If you are downtown, you've just got to stop by the hippest space on Market Street. The Smoking Hun…read morehas your grammars couch, cassette tapes lining the walls, pool table, ping pong, football and an entire room filled with nostalgic games you'd find at the boardwalk arcade. They have got an amazing happy hour selection, which includes their Butter Burger for $9 and Nachos too! We went on Thursday and were delighted by their all you can eat Bone Nugs special. It starts with 10 juicy pieces of plump chicken thighs in a light and crisy batter tossed in your choice of sauce, with additional rounds of 5 pieces each. Our server was super attentive, making perfectly timed stops by our table AND continuing to serve us while we were in the game room embroiled in the battle of the walking dead and other retro games. Thanks, team Smoking Gun for creating such a cool space to hang.

The Smokers Gun in San Diego was such a cool late-night spot with friendly people and a fun…read moreatmosphere. Our bartender Mike was great, and may Mai Thai ($14) defiantly did what it needed to do. It was sweet, strong and served with the cutest bear-shaped glass with a beautiful purple flower on top. One drink had a girl feeling tipsy. We ordered from the late-night "midnight Bites" menu, which was the only thing we could choose from at the hour of our visit. Everything we selected was really good. Wed got the Frito Pie ($12), Chicken thigh tenders ($7), and Tots ($7). The frito pie presentation was my second favorite part (after the bear glass drink), It came in a all-clad style bowl with the chip bag cut open inside, loaded with Texas-style chilli, melted nacho cheese, and shredded cheese. It was so good I even started adding tots in there too. The tots and Thigh tenders had the perfect crisp! They have sweet and sour chili sauce for dipping with the chicken which was fab! The retro decor made the place even better. I loved seeing the old Blockbuster VHS tapes and music cassettes displayed around the bar. My little eye also spot the Dallas Cowboys flag! Texas energy is definitely in the house. There's also a small arcade area in the back, and my eyes instantly lit up seeing PAC-Man. We didn't get to fully explore the game room because we were trying to make it to Ghirardelli Ice cream & Chocolate shop for dessert before they closed at midnight too. Thankfully everything worked out perfectly since our car was parked right in front of Ghirardelli. NO military discount was honored here even though the owner is a veteran, but overall I still had a really good experience and would definitely come back whenever I'm in the Gaslamp district in SD, Cali. (Oops posted it on a smoke shop in Texas. This review was meant to be shared here) Update: Response to owner: Joe V. That was the best response from any owner I have ever received!!! I love that you mentioned yall haven't been mistaken for a smoke shop in Texas, that Mai Thai last mea bit. Yes sir I reckon it did.

Was down in San Diego for the weekend, but it ended up being too chilly for a pool day, so we came…read morehere instead. Totally loved it. Staff was very nice. Only 6 lanes, so it's nice and cozy, doesn't get too loud. The strawberries and cream cocktail is a MUST try, so good. But honestly the star of the night was the $5 pound of fries. Oh my god, best fries I have ever had. It's been days and I'm still thinking about them. I would be willing to take the train down 2 hours from Orange County just to eat these fries. Please get them. Will be back!

For my husband's birthday he wanted to go bowling with our friends, I had no clue where to look, I…read moregoogle searched bowling alleys and came across Tavern + Bowl in East Village. You have to be within 7 days of your requested reservation date so as soon as I was closer I set up a reservation through Open Table. They do require a deposit which was fine because it made sure that we had the lanes needed for our party. I actually ended up calling the Tavern and Bowl to see if they had any earlier reservations and they told me if the person who requested an earlier time didn't pay the deposit I'd get the time slot. I am so lucky because these people didn't pay their deposit and we got the time and the lane. Cute thing, you can actually have kids come too, my niece who is 5 got to come along and they had a little device for her so she can push the ball, she ended up beating me. Everyone was so kind and service was so smooth and efficient, we got to bring donuts for our party and my husband and I ordered the carnitas nachos, they were delicious. Seriously such a great time, obviously this is before the Padres season so we lucked out on parking but this is a great place to host birthday parties. Thank you again for letting us have such a great time!

