readers choice awards 2013: ocean beach best restaurants

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE PENINSULA BEACON • AUGUST 22, 2013

READERSCHOICEAWARDS

2 0 1 3BEST RESTAURANTS

When it comes to sumptuous indoor/outdoor diningor even the casual variety of belly-pleasing treats,Ocean Beach continues to be the gold standard forhungry neighbors and visitors.

You can’t beat the view, of course. But the restau-rants and eateries in Ocean Beach add that extra-spe-cial layer to beach life you just won’t encounter in anyother community.

Whether you’re on the hunt for a toasted morningbagel on your way to work, hungering for some mouth-watering, out-of-this-world ribs, craving somedelectable fish tacos or eager to relax with a fine vege-tarian dish as you sip an exotic drink and watch thestunning, panoramic sunset near the pier, Ocean Beachhas it.

Want to ‘‘people watch’’ the sun worshippers on theboardwalk as the soft breeze kisses your face over appe-tizers at a nearby eatery? We’ve got it. Or maybe youjust a want to grab one of the tastiest burgers any-where to be found in San Diego in between shoppingstops — yeah, we’ve got that, too.

The merchants of Ocean Beach are dedicated to win-ning your business — and more importantly, keeping it.

With a treasure trove of food-related businesses, weasked our Peninsula readers to pick the “best of” when

it comes to restaurants and eateries in Ocean Beach. In this edition of The Peninsula Beacon Readers Choice

Awards, readers were eager to weigh in on their favoriteOcean Beach foodie stops and cast their votes for thewinners.

Some of the merchants are longtime communityfixtures; others are upstarts eager to win over the heartsand tummies of neighbors.

Inside, you’ll find the results of paper and online bal-loting.

The ballot results paint a broad canvas of categoryofferings, from the tastiest yogurt and smoothies to thebest happy hour and the best wine selection.

The awards served up on the following pages werechosen by our loyal readership, which we value sohighly. Take a look inside at this year’s Peninsula BeaconReaders Choice Awards — a true insider’s judgment ofthe restaurants and eateries that fuel our food passions,fill our bellies and add that extra spice to our beachdining experience.

Congratulations!Kevin McKay,

Editor, Peninsula Beacon

Readers weigh in on OB’s choice food venues

ReadersChoiceA W A R D S 2 0 1 3

Congratulations to the following businesses chosen by the readers of the Peninsula Beacon.Readers were asked to cast ballots for their favorite choices. This was no simple task! With more than 71 categories,

our readers came through with overwhelming response. We wish to thank all the readers who took the time to recog-nize these businesses that do so much to make Ocean Beach such a wonderful community.

READERSCHOICEAWARDS


Best Overall RestaurantNati’s Mexican RestaurantOnce again, Beacon readers havesaid Nati’s Mexican Restaurant istheir favorite local restaurant over-all, for four years running! It’s nowonder, though, as Nati’s has beenserving the finest Mexican dishesmade from scratch with fresh ingre-dients for more than 53 years. Theowners take tremendous pride inserving virtually every dish made toorder, including chili rellenos madewith fresh chilies while providingpatrons with affordable prices. Theyoffer a variety of margaritas, Mexi-can and American beers, cocktailsand wines. Diners may enjoy diningindoor or on the patio. Open dailyat 11 a.m. for lunch and dinner.

Nati’s Mexican Restaurant1852 Bacon St.(619) 224-3369natis.sandiegan.com

Best Acai Bowl (tie)

Lazy HummingbirdBilled as a venue for “coffee, tea,community and culture,” the LazyHummingbird got plenty ofthumbs-up for its acai bowls — andlots more. Not only can you findtasty grub and drinks, but you willalso find yourself in the midst ofneighbors playing music, singing,reading poetry, telling jokes, doingskits and even showcasing theirmagic skills. The Lazy Humming-bird even hosts art workshops dur-ing the summer months. Hours ofoperation are Mondays through Fri-days from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.,and Saturdays and Sundays from7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Lazy Hummingbird4876 Santa Monica Ave.(619) 200-5016lazyhummingbird.com

OB SmoothieRoutinely charged with having thebest acai (pronounced: ah-sigh-ee)bowls around OB, portions are hugewith lots of fresh fruit to order, suchas fresh mango, banana, blueberriesand, of course, the chilled acai mixitself. Try yours with a little granolaand honey for a real treat. Otherspecialites include traditional juicedrinks and fruit bowls. A greatbreakfast or lunch alternative toheavier take-out options.

OB Smoothie5001 Newport Ave.(619) 756-6265

Best American

Shades Oceanfront BistroShades is a family owned and oper-ated restaurant located just acrossthe street from the beach with a fab-ulous view of the OB Pier. It’sbecome a popular breakfast destina-tion. You’ll enjoy the casual atmo-sphere and dog-friendly patio fordining al fresca. Next to the awe-some omelettes, another big hit atbreakfast involves something calledSalmon Scrambles, which shouldtide you over until lunch and thatveggie sandwich with goat cheeseand sprouts you’ve had your eye on.You’ll enjoy the excellent food,unique cocktails and quality serviceand the ocean view never stops. Forearly birds, you’ll like the fact theyopen at 6:30 a.m.

Shades Oceanfront Bistro5083 Santa Monica Ave.(619) 222-0501shadesob.com

Best Appetizer

Bo-BeauPart of the local powerhouse CohnRestaurant group, Bo-Beau takes itsplace as their premiere Frenchrestaurant. And this is no merebistro, we’re talking about classicFrench cuisine, from starters likeescargot with a garlic-herb butter

Category

#1 Overall Restaurant:American:Appetizer:Bagel:Bakery:Bar:Bartender (Name & Bar):BBQ:Beer selection:Best chef:Best Atmosphere:Best ocean view:Breakfast:Burger:Burrito:Cafe:Catering:Chinese restaurant:Coffee shop:Comfort food:Deli:Desserts:Dinner:Donut shop:Family restaurant:Fish & chips:Fish taco:French:German:Mediteranean:Happy hour:Healthy Dining:Ice cream / Frozen yogurt:Indian:Irish pub/bar:Italian:Juice bar:Late night eatery:Live music:Lunch:Margarita:Martini:Mexican (fast food):Mexican restaurant:Most romantic:New restaurant:Omelette:

Patio dining:Pet friendly restaurant:Pizza:Place for a birthday party:Place to dance:Place to go on a budget:Place to people watch:Restaurant service:Restaurant with wine List:Salad:Sandwich:Seafood:Specialty/ Trademark Drink:Sports Bar:Steak:Sunday Brunch:Sushi:Take-out:Thai:Vegetarian/Vegan:Vietnamese:Wine Bar:Wine Shop:Acai BowlWingsOrganic:Pastry:

Gold

Nati's Mexican RestaurantShades Oceanfront BistroBo-beauOB DonutEuropean Cake GallerySunshine Company Saloon/Lucy's TavernShelly @ Cheswick'sBBQ HouseNewport Pizza & Ale HouseEric Riffe @ The JointBo-beauShades Oceanfront BistroOld Town House RestaurantHodad'sNico'sO'Bistro Cafe/Newbreak Coffee & CafeTo The PointLittle ChefLazy HummingbirdVillage KitchenOlive Tree MarketplaceAzucarThe VenetianOB DonutNati's Mexican RestaurantSouth Beach Bar & GrillSouth Beach Bar & GrillBo-beauKaiserhoffOcean Beach KabobThe Arizona CafeOB People's Organic Food MarketLighthouse Ice Cream & YogurtSundaraThe HarpThe VenetianOB SmoothieLivingston's Chicken KitchenWinston'sThe JointNati's Mexican RestaurantTony'sNico'sRancho's CocinaBo-beauSundaraShades Oceanfront Bistro

Tower TwoShades Oceanfront BistroThe VenetianPizza PortGallagher's Irish PubPacific ShoresCheswick'sThe Joint3rd CornerOB People's Organic Food MarketOlive Tree Marketplace/Hungry Lu's South Beach Bar & GrillTony'sTiny's Tavern3rd CornerThe JointThe JointLittle ChefThai TimeRancho's CocinaOB Noodle House3rd Corner3rd CornerLazy Hummingbird/OB SmoothieTilted StickOB People's Organic Food MarketAzucar

