Best Burgers in the West!

Joe’s Farm Grill
3000 E Ray Rd
Gilbert, AZ 85296
(480) 563-4745

5 (five) STARS on Yelp.com

I was in Gilbert visiting an old friend a few weeks ago. While there, I asked around for a good place to eat. The answer, almost unanimously, was Joe’s Farm Grill.

Man, oh, man were they right! It was 100% amazing!

The atmosphere there was that of an old farm in the 50s. Very vintage. I loved the huge tree in the back. Damn, that thing is big, but perfect for sitting under.

I ordered the farm burger with sweet potato fries. Very good! Probably the best burger I have ever had. It was perfectly cooked, and had a great flavor. I even slid a few sweet potato fries under the bun. Yummy!

Yeah, if you’re ever going to go to Gilbert, Arizona… go to Joe’s Farm Grill.

Joe’s Farm Grill Official Website.

Do not want.

San Diego Air & Space Museum
Balboa Park
2001 Pan American Plz
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 234-8291

3 (three) STARS on Yelp.com

Underwhelmed is definitely a good word to describe my experience at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. I love museums… but this one is not that great. It just wasn’t as memorable or inclusive as many museums are.

Yes, there cool exhibits with lots of great information, but it was all presented in such a boring and uninspiring way. And there wasn’t even that many exhibits! I thought this place was going to be at least twice as big as it ended up being. I had no problem with paying the admission at the door based on my expectations, but once I was inside I felt cheated. Not worth the money unless you are very much into air and space stuff.

I would only go back to check out the Da Vinci exhibit. I hear it’s actually pretty good.

Wikipedia entry for the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

Frommer’s guide to the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

Best Italian food in San Diego!

Assenti’s Pasta
2044 India St
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 239-5117

5 (five) STARS on Yelp.com

How perfect is this place? It’s got great service, a great location, great prices, and it’s got the best store-bought Italian food outside of Italy! I mean it! I love Assenti’s Pasta. If I really want to impress some guests, I’ll head on down to the shop and pick up a new combination of pasta and sauce… it’s never disappointed. I’ve have not once had a complaint about their food.

By now, I’ve probably tried most all of their products either by buying them myself or being treated to them by a friend. When I was a kid, I had a friend who had this amazing Italian mother who would cook up these delicious dishes for us all the time. When I eat from Assenti’s it really brings me back. Authentic Italian food. Truth.

Also… who cares if they don’t take cash? Isn’t it worth it to have such a wonderful place in such a great location? I mean… this place has no equivalent! Cut them some slack. All is well.

Sign On San Diego review of Assenti’s Pasta.

Urban Spoon entry for Assenti’s Pasta.

I love pandas!

Panda Inn Restaurant
506 Horton Plz
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 233-7800

5 (five) STARS on Yelp.com

I am officially in love with the Panda Inn. I’ve only visited a few times, but I have not once been disappointed. True… it really is just a “fancy Panda Express”, but that doesn’t mean the food sucks. The food here is just perfect. Obviously, the dishes are Americanized Chinese food, so if you are looking for authentic Chinese cuisine… go somewhere else.

I know just about everyone else on here has mentioned it, but the Honey Walnut Shrimp plate is to die for! I actually tried it the last time I was there because of you crazy Yelpers! Thank you so much! Although, I don’t know how I’ll order anything else now that I know about it.

The service is also great. I’ve had the same woman three times, and she is wonderful. Very polite and attentive. My water was always full. Can’t wait to go back!

Wikipedia entry for Panda Inn.

I love you, TJ!

Trader Joe’s
878 Eastlake Pkwy Suite 810
Chula Vista, CA 91914
(619) 656-5370

5 (five) STARS on Yelp.com

I love this store. Before I found out about Trader Joe’s, I was shopping at Whole Foods exclusively. I enjoyed it there, but it’s crap compared to this place.

From my experience, the prices here are usually better than Whole Foods and the selection is far superior. This is true despite the fact that Whole Foods has more food to choose from. But personally… I will always take quality over quantity. Yes, there is less food here… but what they do have is awesome!

The Trader Joe’s brand food has not let me down yet. Just because it’s the store brand, it doesn’t mean it’s low quality. It’s usually higher quality than the big brand items.

And I do have to agree with all the other Yelpers about the staff… they rock. There is this one guy who always always always has this huge smile on his face. Not a crappy “I’m smiling because I have to” smile, but a “I’m smiling because I am actually happy and enjoy working here” smile. Keep being awesome, Trader Joe’s.

Wikipedia entry for Trader Joe’s.

Check it out!

Museum of Contemporary Art
San Diego, La Jolla
700 Prospect St
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-3541

5 (five) STARS on Yelp.com

What’s not to love about this place? Since I discovered this beautiful museum a few years ago I have been back at least 10 times! It’s one of the better museums I have been to in a while. The exhibits that rotate through have all been fascinating and exciting. Of course, Nancy Rubins’ Pleasure Point is always breathtaking. I remember the first time I saw it… I was in awe. Simply amazing.

The art isn’t the only reason to go. The view of the ocean from the museum is beautiful. Better than the view from the Getty Villa. And the Cafe is always relaxing and delicious after an afternoon of art viewing. And finally… the gift store. It’s awesome. I’ve spent way too much money there. They get new merchandise a lot more often than other museums as well.

My suggestion: Go. Just do it.

Wikipedia entry for the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla.

Coronado Dog Beach

Coronado Dog Beach
100 Ocean Blvd
Coronado, CA 92118
(619) 522-7342

5 (five) STARS on Yelp.com

I just recently discovered the Coronado Dog Beach. A good friend of mine suggested it to me. I held off on visiting for a while as it is not very close to where I live. Well, when I finally did go with Matilda (my pound puppy), I loved it! And so did she!

I can’t believe how much better this park is than any other ones I have been to. Sure, this one doesn’t have the hills and doggy fitness equipment, but it makes up for it tenfold by being so beautiful and open. Even the people were better here! Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but I haven’t had a bad experience yet. Other dog parks I’ve been to have been kind of rough.

Conclusion: If you have a dog and live within an hour of this park… GO! Your dog will love you for it, and you will love yourself for it as well!

Coronado Dog Beach Reviews at SignOnSanDiego.Com

Delicious Nachos

Taco Surf Taco Shop
4657 Mission Blvd
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 272-3877

4 (four) STARS on Yelp.com

Boy oh boy do I love this place! While it is not the BEST place for tacos, it’s up there. The prices are phenomenal, the portions are big, and it’s got a cool/crappy atmosphere that I love!

My favorite item on the menu is probably the California Burrito. I mean… it’s not “the perfect burrito”, but it is very tasty and cheap. When I have friends in from out of town who want some good San Diego Mexican food, I always suggest Taco Surf.

Taco Surf Taco Shop review on Urbanspoon.