Before we get to the food, I’d like to point out real quick that I’ve set up a page where you can order tickets to any remaining Padres games this season. I get a cut, so if you’re thinking of buying tickets and you’d like to support Ducksnorts in the process, now you have a way.
Okay, so last season we put together a guide to San Diego taco shops, and judging from the search results, it’s one of the more popular features at Ducksnorts. In fact, I’m thinking of changing our tagline to “Come for the tacos, stay for the baseball.” The only thing stopping me is that it’s totally lame.
What isn’t lame is finding some good restaurants near Petco Park. I get a decent number of emails from folks who are coming to San Diego and planning to catch a Padres game or two while they’re in town. They always want to know where to stay, what to see, and where to eat. I’m not very useful when it comes to those first two, but I’ve hit some pretty good restaurants near the ballpark and I’ll bet you have, too. I’m thinking that together we can come up with a solid list.
If you’re local and have a favorite restaurant or three, let us know in the comments. We need the name, location (roughly), and why it’s worth our time and money.
If you’re from out of town and looking for places to eat when visiting, let us know what kind of cuisine(s) you like and maybe one of the locals can help.
After a couple weeks or so I’ll clean everything up and throw together a dedicated page incorporating our collective culinary wisdom. Then, next time someone sends an email asking where’s a good place to eat near Petco Park, we just point ‘em to that page. What could be easier?
Here are a few of my favorites:
- The Field: 544 Fifth Avenue between Market Street and Island Avenue. Traditional Irish faire and beers, friendly atmosphere.
- St. Tropez Bistro and Bakery: 926 Broadway Circle (Horton Plaza, north side). Local chain. Good sandwiches, crepes, and salads.
- Sammy’s California Woodfired Pizza: 770 Fourth Avenue (Horton Plaza, east side). Local chain. California style pizza, huge salads.
That’s a start. What else is there?
Chueys.
Ceasar Chavez and Main St.
Right next to the Barrio Logan trolley stop.
[ Nobody thinks of _south_ of the park ]
Sushi Deli 2 on Broadway right next to the Spreckles Theatre.
Seriously the best sushi I’ve had and most of the rolls are less then $4 or $5. Last night my table of 5 ate a ton of food for $43. Oh and the daily drink special (Large Saporo beer and bottle of house saki) is $5.50. My dad won’t get sushi anywhere else and the guy spent 3 years in Japan.
Geoff…Sammy’s is aweful…CPK is such higher quality.
The two places within walking distance of the ballpark that my wife and I head are:
“Fred’s Mexican Cafe” — It is the mexican place next to Mooses on 4th…despite its name, they have good margaritas and the burritos are pretty darn good.
“Rock’n Baja Lobster” — The Jalapeno Honey Butter is worth the time on its own! I think it is on 3rd and J…
With clients in town, I usually take them to Blue Point Costal or Oceanaire…but that is not as much fun.
Marshall…Chuey’s is one of the best…before they moved to the big building, they had lines out the door every day for lunch. Now they have enough room to seat everyone and the food still rocks!!!
Check this out. Nice Cedric Hunter write-up.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/hotsheet/262342.html
I know its not close but depending on where you park Little Cezars Greek Cafe, is good, its on the corner of 8th anc C. Try the Cheese steak pita!
In my mental notes (it’s not finalized yet, I’ve got Hunter #4 behind, alphabetically: Carrillo, Headley, & Kottaras).
Filipi’s Pizza Grotto, India St.
You COULD walk to Petco, but it would be a bit of a hike. Great Italian Food. They don’t take reservations and if you get there after 5:15 there’s a line. It’s worth it. My 1/2 Italian father-in-law has been going there since he was in elementary school/junior high (late 50′s/early 60′s).
Filipi’s is good stuff
Kansas City BBQ (where the filmed part of top gun) is pretty good as well (try the ribs) 610 West Market Street, across from sea port.
Its not as far as it sounds (about 10-15 min walk), just walk along the path that runs along the east side of harbor.
Filipi’s is the best…love that place. Their pizza eats like a steak!!
