Restaurant Review: “Sunnies” on Point Loma Avenue in South OB

Restaurant Review

The front of Sunnies. All photos by Judi Curry.

“Sunnies”
4723 Pt. Loma Ave.
San Diego, CA 92107
619-693-5298
www.sunniesoceanbeach.com

I can hear the comments already about this review.  Let me preface it by saying I know that they have only been opened one week.

Let me say that I know there are a lot of kinks to still work out.  Let me say that I will return at a later date. Let me say that I went to visit “Sunnies” now because I was told about it by 4 other people in this first week.

Let me also say that I did not go alone; I went with Scott Hopkins, a reporter for the Beacon –  well known in this area, and someone that I have gone with before to review restaurants.  With all that in mind here is my review:

Sunnies is a very small establishment with several tables inside the restaurant, a few tables on the sidewalk outside the restaurant, and still a few more tables to the side of the restaurant next door to “Rosario’s Pizza.”  This area is covered and they were installing lights while we were there.

Carnitas burrito

Posted on the west wall was a huge menu, listing all of the items that were available for purchase.  (One places their order; finds a table; and the order is brought to you if you are eating there.  The same menu is available for take-out.)

On the eastern wall is an extensive drink menu listing Coffees and Lattes, Iced and Cold Drinks, and although not listed, soda’s and other drinks are also available.

Scott and I looked over the menu and had our choice of Burritos, Tacos, (Hard and/or Soft), Tostadas, Quesadillas, and Fries and Chips.

TJ Tacos

Additionally there were Sides and Extra’s, a Kids Menu, Breakfast Burritos and Breakfast Specials.  I felt it was necessary to try several things so I ordered the 3 mini (TJ style) soft tacos ($3.75)* and a side of Guacamole ($3.50)* as well as a Deluxe Veggie Quesadillas ($4.99).

Scott, going along with trying several things, ordered a Pollo Asado Tostadas ($3.75), a side order of beans ($2.25)* and a Carnitas Burrito ($6.99)*.  He ordered an ice tea for $2.50* that was flavored with Mango and I ordered an Iced Chai that was $3.75*.

Before I go much further let me explain the “*” markings on the prices.

We had ordered from the menu board on the wall.  I was floored when my bill came to close to $19 and Scott’s bill came to just under $10.

Pollo asado tostada

When I began to add up my order the young woman taking the order told us that the prices had changed TODAY and I could not go by the prices on the board.  I didn’t say anything, but saying now that if the prices had been changed it should have been noted on the board.

Not a good way to start a meal.

We were also told that also beginning TODAY, there were new items added to the menu, but there was nothing written to that effect.

And one more thing – the menu on the wall was well done; well printed; and must have cost a nice amount of money to have it printed up.  There is also a take-out menu that indicates the same prices as those posted on the board.

Let’s begin.  We were served the guacamole in a styrofoam cup.  When I asked for a spoon so that we could put some on our plate we were told they did not have any spoons.  I then asked if they had an extra fork.  They did.

I am not sure if the chips were part of the side order of guacamole because so many things were served with it but the chips were hot and very good.  They were not the thin ones that break when putting the dip on it; they were thick and tasty.

The guacamole was something else.  It was so salty that I could not eat it.  And I mean it. The salt was over-powering.  I did not detect anything else in the guacamole except avocado itself, but after two bites I knew I could not tolerate any more.  We left most of it in the cup.

My mini-tacos were delicious.  I was able to sample the carnitas, the pollo asado, and the carne asada.  Each one was tasty, but, unfortunately, each one had guacamole on it which I had to scrape off to be able eat it.  The menu stated that there was also Pico De Gallo served with the soft tacos, but there wasn’t any on my plate.

The Quesadilla was different than any I have had before.  It was served on a small plastic plate – all of the items were served on plastic – and it was folded over so that it looked like there were two on the plate.  It was impossible to eat.  It could not be picked up, either with fingers or a plastic fork.  It probably was tasty, as what I could try without the guacamole was good, but I brought home almost the entire quesadilla because it was so difficult to cut.  (I would suggest using a smaller tortilla next time; not folding it over, and putting it on a larger plate.)

Scott really enjoyed his Carnitas burrito. He said it was hot and tasty, even though he had to add hot sauce to make it taste more spicy. His Pollo Asado Tostada was very good; the tortilla stayed crisp while he was eating it; the chicken was flavored well, and he finished it all.

The beans were average, at best.  Serving them in cup with cheese that melted on the top but not the bottom was ok; they just lacked flavor.

The ice tea was ok; the chai tea was good and I was offered a refill when I finished my first glass.

Now for some comments:  Scott asked if there was a restroom where he could wash his hands.  He was told that there were no restrooms. He was told that the merchants on Pt. Loma Ave. got together and decided not to offer one for their customers.  (Made us wonder what the staff does while cooking.)

There was not a trash bin to put the paper from the straws or stirrers in the vicinity.  And the flies were horrible.  Yes, we elected to eat outside because it was cooler, but I am not sure if I would ever eat outside again.  In fact, I think I would take out the food rather than eat it there. Just at the end of the meal a large candle was placed on the table, but I do not know if it was citronella – or just a gold candle.

We were asked if we were enjoying out meal, but the person that asked did not wait to hear our answer.

As we were finishing our meal, one of the servers met someone walking down the street that did not know the restaurant was open. We heard the server ask them to come in and see the “soft” menu.  I wish we had been told of the “soft menu” also.

Carne asado tostada

Before I give my review, here is an addendum: My student, Hitomi, decided to have lunch at Sunnies on the next Sunday. She ordered a Carne Asada Tostada at $4.50. The menu stated that “ . . . all tostadas served with beans, lettuce & cheese.” When she got home she was surprised to see there was not a side of the beans or rice. What wasn’t clear to her was that the tostada was MADE with the beans, rice and lettuce. She was also disappointed with the Tostada in that she said the top seemed to just be a stale tortilla that was plopped over the bottom tortilla covered with the rice, beans and lettuce.

carne asado tostada with cover off

In all fairness she said that the carne asada was nice and tasty, but it was difficult to eat, and she ended up throwing out the top tortilla. A good Tostada is not difficult to make and one that is not eaten with ones fingers. That is the only way this would could have been consumed and it is way too messy to be eaten that way. The tortilla was hard and not pliable. There is still a lot of work necessary.

So here is the review.  I already said I would go back. I would order the TJ taco’s again, but would specify no guacamole.  I would hold them to the prices listed on the board; I would not hesitate to order the Carnitas or Pollo Asado again.  So I will come back after a month or so.

But I must say that if I wasn’t doing a review I would have said something more about the change in price; I would have returned the guacamole, and I would have asked for the missing Pico de Gallo.  Stay tuned for the follow-up.