Such a cute spot! Visiting from the Bay Area, we had just finished doing the touristy stuff at balboa park and stumbled upon this place for a quick bite to eat before figuring out the rest of our plans for the day. It was late afternoon on Wednesday so it wasn't super busy by the time we got there around 6 when the exhibits were closing, but within about a half hour a lot of people started lining up and it looked like the band was bringing in their equipment for the live music. We sat at the bar, had a ginger beer, I think a highland park beer (could be wrong, can't remember the name lol), and the asparagus. No complaints about the drinks, and that asparagus plate I honestly wish I could order again and again. Service was great, they were all very friendly and attentive. I wish there were places like this near our hometown! Definitely a great spot to stop, hopefully we'll visit again and try more menu options. read more

Keep in mind when visiting that this is in a tourist area... So you're not gonna get a screaming deal or anything. But I didn't think that the prices were outrageous either. Maybe just slightly higher than restaurants in a regular area. Panama 66 has a great selection of craft beers from California. Maybe a few too many IPAs for my taste and definitely lacking a pale ale. I did try both of their wheat beers and thought they were excellent. I went for the burger, it didn't come out, looking all that impressive but the taste was popping. All of their bread products come from local bakery Bread & Cie and the bun was perfectly toasted. The french fries are always on point at Panama 66. I like to get them upgraded to Parmesan truffle. My man got a club sandwich and it was huge and he thought it was really good as well. On a previous visit I had the Tempe sandwich, I wasn't in the mood for meat on that visit and it is really nice and Hardy. Would definitely recommend that as an option as well. I especially like this restaurant because of the ambience. It's located outside, but there is some covered seating. Right next to the museum of art and there's a big beautiful courtyard with some art pieces as well as a nice water feature. While we were sitting there a few ducks flew into the water feature, it was quite entertaining. I thought the service was great starting right with the gentleman who greeted us at the door who informed us of all the new menu items. I also appreciated the guys at the counter that were patient with me and let me try a few of the craft beers. It's a fast casual type place, you order at the bar and then they bring your food out. They were doing a really good job of also busing and cleaning all the tables. This is definitely a place I will return. read more

Panama 66 - Burger Time - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Jonathan, thanks for making our experience so fun! We eaves dropped and heard him telling another patron about the story of the restaurant where the museum it resides in opened in 66, and Balboa park hosted the celebration of the opening of Panama Canal..... The courtyard where the restaurant was in was very quiet and quaint. The beers cold and the curry fries were TDF! That curry sauce, I can see why there is a cult following for it. Highly recommend to give them a try, thr m&m cookie was divine. Definitely try the curry fries! read more

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Have been many times. You stand in line to order food then stand in line to order drinks then pray for a table It's great for groups and a nice addition to an afternoon in balboa The food is fresh, good, and quick They have vegan options if you are into that Staff is friendly but limited. Casual outdoor restaurant that is worth the wait read more

A friend and I stopped in on a Wednesday around 9 pm to catch the live jazz in the back room, and it did not disappoint. They host jazz every Wednesday until 10 pm, and as someone from Louisiana, I don't say this lightly, it was phenomenal. The talent was seriously impressive, and it was refreshing to see a crowd that genuinely appreciates that kind of music. The setup is great too. There's plenty of seating with small tables so it's easy to relax and enjoy your drink without feeling cramped. It's also super casual, you can come and go as you please, which adds to the laid-back vibe. One thing to note: after 9 pm, the bar serves only wine and beer. The wine list is small (just a few reds), but the options are still solid. Overall, this place is a total vibe. Really glad we checked it out and would definitely come back for another Wednesday night. read more

Panama 66 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Literally San Diego's best little spot! If you are looking for a place with vibes and good food and drinks this is the spot! I love bringing my pup to this place and grabbing an awesome cocktail and tasty food and posting up! Big grass area with art installations and all the fixings of balboa park in view! read more

Panama 66 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Unique and great. Been here several times and have enjoyed our experiences here every time. Once was a Sunday for brunch and another was a Sunday late afternoon and they had live music. Service is always great and personable. The drinks (handmade craft cocktails) and the draft beers are amazing. The food is superior. The food is uniquely on point. It's a little different and it's great. Love this place and we will be back. Be patient for their system. Wait in line for food or go straight for the drink line. The lines move quickly. read more

The BF and I, we're spending the day in Balboa park, trying to see it all in one day And we needed respite, when we saw panama 99, we decided to have lunch Al fresco and ice cold beers. We dined on pork adobe and jasmine rice and fish tacos We sat and listened to the live jazz playing in the courtyard. read more

