Fall of 2019 I was completing my first year here in Carlsbad. As part of my introduction to the community, I wrote an article entitled 50 Tastes of Carlsbad. That was five years ago. It is amazing how much has happened and changed in five years. The pandemic had a severe impact on local restaurants. With our focus on Shop and Dine this month in our Business Journal, I thought I’d revisit my top 50 Tastes of Carlsbad.
BRESSI RANCH My office is off of Faraday Ave in the business park, so my closest options for breakfast and/or lunch meetings is Bressi Ranch. There has been a fair share of change in this area. One of my favorite newer additions is Mendocino Farms. I have enjoyed their catering as well as their lunch. My favorite sandwich is the Turkey Avo Salsa Verde on sourdough. Amazing! Tommy V’s has been a standard in Bressi for many years. I have had the pleasure of many business lunches there. The food, service and atmosphere are great. One of my favorite lunches there is The Original Blackened Chicken Sandwich. It comes with smoked bacon, avocado, chipotle ranch – yes!
LA COSTA La Costa is flush with a ton of great eateries. I have to start with Beach Plum. Beach Plum has become my wife and my favorite breakfast date spot. Quiet, relaxed atmosphere with delicious menu. Clean ingredients. We both love crafting our own omelets there. Their sister restaurant, Tin Leaf, is a great lunch spot. I really enjoy creating my own salad. The owners of Beach Plum and Tin Leaf also operate Black Rail. I have had many a fantastic dinner at Black Rail. My Board of Directors have had dinners there, I have brought out of town guests to eat there. I love their patio and live jazz music on the weekends. My favorite entrée is their salmon. Farther south in La Costa is The Beacon La Costa shopping mall. Several new eateries have opened there. Pit Fire Pizza La Costa is a great spot. I have had lunch there multiple times and am a huge fan of their margherita pizza. Also not to be missed in the Beacon is The Lullabar. While The Lullabar is much more than just a coffee shop, don’t forget that it is also a coffee shop! This is a spot where family life and personal enjoyment merge – and their Café & Espresso Bar is a big part of it. On the very southern edge of La Costa is Casa de Bandini. They have a fun atmosphere, with great food and great people. And they have great accommodations for groups and parties. I am a big fan of many of their entrees, their guac and their margaritas. Lastly, out in the east end of La Costa, I absolutely love Thai One On. Post-pandemic they doubled their dining room and now have live music nightly. Great atmosphere. I go to a “7” on the spicey scale, and everything I have there is great. Their duck is to die for. So delicious.
THE VILLAGE & BARRIO The Village has a plethora of phenomenal dining (I had to get the word “plethora” in somewhere). Vigilucci’s Cucina Italiana on State St. is excellent and a staple in Carlsbad. Great dining experience and I am partial to their Insalata Mediterranea. Nick’s on State is one of the most amazing new additions to our Carlsbad dining pallet. I have enjoyed their Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass and their Center Cut Filet. Both are top of the line. Another new(er) addition to the Village scene is Le Papagayo. You can’t beat their great open-air vibe. And their Strawberry & Goat Cheese salad with Blackend Ahi is fantastic! The Bluewater Grill is a great seafood option in the Village. Their service is great, and their Mediterranean Ahi Salad is phenomenal and I’m a big fan of their clam chowder. Gregorios Italian is another great Village option. Not only do they have a soup named after our former mayor (“Mayor Matt’s Chicken Soup” – it’s good, I’ve tried it), but their House Potato Chips are addicting and their Rosemary Chicken salad is very good. Hennessey’s is another Village hot spot. I have been there for both breakfast and lunch and enjoyed both. I highly recommend their Ahi Street Tacos and their Hennessey’s Famous Fries (sweet potato fries with garlic & Parmesan…yup!). You can’t truly experience the Village without hitting Senor Grubby’s! It is the essence of home town ownership and atmosphere. And their Grubby’s Famous Street Tacos are a Carlsbad must! Don’t miss their cocktails! Love their Spicey Margarita! And what Senor Grubby’s is to the Village, Lola’s 7-Up Mexican Market & Deli is to the Barrio. Lola’s has been an institution in the Barrio for multiple generations. I am a big fan of their breakfast burritos and love their seasonal Tamales.
