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A diner dating back to 1928 is both a local hangout and the headquarters of the historic Highway 101 movement. Find all kinds of Highway 101 memorabilia here along with old-school ambience, prompt service, and great prices. The bountiful breakfast menu (served all day) lists omelets, eggs any way you want, buttermilk pancakes, and French toast. On offer at lunchtime are burgers, sandwiches, and chili fries. The thick milkshakes and root-beer floats will take you back in time.
631 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside, California, 92049, USA
Known For
- Headquarters of the historic Highway 101 movement
- All-day breakfast
- Thick milkshakes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner, Reservations not accepted
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The appropriately named AVANT—meaning stylistically advanced and original—delivers contemporary California cuisine—duck, lobster, lamb, fish, or the pride of AVANT, Wagyu beef—in an upscale setting. Dark woods, leather chairs, and pillar-candle chandeliers adorn the mission-style dining room, and the upper-level bar shakes up handcrafted cocktails with their own double-barrel reposado tequila. Start with the artisanal cheese platter with a side or Parker rolls sprinkled with sea salt and rosemary. The crudo bar draws a crowd with fresh oysters and ceviche. For a VIP experience, reserve AVANT Table 65 where chefs prepare dinner in a private demonstration kitchen for up to 12 guests.
17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr., Rancho Bernardo, California, 92128, USA
Known For
- Local, sustainable, and seasonal ingredients
- Their own double-barrel reposado tequila
- $10 wines by the glass during happy hour 4–5
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
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Void of GMOs, colorings, preservatives, or enhancers, this family-owned business taps into locally sourced ingredients to offer great food at a remarkable price. Located on the edge of Old Town Temecula, it's as simple as point, grab, and go with an online kitchen firing up bowls, burgers, sandwiches, and entrées like grass-fed tri-tip, free-range chicken, and sustainable salmon. The Thai-chicken curry bowl comes with coconut, lemongrass, and chilies, while the En Fuego Burger is piled high with double-smoked bacon, organic avocado, and jalapeno aioli. There’s plenty of gluten-free and vegan options, as well as family packs, perfect for four. The understated chocolate chip cookie might be the best you’ve ever had.
40665 Winchester Rd., Temecula, California, 92591, USA
Known For
- Antibiotic-free meat
- Food is made slow and served fast
- Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes
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This local watering hole seems to collect characters ranging from hippies to mountain men and is the place to go any night of the week. A large, dimly lighted room houses the bar and dining tables, and the menu lists pasta and pizza in addition to old-fashioned entrées such as liver and onions, ribs and steaks, and a mixed grill. Dinners come with soup or salad, and mashed potatoes and vegetables. There's live music Friday and Saturday at 8 pm.
660 Palm Canyon Dr., Borrego Springs, California, 92004, USA
Known For
- Classic entrées
- Long-standing roadhouse
- Extensive menu
- Good buffalo wings, burgers, and ribs
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The parking lot in front of D'Carlos is always full, a sure sign that Ramonans like this casual family-style dinner house. The menu offers something for everyone: burgers, sandwiches, salads, steaks, barbecue, seafood, and pasta. Old-time favorites include chicken-fried steak and homemade meat loaf. Monday is all-day happy hour and daily drink specials feature up to 50% off cocktails. The place can feel chaotic, but friendly waitresses are surprisingly efficient. There's also patio dining in good weather.
1347 Main St., Ramona, California, 92065, USA
Known For
- Daily drink specials
- Homemade meat loaf
- Good variety
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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This meat-focused eatery fills bellies with farm-to-table artisanal cuisine like bacon mac and cheese, and a 12-ounce pork chop served over house grits. Add a sunny-side-up farm egg to your burger, chop, shank, or house-made pasta, and if you’re into sauces, the chef is on point with lick-your-plate gravies with garlic, onions, and herbs. Burgers and sandwiches come with hot truffle fries served in a brown paper bag, stylistically in line with the quirky-rustic decor made from repurposed materials. The Flying Pig is a member of the Slow Food movement, meaning food is fresh, not fast.