Silver

The JointHodad'sMother's SaloonNewbreak Coffee & CafeAzucarPacific ShoresJuli @ Lucy's Tavern--Pizza PortFrank & Joey Giacalone @ The Venetian O'Bistro CafeSouth Beach Bar & GrillShades Oceanfront BistroRaglan Public HouseLiticker'sLazy HummingbirdSurfside Cuisine--Newbreak Coffee & CafeOld Town House Hungry Lu's/Chris' LiquorEuropean Cake gallery / Beach SweetsBo-beau--Pizza PortThe Harp/WOW CafeBravo's Mexican Bistro/WOW Cafe------Lucy's Tavern--Yogurt Farms--Gallagher's Irish PubPepe'sPirate's Cove Tiki PortNewport Pizza & Ale HouseThe HarpRaglan Public HouseBravo's Mexican BistroO'Bistro CafeLiticker'sNati's Mexican Restaurant3rd CornerOcean Beach KabobOld Town House Restaurant

O'Bistro CafeO'Bistro CafePizza PortOB Noodle HouseWinston'sNico'sTower TwoThe VenetianBo-beauRancho's CocinaPoma's Italian DeliWOW CafeSunshine Company SaloonMother's SaloonKaiserhoff3rd CornerSapporoNico's--OB Peoples Organic Food Co-op--Olive Tree MarketplaceOlive Tree MarketplacePirate's Cove Tiki PortMother's SaloonRancho's CocinaOB Donut

Bronze

Shades Oceanfront Bistro/ The VenetianRaglan PublicSouth Beach Bar & Grill / SessionsPt. Loma BagelHungry Lu'sMother's SaloonChristy @ The Reunion--Raglan PublicJohn Mann @ O'BistroKaiserhoffWonderland/ WOW CafeVillage KitchenThe Tilted StickRancho's CocinaTe Mana Cafe----Your Mama's MugMother's SaloonPoma's Italian DeliLighthouse Ice Cream & YogurtKaiserhoff--Rancho’s CocinaTower TwoTower Two------Sunshine Company Saloon------Poma's Italian DelicatessenSunshine SmoothieThe HarpGallagher's Irish Pub/Mother's SaloonPizza Port--Cheswick'sRoberto'sOrtega's CocinaEspresso PizzaWonderlandWow Cafe

Nati's Mexican RestaurantTower TwoNewport Pizza & Ale House--The HarpLucys TavernWow CafeBo-beau--The VenetianChris' LiquorOscar’s Mexican SeafoodO'Bistro CafeSunshine Company Saloon/The Reunion--OB SushiOlive Tree Marketplace--------Chris' LiquorJungle JavaTiny's Tavern----

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US #1

Enjoy Our Full Bar & Large Covered Patio Wine Cellar / Dining Room

2nd PLACE

• Restaurant Service

• Best ChefFrank & Joey Giacalore

1st PLACE

• Dinner• Pizza

• Also Voted a ReadersChoice for Best Overall

3663 Voltaire St., Point Loma • (619) 223-8197 • Delivery Available to OB/Pt. Loma

VotedBEST

Italianfor the 6th

Straight Year! NOW SERVING SUNDAY BRUNCH

OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER

A consistentwinner for BESTPizza

sauce and smoked salmon tartaretartine with brie and celery greens tomain courses of bouef bourguignonand chicken fricassee and a selectionof moules, salads and pastas. Butyou won’t find any cliché Gallicrestaurant snobbery here; everythingat Bo-Beau is done in an inviting,warm and casual dining atmosphere.Entrees will run you between $12-$20, a good bargain for fine Frenchfare.

Bo-Beau4996 West Point Loma Blvd.(619) 224-2884

Best Bagels

OB Donuts OB Donuts is a great little shop toindulge your sweet tooth! Traditionaldonuts include glazed, chocolate,jelly, maple and chocolate bars — allfreshly baked and mouth watering!They also carry great breakfast sand-wiches, including bagel and croissantand your choice of ham, Canadianbacon and lox! This locally ownedand operated business has been adonut-loving haven serving thePeninsula for years!

OB Donuts1830 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.(619) 222-0298

Best Bakery

The European Cake GalleryYou’d think this place had staked itsclaim on its carrot cake — such is thefanatical public response the delica-cy’s gotten over the years. Truth is,The European Cake Gallery is morethan just an item or two. Apple,

pumpkin and other pies line theshelves as surely as the Germanchocolate and white Bavarian cakeentries, cookies and fruit bars — andyou haven’t lived until you’ve tried apiece of the Swiss Black Forest. OpenTuesdays — Saturdays from 7 a.m. to4 p.m.

The European Cake Gallery3661 Voltaire St.(619) 222-3377europeancakegallery.com

Best Bar (tie)

Sunshine Saloon An Ocean Beach institution since1974, Sunshine offers up daily happyhour specials, an ocean-view deck,sports TVs, pool tables and greatpints. The Sunshine Saloon’s uniquetwo-story, open-air design allowsspace for all — downstairs under thesun roof and upstairs on the outdoordeck. One of the largest and mostspacious bars in Ocean Beach, Sun-shine Saloon has plenty of room forsmokers and nonsmokers alike.Whether you’re taking in the niceweather and distant ocean view,watching sports on TV or playing agame of pool, this is the place to be.Daily happy hour from 5 to 6 p.m.features half-price pitchers.

Sunshine Company Saloon 5028 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach(619) 222-0722

Lucy’s TavernGuests say this is truly a pub not tobe missed. Though it may be tuckedaway from the waterfront a bit,patrons rave about this cash-only

COURTESTY PHOTO

The VenetianEven after receiving numerous awards this local Point Loma restaurant isstill humbled by the continued recognition. This little Italian restaurant hasstayed true to its family recipes more than 40 years, pleasing generations offamilies. The Venetian encompasses a great family atmosphere and if youstop in enough you will feel like family too. Owners Frank and Joe appreci-ate the local business and enjoy meeting the community that helps theirrestaurant prosper. The food has best been described as California-Italian,which simply means you can expect great fare without a lot of heavy sauce,the way some other places think Italian should be done. The pastas andchicken entrees will command your serious attention, as will the tidy bar andthe family-style menu.

BestDinner

The Venetian3663 Voltaire St.(619) 223-8197

venetian1965.com

0

READERS CHOICE AWARDS 2013 3THURSDAY

AUGUST 22, 2013The Peninsula Beacon

READERS CHOICE AWARDS 20134THURSDAYAUGUST 22, 2013The Peninsula Beacon

tavern where an interesting cast ofcharacters gathers daily for cheap,strong drinks. The tavern features alarge bar area and a billiards roomwith pool, foosball and shuffleboard.Now, if that weren’t enough, plan tosave even more dough on those liba-tions with an awesomely inexpen-sive happy hour — all in a friendlyneighborhood atmosphere. As anextra incentive, Lucy’s serves freenon-alcoholic drinks to designateddrivers. Check out Lucy’s duringhours from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Lucy’s Tavern4906 Voltaire St.(619) 224-0834

Best BartenderShelly Hutchinson atCheswick’s WestWhen it comes to the best bartenderin town, readers made it clear thatspecial title belongs to ShellyHutchinson at Cheswick’s West.Readers say Shelly, the daytime bar-tender, just has a great sense ofhumor and is a lot of fun for thirstyvisitors to be around. Cheswick’s fea-tures great juke-box music, darts,ice-cold beer and a full bar in arelaxed atmosphere. Cheswick’sWest is also a great place to head outto with your dancing shoes on.

Cheswick’s West5038 Newport Ave.(619) 225-0733

Best BBQ

BBQ HouseFor more than 20 years, BBQ Househas been serving award-winning

barbecue in San Diego. Every recipeis made from scratch and uses aslow cooking method which natural-ly makes the food the best tastingbarbecue in town. BBQ House hasmouth-watering beef, delicious pork,and slow-cured ham and some ofthe best chicken you’ll ever have.They also offer ribs, sloppy joes, bar-becue burritos, gyros and BLTs — alittle something for everybody. Theoutdoor patio seating provides arelaxing and comfortable atmo-sphere, perfect for enjoying a mealwhile people-watching on NewportAve. The restaurants is open sevendays a week.

