The San Diego area thread

[arren]

FO is great for beers, but I never understood the hype on their burgers. Most local mom and pop joints in my neighborhood have a better burger.

And I like ketchup.

I felt the same but then I had to retrain my mindset with it. To me, the FO burger isn't a burger - it's a sandwich with a patty and high-quality ingredients.

Once I didn't heap any "burger" expectations on it, I actually enjoyed it.

 

[rcubed1]

I live right next to a Burger Lounge, and can say that their burgers are great.
Expensive as ****, but great.

TalkBurgers.com

Location, location, location.

 

[Tyrsis]

Location, location, location.

We walk to Ponce's but the smell coming from Burger Lounge always makes us second guess going to Ponce's...

 

[oxcitypauze]

And in other food related questions, any suggestions for Chula Vista beyond Tacos el Gordo, Aqui es Texcoco, and TJ Oyster Bar? Going to get a little irresponsibly inebriated and feast on Saturday, looking to for any and all suggestions in the area.

On the west side of Chula:
Factory El Ranchero for another entry in the taco shop arsenal. Barbacoa tacos are great here, as is the cabeza.
Otay Farms & Market - mexican grocery that has a killer mexican deli. pick up some greasy yet tasty beef tacos and handmade tortillas to go.
Temp, by Cosecha - i haven't been here yet, but I've heard good things. It's on 3rd Ave near all the new beer bar action, so location is a plus.
Fuddruckers is also on 3rd, since we're hitting full TalkBurger stride.
Jochi's Resto - filipino point-point joint. I like the sisig here.
Golden House for american chinese food. The salt+pepper wings here are awesome. I also recommend the spicy crispy beef, steamed ginger fish.

If you'll be on the east side/Otay Ranch:
MJ Yogurt & Deli - filipino/mexican fusion. Sisig fries! sisig anything really
Pho Convoy near Southwestern - decent enough pho and viet food

Edit to add: if you like coffee - Pavaraga Hawaiian coffee in Bonita. if you're a fan of coconut, add haupia to ALL THE THINGS

 

[SerenityNow]

That $3 difference is worth not driving that stretch of Mira Mesa Blvd between Camino Ruiz and Westview.

We must be Neighbors lol! When’s the Mira Mesa bottleshare?

I think Buttfuckers, I mean Fuddruckers is my favorite local burger. Damm you all. Trying to lose weight & now I want a burger!

 

[sdreaper]

We must be Neighbors lol! When’s the Mira Mesa bottleshare?

I think Buttfuckers, I mean Fuddruckers is my favorite local burger. Damm you all. Trying to lose weight & now I want a burger!

I mean....you guys are literally a 10minute walk from me. (ok, maybe 20 if you are towards the theater...but still)

 

[SerenityNow]

I mean....you guys are literally a 10minute walk from me. (ok, maybe 20 if you are towards the theater...but still)

Had no idea so many of you guys were in Mira Mesa. My count is maybe 4 of us (incl. one that doesn’t really participate here).

Just asked my wife to pick up Fuddruckers. Maybe go nuts & we both try the Bourbon & the Buffalo burgers. I’m. So. Excited.

 

[arren]

We must be Neighbors lol! When’s the Mira Mesa bottleshare?

I think Buttfuckers, I mean Fuddruckers is my favorite local burger. Damm you all. Trying to lose weight & now I want a burger!

My office was right across the street from Scripps Ranch High.

We just moved, and now we're on Carroll Canyon, right across the street from Newtopia .

 

[pugsandsuds]

On the west side of Chula:
Factory El Ranchero for another entry in the taco shop arsenal. Barbacoa tacos are great here, as is the cabeza.
Otay Farms & Market - mexican grocery that has a killer mexican deli. pick up some greasy yet tasty beef tacos and handmade tortillas to go.
Temp, by Cosecha - i haven't been here yet, but I've heard good things. It's on 3rd Ave near all the new beer bar action, so location is a plus.
Fuddruckers is also on 3rd, since we're hitting full TalkBurger stride.
Jochi's Resto - filipino point-point joint. I like the sisig here.
Golden House for american chinese food. The salt+pepper wings here are awesome. I also recommend the spicy crispy beef, steamed ginger fish.

