Northside Tavern — Restaurant in San Diego

Mother's Saloon has potential, but they're going to have to tweak a few things if they truly want to win the loyalty of Obecians. While I do miss the nostalgic Dreamstreet and all of the fond (drunken) memories I had there in 2003, Mother's wasn't that bad. A few tweaks and they could have a 5 star joint (no pun intended).

What they've done right: The open atmosphere, plenty of tv's.....it's a sports bar with a touch of class, so the crowd is a nice mix. I didn't see much of the usual scum. Also, the food is good and you can't really mess up beer. They also had a live band playing (take a wild guess what genre it was).

Well, for starters, my crew and I walked in last night and sat at a table. We knew they had food, and we saw staff going to other tables to bring food, drop off checks, etc., so we figured we'd get some service right at our table. Plus, then you see the prices on the menu (6 wings for $8?) and you figure if the caliber of the food is that great, then this place really SHOULD have some kind of service to the tables. Not quite. We ordered some of the nachos, which we gobbled up in our tipsiness as well. Good portion and they tasted okay.

We played some pool while waiting our shot at shuffleboard. Once it finally opened, we had to surrender our ID's for a bag of pucks. Some of the pucks were busted up, but who really cares as long as you can determine which ones are yours. They also had a chalk board up for scoring which was nice. Not a lot of room to stand and enjoy your beers though.

All this in one night. Like i said, the food is great. The atmosphere is great. But Mother's Saloon: you've got a lot of work to do if you want to make it in a town like this. Tiny's wings are like $5, as everyone knows you shouldn't have to pay more than $1 per wing. Start training your staff in customer service, and advertising your specials and maybe I'll...

This is a large dive/sports bar. But with real neighborhood appeal. Different nights have different regulars and wildly change the vibe, but it's always good.

Wednesdays have trivia and free pool. There is a low stage with live music, sometimes people even get some dancing going. Sunday's lately there have been some incredible musicians and so far it's all been free.

They also just recently (7/2024) won a chicken wing cook off with some sweet Thai chili wings, and the trophy is pretty cool.

The owners and both locals and they work the bar so they are in touch with goings on and the attitude is always light and fun.

The food here is an undersung gem... My favorite is the pazole currently, and they usually have a few things they are trying new on the specials board. Their half nachos are a great deal and can easily feed two (I like so sub fries instead of chips). And I'm the mornings Monday through Thursday it's half off breakfast for a little bit in the morning.

This is really an excellent place to catch a game or grab a bite. There is outdoor seating and it looks like you can bring kids there but you definitely cannot. We keep trying to convince them to allow kids on the patio during the day but they haven't agreed yet.

There are a lot of characters here and it's always a good time. Can't recommend this place enough.

The locals here are always willing to steer you in the right direction whether it is food or...

"Welcome to Northside Tavern in the heart of Ocean Beach, where the ocean breeze meets the beats of local bands, and the atmosphere is as chill as a surfer catching the perfect wave. This place isn't just a tavern; it's a sanctuary for OB locals and visitors alike to unwind, groove to great tunes, and indulge in some seriously tasty treats.

Let's talk about the food. If you haven't tried the loaded tots, you're seriously missing out. Picture this: crispy golden tots piled high with all the fixings – cheese, bacon, sour cream, the works. It's like a party in your mouth, and everyone's invited. And then there's the ahi poke crisps – a spicy masterpiece that'll have your taste buds doing a happy dance. They're like crunchy bites of paradise with a kick that keeps you coming back for more.

But it's not just the food that keeps you hooked; it's the vibe. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted by the sounds of live music floating through the air, drawing you in like a moth to a flame. Wayne, the bouncer with the heart of gold, give that man a tip of your scally and a nod of appreciation for keeping the peace while the party rages on.

So, grab a seat, order a cold one, and let the good times roll. Whether you're here for the tunes, the tots, or just to soak in the laid-back OB vibes, Northside Tavern is the place to be. Just don't blame us if you never...