Official Patty’s Picks Rating: 9️⃣.0️⃣

Ever dreamed of a Michelin level dinner at a diner price point? Well, good news. No need to wake up, just head on over to Juan Jasper. One of San Diego’s best kept secrets.

Why?

When I say Michelin level, that's not figurative speech. Mark (Main Chef Chief Of Command) is about as decorated of a chef as you can get in San Diego and somehow continues to fly completely under the radar. By his eccentric personality you would never guess it but when it comes to dining with Mark, you are the celebrity, however, he is definitely center stage. In his small University Heights wine counter on the corner, Mark delivers excellence with a menu that changes EVERY DAY. Mark makes what Mark wants and you will like it. (That’s a Patty Guarantee.) But just when you thought the food was perfect, the wine is it’s twin. Hanging on the wall behind you, you can grab wine from whichever of Mark’s longtime fans have sent him to sell. Wine you cannot simply get at a store, nor will you ever see on a menu. The best part, all of this can be yours for a night out for 2 for under $100. (Depending on how much you end up drinking)

Patty’s Go To:

The only dishes that are a constant are 100% a non-negotiable on the table must haves: The burger. It’s not what you think. Just get it. The spicy caesar and the Steak Tartare. If you have to drop 1 to get something of the daily highlights, drop the tartare.

Patty Hack Mark’s partner in crime owns one of the best butcher shops in San Diego which is actually connected to the wine bar. The hack? Go next door, pick your steak, and Mark will sear it on up for you. However, if you like your steak anything cooked over medium…. Good luck trying to be allowed to order it.

Official Patty's Picks Rating: 9️⃣.1️⃣

Why?

It might be because a good chunk of my childhood was spent in this restaurant. It could be because it is lost in time that only a true family run hole in the wall Mexican restaurant that is cash only can be, perhaps it is the fact that they remember all of the customers names, their lives, and treat you like family everytime….. or it just might be the fact that the food is so damn fucking good.

In a strip mall in Clairemont about ¼ mile from my childhood home, Maritzas is nestled in between a children's dance studio and a laundry mat. It is run by the Mother: Carmen. Her husband & main chef. His brother also chef. Her daughter. And her grand daughter. So when I say it feels like you are having a family dinner prepared by your Mexican relatives, it doesn’t get more accurate than that.

The menu is checker boarded with plastic letters, they only take cash, and their menu has never changed. In my world, if I am having my worst of days or my best of days, this is my go-to EVERY TIME.

Now, I know we are in San Diego, and everyone has their own version of this…But do yourself a favor and go here. Argue with me later.

Patty’s Go To: The C-Special, with an added hard shell chicken taco, a quesadilla, and a side of enchilada sauce. You will be full. Honorable Mentions:

Rolled Tacos: They go way too hard. Be sure to add the pound of guac.

Wednesday Carnitas: Only on Wednesdays

The Churro: I swear they bring these in from Disneyland.

Patty Hack: ☝️ If you go in there and try and order a California Burrito or Carne Asada Fries…. They will simply ask you to leave. Candidly, you just ain’t in the right place and don’t embarrass me and yourself like that.

Official Patty's Picks Rating: 8️⃣.8️⃣

Morning glory is nothing short of chaos, clout, and deliciousness. You will sit down hungry after waiting for 4 hours, and leave hammered from having to try their long list of absolutely insane drinks. Whether it is the wondering LED eyeball, the Moet Champagne vending machine, or the traveling caviar cart, Morning Glory is the only Consortium’s long list of maximalist venues where the environment actually matches the food. Beware, if you plan to try and go here on a weekend, be ready to put your name down and have to wait 3-4hours to sit down. Can I say the wait is worth it? For a first timer…Yes. Just distract yourself at the farmers market for a bit. As a guest of someone who is already waiting for the reso… 100%.

Patty’s Go To: To Eat: Japanese Jiggle Jiggle Souffle Pancakes: “Most Likely To End Up On Instagram” Ginger Fried Rice: “Most Likely To Be Told We Are Sold Out: Steak & Eggs: “Most Likely To End Up In A Comma”

To Drink: Caviar Bump & Ride Mini-Moet out of the vending machine Squeezed In Your Face OJOJ

Patty Hack: Show up early, before 10am. Make a reservation for 11-11:30 and go booze it up or roam around the plaza or farmers market right down the street. A perfect warm-up to a Sunday Funday.

Official Patty's Picks Rating: 7️⃣.3️⃣

The unknown hidden gem in Pacific Beach that somehow has still remained under the radar. Time to end that streak. Oltre Mare is as authentic as it gets. This is not your average fufu italian joint, this is not fake authentic, this is not hype this is the REAL DEAL.Sweetbug and her husband run this literally out of the back of their house and deliver it right to you in what is basically their living room. All fresh, and all Italian natives… Like seriously, their family gets temp visas and works there over the Summer. The pasta is actually handmade unlike many places that claim it to be, and you won't be leaving like shit as you do with most big Italian dinners. Best Part: It is one of the few places in San Diego that is not Koren that is BYOB…. So get your wine fridge ready.

The Go To:

For 2: 1 Pasta 1 Pizza and you are good to go. I love bolognese so when the wild boar bolognese shows up on a menu you know it is coming down on the table. The pizza - If it has prosciutto on it - It is a YES CHEF. The Pizza Crudo e Rucola is the go to.

For 4: 2 pasta’s 1 Pizza and if you are hungry - Get the whole fish. For the additional pasta (Assuming you went with what I recommended above) go for the Pappardelle ai funghi Porcini.

Patty Hack: She’s got specials on the weekend which she will most likely demand you to order and you should just submit and listen because SweetBug is always right.

Tell her I sent yah and she will give yah a big ol hug that only a true Italian mother can give!

Official Patty’s Picks Rating: 8️⃣.7️⃣

Why? Arguably one of the best casual date or good eats spots in San Diego, and definitely the only one you will get away with paying under $100. The food is to die for and hosts some of the most overlooked and underrated drinks in San Diego. There is not one bad item on the menu. (Not kidding) Everything is unique and the best version of it in San Diego. The price point does not do the food justice. Where it lacks occasionally in service temperament, it makes up for with the food, drinks, and vibe. Low key with high key taste. A certified Patty Pick. ✅

The Go To: Burger / Fried Chicken Burger, The Charred Brussell Cesar + Steak Frites. Add on their signature spicy marg and call it a day. Now, they did just add in a whole new list of menu items that I have tried most of and just like everything else on their menu - It hits 100% of the time.

Background: Anderson is a culinary and venue legend. The original GM of Catch LA and now the owner of CommonStock and Books & Records (To be reviewed in an upcoming edition). He keeps the vibe fresh with a modern upscale vibe that you can bring casual fun into. This place is a certified Patty Pick and still one of my favorite spots in the entire city. If you see Anderson out and about running around talking to tables, tell him Patty sent yah! https://www.eatcommonstock.com/