North County and Around Restaurants

Dining in the North County tends to reflect the land where the restaurant is located. Along the coast, for example, there is one luxury fine-dining spot after another. Most have dramatic water views and offer platters of exquisite fare created by graduates of the best culinary schools. Right next door you can wander into a typical beach shack or diner for the juiciest hamburger you’ve ever tasted. Locally sourced food can be found at restaurants throughout the area, although a few chefs have adopted molecular gastronomic techniques. Backcountry cuisine is generally served in huge portions and tends toward home-style cooking, steak and potatoes, burgers, and anything fried.

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  • 1. Carlee's Place

    $$

    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
    760-767–3262

    Known For

    • Classic entrées
    • Long-standing roadhouse
    • Extensive menu
    • Good buffalo wings, burgers, and ribs
  • 2. Carmelita's Mexican Grill and Cantina

    $

    Before dawn, owner and chef Narciso Dorado preps all of Carmelita's meat, sauces, and sides to create the generous portions served at this friendly family-run eatery tucked into a back corner of what is called "The Mall." Carmelita's draws locals and visitors all day whether it's for a hearty breakfast, a cooked-to-order enchilada or burrito, or a brew at the bar. If you're still hungry, they'll serve you plenty of chips and salsa. It's the best place to escape the heat with a margarita on the rocks.

    575 Palm Canyon Dr., Borrego Springs, California, 92004, USA
    760-767–5666

    Known For

    • Reasonably priced menu
    • Large portions
    • Festive cantina
  • 3. Red Ocotillo

    $

    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
    760-767–7400

    Known For

    • Smoked salmon eggs Benedict
    • Flavorful rosemary potatoes
    • Hearty biscuits and gravy
    • Pet-friendly patio

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

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