Dining at Tip Top Meats is no delicate affair

German delights and your go-to North County butcher

By Jenny Montgomery

I craved a good ribeye one weekend, and the Stater Brothers meat department wasn’t going to cut it. But making the pilgrimage down to Morena Boulevard to drool over the meat case at Siesel’s is far trickier when you live in North County and have a squeaky infant.

Monday, July 2,2012
North Fork

Café Papillon’s Persian delights

Even walnuts—public enemy No. 1—are palatable at this San Marcos café and market

By Jenny Montgomery

Whether it’s a gyro, kebab or shawarma, most people are familiar with seasoned meat, sliced from a spit, wrapped in pillowy flatbread and dressed up with a tangy yogurt sauce.

Monday, June 18,2012
North Fork

Skip the pastries at Dos Palmas Panadería & Grill

Go right for the good Mexican grub

By Jenny Montgomery

Stop trying to convince me that I like Mexican pastries. I accept that I’m likely outnumbered when it comes to this county’s passion for panaderías, but the appeal is lost on me.

Monday, June 4,2012
North Fork

Philly Frank’s knocks you out

Cheese steaks and other Rocky-approved treats await in San Marcos

By Jenny Montgomery

I empathize with those who just can’t shake that touch of former-hometown homesickness, especially when it comes to food. Philly natives? There’s a place in San Marcos just for you.

Monday, May 21,2012
North Fork

In-house dough, out-of-state sausage at Crust

Goodness-packed pies and piadinas with guts

These days, it seems like every neck in the San DiegoCounty woods is adding a pizza place that could be called “legit.” Youcan’t turn the corner without tripping over someone’s artisanal sausageor in-house mozzarella.

Friday, May 4,2012
North Fork

Don’t fear the flan at Azafran

Humble Cuban eats in a romantic, ramshackle setting

By Jenny Montgomery

Come summertime, I want food that’s lively, flavor-packed and cooked by someone else. I’d also like a mojito. Enter Azafran Cuban Restaurant.

Monday, April 23,2012
North Fork

Art and lunch at Café des Artistes

Cheesy panini and non-cheesy artwork share space in Fallbrook

By Jenny Montgomery

This is a friendly lunch spot, serving soups, salads, sandwiches, panini and a healthy dose of small-town charm.

Monday, April 9,2012
North Fork

Still searching for a decent breakfast

Longboarder Café has mediocre scrambles, tasty machaca

By Jenny Montgomery

This is no original or profound thought, but life is all about managing expectations. It’s also about realizing that, for some reason, most people have really low standards when it comes to breakfast restaurants. “Beware overhyped eggs” might be the next phrase I embroider on a pillow for my future Etsy shop. But I’ll get to breakfast shortly.