Happy Friday! It’s 66 degrees outside right now and there’s a thick Marine Layer out there. In fact, yesterday was the first sun we’d had in about 9 days. Not too shabby for the end of July. ;) That’s just one of the wonderful things about Carlsbad.
One of the other things I love is the variety of restaurants we have. You can find just about any type of food here – and it’s incredibly yummy. And you guys know that at Flamingo Toes we’re pretty much all about the food.
So after much debate, discussion, and reminding the others in this house that this is MY Top 5 list – I’ve brought you a Two-Part Top Five Friday. Over the next two weeks I will show you my TEN favorite places to eat in Carlsbad. We’ll start with the second half today . . .
10. Norte
Norte’s used to be called Fidel’s – part of two restaurants here in North County. They have split and have changed the name, but the food and atmosphere are the same. It’s on the grounds of the Carlsbad Inn – and one of the places our family has eaten at for years, even before we moved here. And that’s one of the things I love most about it – it’s Mexican food and Memories all wrapped up together for me.
9. Cessy’s
Yes. Another Mexican Food place. Mexican Food is my comfort food – it’s what I grew up on. So you’ll see a few on this list.
Cessy’s is right across the street from Norte’s on the Pacific Coast Highway – but it’s completely different. Family owned, it’s a place where you can go in and get a giant burrito or some tacos in your swimsuit – fresh from the beach. There’s nothing more relaxing than grabbing some dinner and one of those outside tables and watching the cars on the PCH go by. The California burrito is pretty amazing but I’m a sucker for the beef tacos.
The prices are low, the people are friendly and the food is great. What more could you ask for?
8. Pizza Port
Pizza Port is located on Carlsbad Village Drive, in the village just east of the 101. It can get pretty busy in there so we try and go early for dinner or for lunch.
The pizza is amazing – my favorite is the Pizza Carlsbad – topped with Pesto, mesquite grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, & feta. Sounds good huh? They also have their own brewery with lots of local-made beers.
Oh and you could make a whole dinner of the Caesar Salad and Beer Buddies (little bread-sticks) if you wanted.
7. Primo’s
Primo’s is kind of like home. That and the next place on the list. It’s located at Avenida Encinas and Poinsettia, just down the street from us. If we’re not at one of these places at least once a week, something is wrong.
Primo’s is great Italian food. Pizza’s, pastas, soup and salads, they do it all. We love to go and get the lunch specials – my favorite is the Ravioli with fresh tomatoes and basil. The owners are super sweet and there’s something about going to a place where everybody knows you. We sit outside on the patio and usually split our meal between here and the place next door . . .
6. Pelly’s
Pelly’s is right next door and it’s our go-to place for seafood. The clam chowder is the best you’ll ever have and that’s not all – they have great fish tacos, and you have to get the crab cakes on the weekend. They have a full seafood market inside, so it’s also where we go to get our fish for cooking at home. It’s always fresh and local.
Are you hungry yet? I’m starving. Tune in next week for the remainder of the list!
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