Post Beach Eats

Board & Brew

If you have ever cruised through the mellow town of Del Mar, you have most likely encountered the long snake of people rounding around the block of 12th Street. These people are not lining up for an extravagant fine-dining dinner, nor for a trending new sensation on TikTok. They are lining up for something much more elementary: a sandwich.

Board & Brew in Del Mar has been an institution for locals and surfers since its opening in 1979. Its laid-back atmosphere and “sup dude” type customer makes it the epitome of Southern California culture. However, the question is — is it truly the best post-beach meal, or only food to settle for for convenience?

I put this question to the test with a diverse selection of three Board & Brew Sandwiches: the Turkado ($10.00), the Baja Chicken ($12.00) and the Veggie Supreme ($9.00).

A customer favorite according to the Board & Brew employee, the Turkado came far from falling short. From the very first crisp crunch of sourdough, to the creamy avocado paired with juicy tomato, it was the ultimate texture adventure. The Baja Chicken also distinguished itself with perfectly tender yet not overly soft meat and a spicy kick from some jalapenos.

Nevertheless, even after tasting these two perfectly adequate sandwiches, I could still feel from the ache in my heart that there was something missing. The exact thing to fill the void came in the form of a sauce — the renowned Board & Brew Secret Sauce. I am not exaggerating when I say that this sauce may just be the best thing that has ever happened to me. Dipping a once somewhat mediocre sandwich into this sauce transformed the meal into an out of body, almost holy experience. I would bathe in this sauce if I could.

However, there was a sandwich that even this marvelously tangy liquid could not save — the Veggie Supreme. Not only did the sandwich lack any robust flavors, but the squaw bread did little to keep it from crumbling in my hands, both literally and metaphorically. The limp cheddar and jack cheese hanging unmelted in the middle of the sandwich made it all the more lackluster. Though I attempted to drown it in a full two servings of the Secret Sauce, there was no success in saving it from a total humiliating loss.

All in all, the Turkado and Baja Chicken are must-tries at Board & Brew, but definitely avoid the Veggie Supreme. In my humble opinion (surfer boys with long blonde hair and borderline-unhealthy tans please do not kill me), Board & Brew is nothing special when evaluating from a simply sandwich standpoint. Add the glorious sauce into the mix though, and you have an absolute winner. Whether you are “shredding the gnar” at 15th Street or enjoying a nice walk along the sea, stop by Board & Brew for your post-beach fix.

Swami’s Cafe

In the heart of Encinitas, Swami’s Cafe is the perfect food hub for starving surfers. The classic coastal menu includes pineapple buttermilk pancakes and a twist on traditional chilaquiles, served amidst an array of stickers, notes, art and signatures scribbled onto the restaurant’s walls. Swami’s is so much of an Encinitas institution that one cannot picture the town without also thinking of the cafe and the years of locals who have eaten there.

The counter service system makes ordering fast and easy. A mere 10 minutes after ordering the Pitaya Bowl ($11.95), the chilaquiles ($13.95), the Green Omelet with potatoes plus whole wheat bread ($13.95) and the highly anticipated Pineapple Buttermilk Pancakes ($9.95), arrived. The Pitaya Bowl was a vivid fuschia color made with fruit that tasted as if it was fresh from the garden. Although the refreshing bowl came cold, the warm weather quickly melted it into a liquid (So caution: must consume fast).

To change gears and refuel with some protein, I dived into the green omelet which was both filling and healthy (for surfers who enjoy a healthier diet). My only complaint was that the asparagus was much too firm; which is coming from someone with a deep adoration for the veggie, their preparation just didn’t meet my standards. A nice crisp is always appreciated, but a chipped tooth … not so much. The crème de la crème of the omelet, in my very strong opinion, was the side of breakfast potatoes. The ultimate mix of butter and seasonings made it difficult to move on to the next dish.

