**** Spice House has closed
Like I've mentioned many times before, I have special place in my heart for those 60's and 70's diner type items I grew up eating. I recently got my yearly itch....so I decided to just go ahead and scratch it. Last year, my visits to Troy's Family Restaurant just didn't do it for me. So this time, I headed in the opposite direction to the Spice House Café.
This place has been around for over 50 years. And I even did a post on breakfast here back in 2005. 2005......seems so long ago. Sadly, I didn't see the Portuguese Sausage Breakfast on the menu anymore.
Anyway, this place is no frills, it doesn't try to be anything its not......just simple burgers, sandwiches, breakfast......
So it just seemed right to get one of my diner favorites something I get a craving for every so often, the Club House Sandwich ($8.95). Man, this thing was huge.
Man, look at all that processed turkey. Actually it wasn't an overly processed mystery meat product. And who doesn't love bacon and a decent smear of mayo.
The bulk steak fries were ok......when fried well, it's passable, and on this day it was.
And of course, who can forget that other diner favorite...the bottle that refuses to give up the ketchup? Tried the "jerk, the shake, the knife strategy, all to no avail. Finally, I just held it upside down and let gravity do its (slow) work.
This was way too much for me. I ended up having half of it for dinner.
Even though I took care of my club sandwich craving for another year, I thought one visit wouldn't be enough for a post. So I decided to return.
Not sure what to get; I went to the top of the sandwich listing and got the "Super Bird Melt". Good lord, this was just a bit too much for me.
This was just a bit too greasy for me, rom the griddled and greasy onions, the griddled sour dough, and the drippy cheese. All things I enjoy, but in this case it was just too much.
The fries this time were barely lukewarm therefore dry and cardboard like.
In terms of price point and quality, you get what you pay for here....maybe even more. In terms of quantity, well, I couldn't finish either sandwich. On my visits I thought the servers here represent Spice House quite well, they are polite, sometimes friendly, efficient, with little wasted motion, and no pretense. Sometimes that's just what you want.....
Spice House Cafe
9035 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92123
Hours:
Mon - Fri 630am - 230pm
Sat - Sun 700am - 230pm
glad you took care of that club house craving, too bad about those fries though!
Posted by: kat | Sunday, 10 May 2015 at 11:19 PM
Although Spice House has been around forever, I had never been there until late last year. It seems to be quite popular at breakfast with decent prices for the special. I remember having a huge plate of food that pretty good. I always say you can't mess up breakfast, but I know - it's possible!
Posted by: Sandy | Monday, 11 May 2015 at 07:24 AM
Interesting post! Never been there, but it sounds like a restaurant that every neighborhood needs.
Posted by: Jason | Monday, 11 May 2015 at 08:43 AM
Now I can wait another year Kat!
Hi Sandy - The portions here are quite large and you pretty much get your money's worth.
That's true Jason. Every neighborhood should have a place like this.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 11 May 2015 at 12:03 PM