Fun
Things To Do in La Mesa
La
Mesa Photo |
La
Mesa, in a Nutshell
Article written by Kristel Boe
For those of you who haven't been east of the 805, you have
certainly missed out. La Mesa, aka "Jewel of the Hills"
is a little friendly neighborhood San Diegan's should know
more about. Boasting
lots of "mom and pop" shops, one thing this town
doesn't lack is character. This old-fashioned town, though
quaint, can throw a great party. The La Mesa Village hosts
an annual Oktoberfest, an Old Fashioned
Christmas party and the La
Mesa Car Show that is held Thursday nights during
the summer.
La
Mesa Restaurants & Best Places for Breakfast, Lunch and
Dinner
Filibertos in La Mesa |
Taco
Shops
Just about everyone in La Mesa works off of the same fuel,
Mexican food! And we’re not talking about Taco-bell-taco-shops;
we’re talking about authentic, hole in the wall, Mexican
food joints. The key to spicing up your taste buds is knowing
exactly where to go to get the best.
Filiberto’s Mexican Food (7102 University
Ave) - It’s great because it is open late! Located down
the street from Helix High School, Filiberto’s is a
popular hang out for High School and College students when
it gets late or on the weekends. They are open past 2am and
are a great place to stop when you’ve been partying
late, or just want a midnight snack. They have plenty of room
inside to sit, are clean and have good service—night
or day.
El Azteca (8306 Parkway Dr) - Biggest bang
for your buck! Azteca is a local favorite and a legend in
the eyes of most "La Mesans". The shop itself looks
a little questionable on the outside. It is stuck in the corner
of a small strip mall next to a smoke shop. But don’t
judge a book by its cover! The food is priced like any usual
taco shop but the portions are enormous! Try the burritos
and you’ll have enough left over for two meals.
Buenos Dias (5100 Jackson Dr) - This food
is delicious and healthy! Most steer clear of taco shops because
they believe the food is fat and greasy, but Buenos Dias shatters
this misconception with their lard-free policy. Their food
is a little more pricey (nothing outrageous though) but it
is worth it if you are watching your figure. There is no inside
seating, but picnic-style tables outside and a convenient
drive through. Be prepared to wait in line though, this is
a La Mesa favorite.
Best
Places for Breakfast
Living
Room Coffeehouse in La Mesa |
The
Living Room (El Cajon Blvd.) might be your cup of
tea if you’re in the mood for a mocha or a healthy breakfast
buffet. With inside and outside seating, excellent pastries,
scones, muffins, coffee and tea options, the Living Room is
a great way to start your day.
Rise and shine! For home style cooking, stop by Shirley’s
Kitchen (University Ave, next to Filiberto’s).
The restaurant is a typical breakfast joint with a full menu.
It has kind of a small town flavor but is one of the few places
in La Mesa that features breakfast.
For something south of the border, Mario’s De
La Mesa (8425 La Mesa Blvd) is an excellent choice.
Only open for breakfast on select weekdays and the weekend,
it is worth grabbing a bite during hours of operation. Mario’s
is a local favorite and has also received rave reviews from
a variety of city editorials.
Best
Places for Lunch
Cafe
Zia in La Mesa |
What
do you want for lunch? The question can lead your mind in
circles. Good thing La Mesa has options! For Mexican/Spanish
style sandwiches, soups and wraps with a laid back café
feel, try La Torta (La Mesa Blvd.). If you’re
in the mood for a rustic Italian meal that is hip and kick
back, Woodstock Pizza (College area) would
be the perfect fit. For a chic Indian inspired menu with vegetarian
options, Café Zia (College Area) will
hit the spot. And finally, for traditional Mexican cuisine
with local flair, Por Favor (La Mesa Blvd.)
in the heart of the La Mesa Village should be your choice.
D.Z.
Akins Deli (6930 Alvarado Rd) is San Diego's best
New York style Jewish Deli. With an extensive menu offering
everything from Matzah Ball Soup to Corned Beef Sandwiches
to a decent Philly Cheese Steak, your choices are unlimited.
Cozy and eclectic, a great place to stop in on a lazy Sunday
afternoon.
Best
Places for Dinner
Casa De Pico in La Mesa |
La
Mesa is proud to set itself apart from other cities with family
owned businesses, but its ok admitting it is lucky enough
to house some great chain restaurants too. La Mesa recently
became the new home for Casa De Pico (5500
Grossmont Center Dr), made famous by being one of the best
restaurants in the Bazaar Del Mundo in Old Town. Recently
opening in September, the restaurant is already drawing quite
a crowd. Reservations, even for small parties, are recommended
in the evening and weekends.
Directly
next door is the location for BJ’s Restaurant
and Brewery (Grossmont Center Dr.). BJ’s, also
drawing quite a crowd, has a great menu, a fun restaurant
environment, and a lively bar. It is well known for its delicious
pizza’s; self brewed beers, and the famous pazzuki dessert!
Finally, a great family owned locally operated choice is San
Filipo’s (8141 La Mesa Blvd), located in downtown
La Mesa. San Filipo’s has been in business for decades
yet stays true to the original authentic Italian recipes of
the San Filipo family. The tables are candle lit, the portions
are enormous, and the staff is welcoming. It is a great choice
for delicious eats.
Don’t forget dessert
Frozen Yogurt beats out ice cream any day in La Mesa! The
Yogurt Mill (8158 La Mesa Blvd) is the fourth such
establishment in the area and is located in the quaint Downtown
La Mesa Village. It has classic fat free flavors such as cable
car chocolate and even Cheese Cake which are guaranteed to
satisfy your sweet tooth. You’ll definitely want to
go with an empty stomach because employees are known for doubling
your order by piling the frozen yogurt high on top of the
cup.