Incorporating a tasty Mexican dish into this Swami’s spread was a must so I tried their chilaquiles. After my first bite, I was hesitant to continue eating on account of the mushy texture, but the flavors assuredly convinced me to go in for another bite. I highly recommend adding sour cream and avocado smash to ensure you get only the best and strongest flavors.

No meal should ever end without the cherry on top of every meal: the sweet, sweet dessert. So without question, we ordered one of Swami’s most-popular items: the Pineapple Buttermilk Pancakes. Such a combo I had never heard of before. I mean — pineapple in pancakes? As pancakes go, these exceedingly fluffy buttermilk pancakes were a 10/10. Intrigued by the pineapples at first, the combo complemented each other extremely well.

Ordering a coffee was another must, as the Swami’s Cafe website dedicated a paragraph to their coffee being “sourced from the best beans worldwide.” As excited as I was to try their coffee, I wasn’t excited enough to finish it. The immoderate amount of milk took away the flavor of espresso that a cappuccino ($3.95) is usually supposed to offer. In addition to there being far too much milk, the actual espresso was bitter and dry. If you are into weaker cups of coffee, you’ll love this.

But, overall, the lively music and beachy-vibe atmosphere qualifies Swami’s as a pleasurable post-surf bite stop.

Kotija Jr.

No weekend plans sound greater than a day at the beach and a quality taco. If you are craving something quick and delicious, Kotija Jr. Taco Shop does the trick. They have plenty of parking, easy accessibility and flavorful food, making it both a convenient and satisfying destination.

Just one step into the store and the scent of gourmet tacos is bound to make your mouth water. The restaurant has limited seating, giving it an almost exclusive feeling, while being very casual. The TVs mounted on the walls of the restaurant show intense soccer games, making the restaurant feel homey and family-friendly. The employees behind the counter greet customers with a genuine smile.

As I awaited my number to be called, I moved to the fountain drink station. Seeing the option of an ice-cold horchata ($2.65) made the decision-making process easy. With my cup filled to the brim, I gave it a try. This light brown, smooth-textured drink is sweet with a perfect ratio of cinnamon to milk.

I got my food in about ten minutes, all while the productive staff flowed like a tight-knit family and got other customers their meals quickly. When my number was called from the counter, I picked up my two choices: five rolled tacos ($8.13) and two chicken tacos ($4.44 each). My stomach grumbled as the smell of the warm meal drifted from the bag.

In the first box lay five tightly wrapped beef taquitos topped with guacamole and lettuce with a side of tomatoes and cheese. The salty meat mixed with the powerful taste of avocado kept the taquitos’ flavors well balanced. The pop of the soft, buttery cheese was an added benefit. Dipping these salty taquitos into either the chunky green or red salsa is a must. The spicy combo left in my mouth inevitably had me reaching for the horchata to cool the heat. Despite the heat, the green salsa was so good I was tempted to drink it with a straw. This filling menu item costs just under eight dollars.

Even cheaper than the taquitos at just under five dollars, Kotija Jr. takes simple chicken tacos to the next level. Multiple warm soft tortillas folded under each other hold in a mixture of juicy chicken and seasoned vegetables. This taco had a bounty of juicy chicken pieces, creating a perfect balance of taste and texture.

With relatively short lines, appetizing tacos, and refreshing beverages, I would recommend Kotija Jr. after a beach day.

Roberto’s

After a long beach day filled with tanning, swimming and reapplying sunscreen, sunset is approaching and stomachs are growling. Nothing sounds better than a California burrito from the popular Solana Beach Mexican restaurant, Roberto’s.

Right up the stairs from Tabletops surf spot, Roberto’s, which is open from 8am-9pm, has it all: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

As I walked in, I noticed a casual dress code. People were in bikini tops, oversized shirts and some even barefoot after coming straight from the beach. String fairy lights hung across the patio decorated for people dining in or waiting for their number to be called. The familiar outline of a man in a sombrero made my stomach grumble in anticipation.