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Visited on a weekend with my furkid. Pros: - Pet friendly! Seating is outside. - Decent sized portions of food. Price goes in line with portion and location of restaurant. - Ordering drinks were quick. Minimal wait. - Great ambience. Cons: - Line to order food was somewhat long. Quality of food itself was average. We ordered Mediterranean appetizer platter of sort and fish tacos with fries. Tacos were eh, but everything else was decent. - Service was nothing to rave about. read more

Panama 66 - IG @devouredwithlove - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Fabulous night on a beautiful fall evening with the tower lit up. A night of Latin jazz and delicious burgers with side of fries and salad and a dazzling pink lighted California Tower right in front of us!! Service with a smile and food ready in ten minutes. A simply delightful evening. Plenty of parking at the Oregon pavilion and it's still free! I was surprised, but it wasn't more crowded on a Friday evening. We arrived at 5:30 and the music started at 6 PM. The tables were getting full by the time the music started. read more

Panama 66 - Fall evening - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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I got a chicken bahn mi. The baguette and veggies were not bad, but as usual i find the chicken to be bland and dry. On top of that, there was very little sauce too, not much pate or anything else. I did like the salad just because it's not a regular lettuce salad. This has a unique vibe where it feels classy, but also feels like a cafeteria. Like, you've got a live band and a nice looking bar. But we also had to stand in a line between stanchions to order food. There were still a lot of empty tables on a Saturday evening, but customers were backed up trying to order through a single register. I.....feel like they're not understaffed, but their management is really inefficient. We had at least 3-4 servers come to our table, and none of them were quite sure what the others are doing. At one point, one woman noticed we didn't have silverware yet, and she leaves for silverware, followed by a second dude going "you guys don't have silverware yet?", followed by a third woman bringing our silverware. Later, the server who brings our food forgets to take our numbers. About 15 minutes later, another server comes and asks if we got all our food. We said we did, so she says, "I'll take your numbers then." While I do think they were busier than usual, the way they operate feels questionable. I suspect that the real reason they force people to order upfront is due to dine and dashers. Unfortunate. read more

Panama 66 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Stopped in for a quick light lunch while we were ambling around Balboa Park. Didn't want anything too heavy, as we were planning a larger dinner at another establishment. Panama 66 had just opened for the day, so there were quite a few tables available. We were seated quickly, and actually given a choice where we wanted to be, which was nice. Ended up looking out at the sculpture garden (which was under a slight renovation at the time, as it was recently re-seeded with grass). A nice view, and a very quiet, comfortable atmosphere. We decided to split the chicken bahn mi. Not bad, but not the best bahn mi I've ever had. Hit the spot and it was delivered very quickly. Service was excellent, and with a nice decor and outdoor seating if you chose that option. Panama 66 was probably our best bet without exiting the park or dropping a chunk of change. Glad we gave it a try. read more

As a San Diego local, I sometimes go here because this is extremely conveniently located in the middle of Balboa Park. I think the food is just ok, but better than other options within walking distance so if I'm showing someone around Balboa Park it is convenient. The location is also quite nice and you can have a view of the SD Museum of Art sculpture garden. I went recently and the line was extremely slow (when I went only 1 person was at the register even though there were 2 registers), which was the biggest downside. The food came pretty quickly after ordering. I got the mezze platter as an entree because I was feeling like veggies, and it was a great choice. As an appetizer, I would probably want 3+ people to share this because I didn't finish it as an entree. I was pleasantly surprised with how filling it was! My friend got the tuna melt and also enjoyed it. read more

Panama 66 - Mezze platter and fries - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

