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San Diego Best Restaurants 2012

A taste of San Diego’s fab food scene

(page 1 of 3)

Photography by John Dole & food styling by Maria Sparks

Go to page 3 to read food critic Troy Johson's picks.

Baby Back Rib & Chicken Dinner from Phil's BBQ

With more than 5,000 ballots submitted and nominations in 43 categories (that’s 215,000-plus votes!), we give you the 2012 list of best restaurants in San Diego County. Plus: Critic Troy Johnson’s picks.

READERS' PICKS

Best of the Best

Truluck’s
Runner-up: Slater’s 50/50

Best New Restaurant

Slater’s 50/50
Runner-up: Burlap

Best Chef

Brian Malarkey, Searsucker
Runner-up: Antonio Friscia, Gaijin Noodle + Sake House

Best View

Island Prime/C Level
Runner-up: Bertrand at Mister A’s

Best Cheap Eats

Carnitas’ Snack Shack:
Runner-up: Rubio's

Best Barbeque

Phil’s BBQ
Runner-up: Gingham

Best Service

Searsucker
Runner-up: Truluck’s

Best Happy Hour

Slater’s 50/50
Runner-up: Truluck’s

Best Hotel Restaurant

Nine-Ten
Runner-up: Jsix

Best Outdoor Dining

George’s at the Cove
Runner-up: C Level

INDUSTRY PICK

“Tsuruhashi Japanese BBQ on Convoy is my favorite place to go eat with my family. My two boys love it and I love to see them eat healthy food. The service is casual yet attentive.”

Antonio Friscia Executive Chef/Partner Gaijin Noodle + Sake House

Best Kid-Friendly

Corvette Diner
Runner-up: Station Tavern

Most Romantic

The Marine Room
Runner-up: Truluck’s

Best Neighborhood Restaurant

Gingham
Runner-up: Del Mar Rendezvous

Best Desserts

Extraordinary Desserts
Runner-up: Truluck’s

Best Burger

Slater’s 50/50
Runner-up: Burger Lounge

Best Pizza

Bronx Pizza
Runner-up: Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza

Best Small Plates

Café Sevilla
Runner-up: Burlap

Best Chinese

Del Mar Rendezvous
Runner-up: Jasmine

Best Thai

Lotus Thai Cuisine
Runner-up: Amarin Thai

Best Beer Selection

Slater’s 50/50
Runner-up: Hamilton’s Tavern

INDUSTRY PICK

“I enjoy Shimbashi Izakaya in Del Mar. I like the variety of authentic Japanese dishes and the chef uses amazing techniques. A chef I admire is Brian Redzikowski at Flavor Del Mar. Brian is young, full of talent, and very ambitious.”

William Bradley Executive Chef Addison