BBQ House5025 Newport Ave.(619) 222-4311bbqhouseob. com

Best Beer Selection

Newport Pizza & AlehouseWith a motto of “No crap on tap!,”Newport Pizza & Alehouse is a sliceof heaven for beer and pizza affi-cionados. With 21 taps and at least100 local and imported bottledbeers, this is the place to settle in forsome delicious pizza like the RonJeremy meatlovers, Clint Eastwoodbarbeque chicken or Big KahumaHawaiian specialties, among 27 oth-ers. Or build your own! NewportPizza & Alehouse sports an oceanview and — for those who want tobring Fido along while the mastersips a cold one — the venue has adog-friendly patio. Hours of opera-tion are Sundays through Thursdaysfrom 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., and Fridays

www.theazcafe.com619-223-7381

1925 Bacon St., OB(between Newport& Santa Monica)

Great FoodKitchen open till 1am

Take out windowBreakfast Sat/Sun 9am-1pm

*Voted Best*Happy Hour 4:30 - 6:30

Sports on Satellite TVs Pool Tables

Free WiFi

Ocean Beach, California

• MARTINIS • CLASSIC COCKTAILS • NEW CRAFT COCKTAILS!

Ocean Beach, CaliforniaOcean Beach, California

Happy Hour 5-7pm Outisde PatioWeeknight Specials

Pool Tables ATM Big Screens TVs

5034 Newport Ave.,Ocean Beach619-223-0558

www.tonysbarob.com

Saloon Ltd.

Ocean View DeckSports on 110” ScreenOver Satellite 40 TVs

28 Beers on TapPool Tables • ATM

THANKS FOR VOTING US BEST BAR!

Happy Hour 5-6 p.m.½ Price Pitchers

5028 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach 619-222-0722

www.sunshineob.com

VOTED BEST MARTINI & SPECIALITY DRINK

Best Bar

Sunshine Company Saloon 5028 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach

(619) 222-0722

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Sunshine Saloon An Ocean Beach institution since 1974, Sunshine offers updaily happy hour specials, an ocean-view deck, sports TVs,pool tables and great pints. The Sunshine Saloon’s uniquetwo-story, open-air design allows space for all — downstairsunder the sun roof and upstairs on the outdoor deck. One ofthe largest and most spacious bars in Ocean Beach, Sun-shine Saloon has plenty of room for smokers and nonsmok-ers alike. Whether you’re taking in the nice weather and dis-tant ocean view, watching sports on TV or playing a game ofpool, this is the place to be. Daily happy hour from 5 to 6p.m. features half-price pitchers.

Shades Oceanfront Bistro5083 Santa Monica Ave.

(619) 222-0501 shadesob.com

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Shades Oceanfront BistroShades is a family owned and operated restaurant located justacross the street from the beach with a fabulous view of theOB Pier. It’s become a popular breakfast destination. You’llenjoy the casual atmosphere and dog-friendly patio for diningal fresca. Next to the awesome omelettes, another big hit atbreakfast involves something called Salmon Scrambles, whichshould tide you over until lunch and that veggie sandwich withgoat cheese and sprouts you’ve had your eye on. You’ll enjoythe excellent food, unique cocktails and quality service and theocean view never stops. Open at 6:30 a.m.

Best American



and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Newport Pizza & Alehouse5050 Newport Ave.(619) 224-4540obpizzashop.com

Best Chef

Eric Riffe at The JointExecutive chef Eric Riffe continuesto gain a loyal foodie fan club at TheJoint, which features a full sushi bar,tapas bar, steak, seafood, Japanese,southern fusion. Patrons havedubbed the Joint Roll as a must try,but the burgers and sweet potatofrieds are favorites, too, along withnew American fare. The place has alaid-back atmosphere and is fairlypriced. Enjoy the sunshine outdoorswhile you eat or dine inside. TheJoint is known for its wide-rangingbeer selection and, more specifically,its specialty in craft beers. The hoursof operation are Mondays from 4p.m. to 1 a.m., Tuesdays through Fri-days from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Saturdays and Sundaysfrom 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.

The Joint4902 Newport Ave.(619) 222-8272thejointob.com

Best Atmosphere

Bo-Beau(See entry under Best Appetizer)

Best Ocean View

Shades Oceanfront Bistro(See entry under Best American)

Best Breakfast

Old Townhouse Rest.Located in the heart of Ocean Beach,The Old Townhouse Restaurant is alocal favorite for pancakes, waffles,omelettes, French toast, biscuits andgravy and eggs benedict. The restau-rant has been family owned andoperated for more than 35 years andbrings the comforts of home stylecooking to you when you’re not athome. The meals taste like they’vecome out of your own kitchen. TheOld Townhouse serves bottomlesscups of coffee, their famous mimosasand breakfast all day. They’re openseven days a week from 6 a.m. to 3p.m.

The Old Townhouse Restaurant

4941 Newport Ave.(619) 222-1880oldtownhouserestaurant.com

Best Desserts

AzúcarAzucar communicates the Cubanorigins of Owner/Chef Vivian Her-nandez-Jackson — producingCuban-inspired favorites like lightcoconut cupcakes and red velvetcake or unique mojito cookies. Otherfare include specialty Cuban itemssuch as Cuban sandwiches withturkey and pork, papa rellenas(stuffed potato balls), corquetas(small friend rolls containing mincedmeat, mashed potatoes, and or shell

fish and vegetables), pastelitos(baked puffs with filling), Azucarbrings a taste of ethnicity to an ordi-nary lunch or snack in OB. Whetheryou’re in the mood for a Cubansandwich or a delicate cupcake, thispapaya-green establishment willbring an exotic flavor to the table.

Azucar4820 Newport Ave.(619) 523-2020iloveazucar.com

Best BurgerHodad’sAs owner Mike Hardin likes to say,“After 42 years in business, we’re anovernight success!” Hodad’s is no

BreakfastAll Day!

(who are we to tell you when to get up?)

$5SPECIAL (m-f 7-10am)

THXOB!

Enjoy Fish Tacos & Beach Bucketsof Mimosas on OB’s BEST patio

6 1 9 . 2 2 3 . 4 0 5 9

How Sweet It Is!Thank you for voting us...

A Beacon Reader’s Choice for

Bakery and Desserts

EUROPEAN CAKEGALLERYSpecializing in

“Swiss Black Forest”cake & pastries for all occasions

619-222-3377 • 3661 Voltaire St.Open Tues–Sat 7am–4pm

Best Sushi

The Joint4902 Newport Ave.

(619) 222-8272thejointob.com

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The JointSushi and tapas may sound like a strangecombo, but The Joint in Ocean Beach com-bines the two cuisines perfectly. The restau-rant features a full sushi bar and also special-izes in steak, seafood, tapas and southernfusion. Patrons have dubbed the Joint Rollas a must try, but the burgers and sweetpotato fries are favorites too. The place has alaid-back atmosphere and is fairly priced.The Joint is known for its sushi and wide-ranging beer selection.

Nati’s MexicanRestaurantOnce again, Beacon readers have said Nati’sMexican Restaurant is their favorite localrestaurant overall, for four years running! It’sno wonder, though, as Nati’s has been servingthe finest Mexican dishes made from scratchwith fresh ingredients for more than 53 years.The owners take tremendous pride in servingvirtually every dish made to order, includingchili rellenos made with fresh chilies whileproviding patrons with affordable prices.They offer a variety of margaritas, Mexicanand American beers, cocktails and wines.Diners may enjoy dining indoor or on thepatio. Open daily at 11 a.m.

BestOverall

Nati’s Mexican Restaurant1852 Bacon St.

(619) 224-3369natis.sandiegan.com

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longer just a local favorite – featuredon Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives andvoted by CNN as one of the top fiveburger joints in the country. Hodad’s isthe only burger joint recognized on theWest Coast! Fodor’s travel guides callthe Hodad’s bacon cheeseburger “awe-some,” and there’s even a grilledcheese sandwich on the menu forthose desiring lighter fare. Those whowant to see what all the fuss is aboutcan stop by the original location or thenew location now open downtown. Alocal legend for years has definitely hitthe big time!Hodad’s5010 Newport Ave., OB (619) 224-4623 945 Broadway, Downtown (619) 234-6323hodadies.com

Best Burrito

Nico’s Mexican FoodLove burritos? You’ll really love theNico’s burrito. According to the major-ity, it’s the best! The chicken taquitosrate high as well, as does the veggieburrito, breakfast burrito, Californiaburrito, well, most of their burritos.Did we mention the legendary hotsauce? The food is reasonably priced,especially for the amount you receive.In a city that touts close to five millionMexican restaurants, Nico’s mustindeed be unique in this crazy world.

