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.
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