By Sandi Masori / San Diego Jewish World / April 7, 2024
One of the fun things about having friends come in from out of town is that they take you out of your normal travel patterns. This is exactly how I found myself in Ocean Beach recently, a part of San Diego I have to admit I don’t get to enough. Since I was there for the company I wasn’t really worried about where we would eat, and agreed that we could meet up and walk around and find something open. I figured that we would be brunching on mediocre overpriced beach food, but I was oh so wrong.
We chose OB Surf Lodge for the location, It’s right across from the beach and has a great view. We were there pretty early so we’re quickly seated.
Our server Moana was friendly and knowledgeable and didn’t even have to think before answering my “what do you recommend” question. Right away she recommended the pesto baked eggs and a few other dishes.
I went with her recommendation and got the eggs, figuring that the dish would do the job and with pesto, how bad could it be? I was not prepared for what I got though. I am constantly on the quest for dream-worthy food. That is a dish which is so perfectly balanced in all the flavors that after having had it once, it calls to you and you crave it, perhaps even dream about it. It goes beyond good food, to something that is other-worldly. And, wow!, the baked pesto eggs is just such a dish. It’s unexpectedly creamy and rich, but not too rich. The textures and flavors go together perfectly. The accompanying sourdough bread is perfectly toasted so that it’s both crisp and soft for mopping up extra sauce. It was so good that I forced my friends to give it a taste as well and the whole table agreed, this was something special.
I also had a taste of their giant biscuit, and I have to say, surprise again! It was the best biscuit that I’ve ever had, firm on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside, slightly savory, and addictive. I even got a couple to bring home. My companions went for more standard fare, steak and eggs, eggs and some form of chazer, and the like. And while they enjoyed their meal, I don’t think those standard items had the same “Wow” factor as the biscuit and pesto baked eggs.
According to one of the workers, the restaurant has been at its location on Abbott and Santa Monica for six years. The website says that it’s an “homage to 1960s so cal surf culture.” I will take their word for that, as I don’t know much about that time or culture. The website also states that everything is made daily from scratch using sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. I can testify that care is abundantly apparent in the final product.
The biggest issue for me now is that I’m really torn about what to do on my next visit. On the one hand I want to try some of the other recommendations, but on the other hand, I’m already salivating thinking about going back for those pesto eggs… what’s a foodie to do?
OB Surf Lodge is at 5803 Santa Monica Ave. and is open from 8:30am- 6pm Sunday – Thursday and 8:30am-9 pm on Friday and Saturday.
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Just for fun, see Judi Curry’s review of OB Surf Lodge from 2017.
“The website says that it’s an “homage to 1960s so cal surf culture.” I will take their word for that, as I don’t know much about that time or culture.”
Glad she liked it, but that’s odd thing to read from a local San Diego review.
I still miss Shades.
Only ate once at Surf Lodge.
It was so so , in my opinion.
Matter or preference I suppose. Shades was ok but I like the SL much better.
As a local and someone who loves exploring the food scene in San Diego, I can vouch for the OB Surf Lodge! The location alone is a draw, but it’s the food that keeps you coming back. I stopped by for a casual meal and ended up with a memorable experience, just like Sandi did with those incredible pesto baked eggs. It’s rare to find dishes that really stay with you, and this place delivers. The biscuit? Oh yes, definitely worth a return trip. Highly recommend this gem if you’re around Ocean Beach!