Summer vacation calls for some summertime treats and in San Diego, nothing beats aguas frescas (Spanish for “cool water” or “refreshing drink”) and homemade churros (fried dough coated in cinnamon and sugar). Lucky for us, San Diego is filled with Mexican restaurants and taquerias that have the tastiest churros and freshest drinks in the world (well, maybe we’re a little biased).
Pressed juices are all the rage, but before there were fancy $10 organic juices, there were aguas frescas. Most Mexican eateries have horchata (rice, milk, cinnamon and sugar), but you don’t want to miss jamaica (hibiscus flowers), and sandia (watermelon) when available. Most of our farmer’s markets have several booths selling these drinks, but for those days you’re not wandering around a farmer’s market, here’s a few places you can grab one.
Puesto is a restaurant that specializes in Mexican street food with two locations in La Jolla and Downtown. They were voted “Best Taco Shop” and “Best Taco” in San Diego and for good reason, they use all natural meats, sustainable seafood and local organic greens. But if you stop by, do not miss their aguas, which are made from scratch daily. Flavors such as mango lime, strawberry banana, jamaica and frozen horchata, are worth a visit alone, even if you’re not hungry.
Locals know that Oscar’s Mexican Seafood has some of the best fish tacos in town, but did you know you could get a tall glass of fresh juice for $2 and change? There are three locations, La Jolla, Pacific Beach and Hillcrest, all serving “Fresh Fruit Water” like guava and watermelon. When you order the famous spicy shrimp taco or ceviche, make sure you order a cool drink as well.
Now, if you want in on the pressed juice craze, than look no further than Juice Saves, the best juice bar in San Diego. Nothing tops this place, with their pure ingredients and exotic combinations, and you won’t mind splurging. Grab a Pineapple Tonic (made of pineapple, pear, lemon and cayenne), or order a Strawberry Milk (an apple, strawberry and coconut milk blend). In you want something that will really fill you up, then order one of their blended drinks, like ‘B-A-N-A-N-A-S,’ made of frozen banana and almond blended with a shot of one of their pressed juices.
At D Bar, a lively and popular neighborhood food joint, you can order their D Bar Signature Vanilla Lemonade for a modern twist on aguas frescas. But, whatever you do, make sure you stay for dessert. Their ‘Ch Ch Ch Churros!’ won’t disappoint. Served with chocolate dipping sauce and homemade vanilla ice cream, this version will melt in your mouth and you’ll be sure to visit again.
Ortega’s Bistro, housed in a charming cottage, is known for their inviting atmosphere as well as their delicious food. But this Hillcrest neighborhood staple, is also known for decadent cream filled churros served with a warm chocolate dipping sauce. And, if you really feel like indulging, order the Tahitian Vanilla Bean Gelato to go with it.
The Blind Burro regularly serves up fresh tacos and tequila, but the reason we love this place are the churros served with a creme anglaise sauce. They’re light as air and cooked (well, technically fried) to perfection. Here’s the best part, their brunch menu offers Churro Waffles, which is reason enough to pay them a visit.
Las Americas Premium Outlets, located less than a mile from the San Diego and Tijuana border, are a great shopping destination, but the real reason we like to visit is for Churros El Tigre. A small food stand, that offers made-to-order churros with sweetened condensed milk as a topping and at reasonable prices. Their dipping sauces include hot caramel, Bavarian cream, hot chocolate, and strawberry preserves, and of course we recommend all of them.
Sipping an aguas frescas or munching on a delicious churro is the perfect indulgence. Our town is simply the best place for such delectable treats. Start your summer off right with a stay at Mission Bay Vacation Rentals and maybe a few refreshing and sugary delights.
