FIVE GUYS BURGER AND FRIES

FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES

SAN DIEGO, CA 

When I mentioned to my friend from San Diego that I wanted to hit In N' Out Burger while in town, he quickly said that I should try Five Guys instead.  He said that they had great burgers and fries.  I punched Five Guys into the old GPS and bingo there was one just a few minutes away from my hotel.  I had never heard of Five Guys.  When you walk in, there are signs all over the place boasting press clippings that say this is the best burger ever.  Turns out that there are Five Guys all over the country.  News to me.  The Five Guys menu and concept is very similar to In N' Out Burger.  Very limited and a dedication to quality ingredients.  At Five Guys you can order a Hamburger, Cheeseburger or Bacon Cheeseburger.  The toppings are free and include Mayo, Lettuce, Pickles, Tomatoes, Grilled Onions, Grilled Mushrooms, Ketchup and Mustard.  For extras you can get Relish, Onions, Jalapeno Peppers, Green Peppers, A1 Steak Sauce, BBQ Sauce or Hot Sauce.  A Single "Little" Burger is $3.69.  The "Little" Cheeseburger is $4.29.  There are also Hot Dogs and Grilled Cheese and Veggie Sandwiches on the menu.  Fries come standard or Cajun style and run $2.69 for a regular order and $4.99 for a large order.  I tried the "Little" Cheeseburger which is a one patty burger with 550 calories.  They print the calories on the menu.   First thing you notice and Five Guys is that there are bins of salted peanuts at the entrance.  You can scoop up as much as you want for free.  The shells get thrown on the floor.  Free peanuts.  Not a bad start.  My first bite of the burger was incredible.  I tasted the burger, the cheese, the tomato and the onion.  Wow.....after two bites I wish that I could eat two.  It was just that good.  This is an awesome burger.  Better than In N' Out?  Maybe......I need to go back and try another one before I make that call.  The Fries and Five Guys are excellent.  Fresh cut spuds cooked to a nice brown color.  Great with Ketchup.  UPDATE:  I went back and had another one of these bad boys.  This time added relish and jalapenos to my burger.  THE BOMB.  THIS PLACE IS GOOD!!!!
Click link below to view another post on Five Guys Burger;
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2011/11/five-guys-burger-and-fries-palm-beach.html

FIVE GUYS "LITTLE" CHEESEBURGER

FIVE GUYS IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

ORDER AT THE COUNTER

LARGE DINING ROOM

FREE PEANUTS

JUST GOOD AND FRESH INGREDIENTS - GREAT BURGER!

JUANITA'S TACO SHOP - ENCINITAS

JUANITAS TACO SHOP

ENCINITAS, CA

There are few restaurants that I can say that I have been going there for over 20 years.  Juanitas is one of them.  Over 20 years of dining at this little hole in the wall taco joint on Highway 101.  Memories of grinding Carne Asada Burritos after a late night out came back as I sat on the outdoor tables overlooking the highway.  I enjoyed my favorites.  Three Rolled Tacos with Guacamole and a Carne Asada Burrito.  The rolled tacos are filled with chicken and covered in cheese, guacamole, lettuce and salsa.  The Burritos are big.  Filled with a ton of meat, guacamole and Pico.  On this visit I could only polish off about two bites of the burrito after eating the Rolled Tacos.  Just to have a taste of the Juanitas flavor was enough for me.  Satisfied completely.   Absolutely love this place.  

TASTE OF HAWAII FAVORITE.  

Below are other posts on Juanitas Taco Shop

http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2014/10/juanitas-taco-shop.html
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2012/10/juanitas-taco-shop-encinitas-california.html

http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2010/06/juanita.html

JUANITAS TACO SHOP

JUANITA'S TACO SHOP IN ENCINITAS - I HAVE BEEN EATING HERE FOR 20 YEARS!