I don’t know if they are still open, but somewhere near the Coronado Bridge (just north of it, if I remember correctly) is a place called Las Quatros Milpas. They had lunch lines about 40-50 people deep back about 15 years ago (and I am talking people from all walks of life, blue collar, suits, immigrants, engineers). I haven’t been there in about that long, but the food was some of the best true Mexican cuisine north of the border.
I just read last years taco list and voila, Las Quatro Milpas is there. 1875 Logan Ave. If you want real Mexican (not El Torito, Tio Leo’s, etc) try this place you won’t regret it.
Make that 1857 Logan, sorry.
Marshall: Thanks for the tip on Chuey’s. You’re right, I never think of south of the park. Anything else down that way?
CM: Thanks for the suggestions. I’ve heard good things about Rock’n Baja Lobster but never been. As for Sammy’s vs CPK, I like both but prefer Sammy’s. Plus it’s closer to the ballpark.
PF: Filippi’s is always a good call. If we’re including places that are a short drive away (and why not!), then I’ll throw Jimmy Carter’s Cafe on 5th and Spruce out there as well.
Yes to Kansas City Barbecue (excellent brisket) and Yes to Las Quatro Milpas (tamales).
Oh, and absolutely yes to Filipis.
Can’t believe I’m the 14th poster and all three of my suggestions are taken. Damn you all!
There is also a great burger place in seaport but I have no clue what it’s name is. I know that helps alot.
Steve, do you mean the San Diego Burger Company? They’re in Seaport Village.
When it comes to BBQ, it’s gotta be Phil’s. Goldfinch @ Washington
Close to the ballpark, I guess I should suggest The Tin Fish. IF you can ever find a table. They’re hard to come by two hours or less before the game because people just sit and drink and not eat.
SDPG – that sounds right
Phils is good – but you dont have a 2 hr wait at KC BBQ
Good stuff, folks; keep ‘em coming.
OT: Branyan’s second homer last night was measured at 471 feet!
re: 19
Branyan’s two dingers may be the worst thing that could have happened…now he’ll be in the lineup everyday delivering the 25 or so outs (mostly useless K’s) required by his career averages, sprinkling in a rare single and no walks
Sorry, I don’t live in SD, so have felt left out all day long!!
There’s a pretty good pizza place about 3 or so blocks up from the ball park. I’ve only been there a couple of times and the details are a bit fuzzy, but the pizza was great. I have no idea what the name of it is t hough..
#20 – I agree, why sit barfield in favor of branyon?
I live in NYC. There’s pretty good pizza here.
I read that Bochy spelled Barfield because he wanted as many left handers in the line-up against Webb last night. I don’t understand why acquiring yet another “fix” at 3rd base is now costing Barfield playing time. Why should Josh ride the pine? Because Walker didn’t work at third?
I just caught some of “Too Much Show” on XX and the comment from Darren was, “I’ve gotten weird vibes everytime I’ve talked to Sandy Alderson and KT about Khalil.” I’m wondering what the Club’s plan is for Khalil. They can’t really do anything in the absence of a viable alternative, and Blum isn’t it.
I wonder it they’re thinking of trading Khalil. That would really suck.
LaMar #25 – after the 3B fiasco this year I could see the pads trading Greene in a package deal for a 3B with no other SS in the works.
I think trading Khalil would be a PR nightmare. I think they would really have to come up with an A+ alternative to be able to sell that to the masses. I get frustrated with Khalil, at times, but he’s gotten as many big hits as anyone on this team (at least when he’s playing.)
I just dont see the pads getting a SS with the same level of D who can produce more at the plate, but the pas have made worse moves so I would not put it past them.
Not only would it be a PR nightmare, ticket sales would suffer because the swooning girls won’t be coming to see Khalil play. You know the ones. They scream like Justin Timberlake just walked out of the dugout when Khalil’s name is announced.
Don’t get me wrong. The girls are a good thing. Padres Marketing Dept should be playing up the appeal of Khalil and Josh Barfield instead of running the family four pack commercials to death. I recall a Ben Davis commercial that was about the girls chasing him. You do that with Khalil, Josh Barfield, and Ben Johnson (who should be in a Padres uni right now) and there’s some marketing gold. Not cowbell gold, but gold nonetheless.
I wonder what is the longest period of time the padres have kept an IF together for?