CARLSBAD BOULEVARD 264 Fresco is one of my wife and my favorite dinner spots in the Village. She loves the Salmon, I’m partial to the Braised Shortrib. And you can’t beat their roof top deck! A sister restaurant to 264 Fresco is Fresco Cocina on Carlsbad Blvd. It is a Latin inspired restaurant and I am partial to the Fish Tacos. Norte Mexican Restaurant has been in Carlsbad for a long time. I just had their Mahi Mahi Tacos for a staff lunch last week, delicious! Prk 101 is a great place for groups, special occasions or a business lunch. Personally, I’m partial to their Beachy Cobb salad.
OUTLET MALL AREA There are many fine dining and fast casual options near the Outlet Mall in Carlsbad. P.F. Chang’s has a great atmosphere. They also have a great dining. I highly recommend their Mandarin Crunch Salad with salmon! Chick-fil-A opened its first Carlsbad location on Avenida Encinas. When our family is in a hurry, this is the only option they are interested in. Personally, I love their Southwest Chicken Salad and our whole family loves their Waffle Fries, just to name a couple items.
PALOMAR AIRPORT ROAD I have enjoyed the catering from Carlsbad Ranch Market several times. Their promotion as a “healthy” place stop for breakfast, lunch or dinner is more than lip service. The Canyons restaurant at The Crossings has the most spectacular views in town. I have enjoyed both breakfast and lunch there and am partial to their Southwest Chop.
THE SHOPPES AT CARLSBAD The Shoppes at Carlsbad is home to several excellent dining options. The Yard House is a beer lover’s dream! With over 100 drafts on tap, they have all your interests covered. Their BBQ Chicken salad is a great lunch. Mas Fuego is one of the newer eateries to open here. They blend Latin flavors to other cultures to create delicious dining. I really enjoy their Ceviche and their Taco Plate. Another newcomer to this area is The Red Chickz. To say that Red Chickz is fire is an understatement! High quality ingredients, hand breaded chicken and spice! I love the chicken tenders at the “Bonfire” level (the spice level ranges from “Cool” to “Inferno”). Grubby’s Poke & Fish Market is another go-to for my wife and me. When my phone rings (do phones actually ring anymore?) at 5:00pm and it is my wife calling, it is frequently her saying, “Can you stop by and grab Grubby’s Poke to bring home?” They have healthy, high-quality ingredients. We sometimes split the four-protein bowl, or each get our own two-protein bowls. Love it. Just past the Shoppes, heading west, you can find BKK Thai Kitchen. I have only had a chance to eat there once, but the flavor was excellent. Across from the Shoppes at Carlsbad is the Von’s shopping Center. One of Carlsbad’s newer options in that space is MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes. MOOYAHs has 100% Certified Angus Beef burgers that are fantastic. I am partial to the Bacon Cheeseburger. RESORTS We have so many phenomenal resorts in Carlsbad, it is almost unfair to the rest of the county (who said life was fair?). They all have great eateries and I have had the chance to try breakfast or lunch or both in most of them. You have to try 20|TWENTY Grill at the Westin. Their omelets are all good, but I am partial to their homemade Steel Cut Oats. Bob’s Steak and Chop House at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa is excellent. Their Chophouse Salad and Spinach Salad are both on the top of my list. The Park Hyatt Aviara’s Ponto Lago is a must as well. Their Baja Seafood Cocktail is something you must try. Chandler’s Ocean Front Dining at Cape Rey is beautiful and delicious. They have sunsets on the beach and an explosion of flavor for our mouth!
