I’m finally back in town after a needed break from life in NYC. I was in Southern California (Del Mar, Encinitas/Leucadia and Los Angeles/San Gabriel Valley) enjoying all SoCal life has offer, or at least a lot of great time at the beach, plenty of Mexican food and some delicious bbq at a friend’s place.

My wife and I visited Torrey Pines State Reserve which is south of Del Mar (San Diego County), Leucadia which is north of Del Mar and Newport Beach in Orange County (pic of Torrey Pines below).

Encinitas/Leucadia has some great Mexican places ranging from taco shacks to more elaborate fare. We had fish tacos at Bety’s which were excellent (pic below).

Karina’s Mexican Seafood had some of the best ceviche I have eaten in a long time as well as an excellent coctel de camaron (pics of both below. The McDonalds cup was left by previous patrons. I always order a Mexican Coke in a bottle because they still make it with actual cane sugar, not that high-fructose corn syrup garbage).

You can read about both places on Chowhound.

We also went to Artesia (Little India) for some South Indian food at Udupi Palace. My wife was able to satisfy her paper masala dosa fix and I had the somosa chat and pav bhaaji. All of the food was excellent, plenty of spice without blowing your mouth (and rear) out.

Lastly, I need to mention Casa Alvarez and Colima Burger. The former serves the sort of Mexican food which was common in SoCal before the proliferation of taquerias and taco trucks serving more authentic Mexican fare. I had three shredded beef tacos with guacamole ala carte and ate them way too fast. They were that good. Colima Burger was my brother-in-law’s high school hangout. He always orders the chili cheese fries with grilled onions. A bit much for me but the burgers and regular fries were on point. I have a soft spot for greasy spoons.

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