Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Feast! Uptown

Best restaurants from the Heights to the Parks

Namesake burger at Royale with Cheese
Namesake burger at Royale with Cheese


From Mission Hills to Kensington, in Heights both Normal and University, and in Parks North and South, UPTOWN residents don't rest on good looks or thick pocketbooks. They thrive on personality and artful presentation. So, guess how they like their restaurants? One place you might eat like a king on the cheap, another you may find upscale peasant food in slick surroundings.

It's all about the narrative.

Place

Park & Rec

4612 Park Boulevard, San Diego


Royale with Cheese at Park & Rec

The former location of Bourbon Street changed owners and got a makeover that now includes a craft cocktail bar and a groovy grub shack on the back patio. Royale with Cheese (Thursday–Monday) recently relocated from Austin and slings a namesake burger with 1/3 pound of Wagyu beef cooked to juicy medium rare. A step beyond the French quarter-pounder, the Royale with Cheese layers Gruyère, caramelized onion, pickle, mustard, and special sauce. Feeling lucky? Opt for the 57 Chèvre, a grilled goat cheese stack of prosciutto, house-made pepita pesto, and arugula on country levain bread. —Chad Deal

Sponsored
Sponsored
Place

Mess Royale

142 University Avenue, Suite C, San Diego

Mess Royale

San Diegans love their carne asada fries, so it stands to reason that poutine would make its way into our culinary lexicon. At Mess Royale, Montreal transplant Hugo Tassone uses beef, veal, and chicken stocks to give his gravy a blast of umami goodness, coating golden brown twice-cooked fries and softening Wisconsin cheese curds into creamy suppleness. Legendary St. Viateur Bagel Shop’s wood-fired sesame bagels can be stuffed with the classics — smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, red onions, and tomatoes, or more trendy options. Walnut cream cheese, sliced pear, and mixed greens dressed in a balsamic glaze is light and refreshing. Montreal’s take on the all American hot dog, the Toasty Dog, plunks a grilled dog into a buttered, toasted split-top roll and smothers it in tangy cole slaw, relish, mustard and onions. A yummy bargain at $3.50, get one free on Tuesdays with any poutine purchase —Mary Beth Abate

Place

Izakaya Masa

928 Ft. Stockton Drive, San Diego

Izakaya Masa

Tucked into the corner of a small business plaza, this authentic Japanese gastropub provides exceptional fare at reasonable prices. For starters, try the Agedashi Tofu ($4.95) or Masa’s Fried Chicken ($5.95). Be sure to check out the specials on the walls, as not everything is on the menu. The sushi is good but the entrées are much more interesting, such as my favorite, the Nebayaki Udon ($9.95) with spinach, egg, and shrimp tempura. Another well-executed classic is the Tem-Zaru, cold soba (buckwheat) noodles served with a dipping sauce and mixed tempura ($11.95). Don’t forget the sake — the “Funaguchi Kikusui–Aged” served in the red-labeled can, is a particular favorite. —Barbarella Fokos

Place

Tiger! Tiger!

3025 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego

Pâté at Tiger Tiger

Tiger! Tiger!

Tiger! Tiger! is one of the first places we return to after trip abroad. The staff is friendly, the beer selection nicely curated, the vibe relaxed and unpretentious. The regular menu is nice, but we usually order from the specials chalkboard, paying particular attention to the seasonal vegetable offerings; we’ve had wonderful delicata squash and padron peppers, and the charcuterie made on the premises —Kirk K

Place

Hexagone

495 Laurel Street, San Diego

Hexagone French Cuisine

This is for when you hanker for swanker surroundings. With the normal menu, think $30 entrées. Luckily, Hexagone has its (daily!) happy hour. Now we’re talking $5–$9 for a dish, $6 for a glass of wine, $4 for a beer. Happy hour items I like: French onion soup, baked brie and apple, fried artichokes, charcuterie plate, spinach salad with shrimp. But also ask for half-price items from the main menu, like coq au vin, steak frites, beef bourguignon, all around $12. You may get half-size servings, but, hey, the linen napkins, heavy silverware, surroundings, genu-wine French-speaking waiters are full-on deluxe. —Ed Bedford

Place

Wow Wow Waffle

3519 30th Street, San Diego

Wow Wow Waffle

The city’s first legitimate excuse for a waffle obsession, this outdoor breakfast spot offers Liege-style waffles made with brioche dough made crisp at the edges by pearled beet sugar. The charmingly ramshackle outfit features recycled and eclectic seating, and cooks out of a converted garage tucked behind a coin-op Laundromat. Top your waffle with seasonal fruits, candied bacon, or a litany of sauces, or keep it classic with powdered sugar or bars of dark chocolate melted inside the waffle. Tough to go wrong unless you show up between Monday and Thursday, when the shop tends to be closed. —Ian Anderson

Place

Bleu Bohème

4090 Adams Avenue, San Diego

Bleu Boheme

An unpretentious French bistro in the best sense, Bleu Boheme combines the warmth of a neighborhood hangout with the high quality seen in a resort hotel. French comfort food classics like onion soup, escargots, and steak frites are the stars here. Mussels are cooked seven ways here (try them with blue cheese, white wine, and scallions). There are also seasonal variations with new menu additions weekly. —Patrick Henderson

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

How to Get Legal Assistance When Your Car Accident Insurance Claim is Denied?