DESSERTS Although desserts can be served at restaurants, we have many great dessert options in Carlsbad. Handel’s and Gelatolove are both in the Village. Handel’s opened my first year here and they claim to have the best ice cream in the world (I’m a believer)! Their ice cream is made fresh daily onsite. My favorite is Peanut Butter, but I’m not too picky! Gelatolove is truly divine. They claim to have every flavor under the sun, but my sights are firmly set on Salted Carmel, but the options are limitless! The Strawberry Shack is also located in the Village. Majority of products are made with fresh California strawberries (you had me at “strawberries”). Their shakes are a great guilty pleasure, their shortcakes are yum…it’s all good! Nothing Bundt Cakes is out near Costco. My staff treated me recently for “Boss’s Day” with these devilishly delicious creations. I tried to share,…no I really did,…seriously (Don’t judge! Their Bundtlets may stretch your ability to share too!). Get ‘N Go Donuts is part dessert, part art, part staple! Out in the La Costa area, these donuts are one of a kind with their design, their appeal and their taste. I’ve had too many to single one out, but you have to see their designs, amazing.
OTHERS Leucadia Pizza is on Tamarack Ave. Great pizza. We have had this for many workshops and office meetings.
CARLSBAD ADJACENT Carlsbad’s dining culture is very rich. We have some great chamber members in the surrounding areas too. Bread & Cheese Eatery is a fantastic caterer. I am addicted to their Classic and Cali Gold grilled cheese sandwiches. In addition to their catering, they have a location on Coast Highway in Oceanside and at the Moonlight Amphitheater in Vista. Little Cakes Kitchen has been known by Carlsbadians for its amazing cupcakes for years. Formerly found in Gelson’s and previously with a retail shop in Carlsbad, these cupcakes never disappoint. Currently located in Vista, these are great for any festive gathering like an office gathering (many times) to a wedding reception (yep, have done that too).
MORE SPOTS TO TRY Lola 55 is a Michelin restaurant from downtown San Diego that just opened a new location in Carlsbad in the Beacon. Poki Poki Boba & Brewski down on Carlsbad Boulevard is soon to open. Mainstream Bar & Grill off Palomar Airport Road just got bought by new owners. Kai Ola Sushi recently opened in the Village. Surf Up Chicken is the newest spot on Palmer Way in the Business Park.
So, who’s up to meet for lunch?
BRESSI RANCH My office is off of Faraday Ave in the business park, so my closest options for breakfast and/or lunch meetings is Bressi Ranch. There has been a fair share of change in this area. One of my favorite newer additions is Mendocino Farms. I have enjoyed their catering as well as their lunch. My favorite sandwich is the Turkey Avo Salsa Verde on sourdough. Amazing! Tommy V’s has been a standard in Bressi for many years. I have had the pleasure of many business lunches there. The food, service and atmosphere are great. One of my favorite lunches there is The Original Blackened Chicken Sandwich. It comes with smoked bacon, avocado, chipotle ranch – yes!
LA COSTA La Costa is flush with a ton of great eateries. I have to start with Beach Plum. Beach Plum has become my wife and my favorite breakfast date spot. Quiet, relaxed atmosphere with delicious menu. Clean ingredients. We both love crafting our own omelets there. Their sister restaurant, Tin Leaf, is a great lunch spot. I really enjoy creating my own salad. The owners of Beach Plum and Tin Leaf also operate Black Rail. I have had many a fantastic dinner at Black Rail. My Board of Directors have had dinners there, I have brought out of town guests to eat there. I love their patio and live jazz music on the weekends. My favorite entrée is their salmon. Farther south in La Costa is The Beacon La Costa shopping mall. Several new eateries have opened there. Pit Fire Pizza La Costa is a great spot. I have had lunch there multiple times and am a huge fan of their margherita pizza. Also not to be missed in the Beacon is The Lullabar. While The Lullabar is much more than just a coffee shop, don’t forget that it is also a coffee shop! This is a spot where family life and personal enjoyment merge – and their Café & Espresso Bar is a big part of it. On the very southern edge of La Costa is Casa de Bandini. They have a fun atmosphere, with great food and great people. And they have great accommodations for groups and parties. I am a big fan of many of their entrees, their guac and their margaritas. Lastly, out in the east end of La Costa, I absolutely love Thai One On. Post-pandemic they doubled their dining room and now have live music nightly. Great atmosphere. I go to a “7” on the spicey scale, and everything I have there is great. Their duck is to die for. So delicious.