ORDER AT THE COUNTER

THREE ROLLED TACOS WITH GUACAMOLE

CARNE ASADA TACO

CARNE ASADA BURRITO

CARNE ASADA BURRITO EXPOSED.  MEAT, MEAT AND MORE MEAT

FIDELS LITTLE MEXICO

FIDELS LITTLE MEXICO

SOLANA BEACH, CA

Next to Juanitas and Roberto's for Mexican take out, I have eaten at Fidels probably more times than any other sit down restaurant.  Back in the day this was the place to go for great food at very affordable prices.  Going back now, the place seems larger.  There is a full bar and seating inside and outside. The food is still delicious.  Large portions, great prices and atmosphere.  I have always loved the salsa served with the chips here.  It taste just like old times.  Not spicy but full of flavor.  Love the salsa.  I rolled with a Shredded Beef Taco and Chicken Tostada Plate with Rice and Beans.  The Taco was filled with shredded beef and topped with cheese, lettuce and pico.  One of my favorite tacos ever.  The Tostada was just as good, but the shell got soggy and I had to eat it with a fork.  The rice and beans here are top notch.  My friend had half of a Tostada and it was huge.  A full plate load.  He loved it.  Another friend enjoyed the Tamale which he said was "great". This was a great meal.

FIDELS LITTLE MEXICO TAMALE AND TACO COMBINATION

FIDELS LITTLE MEXICO IN SOLONA BEACH - I HAVE BEEN EATING HERE FOR OVER 20 YEARS!

CHIPS, SALSA, GUACAMOLE AND PICO

SHREDDED BEEF TACO AND CHICKEN TOSTADA WITH RICE AND BEANS

HALF ORDER CHICKEN TOSTADA

PETCO PARK - SAN DIEGO

PETCO PARK

SAN DIEGO, CA 

Finished dinner downtown and saw that the Padre's were playing again.  We walked up to the ticket window and asked for seats that would allow us access to the Sushi Bar that we loved a few nights ago.  The ticket lady said that since there were under 30,000 tickets sold, we could buy $10 tickets and access the Toyota Terrace.  What a deal.  We bought the $10 seats and headed straight for the sushi bar on the Toyota Terrace.  Once again the great tables overlooking the field were open.  We had the First Base and Third Base Rolls again.  Don't know which is which, but one is filled with crab and scallops.  Totally awesome sushi.  The other was Eel with Avocado and Creme Cheese.  This is the bomb.  Game was in 13th inning when we left.  Think the Padres won this one.
Click links below for more posts on Petco Park and Toyota Terrace;
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2011/04/petco-park-sushi-bar-on-toyota-terrace.html
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2011/04/petco-park-sushi-bar-on-toyato-terrace.html
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2011/04/petco-park-san-diego.html

THE TOYOTA TERRACE AT PETCO PARK IS "THE" PLACE TO WATCH THE GAME

GREAT SEATS AND GREAT SUSHI!

ONE HAPPY PADRE FAN

WE ORDERED A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING

SUSHI WAS FRESH AND DELICIOUS

TRATTORIA LA STRADA - SAN DIEGO

TRATTORIA LA STRADA

GASLAMP DISTRICT

SAN DIEGO, CA 

Cannot say enough positive about downtown San Diego.  The Gaslamp District is just thriving with restaurants and sidewalk cafes.  We tried Trattoria La Strada on Fifth Avenue.  We were seated outside along the busy street.  The patio had overhead space heaters that made it very comfortable.  The staff was friendly and food was just o.k.  We had the Antipasto Toscano ($16).  A few meats and cheese that was presented very nicely.  We split a Cesare Salad ($8).  This was really good.  Fresh and Crispy.  I tried the Linguine Polpettine ($16).  Large Meat Balls that were good but way too salty.  The entire dish was over salted.  My friend tried the Spaghetti Bolognese ($16).  Pasta with meat sauce.  Don't know if I would return to this place.  While I liked the atmosphere, the food just didn't hit the mark.

