The 38 Best Restaurants in San Diego | Eater San Diego

"Price Range: $ Anchoring a low-key strip mall next to a gas station, the darling Cuban French patisserie on the Ocean Beach main drag beckons visitors to make a required stop. Owner Vivian Hernandez-Lopez started baking as a kid growing up in Miami with her Cuban parents. Trained at Le Cordon Bleu, she worked as a pastry chef at Claridge’s in London before setting up shop in San Diego over 17 years ago. Locals steadily stream into the shop during the weekdays, and on early weekend mornings, lines wrap around the corner for the scratch-made Cuban pastries made on the premises each morning. Showstoppers like guava and cheese Danish, sweet cream cheese rolls, and raspberry passion fruit scones are favorites. One of the few places in San Diego to grab Cuban meat pies, the soft bread, lightly brushed with cinnamon-infused sweet syrup, envelopes ground beef, tomatoes, green olives, and raisins. Don’t miss the Cubano sandwich, stuffed with a mojo-marinated pork shoulder that’s been slow-roasted for 12 hours. Know before you go: On the weekends, the Cuban Danishes and Cuban pies sell out early, especially on the weekends. For a large order, it’s best to pre-order online or in person." - Candice Woo