If you'll be on the east side/Otay Ranch:
MJ Yogurt & Deli - filipino/mexican fusion. Sisig fries! sisig anything really
Pho Convoy near Southwestern - decent enough pho and viet food

Edit to add: if you like coffee - Pavaraga Hawaiian coffee in Bonita. if you're a fan of coconut, add haupia to ALL THE THINGS

Much appreciation, especially for the coffee rec!!

 

[pugsandsuds]

Not to plug small bar twice in a day, but death and taxes + lamb tacos = excellent start to a Friday night

 

[souredstouts]

Not to plug small bar twice in a day, but death and taxes + lamb tacos = excellent start to a Friday night

Driving to Mexico on a Friday sucks. It is a little late now. See you Sunday night?

 

[nanobrew1]

WTF! No love for Rocky's in here?

 

[rcubed1]

Not to plug small bar twice in a day, but death and taxes + lamb tacos = excellent start to a Friday night

Thought I saw you crossing Adams from BLAH on our way back from ramen.

 

[rcubed1]

Heading over to Beaver NP in a few minutes if anyone wants to meet. They are having their anniversary.

 

[rcubed1]

Heading over to Beaver NP in a few minutes if anyone wants to meet. They are having their anniversary.

Holy **** double barrel Via La Beaver was good. Too bad it was only a 5 gallon barrel.

 

[SerenityNow]

New English BA BW is awesome.

 

[Tyrsis]

New English BA BW is awesome.

I found it very bitter.

 

[SerenityNow]

I found it very bitter.

Yeah, on the backend I agree. Hoping that will fade.

 

[arren]

WTF! No love for Rocky's in here?

Rocky's is in a class of its own.

 

[Sebowski1]

Rocky's is in a class of its own.

Yup. A class at about 12th in line.

#OverRated

 

[arren]

Yup. A class at about 12th in line.

#OverRated

Who do you think makes the best burger in town?

I actually ended up at The Friendly Friday night after the Seven Grand Whiskey Tasting (incredible as always). I don't understand the hype for the burger.

My main hang-up is that there's no balance to it at all - it's savory on salty on savory on salty on greasy. I almost feel like I got palate fatigue in the second bite, and by the time I finished it it felt so ******* greasy that my bourbon-filled belly almost couldn't stomach it. The aioli is fine, but something like a squirt of mustard or spread would've made this a ******* phenomenal burger.

I've been getting pretty heated about this burger since I had it, lol, but I hate seeing food that is like one easy step away from being a ******* banger. Like, basic cooking principles dictate that even a hint of acidity or brightness can elevate a dish. To see that not being executed here, and then to have a bunch of chefs and people in the industry lose their **** over this burger, rustles my jimmies in the worst damn way.

I'll give it another try. Maybe I just wasn't up for it. Pizza was good, at least - though it won't supplant Sicilian Thing as my easy neighborhood slice of choice.

 

[Tyrsis]

Who do you think makes the best burger in town?

I actually ended up at The Friendly Friday night after the Seven Grand Whiskey Tasting (incredible as always). I don't understand the hype for the burger.

My main hang-up is that there's no balance to it at all - it's savory on salty on savory on salty on greasy. I almost feel like I got palate fatigue in the second bite, and by the time I finished it it felt so ******* greasy that my bourbon-filled belly almost couldn't stomach it. The aioli is fine, but something like a squirt of mustard or spread would've made this a ******* phenomenal burger.

I've been getting pretty heated about this burger since I had it, lol, but I hate seeing food that is like one easy step away from being a ******* banger. Like, basic cooking principles dictate that even a hint of acidity or brightness can elevate a dish. To see that not being executed here, and then to have a bunch of chefs and people in the industry lose their **** over this burger, rustles my jimmies in the worst damn way.

I'll give it another try. Maybe I just wasn't up for it. Pizza was good, at least - though it won't supplant Sicilian Thing as my easy neighborhood slice of choice.

Like I said, needs some sort of acid. Yellow mustard or pickles (or both! mmm) My Double Double order is always ketchup and mustard instead of spread, add pickles. I will say that the burger seems to hit the spot more when drunk as ****.

I'm not sure who makes the best burger in town. It's not my "go to" when eating out. I haven't even had Balboa's or Rocky's...

The pizza is good, but it's no Sicilian Thing / Luigi's. The best part is that you can grab food and go for a beer at Fall. That's nice.

 

[Sebowski1]

Who do you think makes the best burger in town?