This was my first time here at Panama 66 in Balboa Park. We came for a late lunch and I was surprised at how fast the service was. We stood in line at the bar and ordered from there. I even ordered a lemonade ($4) and they gave it to me as I got the number order stand as well. To eat, I ordered their $18, Pulled Pork Sandwich with the side salad (the other option was truffle fries). And as you finish ordering, as you may notice, they have a station to grab some nice ice cold water as well. After they give you a number, you find a seat on the patio. The area in the front of the restaurant has reserved signs on the tables, but apparently it's just reserved for larger groups (rather than solo eaters, 2-4 people) such as the one I was with. We were a table of 8-10. Like I said, I didn't even sit down for more than 5 minutes and they already brought out my plate of Pulled Pork Sandwich. I cut for sandwich in half for easier eating. The first half that I ate, didn't have as much flavor in the pulled pork as the second half did. I think it would be lovely to have a little more of that Seasonal IPA BBQ Sauce because you'd think that would be the star of the show right? The dijonnaise was light and not overwhelming. There were some tasty spicy dill pickles inside the sandwich. What I loved is that they used Bread & Cie pretzel bun, so beautifully toasted it didn't get soggy at all. I didn't taste a creamy veggie slaw, so I added my side salad into the sandwich and boy that was a great idea! Since the salad was lightly dressed and a bit difficult to stab with the fork-- being in a sandwich was the best for it. I'd rate this a 8.5/10! The lemonade was good, but a little thick. Reminding me of the ones you'd get premade in bottles at the store. Lots of simple syrup or sugar, I think a little more water was needed and maybe even some more lemon. It was refreshing, but unless it was made hand squeezed-- I'd say only worth $3! (I do not know if they make the lemonades themselves). My friends were happy with their Soup of the Day- which looked like it was Carrot, Cauliflower Ceviche ($16) , and Truffle Parm Fries ($10). A few of them have eaten here before and recommended the Tofu Banh Mi ($17) and the Smash Veg Burger ($17). Overall for lunch I paid ~23-$25.71 which is not bad for a restaurant within Balboa Park. The food was tasty and fulfilling after a long walk around the area. The workers were kind, place was clean, great atmosphere, and fast service. I'd recommend Panama 66 if you're in Balboa Park or even just Bankers Hill area. read more

Panama 66 - $4, Lemonade & $18, The Pulled Pork Sandwich with side salad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Vibes are excellent here! The patio is gorgeous, there's a sculpture garden in the back and on wednesday's they have jazz night. You can't see the stage from the restaurant area but you can definitely hear it! And they have seating in the hall if you'd like to watch the performance. There's full bar and wide selection of beers/ciders/etc. We shared some fries which were yummy and crispy; and the mezze platter which was just okay. There was a bit of a line to order but the food and drinks came out quickly and the servers/bussers were very attentive. read more

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I don't understand the average rating for this restaurant, I thought it was great! We had a short wait, found a table, then went up to the counter to place our order (all of which took about 10 minutes) The food came out quickly, and everyone at the table enjoyed what they ordered. We tried the hummus board, chicken banh mi, burger, tuna melt, quinoa bowl, and truffle fries. Everything was fresh, good portions, and flavorful. I personally ordered the mezzo platter/hummus board, which is under the appetizer section, but sounded good as it's full of fresh vegetables, falafel, tabbouleh, hummus, zoug, and pita. It could have been shared but I ate it as a meal. It left me feeling full but not heavy. This is an excellent choice for a meal while exploring Balboa Park. read more

Panama 66 was a last-minute find when visiting Prado Park and my group was very hungry. I was drawn to it by the live jazz they had going that afternoon. It was very busy, but the system they have going made the experience of ordering easier. We stood in line, ordered, and got a table. The food took a bit long because it was so busy, but it was worth the wait. It was really good! The nice security guard recommended that we order the fish tacos, which I didn't do, but someone in my group did, so I got to try them. He was right! These were my favorite. There were a couple of kids with us, and their fries were good. They seemed to enjoy their burgers. I won't lie... I wasn't expecting much going into dinner, but I was pleasantly surprised. read more

The theme continues: bland and dry. There aren't a lot of options for food in Balboa park... so this is a popular option that can get very busy. I waited for 10-15 minutes to get to order counter... and then sat myself at an outdoor table and waited for my food. The food came, but no silverware or napkins. Some nice person nearby went and tracked some down for me since I was solo with my toddler. So all that to say - don't expect much for service here. The tuna sandwich I got was described with a lot of flavor. But it was so bland and dry. Frys were fine. I ordered a side of fruit and it was a nice amount and good quality so at least they had that going... I'd only come back out of convenience or for a drink on a patio. read more

We went here for lunch before a play. It did not disappoint. The line to order food gets long, but kids can run around in the plaza or inside, on the back grass. If you just want a drink, there's a bar line inside. If you like beer, this is a great place to go. Lots of great beers on tap. All seating is outside. They have heaters of it gets chilly. You can people watch up at the front or sit to watch kids play on the grass in the back. We chose a high top table by the water feature. I got the burger because they are done so well, but all the food is delicious. I got a side of curry for the side of fries. If we're just going for a drink, I usually order the fries with curry. The daily soups have all been really good too. read more

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I've been wanting to come here for the longest time and it was worth the wait )expecting long lines) but they go by fast. We went on Friday night for the live music and it makes a huge difference. The seating is outside so bring a jacket because it was a little chilly. I got the park burger and it was not the best but it was not the worst. I also got the chocolate mousse for dessert and that was delicious. Overall very cute place for vibes and drinks. read more