One of Roberto’s most famous and delicious menu items, the California Burrito ($8.00), with carne asada, salsa, cheddar cheese and fries, melts in your mouth upon first bite.

Their chips topped with cheese and guac ($5.00) are magical, with the perfect ratio of all the necessary ingredients. The guac is a creamy consistency with no chunks, and the cheese is shredded on top; pairing the toppings with the crunch of the chip is heavenly. Their tacos are off the charts too—incredibly tasty, juicy, crunchy, and dipping them in the salsa added just the right kick. I love both the rolled tacos and soft tacos. The rolled tacos are similar to taquitos, with each serving coming with three ($3.95) rolled tacos, and the tacos ($3.00) are ordered individually. I always have a hard time picking between carne asada, beef, chicken or carnitas. No matter which one I pick, I know that Roberto’s will always hit it out of the ballpark. If I really can’t decide, I will order one of each and save some for later!

Walk a little to the left after placing your order and you will come upon Roberto’s self-serve drink station ($3.25). In my opinion, what goes best with any meal from Roberto’s is their homemade horchata drink, perfectly balancing creamy milk with aromatic spices to complete the experience.

After grabbing your meal and drink of choice, head back down those hundred-step stairs, lay out your towel again, and enjoy your meal from Roberto’s while watching the sunset—it hits the spot every time.

VG Donuts

Whether wanting a celebratory snack after catching the biggest wave of the day, needing a pick-me-up after back-to-back wipe-outs, or craving a sweet treat while meandering around Cardiff, VG Donuts’ “VG Bakery’’ sign pops out as an oasis of sweet San Diego nostalgia. Serving as a mainstay of the Cardiff beach scene since 1969, VG continues to be a perfect stop for a post-surf snack for surfers and kooks alike.

Past a mural of seagulls, customers are met with smiles from a crew of busy donut-bakers, buzzing between racks of tantalizingly fresh donuts.

Dozens of options meet the eye: a pan of lemon and raspberry-filled donuts with powdered sugar for those with a fruit craving, a range of spiced breads for a more cozy feel on early-morning surf wakeup calls as well as endless variations of sugary-sweet chocolate, glazed and sprinkled donuts.

The one catch with stopping by VG Donuts is the timing: stay in the water for one extra wave, and the line a few blocks over at VG Donuts could turn from two minutes to 15. A long line, though, can prove a blessing in disguise, oftentimes providing a better chance to catch up with other VG regulars getting a coffee and a donut with dripping hair and flip-flopped feet to polish off a perfect Cardiff morning.

However, a benefit to squeezing in one’s morning surf and snack extra early is better access to popular donut recipes before they sell out. Just a few include the breathtakingly flavorful specialty cherry fritter ($4.29), only available when VG advertises it on Instagram; the assortment of iced sugar cookies ($1.99 each) popping with San Diego spirit; the flaky glazed and chocolate flavored croissants ($3.99 each); and the assortment of Old Fashioned donuts ($1.55 each).

Still, it is impossible to go wrong with the classic flavors. VG’s glazed, chocolate and maple-glazed donuts ($1.55 each) set the most basic VG donuts apart with their velvet-soft dough. Any donut covered in VG’s chocolate glaze proves even more delicious than the feeling of finding Swami’s Beach empty on a Saturday morning.

No matter what flavor a surfer, a kook or a pedestrian prefers, VG Donuts continues to be a wonderful place to shake off the crash of a hard wipe-out, relish in the day’s great swell or meet friends and fellow beach lovers over a satisfying donut dessert.

Read on Issuu.

131 thoughts on “Post Beach Eats

  1. You really make it appear really easy along with your presentation however I find this topic to be really something that
    I think I would by no means understand. It kind of
    feels too complex and extremely wide for me. I’m having a look forward in your next submit,
    I will try to get the dangle of it! Escape rooms

  2. Greetings! Very useful advice within this post! It’s the little changes that will make the largest changes. Many thanks for sharing!

