Cheap, Fun, and Tasty Places for Breakfast in San Diego
Editor’s note: Kevin Price, Editor at Large of USABR and Host of the nationally syndicated Price of Business Show, recently visited San Diego, California. One of his favorite things to do when traveling is hitting the restaurants. He likes fun, unique to the area he is visiting, locations. He also puts a premium on value. He decided to share with USA Business Radio three locations he visited. All photos are by Kevin Price.
USABR. Recently you made a short trip of a few days to San Diego, what was the purpose of the visit?
Kevin Price. I often say that “I want to move to San Diego” because of its reputation for having perfect weather, amazing sights, and really laid back people, but I haven’t been there in literally decades. It was time for me to make a visit. I leave Houston during much of the summer because of the heat, and although it was only Spring when I visited San Diego, the rest of the country would call the condition in H-Town very summer like.
USABR. Tell us about the breakfast location you visited.
Kevin Price. I went to three restaurants for breakfast worth remembering in San Diego. One of them, Breakfast Republic, is one of the most popular chains in California. It wins numerous awards and has a great reputation. However, after the trip I noticed I did not take a single picture of it when I was there. That makes me think it was too much like a typical franchise. The food was good, but not memorable. The pricing was fine, but would not be described as an “exceptional value” by me. Part of its problem was that it won many awards and had a strong reputation, which may have set expectations around it exceptionally high. That almost guarantees disappointment.
Kevin did not get a picture of the Breakfast Republic, but we found the video below. This was not the one Kevin went to, and each are unique. Yet all of them seem to have a similar style and menu.
Two other restaurants I visited — and really enjoyed — were Lucky’s and Tobey’s 19th Hole.
Lucky’s was very fun. You have got to love any place with a view of the iconic Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, on its front porch:
The restaurant is only a few years old, but they’ve done an excellent job giving it a retro look, with the walls lined with photos from baseball’s glorious past and a front façade the captures the spirit of great grills of the past (below).
The menu was at a great price point and I found the restaurant an excellent value. It will be on the top of my list on my next visit to this great city. My meal included the pancakes, which were excellent. I have a thing for very thin pancakes, and although they did not meet that criteria, they still tasted excellent.
The Price of Business Show is always looking for great places to visit in our many travels. Email producer@usabusinessradio.com for places you suggest — anywhere — for eating, sleeping, entertainment, etc. You might find it in an article in the Price of Business Digital Network are on the radio.
I didn’t notice the view of the baseball stadium until after I left, next time, I think I will set at the picnic table (above).
Finally, the last breakfast location for me was Toby’s 19th Hole. This restaurant is a hole in the wall I stumbled on while traveling to the world famous San Diego Zoo. I was in a hurry to get there and just drove by it. The outside is charming and the inside is very plain, but the food — and its pricing — are excellent.
This historic diner was built during the Great Depression and has passed from generation to generation. It has no website to my knowledge, although there are plenty of links about it.
The interior of the restaurant is very old school and nothing to get excited about. However, I find that very charming too.
Meanwhile, the view through the window above is amazing and is worth the visit in and of itself. Watch that first step!
Meanwhile, the menu was excellent and full of classics. It had interesting selections with great pricing. I enjoyed the taste and it reminded me of some great “grills” of the past. I definitely want to make Toby’s a part of future visit to San Diego.