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Super takeout experience. They have an organized line where you order the people who are staying to eat in the sculpture garden, and I got my Go bag packed nicely to eat elsewhere in the park within 15 minutes. The tomato soup is amazing, kind of an epitome of why it's iconic. Basil oil and goat cheese and a yummy soup. My mother loves the caramelized onion grilled cheese sandwich which is extremely tasty, but I got the tuna melt which was fabulous. Fresh local tuna, olive bread, and then tarragon and cheese and other yummy things. I'll come back for this! read more

Panama 66 - Soups on menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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It's clean elegant and relaxing inside. Solid drinks and the food was pretty good. The burger and fries were really good. I would go back; but try a different option than the sandwich again. The workers were all kind! read more

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The hostess was very happy and kept the line going. The food was okay. Very simple and more of a place to grab a cafe snack. It's outdoor seating and the patio in the back is open to everyone dinning there. It's nice to sit down and take a break. They had cups on the side of the registers for self serve water. There are statues around, it's gated exclusively for the people dining there, the kids can run around and play if they have energy. They can't go too far but it's perfect for them. read more

Panama 66 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Of the many restaurants the parks that have their own reztaurants the one place that has changed the many things is the Balboa Park. Balboa )ark had the many snacks of tge zoo and thevtray lunches you can gave with sandwiches or the half poundhotdogs. One of the many places that caught my eyebtge statuez O looked the museums near by to find they have an outdoor bar with umbrellas and the tablesbyou xan have a group of coworkers. Having time in the aftwrmoon looking for lunch places the outdoor patio tgecsign they have with a menu at the front welcpmed by the female hostess that was very rude looking at the menu seeing the many dishes. Going to the front register the front area waz something that you would set up for an outside party. Paying by credit card the bill included the tip and the drink was a can of coke with an 17.00 dollar lunch the service was not the best for the hamburger was undercooked dripping blood. French fries over salty the food was not somthing thet matches the menu was told it was avgrilled burger. Looking at the outside area I was lookibg for servers the only ones they had those that were picking up the plates. As a Yelp Elite Reviewer the many places that I have veen from the service to see a restaurant that was not welcoming the outside very different. read more

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This restaurant is in the middle of Balboa park! I was impressed with the amount of vegan options on the menu. There are multiple appetizers and main dishes that are vegan. The vegan grilled cheese was AMAZING. The melt on the cheese and the flavor was so savory. I got curry fries on the side and I appreciated that they put the sauce in a cup so you can pour it how you prefer. My husband got the special and loved it! The service was fast and the area to eat was nicely shaded and comfortable. read more

Panama 66 - Vegan grilled cheese - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Disclaimer, only had drinks here every visit and have never tried the food. But solid 4 stars for drinks. They do have a full bar (beer, wine, cocktails) and a pretty good cocktail menu. Off the cocktail menu, the drinks around around $14-16ish and I would highly recommend the Lotus Pond. Mezcal based with a tropical/fruity feel, it was perfect for a summer afternoon drink. If you don't want to pay $14-16, you can order well drinks, my other go to is a well gin and tonic which is less than $10. They make the drinks strong and delicious, perfect when your patience has run out taking two toddlers on a Balboa Park or museum outing. The other best part is they have great outdoor seating area that's mostly shaded. read more

Currently having a religious experience with a tuna melt, here. Creative menu and a relaxing outdoor setting. What's not to like?

Casual outdoor venue. Table needed cleaning after seated. Service is average to slow. Drinks are weak and expensive. Saving grace was the hamburger! I'm very picky if they ask how I'd like my burger cooked and get it wrong because so many reputable places do this. The burger was cooked perfectly and was delicious! Unexpected considering all else. Solid burger stop for Balboa Park. read more

Panama 66 - Panama 66 Burger - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Friendly staff, beautiful location, but food quality seems to have diminished. Plenty of tables to sit and may have a line to order, but food is timely. I ordered the burger. Burger was cooked perfectly, but the patty seemed previously frozen. For $19 I would expect fresh ground beef. The pickled onions and pickles added a sophisticated touch, but the Burger still tasted plain and ordinary. The fries were good, but came out warm not hot. The kids menu is competitively priced and I appreciate them offering a menu for children. I wish could have tried the other dishes, but definitely pass on the burger. read more

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Panama 66 is a great place to relax and get a great burger (the Wagyu Park Burger). I'm glad I resisted the temptation to get the fries because their small side salad was excellent. I went for lunch so I skipped the draft beers and opted for an iced cold brew. read more

