New England Clam Chowder Bread Bowl
The San Diego Pier Cafe

The San Diego Pier Cafe

885 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, United States Of America, 92101

Cafe • Full • Pasta • Seafood


"We anticipated paying a premium for the location, but $4.95 for a Bud Light and $8.50 for a margarita that barely contained any tequila was a bit much. The food prices were more reasonable compared to the drinks, which was a relief. Our server was attentive and friendly, keeping up with our needs. Even though we were a group of eight, they included only a 15% gratuity, which was surprising considering the drink prices. We decided to tip him a bit more for his effort. Unfortunately, the food did not meet expectations. The French fries, in particular, were a letdown. They were served lukewarm to cold and soggy, making me think they had been sitting on a steam table for too long. Three out of the four guys in our group ordered them and agreed they were subpar. The fourth member opted for sliced tomatoes and said they were great. As for my entree, the “Landlubber’s Steak Wrap,” which featured top sirloin, bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions sautéed in Jack Daniel’s pepper sauce with melted cheese served in pita bread, sounded appetizing. Three of us ordered it based on the waiter's enthusiastic recommendation, but he must have been mistaken. While all the ingredients were present, the pita was more of a thick tortilla, resembling a taco rather than a wrap. The filling felt sparse, and the whole thing was soggy on one side. I ended up making quite a mess while eating mine, while Mike, who had the tomatoes too, wisely used a knife and fork. The soggy fries definitely set the tone for the meal, and it just wasn't a happy pairing. I remembered my last visit to this restaurant a few years back when I had the fish and chips, which I recalled fondly with great fries and good fish. One of our group members ordered that dish this time and remarked, “Great fish, soggy chips.” It’s disappointing that touristy restaurants like this don’t strive to match the beautiful impression our city makes. I suppose it's just the way things are these days. "