Fading Favorite Mexican Restaurant

El Nopal was once my favorite Escondido mexican restaurant. The food was great and the interior was a funky art gallery of local artists. The art is gone, the food has gone bland and the service has not been up to its usual standards. I have given it a couple of more opportunities and no improvement from previous visits. Too bad, this place was once awesome.

Nice Escondido Sandwich Shop

Rock N' Jennys is a nice family run sandwich shop next to PETCO. They have a nice menu and both hot and cold sandwiches. Everything I have tried has been fresh. The lines get long at lunch time and the tables fill up fast.

Submarina's First and Best Location

San Diego is known more for fish tacos that submarine sandwiches. The Submarina chain changed all that with big fluffy bread and generous portions of meat and cheese. This Escondido location was the first and sets the standard for all the others. The ladies that work here are super friendly and make great sandwiches. I have tried many locations in this chain and have yet to find a better one than East Escondido.

Interesting Home Decor in Escondido

This is a beautiful little home decor store on Grand Avenue. The shop is a mixture of old and new items that range from tiny trinkets to monster sized doors and wall displays. I found a nice wall hanging a a good price. This is a great place to get house warming gifts. The owners are very nice and helpful.

Fun Irish Pub in Escondido

Escondido does not have too many great night spots for good music and good fun. R. O'Sullivans has come along and set the standard of how this town should party. The food is good and the beer is ice cold. Live Irish music is the real draw and get ready to sing along with some great bands. The service is great and get in early if you want a table and order dinner. The place fills up fast on the weekends.

Space Themed Pizza Fun

Killer Pizza From Mars is a cool place to grab a pizza and watch a football game on the TV. The decor is Science Fiction and is different from your normal bland looking pizza joint. The pizzas are big with lots of fresh toppings. The North Escondido location is fast and and has good counter service.

Escondido Watch Repair and Clock Store

Time Keepers is a cool little store on Grand Avenue. When you walk in, you are surrounded by clocks of all sizes. Cases of new and antique watches wrap around in the middle of the store. I come here if my watch needs a battery or if I need to pick up a retro Micky Mouse watch as a gift. They have it all and the staff is very friendly and helpful.

Soft Serve Ice Cream at it's Best

Pepper Tree Frosty has always been my favorite ice cream stop in North County. It has huge soft serve cones with both chocolate and vanilla options (swirled if you like). Get them dipped in choclate and you will have a wonderfully messy treat. I like the banana milk shakes with the chunks of real banana. Less messy and good on a hot Vista day. They offer some lunch menu items, but they are not that great. This is a walk up window only place with only a couple of picnic benches outside. The neighborhood is a little rough at night, so visit in the daylight hours. Bring wetnaps for the clean up.

Best Chinese Food in Escondido

China Bistro is my choice when I need good quality chinese food. This is the real stuff and not fast food like Panda Express. The dining room is a bit dated, but clean. The service is good and you can tell this is family run place. I like the Pu Pu appetizer platter with the small flaming grill to start the meal. The menu is extensive and everything I have tried has been tasty. If you try the Orange Peel Chicken it will ruin you for the fast food versions. The Family dinner combos are a good deal and they send out coupons in the local mailers. I call for take out and it is always ready on time. Not the cheapest, just the best.

Small Town Diner in Big Town Escondido

The Wagon Wheel Restaurant has been around since 1953 and has not changed much since it opened. The decor is a wood paneled, cowboy themed, deer head on the wall type of place. When you walk in, you think you have taken a time machine back to the 1950's. There is a sit down counter area and full dining room with tables and booths. Everything is very clean. The owners greet you and the servers (that have been working there for years) are super friendly and fast. The food is good coffee shop fare and I recommend the breakfast special with their wonderful pancakes. The lunch and dinner menus are nothing fancy, but the homestyle meals are tasty and inexpensive. If you want to get a feel and taste of what small town Escondido use to be, come to this great place.