Plus, free fish tacos and expensive beer
March 31, 2023 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

62º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:52 a.m. | Sunset 4:59 p.m. | High tides 6:25 a.m. and 8:27 p.m. | Low tide 1:53 p.m.

 
🏆 Lettuce celebrate the winner
Best burger bracket winner Rocky's Crown Pub.
Thanks to our voters, we have a winner. | Image by SDtoday
The results are in. We’ve been asking you to vote for the best burger restaurant in San Diego in our fun bracket competition. This week, you narrowed it down the final two: Rocky’s Crown Pub and The Balboa Bar & Grill.

We wish we could merge the two and make one super San Diego burger spot — but the name “Rocky Balboa” was already taken. So, once again, we asked you to vote.

The competition was sizzling, but Rocky’s Crown Pub knocked out round after round and has been named the winner.

A burger from Rocky's Crown Pub with pickles and fries.

This burger earned its crown of pickles.

|

Photo via @marimunchies


Well done, Rocky’s. This sports bar received support from hundreds of voters throughout our competition and has been a staple in Pacific Beach’s Crown Point community since 1977. It has a small menu — just classic burgers, fries, and beers — but the restaurant seems to have perfected its craft.

Pro tip: Rocky’s is 21+ so bring your ID — and remember, this spot only takes cash.

We also have to show some love to our runner up: The Balboa. This placement is pretty flippin’ good for a restaurant that debuted in 2015. Similar to Rocky’s, it specializes in burgers, fries, and drinks. This eatery has become a go-to spot in Bankers Hill — a community that rejoiced in its reopening in 2021 after the pandemic forced it to temporarily close.

Thank you for voting, and we expect to be back with a new bracket and more madness next year.
 
Events
 

Friday, March 31
  • Art Alive Floral Exhibition | Friday, Mar. 31-Sunday, Apr. 2 | Times vary | The San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, San Diego | $40 | The annual fundraiser features ~100 floral arrangements inspired by the museum’s art collection.
  • Nick Thune LIVE! | Friday, March 31 + Saturday, April 1 | 7:30 + 9:30 p.m. | The American Comedy Co. San Diego, 818 Sixth Ave., San Diego | $10 | The actor, musician, and comic brings the funny.
  • Neat | Friday, March 31-Sunday, April 16 | Times vary | Scripps Ranch Theatre, 9783 Avenue of Nations, San Diego | $20-$42 | A production by Charlayne Woodard remembering her aunt who had a traumatic brain injury and the impacts she left behind.
Saturday, April 1
  • Puppet Making Workshop | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 9 a.m. + 2 p.m. | San Diego Craft Collective, 2590 Truxtun Rd., Studio 106, San Diego | $120 | Kids ages 12+ (or ages 6-11 if accompanied by an adult) will learn to make a professional rod and puppet of their own.
  • CNPS San Diego Native Garden Tour | Saturday, Apr. 1 + Sunday, Apr. 2 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Locations vary | $30-$35 | Explore native plants and gardens in San Marcos, Escondido, and Encinitas.
  • Special Needs Egg Hunt | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Cottonwood Park, 1778 E. Palomar St., Chula Vista | Free | Five accessible egg hunts, including magnetic and beeping eggs and a quiet area.
  • Bunny Bash & Easter Basket Donation Drive | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Encore Event Center, 8253 Ronson Rd., San Diego | $10-$20 | An egg hunt, photos with the bunny, and activities to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Diego.
  • Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Bunny Train | Saturday, Apr. 1 + Sunday, Apr. 2 | Times vary | Campo Depot, 750 Depot St., Campo | $14-$40 | Take a train ride with the Easter Bunny to the museum and egg hunts.
Sunday, April 2
  • San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies | Sunday, Apr. 2 | 1:10 p.m. | Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego | $35-$151 | The first 40,000 fans will score a Opening Series Hat; it’s also KidsFest and Military Opening Day.
  • San Diego Restaurant Week | Sunday, Apr. 2 | 12 p.m. | Locations vary | Prices vary | It’s the final day to celebrate local cuisine with deals at 180+ restaurants.
Plan ahead with our community events calendar below.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
 

