Restaurants in Poway

Luc's executive chef, Philippe Verpiand, presents lunch and dinner menus teeming with classic comfort dishes and French-inspired Southern fare. Patrons begin gastronomical endeavors with truffle-oil-and-parmesan french fries ($4) or organic beet salad with spring mix, blue cheese, and walnuts ($7.75). Dressier than a typical sandwich in a tuxedo T-shirt, the lunchtime veggie panino houses fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers, eggplant, tapenade, and basil sauce ($7.75) inside its cushy carbohydrate jacket. Atop a bed of sautéed veggies and mashed potatoes, a red-wine sauce saturates braised chicken thighs ($11.25) and fork-tender beef short ribs ($17.95), and Atlantic salmon takes comfort in the company of crab ravioli, coconut-cauliflower cream, and curry oil ($14.95). Luc's specialty mac 'n' cheese with mozzarella, parmesan, blue cheese, and peppered bacon ($9.95) is available for both afternoon and evening noshings, and when used as a breakfast of leftovers is both a delicacy and a thoughtful belated Mother's Day gift.

From thin, two-handed East Coast staples to the Midwest's famed deep-dish variety, Sweet Home Chicago brings the best to the west. Feast on a super skinny slice of NY-style pie smothered in cheese ($11 medium, $14 large), pepperoni and sausage ($15 for a medium), or pepperoni, sausage, meatball, mushroom, onion, and green peppers ($19 for a large). Toppings run the gamut from black olives to banana peppers. Chunky tomato sauce crested atop a buttery crest with mounds and mounds of cheese epitomize the Windy City's stuffed pie. Stretch stomach muscles to the moon and back with a monkey pie, studded with sausage and banana peppers ($17 medium, $21.50 large), or a meat-heavy and jalapeño-blessed El Goffo ($19 medium, $23.75 large). Sweet Home Chicago also serves Chicago-style thin crust (browned cheese, square cut), calzones, and salads. A wide selection of rotating craft beers makes perfect pizza companions.

Poway Sushi Lounge celebrates the grand economy of flavor that can be packed into a singular, satisfying chomp. Starting appetites simmer under the spell of chipotle-baked mussels ($6) and agedashi tofu that's flash-fried before a soothing bonito bath ($5), bracing the palate for the dynamic rolls ahead. Handmade sushi rolls cater themselves to all hankerings with refreshing bites of spicy crab in the Red Dragon rolls ($12) and Tsunami rolls that unite shrimp, crab, avocado, and asparagus layered in Cajun-seared albacore and roasted garlic ($14). A diverse nigiri and sashimi menu focuses on individual ingredients, while the kitchen's selection of entrees ushers in classic plates of sesame chicken ($12) and charred salmon with asparagus and baby spinach ($14).

After graduating from high school, Reza Karkouti dreamed of opening his own teriyaki restaurant. He garnered support from family and friends, and he and his father, Ahad, opened a tiny eatery called Tokyo's Teriyaki in Encinitas in 1992. Through hard work and an attention to detail, the restaurant's reputation grew, and the demand for juicy, teriyaki-glazed chicken and beef quickly spread to other cities. This led Reza’s younger brother, Amir, to help open a second location. Now a seven-location, family-owned chain, Surf Brothers Teriyaki still sees its two siblings focusing on customer service and quality products.

The duo chooses natural meats that are minimally processed, hand trimmed, and grilled, avoiding shortcuts such as microwaves, frozen foods, and laser-based slicing. Their Hawaiian-themed restaurants and catering business have been featured in numerous television spots, radio shows, and newspaper articles. Michelle Murphy Zive of SanDiegoFamily.com says the restaurant offers "a taste of Hawaii" and "healthy food served fast." The brothers give back to the community that helped them grow by donating to charitable organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Homes project.

At Cafe Lily, the vibrant, house-made fare mirrors the pastel storefronts of the Old Poway Village outside. The eatery was described by the Pomerado News as "an energetic hub brewing social interaction and creativity, as envisioned by owner Sean Sassani." A blend of Sean's artistic inclinations and his mother, Lily's, culinary talents, the café doles out steaming cups of Divine Madman coffee, a flavorful, organic java that's roasted in 1-pound batches via eco-friendly and socially responsible techniques. Loose-leaf black, green, chai, and herbal teas hail from global gardens, but breakfast and lunch menus claim roots in Lily's own kitchen. Cold sandwiches and colorful paninis, some stuffed with Boar's Head meats⎯like a deli owner's bed pillow⎯serve as savory precursors to pastries and cakes baked onsite.

Patrons can entertain themselves around a fragmented puzzle, or absorb euphonic sounds during open-mic sessions and sets by live musicians. Creativity continues to run abound in the form of colorful artwork by local artists. Coral walls and a fireplace add to the coffee shop's warm ambiance, which extends to an outdoor deck and induces a sneaking suspicion that you might secretly be on fire.

Shortly after moving to San Diego in 1987, Matt Shlemon walked into a Texas-style barbecue restaurant and was floored by the succulent, smoky flavors. Convinced that this was the best food he had ever tasted, Matt scribbled a number onto a napkin and offered to buy the restaurant right then and there—even though it wasn’t for sale. The ensuing hours of negotiations paid off, and the Shlemon family found themselves with a restaurant.

To prepare for the monumental task of recreating a region’s iconic cuisine, Matt and his wife, Athena, traveled to roadside eateries throughout Texas and asked patrons for their thoughts on authentic barbecue. They learned numerous tips and tricks during this sojourn, many of which they incorporated into their business. Their signature beef brisket, for example, slow cooks for 18–24 hours inside a hand-built, cast-iron smoker from Texas, which the Shlemons stoke with a fragrant combination of mesquite, green oak, and Red Hots, the candies that never stop burning. And, like any good Texan cookbook, the menu makes room for everything from pork spareribs to sausage hot links and includes housemade side dishes prepared fresh every day.

The Texan and American flags proudly hang over the counter, and the walls’ collection of longhorn skulls, wooden wagon wheels, and Texas license plates evoke even more of the Lone Star State’s character. Black-and-white checkered cloths adorn each table, helping catch any stray morsels of sauce or homemade coleslaw, and adding to the distinctively down-home ambiance.