musicguy: I keep meaning to go to Meaty Meat Burger, but it seems I never get out that way. It’s owned by the son (I think) of the receptionist where I used to work. It burned down and he rebuilt it, so the name is actually Mo Better Meaty Meat Burger. I do need to try it sometime.
vivalostwages: There’s one “right around the corner” from me on Venice Blvd, but if I go one more block there’s an In-N-Out.
Just wanted to add that there is a Rally’s in Buena Park, near Knotts Berry Farm. It is on the corner of Lincoln and Beach.
Hey Skydive101, I live in Encinitas (what a coincidence)! But like VDarlin I lead a very boring life (not a Mommy though). The Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach has lots of live music and is known as “The Symbol of North County Elegance and Taste” (yeah, sure). Give it a try. Welcome aboard.
We could always do San DiegDope II… 
Esprix
There’s always the San Diego Zoo. Get thee on an early southbound train and make a day of it. The zoo is an inexpensive taxi ride or easy bus journey from the San Diego Amtrak station.
While down there you can also check out the SD Maritime Museum.
LA area checking in. You could take the trolley down to San Ysidro then walk into Mexico, even get the bus to Tijuana. It’s a dirty, ugly place but I think it’s important to see it - the contrast with San Diego is amazing.
I’ve never been to Trader Joe’s.
here are some places you should definitely check out!
Getty Center Museum (near west LA/santa monica)
C&O Trattoria (a nice little Italian restaurant)
http://www.cotrattoria.com/
check out venice beach too, its fun on the weekends
there is a lot more too…
any other ideas?
From reading your location jab1, all you have to do is go there and there you’ll be. Trader Joe’s, that is.
But if you want some REALLY good hot dogs, there is no place like Pink’s.
Oh my God this thread is making me hungry. I have only just now tried In-n-Out, and despite the pornographic name, I love the hamburgesas there! There is one literally 50 feet from where I’m living now. Too… much… temptation…
All of the other places you guys mentioned I’ve never even heard of, so I’m about to embark on an odessy of greasy food discovery.
I love everything about being out here except for the job market. IT Consulting seems to be a poop field right now so I’m working at the Best Buy here to pass the time and wait for an opening. Hell, I even applied at Trader Joe’s after seeing how much their people get paid.
I’m completely amazed by the never-ending variety of things to do out here. So many great concerts, events, Irish pubs, beaches, etc. has got my head spinning. Thanks for all the suggestions!
Glad your enjoying our wonderful State and I hope the job market opens up for you soon.
PS. Don’t eat too many of those In-n-Out burgers, we’re a very health conscious state. Well, maybe we’re not but just don’t eat too many anyway 
If you’re in Oceanside, and close to both Trader Joe’s, and In-N-Out, I have a pretty good idea of the area where you are(can you see 78 from there…? ;)). If I am right, there should be an Alberto’s right close to you, as well. At least, there used to be one, just about a block up the road from In-N-Out, if I remember correctly. You definitely have to go there! My suggestion? Carne Asada burrito…YUMMMMMM!
~V
Ya see, everyone jumped all over me for that suggestion. I knew you would like them.
And speaking of the pornographic name, it was quite the fad many years ago for people to take their bumper stickers and cut the “B” and “R” out of the sticker so they now said “In n Out urge” Those wacky rebellious Californians…I’m sure the company was thrilled.
LOL, sorry to miss the bumper sticker rebellion. Guess I’ll have to stick to my Coop red naked devil chick bending over a tire sticker instead.
And I lay my head down now to slumber, as the guns of Camp Pendleton serenade me to sleep.
I’ve lived in Los Angeles County for 50 years.
Try Souplantation; I’ve been to the one in Torrance, about 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. From Union Station, the railroad station in Los Angeles–which is just across Alameda Street from historic Olvera Street–you can take the Metro Red Line, for about $1.45, to the Universal City Station (the subway line runs under the Santa Monica Mountains) to the “NoHo” theatrical district in North Hollywood, just inside the San Fernando Valley). Excellent restaurants in the Universal City Plaza–walk across the intersection from the Red Line station and ride the Universal tram up the hill; it lets you out at the Plaza. If you don’t mind [ppaying a little more, there’s the Stuart Anderson’s Black Angus at the northwest corner of Carson Street and Madrona Avenue in Torrance, at the edge of the Del Amo Fashion Center, a big mall. Farther west and south is the Australian style Outback, on Hawthorne Boulevard almost at the northeast corner of Sepulveda Blvd. (near Sears). Quality meals with prices to match.
When the owners of In-N-Out realized what people were doing to their bumper stickers, they changed the design. (I think the owners are very religious. At least, that’s what I heard.)
There is a Soup Plantation closer to you, in Orange County. I haven’t looked, but I’ll bet there are some in San Diego as well.
If you like prime rib, try The 94th Aero Squadron. There used to be one at Montgomery Field in San Diego. I don’t know if it’s still there or not. If not, then there’s one at the NE corner of Van Nuys Airport. Very good prime rib, escargots, and French onion soup. The coolest thing (well, I am a pilot) is that it’s set up like a WWI French farmhouse, a little worse for wear from Bosch attacks. The one in VNY has a replica Sopwith Camel and a Fokker Dr.I (in a nice state of decay) out front, plus some old military vehicles and cannon. (The Jeeps aren’t period, but they look good.) Out back is a duck pond, and you can watch the airplanes landing on the adjacent runway.
Ah hell, there’s a Soup Plantation just around the corner from Skydive 101, or, at least, there used to be. I know that there are some in San Diego county still, but there used to be more, a number of them have closed down.
Here’s the info for the one that is nearest to Oceanside. I’d call first, though, just to make sure they’re still there.
Carlsbad
1860 Marron Rd.
(760) 434-9100
This, of course, has just made me realize how terribly long it’s been since I’ve been to a Soup Plantation, and now I’m going to have to find out if that one’s still in business(also the closest one to me), and go. Yum!
~V
~V
That Souplantation is still there.
-scout, who LOVES her some Souplantation!
(Off of food for a bit…)
Just in case you missed the love-it-or-hate-it ads for Sit N Sleep mattresses starring Larry and Irwin:
www.sitnsleep.com