Shakespeare Pub — Restaurant in San Diego

Okay my mother’s English. I remember being a toddler before emigrated back when I was four. So I was raised proper. If you know what that means you know.

I have to eat here if I’m anywhere close while running errands. My British aunt was taken her along with my Anglophile father and aforementioned mother when they visited me a few years back. Everyone was completely satisfied.

First off the place is clean, and casual. It overlooks the airport. I’m a retired aerospace engineer so in my mind the view is tops.

As to the food if you are British you will be satisfied. The fish and chips is standard. The chips are proper chips. Plenty of them with real malt vinegar on the table. The fish is of decent size with a perfect batter, crispy and not soggy. Peas were just right. They also offer coleslaw or American style fries for some reason.

I had the Sunday roast a while back. I could imagine my Uncle pushing back from the table getting the last bit of gravy with a satisfied look. As only a child of the depression and blitz could look satisfied. The pies and such have always pleased those I’ve brought through, even my gourmand son. My vegetarian niece found something that she devoured with pleasure. I forget what but when the picky eater is happy you just smile.

There is a very good variety of beers that are respected. With my Sunday meal I had a nice Bitter that was perfect. My beer brewing son in law thought that the selection was excellent. The soft drinks on hand are both American and British.

The staff are professional and courteous. They take care of you without fanfare. Remember to tip generous and such. These folks are great. I could see bringing folks for a casual business lunch. The food enough variety to give anyone a decent well cooked meal. I and many I know drop by here for dinner on the way home. Like I brought my folks and family it’s conducive to family...

Update 3: these guys appear to have really cleaned up their act. Dare I say it, almost makes me proud! I hope don’t end up eating my words. Removed all the offensive cartoons from the restrooms. Not asking for my card anymore when I sit down for a meal. Waiters and waitresses actually are polite, friendly and helpful. Great atmosphere for sports. Adding some stars. If they maintain it, I will keep adding :)

Haha England lost EURO 2024!! 🤣 PS. Check out the racist cartoons in the restrooms! Disgusting

Update 2: good to see racist cartoons gone from restroom. Now “just” sexist creepy cartoons lol. Food greatly overpriced. Parking hard to find on busy night. Service better.

Update 1: this place seems to me to be racist. Asked for my card when I went to sit outside. As soon as they realized I was sitting with my friends (who by chance happened to be white) for the Ivy League pub quiz, they gave back my card. Others never had their card taken away.

Reminded me of being in UK again, was fun (detect the sarcasm?)! Authentic gruff service (i.e., quite rude, especially from British staff), matter of fact comfort simple British grub. Mushy peas is $5 extra, I wasn’t that desperate for it! Ok pie and also Apple crumble with custard. Shop with typical British products, like Heinz sauces and baked beans, Marmite etc. There’s free parking at back. Subsequently tried fish and chips: definitely not even close to the best in San Diego, let alone USA (and I’m British, so I KNOW). Fries didn’t seem freshly cut and cooked Insisted on borrowing vinegar from our table repeatedly even though many other tables had vinegar: just have enough vinegar to begin with. Couple of other issues, but won’t go into it here. Really overpriced for the...

Very friendly staff, large portions,, very good food and excellent mixed drinks, manager was very accommodating.

Rachel was a great and very friendly waitress, and Nikki (Asst Mgr) even bent the rules to make me happy. My 1st visit but I will be back when I'm in the area.

The fish & chips were very good light crisp batter on thin fillets (Not tempura style which I actually prefer), the fish tasted very fresh. Fat fries were a large portion. I tried one of their signature drinks "The British Sidecar" - Excellent, very smooth great flavor, just a little bit sweet & just the right strength, I'm going to have to try to order it at my local establishments.

Now as I said they have good portions on their normal menu, but I decided to try their White Whale challenge - 2lbs of fish / 2lbs of fries / large order of peas - If you can finish it in 45min it's FREE otherwise $29.95 and you get a "I Did It" t-shirt in recognition, with their name & description of the event on the back. All i can say is this isn't for the faint of heart - we're talking about 4.5lbs of delicious food. Never tried 1 of these challenges before but I was quite hungry & it seemed like it might be fun. I did struggle to finish the plate but took 48.5 minutes, I didn't mind paying the $29.95 for the meal as I felt like that was a bargain 3 times the size of their normal fish & chips which was $15.95

As I said great staff / food / drinks all at very moderate prices, only negative I can say is no parking (just like a LOT of San Diego) - I decided to pay the $8 for the valet service (unaffiliated) right out front instead of driving in circles...