I have a week in Aviara coming up. We plan to hit Market and Addison. Pizza Port is usually a stop. Looking for a good Mexican/Tacqueria place and anything else you can suggest. Menus should include vegetarian options. Happy hours also needed. I noticed a concentration of breweries in the Carlsbad area which could make for a fun daytime trip. Recommendations on the breweries are appreciated.
Any comments about these places:
RUDY’S TACO SHOP
Carlsbad
Addison has fallen apart–85% of the staff has left, including Jesse Rodriguez and Will Costello. Service is shaky and erratic, the restaurant is like a ship without a captain, and it is a real tragedy. It has been my favorite US restaurant and I doubt I will go again. Long story about it that I am privy to, but can’t divulge. Suffice it to say that culinary egos and avarice got in the way of good business.
alan
RUDY’S (solana beach, close to train station) is a great choice; the carne asada is a must order. Nearby in Encinitas, if you like carnitas, go to JUANITAS.
Pizza port has a new place in Bressi ranch in Carlsbad. Close to your hotel…
I like Rudy’s in Solana beach but think their carne asada is ok…I never eat chicken burritos but their “vegetarian burrito with chicken” is great! It has more stuff than their regular chicken burrito.
I like fish 101 and also Kaito in the area if you enjoy seafood.
I like El Callejon in Encinitas. Corner of coast highway and encinitas boulevard.
Outstanding margaritas that are discounted at happy hour.
Their traditional Mexican plates are very good – loved the fish dishes. I’ve been disappointed by the standard fare – tacos, burritos, enchiladas.
And, moonlight beach is right across the highway. 3 minute walk.
I like Tony’s Jacals as well, but its been a while.
My favorite Mexican place though is Porkeyland in La Jolla. I can only vouch for the tacos al pastor. They’re so good I never order anything else. Definitely a hike from Carlsbad.
I also forgot that VG donut is a must stop. Best donuts I’ve ever had. Cardiff by the Sea. They have non donut things but I’m not willing to waste stomach space when there’s so much delicious donut to be eaten.
Also right across the coast highway from the ocean.
Lol crazy huh??? I find their carne asada to be too dry. But until my wife’s firm (works 1 block from Rudy’s) all recommended this “special” burrito, I wasn’t a believer either! Their breakfast burrito with avocado is pretty delicious too!
Crush… I would not bother. Sea & Smoke opened like last week, so to early to tell. I do not have great high end suggestions for you, but I do frequent Market in Del Mar and Nine Ten in La Jolla. Nothing else has really been worth the extra drive lately.
Locally, as stated earlier Fish 101 in Leucadia is fresh fish prepared simply with local beers, it is a tiny hole in the wall, but great. Also, if you like Japanese Izakaya, Yu Mi Ya, also in Leucadia on the 101 is Japanese bar food, but not sushi, with some 100+ sake list. It is also great.
As for beer:
Vista corridor – if you want to try 3 good to great new breweries. Belching Beaver, Mother Earth, and The Lost Abbey will introduce you to the San Diego scene and some different styles. All are about 25 minutes from La Costa and 10-15 minutes from each other.
Mira Mesa – 3 places to try here would be Societe Brewing (freaking awesome), Green Flash, and Ballast Point. Unfortunately, about 30 minutes from you, but they are only 15 minutes from each other at most.
Stone Brewing in Escondido. I would go here no matter what. You can even reserve a tour of the brewery, if that is interesting to you. They have a nice outdoor seating area, that seems to be cool in the evening, and I like the new menu, although others here on the board do not seem to be fans. BTW, the wife’s owner is a vegetarian, and the menu has a ton of veg options besides pasta.
What a crying shame. Thanks to your recommendation, I had an epiphany birthday celebration there in September of 2010, the last one while my father was still alive. I’ll never forget it. I was hoping on revisiting them sometime soon.
Is it really as hopeless there as you make it seem?
Vista breweries in the business park area should be 10 to 15 minutes from Aviara. Has anyone been to Chandler’s in the fairly new Hilton in Calrsbad? Is Pascal Vignau still their chef? Pascal was chef owner at Savory in Encinitas where we have had many offlines.
Hell yes. Back in the day, we used to drive all the way to Cardiff on late night munchie runs from UCSD. I still go every time I’m in North County. The apple fritters and the BBB (blueberry butermilk bar) are great.
No, but the one in Vista on Saturdays is pretty good. We saw the same worm lady at the San Clemente Sunday market the day after Falltacular in 2012 as we see in Vista. Possibly the same farmers and vendors show up at the Carlsbad market.