Panama 66 - Dark Horse Cold Brew iced with milk - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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I stopped here for a bite with my mom today at Balboa park. There was a bit of a wait but it was a pretty busy day because of the Botanical Garden flower blossom festival. We both ordered the chicken sandwich with fries and diet cokes. Honestly our food was just okay, nothing special or tasty. If you're starving this will definitely fill up your stomach, but don't expect too much flavor and wow. The Ambiance is really cute, great spot for a break if you're in Balboa park. We didn't have any drinks but they do have a full bar so that may be more your cup of tea if you're not looking to stop by to eat! read more

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Service was quick, you stand in a line, order at the bar, and they bring out your food once it's ready. The potatoes were really good but the tomato soup was phenomenal. My local friends say the menu hasn't changed in years and would like to see a change. read more

Panama 66 - Sour ale - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Almost all the restaurants in Balboa Park are cafes, but at least there was plenty of shade to be found and a breeze. They had quite a large menu to choose from, plus all sorts of craft beers and fancy cocktails. Smart, efficient service too. You got a menu at the hostess stand, went to the bar and ordered when ready. Food was out quickly, too! A view on either side, nature or the courtyard. My pulled pork sandwich was good to the last bite and the side salad had a dressing I loved. I usually don't like a vinaigrette, but this one was very tasty. read more

Panama 66 - pulled pork sandwich with a side salad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Great food at a reasonable price. Friendly service. Nice atmosphere Had the Brussel sprouts. Perfect amount of spice Grilled cheese with yummy caramelized onions Soba salad with the perfect amount of noodles and soybeans with a delicious dressing read more

Panama 66 - Nice bar with a great selection of beverages - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Visited Balboa Park and tried this place for lunch. Ordered the Park Burger. The beef is juicy and the burger is tasty. Ordered the spinach salad as well but the dressings is a bit heavy and makes it a bit salty. Love the atmosphere and it's outdoor setting. It's a nice place to grab a quick bite. read more

Panama 66 - The Park burger and spinach salad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Beautiful set in the middle of Balboa park. Service was okay. We had the tostadas which were presented with old brown lettuce. The chicken was well seasoned. Curry fries aren't worth it, nothing special. I think they needed to work on the menu a little more. read more

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This is not a sit down and take your order spot. It's located next to the Museum of Art. You order at the register and then find a table. We went on Saturday, so it was busy. All the tables in the back were taken so we sat at the front facing the courtyard. It was nice to people watch. I got a drink so I had to wait in line for it. The thing I didn't like was that only one person was making drinks for the people that ordered with food. Another person helped the people that were in the Drink Only line. Food came out fast. My partner got the charcuterie board. He really liked it. The cheeses were good, meats were a good contrast, and the honey added to it. The pickled items were a bit sour. I got the chicken Bahn Mi. It was too full of vegetables and dry. I didn't taste the sauce it was supposed to have. The chicken portion was okay but not super flavorful. Fires were good. Once I got the drink it was good. Between the wait and food options it left a bit to be desired. read more

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Went to Panama 66 with a group of twelve on Monday so both Prado and Artifact were closed. Panama was packed with a long line but it went fast. I had a spinach salad. It was perfect with a light dressing, strawberries and cashews. A friend had the mezze plate which I would order next time. It looked fantastic and the presentation was beautiful. It had olives, hummus, vegetables, falafel. Everyone raved about their meals. The service was exceptional. They quickly put tables together to accommodate us. This is an order at a cashier, get a number and find a table. They brought our food quickly and were extremely helpful. I usually eat at Prado but would definitely recommend Panama! read more

I've been here a few times. I like to stop here for lunch when I visit Balboa Park. They only have outdoor seating and there is a beautiful grass area with art. You order before picking a table and they bring you your food. This last time we went, we went with a large party where one person wanted to pay for everyone. They accommodated us by having a server come to our table to take our order so we didn't all have to wait in line to place our individual orders. I was very happy with the service we received. I like their Rosé Sangria, Chicken Banh Mi and Hummus Board. I get the Hummus Board every time. It comes with hummus, falafel, tabbouleh, olives, seasonal veggies, pita, and coconut tzatziki. I tried the meat & cheese board and it was good but not as good as the hummus board. I was not a fan of the meats it came with. I look forward to trying more dishes here! read more

Panama 66 - CHICKEN BÁNH MÌ $15.5 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Sat at bar, which is the best service you can get and you can order food and not wait on the long line for food. Had the hummus platter and tomato soup. Very good. The beer list is impressive and the views are lovely as always but especially at dusk. The jazz band is very soothing. read more

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