3505 Del Mar Heights Rd
San Diego, CA 92130-2122
(858) 755-8588
*Update: this place has since closed. Only the regular-McDonald inside remains.
We all are familar with the symbolic golden arches. McDonalds, in all its Dollar-Menu, Chicken McNugget-strewn glory. We often correlate this with french fries, Big Mac, even Ronald McDonald. But quesadilla, paninis, pasta, and -- GELATO?? -- not so much.
Little did I know there was a McDonald's "Gourmet Bistro" waiting to be tried off Del Mar Heights in San Diego, CA. That's right folks, you heard me: a FANCY McDonalds! Two friends (one of them being the token boyfriend, of course) and myself decided to try it on a Tuesday night. We were already cracked out from the workweek and it wasn't even halfway over.
Upon first stepping in, my first thoughts were, "wow, this is really not a normal McDonalds!" I rushed eagerly to the "fancy" counter. This McDonalds was divided into two -- the "regular" half, and the "gourmet" half. To my dismay, many customers ordered from the regular side. I wanted to shake them by the shoulders and yell - C'MON GUYS, this is a FANCY McDonalds! Why are you not getting FANCY FOOD!
But I digress.
There were many things on the menu, ranging from quesadillas, salads, pasta, paninis, ravioli...and even a gelato stand! Prices ranged from $5 (like sandwiches/paninis) to $8 (the salads, pasta, ravioli).
I tried the Rosemary Chicken Ravioli with cranberry in a fettucine sauce ($8).
Verdict: DELICIOUS! It beats even the ravioli I had at Fleming's (word of advice: don't get it folks). It came with delciously toasted bread, which went very well with the sauce. The raviolis were big and tasty...just the way I like it ("That's what she said!").
Peter had the Chicken Penne Sandwich. While it looked good in the stand, it was not too great in person. The chicken, however, was fried, which was a nice change up.
Will had the steak panini, which was accompanied with a side salad. Pretty good! Encased in bread that was crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside.
The service was friendly, and excellent! I did not manage to catch the name of the guy manning the counter, but he recognized and greeted all his regular customers like old friends. He was very personable and conversational, joking around with us.
After our dinners, Peter and I got gelato. Me: pink grapefruit and hazelnut (tasted like Nuttela); Peter got pink grapefruit.
Gourmet McDonalds gets an A in my book! Good food, friendly service, and a switch-up from the norm.
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