Nico’s Mexican Food4918 Newport Ave.(619) 223-0230

Best Café (tie)

O’Bistro CafeThe patio dining and refreshing menuat this cafe have made it a top pick for

readers, and owners Brenda andJongo Park have clearly paid a lot ofattention to the dining experience.Enjoy a delicious meal in the cozy cafearea or on the enclosed or outsidepatio. You’ll be delighted by the varietyof dishes prepared by executive chefJohn Mann, like seafood, steaks, pasta,salads, sandwiches, sushi, ribs andmore. Lunch and dinner are serveddaily. Be sure to try their famous lob-ster bisque. Breakfast is served onweekends from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dogsare welcome. Just two blocks from thebeach, with plenty of parking.

O’Bistro Cafe4934 Voltaire St.(619) 223-2202

Newbreak Coffee and CafeWith two locations in Ocean Beach tosatisfy the caffeine urge of locals andvisitors, Newbreak Coffee and Cafe iscelebrating 20 years in business. Thevenues are bright, colorful and invit-ing, tempting guests to return timeafter time. Delicious breakfast combi-nations await, along with wraps, vege-tarian fare, soups, salads and grilledpaninis. If you’re on the go, call aheadand simply pick your order up. Stop bythe boutique area and buy your teasand coffees in bulk or pick up a giftcard for that special someone.Whether you’re in a rush or need somedown time to savor your coffee and asumptuous bagel, Newbreak gives youtwo locations and plenty of choices toget your day off on the right foot.

Newbreak Coffee and Cafe• 1959 Abbott St. (619) 224-6666

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Best Catering

To the Point(619) 226-6222

tothepointsandiego.com

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To The PointWith a simple phone call to To the Point Cateringand Events, you can be a guest at your event. To thePoint is a full-service catering and event-planningcompany dedicated to providing each and everyclient with exquisite food and exceptional service.Whether you are throwing an intimate party for 15guests or hosting a large event for hundreds, To thePoint can help you with every component to ensureyour vision becomes your reality. To the Pointpledges its reputation for integrity and reliabilitythroughout every stage of planning.

Best Bar

Lucys Tavern4906 Voltaire St.(619) 224-0834

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Lucys TavernGuests say this is truly is a pub not to be missed. Though itmay be tucked away from the waterfront a bit, patronsrave about this cash-only tavern where an interesting castof characters gathers daily for cheap, strong drinks. Thetavern features a large bar area and a billiards room withpool, foosball and shuffleboard. Now, if that weren’tenough, plan to save even more dough on those libationswith an awesomely inexpensive happy hour — all in afriendly neighborhood atmosphere. As an extra incentive,Lucys serves free non-alcoholic drinks to designateddrivers. Check out Lucys during operating hours from 6a.m. to 2 a.m.

Newport Pizza & Alehouse5050 Newport Ave.

(619) 224-4540 obpizzashop.com

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Newport Pizza & AlehouseWith a motto of “No crap on tap!,” Newport Pizza & Alehouse is aslice of heaven for beer and pizza afficionados. With 21 taps and atleast 100 local and imported bottled beers, this is the place to settlein for some delicious pizza like the Ron Jeremy meatlovers, ClintEastwood barbeque chicken or Big Kahuma Hawaiian specialties,among 27 others. Or build your own! Newport Pizza & Alehousesports an ocean view and — for those who want to bring Fido alongwhile the master sips a cold one — the venue has a dog-friendlypatio. Hours of operation are Sundays through Thursdays from 11a.m. to 12 a.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Best Beer Selection LITTLECHEF

OB & Point Loma

Thank Youfor choosing us the

Readers Choice for

CHINESE&

TAKE-OUTWe appreciate your

support over the last23 years!

4910 Newport Ave. Ocean Beach, CA. 619-222-6627

CHINESE FOOD TO GO

6 Years in a Row

7THURSDAY


• 1830 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., Suite D(619) 226-4471newbreakcafe.com

Best Catering

To The PointWith a simple phone call to To thePoint Catering and Events, you canbe a guest at your event. To the Pointis a full-service catering and event-planning company dedicated to pro-viding each and every client withexquisite food and exceptional ser-vice. Whether you are throwing anintimate party for 15 guests or host-ing a large event for hundreds, Tothe Point can help you with everycomponent to ensure your visionbecomes your reality. To the Pointpledges its reputation for integrityand reliability throughout everystage of planning.

To the Point4161 Voltaire St.(619) 226-6222tothepointsandiego.com

Best Chinese

Little ChefOne local tells of an innocuous run-in with Little Chef that speaks vol-umes. Not only was the food deli-cious, it was still hot when herboyfriend brought it to her at work.Now that’s fresh. They’ve been at thesame location for more than 21years. That means not only does Lit-tle Chef have the best Chinese, but itwill be really tough to beat theirprices! Some 60 chicken, beef andshrimp dishes dot the menu. Addthe daily specials, and there’s not alot Little Chef is missing!

Little Chef4910 Newport Ave.(619) 222-6627

Best Coffee ShopLazy Hummingbird(See entry under Best Acai Bowl)

Best Comfort Food

Village KitchenA classic little breakfast and lunchshop, the Village Kitchen serves upan uncomplicated menu withextremely fair prices. For example,you could swing by after a morningstroll at the beach and pick up threepancakes and a hot tea for just $5.Customers often rave about the Vil-lage Kitchen’s huevos rancheros,while others call the chicken friedsteak the best in town. Hours ofoperation are Mondays, Thursdays,Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.,Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. andSundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Village Kitchen4853 Newport Ave.(619) 222-0151vkrestaurant.com

Best Deli

Olive Tree MarketplaceOlive Tree Marketplace, OceanBeach’s only upscale, independently-owned grocery store, offers patrons avariety of quality fare, including wineand cheese, locally grown produceUSDA Choice grade beef and fresh-baked goods. Their wine and beerselection is truly impressive. ButBeacon readers were mostimpressed by the deli, which usesthe market’s best ingredients to craft

mouthwatering sandwiches. Meatlovers will want to try the Manhat-tan, a hot pastrami sandwich smoth-ered with melted provolone cheeseand served on a toasted onion roll,while vegetarians will appreciate theEuro Veggie, a combination ofchopped Kalamata olives and chives,sprouts, tomato, cucumbers and fetacheese served on warm pita bread.In all, the deli serves more than 20sandwiches and more than 20 vari-eties of salad.

Olive Tree Marketplace4805 Narragansett Ave.(619) 224-0443olivetreemarket.com

Best DinnerThe VenetianEven after receiving numerousawards this local Point Loma restau-rant is still humbled by the contin-ued recognition. This little Italianrestaurant has stayed true to its fam-ily recipes more than 40 years,pleasing generations of families. TheVenetian encompasses a great familyatmosphere and if you stop inenough you will feel like family too.Owners Frank and Joe appreciatethe local business and enjoy meeting

California inspired Cuisine & Style

We pride ourselves in using only the freshest seasonal ingredients andfinding inspiration from our beautiful surroundings.

Our Eatery is available for private events!75-125 Guests

Projector & Projection Screen Private Patio Beer & Wine

619.226.6222 [email protected] 4161 Voltaire Street

Weddings Corporate Events Baby & Bridal Showers Rehearsal Dinners

OB SmoothieRoutinely charged with having the best acai (pronounced: ah-sigh-ee)bowls around OB, portions are huge with lots of fresh fruit to order, suchas fresh mango, banana, blueberries and, of course, the chilled acai mixitself. Try yours with a little granola and honey for a real treat. Other spe-cialites include traditional juice drinks and fruit bowls. A great breakfastor lunch alternative to heavier take-out options.

BestAcai Bowl

OB Smoothie5001 Newport Ave.

(619) 756-6265

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READERS CHOICE AWARDS 2013


the community that helps theirrestaurant prosper. The food has bestbeen described as California-Italian,which simply means you can expectgreat fare without a lot of heavysauce, the way some other placesthink Italian should be done. The pas-tas and chicken entrees will com-mand your serious attention, as willthe tidy bar and the family-stylemenu.

