Being a foodie, I gravitate toward new restaurants, dining out, and just eating in general. San Diego surprisingly has quite a selection of restaurants, many of which are not celebrity chef eateries, nor on the list of the Best Places to Eat on Zagat. But if you are interested in culinary tours in San Diego, A Taste of San Diego tour is well worth your time and money, and lots of fun, to explore some of the non-mainstream places to eat.
A Taste of San Diego is a culinary tour in San Diego that will surprise, and delight you - here's why!
A Taste of San Diego is not a tour of the tourist spots, or the restaurants owned by celebrity chefs. In fact, chances are you won't have heard of these places and they likely aren't in the guide books, with few exceptions.
But the locals know. And these restaurants have been in business for a significant amount of time in most cases (one as long as 76 years!!)...without the benefit of websites (again, a few exceptions), glitzy interiors, and food that looks like it stepped off the pages of Gourmet with prices to match.
So, if you:
• Are looking for a fun way to discover some great food in some hidden spots in San Diego (plus see some interesting areas of the city)?
• Want to give a special friend or family member and great gift (Christmas is coming, you know).
• Are you visiting from out of town and want to have some good food that is NOT a chain eatery loaded with tourists?
• Want to try some foods you may never have had...
Then book a culinary tour with A Taste of San Diego.
I have the great pleasure of doing just that yesterday, courtesy of owner/founder Annette Legaspi. We met at Seau's: The Restaurant in Mission Valley, the first restaurant on the tour to talk and for the video interview I did (check it out below).
And of course I got to sample Mama's Combo (chicken and beef teriyaki with rice, a special recipe of the Mother of owner Junior Seau [NFL All-pro linebacker with the New England Patriots and formerly with the San Diego Chargers, and of the Junior Seau Foundation), their special offering for A Taste of San Diego tour attendees.
There are two tours offered: (1) TOUR 1 from 9:30 - 2:00 with breakfast and lunch, hitting 7 - 8 area restaurants; (2) TOUR 2 from 3 til 6 with 5 or 6 restaurants. You can make your reservation for A Taste of San Diego tour on their website.
Here is the tour I did (the restaurants MAY vary depending on the tour day and time given when the restaurants operate). And by the way the food was great, and more than I could eat by myself (it's best shared with another person):
Seau's (Mission Valley) - about 14 years in existence; Mama's Combo
Nicolosi's Italian Restaurant (Allied Gardens) - 57 years; Torpedo Sandwich
Chicken Pie Shop (North Park) - 76 years; chicken pot pie
Chiquita's (City Heights) - 42 years; carne asada crispy quesadilla
Pt. Loma Seafood (Pt. Loma) - 32 years, with great views of the marina and downtown; ceviche
El Indio (San Diego) - 69 years; fruit burrito (dessert)
Some other restaurants you may find on the tour include Los Quatros Milpas, Penchita's,, the Old Town Mexican Café, and El Coyote Grill.
A Taste of San Diego is a fun way to explore some out-of-the-way places with really good food. Fancy , it's not. And if you want trendy, forget it. But if you want to sample "a meal of tastes" from some long-standing places that aren't in every guide book, and experience some of the local color, a culinary tour of San Diego with A Taste of San Diego will bring a smile to your face and a very full stomach. Don't eat before you go - trust me.
For a discount of 20% use code JD2010 for purchases of $150 or more, good until June 30, 2010.
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If I can provide more information about San Diego real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.
All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler "The California Relocation Dude" Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits
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That first photo just needed a set of chopsticks. Fabulous way to see and experience San Diego. Nobody does it better... than you when doing localism.
Jeff - I remember how delicious the food was when I visited San Diego for the RE/MAX Convention. As a food junkie, I would sign up for both tours in a hearbeat.
Renee - Ha ha. Well it was fun to do and I love her idea. I had a terrific time, both on the tour but in talking with her as well. Plus she owns and runs a very well respected Door and Window company so now I have a wonderful referral for buyers and sellers.
Jeff
Melissa - LOL. Well I try. And being teh foodie I am eating is kinda important, even if it is not ALWAYS this good.
Thank you, Margaret. I appreciaet the compiment. And I think lots of folks will enjoy this tour!
Donna - hopefully not in the same day - that would be MASSIVE quantities of food. I brought home enough last night for dinner AND my lunch today. San Diego is gaining in its reputation for food, and this is a fun way to see the hidden gems.
