The Calories Donāt Count at These Foodie Hotspots
Some people count calories, while others donāt bother with the practice at all. Regardless of your feelings on these tiny invisible monsters, thereās always occasions in which they must be ignored for the sake of your dining experience. And if youāre even a smidge familiar with the dynamic San Diego foodie scene, you know there are a handful of restaurants and dishes worth ditching your diet for. With that said, we present eight culinary hotspots where the food is so good, you wonāt regret the splurge.
Hodad’s
Must Order: Guido Burger
If youāre in Ocean Beach or Downtown, Hodadās must be paid a visitāitās unspoken local law. Get your burger fix and then some at this San Diego staple serving up classic and specialty burgers, thick potato fries and delicious milkshakes. If their iconic license plate and sticker decor doesnāt first catch your eye, the familiar scent of sizzling burgers will draw you in. Famously featured in Guy Fieriās hit show, āDiners, Drive-ins and Dives,ā Hodadās has since created the fan-favorite Guido Burger in his nameāitās topped with pastrami, ketchup, pickles, Swiss cheese, grilled onions and spicy brown mustard.
Locations: Ocean Beach, Downtown San Diego
Donut Bar
Must Order: Big Poppa Tart
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No sweet tooth can be satisfied without a little rule breaking, and no place does it better than San Diegoās Donut Bar. Pop in and try the Big Poppa Tart Donut: a square donut filled with an actual Pop Tart! Weighing in at over a pound, this doubly-delectable donut is a knock of nostalgia and a nice morning treat-yoāself-moment thatāll sweeten a Sunday stroll. Explore the vivid colors of donut creativity with vegan and classic options also available!
Locations: Downtown San Diego, Pacific Beach, Chula Vista and Temecula
Cardiff Seaside Market
Must Order: Whiskey Crack Sandwich
Itās not what you thinkāevery SD local knows when thereās talk of crack, thereās quality sandwiches nearby. Cardiff Seaside Marketās world-famous tri-tip is known as āCardiff Crackā and is often served in sandwiches, burritos and bowls. If itās your first time, go for their Whiskey Crack Sandwich, stuffed with grilled Original Crack Tri Tip, whiskey peppercorn sauce, crumbled blue cheese, pickled onion and arugula on a ciabatta bun. Itās juicy; itās fresh; and itās addicting. Local Insight: if youāre down south to catch a Padres game, Cardiff Crack is now also available at Petco Park!
Location: Cardiff
Atypical Waffle Company
Must Order: Chicken Nugs & Waffles
Donāt be chicken. Challenge the standard at Atypical Waffle Company in North Park! If youāre just wandering in, you better like wafflesāthatās all theyāve got, but they do it really well. Every waffle they serve is a 300-year-old Belgian waffle recipe with a two-day, slow-rise process and a whole lot of heart, soul and science. Okay, so they do have a little more than wafflesātry the Chicken Nugs and Waffles: three waffles served with seasoned chicken breast fritters, chives, candied bacon bits and spicy aioli. Weāre not drooling, you areā¦
Location: North Park
6/18
Ironside Fish & Oyster
Must Order: Chowder Fries
Send it down to sea level at Ironside Fish & Oyster, Little Italyās romantically nautical oyster and seafood bar. When they say itās all fresh from the sea, they mean it: their menu changes every day based on mother natureās selection! Your favorite beers, wines and cocktails are always in season, however. Pop in for happy hour and take advantage of $1 oysters from 3-5 p.m., then stay a while and chow down on their fan-favorite Chowder Friesāa deliciously creamy mix of pork, potato and clam poured over piping hot french fries.
Location: Little Italy
MooTime Creamery
Must Order: Ice Cream Nachos
Any visit to Coronado Island calls for a stop at MooTime Creamery. Find all of the classic options for even the simplest of cravings, from vanilla and chocolate ice cream all the way to flavors for the ultra-adventurous, such as apple pie and Nutella banana. But it doesnāt stop at scoops of ice creamāthey even offer a nacho option! You heard that rightāorder the ice cream nachos: waffle cone bits topped with two scoops of ice cream, hot fudge, caramel, marshmallow cream and powdered sugar.
Location: Coronado
6/30
Prince St Pizza San Diego
Must Order: Naughty Pie
Thereās a newbie on the block, and it’s serving up Sicilian-style pizza. Pop into Prince St Pizza, San Diegoās newest spot for a slice of pie! Located in the bustling Gaslamp Quarter, this āza shop serves classic square slices like the spicy pepperoni (with an optional side of honey)! Pop in for a midday snack or some late-night grub, and be sure to try the Naughty Pie, which is proudly topped with spicy vodka sauce, spicy pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, ricotta and honey. This is a diet-ditch effort, after all!
Location: Gaslamp Quarter
Morning Glory
Must Order: Souffle Pancakes
Not every morning is glorious and glamorous, but that can easily be turned around with a visit to Morning Glory. This Little Italy hot spot has been buzzing from open to close since it opened its doors in 2019! Put your name down and patiently wait for your seat in the elegant-yet-funky atmosphere filled with cushy pink booths and iridescent decor. Sip on a crafty drink as you wait for your order of the iconic Souffle Pancakes. Unlike any pancake youāve had before, these extremely fluffy, airy pancakes are as delicious as they are Instagrammable.
Location: Little Italy
Jaclyn is a sunshine chasing San Diego native with an extensive writing background. When she isnāt word-smithing, you can find her playing beach volleyball, skating the boardwalk, or on a rooftop enjoying a drink in the sunshine with her pals.
