A Guide to National City

Originally occupied by the Kumeyyay people, National City is the second oldest settlement in San Diego County, founded in 1887 (the first was Old Town). Today, travel writers never seem to highlight National City as a day trip destination, but little did any of us know, National City has some top-quality foreign food joints, most in tiny strip malls.

8th street is one of the best places to walk around and find somewhere to eat. One of these places is Silvia Pupuseria. Silvia Pupeseria serves Salvadorian food, namely El Salvador’s amazing staple dish the pupusa. Pupusas are thick corn patties with proteins like pork, beans, and cheese baked in. Silvia charges only two dollars for each one. 

In the same strip mall is Poke Etc, a Hawaiian cafe. Poke is a Hawaiian raw fish appetizer, and Poke Etc serves a variety of flavors such as wasabi, spicy mayo, and garlic tuna. Get it as a bento box with rice and a seaweed salad, or try their curry.

Also in that strip mall is the colorful and cheerful SD Boba Tea, serving boba and desserts. You can choose from 21 flavors of mochi. Mochi is ice cream wrapped in a rice ball. Or you can eat a thick macaroon ice cream sandwich––they come in plenty of neon colors. You can also buy also crepes and açai bowls to add to the irresistible selection of you-can’t-get-them-anywhere foreign desserts. 

On Highland Avenue you’ll find El Mango Manila, a Mexican juice bar with bright green walls serving brunch and desserts. They serve flan, churros, sandwiches, smoothies with Spanish names, Sandia Loca (a hollowed watermelon stuffed with spiced fruits and candy), and more.

Cafe La Maze is a fancy steakhouse and seafood place that’s been around since 1941. The decor takes you back to the time the restaurant began, with red leather and gold shimmering wallpaper. They even have live music. On the subject of vintage restaurants, you can find Neiderfrank’s Ice Cream on A Avenue, established in 1948. They have checkered floors and vintage signs that makes it easy to pretend you’re in the ‘50s. Their ice cream has a perfect creamy consistency.

Tita’s Kitchenette is a Filipino restaurant that, like many other restaurants in National City, serves huge portions for cheap. Order a batch of their chicken skewers or hot and sour soup. For a dessert counterpart, Valerio’s Bakeshop next door serves Filipino desserts like cream cheese rolls, pan de sal (a special regional bread roll) and cheese balls.

If you need something else to do after eating visit Las Palmas Park on 22nd. Las Palmas is home to a picturesque play structure surrounded by tall palm trees. For entertainment, Pasacat Philliphine Performing Arts Company puts on volunteer-produced shows and events. And, from 7am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, there’s a weekend swap meet on D Avenue by Sweetwater river. 

By the way––if you’re the kind of person who loves looking at old buildings––the long history of National City should have massive appeal for you. On 4th street you’ll find Granger Music Hall, commissioned by a man who struck it rich in silver mining. St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church on 8th street is an architectural marvel inspired by an English church––it looks like it was picked up from Europe and dropped in San Diego. And on 23rd street you can find the National City California Southern Railroad Depot, built in 1882. It’s not distinctive architecturally, but it was a major step forward in the effort to destroy California’s railroad monopoly.

While National City might not come to mind as an exciting day trip, take your car down and try delicious authentic cuisine. Your taste buds will thank you, and let it be a lesson that no matter where you visit there’s going to be something extraordinary.

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