Sometimes there are eateries where you have to weigh the trouble of getting there and getting a table with the quality of food. El Indio fits that category. After three separate attempts to eat there we finally made it inside on a Saturday afternoon. Dial up your patience before taking a trip to this one.

El Indio is a taco shop that has reached institutional status among San Diego locals. Legendary. It is close to downtown, (just off of Washington St.) close to the airport, and has long been popular with the nightlife crowd as a great place to grab a bite before heading out. Since El Indio has been around a long time and the food has always been good, this place is mecca to San Diego residents. It’s always on the list of places to visit for those who moved away from San Diego and come back to visit.

The food: The reason there is a line out the door all day every day is the food. Trust me when I say that the hassle of finding parking and waiting in line is worth it. For a first visit I’d suggest the carne asada buritto. Amazing flavors, built-in spices, and large enough to be a meal unto itself. I don’t think I’ve had a better carne asada burrito and I use them as a measuring device for taco shops. It provides the standard by which all others are judged against. If you need traditional sides of rice and beans you’ll be satisfied with these staples but they are not noteworthy. Instead, make sure to get freshly made guacamole and chips as they are fantastic.

Getting there: If you’re from out-of-town and staying at a downtown hotel, I’d recommend getting a cab. There are several popular places on this block and the parking situation is horrible. If you are going out to El Indio before going out to the clubs you’ll want a cab anyway… so save yourself the frustration and leave the rental car in the parking lot. Other than that, expect a fast-food styled line and limited seating. There is some additional outdoor seating across the street. If it is warm you may want to consider that as well.

Overall: This little joint lives up to the hype. If your trip to San Diego is going to explore taco shops, I’d recommend starting here to get a primer for what is to come. Great flavor, fun vibe, and rock bottom prices. (A rarity in San Diego) If you’re staying in a hotel I’d highly suggest getting a bag of chips, some salsa, and fresh guacamole to keep in your hotel room. You’ll be craving this stuff in no time!

If you venture to only one restaurant off the beaten path in San Diego, it should be Crazee Burger in North Park. Tucked into a nondescript brick building on 30th Street between El Cajon Boulevard and University Avenue is the up-and-coming wine bar recently featured on the Food Network’s Diner, Drive-ins and Dives.

I’m not sure which category Crazee Burger fits into, but we’ll call it a dive bar. Technically, chef Lothar Manz and his co-creator Wolfgang Peter Schlicht label this place a wine bar. While they seem to have a great selection of both, in my four visits I’ve never had a glass of wine or one of of the many beers on tap. Let’s face a fact… with a name like “Crazee Burger” and the media attention to the burgers I’d prefer to talk about the food than the beverage.

Now, let’s talk about the burgers. With 33 burgers to chose from chef Lothar has something for everyone. There are two basic categories. First, you have your beef hamburgers with themed toppings. My favorite is the Aloha burger. It’s a great burger topped with a pineapple ring, Teriaki sauce, and swiss cheese. Second, you’ve got the adventurous burgers. This is where the fun begins. A few of my favorites. The Santorini burger is half beef, half lamb, and topped with homemade Tsatsiki sauce. The Gator burger is grilled alligator meat topped with a sweet curry fruit topping. The thing that strikes me about this exotic burger is how sweet it is! And the Kangaroo burger. If you didn’t know it was Kangaroo you’d think it was just lean beef. What really makes this burger stand out is the great creamy horseradish sauce. All of the burgers come with a side of fries which are memorable because they are topped with Parmesan cheese.

Crazee Burger is one of those places where the enitre experience is the meal. From waiting in line and ordering from their fantastic staff at the bar, to finding a table in the tight seating area, to the uniquely local and quirky art on the walls, to one of the owners pitching in to deliver orders to tables… Crazee Burger is a 360 degree San Diego experience.

Great burgers, fun atmosphere, and nightly happy hour should escalate Crazee Burger to the top of anyone’s list of places to visit in San Diego. My only fear is that it’ll get too popular and I’ll have to wait longer for a table. Let me make one last suggestion for Crazee burger. Go with a group of friends and each order something different. When the food comes, share!