Justin Kosman Photography

OT: Tour of hunger

I’ve wanted to put this list together for a while and today it has happened.

North County San Diego’s Top 5 eats.

Le Papagayo’s Duck Tacos. Morning, day or night you will not regret this tasty decision. Down in the Leucadia district of Encinitas on the 101.

VG’s Bakery. Black coffee + donuts = post surf salvation. Cheese Danish and joe for $2.83. A daily must after surfing Seaside or Cardiff.

Pannikin Coffee. Get the Hammerhead and you will be buzzing all day. Possibly grinding your teeth. Located on the 101 in a big yellow barn.

Tuscany pasta. This Italian cougar bar / high class restaurant has some of the best happy hours deals in Carlsbad … and some of the most talkative older single women ever assembled around a martini glass. You will not be disappointed.

Swami’s Café.  I’m actually more partial to a secret breakfast spot in Oceanside, but since I actually eat at Swami’s on a weekly basis I have to give it up to them for serving up some great eats.  My personal favorite is the breakfast sandwich with salsa and home fries. They also have self-serve coffee, which will make anyone happy.  If I don’t have any urgent e-mail at 10am when I get out of the water, my morning gets extended at Swami’s Café in Encinitas.

Honorable mention: Beach Grass Café.  I’ve only had their pineapple upside down pancakes one time, but they blew me away. I went to get my laptop pumped up with extra RAM just around the corner and when I wandered in to Beach Grass it was over.  You must have them if you are in Solana Beach this summer.