scout1222

Niban is a quick and fairly cheap way for my husband and I to get our sushi fix.

He orders the Bento Box C without fail every time we go there. I have an unholy love for their steamed gyoza. The dipping sauce that comes with it is so good that I swear I would bathe in it if I could.

It’s close to home, casual, and the quality is consistent.

I’m not a vegetarian, but I certainly lean that way. My husband needs his meat, but still enjoys Sipz. The first time I took him here he had one of their bowls with faux chicken (Kung Pao Chicken perhaps) and it took a bit of convincing for him to realize it wasn’t really chicken.

I enjoy that I can get a good selection of vegetarian sushi here (I like the concept of sushi, but not the fish) and their spring rolls are great. The vegetarian pad thai is also tasty, and it’s a really filling serving. The only downside to me is that there is not a soda fountain (sodas are served in cans) which I prefer.

I first went to The Linkery for their sausage. I couldn’t pass up a place that makes their own, and has innovative flavors. Now that we’ve been back several times, I’ve branched out and ordered lots of other things on the menu.

I love that The Linkery uses local ingredients, and cares about how their ingredients are made and where they come from. It results in really great tasting food. What Jay and the rest of the crew do with simple fresh ingredients is just fantastic. We love them so much we had them cater our wedding!

If my husband and I want a hamburger, no question we’re heading to Hodad’s.

I order the veggie burger (and yep, I’ve gotten razzed about it, but hey, it’s not like I’m the only one in OB who isn’t eating meat, right?) and my husband gets the hamburger. We settle in with a basket of their fries and some ranch to dip them in. Throw in a Red Trolley (served in a mason jar) and we are happy as clams. Just make sure we have a ton of napkins – we’re gonna need them!

Fun place to go, though you might end up waiting. The vibe is purely OB.

There’s lots of great Mexican food in San Diego, but I love going to Casa de Pico. Note: it is no longer in Old Town at the address above. It has moved to Grossmont Center in La Mesa (see their website: http://www.bazaardelmundo.com/pico2006.shtml )

If you start with a margarita as big as your head and some chips and salsa, there probably won’t be room for much else, but keep going.

It’s standard “restaurant Mexican” with the side of rice and beans, but there are some menu items that you just won’t find everywhere. I enjoy the tamales, the albondigas, and just last night tried the chicken avocado pepita salad. It reminded me of Caesar salad – I think it was the flavor of the dressing. Huge bed of lettuce, huge sliced chicken breast, some avocado and sprinkling of pepitas. It was a nice change of pace.