Rubicon Deli3819 Mission BlvdSan Diego Ca 92109858.488.DELIhttp://www.therubicondeli.com/Another great option is Rubicon Deli for breakfast or lunch. Located just down the street from The Mission Cafe, Rubicon Deli has made a name for themselves the past couple of years by serving amazing (and HUGE) sandwiches on fresh baked bread. If you are sharing with a friend buy a whole sandwich but if you are dining alone, a half of a sandwich will usually be just right, if not too much! (remember, I said they’re HUGE!!) I usually let the person behind the counter choose my sandwich for me and I have never been disappointed. Silly, I know…but there are just too many options available for me to decide on my own! Each order comes with a little home made chocolate chip cookie for dessert. They also make great soups, salads and breakfast items. I’ve never eaten at Rubicon for breakfast but I’ve driven by in the morning to see it packed with locals, so it must be good!Kono’s704 Garnet AveSan Diego Ca 92109858.483.1669Kono’s is a locals-in-the-know breakfast and lunch spot located at the beginning of the Crystal Pier. http://www.yelp.com/biz/konos-cafe-san-diego If you love huge portions at cheap prices, this is the place for you! There is usually a long line but the guys behind the counter are pro at making sure it moves fast, plus it’s totally worth the wait. There is a little hidden ocean front patio on the north side of the Shell Shop. My in laws love to come here for breakfast and linger on the ocean front patio watching the surfers and dolphins. Kono’s also serves lunch.Guava Beach -3714 Mission Blvd(between Portsmouth Ct & Santa Clara Pl)San Diego, CA 92109(858) 488-6688www.guava-beach.comGuava Beach Bar & Grill is a locals bar for everyone. It combines a warm and comfortable atmosphere with a lively and fun energy. Guava Beach offers plenty of plasma TVs including a 10 foot HD projection screen with surround sound to satisfy ALL your sports viewing needs. They have the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, College Football and Fox Soccer packages.Guava Beach features an eclectic mix of American Classics with a South of the Border flare. Serving everything from grilled mahi tacos, seafood burritos, and house marinated carne asada fajitas, to coconut chicken sandwiches, ½ lb hand packed burgers, fresh salads with house made dressings and Cajun herbed Ahi.Known for their margaritas which are crafted using a custom blended (and bottled for sale) margarita mix and agave nectar. Guava Beach offers a selection of over fifty 100% Blue Agave tequilas. Guava recently won Best Beach Happy Hour, and they have drink specials daily. Check out Wednesday nights when they host $3 U-Call-Its.Sneak Joint -3844 Mission Blvd(between Seagirt Ct & Sunset Ct)San Diego, CA 92109(858) 488-8684www.sneakjointsd.comI’ve been here a few times. I won’t be returning. The last time we ate lunch here as a family the bill came to $60 (before tip) for three meals, two beers and a soda to which they informed my daughter that they do not give free refills. Seriously? Soda is the least expensive thing you can give a refill on! The food was just mediocre, the service was slow, plus all the good micro beers listed on the menu seem to always be ‘not flowing right now’. But they always seem to have Bud Light and PBR available. (shiver) At night the place is usually busy with a young and loud crowd, especially when there is a game on. The waitresses are cute, young, tan and wear bikini’s…so that helps. Plus the tater tots rock.Cafe Mono – 3833 Mission Blvd.San Diego, California 92109858.539.0039 7:00 am to 6:00 pmhttp://www.cafemonosd.com/cafemono.htmCafe Mono is a great little gem here in Mission Beach. They serve gelato and sorbet, espresso drinks, sandwiches and soups, French desserts, all offered in one unique cafe. Most salads and sandwiches run about $7. Whether you order an espresso, a macchiato, a latte, or any espresso drinks, you won’t see or taste a finer crema poured anywhere on the pinnensula. Cafe Mono might be called “beach-casual-elegant” with a great front patio to catch more rays while you dine. The service is quick and friendly, plus it’s cheap too! What more could you ask for?Saska’s Sushi and Steaks – 3768 Mission Blvd.San Diego, California 92109858.488.7311http://www.saskas.com/Saska’s serves steaks, seafood and sushi and has the distinction of being in Mission Beach for sixty years! Family owned and operated since their inception, they have valet parking which is nice because parking can be a bit of an issue in these parts. The interior has the feel of an old school steak house, dark wood, red ‘leather’ booths. S There may be better restaurants to get a steak in San Diego, but probably not in Mission Beach. There is no ocean view but they do have a roof top deck which is nice when the weather permits…which is pretty much most of the time here in San Diego.Fresh MXN Foodhttp://www.freshmxnfood.com/Multiple locations around San Diego, but this is the only location in Mission Beach. Great food, cheap prices. The Carne Asada fries are amazing. MXN is open 24 hours so it’s a huge draw for the 2am ‘after the bars close’ crowd. MXN is located directly across the street from the Belmont Roller coaster AND Roberto’s Taco shop…which is a institution in San