Everyone needs a few spots to eat that simply don’t miss. Read along to find the best comfort food in North Park!
Crazee Burger
When you’re on the verge of being hangry and you just can’t decide what to get – nothing beats a burger. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with any kind, as long as it’s cooked well and has some crispy fries on the side. Crazee Burger is a great spot for burger and meat aficionados. Sporting everything from venison to gator to ostrich, you can be as adventurous as you please! With high-quality meats and toppings, you won’t find a boring option on their menu.
The exotic meat burgers aren’t simply a bun and patty, but rather are a way to truly showcase the meat that you’re eating. Each comes with its own unique and well-curated toppings to match the adventure your tastebuds are about to embark on. For example, the Santorini Burger (half beef, half lamb) comes with a great tzatziki sauce. Just looking for beef? No problem, they have basic beef patties (always cooked perfectly) and you guessed it – tons of fun options to try.
My favorite may be the Cajun Burger, which comes loaded with onions and a chipotle sauce, but really you can’t go wrong with anything here. The fries are seasoned well and topped with parmesan, so do yourself a favor and get an order (or two!)
The Friendly/The Friendly Tavern
True neighborhood spots, both The Friendly and The Friendly Tavern whip up some of the best smashed patties around. While this is the second burger place on this list, it is definitely a different food experience than Crazee Burger. Simple, no-frills burgers are just six bucks a pop and served with no modifications. The 30th street location dishes out great New York style pizza and offers one burger – two smashed patties, onions, and mayo on buttered buns.
Their location on University has a more diverse menu of burgers and offers some fun options to try, (including drinks!) all staying true to their smashed patty style. Crispy edges on the burgers and deliciously buttery buns – this is true comfort food. Their pizza is damn good too, my favorite slice being the pepperoni with jalapeno. The crust is thin but still soft, and coming from the East Coast myself, it definitely tastes and feels authentically New York.
If you’re looking for some real smashed patties – not Five Guys, not Smashburger, or any other chain – come to the Friendly. I promise you’ll be back.
Colimas
Everyone needs a go-to Mexican food restaurant, and Colimas North Park has been mine since I’ve moved here. Probably the best Mexican food in North Park, Colimas always has a line in the drive-through and is bustling inside – for good reason. Their huge menu makes it impossible to only visit once, and they do everything well. I tend to judge a spot based on their Cali Burrito, and Colimas sets the bar very high.
Their Carne Asada Fries are killer, but if you’re looking for real comfort food, try their Surf ‘n Turf fries. An insanely huge portion of fries is topped with carne asada, tartar sauce, and about eight big shrimp. Pico, guac, and cheese round off a meal that is sure to last you for days. Seriously, I can eat a lot, but this thing is two to three huge meals. Top it with their habanero salsa and there’s truly nothing better. Other highlights include their Bandido Burrito, which is stuffed with a Chile Relleno.
Despite being busy all the time, their service is pretty quick, making this a perfect spot when you just don’t want to bother with a sit-down restaurant or you’re craving some divey Mexican food.
Underbelly
On those rare days in San Diego where the weather isn’t perfect, nothing beats the cloudy weather like a hot bowl of Ramen. There are so many places to choose from, and it is impossible to champion just one as the best ramen in San Diego, but for the purpose of this list – comfort food – Underbelly gets my vote.
I love Underbelly because their toppings are top class. Their pork belly is soft, fatty, and full of flavor, and they don’t skimp out on portion sizes either. The Belly of the Beast is my personal favorite and it has both short rib and oxtail dumplings. The dumplings are to die for and have incredibly tender and flavorful oxtail inside. Pro-tip, you can order them on the side, either steamed or fried. Both options are amazing. Their toppings don’t overshadow the rest of the ramen, though. The Tonkotsu broth is rich and creamy, and the noodles are chewy and delicious.
If you do decide to visit on a sunny day, the outdoor seating is lovely helps to create a lovely ambiance, and if you need to stay warm during the brutal San Diego winter there are fire pits and heaters. If you’re looking for some ramen in North Park, Underbelly has a comforting bowl of noodles with your name on it.
Flavors of East Africa
For me, curry is the ultimate comfort food. It can be vegan, vegetarian, or with meat, but a plate of steaming hot curry on top of rice just can’t be beat. Flavors of East Africa, located on El Cajon Boulevard, and a staple at the Hillcrest Farmer’s Market, serves some of the best curry around.
If you have never tried African food, or are intimidated by foreign cuisines, that’s ok! This is a great place to start. While the flavors here are strong, none of the dishes are very spicy. Start with their Jerk Chicken Salad or their Curry Chicken if you want an easy introduction to their food.
For someone looking for a new meat to try, I would recommend their goat, which is tender and falling off the bone. Distinct and delicious, their curry is unlike a typical Indian dish and is so good. More than just their curries, they have sambusas, which are fried treats filled with meat, vegetables, potatoes, or lentils. All of their sides are to die for, from their fried plantains to their tender collard greens. Their tilapia is amazing as well, and really you can’t go wrong here.
Part of choosing a restaurant for comfort food is knowing that whatever you get will be good, and that is exactly why Flavors of East Africa is on this list.
Golden Donut
If you have read any of the other articles on this blog, you know how much I love donuts. I maintain here that Golden Donut has the best donut in North Park, thus making it one of the best comfort foods you could get. Nothing beats waking up on a Sunday morning and grabbing a fresh donut or two to start your day.
Fluffy and airy, these donuts won’t fill you up and put you in a food coma. They stick to the basics here, and while you may not find a bright and colorful “designer donut”, they make an amazing glazed. Located in an unassuming storefront off of Texas and University, don’t be put off by the faded sign. Just like Mexican food, in my opinion, the best donuts are not found at the fanciest shops, but rather the hole-in-the-wall gems that have been around for years.