TRATTORIA LA STRADA

TRATTORIA LA STRADA IN SAN DIEGO

INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SEATING AT TRATTORIA LA STRADA

YOU NEVER KNOW WHO WILL WALK BY

ANTIPASTO TOSCANO

HALF CESARE SALAD

LINGUINE POLPETTINE

SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE

ISLAND PRIME - SAN DIEGO

ISLAND PRIME

HARBOR ISLAND

SAN DIEGO, CA 

Enjoyed great view and $5 appetizers at Island Prime.  This is a beautiful setting overlooking downtown San Diego and the Bay.  The staff was friendly and prices were great.  We had Pot Stickers, Calamari, Ahi Poke and Fried Brie all for $5 each!  All were good but the Ahi Poke.  Nothing like we get at home.  The Ahi was actually cooked through from the marinade.  The oysters were $24 a dozen.  Served with dry ice smoking presentation.  The oysters were good, but not like Seattle or even the ones we had in Los Angeles.

ISLAND PRIME

ISLAND PRIME ON HARBOR ISLAND

GREAT VIEWS OF SAN DIEGO AND THE BAY

BRIE CHEESE WITH SALAD AND BREAD FOR $5

CALAMARI, CHICKEN POT STICKERS

DOZEN OYSTERS

VELA RESTAURANT - SAN DIEGO HILTON BAYFRONT

VELA RESTAURANT

HILTON SAN DIEGO BAYFRONT

SAN DIEGO, CA

Had an unexpected Easter Brunch at the Vela Restaurant at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront.  Was walking out to the terrace walkway when I saw a beautiful array of chocolates on display.  I wanted to eat something so I asked the receptionist if she had room for a party of one.  She said "yes" and quickly sat me at a small table away from the main eating area. The Easter Brunch was pretty bad for the price.  I had a great waitress from Boston who engaged me in conversation and seemed to feel sorry for me since I was alone on Easter.  She was sweet.  The food was not.  Really poor selection for the price.  The chocolates for dessert and all you can drink champagne and Bloody Mary Bar were quite impressive. 

A PRETTY LONELY EASTER BRUNCH BY MYSELF IN SAN DIEGO

PRIME RIB AND SHRIMP COCKTAIL

HAD TO HAVE SOME CHOCOLATE ON EASTER!

PETCO PARK - THE SUSHI BAR ON TOYOTA TERRACE

SUSHI BAR ON TOYOTA TERRACE

PETCO PARK - SAN DIEGO, CA

Enjoying fantastic sushi on a terrace overlooking the field.

There is no better way to enjoy a ball game!
Click link below for more on the Toyota Terrace;
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2011/04/petco-park-san-diego_26.html
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2011/04/petco-park-sushi-bar-on-toyato-terrace.html
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2011/04/petco-park-san-diego.html

PETCO PARK - THE SUSHI BAR ON TOYOTA TERRACE

PETCO PARK

SAN DIEGO, CA

Who would ever believe that you can get great sushi at at baseball park.  Who would also think that you could eat your sushi in an air conditioned or heated enclosed restaurant overlooking the field or on a terrace outside.  We went for the terrace seating and landed an end table with a great view of the game.  The sushi was fantastic.  We ordered the entire side of the menu.  The First Base, Second Base, Third Base, Right Field, Left Field, Pitcher and Catcher Rolls.  Each was $19.  What a great assortment.  I can not explain how great this experience was.  Great friends, great food and a first class seat.  When you visit Petco Park, try to get tickets that allow you access to the Toyota Terrace.  It is absolutely the best!  My sincere thanks to Randy and Corey from Approved Freight Forwarders for setting us up with the great seats.  This was an unforgettable evening.  Click below for more posts:
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2011/04/petco-park-sushi-bar-on-toyota-terrace.html
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2011/04/petco-park-sushi-bar-in-left-field.html
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2011/04/petco-park-san-diego.html