THE VILLAGE & BARRIO The Village has a plethora of phenomenal dining (I had to get the word “plethora” in somewhere). Vigilucci’s Cucina Italiana on State St. is excellent and a staple in Carlsbad. Great dining experience and I am partial to their Insalata Mediterranea. Nick’s on State is one of the most amazing new additions to our Carlsbad dining pallet. I have enjoyed their Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass and their Center Cut Filet. Both are top of the line. Another new(er) addition to the Village scene is Le Papagayo. You can’t beat their great open-air vibe. And their Strawberry & Goat Cheese salad with Blackend Ahi is fantastic! The Bluewater Grill is a great seafood option in the Village. Their service is great, and their Mediterranean Ahi Salad is phenomenal and I’m a big fan of their clam chowder. Gregorios Italian is another great Village option. Not only do they have a soup named after our former mayor (“Mayor Matt’s Chicken Soup” – it’s good, I’ve tried it), but their House Potato Chips are addicting and their Rosemary Chicken salad is very good. Hennessey’s is another Village hot spot. I have been there for both breakfast and lunch and enjoyed both. I highly recommend their Ahi Street Tacos and their Hennessey’s Famous Fries (sweet potato fries with garlic & Parmesan…yup!). You can’t truly experience the Village without hitting Senor Grubby’s! It is the essence of home town ownership and atmosphere. And their Grubby’s Famous Street Tacos are a Carlsbad must! Don’t miss their cocktails! Love their Spicey Margarita! And what Senor Grubby’s is to the Village, Lola’s 7-Up Mexican Market & Deli is to the Barrio. Lola’s has been an institution in the Barrio for multiple generations. I am a big fan of their breakfast burritos and love their seasonal Tamales.
CARLSBAD BOULEVARD 264 Fresco is one of my wife and my favorite dinner spots in the Village. She loves the Salmon, I’m partial to the Braised Shortrib. And you can’t beat their roof top deck! A sister restaurant to 264 Fresco is Fresco Cocina on Carlsbad Blvd. It is a Latin inspired restaurant and I am partial to the Fish Tacos. Norte Mexican Restaurant has been in Carlsbad for a long time. I just had their Mahi Mahi Tacos for a staff lunch last week, delicious! Prk 101 is a great place for groups, special occasions or a business lunch. Personally, I’m partial to their Beachy Cobb salad.
OUTLET MALL AREA There are many fine dining and fast casual options near the Outlet Mall in Carlsbad. P.F. Chang’s has a great atmosphere. They also have a great dining. I highly recommend their Mandarin Crunch Salad with salmon! Chick-fil-A opened its first Carlsbad location on Avenida Encinas. When our family is in a hurry, this is the only option they are interested in. Personally, I love their Southwest Chicken Salad and our whole family loves their Waffle Fries, just to name a couple items.
PALOMAR AIRPORT ROAD I have enjoyed the catering from Carlsbad Ranch Market several times. Their promotion as a “healthy” place stop for breakfast, lunch or dinner is more than lip service. The Canyons restaurant at The Crossings has the most spectacular views in town. I have enjoyed both breakfast and lunch there and am partial to their Southwest Chop.