  3. After checking out a number of the articles on your web page, I really like your technique of blogging. I book-marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my website too and let me know how you feel.

  4. Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thanks, However I am experiencing difficulties with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting similar RSS problems? Anybody who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanks!!

  5. Greetings! Very useful advice within this post! It’s the little changes that will make the most significant changes. Thanks for sharing!

  6. I blog quite often and I seriously thank you for your content. This great article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to take a note of your blog and keep checking for new details about once per week. I subscribed to your Feed too.

  7. This is the perfect webpage for anyone who really wants to find out about this topic. You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a topic which has been written about for decades. Wonderful stuff, just excellent.

  8. An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been doing a little homework on this. And he actually ordered me dinner due to the fact that I discovered it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to discuss this matter here on your web page.

  9. This is a great tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere. Brief but very accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read post.

  10. I absolutely love your site.. Great colors & theme. Did you make this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m wanting to create my own website and would love to learn where you got this from or what the theme is called. Thanks!

  11. I absolutely love your site.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you develop this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m wanting to create my very own site and would love to learn where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Many thanks.

  12. Aw, this was a very good post. Taking the time and actual effort to produce a great article… but what can I say… I put things off a whole lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.

  13. After looking over a few of the blog articles on your blog, I seriously appreciate your way of writing a blog. I book marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my website as well and tell me how you feel.

  14. I really love your blog.. Great colors & theme. Did you build this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m looking to create my very own site and would like to know where you got this from or just what the theme is called. Kudos!

  15. I was pretty pleased to uncover this website. I want to to thank you for ones time for this wonderful read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it and i also have you book marked to check out new stuff in your site.

  16. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Many thanks, However I am going through issues with your RSS. I don’t understand why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anyone else getting identical RSS issues? Anyone that knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanks!

  17. I blog often and I really thank you for your information. The article has really peaked my interest. I am going to take a note of your website and keep checking for new information about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed too.

  18. Everything is very open with a really clear explanation of the issues. It was really informative. Your website is extremely helpful. Thank you for sharing.

  19. Aw, this was an extremely good post. Finding the time and actual effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and never manage to get anything done.

  20. Your style is very unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this page.

  21. Hi, I do think this is a great web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may revisit once again since i have bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.

  22. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thanks, However I am experiencing difficulties with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I cannot join it. Is there anyone else getting similar RSS problems? Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanks!!

  23. An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you need to publish more about this subject, it may not be a taboo matter but typically people don’t talk about these topics. To the next! All the best!

  24. Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to produce a good article… but what can I say… I put things off a whole lot and never seem to get anything done.

  25. An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you ought to write more on this subject matter, it might not be a taboo subject but usually people don’t talk about these topics. To the next! Kind regards.

  26. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thanks, However I am encountering issues with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I cannot join it. Is there anyone else having similar RSS problems? Anybody who knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  27. Hello there! This article could not be written any better! Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I’ll send this article to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a very good read. I appreciate you for sharing!

  28. May I just say what a comfort to uncover somebody that really knows what they’re talking about on the internet. You actually realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people ought to look at this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised that you aren’t more popular because you definitely possess the gift.

  29. Next time I read a blog, Hopefully it doesn’t fail me as much as this one. After all, I know it was my choice to read through, however I really thought you would probably have something useful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could possibly fix if you weren’t too busy searching for attention.

  30. This is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Short but very accurate information… Thank you for sharing this one. A must read post.

  31. Can I just say what a comfort to discover someone who truly understands what they’re talking about on the net. You definitely understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people ought to read this and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you aren’t more popular because you surely have the gift.

  32. I truly love your site.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you build this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m hoping to create my own personal blog and would like to find out where you got this from or what the theme is called. Appreciate it.

  33. Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Spending some time and actual effort to produce a good article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and never seem to get anything done.

  34. This is the right web site for everyone who hopes to find out about this topic. You realize a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a topic that has been written about for many years. Excellent stuff, just wonderful.

