Caffe Calabria

Located in North Park Caffe Calabria is not just a coffee shop, but is also a whole sale roaster and supplier. Suffice to say, they know their stuff when it comes to the coffee business.

But there is so much more to Calabria than just coffee. Calabria also serves panini sandwiches, pizza, beer and wine.

I visited the cafe for lunch and ordered a prosciotto panini and ice tea. The panini contains mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil and herbs between artisan ciabatta bread. The panini was pressed in a commercial press until the cheese slightly oozing out, and the prosciotto provided a salty bite. The sandwhich was like a hot caprese salad with cured ham, and it turns out to be a very smart, delicious flavor combination.

Espresso Mio

Espresso Mio is not just a hidden gem of a coffee shop, but also a secret refuge tucked in the historic neighborhood of Mission Hills. The shop is nestled in a small row of shops on Fort Stockton and overlooks a canyon. Espresso Mio is my own personal refuge and happy place where I go to read and enjoy a glass of ice tea.

There are several key characteristics that stand out about this place that keep me coming back. The first and most important is the friendly baristas. The owner is Kim Hoffman and she usually works in the early mornings. I stop by the store on the way to work and I am always greeted with a warm, cheerful smile. On my days off I will go there to read, and enjoy the conversations about school, work, literature, and life from the barista working the afternoon shift.

In addition to the hospitality of the inviting staff, the shop has a sense of tranquility, warmth, and peace. The located in a scenic neighborhood surrounded by historic craftsmen homes. Inside the shop is a row of tables and chairs, and original artwork hangs on the walls. Going through the store is a back deck that overlooks a canyon that is full of eucalyptus trees and vegetation.

The food and drink is excellent as well. But, it's important to remember this is a coffee shop, not a cafe. So Espresso Mio is limited in what it offers, but what it does have is excellent. The shop receives daily pastries, and Kim brings in many home made backed goods such as blueberry banana bread. Their coffee coffee and tea comes from the roaster Cafe Moto which is also a local San Diego company. I always go there and enjoy a cup of herbal ice tea.

The Kebab Shop

The Kebab Shop is a grastromic hidden treasure tucked away in the east village neighborhood of downtown San Diego. I had noticed and been curious about this restaurant on my way to work, but it took me about a year to actually try it out. It was my loss to have tried it out much sooner.

The real impetus to try this place was after attending, of all things, a retail coffee shop seminar. The Kebab Shop was referenced in a seminar on online marketing as a place that reaches out and connects to its patrons on the internet. After hearing the restaurant lauded for its good food and marketing, I had to check it out.

The restaurant has a cafeteria style feel where patrons order and pick up their food from a counter. To the right of the counter is glass case containing fresh salads and side dishes such as humus, roasted vegetables, along with Greek salad, and caprese salad.

Behind the counter is a large menu board with pictures of the entrees. I chose the c hicken Shwarma with fountain drink. The drink was served in a paper cup that had their name and logo on it but also logos indicating they are on yelp and facebook; the rumor that they market themselves well is true.

After about 5 minutes the shwarma was ready. It was overflowing with goodness. It was a huge sandwich stuffed with hot chicken and vegetables. The meal was very satisfying.

Pizza FREEKS!

Pizza Freeks is a true hole in the wall but that makes it that much more awesome. This shop is located in the side of a building in Banker's Hill, on First and Juniper, and is easily missed unless you know it's there.

The shop is small and has only a few tables inside with additional seating outside on the sidewalk. Nonetheless, what it lacks in size it makes up for with heart, friendly service, and awesome pizza.

I entered the establishment and was greeted by an enthusiastic girl with bright green hair. Her attitude was super friendly and she came across as someone who truly loved what they did with a passion.

She showed me the pizzas that were displayed in a case in front of the oven, and I settled on a chicken pesto pizza. The pizza was definitely not thin crust but certainly not deep dish either, but a happy compromise between the extremes. There was a good amount of chicken on the pizza and the pesto was nice and garlicy. Right before the pizza was put in the oven it was covered in a layer of shredded mozzarella. The two slices filled me up and made for a hearty lunch. The whole meal with a can of Pepsi cost me 6.50. Can't beat that.


Pizza Freeks
121 W Juniper St
San Diego, Ca 92101
http://pizzafreeks.com

Lucha Libre Taco Shop

So, for my first review I decided to try Lucha Libra Taco Shop in Mission Hills.

I first became aware of it about a year ago when I saw billboards asking who had the best taco, Lucha Libra or another Mission Hills restaurant El Cuervo.

Driving past the shop in the afternoon one will notice a long line going out the building. Originally, I intended to stop in a couple weeks ago, but was detered by the wait. So, I made a stragic decision to grab a bite right before the lunch rush.

The Lucha Libra theme is caried out in all parts of the interior from posters to pictures and is mixed with a funky retro decore and vibe. Stepping up to the counter, I ordered two shrip tacos with a medium fountain drink. I also had the option of some bottle drinks and beer, but I opted for coke. Next to the soda fountain is a salsa bar with 5 or 6 different colored salsas. I was indecisisve on which to choose, so I chose the one that appeared emptiers than the others assuming that it was the most popular. Within 5 minuts my order was up and I had my shrip tacos. The tacos were grilled and covered in cabage and sauce. I poured the salsa over the tacos and devored them. I felt satisfied by my meal, but was not overwhelmed. I thought the tacos were good but not particularly amazing.

First Post

Hello there. My name is Schuyler (Skyler), and there are two things I love; I love to relax and I love to eat. Being a native San Diegan, I have sampled many unique establishments and I am always on the look out to try new, interesting places and hope to consistently record the experiences here.