Dining in the Grove: the Good, the Bad, the Tasty

After 31 restaurants, it is time for this reviewer to push back from the table. The weekly “A Taste of the Lemon” dining adventures have come to an end. I almost got around to all the restaurants, and still will do an occasional review, particularly if a new place opens in town. Here are my picks for the best places to eat in Lemon Grove.

Of the restaurants I visited, more than a third serve Mexican food. The rest break down as follows: three reviews each of home-style cafes and fast food chains; two reviews each of delis, Chinese, burger joints, barbecue places, and exotic fare; and one each of Italian and fish and chips.

I picked my top four Mexican restaurants since the number with that cuisine is so large, then chose one each for the rest of the categories. The envelope, please.

Best Mexican, in random order:

– This family-run restaurant offers some of the best grilled chicken in San Diego.

– Unique Mexican dining that combines healthy with very tasty.

– Delicious, fresh seafood served authentic Sinaloan-style.

– The first restaurant I reviewed, and my favorite taco shop.

Home-style cafe:

– My dining partner said her grilled turkey melt sandwich was sublime.

Fast food chain:

– If I reviewed all the fast food places in the Grove, we’d still have the same winner.

Deli:

– Go. A great spot to have a sandwich and enjoy one of their many root beer choices.

Chinese:

– Very extensive selection and good value. Just don’t eat too much.

Burger joint:

– Go back in time at my favorite hamburger dive drive-through.

Barbecue restaurants:

– If you like insanely good barbecue, you need to pay a visit.

Exotic:

– A real-deal island place where I had my first taste of a turkey’s tail.

By default:

– The Grove’s oldest and only Italian restaurant still constantly pleases the customer.

– Try the excellent vegetable combo plate with homemade ranch dressing.

Now the bad part. There was a 32nd restaurant that did not get reviewed. There was nothing good to say so, taking my mother’s advice, I said nothing.

The Grove is a great place to eat. Now I am very hungry.

My new focus on Thursdays is feaures about commerce in the city—“Business in the Grove.”  Give it a read!