Yes, I admit. Due to my childhood and my education background I have an obsession with hotels and restaurants. It’s an expensive hobby and I wish I could find someone to finance, but till then I am on my own with my limited budget.


So of course when one suffers with restaurant obsession then shows like Diners-Drive Ins and Dives would be among one’s favorite shows. If Guy Fieri needs a sidekick I might be available. Who am I kidding…if Guy Fieri called me to be on any how his shows I would be in heaven.


It’s a bummer that my favorite Triple D show doesn’t feature (not yet, but hoping) eating establishments in Canada and especially in British Columbia. That is probably one of the reasons many of our family vacations (it’s my secret) are scheduled around places in US whose restaurants were featured on Triple D. Maybe I need to give Guy Fieri a call and a list.


Anyway, our last family vacation was in Southern California and Nevada. It gave me opportunity to visit and sample few of the places Guy Fieri recommended to viewers like me.


Our first stop on the Triple D trail was Hob Nob Hill Restaurant in San Diego.


Hob Nob Hill is one of the oldest San Diego restaurant (if not the one). They are open and serving homemade goodness since 1944.


When we entered the restaurant I though we went back in time…..way back in time. Then I saw the sign over the cash register :”Guy (Fieri) ate here” and I knew I was in the right place.





Our party of 9 (4 adults, 3 teens and 2 kids) was seated in a room surrounded by mirror walls and windows with heavy brocade curtains.


It was dinner time on Thursday in late September. I thought there would be more customers , but I was also glad that we can enjoy quieter dinner. I notice most of the customers coming and going were older locals.


The waiting staff mostly consisted of older ladies wearing old fashioned uniforms (black dress with white apron), but that did not affect the service. If anything it made it more pleasant. It was almost like my grandma was serving us at her house.


After being in Southern California for few days and eating around Disneyland and Universal Studios the first thing we all noticed were the prices. One word AFFORDABLE!


Then the food started to come. There is no possible way anyone can leave this place hungry….especially at dinner time.





Before we even ordered our meal baskets of fresh muffins and assortment of fresh breads appeared on the table.


Every dinner meal served in Hob Nob Hill comes with choice of Soup Du Jour, Tossed Green, Caesar, Fresh Spinach, Waldorf, Fiesta or Marinated Bean Salad and includes Choice of Potato, Vegetable or Warm Apple Sauce.


When was the last time you could order Waldorf or Marinated Bean Salad in a restaurant? I don’t remember.


Never mind to have a choice of Caesar or Spinach salad without an EXTRA charge.


Of course I went for the Waldorf salad. One word to describe it – DELICIOUS. My friend tried the Spinach salad which was another hit. Fresh and crispy.


My husband and my boys ordered soup of the day which happened to be Clam Chowder. Judging from their licked clean bowls it was tasty as well.


We had little disagreement amongst us because few of us wanted to order the same dish. However, for the purpose of this review we all decided to try different dishes.


My older son ordered TURKEY CROQUETTES with Mashed Potatoes, Gravy and Cranberry Relish for $11.95.
It was a big portion and it totally satisfied my always hungry teen. The only words I heard from him while eating were:”Seriously, mom you need to try this…this is AWESOME.”





My husband ordered CHICKEN FRIED STEAK with Mashed Potatoes and Country Gravy for $12.95. According to him it was one of the best Chicken Fried Steaks he ever had.


My best friend ordered OLD FASHIONED CHICKEN’ N’ DUMPLING for $11.95 and there was no chance she was able to finish it without help. She shared her meal with her toddler who eats a lot.According to her the dish brought her back to her childhood and it was as good as she remembered.


My best friend’s husband ordered the PRIME RIB OF BEEF with loaded baked potato served only Thursday through Saturday for $17.95 (the biggest portion). The Prime Rib was succulent, done perfectly to his liking and it cut like a butter. Till this day he’s still taking about that dinner.


I ordered SMOKED CENTER CUT PORK CHOP with baked potato for $14.95. I was hesitant because most of the time I order pork chops they come out dry with no life left in them.The pork chops were juicy, perfect texture. Not dry at all. The mashed potatoes were smooth and creamy.


My friend’s teenage daughter and huge salad lover ordered COBB SALAD for $10.75. She loved it so much that I the big Cobb Salad lover had to try few bites and I must agree with her. It was to die for.





Hob Nob Hill restaurant has their own bakery on the premises so we couldn’t leave without buying some fresh cinnamon and pecan rolls to take with us back to Anaheim.


If I ever find myself in San Diego area again Hob Nob Hill restaurant will be the first place I’ll go to eat….and then all the other places on my Triple D list I haven’t visited yet.


Keep up the good work….Hob Nob Hill.


P.S. I know there is lot of bad and so-so reviews on Hob Nob Hill on the internet, but I am so glad I didn’t listen to them. I like to form my own opinion.


THANK YOU Hob Nob Hill Restaurant management for not including automatic 18% Gratuity on our final bill for being party of 9 (5 of it being minors) like EVERY restaurant we visited in state of California and Nevada. We truly appreciate it.


Thank you Guy Fieri for recommending this place….it was MONEY!


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