Is Hash House A Go Go San Diego’s best breakfast?

On this site, we’ve debated San Diego’s best bar, beer, burger and breakfast.  There is no shortage of choices in any of these categories.  And it seems like my opinion changes with each visit.

Yesterday I was back at Hash House A Go Go with my friends Nick and Vicki.  It was their first time at Hash House.  It’s a little bit away from our usual Downtown spots.  Located at 3628 5th Avenue on the south side of Hillcrest, it’s a nice quiet place to hang and about a 5 minute drive from home in Little Italy.  You’ll know when you’re there because of the line out the door.  So, we faced the usual dillema, is it worth waiting for 45 minutes on a Friday at 11:30 for breakfast at Hash House A Go Go?  (Or an hour and a half on a weekend?)

Nick and Vick didn’t need much convincing–and it was really worth it. 

Share a breakfast at Hash House A Go Go

They call their menu at HH (that’s Hash House) “Twisted Farm Food.”  The owners and chef grew up in Indiana on a farm.  I suppose this is homage to the comfort food they remember from their past.  The biggest twists are fantastic recipes and ingredients and ginormous portions.  The place has style and a feel all it’s own.

Hash House A Go Go is open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, although the lines at brunch time prove that the menu isn’t distinctly about any mealtime.  Another reason the menu tends to blur is the creativity of the resident mixologist and the overwhelming response from diners to enjoy breakfast cocktails.  Way, way more than your standard bloody mary/mimosa brunch.

Then comes the real challenge–what to eat from among the many options?  This is not a “ham and eggs or western omlette” breakfast restaurant.  There are three major breakfast categories; hashes, benedicts and scrambles, in addition to waffles and pancakes.  Whatever you choose, plan on sharing.  Or taking half of your meal home.

Nick and Vicki shared Andy’s Sage Fried Chicken Benedict.  It was a work of art, spread over a very large pallet, including  fresh spinach, hardwood smoked bacon, market tomato, griddled mozzarella, chipotle cream and scrambled eggs.  They didn’t finish it all.  My smoked salmon hash was delicious.  The smoked salmon is combined with herbed potatoes, a dollop of cream cheese and fresh vegetables.  Yummy!

Hash House–not just for San Diego anymore 

Hash House is celebrating their eleventh year in Hillcrest.  It  has always seemed like a neighborhood restaurant, where friends meet (Cheers without Norm…).   A few years ago they opened the Tractor Room across the street on 5th–a restaurant and bar specializing in healthy food (huge portions) and creative cocktails.  There are now four Hash Houses in Nevada; 3 in Las Vegas and one in Reno!

It sounds like twisted farm food is developing quite a reputation.  Have you been to Hash House in Las Vegas?  Please share your thoughts and experiences.

What’s your favorite San Diego breakfast?