Filippi’s Pizza Grotto

So, I’ll close out 2015 with a review of one of my favorite Italian restaurants, Filippi’s.  This place has been a San Diego institution for generations.  Starting out in Little Italy back in the 50’s they now have a number of restaurants around the county.  This is the southern most one, located in Imperial Beach.  Now Filippi’s is best known for their pizzas, but sometimes I like to get a classic, heavy red sauce dish.  Here’s a great rigatoni with meat sauce, side of Italian sausage and meatball, salad, etc.  I had to lay down after eating all this!  Not really a top shelf Italian restaurant, but a very comfortable, homey place that’s affordable and no frills.  Probably the most generous portions you’ll find around.  

  
  
  
  

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Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

Still one of the best fast food places around!  I always love going to Popeyes!  You can’t beat the great fried chicken tenders with seasoned fries and a hot biscuit.  Where they really shine is in their myriad of excellent, unique dipping sauces.  

  

Embassy Suites

Pretty decent hotel room service chicken wings.  Hits the spot when working late!

  

Pattaya Thai Restaurant

I’ve had fried rice dishes a few times now to local Thai restaurants and have been somewhat unimpressed.  This one is called Prik Pao.  As much of a Thai fan that I am, I think the Chinese places do a better job in this department.   I think I’ll stick with my favorite noodle and curry dishes…

  
  

El Pollo Loco

Recently I tried this thing they call an avocado quesadilla.  Filled with melted, shredded jack cheese, grilled chicken, creamy cilantro dressing, shredded cabbage, pico de gallo salsa and avocado slices all in a grilled flour tortilla.  There’s a lot going on here and I don’t think it was executed that well.  Cheese was not melted and all the cold moist ingredients inside didn’t really make this appetizing with the grilled tortilla exterior.   I think if they simplified it somewhat it would be better.  Reminded me of the crunch wrap thing at Taco Bell which I think is actually tastier than this!

  

Outback Steakhouse

Combination platters are some of my favorite things to order at any restaurant.  Outback does it up well with their great BBQ ribs, chicken and shrimp!

  

Karl Strauss

Probably one of the most unusual salads I’ve eaten, and certainly one of the tastiest.  There’s really a lot going on here.  Karl calls this the Local Gem Wedge.  Made with locally grown little gem lettuce hearts, Pt. Reyes blue cheese, beer-brined bacon, radish, tomato, candied pecans, and a creamy goat cheese dressing.  If all that wasn’t enough they crown the whole thing with a couple of their great, fatty onion rings!  

  

Jersey Mike’s

Quick trip to Jersey Mike’s with the fam… #13 – The Original Italian. Excellent sammich with a good amount of meat!!Check out my YouTube video where I reviewed this great sandwich in depth…

  
  

Cracker Barrel Redux

Back for breakfast in the morning!   I always get my usual, the Old Timers Breakfast.  Eggs, grits, smoked sausage patties, hashbrown casserole, hot biscuits, gravy, etc.  It’s mornings like this that make me not want dinner! 😭

  

Cracker Barrel

On a recent trip to Yuma, AZ we had to stop at our favorite restaurant.  So sad there’s none to be found in California.  This time I went outside the box and ordered the grilled rainbow trout.  To keep it real, I selected my two favorite vegetables, mac & cheese and hashbrown casserole.  Rounded it all out with a nice hot biscuit!  Everything was just excellent.  I could eat here everyday, but I’d weigh 500 pounds no doubt 😂