We were shopping at Saks in Fashion Valley Mall this past weekend, um well, the Missus was shopping, I on the other hand was guarding my wallet with one hand, and wiping the sweat off my brow with the other. You see we were in the handbag section, and the Missus was making me squirm and sweat. "Which one do you like better, Dior, or Ferragamo?" "Ummm, how about none of the above?" "No, you have to choose one." "Why?" "Because.... I SAID SO, okay!"
Of course, the Missus was just kind of kidding me (I think), and we made it out of the mall unscathed. As we were leaving, the Missus asked me the most important(at least in my opinion) question of the day. "So, what do you want to eat?" "I'm not quite sure, but how about Peabody's?" And off we went.
When we moved to San Diego in 2001, we followed what I think is a fairly common migratory pattern. We bought a Condo in Mission Valley, home to a seemingly unending amount of Apartments and Condominiums. On the positive side, Mission Valley is centrally located, and is home to several major malls. Unfortunately, Mission Valley is not known for good eats, and the traffic and crowds can be outrageous. So after a few years in Mission Valley, we finally purchased a home in the Bay Park area, and thus left the Valley. If I were to come up with a list of things I miss about Mission Valley, Mr Peabody's would be on that short list. Located on the corner of Via Las Cumbres and Friars Road; Peabody's is a fairly lively Neighborhood Bar, with a pretty diverse clientele, ranging from the Students and Staff of USD to residents of Mission Valley, there is always a variety of people in Peabody's.
We used to live 2 blocks from Peabody's which was great for my psyche, but probably not so great for my liver.
We also enjoyed the food at Peabody's, which is reasonably priced and pretty tasty. And today we took that trip down memory lane and ordered the old usual, a burger, with no cheese ($3.99):
When you order a burger at Peabody's, the cook will open the reefer drawer and pull out a large ball of ground meat, form it into a patty, and cook it on the griddle. If you're sitting at the bar you can watch them make it, a nice spectator sport of sorts. No frozen preformed pattys here! The burger is seasoned with "spiced wine", salt and pepper, and served on a sesame bun. You add your own spread. The burgers are very dependable, taste fresh, and are very moist.
We also got a basket of "Fries & Rings" ($3.99):
The fries at Peabody's are served in a large basket, and are usually enough for two people. In fact, it used to be quite common for perfect strangers sitting at the bar to split a basket of fries. Today's fries were just as good as we remembered; thin cut, crisp, and nicely salted. The onion rings, were lightly breaded, and also good. We didn't even have to use ketchup.
The Missus also ordered a Cheese Quesedilla, easy on the Cheese (? - $3.79):
It came just the way she likes it. Crisp, almost crepe like tortilla, with a thin layer of cheese. She particularly enjoyed the Guacamole with chunks of Jalapeno in it.
One thing about bar grub that we often enjoy; is that the food and drink is direct and to the point. Take the Iced Tea, the Missus ordered:
When they brought Her the Iced Tea, they also dropped off a full pitcher refill. No muss, no fuss, no running around asking if She needed a refill, and we don't have to flag down the Server for more Iced Tea.
Peabody's features the usual list of domestic bottled beer, along with several draft selections, including Guinness and Widmer Hefeweizen, which tasted very nice and refreshing.
Some notes on Peabody's: As with any popular neighborhood spot, Peabody's can get really loud and crowded, especially during the evenings from Wed-Sat. In what I think is a fairly interesting idea; Peabody's serves breakfast from 9am on Saturdays and Sundays. Parking in the corner lot can be at a premium, but there is additional parking in the lot right past the strip mall on Via Las Cumbres.
Mr Peabody's Burgers & Ale
6110 Friars Rd Ste 108
San Diego, CA 92108
kirk, that's my kinda place... no nononsense you know what you're getting and lots of it kinda place...
hey kirk, how do you guys eat so well without having a bi-weekly angioplasty of your arterial walls? what are your secret jedi cholesterol tricks?
i wanna eat like you guys and not trip over myself too... ;p
Posted by: dietchilicheesefries | Monday, 20 February 2006 at 10:57 PM
Alright, I can handle those prices! Sounds like some good shopping grub. We never know where to eat when we're in the area so this is really helpful. Thanks, Kirk!
