThe experimental IPA is always interesting. And I like drinking beer from mason jars...
Entertainment & Activities
Been a zoo member here for years, as much fun to go people watch as it is to see the animals. October is kid's free month so parking is rough, but other months it is very accessible.
2510 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrBeen a zoo member here for years, as much fun to go people watch as it is to see the animals. October is kid's free month so parking is rough, but other months it is very accessible.
Sightseeing
I spent a month on an aircraft carrier as a midshipman. Those who want to see one in less time visit this one for a few hours.
775 locals recommend
USS Midway Museum
910 N Harbor DrI spent a month on an aircraft carrier as a midshipman. Those who want to see one in less time visit this one for a few hours.
Shopping
This really is an "everything else" store. North Park Pioneer that has a very good selection for shoppers who are looking for "something different". Most of the patrons are female, but so are many of my guests...
158 locals recommend
Pigment
3801 30th StThis really is an "everything else" store. North Park Pioneer that has a very good selection for shoppers who are looking for "something different". Most of the patrons are female, but so are many of my guests...