ON THE ROAD

[OTD]

Any ideas on places to eat in San Diego, especially around the downtown area?

I remember a fine job interview lunch at La Gran Tapa, which is downtown. Also, plenty of places in the Gaslamp district.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

If you are rolling through Dallas, then Campisi's Egyptian Restaurant is the place you need to visit. It is off I-75 and Mockingbird ln. near SMU.... It is the former hangout for Dallas mafia, with secret entrances and rooms... Old man Campisi's granddaughter was in playboy and the pizza is the best in Texas.... It has great atmosphere, but if you are going there on Friday or Saturday night, go early or be prepared to wait....

It is also the place MLB umpire Steve Palermo was shot outside of, chasing down a thug that had just robbed a waitress inside....

Good call on Campisi's, Sportsruss. The pies are different there than anyplace I've ever eaten pizza: oval with flat, thin crust and spicy sauce. There's another place in the 'burbs called I Fratelli that serves the same kind of pizza, but I like Campisi's because it's a fun place to hang out and drink. It's, what, three blocks from SMU?

Dallas doesn't have many institutions like that. An AWESOME Mexican place is Matt's Rancho Martinez, which is down the street from the Lakewood Theater. There's a place in the West End called the YO Ranch that serves excellent chicken-fried. I'm sure boots will rip my recommendations because he thinks they're for tourists, yuk, yuk.

What's the name of that fried chicken place near SMU? I've eaten there a few times and it's great, but I can't remember the name of it.

 

[SF_Express]

Any ideas on places to eat in San Diego, especially around the downtown area?

I remember a fine job interview lunch at La Gran Tapa, which is downtown. Also, plenty of places in the Gaslamp district.

I revisited La Gran Tapa this summer, and while it still looks the same, and they were reasonably OK, it's new ownership (no longer Paul Dobson), so unless you have a nostalgic reason, you can probably do better in a number of places in the Gaslamp district -- and Dobson's is still there, too.

 

[Big Daddy]

Inky Wretch -- I know the chicken place you speak of, but I dont remember the name.... but there is a bar on the other side of 75 from SMU that is excellent. You will find some students there during the fall and spring, but the ambiance is excellent... Milo Butterfingers... It is a whole in the wall bar off Greenville that you can watch sports, play pool, a few video games, some darts... It is dark and fun. When "Born on the Fourth of July" was partially filmed on the SMU campus, they used this bar for the Mexico bar scenes in the movie. the script and stuff is hangin on the walls inside... Great place, only 1/2 mile or so north of where Campisi's is.... Check it out.

 

[Armchair_QB]

Places to eat and drink and admire the scenery in Columbia, S.C. on a football weekend.

Note: This is a football weekend with some buddies, not a business trip.

 

[cougargirl]

I brought it up on another thread, and I'm sure it's been mentioned here prior.

San Diego.

I'm going out for three days to see the Steelers-Chargers game, and aside from the Zoo, Tijuana and the Real World house I know zilch about the town. Need some ideas that are birthday-friendly, too.

 

[SF_Express]

I brought it up on another thread, and I'm sure it's been mentioned here prior.

San Diego.

I'm going out for three days to see the Steelers-Chargers game, and aside from the Zoo, Tijuana and the Real World house I know zilch about the town. Need some ideas that are birthday-friendly, too. 

CG, get thee down to the Gaslamp and you can have a great time just walking around and figuring out someplace to eat -- and drink, if that's your thing.

http://www.gaslamp.org/

Seaport Village is interesting in a touristy sort of way:

http://www.spvillage.com/

The Hotel del Coronado is famous (used in the movie Some Like it Hot) and the surrounding beach area is fun. Great for brunch or whatever:

http://www.hoteldel.com/

Tijuana, of course, is only miles away, but that's a risk-reward kind of decision. Be careful if you decide do go.

http://www.tijuana.com/info.html

 

[RayKinsella]

I brought it up on another thread, and I'm sure it's been mentioned here prior.

San Diego.

I'm going out for three days to see the Steelers-Chargers game, and aside from the Zoo, Tijuana and the Real World house I know zilch about the town. Need some ideas that are birthday-friendly, too. 

Below is a list of things going on around town this weekend, hope one of them works out for you.

http://littleitalysd.com/festa/index.asp
http://www.eastcountychamber.org/event_oktoberfest.html
http://www.fleetweeksandiego.org/event37.htm

Some other ideas is the Cabrillo National Monument, Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach, and of course, we have about 8 Indian Casino's that might be a good idea for someones birthday. Depending on where you are, there are plenty close by. PM me if you want some names.