SDPG, I remember that Ben Davis commercial. But, judging from his batting prowess, I think he was running from them because he was afraid they’d kick sand in his face.
What about packaging Khalil in a deal for Tejada in the off season? He’s had trade rumors around him for a couple of years now and the Padres will have some payroll to spend next year. Then sign Zito or Schmidt and I can live with Branyan and Walker at third.
SDPG about the stud padres add campain…
You and I both know Khalil would never do that. Khalil with a sense of humor? Yeah right that guy is mello to the point that he’s seems more like a dick than anything else!
Pimping out his players doesn’t seem like something I see Sandy Alderson doing either.
Roberts
Giles
Tejada
Piazza
A-gon
Cameron
Barfield
Walker/Branyan
Peavy
Zito
Young
Eaton (he’ll be cheap cause he did not pitch this year)
Hensley
where do I sign up
I am all for trading KG…I wonder if the rumored Everett/Ensberg for Linebrink/Greene deal would be revisited…
KG’s defense is flashy, but as I have stated over and over, the defensive numbers and comparisons to Chris Gomez are real…He is a .250 hitter with 20 hr potential who plays average D…I would happily sacrifice 10 of those HR’s for a higher OBP, Ave, and better glove…especially if that turned into a 30+hr guy at 3B like Ensberg.
I know it wont happen but a guy can dream of a team that is well over .500
Anthony/Steve…I keep hearing the song “Dream Weaver” in my head as I read your posts…
well hell could freeze over
What about Alex Rodriguez? I seem to recall he could play some shortstop (or 3B) and he’s struggling a bit with his current employer…
Hey, KT said he was going to spend money in the off season. He wouldn’t lie about that would he?
Even if Ensberg is included, I still don’t want any part of Adam Everett. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for Ensberg, even straight-up for Linebrink. But then you’re basically trading a player with A- Defensive skills and a D- bat for a player with B defensive skills and a B-/C+ bat. And Khalil is 3 years younger! Any benefit we receive from the Linebrink/Ensberg swap is washed away by swapping those two, in my opinion.
re: #35 … Eaton’s in the Ranger rotation now … due to get his 8th start on Thursday … http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6484
Wait, I had that wrong. Just to clairfy, Everett is the A-/D- guy, Khalil the B/B- guy.
For real — Alex Rodriguez. As a Padre. Why not?
Chan Ho and Klesko are off the books at the end of the year.
Back on the restaurant topic: I also vote for The Field, the food there is great. Steaks at the Gaslamp Strip Club are pretty good, it’s a grill your own place. I have to respectfully disagree with KC Barbeque. The tables and menus are always dirty and sticky, the waitresses unfriendly and the food is mediocre at best. Stop at Phil’s in Mission Hills on the way to the park, best BBQ in town (Sorry Randy!)
Karl Strauss is nearby too, good food and good beer.
Re #43 – Yeah I know Eaton is back but do you think he could get a big multi year deal after this year? I think he would take a 1 year deal in SD or Seattle and go after big money in 08 if he proves he can stay healthy in 07.
Re #46 – I agree Phils is better but KC is downtown and within walking distance from the ballpark, Ive never had a problem with the waitresess at KC, and IMHO I think the food is good, there is not alot of great BBQ in SD.
A-Rod a padre would be horrible unless they could get the yanks to pick up $10 mil a year, the pad cant afford to have one player take up a third of thier payrole.
Gees, no more interrnet at work, I’m way behind. They started monitoring usage and you know what that means….is Khalil out for the year? Heard something on 1090 (between a 1000 commercials).
Agree on Phils in hillcreast. The field is a great pub ut ou gott like irish pub grub. The hardest time to eat downtown is 11:30 am before a day game. Usually end up at Tin fish which is nice to sit out doors with the music and the food is decent. Expensive though.
Any daytime eateries to suggest out there for day games?
The wife and I usually hit Fleming’s or Lou & Mickey’s after the game. We’re beef snobs, I guess. Max, on Fifth, is also an excellent steakhouse. Everything’s terrific at J6 (at J & 6th, duh).
Agreed on Las Quatro Milpas. Best taco joint in town, hands down.