All chain restaurants are by default in the bad category (Appleby's is in double default for the name alone). In this section of the S.L.O.B.™ newsletter I will attempt to "turn you on" to the great local spots that offer up something more than nourishment for the body... Manja, manja...

OK, to believe a review you've got to know the writer's perspective...I'm not necessarily objective or fair...I'm hungry. . I am a 40 something, married with a wife and 16 month old daughter and an awesome dog, that is sometimes spoiled and sometimes ignored depending on if I can motivate to take her for a run...I work a lot, mom is stay at home, baby is great but we really need to get out of the house sometimes. You know - be able to take the kid and dog go somewhere and have people feed us good food and serve us good beer and wine, it needs to be walking distance from my house , (i.e. in the neighborhood) and I want to wear flip-flops.

This is what I dream about. An answer to the daily haunting question: "What should we have for dinner"? It's more of an accusation than a question. Like I need to come up with something that will inspire our little family unit, add spontaneity and excitement, give us a moment to remember in the family album/memory banks..... It has been a while, but my dreams have come true. South Park now has my Daddy Nirvana destination, delivered by Sam Chamis and his super-ability to deliver dining/drinking establishments that are uniquely San Diego and just uniquely cool.... The Station Tavern is all about good simple American food. Think of it as being able to go on a hosted picnic, bring the kids and dog, sit outside at picnic tables, eat good tasting handmade burgers, dogs, fries, and tater tots. We are in California so the prerequisite veggie burger and sweet potato fries (my favorite) are a on the menu. All of this with a full bar attached. Yes daddy a family destination that allows you to bring the entire clan and still order a mommy's favorite cocktail and you get to choose local microbrew off the tap.

Setting is SoCal Modern with one side of the building basically open to a courtyard, and another wall open to the sidewalk for appropriate people watching. Get there early on weekends if you want an outside table, which allows you to sit and watch your children run wild on the mini kid sized trolley car.

Overall a good family outing kind of place, with a hipness not usually available to the growing family. The Station definitely turns into a happening destination the later it gets, transitioning from family to single 20 something's.... Only complaints are I would like to see more local brews on tap, not only because this is a S.L.O.B.™ publication, but because we live in one of the most vibrant micro beer centers in the world. Service is more barlike than restaurant and fits the relaxed atmosphere so not a good place if you are in a hurry, but perfect for a lazy fall afternoon of beer, burgers and sunshine....

South Park, Golden Hill
2204 Fern St
(between Ivy St & Juniper St)
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 255-0657
www.stationtavern.com