Here is a list of some places to eat downtown and elsewhere: http://www.tonysd.com/venues.htm

 

[FootballScribe]

Here are some of my favorite spots from various road trips:

NYC: Peter Luger Steakhouse
Dallas: Bob's Steakhouse
Seattle: I have been to a few places, but found a sushi place called Shiro's that has been consistently excellent. It's small and kind of a hidden treasure but you won't be disappointed. Try the sweet crab roll.
San Francisco: I still like the Crab House even though it's a bit of a tourist spot and it's right on the wharf. The view is great and the garlic fries are awesome.
Indianapolis: I have spent ridiculous amounts of times here for games or the combine and I have given St. Elmo's a try twice. I just can't get into it. I would rather have Shula's (located in the Westin) or Ruth's Chris for a steak. Or just head to Rock Bottom Brewery (which is a chain, but a good chain) for appetizers and brew.
San Diego: Old Town Mexican Cafe - Usually all Mexican is the same to me, but this place is fantastic. They make the tortillas right there in front of you and the carnitas are amazing. I have never had better Mexican.



I have yet to find a place in Phoenix that I really like and the same with Atlanta.

Any suggestions for Minneapolis or Houston out there?

 

[Desk_dude]

Here are some of my favorite spots from various road trips:


I have yet to find a place in Phoenix that I really like and the same with Atlanta.

There's a great small Jewish deli chain called Chompy's. They have huge sandwiches and are not overprices. The last I checked, they had 'em in north Phoenix, Scottsdade and Tempe.
There's also a great steak place in Tempe called Monti's.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

Here are some of my favorite spots from various road trips:
I have yet to find a place in Phoenix that I really like

Try Durant's downtown on Central Ave. I like the prime rib, and the blue cheese dressing is the best I've had:

http://www.durantsfinefoods.com/

 

[OTD]

Try Durant's downtown on Central Ave. I like the prime rib, and the blue cheese dressing is the best I've had:

That menu looked pretty damned good. Unfortunately, when I'm in Phoenix, it's usually with my son for our annual spring training trip. I think it would be lost on him. Certainly the Davidoff cigar menu would be.

 

[Testudo]

Charleston, SC???

I am attending a wedding there shortly.

 

[Sick Boy]

Charleston is great. I'd move there in a second if given the opportunity. Plenty of good food around, as well as places to enjoy a cocktail.

You might also get a group together and take a walking tour, if you're into that sort of thing. I did this one with some friends and really had a good time: http://www.onthemarkettours.com/default.htm

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

I loved this place:

http://www.grill225.com/index1.cfm?page=rightpage&id=182

The crab cocktail was terrific.

Other places we've enjoyed were Magnolia and The Boathouse (both city and suburb).

The real highlight last time we visited, however, was a nothing-fancy place called Gullah in Mt. Pleasant, a suburb between Charleston and Isle of Palms. We went on a Saturday, and the all-you-want buffet included some of the best fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and bread pudding I've ever had. The dining room had plywood floors.

We loved staying at the Vendue Inn on East Bay, but it isn't cheap. We also had a great time at the Holiday Inn on the beach at Folly Beach -- room was much nicer than we expected.

 

[Cosmo]

Good stuff on Charleston. I've got a game there in early November, so I'll definitely try the East Bay Crab Shack. I love me some seafood.

How about Charlotte, N.C.? I'm just looking for something decent that's not break the break pricey ($25-35 for me) and that's not a chain. I'm staying downtown at the Westin.

 

[Needles]

Hokie, I was just in Charlotte for last week's Panthers-Packers game. There are a handful of restaurants near your hotel that are very good. The Westin is right where you want to be, within walking distance of all the great Charlotte spots. The Rock Bottom is very good; I had the shrimp and grits last time I was there. Sounds like you and I both head to the seafood sections first. There's another pretty good restaurant on the opposite corner of the Rock Bottom, but I can't remember its name. You can stand on that corner and take your pick of a lot of good places, though.

Charlotte is a very cool city, much cleaner than most cities that size. It's fun to walk around in the evening; it's surprisingly calm during weeknights and has a pretty neat vibe all around. Let me know what you wind up doing. I find myself there quite often and am always looking for new things to get into.

needles

 

[imjustagirl2]

I'm going to Emerald Isle, NC for a week with two friends and am looking for any ideas, either right there or for day trips.

Gracias.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

I'm going to Emerald Isle, NC for a week with two friends and am looking for any ideas, either right there or for day trips.

Gracias.

Stay away from any place which has a Girls Gone Wild truck parked out front.

 

[HoopsMcCann]

I'm going to Emerald Isle, NC for a week with two friends and am looking for any ideas, either right there or for day trips.

Gracias.

Stay away from any place which has a Girls Gone Wild truck parked out front.

away?