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Where to eat when you’re in the Poway area

If you’re looking for good places to eat in San Diego’s North County area, this list will surely come in handy. Add these five local favorites on your list of dining destinations around the Poway, CA area:

Karl Strauss Brewing Company
10448 Reserve Drive, San Diego, CA 92127

Karl Strauss is one of the most recognizable names when it comes to San Diego’s prolific craft beer scene. Serving fresh, original brews since 1989, Karl Strauss has dominated the independent brewing scene with more than 140 different types of beers under its brand today. Its Red Trolley Ales is an award-winning beer that is recognized all around the world.

More than just crisp and distinctive brews, Karl Strauss Brewing Company also has an impressive food menu. The selection that ranges from flavorful appetizers like chili lime fries and ahi poke, to hearty mains like spicy shrimp and grits, beer sausages, and prime top sirloin. You can also indulge with a Weekend Beer Brunch – served Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If you’re in Poway or another northern San Diego community, you can find a Karl Strauss at 4S Ranch. There’s another nearby location in the Sorrento Mesa neighborhood (9675 Scranton Road), as well.

Mama Cella’s Italian Restaurant
16707 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92128

If you’re looking for exceptional Italian food in a homey ambience, you can’t go wrong with Mama Cella’s. This family-owned restaurant located in the Rancho Bernardo community has a menu filled with recipes that span five generations.

Get your fill of delicious pizzas, pasta dishes, soups, and salads here. A variety of subs are available too if you’re craving for a sandwich. If you’re visiting for the first time, order their house favorites – the eggplant parmigiana or Grandma’s Famous Spaghetti and Handrolled Meatballs.

Don’t miss out on any of the desserts, either. Try the homemade cannoli, tiramisu, or crème brûlée to end your visit on a sweet note.

The Original Pancake House
14905 Pomerado Road, Poway, CA 92064

The Original Pancake House brings the nationally – and now globally-acclaimed – chain of pancake restaurants to the City in the Country. This restaurant, which originated in Portland, Oregon in 1953, proudly has more than 100 franchises across the United States and has now even added locations in Japan and South Korea.

One of the restaurant’s signature dishes is the Apple Pancake, a huge pancake that is baked with a generous layer of sautéed apples and cinnamon sugar. As soon as you sink your teeth into its rich, glazed surface, you’ll be craving this sensation on all your pancakes in the future!

In addition to this restaurant’s unique takes on the classic pancakes, you can also order savory omelets, gourmet crepes, and delicious house-style coffee.

URGE American Gastropub
16761 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92128

Located in the Rancho Bernardo neighborhood just a few minutes away from the I-15 freeway, URGE translates the traditional English pub concept into an all-American gastronomic adventure.

Serving mouth-watering concoctions from the culinary vision of head chef Antonio Navarro, this restaurant serves comfort food favorites and delicious craft beers along with an extensive wine selection. The beer list changes every day, giving you something new to try no matter what day of the week you visit.

Top menu items include scrumptious appetizers like the beef short rib poutine and pulled pork sliders. Monthly specials like the Turkey Reuben and the Griffin Fried Chicken are available only on Sundays. Mouth-watering entrées like the grilled flat iron steak, short rib mac & cheese, and the house special, URGE Meatloaf.

Villa Capri Trattoria and Wine Bar
14771 Pomerado Road, Poway, CA 92064

Villa Capri is an award-winning traditional Italian restaurant that serves authentic, home-style Italian cuisine, as well as exquisite Amalfi Coast-inspired dishes. The entrées are always served fresh, made from scratch with the finest ingredients.

The full bar serves a variety of beers and an incredible selection of wines sourced from the best vineyards from around the world. Book a reservation for an unforgettable wine dinner to sample exquisite flavors from both high-profile wineries, as well as hidden gems worth discovering.

With its sophisticated ambience along with its high-quality dishes and spirits, this restaurant is the perfect spot for a birthday celebration, a romantic evening with your sweetheart, or any occasion worth celebrating.

Great dining experiences abound in San Diego, and you can make them all part of your regular routine by making this great city your home. Let me, Lisa Betz, show you the best real estate options around. Call me at 858.705.8844 or email LBetz(at)BHHSCal(dotted)com today.