Paragon Deli Cafe (Point Loma)

mmm-yoso!!! will be written by Cathy over this Independence Day weekend; Kirk is doing things with His Missus.

It was three years ago when Kirk first posted about Paragon Deli Cafe.   I had commented about something on the menu.
Recently, I had a craving for tomato stuffed with tuna salad, an old fashioned menu item rarely seen (and very missed), I checked out the menu at Paragon.   First, it was great to see they were still in business.  Second- the tuna stuffed tomato ($10.95) was still on the menu! A wonderful, refreshing, flavor filled version of this simple diner classic.  Served on top of a bed of lettuce with a house made dressing, this is a great lunch.
There is a chalkboard next to the cash register. A bowl ($5.75) of the Soup du Jour (from scratch mushroom)
 as well as a cup ($5) (vegetarian pea) were enjoyed on visits.  The 'everyday' soups (tomato basil and chicken noodle) are priced $4 and $5.25.
 Of course, we wanted to try the Portuguese Francesinha ($15.95), which Kirk had written about in his post.  Wow! Linguica, ham, roast beef, cheese, topped with a runny fried egg and sauce covering it all-including the fries.  The sauce-you can taste the beer as well as the whiskey.  Magical and it makes me understand why Kirk craved (then raved) about this wonderful sandwich.

You will notice on the menu the namesake Pacific Paragon Sandwich ($12.95), which originated at Marston's Tea Room.  Marston's was a downtown San Diego Department Store before being sold to The Broadway in 1961.  This sandwich won a 1960 American Restaurant Magazine award for "Best Sandwich".

 Fresh roast turkey (as in roasted here, today), crispy thick quality bacon, shredded lettuce, house made Blue cheese dressing (excellent) served open faced on rye.  This- THIS sandwich is fancy as well as wonderful.  A similar item (in that there are crossover ingredients) is the California Cobb Salad ($12.95).  Freshly roasted turkey (remarkably good), bacon, crumbled blue cheese, avocado, tomato and pickled egg.
 There is quite an interest in eggs here; deviled egg dishes are used in the refrigerator and there is a collection on the wall above the kitchen.  

Speaking of eggs, Paragon opens at 7 a.m., so there is breakfast.
 The Croque Madame ($13.95) is made with French ham, gruyere and a house made béchamel.  Very tasty and filling.  

 The Eggs Benedict ($12.95) served on an English muffin with ham and a very proper (unbroken) Hollandaise along with fruit and a hash brown patty is also filling and flavorful. 

Paragon Deli Cafe serves quality food and has the friendliest people working here; most are family. 

Paragon Deli Cafe 2724 Shelter Island Drive San Diego 92106 (619) 888-4997 Website Open Mon-Sat 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Sunday

Speaking of Department store restaurants, you might remember this post  or this post or this one, this one or even this different type of Department store with a restaurant inside.

Comments

[kat]

so many delicious choices, I would have a hard time deciding.

[Soo]

Chicken noodle soup sounds good.

[Joy]

I've never been here but it sounds great. Point Loma is a part of town I don't get to nearly enough!

[Cathy]

The menu is varied enough to have something for everyone, Kat. We are slowly making our way through it while enjoying everything.

We almost always try soup when seen on a menu, Soo. So much here is made from scratch and has great quality.

Paragon is located under/the ground floor of Fiddlers Green, Joy- the signage for Shelter Island is maybe 100 feet up the street; I didn't mention that in the post. Do try to stop here when you are nearby; excellent food..

[Som Tommy]

I used to live nearby and ate there every week. I miss the food and people who work there.

[Cathy]

How fortunate you lived so close, ST! The people are the same and made it through Covid-19; all of them are so very friendly. The quality of the food here is amazing.

[caninecologne]

I would like that Pacific Paragon sandwich but without the blue cheese. Another spot to put on my "must visit" list.

[Kirk]

Ok, you got me craving a Francesinha now Cathy!

[Cathy]

I know you don't like blue cheese, cc; I don't crave it, but must say the version here is the nicest, smoothest, high quality version I've ever tasted. The turkey is so good, as is everything here.

It's been like three years, you can have a return visit, Kirk!