THE SHOPPES AT CARLSBAD The Shoppes at Carlsbad is home to several excellent dining options. The Yard House is a beer lover’s dream! With over 100 drafts on tap, they have all your interests covered. Their BBQ Chicken salad is a great lunch. Mas Fuego is one of the newer eateries to open here. They blend Latin flavors to other cultures to create delicious dining. I really enjoy their Ceviche and their Taco Plate. Another newcomer to this area is The Red Chickz. To say that Red Chickz is fire is an understatement! High quality ingredients, hand breaded chicken and spice! I love the chicken tenders at the “Bonfire” level (the spice level ranges from “Cool” to “Inferno”). Grubby’s Poke & Fish Market is another go-to for my wife and me. When my phone rings (do phones actually ring anymore?) at 5:00pm and it is my wife calling, it is frequently her saying, “Can you stop by and grab Grubby’s Poke to bring home?” They have healthy, high-quality ingredients. We sometimes split the four-protein bowl, or each get our own two-protein bowls. Love it. Just past the Shoppes, heading west, you can find BKK Thai Kitchen. I have only had a chance to eat there once, but the flavor was excellent. Across from the Shoppes at Carlsbad is the Von’s shopping Center. One of Carlsbad’s newer options in that space is MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes. MOOYAHs has 100% Certified Angus Beef burgers that are fantastic. I am partial to the Bacon Cheeseburger. RESORTS We have so many phenomenal resorts in Carlsbad, it is almost unfair to the rest of the county (who said life was fair?). They all have great eateries and I have had the chance to try breakfast or lunch or both in most of them. You have to try 20|TWENTY Grill at the Westin. Their omelets are all good, but I am partial to their homemade Steel Cut Oats. Bob’s Steak and Chop House at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa is excellent. Their Chophouse Salad and Spinach Salad are both on the top of my list. The Park Hyatt Aviara’s Ponto Lago is a must as well. Their Baja Seafood Cocktail is something you must try. Chandler’s Ocean Front Dining at Cape Rey is beautiful and delicious. They have sunsets on the beach and an explosion of flavor for our mouth!
DESSERTS Although desserts can be served at restaurants, we have many great dessert options in Carlsbad. Handel’s and Gelatolove are both in the Village. Handel’s opened my first year here and they claim to have the best ice cream in the world (I’m a believer)! Their ice cream is made fresh daily onsite. My favorite is Peanut Butter, but I’m not too picky! Gelatolove is truly divine. They claim to have every flavor under the sun, but my sights are firmly set on Salted Carmel, but the options are limitless! The Strawberry Shack is also located in the Village. Majority of products are made with fresh California strawberries (you had me at “strawberries”). Their shakes are a great guilty pleasure, their shortcakes are yum…it’s all good! Nothing Bundt Cakes is out near Costco. My staff treated me recently for “Boss’s Day” with these devilishly delicious creations. I tried to share,…no I really did,…seriously (Don’t judge! Their Bundtlets may stretch your ability to share too!). Get ‘N Go Donuts is part dessert, part art, part staple! Out in the La Costa area, these donuts are one of a kind with their design, their appeal and their taste. I’ve had too many to single one out, but you have to see their designs, amazing.
OTHERS Leucadia Pizza is on Tamarack Ave. Great pizza. We have had this for many workshops and office meetings.
CARLSBAD ADJACENT Carlsbad’s dining culture is very rich. We have some great chamber members in the surrounding areas too. Bread & Cheese Eatery is a fantastic caterer. I am addicted to their Classic and Cali Gold grilled cheese sandwiches. In addition to their catering, they have a location on Coast Highway in Oceanside and at the Moonlight Amphitheater in Vista. Little Cakes Kitchen has been known by Carlsbadians for its amazing cupcakes for years. Formerly found in Gelson’s and previously with a retail shop in Carlsbad, these cupcakes never disappoint. Currently located in Vista, these are great for any festive gathering like an office gathering (many times) to a wedding reception (yep, have done that too).
MORE SPOTS TO TRY Lola 55 is a Michelin restaurant from downtown San Diego that just opened a new location in Carlsbad in the Beacon. Poki Poki Boba & Brewski down on Carlsbad Boulevard is soon to open. Mainstream Bar & Grill off Palomar Airport Road just got bought by new owners. Kai Ola Sushi recently opened in the Village. Surf Up Chicken is the newest spot on Palmer Way in the Business Park.
So, who’s up to meet for lunch?