If you’re a little fan of yogurt and a big fan of toppings,
check out The Yogurt Express (6195 Lake Murray
Blvd). This joint has rows of toppings for your taking (at
no extra charge!) and after you’ve compiled your dessert
masterpiece, they weight the finished product to give you
your price. What a sweet deal!
La
Mesa Nightlife, Sports Bars, Pubs & Karaoke
Jolt'n Joes in La Mesa |
The
Best Sports Bar
Jolt N Joes (8076 La Mesa Blvd) is the place
for sports fans. It has screens (both large and small) all around
the interior, as well as a fully stocked bar, pool tables galore,
darts, and two stories of lounging room. Jolt N Joes also boasts
a pretty impressive menu of deep fried dishes that go great
with a couple of drinks. The place can be pretty dead on non-game
days through out the week but is always packed during baseball
and football games as well as on the weekends.
The Best Karaoke Bar
Norma Jeans (5286 Baltimore Dr) is home to
some of La Mesa’s most talented Karaoke crooners! A fun
gathering place on the weekends, Norma Jeans has the essential
East County feel. Don’t be alarmed to see cowboys, rappers,
punk kids and parents at Norma Jeans on any given night, all
drinking in harmony of coarse. With Karaoke featured every night,
and a DJ on hand for music requests, it can be quite the rocking
place. It also has pool tables and darts if you’d rather
stay away from the bright lights.
Effins Pub and Grill in La Mesa |
Best
Scene
Effins Pub and Grill (6164 El Cajon Blvd)
is located in the heart of the college area and attracts students
and student-wannabe’s. The bar itself is a cool hang
out. It has kind of a sports bar/Irish pub feel and can get
pretty packed on nights and weekends. They also have delicious
eats and great specials throughout the week that are worth
checking out. The people are usually nice to look at and nice
to talk to and has a good over all scene. Pool tables and
TV’s are also in house for distraction.
The Most Rockin’ Irish Bar
Shamrocks Shack (7059 El Cajon Boulevard)
The shack has a little bit of the shamrock feel, but a whole
lot of rockin. The Shack has solid-wood furniture, pool tables,
dart boards, and a big open kitchen in back, but more importantly
it is a local favorite. Music is always blaring, the crowd
is always down to have a good time and the booze is always
flowing. This bar is often a good choice on the weekend and
especially packed on selected holidays.
Best Dive
Zak’s Pub (8758 La Mesa Blvd) is a
little La Mesa hole in the wall that packs quite a punch.
It attracts a younger crowd (mid 20’s), mostly all locals.
The drinks are exceptionally priced ($2 beers and inexpensive
pitchers), but don’t expect anything too hard, Zaks
is beer and wine only. Zak’s has a pool table, darts
in the corner of the bar, and a juke box always ready for
requests.
Honorable mentions: Joe N' Andy's Hole In The Wall (8344
La Mesa Blvd), Johnny B's Burgers & Brew (4738 4th St)
La
Mesa Shopping & Farmers Market
La Mesa Farmer's Market |
La
Mesa is home to lots of "mom and pop" shops where
you can shop for billiards and antiques, art and crafts, and
even fresh produce.
The La Mesa Village Farmers’ Market
has become a tradition on Friday afternoons in the Allison
Avenue parking lot off of Spring Street. Between 3:00p.m.
and 6:00 p.m., rain or shine, shoppers can select from
the freshest fruits and vegetables, an abundance of flowers,
organically grown produce, breads, popcorn, preserves, dips
and many other specialties.
La
Mesa Recreation & Family Fun
Lake
Murray Photo |
Lake
Murray (Lake Murray Blvd. and Baltimore) is a great
place for sunny weather activities. With several acres of open
land, hiking and biking trails, boat rentals, picnic areas and
permitted fishing, it has activities for the entire family.
Pets are also allowed (on leashes only) yet pets and people
are not permitted in the water outside of boats.
Joan Kroc Center (6845 University Ave.)
After years of construction, the Joan Kroc Center finally opened
and has established a repertoire with the community. It is a
12-acre facility that encompasses education, recreation, and
cultural arts. It is equipped with a skating rink, swimming
pool, gym, performing arts center, recreation field, challenge
course with a climbing wall, Education Center and more! Visitors
can pay fee’s to participate in any class or check out
a facility (fees range from $3-$5) or one can become a member
(for about $100). Either way, the fees are a small price to
pay for excellent family fun.
A Breathtaking View
For an amazing view of La Mesa (and sometimes as far as the
ocean on clear days) take a scenic drive through the well to
do neighborhood of Mount Helix and find yourself atop one of
the highest points in the city. On the top you can take pictures
of the 360 degree view, or pose by the large cross erected on
the top. The Mount is traditionally a great place to catch the
sunset (be prepared, it gets packed) but visitors must exit
the gates after sundown or face off with La Mesa Police.
Tanning, Tanning, Tanning!
If you are an east county girl, you are all about the fake n’
bake, also know as Artificial Tanning. Celebrity Tan (7995 La
Mesa Blvd), Hollywood Tans (5565 Lake Murray Blvd), and The
Tan Spot (8215 La Mesa Blvd) are just some of the “hottest”
places to get your glow on. Though the traditional tanning bed
is still popular, Mystic Tans are all the rage. They get you
tan for about two weeks without damaging your skin. Most tanning
salons will allow you to try this feature free for the first
time, just check ahead for their policy.
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