509 Mission Ave., Oceanside, California, 92054, USA
Known For
- Elevated comfort food with craft beers on tap
- House-made pasta, bread, and bacon
- Natural prime-grade steaks seared in a cast-iron skillet
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Situated next to grassy Powerhouse Park, Jake's feels like Southern Californian dining at its best—a beachfront location coupled with beautiful ocean views and the freshest ingredients. In a true aloha spirit, friendly servers are ready to tempt with cucumber margaritas and starters like macadamia-crusted calamari as well as items from the main menu, which is split "by garden," "by sea," and "by land," with options like the seafood pot, the chef's burger, and the barbecued ribs. Just steps from the sand, this is one of San Diego's best restaurants for mai tai sunsets.
1660 Coast Blvd., Del Mar, California, 92014, USA
Known For
- Prime beachfront location
- Iconic Hula Pie dessert, a thick wedge of macadamia nut ice cream on a chocolate cookie crust that's topped with chocolate fudge, whipped cream, and more macadamia nuts
- Sunday brunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch on Mon.
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Carl Schroeder, one of California's hottest young chefs, draws well-heeled foodies to his creative and locally sourced California fare, much of it with an Asian influence from his time in Japan. The three-course tasting menu changes regularly depending upon what's fresh, but Schroeder's seasonally inspired dishes have a playful spirit, whether it's a gorgonzola soufflé with strawberry-rhubarb compote, a grapefruit-avocado salad, or miso-glazed cod with ramen noodles and snap pea tempura. A well-edited wine list offers food-friendly wines by the best and brightest winemakers around the world. Desserts change monthly, if you're in luck, they'll be serving the strawberry crepes or the chocolate butterscotch tasting.
3702 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, California, 92014, USA
Known For
- Cabernet-braised prime beef short rib
- Award-winning chef
- Well-edited wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch, Reservations essential
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For inexpensive comfort food, this desert diner serves sandwiches, pasta, burgers, and chicken-fried steak with thick fries. This is the area's best breakfast joint, with menu highlights including cinnamon French toast and smoked salmon eggs Benedict. For super fresh ingredients, request organic goods plucked from their adjacent vegetable garden. The full bar and pet-friendly patio are great on sunny days.
721 Ave. Sureste, Borrego Springs, California, 92004, USA
Known For
- Smoked salmon eggs Benedict
- Flavorful rosemary potatoes
- Hearty biscuits and gravy
- Pet-friendly patio
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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The menu at this American bistro changes quarterly but the clientele is here to stay, especially during summer months when people-watching becomes a sport. Grab a seat on the terrace if you’re lucky to enjoy such magical cocktails like a cucumber crush of grapefruit, vodka, and elderflower, and menu mainstays such as buttermilk-fried Jidori chicken, braised short ribs, and seared ahi tuna. For a collision of textures, try the sticky steam buns with crunchy chicken, or the crispy calamari with chipotle crema. This is a popular spot for weekend brunch.
215 15th St., San Diego, California, 92014, USA
Known For
- Half-off wine Tuesday and Thursday
- Truffle fettuccine
- No cork fee on Monday
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Cleverly drawing inspiration from near and “farms,” Chef Claudette Zepeda boldly colors outside the lines with a variety of dishes influenced by her travels to Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, and beyond. Grab a seat in the chic dining room where a crew of cooks in an open kitchen fire up a seasonally changing menu that features dishes like beef tartare topped with caviar, clams in a birria broth, or Brandt Farms rib eye with heavy marbling. You’ll be lucky to see the Iron Chef star in the house, since her nickname “Vaga” given by her grandmother, holds truth with this vagabond who works her way around the globe one kitchen at a time.
2100 N. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, California, USA
Known For
- Farm-fresh cuisine
- Menu by James Beard semifinalist, Claudette Zepeda
- Ocean-view dining