  35. I’m impressed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and engaging, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy I found this during my hunt for something relating to this.

  36. Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you, However I am having troubles with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I am unable to join it. Is there anyone else getting similar RSS issues? Anyone who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanks!

  37. Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular post! It is the little changes that will make the greatest changes. Many thanks for sharing!

  38. Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after browsing through many of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely pleased I came across it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back often!

  39. Right here is the right web site for everyone who wishes to understand this topic. You know so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic that has been discussed for decades. Excellent stuff, just great.

  40. An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a co-worker who was conducting a little research on this. And he actually bought me lunch due to the fact that I discovered it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this subject here on your website.

  41. This is a good tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere. Simple but very accurate info… Thank you for sharing this one. A must read article.

  42. You are so interesting! I do not suppose I’ve read a single thing like that before. So great to find someone with some original thoughts on this issue. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This site is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with a little originality.

  43. May I simply say what a comfort to uncover somebody who truly understands what they’re talking about on the internet. You actually understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people should check this out and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you are not more popular since you surely have the gift.

  44. An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who was conducting a little homework on this. And he in fact ordered me lunch because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending the time to discuss this matter here on your site.

  45. Right here is the perfect site for everyone who would like to find out about this topic. You know so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject that has been discussed for a long time. Wonderful stuff, just excellent.

  46. I blog frequently and I genuinely appreciate your information. This great article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to take a note of your website and keep checking for new details about once a week. I opted in for your RSS feed as well.

  47. Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday. It will always be interesting to read through content from other authors and practice a little something from other sites.

  48. An intriguing discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you need to publish more about this subject matter, it might not be a taboo matter but usually people don’t discuss such topics. To the next! Cheers!

  49. Hi, I do think this is a great site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to revisit yet again since i have saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.

  50. I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this site. I really hope to see the same high-grade blog posts from you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own, personal blog now 😉

  51. You are so interesting! I do not believe I’ve truly read through something like that before. So wonderful to find somebody with original thoughts on this subject. Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This site is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality.

  52. Good post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday. It’s always helpful to read through content from other authors and use a little something from their sites.

  53. A motivating discussion is worth comment. I do think that you ought to write more about this issue, it might not be a taboo subject but typically people do not discuss these subjects. To the next! Cheers!

  54. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you so much, However I am having issues with your RSS. I don’t understand why I can’t join it. Is there anybody else having identical RSS problems? Anyone who knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanks!!

  55. Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon everyday. It’s always helpful to read through content from other writers and use something from their websites.

  56. Your style is really unique compared to other people I have read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this web site.

  57. Good post. I learn something new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon every day. It’s always exciting to read content from other authors and use a little something from their web sites.

  58. The very next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not fail me just as much as this particular one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read through, however I actually believed you would probably have something interesting to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of moaning about something that you can fix if you were not too busy seeking attention.

  59. Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always helpful to read articles from other authors and use a little something from their sites.

  60. You are so awesome! I don’t suppose I’ve read anything like this before. So great to find someone with unique thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with some originality.

  61. Good day! I simply would like to give you a big thumbs up for your excellent information you’ve got right here on this post. I’ll be coming back to your site for more soon.

  62. You’re so awesome! I don’t think I’ve truly read a single thing like this before. So nice to find another person with unique thoughts on this subject matter. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is required on the internet, someone with some originality.

  63. Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I hesitate a lot and don’t manage to get anything done.

  64. Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always helpful to read content from other authors and practice something from their sites.

  65. Can I simply say what a comfort to discover an individual who actually understands what they’re discussing on the net. You certainly know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people must check this out and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you aren’t more popular since you certainly have the gift.

  66. May I simply just say what a relief to find somebody that actually knows what they’re discussing on the internet. You actually realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people need to look at this and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you aren’t more popular given that you certainly possess the gift.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous post The Curse of Child Stars
Next post TPHS students excel in business competition