Easy and quick eats in the Carlsbad/Oceanside area

Americas - USA West San Diego
41

Had a (foodwise) pretty uneventful trip to Carlsbad. Tried that Windmill food hall and was pretty underwhelmed. Chopped BBQ brisket was drowned in sweet sauce and pizza took 30 minutes with the mushrooms having a little herbal flavor that overwhelmed it. Rosemary I think) and a really burnt crust. My wife enjoyed the pad Thai. Best item was the corn fritter from the chicken tender place, had a sweet and slight spice combo that hit the spot.

Pellys had solid crab cakes, grilled fish and chowder as usual.

Best meal was at liberty public market where Latin Chef Peruvian set up shop. Great anticouchos that went perfect with a rye IPA I got at Bottlecraft.

42

We tried Windmill farms pre-COVID and it was pretty bad. Haven’t been back. We’ve had better luck at Liberty public market although some clunkers there too. Next time you’re in Carlsbad maybe check out Vista which is still pretty close if you’re not wanting to travel far.

43

Since we were mostly avoiding dine in I decided to concentrate on convenience. Actually forgot that we did take out from Buena Forchetta that did not travel well.

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44

It’s been a number of years since we’ve stayed in the area to take the little ones to Legoland. But on my list of places I’ve booked marked in case we stay in the area (some repeats from other posters)
Jeune et Jolie
Pure Brewery
Campfire
Richard Blais restaurant at the Aviara
URBN

Del Mar isn’t too far away and has a lot of good options.

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45

Your list is really solid. Jeune et Jolie hs received national attention. They lost their opening chef (needed a better work/balance life with the kids) but the new chef is just as good and the old chef is still doing menu development for them.

Wench and Rodent in O’side is really good for vrey fresh fish, a commitment to sustainability and wild, crazy and creative sushi. They have a sister restaurant - the name of which I’m drawing a blank on right now - that is entirely plant based, totally local, and almost entirely waste free. I haven’t been to it, but I understand it is also quite good and that their efforts at being completely local, sustainable and waste free are remarkably successful

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46

Probably one of the more underrated options in Liberty Station. Latin Chef was a fixture in Pacific Beach for many years. They just keep doing what they’ve always done and kind of ignore, or fly under, the buzz that is the LS food court.

Q’ero in Encinitas, and the one off the freeway in Luecadia, is also very good for Peruvian. I’ve not been disappointed at either location. Definitely more upscale than the Latin Chef.

47

I can’t remember if I got tipped off to the PB location from the old board or @KirkK blog but loved it and was glad to see them.

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48

Yeah, Latin Chef was a popular choice on the old board

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49

Spending 2 days in Carlsbad soon.

Have reservations for dinner 1 night at Jeune et Jolie. LILO is fully committed.

Open to fill the time up with any other cool spots. Open to all cuisines.

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50

Heritage BBQ in Oceanside. Same great BBQ with a lot of seating and full bar. They have a lot of other composed sandwiches not available at the OG but not as many by the lb options.

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51

I think Wildfire is by the same team behind Jeune et Jolie. There’s a few other ideas in that thread.

@chewchow mentioned one coffee shop in Oceanside that had great pastries several yrs ago.

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52

Oceanside/Carlsbad is really becoming a terrific dining destination.

Not a huge Addison fan, but it’s been a number of years.

Wildland is solid. Have only had dinner there. Campfire too. Neither earth shattering but good.

A couple of other favorites:

https://dijamara.com/

Would like to try Atelier Manna, but often don’t get out of the area.

Have a great time!

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53

Does anyone know what the relationship is btw the 2 locations? I contacted the SJC location to ask about catering for the Oceanside event, and they said that the two locations have “completely different ownership.”

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I’ve been to and liked Campfire (dinner) and Wildland (lunch).

I love Prager Brothers. Last week I tried their pizza for the first time and the crust was really good.

Others to consider (apologies if already mentioned by others): Ember&Rye, Valle, Tanner’s burgers, Wrench and Rodent and for old school dessert pepper tree frosty (vista).

Enjoy

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55

From the IG posts, they make it seem like is all one happy family.

56

Dija Mara Balinese

This might have gotten lost above.

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57

Wildland

We strolled in for a late lunch.

This is a pretty cool space. It’s a more industrial Bottega Louie in looks, but with a menu that’s a little more condensed. It feels a lot like mornings at République.

We picked some random items and found a communal table to chill at. They have a self-service station for water, water glasses and takeout boxes. A bar for wine-based cocktails. Pro-tip: the bar will take your order for more drinks and dessert so you don’t have to get back in the line by the door. That line is known to go out the door.

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Very green salad with smoked salmon, mafaldine, roasted chicken. The mafaldine was the only clunker…great pasta texture, but the sauce was muted and bland. The garlic sauce and chili oil with the chicken was great.

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Didn’t have room for dessert, but grabbed a cookie and strawberry cream beignet to go. Both were good! Their croissants are made with French butter and was great.

Ember & Rye
Caught HH at Aviara and then decided to stay for an early dinner. The bar is lovely and the drinks are solid.

Kumamoto oysters, cucumber-sorrel ice, passionfruit mignonette…I am a fan of the taste and presentation of these oysters. Delicious!

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Steak tartare…I’ve been on a bit of a tartare kick, this was good and it was fun to be served to potato chips, but doesn’t beat my current favorite from Bazaar Meat.

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Dinner was fine. The corn crème brûlée was a big surprise…a different take for creamed corn, and I’d actually enjoy having this for dessert.

Bread service was 2 darling little croissants (American butter) piping hot from the oven.

Entertainment at the bar is high between the golfers ending their day here and folks coming in for celebration dinners.

Would come back for the bar and oysters.

Thanks, @chewchow @paranoidgarliclover @RedDevil for the recs!

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58

Heritage SJC posts constantly about their new Le Haute Dinette restaurant in Santa Ana and the beach shack they’re doing (HB I think) but Oceanside is now named Heritage Beer Company. I tried to find their ABC license info on line but couldn’t. Oceanside has been something of a mystery for a while.

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59

Any intel on Birdseye in Encinitas? Menu looks terrific.