The Venetian3663 Voltaire St., Point Loma(619) 223-8197venetian1965.com

Best Donut Shop

OB Donuts (See entry under Best Appetizer)

Best Family Restaurant

Nati’s (See entry under Best Overall)

Best Fish & Chips

South Beach Bar & GrilleAnybody who knows anything aboutcoastal San Diego knows that the fishtacos at South Beach Bar & Grille arethe best in history. But did anybodyever think about what kind of farerests inside that delicious shell? SouthBeach Bar & Grille can only speak foritself on that score — and the Mahitaco, at an absolutely unbeatableprice, speaks volumes. This place haslots of stellar values on everythingelse — it’s all part of doing business

on the coast, which is already over-run with competitors. When it comesto an inexpensive, great taco and acold drink, South Beach has it made.And if you visit, so do you.

South Beach Bar & Grille5059 Newport Ave.(619) 226-4577southbeachob.com

Best Fish Taco

South Beach Bar & Grille(See entry under Best Fish & Chips)

Best French

Bo-Beau(See entry under Best Appetizer)

Best GermanKaiserhof RestaurantKaiserhof is a great family owned andoperated German restaurant. A Ger-man restaurant would not be com-plete without wienerschnitzel orjagerschnitzel. It doesn’t get muchbetter than the “wurstplatte” whichincludes: bratwurst, knackwurst andbauernwurst with sauerkraut and redpotatoes and a good German beer.American style entrees includebroiled lobster tail, grilled halibutsteak, poached salmon filet with hol-landaise, filet mignon Madagascarwith peppercorn brandy sauce, or aNew York strip steak. Dine in or enjoythe beer garden, a lovely outdoorheated area where you can sip a Ger-

THANK YOU FOR VOTING FOR US!

Stop by and check out our award winning view from the New upstairs expansion!

FISH TACO • SEAFOODFISH & CHIPS

South Beach Bar & Grill

Voted #1 Best: A Favorite for:

5059 Newport Ave. Ocean Beach (619) 226-4577

BEST OCEAN VIEWBEST APPETIZER

Must be 21+

READERSCHOICEAWARDS


WE ACCEPT

Best Fish Taco

South Beach Bar & Grille5059 Newport Ave.

(619) 226-4577 www.southbeachob.com

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South Beach Bar & GrilleAnybody who knows anything about coastal San Diegoknows that the fish tacos at South Beach Bar & Grilleare the best in history. But did anybody ever thinkabout what kind of fare rests inside that delicious shell?South Beach Bar & Grille can only speak for itself onthat score — and the Mahi taco, at an absolutelyunbeatable price, speaks volumes. This place has lots ofstellar values on everything else — it’s all part of doingbusiness on the coast, which is already overrun withcompetitors. When it comes to an inexpensive, greattaco and a cold drink, South Beach has it made.

Best Acai Bowl

Lazy Hummingbird4876 Santa Monica Ave.

(619) 200-5016lazyhummingbird.com

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Lazy HummingbirdBilled as a venue for “coffee, tea, community and culture,” theLazy Hummingbird got plenty of thumbs-up for its acai bowls— and lots more. Not only can you find tasty grub and drinks,but you will also find yourself in the midst of neighbors playingmusic, singing, reading poetry, telling jokes, doing skits andeven showcasing their magic skills. The Lazy Hummingbirdeven hosts art workshops during the summer months. Hoursof operation are Mondays through Fridays from 6:30 a.m. to10:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30 a.m. to10:30 p.m.

for all your supportOB over the past

32 years! It’s been great.

Thanks for Voting us #1 again

4918 Newport Ave. Ocean Beach• 619.223-0230

NICO’SMEXICAN FOOD

GRACIAS AMIGOS!

Middle Eastern Cuis ine

KabobsShawarmaHummus

Baba GhanoushFalafels

Beer & Wine

Plus Soups, Salads, Desserts & More!Monday - Saturday 11am-11pm | Sunday 11am-10pm

(619) 222-9700 | www.ObKabob.com4994 Newport Avenue #A | Ocean Beach (Next to Starbucks)

THANK YOU FORMAKING US #1

BEST MEDITERRANEANAND A FAVORITE

NEW RESTAURANT

$1 BEER

GET ½ OFF

WITH PURCHASE OF SANDWICH

on 2nd Entree or Sandwich

BUY 1 ENTREE OR SANDWICH &

with coupon - Not good with other coupon or offer.Expires 9-15-13

with coupon - Not good with other coupon or offer.Expires 9-15-13

In appreciation



man brew and enjoy a traditionalGerman and American meal. Fullbar available.Kaiserhof Restaurant2253 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. (619) 224-0606 kaiserhofrestaurant.com

Best Happy Hour

The Arizona Cafe The “AZ” is the place to mingle foranyone who wants a real taste of thebeach scene. An Ocean Beach land-mark, remodeled Arizona Cafe offersa 40’s-style atmosphere with a con-temporary flare, even the ceilingreflects the artistic detail of the era.The daily happy hour features $3food-drink specials. New menuoffers burgers, sliders, sandwiches,salads, appetizers and more – an incredibly tasty variety that’s easy onthe wallet. Or, grab an order to gofrom their take-out window. Satel-lite Sports on big screen plasma TVs,an Internet jukebox and pool tablesmake this a great place to go and ahard place to leave.

The Arizona (AZ) Cafe1925 Bacon St., Ocean Beach(619) 223-7381 theazcafe.com

Best Healthy DiningOcean Beach People’sOrganic Food MarketOcean Beach People's Organic FoodMarket, San Diego’s only customer-owned grocer, boasts an award win-ning sit-down deli featuring a deli-cious selection of vegetarian andvegan entrees, soups, salads, sand-wiches, freshly prepared bakedgoods, desserts, and more! Addition-ally, People’s offers an extensiveselection of organic produce, gro-cery, dairy, bulk foods and herbs,supplements, cruelty-free body care,gifts and aromatherapy products.

Ocean Beach People’sOrganic Food Market4765 Voltaire St.(619) 224-1387obpeoplesfood.coop

Best Ice Cream/Yogurt

LighthouseIce Cream & YogurtThe Lighthouse serves up some ofthe best ice cream and yogurt in

Ocean Beach, now featuring doublerainbow super premium, all natural,gluten free and certified kosher icecream. But Lighthouse also hassomething that the other placesdon’t – a hot waffle ice cream sand-wich, which includes your favoriteice cream stuffed between two Bel-gian waffles and put in a special iron.Reportedly, the heat doesn’t melt theice cream, which means this place isworth a visit for the scientific phe-nomenon alone.

Lighthouse Ice Cream & Yogurt5059 Newport Ave.(619) 222-8600

Best Indian

SundaraSundara brings the exotic cuisine ofIndia to Ocean Beach and pairs itwith craft beers and fine wines, allreasonably priced and served in afriendly atmosphere. Their freshNaan is baked to order and the Cur-ries are slow-cooked to bring out theintricate flavors unique to India. Trythe Tikka Masala Pizza — a localfavorite! Join them for dinner anddrinks or order online for takeoutand delivery.

Sundara1774 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.(619) 889-0639 sundaracuisine.com

Kaiserhof RestaurantKaiserhof is a great family owned andoperated German restaurant. A Germanrestaurant would not be complete withoutwienerschnitzel or jagerschnitzel. It doesn’tget much better than the “wurstplatte”which includes: bratwurst, knackwurst andbauernwurst with sauerkraut and red pota-toes and a good German beer. Americanstyle entrees include broiled lobster tail,grilled halibut steak, poached salmon filetwith hollandaise, filet mignon Madagascarwith peppercorn brandy sauce, or a NewYork strip steak. Dine in or enjoy the beergarden, a lovely outdoor heated area whereyou can sip a German brew and enjoy atraditional German and American meal.

BestGerman

Kaiserhof Restaurant2253 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.

(619) 224-0606 kaiserhofrestaurant.com

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KAISERHOFRESTAURANT.COM

A Consistant Award-Winning German Restaurant

Join us for Happy Hour 4-7 PM Tuesday-FridayReduced prices on selected beer,

wine and drinks plus FREE selected appetizers

14 BEERS ON TAP

“Danke schön”(Thank you)for Voting us

Best German Restaurant5 years in a row!