I'm probably not the person to listen to on this topic. I'm not much of a burger guy. I probably ate 3 burgers last year. And I've had 3 Friendly burgers in the last two months. I hate thick patties. So filling. I don't won't to eat for three days after eating a thick burger. I also don't like a lot of **** on my burger. I hate mustard and pickles. And macro mayo. When I go to In & Out I get it with only grilled onions, cheese, and ketchup. The only thing I'd change about the friendly burger is a douse of ketchup. I love that it's basically a 3 bite burger. It always makes me think I can eat another instead of not ever even finishing most burgers I get.

So I'm like the guy who's all "Dude! This IPA is the best ever. AND I DON"T EVEN LIKE ANY IPAs". Chances are that IPA sucks if you like IPAs.

#TalkBurgers
I had an idea for a Top Chef quick fire. Tell them to make the best burger they've ever made. Then when it is time to plate say ok, now only serve me the patty. :headesplode:

I do like a Hodads once a year, but really only for the bacon. That's what made that place famous. If you aren't getting the bacon there then there isn't really a point of dealing with that place. I started adding it to their chicken sandwich now so I don't even need a burger when I want their bacon.

 

[pugsandsuds]

Happy to see blind lady get a keg of the saison they did with Cellarmaker and HPB, anybody wanna grab a beer?







Aka looking for more people to justify ordering fries

 

[arren]

I'm probably not the person to listen to on this topic. I'm not much of a burger guy. I probably ate 3 burgers last year. And I've had 3 Friendly burgers in the last two months. I hate thick patties. So filling. I don't won't to eat for three days after eating a thick burger. I also don't like a lot of **** on my burger. I hate mustard and pickles. And macro mayo. When I go to In & Out I get it with only grilled onions, cheese, and ketchup. The only thing I'd change about the friendly burger is a douse of ketchup. I love that it's basically a 3 bite burger. It always makes me think I can eat another instead of not ever even finishing most burgers I get.

So I'm like the guy who's all "Dude! This IPA is the best ever. AND I DON"T EVEN LIKE ANY IPAs". Chances are that IPA sucks if you like IPAs.

#TalkBurgers
I had an idea for a Top Chef quick fire. Tell them to make the best burger they've ever made. Then when it is time to plate say ok, now only serve me the patty. :headesplode:

I do like a Hodads once a year, but really only for the bacon. That's what made that place famous. If you aren't getting the bacon there then there isn't really a point of dealing with that place. I started adding it to their chicken sandwich now so I don't even need a burger when I want their bacon.

Ha we're on the same page re: the Friendly burger - same criticism, but I seem to be a little more vehement about it.

I can definitely relate to your burger opinions - fancy burgers can go **** themselves, and weirdo burgers even moreso. I've visited Slater's probably three times in my life, and each time I was left wondering if I even enjoy burgers.

That's why I'm a little surprised that you don't really like the Rocky's burger. It's about as simple a burger as you can get - that's its main strength to me. It reminds me of the best burger you've had at a friend's BBQ. I don't think I've had a burger in SD yet that can invoke that kind of emotional response.

I think Shake Shack achieves the "greasy as ****" burger much better than The Friendly, albeit at a higher price. And that's the thing too - people extol a $5 burger as being cheap, but when you think about it, is it really that cheap? Honestly, I'd rather eat 5 McD's cheeseburgers for the same price.

Hodad's bacon is something special, and you're right - I go there only when I'm craving a bacon cheeseburger. And then I promptly hate myself for somehow fitting a 5lb burger into my stomach.


...****, I want a burger now - as I'm making kimchi fried rice with carnitas.

 

[Sage1]

Tangentially related – I’ve never ordered the Puerco sandwich at Tiger (no particular reason – I just usually end up ordering from the daily specials menu), and holy **** that is one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had. Also one of the messiest sandwiches I’ve ever had, but totally worth it. Fatty af, but the right amount of acid to cut through all of it.

 

[Sebowski1]

TLDR
I hate burgers but love sliders.

 

[DougOLis]

What's EDSD?

 

[sdreaper]

What's EDSD?

FB group called Eating and Drinking in San Diego, run/moderated/dictatored by Edwin Real.

 

[arren]

What's EDSD?

A shining example of what goes wrong when you combine someone desperately trying to make a name for themselves with a bunch of no-names wanting to be part of someone who's trying to make a name for themselves.