what are cool birthday freebies from local chain and mom pop shops available on your birthday?

CA Burrito from El Pollo Grill in Lemon Grove. Fries crunchy. Great meat to fry ratio. Comes with guac and sour cream included. I’ve tried the actual grilled chicken and that’s amazing as well but I got many recommendations to try their CA with carne and I probably give this a 9/10. Sorry for bite photo and not having it neatly cut in half.

Has Anyone attended this event? I wanted to see their review on it.

Not a letter because I'm not a guy of many words.

Oh my god. I'm a believer. I will save my money to try this again, because it's worth my money. It absolutely is.

The plate is half of what's left. Oh my god it's so good. Not pictured, a peach cobbler. Oh my god.

The title says it all. My birthday is later this week, and I'd like to go somewhere where reservations do not have to be made. I am fine spending up to $150 on food and drinks, even going so far as to splurge $200 total if I really like what they're providing. Ideally, I'd like to order dessert and get the birthday special.

For cuisines that I like, we have...

• Italian
• French
• Japanese
• Chinese

I am open to trying more, though!

I don't drink, and I don't eat pork, so I hope there will still be fun and tasty options! Additionally, if there's a formal dress code, that's fine, as I have these expensive silk gowns to wear. Naturally, I need to bus it there, so please do not give a place that's not near a bus stop or the trolley station.

Thank you so much, everyone, for your time, consideration, and suggestions!

If you’re figuring out where to grab food this Sunday afternoon, here are three downtown options from the restaurants’ published happy-hour menus:

Saint James French Diner - Sunday, 3–6 p.m.
The menu lists a $10 Burger Americaine or $12 Burger Parisienne. Fries are $5 separately, and lager is $4. Located at 828 Sixth Avenue.

The Lion’s Share - Sunday, 4–6 p.m.
There’s a $16 burger and Miller High Life combo, plus $10 Old Fashioneds on the happy-hour menu.

The Whiskey House - Sunday, 4–7 p.m.
The $11 burger includes fries, and a Whiskey Sour is $8. Happy-hour pricing is dine-in only. Located at 420 Third Avenue.

Saint James starts earliest if you’re looking for a late lunch, while The Whiskey House gives you until 7 if you’re planning an early dinner.

These are the posted Sunday hours and menu prices, so double-check before heading over in case anything changes.

What other Sunday happy hours would you add, especially places with good food deals?

I’m collecting local finds like these for After Five, a happy-hour directory I built. If you’re interested, I could share the link.

Looking for Baja-style shrimp tacos in East County, especially Lakeside or Santee. Restaurant or food truck OK. Tacos must be Baja-style- fried shrimp with cabbage and white sauce, not grilled or sauteed shrimp with lettuce.

I think this is the best chilaquiles I have ever had. They have 5 different varieties with optional toppings. This one has a poblano crema, black beans, avocado, and pickled onions. They also serve cafe de olla, hot or iced.

I’m living in SD for the next 11 months. Where can I find Chinese that’s comparable to New England style? You know the actual good Chinese food lol

Hi everyone! I’m getting married at the courthouse in a small ceremony and looking to splurge at the best steakhouse. I’m not as concerned about prices due to the special occasion, and I am looking for a fancier place where people dress up to go to. Thanks in advance for the recs!

I have a friend coming into town that has not tried this delightful fusion. Does anyone have recos for a place that at least has good kbbq tacos if not more? I realize since I’ve moved here I usually just eat more singular cuisines like just Korean or just Mexican or just Vietnamese but I was hyping up the fusion and now need to eat the taco so to speak.

I’m sure I’ve eaten some here before, I just can’t remember where. I’ve had birria ramen before so there’s that too.

They're not a restaurant, but a pasta noodles and sauces shop. Located in Little Italy, across the street from Mona Lisa.

Moving to SD for a job soon from the south. Any southern comfort food yall know of? Grew up in Balboa so I’m familiar how awesome Cali Mexican food is as well.

I was a regular at the Hillcrest location before covid, moved up to LA for a bit (shoutout Ramen Tatsunoya), then came home. I grabbed some Menya from the Mira Mesa area for a rainy day, and was severely unimpressed. Pork was chewy, half of the broth it should have been, egg was rubbery. Sad to see

Today is Dr. Pepper, Day and I’m jonesing for one on ice (it probably doesn’t hurt that I’m pregnant).

Does anyone have a good rec? Preferably a to go place. Great fountain soda (ideal mix of carbonation and syrup) beats a can or a bottle by a mile, but bad fountain soda makes me wish I never tried it at all.

Thank you!

I'm looking to buy rye bread like I used to get at the deli. Most of what I find is just colored darkly or so dry it's like cardboard.

Are there any good places (not cafe coyote/old town Mexican cafe) that do a mariachi brunch or lunch on the weekends ?

Yeah pretty much that. Specifically looking for some place here that has like that crispy shawarma and the pomegranate molasses topping. So good 😮‍💨 If there’s anything comparable please and thanks 🙏🏼

We’re thinking of Stake for happy hour or By The Sea for dinner one of the nights. But that’s all we got

Kinda been afraid to ask this question because Reddit is Reddit, but I’ve fallen in love with the way they serve tacos in Baja.

Not particularly the style, but more the style of service. It’s table service, but you sit down, they bring you a big tray of salsas, limes, cilantro, onion, etc. then take your order immediately. You order 1-2, then they come back and ask if you want more.

I’ve been here for 15 years but I haven’t come across a shop Iike this. Anything like that here?

Coming to visit SD in late November and looking at booking dinners. Already have a reservation at Animae and looking for a couple more places to book.
Is Nobu actually worth the money? The menu looks great but it’s hard to tell if the food and ambiance are more fine dining or really expensive Cheesecake Factory.

Very open to recommendations within walking distance or short cab/uber from the Wyndham Bayside. Doesn’t have to fine dining at all. Just delicious food and drinks.

Looking forward to seeing and tasting your fine city!

Lettuce on the bottom with all topping on top with dressing on the side in a little ass bowl is just not the ideal way to try and mix your salad. Not gonna hate on the place because I love their food, but I feel a lot of places do this.

Edit: I forget people in San Diego don’t know how to read or take everything too literal. I don’t mind dressing on side. I don’t mind mixing my own salad. I just want a bigger bowl so I’m not making a mess. Is that okay?