Plus a Readers’s Choice for Best Steak, Dinner

& Atmosphere

READERSCHOICEAWARDS


Sunset Dinner SpecialsServed from 5:00 until 6:30 (orders must be placed by 6:30)

Tuesday - Friday

Closed Mondays2253 Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, San Diego

619.224.0606

Best Place To Go On A Budget

Pacific Shores4927 Newport Ave.

(619) 223-7549pacshoresob.com

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Pacific ShoresEstablished in 1941, Pacific Shores continues to be a homerun for those who are minding their wallets. The drinksare cheap and the atmosphere is a cool “under-the-sea”kind of feel. A black light adds a whole new element to thesetting. There are plenty of comfortable booths for smallgatherings. Be sure to get your drink on at Pacific Shores.It is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Sun-days. Pac Shores is also known for its annual golf tourna-ment benefitting San Diego Hospice.


Best Irish Pub/BarThe HarpThe Harp offers a warm Irish wel-come with friendly staff serving upgreat drinks and conversation. Deco-rated with autographed pictures ofIrish sports stars, this is a good spotto watch sports on the plentiful flatscreens. Grab a seat at the open win-dows and enjoy an afternoon of peo-ple watching while eating some finecomfort food, including shepherd'spie, fish ’n’ chips, Irish stew, etc.,with a pint of the black stuff. Greatvenue to watch local bands and getyour jig on the dance floor!

The Harp4935 Newport Ave. Ocean Beach(619) 222-0168

Best Italian

The Venetian(See entry under Best Dinner)

Best Juice Bar

OB Smoothie(See entry under Best Acai Bowl)

Best Late Night Eatery

Livingston’s ChickenKitchen & MexicanGrillIf you’re out late or even just up latewatching TV on a weekend night anddon’t feel like cooking, readers sayyour best bet is to breeze on down toLivingston’s Chicken Kitchen &Mexican Grill. Here, you’ll find ahost of yummy food to choose from,

ranging from Mexican seafood cock-tails to combination plates, sand-wiches, tostada salads, fajita wraps,tacos, fish tacos, fried seafood, burri-tos with potatoes or mushrooms,and, of course, chicken. Choose fromthe fried chicken offerings or rotis-serie chicken, Mexican style. Liv-ingston’s is open daily from 10 a.m.to midnight.

Livingston’s Chicken Kitchen5026 Newport Ave.(619) 224-8088livingstonschickenkitchen.menu-toeat.com

Best Live Music VenueWinston’sYou already know that Winston’s isthe most popular live music venuein Ocean Beach. It’s been that wayfor almost all of its 22 years andthings aren’t expected to change inthe foreseeable future. The bar fea-tures local and touring bands andhas a top notch sound system andfull scale lighting system making itone of San Diego’s premier livemusic venues. Although it’s knownfor live music, the bar also has someunique happy hour events everyweek including karaoke and stand-up comedy nights. Winston’s isproud of its work with the OceanBeach MainStreet Association.

Winston’s1921 Bacon St.(619) 222-6822winstonsob.com

Best LunchThe JointSushi and tapas may sound like astrange combo, but The Joint inOcean Beach combines the twocuisines perfectly. The restaurantfeatures a full sushi bar and also spe-cializes in steak, seafood, tapas andsouthern fusion. Patrons havedubbed the Joint Roll as a must try,but the burgers and sweet potatofries are favorites too. The place hasa laid-back atmosphere and is fairlypriced. Another reason Beaconreaders love The Joint is known forits wide-ranging beer selection and,more specifically, its specialty in craftbeers.

The Joint4902 Newport Ave.(619) 222-8272thejointob.com

Best MargaritaNati’s(See entry under Best Overall)

Best Martini

Tony’s BarTony's 1940s cocktail lounge with aunique atmosphere, loaded with vin-tage photos of Ocean Beach is theplace to be in OB! Now featuring livemusic . See their facebook page for acomplete schedule. Savor a classiccocktail or specialty martini whilerelaxing in one of the booths listen-ing to the Internet juke box or play-ing a game of pool. Don't miss happyhour everyday from 5 to 7 p.m. Big

Thank you for voting us a Readers Choice for:

Best Seafood 2013 & 2012Best Fish & Chips 2013, 2012, 2011 & 2010Best Ocean View 2013, 2012, 2011 & 2010

Place to Watch People 2013, 2012, 2011 & 2010Best Omelette & Fish Taco 2013

READERSCHOICEAWARDS


CASEY DEAN/PENINSULA BEACON

BestHappyHour

THANKYOU!

Lucy’s thanks everyone for their votes for

619-224-08344906 Voltaire Street (corner of Voltaire & Cable)

BEST BAR

BEST BAR TENDER (JULI)

The Arizona CafeThe “AZ” is the place to mingle for anyone whowants a real taste of the beach scene. An OceanBeach landmark, the Arizona Cafe offers a 1940satmosphere with a contemporary flare — eventhe ceiling reflects the artistic detail of the era.Check out the daily happy hour featuring $3 foodand drink specials. As for the cafe, the menuoffers burgers, sliders, sandwiches, salads, appe-tizers and more. Satellite sports on big screenplasma TVs and Internet jukebox and pool tablesmake this a great place to go and a hard place toleave.

Arizona (AZ) Cafe1925 Bacon St.,

Ocean Beach(619) 223-7381 theazcafe.com

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screen TV's, a smoking patio andATM make it an all-around greatplace to hang out.

Tony’s Bar 5034 Newport Ave.(619) 223-0558tonysoceanbeach.com

Best Mediteraenean

Ocean Beach KabobEstablished in February 2013, OceanBeach Kabob is a family-owned andoperated restaurant that bringsexquisite Middle Eastern cuisine toOcean Beach. All the dishes arehomemade from the finest qualitymeats, vegetables and spices. OBKabob uses the freshest ingredientsin all of its dishes, as well as top-quality beef, lamb and chicken. Theshawarma is mouth-watering, deli-cious and a must-have. Ocean BeachKabob uses top cuts of beef andlamb, making its kabobs the mosttender and juicy anywhere, and thechicken is made of white meat(breast) only. The taste is simply sodelicious that you’ll be glad youstopped by.

Ocean Beach Kabob4994 Newport Ave.(619) 222-9700obkabob.com

Best Mexican Ranchos CocinaWith so many Mexican restaurantsto choose from today, readers madeit clear which one is their preferencelocally. Ranchos Cocina NaturalFoods, which specializes in Mexicanand vegetarian dishes and now fea-tures an organic salad bar with buck-wheat, peas and sunflower sprouts,along with barley grass and wheatgrass. For those looking for moretraditional Mexican fare — only witha healthy twist — there are plenty ofdelicious soups and salads, combina-tion plates and even Mexican break-fasts that are served all day. Take alook at the menu closely and you’llsee which items can be vegetarianand which could be done vegan. Nomatter how you like it, you’ll findsomething to suit your tastebud.

Ranchos Cocina1830 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.ranchoscocina.com

Best Mexican Fast FoodNico’s(see entry under Best Burrito)

Most Romantic

Bo-Beau(see entry under Best Appetizer)

Best New RestaurantSundara(see entry under Best Indian)

Best Omelette

Shades Oceanfront Bistro(see entry under Best Breakfast)

Best Organic

OB Peoples(See entry under Best Healthy Dining)

READERSCHOICEAWARDS


Thanks for voting us BEST CAFE and a favorite for Best Chef (John Mann), Patio Dining, Pet Friendly, Atmosphere & Martini

O’Bistro CafeThe patio dining and refreshing menu at thiscafe have made it a top pick for readers, andowners Brenda and Jongo Park have clearlypaid a lot of attention to the dining experience.Enjoy a delicious meal in the cozy cafe area oron the patio. You’ll be delighted by the varietyof dishes prepared by executive chef JohnMann, like seafood, steaks, pasta, salads, sand-wiches, sushi, ribs and more. Lunch and din-ner are served daily. Be sure to try theirfamous lobster bisque. Breakfast is served onweekends from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dogs are wel-come. Just two blocks from the beach, withplenty of parking in their private lot.