Next Article

Best Sports Betting Sites - 10 Online Sportsbooks Ranked for 2024

Best Sports Betting Sites (2024) - Reviews of TOP Online Sportsbooks
Namesake burger at Royale with Cheese
Namesake burger at Royale with Cheese


From Mission Hills to Kensington, in Heights both Normal and University, and in Parks North and South, UPTOWN residents don't rest on good looks or thick pocketbooks. They thrive on personality and artful presentation. So, guess how they like their restaurants? One place you might eat like a king on the cheap, another you may find upscale peasant food in slick surroundings.

It's all about the narrative.

Place

Park & Rec

4612 Park Boulevard, San Diego


Royale with Cheese at Park & Rec

The former location of Bourbon Street changed owners and got a makeover that now includes a craft cocktail bar and a groovy grub shack on the back patio. Royale with Cheese (Thursday–Monday) recently relocated from Austin and slings a namesake burger with 1/3 pound of Wagyu beef cooked to juicy medium rare. A step beyond the French quarter-pounder, the Royale with Cheese layers Gruyère, caramelized onion, pickle, mustard, and special sauce. Feeling lucky? Opt for the 57 Chèvre, a grilled goat cheese stack of prosciutto, house-made pepita pesto, and arugula on country levain bread. —Chad Deal

Sponsored
Sponsored
Place

Mess Royale

142 University Avenue, Suite C, San Diego

Mess Royale

San Diegans love their carne asada fries, so it stands to reason that poutine would make its way into our culinary lexicon. At Mess Royale, Montreal transplant Hugo Tassone uses beef, veal, and chicken stocks to give his gravy a blast of umami goodness, coating golden brown twice-cooked fries and softening Wisconsin cheese curds into creamy suppleness. Legendary St. Viateur Bagel Shop’s wood-fired sesame bagels can be stuffed with the classics — smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, red onions, and tomatoes, or more trendy options. Walnut cream cheese, sliced pear, and mixed greens dressed in a balsamic glaze is light and refreshing. Montreal’s take on the all American hot dog, the Toasty Dog, plunks a grilled dog into a buttered, toasted split-top roll and smothers it in tangy cole slaw, relish, mustard and onions. A yummy bargain at $3.50, get one free on Tuesdays with any poutine purchase —Mary Beth Abate

Place

Izakaya Masa

928 Ft. Stockton Drive, San Diego

Izakaya Masa

Tucked into the corner of a small business plaza, this authentic Japanese gastropub provides exceptional fare at reasonable prices. For starters, try the Agedashi Tofu ($4.95) or Masa’s Fried Chicken ($5.95). Be sure to check out the specials on the walls, as not everything is on the menu. The sushi is good but the entrées are much more interesting, such as my favorite, the Nebayaki Udon ($9.95) with spinach, egg, and shrimp tempura. Another well-executed classic is the Tem-Zaru, cold soba (buckwheat) noodles served with a dipping sauce and mixed tempura ($11.95). Don’t forget the sake — the “Funaguchi Kikusui–Aged” served in the red-labeled can, is a particular favorite. —Barbarella Fokos

Place

Tiger! Tiger!

3025 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego

Pâté at Tiger Tiger

Tiger! Tiger!

Tiger! Tiger! is one of the first places we return to after trip abroad. The staff is friendly, the beer selection nicely curated, the vibe relaxed and unpretentious. The regular menu is nice, but we usually order from the specials chalkboard, paying particular attention to the seasonal vegetable offerings; we’ve had wonderful delicata squash and padron peppers, and the charcuterie made on the premises —Kirk K

Place

Hexagone

495 Laurel Street, San Diego

Hexagone French Cuisine

This is for when you hanker for swanker surroundings. With the normal menu, think $30 entrées. Luckily, Hexagone has its (daily!) happy hour. Now we’re talking $5–$9 for a dish, $6 for a glass of wine, $4 for a beer. Happy hour items I like: French onion soup, baked brie and apple, fried artichokes, charcuterie plate, spinach salad with shrimp. But also ask for half-price items from the main menu, like coq au vin, steak frites, beef bourguignon, all around $12. You may get half-size servings, but, hey, the linen napkins, heavy silverware, surroundings, genu-wine French-speaking waiters are full-on deluxe. —Ed Bedford

Place

Wow Wow Waffle

3519 30th Street, San Diego

Wow Wow Waffle

The city’s first legitimate excuse for a waffle obsession, this outdoor breakfast spot offers Liege-style waffles made with brioche dough made crisp at the edges by pearled beet sugar. The charmingly ramshackle outfit features recycled and eclectic seating, and cooks out of a converted garage tucked behind a coin-op Laundromat. Top your waffle with seasonal fruits, candied bacon, or a litany of sauces, or keep it classic with powdered sugar or bars of dark chocolate melted inside the waffle. Tough to go wrong unless you show up between Monday and Thursday, when the shop tends to be closed. —Ian Anderson

Place

Bleu Bohème

4090 Adams Avenue, San Diego

Bleu Boheme

An unpretentious French bistro in the best sense, Bleu Boheme combines the warmth of a neighborhood hangout with the high quality seen in a resort hotel. French comfort food classics like onion soup, escargots, and steak frites are the stars here. Mussels are cooked seven ways here (try them with blue cheese, white wine, and scallions). There are also seasonal variations with new menu additions weekly. —Patrick Henderson

Comments
Sponsored
Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

SDSU pres gets highest pay raise in state over last 15 years

Union-Tribune still stiffing downtown San Diego landlord?
Next Article

March is typically windy, Sage scents in the foothills

Butterflies may cross the county
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.