Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For off-the-boat-fresh seafood sandwiches, salads, fried dishes and icy cold beer, order at
the counter at this fish-market-cum-deli and grab a seat at a picnic table on the upstairs,
harbor-view deck. In the Shelter Island Marina, it's a San Diego institution dating back to
Portuguese fishermen days. It also does great sushi and takeout dishes from ceviche to
clam chowder.
Ocean Beach
Hodad's
BURGERS
dishes $4-13; 11am-9pm Sun-Thu, to 10pm Fri & Sat)
Since the Flower Power days of 1969, OB's legendary burger joint has served great
shakes, massive baskets of onion rings and succulent hamburgers wrapped in paper. The
walls are covered in license plates, grunge/surf-rock plays (loud!) and your bearded, tat-
tooed server might sidle in to your booth to take your order. No shirt, no shoes, no prob-
lem, dude.
Ortega's Cocina
CAFE
619-222-4205; 4888 Newport Ave; mains $4-15;
8am-10pm Mon-Sat,
to 9pm Sun)
Tiny, family-run Ortega's is so popular that people often queue for a spot at the counter
(there are indoor and sidewalk tables too). Seafood,
moles, tortas
(sandwiches) and hand-
made tamales are the specialties, but all its dishes are soulful and classic.
Ocean Beach People's Market
VEGETARIAN
619-224-1387; 4765 Voltaire St; dishes $8, per pound from $7.50;
8am-9pm; )
For strictly vegetarian groceries and fabulous prepared meals and salads north of central
Ocean Beach, this organic cooperative does bulk foods, and excellent counter-service
soups, sandwiches, salads and wraps.
