La
Mesa, in a Nutshell
Article written by Kristel
Boe
For those of you who haven't been east of the 805, you have
certainly missed out. La Mesa, aka "Jewel of the Hills"
is a little friendly neighborhood San Diegan's should know more
about. Boasting
lots of "mom and pop" shops, one thing this town doesn't
lack is character. This old-fashioned town, though quaint, can
throw a great party. The La Mesa Village hosts an annual Oktoberfest,
an Old Fashioned Christmas party and the La
Mesa Car Show that is held Thursday nights during
the summer.
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La
Mesa Restaurants & Best Places for Breakfast, Lunch
and Dinner |
Taco
Shops
Just about everyone in La Mesa works off of the same fuel, Mexican
food! And we’re not talking about Taco-bell-taco-shops;
we’re talking about authentic, hole in the wall, Mexican
food joints. The key to spicing up your taste buds is knowing
exactly where to go to get the best.
Filiberto’s Mexican Food (7102 University
Ave) - It’s great because it is open late! Located down
the street from Helix High School, Filiberto’s is a popular
hang out for High School and College students when it gets late
or on the weekends. They are open past 2am and are a great place
to stop when you’ve been partying late, or just want a
midnight snack. They have plenty of room inside to sit, are
clean and have good service—night or day.
El Azteca (8306 Parkway Dr) - Biggest bang
for your buck! Azteca is a local favorite and a legend in the
eyes of most "La Mesans". The shop itself looks a
little questionable on the outside. It is stuck in the corner
of a small strip mall next to a smoke shop. But don’t
judge a book by its cover! The food is priced like any usual
taco shop but the portions are enormous! Try the burritos and
you’ll have enough left over for two meals.
Buenos Dias (5100 Jackson Dr) - This food is
delicious and healthy! Most steer clear of taco shops because
they believe the food is fat and greasy, but Buenos Dias shatters
this misconception with their lard-free policy. Their food is
a little more pricey (nothing outrageous though) but it is worth
it if you are watching your figure. There is no inside seating,
but picnic-style tables outside and a convenient drive through.
Be prepared to wait in line though, this is a La Mesa favorite.
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Best
Places for Breakfast
The Living Room (El Cajon Blvd.) might be your
cup of tea if you’re in the mood for a mocha or a healthy
breakfast buffet. With inside and outside seating, excellent
pastries, scones, muffins, coffee and tea options, the Living
Room is a great way to start your day.
Rise and shine! For home style cooking, stop by Shirley’s
Kitchen (University Ave, next to Filiberto’s).
The restaurant is a typical breakfast joint with a full menu.
It has kind of a small town flavor but is one of the few places
in La Mesa that features breakfast.
For something south of the border, Mario’s De
La Mesa (8425 La Mesa Blvd) is an excellent choice.
Only open for breakfast on select weekdays and the weekend,
it is worth grabbing a bite during hours of operation. Mario’s
is a local favorite and has also received rave reviews from
a variety of city editorials.
Best Places for Lunch
What
do you want for lunch? The question can lead your mind in circles.
Good thing La Mesa has options! For Mexican/Spanish style sandwiches,
soups and wraps with a laid back café feel, try
La Torta (La Mesa Blvd.). If you’re in the mood
for a rustic Italian meal that is hip and kick back, Woodstock
Pizza (College area) would be the perfect fit. For
a chic Indian inspired menu with vegetarian options, Café
Zia (College Area) will hit the spot. And finally,
for traditional Mexican cuisine with local flair, Por
Favor (La Mesa Blvd.) in the heart of the La Mesa Village
should be your choice.
D.Z.
Akins Deli (6930 Alvarado Rd) is San Diego's best New
York style Jewish Deli. With an extensive menu offering everything
from Matzah Ball Soup to Corned Beef Sandwiches to a decent
Philly Cheese Steak, your choices are unlimited. Cozy and eclectic,
a great place to stop in on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Best
Places for Dinner
La Mesa is proud to set itself apart from other cities with
family owned businesses, but its ok admitting it is lucky enough
to house some great chain restaurants too. La Mesa recently
became the new home for Casa De Pico (5500
Grossmont Center Dr), made famous by being one of the best restaurants
in the Bazaar Del Mundo in Old Town. Recently opening in September,
the restaurant is already drawing quite a crowd. Reservations,
even for small parties, are recommended in the evening and weekends.
Directly
next door is the location for BJ’s Restaurant
and Brewery (Grossmont Center Dr.). BJ’s, also
drawing quite a crowd, has a great menu, a fun restaurant environment,
and a lively bar. It is well known for its delicious pizza’s;
self brewed beers, and the famous pazzuki dessert!
Finally, a great family owned locally operated choice is San
Filipo’s (8141 La Mesa Blvd), located in downtown
La Mesa. San Filipo’s has been in business for decades
yet stays true to the original authentic Italian recipes of
the San Filipo family. The tables are candle lit, the portions
are enormous, and the staff is welcoming. It is a great choice
for delicious eats.
Don’t forget dessert
Frozen Yogurt beats out ice cream any day in La Mesa! The
Yogurt Mill (8158 La Mesa Blvd) is the fourth such
establishment in the area and is located in the quaint Downtown
La Mesa Village. It has classic fat free flavors such as cable
car chocolate and even Cheese Cake which are guaranteed to satisfy
your sweet tooth. You’ll definitely want to go with an
empty stomach because employees are known for doubling your
order by piling the frozen yogurt high on top of the cup.