Loved the food here & the people who run it…read more The baby back ribs with fries came out hot, well-seasoned, and delicious, no complaints at all. I heard two kids and a mom order like two plain burgers and I felt so sorry for them lol. Staff were exceptionally nice. They gave me 15% off and even free cornbread simply bc my order came out a few minutes late and I was getting hangry from walking around the zoo all day with no food. I realized I lost my phone in my uber and the sweet waitress allowed me to run to my hotel to get my wallet. They even offered to call my phone for me. Their hospitality was incredible :)

My son and his friends wanted Bbq and Gaslamp Bbq closes late, so thats where I decided to Treat…read more them. They have a few outdoor seating and plenty of tables on their indoor seats. The Bbq was easy and quick to order and I ordered: *2 Sets of FULL RIBS with a side of beans. *BRISKET PLATTER with a side of Fries. *CHICKEN PLATTER with a side of Potato Salad. *PULLED PORK PLATTER with a side of Garlic bread. *LEMON DROP cocktail. My Son had the FULL RIBS, and my husband and I also had another set of FULL RIBS that we shared. They were tender and delicious, lots of Bbq Sauce on it. Our side was Baked beans, I like baked beans cooked with Bbq sauce, here the bake beans are lightly seasoned but still good. My son's friends had the BRISKET PLATTER, CHICKEN PLATTER, and the PULLED PORK PLATTER. They said that they were good and tender. It's good bbq here, but I had much better ones at other bbq restaurants, and with more of a really strong smokey smell and taste on their Bbqs. Here all of the Bbq sauce did not have that bbq smoked smell and taste, but as I said they are still good. Customer service here is Fun and very friendly. We had 2 cool servers Marfy & Jason who were always very attentive on anything we might need. Parking as alway is a pain here, it's Gaslamp so it's very busy downtown 'coz it's close to the Convention center and the Stadium and there's lots of restaurants around here. Mostly dinner time is always busy here in Gaslamp especially on the weekends. It's less busy if there's no Baseball Games or Comic-con, so plan ahead when visiting the Gaslamp.

Garbage Wings at Bub's at the Ballpark are the best wings in San Diego. Maybe the best on the…read moreplanet. Lindsay at Bub's at the Ballpark is the best (and most beautiful) server in San Diego. Maybe the best on the planet. [Mic drop]

Disturbing lack of ADA and psychiatric service animal awareness. I had an upsetting and humiliating…read moreexperience here involving my psychiatric service animal. When I entered the restaurant around 7:00 PM, I was stopped and questioned extensively by security regarding my service animal. Rather than being asked the limited ADA-compliant questions permitted by law, the interaction became prolonged and uncomfortable while staff repeatedly attempted to determine whether my dog was a "real" service animal or simply an emotional support animal. I remained waiting at the entrance while this was repeatedly discussed back and forth. What made the situation especially humiliating was that another patron openly laughed at me during the interaction while walking outside for a cigarette. I later realized this same patron had her own dog inside the establishment in a stroller the entire time. Staff members appeared very familiar and comfortable with her, and multiple employees, including my waitress- referred to her as a "regular." Although her dog was eventually moved to the patio area, the contrast in how the situations were handled made me feel singled out, embarrassed, and unfairly scrutinized. I later spoke with management in hopes of resolving the matter respectfully. During that conversation, I was surprised and concerned to hear that neither management nor staff were familiar with psychiatric service animals or their protections under the ADA. Psychiatric service animals are legally recognized service animals when trained to perform disability-related tasks, and this lack of awareness was deeply concerning, especially in a city like San Diego with a large disabled and veteran community. I fully understand that businesses are allowed to ask limited ADA-compliant questions regarding service animals, and I also understand that many establishments have dealt with individuals falsely claiming pets as service animals. However, there is a significant difference between appropriately verifying a service animal and making a disabled customer feel publicly interrogated and humiliated. The overall handling of this interaction lacked professionalism, sensitivity, and basic understanding of ADA service animal protections. No customer should feel mocked, scrutinized, or publicly embarrassed simply for entering a restaurant with a legitimate service animal. I sincerely hope this situation can serve as an opportunity for additional ADA education and proper service animal training for staff moving forward so that other disabled guests do not experience similar treatment. I would appreciate being informed of any steps the restaurant intends to take regarding ADA compliance and staff training before I determine how I would like to proceed further. Thank you for your time and attention.

