Heading to Charleston next week for a few days. Already have places scoped out for shrimp and grits, but need recs on BBQ options. Willing to drive outside of town for a hole in the wall (they are always the best places).

THANKS!!

My hubby and I will be in Madrid this coming weekend and have no reservations. Besides stuffing ourselves with Tapas - are there any restaurants that we must try? Places that it would be a disservice to visit Madrid and not eat their food? We are amenable to Molecular Gastronomy.

We are staying in City Centre so transportation around the city I assume will not be a problem.

Gracias mi amigos!

Zorba's in Chula Vista is pretty good.

http://www.zorbasgreekbuffet.com/

Sapori in Coronado is super yum. Defintely worth a trip. Not pricey either.

We ate there a while ago and enjoyed our dinner. I was bugged by the prices and the waiter's attitude. Haven't been back mostly due to hating downtown on the weekend.

I actually love the cheesecake at CF. :)

There was an interview in the UT several years ago with the owner of ED where she stated that she doesn't even eat sugar or let her daughter have sweets. That immediately put me off ED, plus I agree that its expensive and not all that fabulous.

I second the decency of the bagels at this place. They are not what I grew up with in metro Detroit, but they are at least reminiscent of what a proper bagel should be. Not too big, somewhat firm or slightly crunchy on the bottom with a soft inside. A plain bagel should also taste good, not taste like a baked block of flavorless dough.

I despair that real bagels are going to be wiped on the face of the earth with the proliferation of chains like Einsteins or Brueggers.

Yes, I take my bagels seriously.

Have any of you tried Sapori on Coronado yet? Its a new Italian place (owned and run by couple from Italy) that opened up in the past year. On Orange near the ferry landing. I agree that we do not have great Italian in SD, but this place was really good. They were also really gluten free friendly which is great for my husband who can't have gluten.

Lots of places to choose from these days. My husband has celiac so we have done a lot of investigation over the last few years. Here a few restaurants on our list.

Pizza Fusion - Hillcrest
Brick Oven Pizza - Poway
Swedish Royal Bakery - Poway
Gluten Not Included Bakery - Escondido
Jimbo's - Great GF Baked goods (Carmel Valley is the best store)
Ritual Tavern - South Park
Urban Solace - North Park
PF Changs
BJ's (I haven't tried their gf pizza but I heard its good)

This is just a few. I think there is a SD Celiac group with a more comprehensive list.

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Urban Solace Restaurant
3823 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104

Ritual Tavern
4095 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104

Pizza Fusion
, San Diego, CA 92101

The Red Fox Room on El Cajon. Totally old school. They still serve relish trays.

A simple salad of cubed watermelon, fresh italian parsley and crumbled feta. Maybe a very light drizzle of reduced balasalmic vinegar.

Had this at a party this weekend and it was wonderful in the heat.

Tried the truck on Industrial last week. It doesn't hold a candle to Marisco's German trucks.

Tommy Pastrami is supposed to open a site downtown next month. I know its a chain but I am keeping my fingers crossed that they are good. I agree that there is no good deli in SD and it breaks my heart.

http://www.tommypastraminydeli.com/ho...

I think you can get squash blossom tacos at a stand at the Sunday FM in Hillcrest. I haven't been there in a while but when we are there we always get them and they are yummy.

My husband and I are road tripping from San Diego to Phoenix. Anywhere interesting to eat along the way? Suggestions would be appreciated.

My husband and I are road tripping from San Diego to Phoenix. Anywhere interesting to eat along the way? Suggestions would be appreciated.

Anyone know of good Chinese Buffett in SD that will be open on Christmas Day? Its a family tradition that we go tot he movies and have Chinese. I would prefer to eat somewhere authentic, but my midwestern parents will be with us and aren't super adventurous. I am hoping that there is a buffet that will satisfy all needs.

Any advice will be most appreciated. Thanks!

Zetouna's will be replaced by Cafe Bleu that recently closed on University and 5th. Its also owned by the Red Door folks....or so I heard.

We had a great meal at Zin in downtown PS this past Saturday. My entree of stuffed quail with a chanterelle mushroom sauce was amazing!

Bristol Farms in UTC while super expensive has an amazing cheese selection. Give them a call.

I agree, we were there last night (Wednesday) at 8ish and I was pleasantly surprised to see the dining room half full. I had a ceasar salad and the burger.

I really enjoyed both quite a lot. The ceasar dressing had exactly enough garlic and the burger had grilled onions and some kind of relish on it that was amazing! It was cooked to perfection and the fries that came with it were good as well. For a $12 burger like that we will be back.

ok, so I know this is sacrelige to ask...but has anyone asked for a decaf iced milk coffee? I love them but after about 2 sips I go into a caffeine fit that ruins me for the afternoon. I may as well just go home and lie on my couch.

I have been too afraid to ask yet if they have decaf.

Thanks for the input everyone! I will definitely try the places in National City and Imperial Beach and report back.

That name sounds right. I know its on Kress street in Lihue. The Saimin was AWESOME! Tho the customer service was interesting to say the least. While we were there some locals told us that the ownership had changed...tho the food was good to me.

Anyone know of a restaurant in SD that serves good Saimin? Just got back from Kauai where I had a great bowl of Saimin. I am hoping to find a place at home where I can get a "fix." All input is welcome. I would even consider driving up to the OC if the food will be worth it. Thanks.

How does BK compare to the Huddle in Mission Hills on Goldfinch? I love the Huddle. Its cheap and very basic, but if you want a basic breakfast then that is the way to go.

So we tried Alchemy last night and I have to say it was very good and pretty reasonable. I don't have the energy to give a run down on all the food, but the menu was well priced and interesting.

Our faves were these little stuffed peppers filled with slow roasted pork they sell as a small starter...amazing, I could eat a whole plate of them. We also all got burgers which were VERY good and the parm fries did not dissapoint either.

The wine list was priced well and quite varied (lots of wines by the glass). We tried a Pinot from Oregon, a Syrah from Central Coast, and had a few glasses of a Portugese red. All glasses were like $7 or less. I totally reccomend this place if you like fresh ingredients and an ever changing menu.

The only downside is that its a big loud. I am sure given time they will rectify the situation.

How many salads does this place serve? We are thinking of checking it out for a friend's birthday, but my husband can't eat gluten (so pizza is out). I am hoping they have hearty salads as an option. I can't seem to find a menu on their website.

Siesel's has always had the Bourbon sausages when I shop for them. Though I don't put them on my regular grocery list. I would weigh a lot more. :)