Jeff
Jeff..Now I am hungry..I have this horrid winter cold ..where you can't taste anything ..but you present everything in such a fabulous way ...chicken soup is going to get spiced up...Thanks
Hannah
Jeff,
Why you have to do this to me specially right now? :) that's a great information you provide specially with the aid of youtube, great job !
Is that your plate? Did you separate your food so it wasn't touching each other? ROFL! That's how it looks.
Jeff: nice job with the interview..you should get a free meal after that!
Hannah - hope you are feeling better soon. The soup sounds ideal.
Ray - ha ha. Thanks for the compliment.
LIsa - YEs, it's my pate, and it came that way. I am not a food separator but your comment made me laugh.
Jeff
What a fabulous idea, a tasting tour.
I've never heard of it before.
Excellent idea, there are a lot of food blog's lately...not helping my diet. A tasting tour is such a great idea!
What a great idea for finding all those wonderful places to eat.
Sounds awesome. We loved visiting San Diego for the NAR Convention. Probably will go visit again when it is 120 here in the summer and cooler there.
Lloyd - well as I noted, my tour was a courtesy in exchange for the video, photos, and the article, which I was happy to do. I think I got the better end of the deal. But then the article ended up on page 1 of Google within a bout 1 hour for several key words.
Lenn - kind of a take off on the typical tours that you find in many cities for tourists. Andf there are actually a number of these in other cities as well, but often they are on foot.
Lane - I think it a terrific and fun thing as well, but especially since it is not ht eusually type of tourist trap places.
Terry - and I would go back to any of them for a full meal. Plus the participatns really seem to like having the tours come in.
Jeff
Jeff - My husband and I really enjoyed San Diego during NAR and will likely overnight there from now on when we travel to and from Mexico. We were really impressed!
Jeff - these are great localism posts...,. Great job... you are getting very handy with that video cam...
Yum....I'd love to do this tour. I'm hungray just looking at the picture.
Patricia/Seacoast NH
What a wonderful idea! You have a fascinating blog. How did you end up on page 1 of Google so quickly?
Planning a trip to San Diego in spring so your post is very timely. Thanks
Jeff - You are a man on the move! Holy cow you know about all kinds of stuff! I may have to tkae this tour in January...I love to eat!
Jeff, this is wonderful. When I travel, one of my fav things to do is find a cooking class. A culinary tour sounds even better!
Wow - I wish I had more time when I was in San Diego for NAR. I clearly missed out! Thanks so much for sharing!
Jeff- what a wonderful idea this lady came up with. A great thing for the locals to do as well as tourists. Sounds like a great time.
What a GREAT blog post! And a good idea . . . the food tour! Loved the video too! Thanks for letting us know . . . and this is more than just a "me, me, I like" blog. It gives the readers so much more then your review. GREAT LOCALISM BLOG!!
Jeff a great way to interact with the community is to get face to face. Very nice job!
I visit San Diego every other year (my husband's family is in Chula Vista) and I've actually eaten at a couple of places on your list, but now I have more to look forward to next visit, which I hope will be in the spring.
Jeff, a culinary tour, now that is something I could really sink my teeth into :)
I am a bit of a foodie myself, and I would love to see something like this started up around here.
Evening Jeff, I still get hungry for those chicken pot pies ! Hope your Holiday Season is the best ever !
Russell - I think you'd enjoy it. I would go again, perhaps for the breakfast/lunch tour.
Joyce - you should If you get to town let me know in advance if you are gpoing to have some time.
Trisha - fun AND tasty. I would think visitors would have a blast with this as well.
Jeff
Debbie - it is a wonderful area and so much variety, Plus we are 2 hours or less from LA, the desert, winde country, and the mountains. Glad you stopped by to visit - thanks. If you come through town again please let me know.
Robert - hey, thanks. I keep working on it. I do no editing aat all, which is something I should be doing.
Patricia - ha ha. I was starved when I started, and although I ate less than half of each dish I was porked by the time I was done. ENough for dinne (a small one) and lunch the next day.
Melody - well it's all in thekey words. Culinary tours was the primary. Food tours was another. And using them multiple time but in a way that is readable.
Jeff
Mmmm, I have actually never heard of this tour, yet I spend a lot of time in San DIego. One of my favorite places is in Ocean Beach right on the water at the end of Newport Avenue called Shades. great food and drinks to boot.