Restaurant Review: Rosemarie’s Buns and Brew in OB

Editordude: Please welcome the first restaurant review by our new OB eatery scribe, SteveO San Diego, who is definitely a well-known and liked fixture in OB.

By SteveO San Diego

Yesterday, I finally checked out Rosemarie’s Buns and Brew, now open in the former Whomp Burger spot on Sunset Cliffs Blvd, and I have to say, it was an excellent experience. The atmosphere was lively, the kind of place where you can feel the energy as soon as you walk in. I spotted some familiar faces right away, which immediately reassured me that I was in for a good time.

I kicked things off with their Cajun Softshell Crab slider. This one features deep fried, Cajun marinated softshell crab topped with lemon aioli and fresh Old Bay slaw, all packed into a perfectly toasted bun.

When it arrived at my table, the presentation was striking as the whole softshell crab was sitting right there in the bun, legs and all. I wasn’t entirely sure if I’d ever eaten softshell crab this way before, so I had to ask, “Do I eat the whole thing?” The answer was a resounding yes.

Softshell crab is considered a delicacy in many coastal cuisines, and after that first bite, I could see why. It had a crispy, flavorful crunch on the outside, and the inside was tender, and packed with bold Cajun seasoning. The combination of textures and flavors, along with the tangy lemon aioli and slaw, made this a seriously memorable bite.

Next up was the Award-Winning Rosiemac, and let me tell you, this slider was something special. From the very first bite, I was blown away. It features a Rosie single wagyu patty, onion confit, American cheese, Kewpie mayo, and their signature house special sauce.

The wagyu was incredibly tender and juicy, melting in my mouth in the best way possible. The combination of the onion confit, creamy mayo, and that rich, perfectly seasoned beef made every bite better than the last. This is the kind of slider you don’t want to rush through, you take smaller bites, savoring every single flavor-packed moment. This was my favorite of the two, and one I’ll definitely be coming back for again.

Before I left, I had to pop my head into the kitchen to meet Chef Nick Balsamo. We share a lot of mutual friends in OB, and they all have nothing but great things to say about him. I’m glad I took the time to introduce myself because Nick was full of welcoming energy, the kind of guy who makes you feel like an old friend within minutes.

Turns out, he’s been part of the Ocean Beach community for years and truly understands the local culture. With over 15 years of culinary experience, he launched his first concept in 2018, running a successful catering, pop-up, and farmers market operation. Fast forward to today, and that vision has now grown into his second brick-and-mortar location, right here in OB.

Location:

1774 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego Ca, 92107
Phone: (619)-228-9891

Location Hours:

Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat
11:00 AM – 9:00 PM