Best Cafe

O’Bistro Cafe4934 Voltaire St.(619) 223-2202

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Best Patio DiningTower Two CaféFresh air, fresh food and fido! TowerTwo Cafe offers pet-friendly dining ontheir patio, so whether you’ve comefor breakfast, lunch, dinner or cock-tails this restaurant won’t disappoint.The large portion meals include Mexi-can cuisine, classic American foods,and several seafood meals that aresure to please your palate. So nexttime you’re out for a stroll with thepooch, make sure you make a point to

stroll on over to Tower Two Café andsay “Hi” to owners Tim & DebbieNolan.

Tower Two Cafe5083 Santa Monica Ave., 1B, Ocean Beach(619) 223-4059towertwocafe.com

Most Pet Friendly Restaurant

Shades Oceanfront Bistro(See entry under Best American)

Best Pizza

The Venetian(See entry under Best Overall)

Best Place for B-Day Party

Pizza PortAs any true beer afficionado will tellyou, the quality of a brew selection isevery bit as important, if not more so,than the number of beers on offer.Fortunately for Ocean Beach locals,the newest member of the Pizza Portfamily opened in May 2010 at the cor-ners of Bacon and Santa Monica, andhave both the quality and quantity tosatisfy the most discerning beer pal-let. The seven in-house craft brewsrun the gamut from a light “No SurfCream Ale” to their hefty “Cho-SaikoDouble IPA” and even a microbrewroot beer made on the premiess. Thisdoesn’t count the dozens of otherbeers available.

Pizza Port1956 Bacon St.(619) 224-4700pizzaport.com/locations/ocean-beach

Best Place to DanceGallagher’s Irish PubThis Irish-owned and operated pub inOcean Beach has created a uniqueenvironment that replicates the atmo-sphere at the best pubs in Irelandwith a fun, friendly, exuberant vibeand a commitment to remain pas-sionate about the pint. The bar ishome to a variety of live music,although it exclusively reserves Satur-day for Irish bands. If the pub isn’thosting a live performance, it pipes inlively Irish music. The walls are cov-ered with crests, collectable bottles,pictures and signs that reflect theowners’ Irish heritage, so customerswho visit the establishment after aday at the beach will be instantlytransported to the Emerald Isle.

Gallagher’s Irish Pub5046 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach(619) 222-5300gallagherspubOb.com

Best Place to Go on a Budget

Pacific ShoresEstablished in 1941, Pacific Shorescontinues to be a home run for thosewho are minding their wallets. Thedrinks are cheap and the atmosphereis a cool “under-the-sea” kind of feel.A black light adds a whole new ele-ment to the setting. There are plentyof comfortable booths for small gath-erings. Be sure to get your drink on at

BestBurger

READERSCHOICEAWARDS


READERSCHOICEAWARDS


Thanks for voting us a reader’s choice for:BEST BAR • BEST SPORTS BAR • BEST LIVE MUSIC

PLUS WINGS, APPETIZERS & COMFORT FOOD

Hodad’s5010 Newport Ave, OB

(619) 224-4623 945 Broadway, Downtown

(619) 234-6323hodadies.com

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Hodad’sAs owner Mike Hardin likes to say, “After42 years in business, we’re an overnightsuccess!” Hodad’s is no longer just a localfavorite – featured on Diners, Drive-Ins &Dives and voted by CNN as one of the topfive burger joints in the country. Hodad’s isthe only burger joint recognized on theWest Coast! Fodor’s travel guides call theHodad’s bacon cheeseburger “awesome,”and there’s even a grilled cheese sandwichon the menu for those desiring lighter fare.Those who want to see what all the fuss isabout can stop by the original location orthe new location now open downtown. Alocal legend for years has definitely hit thebig time!

Smoothies,

Acai,

Fruits & Vegetable

Drinks,

Wheatgrass,

Fruit Salads,

Bagels & Wraps,

Subs & More

(619) 756-6265phone orders appreciated

5001 Newport Avenue,Suite A

PITAYADragon Fruit

Thank You OBfor Voting Us Best

JUICE BAR &ACAI BOWL

NEW!

Best Mediteraenean

Ocean Beach Kabob4994 Newport Ave.

(619) 222-9700 obkabob.com

0

Ocean Beach KabobEstablished in February 2013, Ocean Beach Kabob is a family-owned and operated restaurant that brings exquisite MiddleEastern cuisine to Ocean Beach. All the dishes are homemadefrom the finest quality meats, vegetables and spices. OBKabob uses the freshest ingredients in all of its dishes, as wellas top-quality beef, lamb and chicken. The shawarma ismouth-watering, delicious and a must-have. Ocean BeachKabob uses top cuts of beef and lamb, making its kabobs themost tender and juicy anywhere, and the chicken is made ofwhite meat (breast) only. The taste is simply so delicious thatyou’ll be glad you stopped by.



Pacific Shores. It is open from 10a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays throughSundays. Pac Shores is also knownfor its annual golf tournament bene-fitting San Diego Hospice. Pacific Shores4927 Newport Ave.(619) 223-7549pacshoresob.com

Best Place to People Watch

Cheswich’s(See entry under Best Bartender)

Best Pastry

Azúcar(See entry under Best Dessert)

Best Overall Service

The Joint(see entry under Best Lunch)

Best Wine Selection

3rd Corner Wine Shop & BistroYour first glance at this OB wine barmay prompt a certain confusion.You won’t know whether you’vewalked into a bar that dabbles inretail sales or a wine cellar with adrinking license—such is the level ofattention this establishment rendersfor both services. Hundreds of bot-tles from around the world are therefor the taking, surrounded by funky-colored walls and maps of theworld’s most well-known wineregions. 3rd Corner serves dinner,too, and many patrons making it ahabit of ordering a meal and thenvisiting the racks to pick the winethat goes best with their food. Andyou won’t be paying an inflated pricejust because you’re at a restaurant.3rd Corner2265 Bacon St.(619) 223-2700the3rdcorner.com

Best Salad

Ocean Beach People’sOrganic Food Market(see entry under Best Healthy Dining)

Sandwich (tie)

Olive Tree Marketplace(see entry under Best Deli)

Hungry Lu’sThis new locally owned and operatedItalian Deli is winning over thelocals! Enjoy fresh deli sandwicheson homemade bread, pasta saladspizzas and pastry goodies. The meat-ball sub is delicious and the cookiesare addicting. The owners arefriendly and quick to remember youthe next time you return. Prices aremodest and delivery is also available.

Hungry Lu’s4920 Voltaire(619) 223-4722

Best Sea Food

South Beach Bar & Grille(see entry under Best Fish & Chips)

Best Specialty Drink

Tony’s | Martini(see entry under Best Martini)

Best Sports Bar

Tiny’s TavernWith a motto of “Everything is BIGat Tiny’s,” you’ll find plenty of dailyspecials and sports galore. Tiny’sTavern is the official sports bar inOcean Beach for the Green BayPackers, San Diego State UniversityAztecs, Boise State Broncos and theUniversity of Winsconsin Badgers.Check out a game while gnawing onsliders, specialty sandwiches, burri-tos, tacos, Hawaiian Island plates orstart early with a fun breakfast menuthat features items like Portuguesesausage, eggs and rice. The appetiz-ers are delish, and the kitchen isopen every day until midnight. Tiny’shas tons of beers on tap and plentymore bottled offerings. Check outhappy hour Mondays through Fri-days from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and onSaturdays from 3 to 7 p.m. Tiny’s isopen Mondays through Fridays from11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Saturdays andSundays from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Tiny’s Tavern4745 Voltaire St.(619) 523-1002tiny’stavernsd.com

Best Steak

3rd Corner Wine Shop & Bistro(See entry under Best Wine Selection)

Best Sunday Brunch

The Joint(See entry under Best Lunch)

5050 NEWPORT AVE. • OCEAN BEACH • 619.224.4540

PIZZA BY THE SLICE + FREE DELIVERY IN OB

WWW.OBPIZZASHOP.COM

A consistant Readers Choice Winner for Beer Selection & Beer

READERSCHOICEAWARDS


NEWPORTPIZZA & ALE HOUSE

THANKS FOR VOTING US#1 BEER SELECTION!