Posted by: Kady | Tuesday, 21 February 2006 at 01:11 AM
Hey, where's the Wayback Machine?
I remember going by this place a couple times, definately a good ol' fashioned neighborhood Burger n'Beer joint.
Me and my folks used to get pizza from NYPD Pizza which is next door to Peabody's I think.
Posted by: James | Tuesday, 21 February 2006 at 01:23 AM
Those are great prices! Everytime I read your blog, it makes me want to move to San Diego. ):
Posted by: Grace | Tuesday, 21 February 2006 at 02:48 AM
judging by the pictures, the food person really put a lot of care into his work. It shows.
Posted by: RONW | Tuesday, 21 February 2006 at 03:44 AM
Hi Kirk,
The burger looks delicious and is a bargain at $3.99, especially since it's homemade. The burgers at Big City Diner are great, but are double the price (and seem to be preformed).
Lucky indeed.
Posted by: Reid | Tuesday, 21 February 2006 at 03:47 AM
I agree! YUM!!!!!
Posted by: clare eats | Tuesday, 21 February 2006 at 05:26 AM
thanks alot kirk, now you got me craving bar food and grease. LOL! man that stuff looked good--everyone needs to have their fix of bar food every once in awhile!
Posted by: Pam | Tuesday, 21 February 2006 at 05:35 PM
Kirk, are those prices for real??? I didn't think you could find deals like that in the Fashion Valley area :) We tend to avoid the area for the same reasons you mention, but I'll have to keep it in mind the next time I want to shop and need a bite to eat!
Posted by: Joan | Tuesday, 21 February 2006 at 08:42 PM
Ahhh...the neighborhood bar...wish I had one of those here in Irvine...
Posted by: elmomonster | Tuesday, 21 February 2006 at 08:43 PM
Hi DCCF - Sounds like you'd fit right in. On another note, I need to up my activity level.....
Hi Kady - I think you call it right, it's decent grub.
Hi James - Yep, next to NYPD. Did you like their pizza? We really didn't care for the pizzas there too much, though we enjoyed the sandwiches. Still haven't been to the Fondue place.
Hi RONW - Have to say, it's still nothing like the Bar Grub in Hawaii!
Hi Reid - The burgers are pretty good, and handmade. No frills just good.
Hi Clare - Double Yum!! LOL!
Hi Grace - I still think you have it better in LA/OC.
Hi Pam - Yes, every once in a while it's great to get a "fix".
Hi Joan - If you stay away from the beers ($5), it can be pretty inexpensive - there's even a Rib Eye Steak and potatoes for like $14.99.
Hi Elmo - Never found one in Rowland Heights either. What's the deal with that?
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 21 February 2006 at 09:42 PM
Hi Kirk - looks like we were both craving burgers! Have you been to Hodad's in OB? Their burgers are amazing and super cheap!
Posted by: Candice | Tuesday, 21 February 2006 at 10:33 PM
Kirk - We used to like NYPD, but then we discovered Venice on El Cajon Blvd. (Near the 15) and found their pizza better, along with Lefty's.
Posted by: James | Tuesday, 21 February 2006 at 10:41 PM
Hi Kirk - Thanks for the post. I have completely forgotten about this place. They do make a good straightforward burger. Of course, it could always be made better with "spread" :)
Posted by: Jack | Wednesday, 22 February 2006 at 07:35 AM
Hi Candice - Hodad's is delici-yoso!!! We should get down to OB more often.
Hi James - I've driven past Venice hundreds of times and have always wondered how the food was there. Thanks for the info.
Hi Jack - I enjoy the burgers with the sweet and spicy mustard that's on the table. The Missus likes Hers "spreadless".....LOL!
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 22 February 2006 at 12:37 PM
Kirk,
The food looks really good. I have to say that the fired and onion rings caught my eyes. They're making my mouth water as I type, and I am supposed to getting to sleep soon! ARGH! ;P
Posted by: milgwimper | Wednesday, 22 February 2006 at 09:20 PM
Hi Mills - There are times when nothing beats good bar food.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 23 February 2006 at 06:58 AM
being the burger connoisseurs that we are, Hodads's in OB serves up the best burgers in town. add a side of "frings" and its heaven... delici-yoso!
Posted by: teddy | Friday, 12 September 2008 at 07:51 PM