Weather
  • 61º | Mostly cloudy with some morning sun | 7% chance of rain
Sunrise + Sunset
  • Rise: 6:38 a.m.
  • Set: 7:07 p.m.
Tide
  • Low: 12:59 a.m. and 1:46 p.m.
  • High: 6:38 a.m. and 8:28 p.m.
Civic
  • Days after ending his run for State Senate, Nathan Fletcher says he will resign from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors effective Monday, May 15. Fletcher has been accused of sexual harassment by a former MTS employee. He denies the allegations, but says this decision is best for his family.
  • The San Diego Single Use Plastic Reduction Ordinance goes into effect tomorrow. This regulation bans the sale and distribution of polystyrene foam products, meaning customers will have to ask for single-use products like straws and utensils at restaurants and stores. Smaller businesses have until March 31, 2024, to implement changes.
Sports
  • Keep on swingin’, Padres. San Diego’s team was defeated by the Colorado Rockies 7-2 at yesterday’s Opening Day game. This is the first of four games in the Opening Series that continues through Sunday, including tonight’s game at 6:40 p.m.
  • Steal a base, score a taco at Rubio’s. This season, if a Padres player successfully steals a base, the locally-founded chain says it’ll let fans add a free à la carte taco to their orders the day after the game.
Real Estate
  • Home sale prices in the San Diego metro area dropped by 1.4% in January, compared to one year prior, according to S&P Case-Shiller Indices — the third greatest decline on the 20-city report. This is the first time San Diego’s annual prices have dropped since June 2012. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Opening
  • We’re bouncing with excitement for the opening of FunBox outside of Parkway Plaza in El Cajon. Tomorrow, the 20,000-sqft park — advertised as the “World’s Biggest Bounce Park” — will debut, offering an array of inflatables and will be open for all ages to enjoy, including adults. (Fox 5)
Number
  • $8. That’s the average cost of a draft or bottled beer at a San Diego bar, according to data compiled by Betting.com. This unhoppy news makes SD the No. 5 most expensive city for beer in the US, when looking at the 100 most populated cities. (Thrillist)
Ranked
Pets
  • This is no joke, the County of San Diego Animal Services is offering $20 adoption fees for adult animals during its “Fool Fur Love” campaign, Saturday, April 1-Sunday, April 9. The reduced fee includes microchipping, spaying or neutering, and vaccinations — and there are plenty of animals looking for homes.
Finance
  • Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*
Drink
  • An electric wine opener is one of those inexpensive kitchen gadgets that you don’t know how you lived without once you get one. We especially love this one for its sleek design and ergonomic grip. To upgrade your wine even further, this set includes an automatic wine aerator and reusable vacuum stopper.
 
 
Eat
 
🌽 Batter up and order up

As you head out to Petco Park, be sure to bring your appetite. Sure, you’ll find peanuts and Cracker Jacks, but the downtown San Diego ballpark wasn’t named 2023’s best MLB Stadium without some local flavor. Here are the new offerings on the concessions map this year.

Hot Hen Fries: French Fries covered in pickles, cole slaw, and hot chicken from San Diego’s Finest Hot Chicken

Hot Hen Fries get their spice from San Diego’s Finest Hot Chicken.

|

Photo via Michael Beausoleil + SDtoday

  • Brews from Alpine Beer Company will be on tap at the company’s new space in Section 311.
  • Kona Big Wave Patio is taking over Bud Patio (Section 227), serving a selection of beers and an island-inspired menu including the Short Rib Rice Bowl.
  • A new cart, Mexican Street Corn, will be serving up corn that’s poppin’ in Section 100. There’s elote made with Tajín Pop Rocks, or try the spicy jalapeño poppers.
You can also find new items at existing vendors, like the Hot Hen Fries and Baja Tacos at The Draft by Ballast Point, or Alpine Beer Company’s Smoked Hot Link at Grand Ole BBQ.
 
Shoutout
 
Shoutout to my fiancé. You brighten up my world more than you’ll ever know. I love you today and always.Lee H.

This could be your shoutout here, but you haven’t joined our SDtoday membership program yet. We can change that. SDtoday team

Your voice is valuable, and so are the special moments in your life. Shoutouts allow us to celebrate job promotions, anniversaries, and exciting experiences right here in San Diego. Become a SDtoday member today to reserve your shoutout and celebrate with tens of thousands of locals.
 
The Wrap
 
Michael Beausoleil Today’s Edition By:
Michael
From the Editor
Good morning, San Diego. Can you believe it’s the last day of March and we’re already a quarter of the way through 2023? The year is flying, but I’m super excited for April. Sure, there’s plenty of Easter fun, but it’s also a great month for foodies. I’ve got my eye on Taste of Hillcrest, Uncorked: San Diego, Fallbrook Avocado Festival, and of course, SoCal Taco Fest 2023.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Plan your next outdoor adventure with SDtoday’s hiking and nature walk guide.
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     
Subscribe     
Advertise     
Shop     
 
 

* This content is paid advertising, or contains links to our Six & Main marketplace, or affiliate partners which we may receive a commission from. ^ This content is created by our content studio.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | SHOP