PLUS A FAVORITE FOR PIZZA & LATE NIGHT EATERY24 CRAFT BEERS ON TAP • 100 BOTTLED BEERS

The European Cake GalleryYou’d think this place had staked its claim on its carrotcake – such is the fanatical public response the delica-cy’s gotten over the years. Truth is, The EuropeanCake Gallery is more than just an item or two. Apple,pumpkin and other pies line the shelves as surely asthe German chocolate and white Bavarian cakeentries, cookies and fruit bars — and you haven’t liveduntil you’ve tried a piece of the Swiss Black Forest.Open Tuesdays — Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Best Bakery

The European Cake Gallery3661 Voltaire St.(619) 222-3377

europeancakegallery.com

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Best Ice Cream/Yogurt

Lighthouse Ice Cream & Yogurt5059 Newport Ave.

(619) 222-8600

0

Lighthouse Ice Cream & YogurtLighthouse serves up some of the best ice cream and yogurt inOcean Beach, now featuring double rainbow super premium,all natural, gluten free and certified kosher ice cream. ButLighthouse also has something that the other places don’t — ahot waffle ice cream sandwich, which includes your favorite icecream stuffed between two Belgian waffles and put in a specialiron. Reportedly, the heat doesn’t melt the ice cream, whichmeans this place is worth a visit for the scientific phenomenonalone.


Best SushiThe Joint(See entry under Best Lunch)

Best Take-OutLittle Chef(See entry under Best Chinese)

Best Thai

Thai Time BistroThai Time Bistro is known for itsfresh ingredients and reasonableprices, as well as its clean, sophisti-cated atmosphere. Food is alwaysserved hot, and the chefs don't resortto using canned veggies to speed upthe cooking process. The menu isfilled with appetizers, soups andentrees that meet restaurant patrons'high standards for traditional Thaidishes like curry, Tom Kha soup and

Pad Thai. Those looking to up theante on their usual Thai food routineshould try the spicy seafood soup, adelectable combination of greenmussels, crab, calamari, shrimp,lemongrass, mushrooms andcilantro. Thai Time Bistro also hasaffordable lunch specials. Customerscan get soup, salad and a maincourse for just $6.95 Mondaythrough Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3p.m.

Thai Time Bistro1830 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.(619) 223-5000

Best VegetarianRancho’s Cocina(See enty under Best Salad Bar)

Best Indian

SundaraSundara brings the exotic cuisine of India to Ocean Beach andpairs it with craft beers and fine wines, all reasonably priced andserved in a friendly atmosphere. Our fresh Naan is baked toorder and our Curries are slow-cooked to bring out the intricateflavors unique to India. Try the Tikka Masala Pizza — a localfavorite! Join us for dinner and drinks or order online for take-out and delivery.

Sundara1774 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.

(619) 889-0639 sundaracuisine.com

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Best Deli

Olive Tree Marketplace4805 Narragansett Ave.

(619) 224-0443 olivetreemarket.com

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Olive Tree MarketplaceOlive Tree Marketplace, Ocean Beach’s only upscale, independently-owned grocery store, offers patrons a variety of quality fare, includingwine and cheese, locally grown produce USDA Choice grade beef andfresh-baked goods. Their wine and beer selection is truly impressive.But Beacon readers were most impressed by the deli, which uses themarket’s best ingredients to craft mouthwatering sandwiches. Meatlovers will want to try the Manhattan, a hot pastrami sandwichsmothered with melted provolone cheese and served on a toastedonion roll, while vegetarians will appreciate the Euro Veggie, a combi-nation of chopped Kalamata olives and chives, sprouts, tomato,cucumbers and feta cheese served on warm pita bread. In all, the deliserves more than 20 sandwiches and more than 20 varieties of salad.



Best Vietnamese

OB Noodle HouseThere’s a new kid in town called OBNoodle House, specializing in phoand run by the two sons of the own-ers of OB Donut. The pho comeshighly recommended in two sizes.Enjoy a hearty broth and “mix-ins,”including sprouts, basil, lime andjalapeño. Choose from steak (well-done or rare), rib-eye, meatball ortripe. Also on the menu, you’ll findbroken rice, fried rice, some vermi-celli dishes and a Korean barbecuerib plate. They have appetizers (likefried dumplings, spring rolls, eggrolls) and a good beer selection, withmany imports from Asia, all at greatprices. It’s located on Cable Streetbetween Voltaire and West PointLoma (where Surfari Eats used tobe). They’ve even expanded nextdoor and added a sushi bar you’resure to love.

OB Noodle House2218 Cable St., Ocean Beach(619) 450-6868www.obnoodlehouse.com

Best Wings

The Tilted StickWidely known for its free pool play,readers took their best shot at thecategory of Best Wings and gavetheir nod to The Tilted Stick. Thereis no glitz and glam going on here,but this bar is a magnet for locals.Those same locals say The TiltedStick’s wings are among he best inSan Diego. But the attraction doesn’tstop there. There are 20 beers ontap, along with a full bar and a heat-ed dog-friendly smoking patio. Youcan catch all major sports packageson satellite at The Tilted Stick, andthe kitchen stays open until 1 a.m.Happy hour runs from 4 to 7 p.m.Mondays through Fridays.

The Tilted Stick4970 Voltaire St.(619) 222-6895thetiltedstick.com

Best Wine Shop3rd Corner (See entry under Best Lunch)

Wine Bar3rd Corner (See entry under Best Lunch)

READERSCHOICEAWARDS


Visit our Tequila Bar featuring over 30 types of Tequila or try our Mega Margarita44oz. with 5 shots of Tequila…you may want to share this with a friend!

(619) 222-66335001 Newport Ave. Ocean Beach

IN APPRECIATION

99¢ MargaritaWith food purchase. with coupon.

House Margarita only. Not valid with any other offer.Expires 8-30-13

¡Muchos Gracias! for voting us a favorite for Margarita and Fish Taco

Thanks for Making us the

#1 Readers Choice for Burger Again

6 years in a row!

Also a favorite for American

READERSCHOICEAWARDS


Thank You OB for voting us #1 BEST SANDWICHand a favorite for DELI & BAKERY

We are dedicated to serving our local customers the highest quality Deli & Bakery products

catering & delivery available for large groups4920 Voltaire Street | Ocean Beach | 619.223.4722

Sandwiches • Pizzas • Salads • Goodies

READERSCHOICEAWARDS


Bo-BeauPart of the local powerhouse CohnRestaurant group, Bo-Beau takes itsplace as their premiere French restau-rant. And this is no mere bistro, we’retalking about classic French cuisine,from starters like escargot with a garlic-herb butter sauce and smoked salmontartare tartine with brie and celery greensto main courses of bouef bourguignonand chicken fricassee and a selection ofmoules, salads and pastas. But you won’tfind any cliché Gallic restaurant snob-bery here; everything at Bo-Beau is donein an inviting, warm and casual diningatmosphere. Entrees will run youbetween $12-$20, a good bargain for fineFrench fare.

BestAppetizer

Bo-Beau4996 West Point Loma Blvd.

(619) 224-2884

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Best Wings

The Tilted Stick4970 Voltaire St.

(619) 222-6895 thetiltedstick.com

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The Tilted StickWidely known for its free pool play, readers took their bestshot at the category of Best Wings and gave their nod toThe Tilted Stick. There is no glitz and glam going on here,but this bar is a magnet for locals. Those same locals sayThe Tilted Stick’s wings are among he best in San Diego.But the attraction doesn’t stop there. There are 20 beerson tap, along with a full bar and a heated dog-friendlysmoking patio. You can catch all major sports packages onsatellite at The Tilted Stick, and the kitchen stays openuntil 1 a.m. Happy hour runs from 4 to 7 p.m. Mondaysthrough Fridays.

Thank You for Voting!

| THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2013 | THE PENINSULA BEACON READERS CHOICE AWARDS 2013

VOTED BEST OVERALL RESTAURANT

FOR 5 YEARS IN A ROW!

Nati’sMexican Restaurant

1852 Bacon Street One block from O.B. Pier

619–224–3369www.natis.sandiegan.com

• COCKTAILS

• AMPLE PARKING

• PATIO DINING

• CANDLELIGHT DINING

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US FIRST PLACE!

• MARGARITA• FAMILY• RESTAURANT

• MEXICAN• RESTAURANT

• PATIO DININGCELEBRATING OUR 53RDANNIVERSARY!

AND...

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