Discovery

Try Something Different

Unexpected dishes, desserts and drinks from San Diego — the things you would not have known to order.

Lemon Cheesecake Pancakes at Breakfast Republic

Lemon Cheesecake Pancakes

Three lemon-poppy seed buttermilk pancakes stuffed with blueberries, layered with cheesecake cream, and topped with lemon curd, brown sugar streusel, and fresh lemon zest.

Why try it: Three lemon-poppy seed buttermilk pancakes stuffed with blueberries, layered with cheesecake cream, and topped with lemon curd, brown sugar streusel, and fresh lemon zest.

Breakfast Republic
Breakfast Republic Mira Mesa
Every day · 7:00am–3:00pm
Cubo Sliders at Gladly Coffee

Cubo Sliders

3 Hefty Sliders: Smoked Pork, Roasted Ham, Swiss Cheese, Dijon Mustard, Pickles, House-Made Coleslaw, on Brioche Buns served with a side of House-Made Pickle Dipping Sauce

Why try it: Cubo Sliders turn the flavors of a Cuban-style sandwich into a shareable slider experience. The combination of smoky pork, ham, Swiss, tangy pickles, Dijon, creamy slaw, and pickle dipping sauce gives each bite a mix of rich, savory, tangy, and crunchy flavors.

Gladly Coffee
Gladly Coffee Citywide
Every day · 5:15am–5:00pm
Loco Moco at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

Loco Moco

$15.98

A classic Hawaiian comfort-food plate with seasoned hamburger patties served over rice, smothered in savory brown gravy, and topped with two eggs cooked to order. L&L serves it with rice and house-made macaroni salad for a hearty island-style plate lunch.

Why try it: Loco Moco turns familiar ingredients into a uniquely Hawaiian-style comfort dish. The combination of burger patties, rice, gravy, eggs, and macaroni salad makes it a great introduction to local Hawaiian plate-lunch culture for diners looking to try something beyond a standard burger or barbecue plate.

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue College Area
Every day · 11:00am–9:00pm
Grandma's Mac & Cheese at Bushfire Kitchen

Grandma's Mac & Cheese

Penne pasta tossed with real cheese sauce, topped with panko crumbs and freshly baked with medium spice.

Why try it: A crispy panko topping, freshly baked finish, and touch of spice give this cheesy comfort dish extra crunch, texture, and a warm kick.

Bushfire Kitchen
Bushfire Kitchen Rancho Bernardo
Every day · 11:00am–9:00pm
Loco Moco at Public House

Loco Moco

Wagyu beef patty served on white rice, topped with two over easy eggs and gravy.

Why try it: Loco Moco is a traditional Hawaiian dish that combines a beef patty with rice and eggs, making it a unique comfort food experience.

Public House
Public House Scripps Ranch
Every day · 11:00am–9:00pm
Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice at Lazy DOG

Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice

$17.50

Sashimi grade tuna poke tossed with spicy garlic crunch atop crispy sushi rice + guacamole, drizzled with housemade umami sauce, topped with fresh jalapeno and furikake.

Why try it: This dish combines crispy sushi rice with spicy tuna poke and unique toppings like guacamole and umami sauce, making it a creative twist on traditional sushi.

Lazy DOG
Lazy DOG Mission Valley
Every day · 11:00am