Visiting San Diego - Winter 2016

To give more information. The tap-takeover begins at opening and for some of the "big" events, like when they had SARA they only let in a few ppl at a time to give the bartenders time to not become overloaded.

Free food, yes it is free, starts at 5pm and is usually when the cluster turns into a clusterfuck. But still good times. Get some friends, take over one of the booths or the small table closest to the door.

 

I'm pretty sure my dad would murder me if I put him in this situation... unless he, too, is lit. Then he won't care.

 

What are the better spots in the downtown area?

 

@reidjoshua should have the answers for this, but I do believe Neighborhood will be up there in recommendations.

 

• Half Door
• Quad Alehouse
• Neighborhood
• Stone

For something different (cocktails) try:

• Fairweather / Rare Form
• Cat Eye Club
• Prohibition

 

Thanks guys! I am just trying to decide what to do with such a short about of time in SD. I really only have 24 hours. Probably arriving around 2pm and leaving after hitting up some brunch someplace on Sunday. I've been waiting to check out San Diego for quite some time.

 

Forgot Resident Brewing/The Local.

 

Shame, you'll be there the day I'll be in SF. But yes Resident Brewing and Half Door are my go-to spots in Downtown. Stone Kettner tasting room and Karl Strauss are great too.

 

Yup on Neighborhood, Half Door, and a personal favorite Monkey Paw.

I land in SD Sat Dec 10th, but the gf is not huge on the crowds at Hammy's, so extra no go for 2nd Sat. Bummer.

 

Thanks! Yes, I too will be there on the 10th for a day and I don't think my dad will be into that crowds that that Alesmith party will bring but I am interested in checking out some of the tap rooms on 30th street.

Do you guys have any recs on food spots for lunch on 30th street?

 

Love me some Bahn Mi at Tiger Tiger. Also, for mexican on 30th is Ranchos. Rays is also a block away from tigerTiger if you want cheaper Mexican food. Love me some Ray's.

 

City Tacos, Poke 1 and 1/2, Tostadas, Amorcito Corazon, Crazy Burger, Riki Sushi.

A little further off 30th but good: Carnitas Snack Shack

Even further off 30th but right around the corner from Thorn St Brewery and oh so worth the trip: Grand Ole BBQ y Asado. It's BYOB and the texas bbq is legit.

 

I read about this on yelp. How's the wait look on a Saturday afternoon? My dad is totally into bbq.

 

It really depends. I have been there 15 minutes to opening at noon and watched the "Sorry Sold Out" sign light up at 1:30. I have also been there, again 15 minutes to opening, and saw the sign light up at 4pm.

That is how they work. They start selling lunch from noon until it is sold out. Then they start selling dinner at 6pm until its gone. Sundays are lunch only and Argentinian style bbq.

My recommendation is to get there like 5-10minutes before they start selling and you will always be good. Brisket is only served at dinner, tri-tip only served at lunch IIRC.

If you have the time and ability to eat there I would highly recommend it. With Thorn St. being around the corner you cna grab a growler and bring it on over, otherwise there is a little store across the street that may have some bombers or something. I usually only go in there to grab a gallon of water. Also once you are done I also recommend grabbing a creme puff from the little dessert/coffee shop next door. Pretty damn tasty.

 

Yeah, SDReaper is right on. Just get there a little before noon and you'll be fine. Bring some beer to drink in line and while eating.

Beef rib is also only at dinner, and that and the brisket are the two best things there IMO, but the tri tip and pork ribs for lunch are also pretty spectacular. Even the turkey is really good there.

 

You guys, this may be a hot take but holy shit are RIP currents beers awesome. I loved everything I drank at modern times but wow ever IPA I had there was awesome! Thank you for everyone's recs. I may do half door when I'm closer to the hotel.

 

This is a fantastic thread. I'll be visiting from MKE the 21st-28th. Thanks for the info!

 

Yup I love what they are doing at Rip Current. Very tasty classic west coast style IPAs.

 

We are visiting the old North County stomping grounds from Denver after about a decade of being away. Back in those days Pizza Port was just about the only game in town. Looking for kid-friendly recommendations with a decent selection of sours. I can usually keep the wife happy for a longer period of time if there a few sours for her to sample.