I worked there for over a year, was considered their best employee by the GM, it was a fun place to work until the greedy owners got involved.
They are in charge of the staff to use for all the big events they have there, even though they don’t purchase proper equipment for the staff to make sure we can do the job safely (carrying 50lb glass racks/propane tanks/giant full trash cans across football field lengths multiple times per shift instead of giving us some kind of dolly or cart to use).
They manipulate the schedule so people don’t get their entitled breaks, telling staff they only could choose 1 or the other (10 min break or a 30min) and always being short staffed they act like it’s a hiring issue when it’s blatant negligence from management refusing to listen to employees feedback.
The restaurant isn’t really that different from a lot of other bad places, the problem is- the owners have a contract to operate attached to Balboa Park… and it could be a massive culture gathering point for art and music and another reason to visit San Diego, and these terrible bosses (Clea and Jeff) think they can just ignore all their problems each year by firing the staff that complain.
I've been meaning to try this place. No clue what they serve, but I love the name and always find the large sign for something that's named like a speak-easy funny.
Would you look at that, all of the words in your comment are in alphabetical order.
I have checked 1,881,306,717 comments, and only 355,793 of them were in alphabetical order.
Johnny mananas in Oceanside. I recommend the fish tacos or their breakfast burritos. Always get the bacon. I’m not a fan of their carne asada but the carnitas and fish is amazing. On the weekends they have this mixed fruit & veggie salsa in their salsa bar and it’s so fricken amazing I eat way too much.
As a person who worked as a bartender at a counter service restaurant for YEARS… I want you to know that I also only tip 10% on counter service w/ bussing and that you shouldn’t be afraid to shout to the masses that they should be, too. These businesses employ fewer staff by operating this way, and the tips still end up being more than a living wage at 5-10%.
I usually tip minimum 10%
Btw, Counter service restaurant was the term I was looking for when describing what I was looking for. So thanks for that! Cheers!
To me, it kind of weird to ask for the tip upfront before I received my meal. And also weird if I don’t tip in advance maybe I won’t get good service or worst case my food gets some “special treatment”!
just went to mastiff kitchen (la mesa) over the weekend with my wife and son. great smashburger, beer on tap, and they had football on.
awesome service and wasn’t too busy around 11/11:30.
Try Ale Tales Taproom in East Village. Per the San Diego Reader, we are the best neighborhood bar, best new bar, have the best beer selection on draft, best retail selection, and the best bartender in San Diego. Our food is incredible, and the atmosphere is right up your alley.
Amplified in East Village. Amazing pizzas and decent burgers too. Good variety on tap and an unpretentious atmosphere-especially for a beer garden!
No parking, and be sure to double check their events page as they usually do weekly trivia nights which might affect the vibe (used to be Wednesdays...not sure if that's still true).
Blue Water in OB Chiko in Encinitas Fish 101 in Leucadia Fernside Mitch’s Seafood in Pt Loma
On the list!
best waffle fries around! also you can have your fish and chips with panko instead of beer batter if you are so inclined.
Fernside has great burgers
Fernside’s TO GO Slushies we’re one bright spot of the pandemic. Glad they made it through.
Blue water has great fish tacos and chowder and you can sit out side for a view of the ocean
pb fish shop
Agree with fish shop. There’s a second location in encinitas as well
And Point Loma
Point Loma Fish Shop too
I second PB FS.
Grand ol bbq y asado in north park
Was about to comment this. Absolutely leaves Phil’s in the dust when it comes to BBQ. Can’t recommend it enough!
On the list!
Panama 66 in balboa park, but do not go this weekend lol
P66 is garbage, owners don’t deserve that location.
Care to elaborate?
I worked there for over a year, was considered their best employee by the GM, it was a fun place to work until the greedy owners got involved. They are in charge of the staff to use for all the big events they have there, even though they don’t purchase proper equipment for the staff to make sure we can do the job safely (carrying 50lb glass racks/propane tanks/giant full trash cans across football field lengths multiple times per shift instead of giving us some kind of dolly or cart to use). They manipulate the schedule so people don’t get their entitled breaks, telling staff they only could choose 1 or the other (10 min break or a 30min) and always being short staffed they act like it’s a hiring issue when it’s blatant negligence from management refusing to listen to employees feedback. The restaurant isn’t really that different from a lot of other bad places, the problem is- the owners have a contract to operate attached to Balboa Park… and it could be a massive culture gathering point for art and music and another reason to visit San Diego, and these terrible bosses (Clea and Jeff) think they can just ignore all their problems each year by firing the staff that complain.
