Tobey's 19th Hole Restaurant (Balboa Park)

Yep, you are reading mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog. Kirk, Ed (from Yuma) and Cathy usually are the ones who share writing posts here.  Today, Cathy is writing and the guys are resting.  

I've taken the 28th Street exit from the 94 freeway on many occasions. My ultimate goal has always been to get to North side of the Naval Hospital without getting on the I-5 or 163 and, as you know, I enjoy 'getting lost' and discovering places.  That's what happened the other day.  I continued North then West from the exit and was suddenly driving on a two lane road, saw a few parking lots along the road and a small building with parking in front of it.

The Balboa Park Golf Course. Look carefully to the left the the photo- the red neon "OPEN" sign.  All the way at the end is the Pro Shop, where you pay for your Green Fees and begin (and end) your golf game. 

Here's a view of the same building from the Pro Shop.  You can see it looks like it's been there forever. It sort of has been, if 1934 means forever ago to you.
Inside the building, there are photographs, awards and architecture spanning the years.  If you zoom in, the little sign above the open door is "Tobey's 19th Hole Cafe".

A quick look inside and the architecture screams "Diner"- there is a row of 12 permanent stools for counter service just to the left, pie slices in that glass display case and three television sets, one you can see in the above photo and there are two more to the right seating area. 

Which has booths, tables and an outdoor patio.  The hat and coat hooks near each table are part of that long ago decor. 

The menu, water and coffee (botomless cup, $2) are brought out as soon as you seat yourself. That drawing? Pretty darn accurate, I'd say.  If you look carefully in my photo you can see Balboa Hospital to the right and beyond the buildings (to the left, just between the third set of buildings and the black building)...that's Point Loma. What a view.  

My order: BLT with egg ($6.25) on rye toast with my chosen side of a salad with Thousand Island dressing. Great sandwich, crispy bacon, fresh lettuce and tomato and a nicely fried egg. The salad was quite large and the salad dressing was very good.

The Mister ordered a large bowl of chili ($3.75) with onion on the side (for me) and a small (yes, that's a small; I saw a large) order of Tots ($2.75). The chili, made with beans and good ground beef, was quite good. The spice mix was complex and really nice.  The Tots were perfectly fried, crispy, not greasy and plentiful! 

When friends visit, this humble, great diner with a view is going to definitely be a stop from now on. 

Dennis was here a few years ago.  Here is a link to his post.

Tobey's 19th Hole Cafe 2600 Golf Course Drive San Diego (619) 239-1660 

Comments

[caninecologne]

Gorgeous view of downtown and Point Loma. I like how you got an airplane flying in your shot! :)

[Cathy]

The view is great-and I never knew it was there, cc. Took many photos to get the planes flying to the Airport; shadows were spectacular, but fast and fleeting on the rolling terrain. Food was great too.

[nhbilly]

A bowl of chilli would be awesome today.

[Cathy]

Mornings and evenings are quite cool out here, Bill. I notice we've been ordering chili fairly regularly...maybe should try making some at home.

[Mary]

Tobey's is definitely one of our rotation restaurants and always a place we love to bring guests. The views, the food and the prices can't be beat!

[Cathy]

I hadn't seen your post about Tobey's, Mary, or would have probably stopped here a lot sooner. I pass it twice a year at least. This is a great find!

[janfrederick]

Nice find! We demolished breakfast yesterday while we watched a guy slice a 20 foot drive. Delicious food, great view, fun times. My sister's chorizo scramble came with a side of really piquant home-made salsa that was great with everything.

[Cathy]

So happy to know you found and liked it here, JF. It's a great place.