Diego County. Gotta give it to MXN for standing up against the competition.Olive Cafe805 Santa Clara Pl(between Bayside Ln & Mission Blvd)San Diego, CA 92109(858) 488-1224www.olivecafe.bizThe Olive Cafe is a cute little hole in the wall located on Santa Clara Place on the bay side of Mission Blvd. They serve breakfast and lunch all day and have some awesome original items on their menu like Berry Brandy Cream French Toast. Many of the menu items are named after friends and family such as Neighbor Dave’s Turkey Melt and Dad’s Favorite Pancakes. Plus all of their desserts are homemade! Inside the cafe there is an fire place that is usually lit on cool days and only ads to the cozy vibe. The Olive also has a nice little outdoor patio to dine on. For being such a small place there is a lot of items on their menu to choose from. Everything I’ve tried has been really good. Also, try the Mexican hot chocolate….one of a kind!Voltero’s Deli10am to 6pmcorner of Santa Clara at Mission Blvd.Voltero’s quaint corner side cafe serves up fabulous sandwiches that can be devoured with some delicious home made fries or their house made potato salad. It’s easy to enjoy sitting out on the patio while people watching. Their philly cheese steaks and chicken cheese steaks are their signature sandwiches and these are what draws people in. Fresh cooked fish and chips. Awesome fresh fruit smoothies and hand scooped ice cream milk shakes/malts. The Californian is a huge sandwich consisting of ham, turkey, avocado, tomato, lettuce, onions on a nice BIG hogie bun, and is one fantastic sandwich. The prices are inexpensive for what you get. Voltero’s is perfect for lunch after (or during) a ‘tough’ day at the beach, surfing, boogie boarding or just laying out, or a long run on the beach. Hours are limited to lunch only. 11ish to 4ish.Nick’s at the Beach809 Thomas Avenue, Pacific BeachSan Diego, CA 92109(858) 270-1730Nick’s was voted best neighborhood restaurant two years in a row by San Diego Magazine foods critics. This two-story restaurant offers the best of both worlds. It is a great restaurant for a first date. You go to dinner downstairs in a nice romantic setting, ask for a booth and order some good food and wine. And if the company is good, and if you are likin’ what’s happening you can just head upstairs to the sports bar, play the juke box and play some pool. Downstairs you’ll find a light and airy, casual, California-style restaurant and sidewalk café. A total of twenty main course selections prepared by talented Chef Scott McElroy. Mouth watering fresh seafood is the house specialty. They always serve the best catch of the day, fresh from the market.Nick’s at the Beach also serves great-tasting steaks, chicken dishes, savory apple brandy pork chops, pasta dishes, crowd-pleasing sandwiches, and salads fresh from the garden. For desserts, order their warm bread pudding with a Bourbon caramel sauce. Upstairs at Nick’s is where the party begins. Whether it’s sports you want or a friendly game of pool, you’ll find it here. There are 29 TV’s, 16 beers on tap and a great ocean view from the outdoor deck. This is what makes Nick’s San Diego’s best neighborhood restaurant. ATM available credit cards AE, MC, VISA.World Famous711 Pacific Beach Dr(between Ocean Blvd & Ocean Front Walk)San Diego, CA 92109Neighborhood: Pacific Beach(858) 272-3100worldfamouspb.com/World Famous is famous for their happy hour specials. Monday night is half price on all appetizer all night long, from 4 to close. The nut crusted brie is my personal favorite as well as the seared scallops that lie on a bed of crispy potato pancake and spinach en croute. Tuesday night is shrimp tacos for $1.50 each. Wednesday is lobster tacos for $2.50 which goes great with their lobster bisque which they serve with fresh warm bread and together, these go great with a glass of white wine…ahhhhh. All of this for about $15!! Thursday is $1 pollo asada tacos, $2 house margaritas and $3.25 Hawaiian short ribs. Aside from their happy hour specials they do have a menu that changes weekly to give you a variety of local fare. The World Famous is located right on the boardwalk and offers amazing views of the ocean and is great for people watching.
The Green Flash -701 Thomas Avenue San Diego, CA 92109-3939(858) 270-7715The Green Flash has an array of fresh local sea food. The best Bloody Marys in town and for breakfast you must have the huevos rancheros. The Green Flash is a local favorite with outside, ocean front dining, where you can people watch and search for dophins playing in the waves while enjoying your meal.Lahaina’s -Lahaina’s is the only beach bar in San Diego where you can have your favorite adult beverage and stare out at the ocean with only sand between you and the water. There really isn’t anything else like it in San Diego. You must be 21+ and once the sun sets the place closes down. Last call is given at sunset. So know that Lahaina’s closes earlier in the winter (4:30 to 5:30) but stays open longer in the summer because the sun sets later in the day, usually between 7-8pm. Play your favorite music on the juke box and remember that Lahaina’s is CASH ONLY. ATM provided inside. They open early (8am) so you can bite the hair of the dog with a breakfast burrito and a beer after a long night of drinking.