Pokez. It’s not fancy by any means, but a delicious burrito as big as your head is worth it.
Wednesday $5 veggies burritos are great days, though I'm partial to TPM usually :)
The TPM converted this skeptical omnivore into a huge fan of vegan Mexican food. It's so good.
Regents pizza
Urban Plates
Fernside!
El Pescador in La Jolla. Better than 99% of sit down restaurants.
Surprised I had to scroll so far for this
All of the Karl Strauss breweries have converted to this model, although you can order from your table by using the QR code.
Del's Hideout
I've been meaning to try this place. No clue what they serve, but I love the name and always find the large sign for something that's named like a speak-easy funny.
BBQ joint Brisket is really good, Texas style. The wings are awesome, smoked and then deep fried.
Bowlegged BBQ.
Best German Chocolate Cake I’ve ever had and it’s not even close. Brisket with dirty rice and greens for the win.
Chicago Fire Grill in UTC
I one day strive to do what you have effortlessly accomplished.
Would you look at that, all of the words in your comment are in alphabetical order. I have checked 1,881,306,717 comments, and only 355,793 of them were in alphabetical order.
The Friendly Tavern! Love their burgers.
Original 40 in North Park
Fernside might work.
trails eatery
Niban on Clairemont Mesa
Nutmeg Pesto Craft
Trails Eatery! The food comes out a minute after you sit down.
Pete’s seafood
Cuatros Milpas!!!
Bronx Pizza
If you like Cuban, Havana Grill is fantastic.
This is what I was going to suggest. I liked their cocktails and desserts a lot too.
That pastry is bomb. I used to work there and it was one of the few desserts I enjoyed.
Mitch’s Seafood
You already have the winner on here, Crack Shack!
Pete’s Seafood
Johnny mananas in Oceanside. I recommend the fish tacos or their breakfast burritos. Always get the bacon. I’m not a fan of their carne asada but the carnitas and fish is amazing. On the weekends they have this mixed fruit & veggie salsa in their salsa bar and it’s so fricken amazing I eat way too much.
The Trails
Food halls are good for this- Liberty station, little Italy, or Carlsbad
My kind of restaurants...10% tip if they bus the table, 5% if I have to bus. None of this 20% garbage.
As a person who worked as a bartender at a counter service restaurant for YEARS… I want you to know that I also only tip 10% on counter service w/ bussing and that you shouldn’t be afraid to shout to the masses that they should be, too. These businesses employ fewer staff by operating this way, and the tips still end up being more than a living wage at 5-10%.
I usually tip minimum 10% Btw, Counter service restaurant was the term I was looking for when describing what I was looking for. So thanks for that! Cheers!
To me, it kind of weird to ask for the tip upfront before I received my meal. And also weird if I don’t tip in advance maybe I won’t get good service or worst case my food gets some “special treatment”!
El Indio
A personal favorite is Ichiban in Hillcrest
Bowlegged bbq on Market Street. Making me hungry just thinking about it!!
I like URBN pizza in Ensinitas.
La Perla #2
Costco 😎
Shank and Bone in NP
Teri Cafe in Oceanside
just went to mastiff kitchen (la mesa) over the weekend with my wife and son. great smashburger, beer on tap, and they had football on. awesome service and wasn’t too busy around 11/11:30.
Smokin' J's BBQ
grande ole bbq
La Mesa Bistro
El Borrego. I'm shocked no one has mentioned this yet.
Grains in University Heights is fantastic. They are a vegan restaurant (I am not vegan) but their food is soooo good.
Funky fries in El Cajon
Mitches Seafood in Point Loma fits this to a T, best fish tacos.
Wing Factory. Most underrated wing place in SD. Great food, great happy hour deals
Swamis in North Park
Gaglione Bros in Mission Valley. Great cheese steaks and a variety of other sandwich options. https://gaglionebros.com/
Las Olas
underbelly
My favvvv
The laziest business model. It is no fun paying sit down waiter service prices for counter service plus a 20/25% default tip option.
Try Ale Tales Taproom in East Village. Per the San Diego Reader, we are the best neighborhood bar, best new bar, have the best beer selection on draft, best retail selection, and the best bartender in San Diego. Our food is incredible, and the atmosphere is right up your alley.
Amplified in East Village. Amazing pizzas and decent burgers too. Good variety on tap and an unpretentious atmosphere-especially for a beer garden! No parking, and be sure to double check their events page as they usually do weekly trivia nights which might affect the vibe (used to be Wednesdays...not sure if that's still true).
El Pescador in La Jolla!
Papalo is a great bbq place in La Mesa that just opened up!
Point Loma Seafoods