Captain's Log, Stardate 21483…read more This past Sunday, I charted a course to Nicky Rottens in Coronado, a delightful establishment located at the end of Orange Avenue. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted by an uplifting open-air environment, truly a breath of fresh air that felt like stepping onto the observation deck of the USS Enterprise. The amazing views of the bay were nothing short of spectacular, bringing a serene beauty that rivals the finest star systems. Over the years, my wife, her girlfriend, and I have become frequent travelers to this culinary haven, beaming back for nearly 15 years--a testament to its enduring allure. The selection of IPAs and mixed drinks is impressive, catering to even the most discerning palates in the galaxy. The choices are vast enough to satisfy anyone embarking on this flavor exploration, whether you prefer a refreshing drink to toast a successful mission or something bolder, like a phaser on stun! The menu features a delightful array of options, including fresh salads, tantalizing finger foods, and, of course, their famed burgers. My wife's enthusiasm for the offerings has always been infectious, and during this visit, she and her girlfriend were on a culinary adventure of their own, indulging in the flavors that have made Nicky Rottens a local favorite. The burgers are truly out of this world--juicy, flavorful, and expertly crafted to ensure a warp-speed experience with every bite. You'll find that each dish is prepared with precision, as if overseen by a skilled chef with the abilities of a Vulcan and the passion of a true culinary Starfleet officer. In conclusion, Nicky Rottens is a prime destination for anyone seeking a vibrant atmosphere, stunning views, and a solid meal. I can confidently say that if you ever find yourself in Coronado, this establishment is a must-visit. After all, it's just one small step for man, and one giant leap into deliciousness! Live long and prosper. End log. Captain 619

Got a paloma and the flavor was more intense than I expected, but it was pretty good…read more Tater tots are nice and crispy, great texture. Aside from that, they're generic normal tasting tater tots. For the burger, I liked the bun and other ingredients, but thought the savoriness of the meat was just okay. Also, can't say I'm a huge fan of the tiny lettuce whenever I see it. Overall, this joint is not bad, but I can think of very little about it that stands out. I don't feel that it fully leans into being a sports bar or dive bar or even as a burger joint. It's just.....a bar. Apparently, it prides itself as being an original coronado spot, but I didn't get that kinda vibe here. I don't know.

Honestly, one of the best experiences I've had watching a sporting event ever. I'm not one to leave…read morereviews, good or bad, but the service at Home & Away yesterday for the USA Men's World Cup game was exceptional. The place was packed, but never annoying. Our drinks were never empty and the vibes were consistently high. Shout out to Callie for taking great care of us. It's THE spot in SD for big games

Came for World Cup. Energy was off the charts. Bartenders were amazing. Huge TVs and great vibe…read more Always makes you feel like you chose the right place when you here people around you talk about how amazing the place is

Probably my favorite pizza by the slice places. They are consistent in their quality, flavor, and…read morevariety of options. Thin crispy crust (not too crunchy though) and generous portions with ample toppings. Quick service, delicious food, and a chill place to grab a beer and hang with friends. Love this place - I hope it's here for many generations to come.

Pizzeria Luigi is located on the bustling El Cajon BLVD near the famous Lafayette Hotel. After…read morewatching a live music performance at the hotel, we were starving and found our way to Pizzeria Luigi. There is some indoor seating although the seating is mostly large picnic bench style or small two person table but not a lot of in between 4 person seating. Unfortunately, service was not great, the worker gave us a lot of attitude and seemed to not want to be there. The pizza itself was solid, I enjoyed the meat lovers and BBQ chicken but our slices were also not heated sufficiently so some slices were cold in certain spots. The garlic knots had good flavor but had the same heat problem. Perhaps it was the late time we came after 9 pm but I will not likely be back to Pizzeria Luigi.

Tamara (T) has been the BEST bartender i've ever had. The bar is very clean and fun vibe, but her…read moreenergy was the best part. I would recommend her to anyone!!!

Was hanging in San Diego over the weekend with the family doing some shopping. While in this area…read moreheard a bunch of cheering on a Sunday. After not being able to ignore it anymore walked around the corner and found True North. I was waiting for our party to finish shopping next door so figured I would pop in and grab a quick drink. You seat yourself and it was in between the morning and afternoon games so there was plenty of space. Grabbed a spot at the bar and was greeted by one of their two awesome bartenders T! T was so freaking friendly and when I ordered my go to morning drink 'a bloody maria' she immediately reacted with a huge smile and said you are going to love this. She told me about the other bartenders bloody mix and it did not disappoint whatsoever. It was flavorful spicy and delicious. We just got that and a few beers. They had TVs all over to watch every game so I imagine it's a go to spot for the area. A pleasant surprise. Shoutout to those of us with me that wanted to shop next door so I could find my way North!