This Weekend: Baseball, Bizarre Oddities & Boba Tea 🔮

READER’S RECS

Welcome to Reader's Recommendations, where our community of food-loving locals share their favorite hidden gems, must-try spots, and neighborhood staples that make our city's culinary landscape truly special. Whether you are new to San Diego or you've been eating your way through the 619 since birth, this column is your chance to discover (or rediscover) San Diego through the taste buds of your neighbors who know where the good stuff is hiding. Here’s this week’s picks I’ve chosen:

•  The Craftsman 🍗 Encinitas American cuisine with a menu for everybody!

• Steak 48 🥩 Del Mar steakhouse with an amazing atmosphere.

• Fort Oak 🍽️ Heralded as one of the city’s finest spots.

• La Dolce 🍝 Highly rated Italian restaurant in La Jolla.

• Kingfisher 🥃 A mix of trendy and classic Vietnamese French influence food.

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THE DIGEST

Your Ultimate (Survival) Guide to Petco Park: Opening Day

Baseball season is upon us, Friar Faithful! As the Padres kick off their 21st season at Petco Park against the Atlanta Braves this Thursday, it's time to arm yourself with the inside scoop on navigating America's finest ballpark—recently crowned the #1 MLB stadium by USA Today!

WHAT'S NEW IN 2025

The Western Metal Supply Co. Building got a $20 million glow-up! The Budweiser Loft now features a fancy grand staircase connecting to the remodeled Rooftop, which boasts improved sightlines, expanded seating, and shade for when that San Diego sun decides to remind you it's still the boss. The Padres New Era Team Store also expanded by 1,000 square feet, ensuring you'll have even more opportunities to spend your children's inheritance on brown and gold merchandise.

FOOD WORTH SKIPPING AN INNING FOR

Petco Park's culinary game continues to shame other stadiums' soggy hot dogs with new additions that'll make your taste buds file for emancipation:

• Deckman's at The Draft (Section 107): Michelin-starred Chef Drew Deckman brings Baja-inspired seafood that makes the $17 beer seem like a reasonable pairing. Try the Zero By-Catch Tradicional Shrimp Ceviche while pretending to understand what "zero by-catch" means.

• Mostra Coffee (Mercado, Section 104): For when you need to stay alert through the 7th inning stretch after your third craft beer.

• Mini Donut Company (Section 109): Because nothing says "I'm ready for beach season" like bite-sized doughnuts at a baseball game.

• Teaspoon (Gallagher Square): Boba tea has officially invaded baseball, and honestly, we're here for it.

FAN FAVORITES THAT STILL SLAP

• Cardiff Crack at Seaside Market (Section 105): The tri-tip sandwich that's caused more religious experiences than the Vatican.

• Hodad's Burgers (Sections 104, 131, 230, 300): Ocean Beach's iconic bacon cheeseburgers that require at least three napkins and zero shame.

• Pizza Port (Sections 121, 213, 311, 320): For when you need a slice of pizza larger than your face and a craft beer with an ABV percentage that matches your mortgage rate.

• .394 by AleSmith (Section 217): Pay homage to Tony Gwynn while downing a beer named after his legendary batting average.

SURVIVAL TIPS FOR THE BALLPARK ROOKIE

1. Go Cashless: Leave the Benjamins at home—Petco Park is fully cashless, which means more room in your wallet for loyalty punch cards you'll never complete.

2. In-and-Out Privileges: Yes, you can leave and re-enter the park (with proper screening), perfect for when you realize stadium beer prices could finance a small island nation.

3. Nearby Watering Holes: The Blind Burro, Bub's, and Altitude Sky Lounge offer pre/post-game libations with slightly less painful price points.

4. BYO Food: You can actually bring your own wrapped food items into the park. That PB&J you're smuggling in? Totally legit.

5. Special Diets: Gluten-free, kosher, vegan, and vegetarian options are available throughout the park. Seaside Market (Section 105) is your best bet for dietary restrictions that aren't just "allergic to losing."

Whether you're a seasoned Padres veteran or a first-timer trying to figure out which way to hold your rally towel, Petco Park delivers an experience that makes even watching a 12-1 blowout loss somehow enjoyable. Just remember to pace yourself with those $17 craft beers, wear sunscreen even when it looks cloudy, and never, under any circumstances, start the wave during a pitching change.

Play ball, San Diego!⚾️

WHATS HAPPENIN’

• San Diego Padres 2025 Opening Day, Thursday 3/27-30 🧢 Rejoice, baseball romantics—Padres Opening Day is finally here, with the smell of hot dogs wafting through Petco Park as our boys in brown take on the Braves in a series that promises all the hope, heartbreak, and $17 craft beers that make us masochistically love this sport every single spring.

• Hilton San Diego Bayfront Opening Day Pop-up, Thursday 3/27  ⚾️ Padres fans, ditch the parking chaos and head to Hilton San Diego Bayfront's Opening Day pop-up, where you can snag local merch, sip Tony Gwynn's legendary .394 ale for just $3.94, and score free parking—honestly, the beer deal alone is worth missing the first inning for.

• Mingei Concert Series, Thursday 3/27 🎵 An evening of sonic indulgence awaits at Camarada's "Luscious" concert, where Aguila, Gershwin, and Debussy's sensual compositions will caress your ears at Mingei's La Atalaya Theater.

• The Rosin Box Project Presents: Empower, Thursday 3/27 💃🏽 Calling all dance enthusiasts: The Rosin Box Project kicks off its AXIOM season with "Empower," a stunning celebration of female dancers featuring fresh choreography from local talents Green and Topazio alongside guest artist Adorlee.

• Pucks & Pints, Saturday 3/29 🍺 Ice, ales, and charity prevail at the seventh annual Pucks & Pints, where you can watch brewery teams battle it out, indulge in Phil's BBQ with craft beer, then cheer on the Gulls against Calgary.

• Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen, Saturday 3/29 🎭 Dust off your platform boots and prepare for a night of theatrical rock nostalgia as Killer Queen struts onto Balboa Theatre's stage.

• San Diego FC vs. Los Angeles FC, Saturday 3/29 🏟️ Our scrappy San Diego FC looks to topple another LA giant in LAFC—having already humbled the Galaxy, our boys are hungry for that elusive first home win.

• East Village Block Party, Saturday 3/29 🔥 Free entry and it gets you a sun-soaked afternoon of local vendors, live music, and an impressive car showcase.

• Oddities Flea Market at JULEP, Saturday 3/29-30 ✨ Step into the wonderfully weird world of the Oddities Flea Market at JULEP this weekend, where taxidermy creatures, bizarre specimens, and Gothic treasures await the morbidly curious.

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