If you’re a little fan of yogurt and a big fan of toppings,
check out The Yogurt Express (6195 Lake Murray
Blvd). This joint has rows of toppings for your taking (at no
extra charge!) and after you’ve compiled your dessert
masterpiece, they weight the finished product to give you your
price. What a sweet deal!
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La
Mesa Nightlife, Sports Bars, Pubs & Karaoke |
The
Best Sports Bar
Jolt N Joes (8076 La Mesa Blvd) is the place
for sports fans. It has screens (both large and small) all around
the interior, as well as a fully stocked bar, pool tables galore,
darts, and two stories of lounging room. Jolt N Joes also boasts
a pretty impressive menu of deep fried dishes that go great
with a couple of drinks. The place can be pretty dead on non-game
days through out the week but is always packed during baseball
and football games as well as on the weekends.
The Best Karaoke Bar
Norma Jeans (5286 Baltimore Dr) is home to
some of La Mesa’s most talented Karaoke crooners! A fun
gathering place on the weekends, Norma Jeans has the essential
East County feel. Don’t be alarmed to see cowboys, rappers,
punk kids and parents at Norma Jeans on any given night, all
drinking in harmony of coarse. With Karaoke featured every night,
and a DJ on hand for music requests, it can be quite the rocking
place. It also has pool tables and darts if you’d rather
stay away from the bright lights.
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Best
Scene
Effins Pub and Grill (6164 El Cajon Blvd) is
located in the heart of the college area and attracts students
and student-wannabe’s. The bar itself is a cool hang out.
It has kind of a sports bar/Irish pub feel and can get pretty
packed on nights and weekends. They also have delicious eats
and great specials throughout the week that are worth checking
out. The people are usually nice to look at and nice to talk
to and has a good over all scene. Pool tables and TV’s
are also in house for distraction.
The Most Rockin’ Irish Bar
Shamrocks Shack (7059 El Cajon Boulevard) The
shack has a little bit of the shamrock feel, but a whole lot
of rockin. The Shack has solid-wood furniture, pool tables,
dart boards, and a big open kitchen in back, but more importantly
it is a local favorite. Music is always blaring, the crowd is
always down to have a good time and the booze is always flowing.
This bar is often a good choice on the weekend and especially
packed on selected holidays.
Best Dive
Zak’s Pub (8758 La Mesa Blvd) is a little
La Mesa hole in the wall that packs quite a punch. It attracts
a younger crowd (mid 20’s), mostly all locals. The drinks
are exceptionally priced ($2 beers and inexpensive pitchers),
but don’t expect anything too hard, Zaks is beer and wine
only. Zak’s has a pool table, darts in the corner of the
bar, and a juke box always ready for requests.
Honorable mentions: Joe N' Andy's Hole In The Wall (8344
La Mesa Blvd), Johnny B's Burgers & Brew (4738 4th St)
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La
Mesa Shopping & Farmers Market |
La
Mesa is home to lots of "mom and pop" shops where
you can shop for billiards and antiques, art and crafts, and
even fresh produce.
The La Mesa Village Farmers’ Market
has become a tradition on Friday afternoons in the Allison Avenue
parking lot off of Spring Street. Between 3:00p.m. and 6:00
p.m., rain or shine, shoppers can select from the freshest
fruits and vegetables, an abundance of flowers, organically
grown produce, breads, popcorn, preserves, dips and many other
specialties.
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La
Mesa Recreation & Family Fun |
Family
Fun
Lake Murray (Lake Murray Blvd. and Baltimore)
is a great place for sunny weather activities. With several
acres of open land, hiking and biking trails, boat rentals,
picnic areas and permitted fishing, it has activities for the
entire family. Pets are also allowed (on leashes only) yet pets
and people are not permitted in the water outside of boats.
Joan Kroc Center (6845 University Ave.)
After years of construction, the Joan Kroc Center finally opened
and has established a repertoire with the community. It is a
12-acre facility that encompasses education, recreation, and
cultural arts. It is equipped with a skating rink, swimming
pool, gym, performing arts center, recreation field, challenge
course with a climbing wall, Education Center and more! Visitors
can pay fee’s to participate in any class or check out
a facility (fees range from $3-$5) or one can become a member
(for about $100). Either way, the fees are a small price to
pay for excellent family fun.
A Breathtaking View
For an amazing view of La Mesa (and sometimes as far as the
ocean on clear days) take a scenic drive through the well to
do neighborhood of Mount Helix and find yourself atop one of
the highest points in the city. On the top you can take pictures
of the 360 degree view, or pose by the large cross erected on
the top. The Mount is traditionally a great place to catch the
sunset (be prepared, it gets packed) but visitors must exit
the gates after sundown or face off with La Mesa Police.
Tanning, Tanning, Tanning!
If you are an east county girl, you are all about the fake n’
bake, also know as Artificial Tanning. Celebrity Tan (7995 La
Mesa Blvd), Hollywood Tans (5565 Lake Murray Blvd), and The
Tan Spot (8215 La Mesa Blvd) are just some of the “hottest”
places to get your glow on. Though the traditional tanning bed
is still popular, Mystic Tans are all the rage. They get you
tan for about two weeks without damaging your skin. Most tanning
salons will allow you to try this feature free for the first
time, just check ahead for their policy.
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