By Steve O San Diego
Secret menu item alert!!! Shhh….
Last week, I stopped by Northside Tavern for my favorite item on the menu: the Cali Bowl.
I didn’t realize things were about to change. If you haven’t had it yet, it’s basically a burrito in a bowl with shredded cabbage, rice, black beans, avocado, pico de gallo, cotija cheese, and your choice of protein (chicken, carne asada, shrimp, carnitas, or birria), all topped with salsa or chipotle sauce if you go with the shrimp.
The last time I had it, it was still a secret menu item, so secret that even some of the bartenders didn’t know about it. I ordered it with shrimp, and honestly, it was next-level good. Now it has been added to their menu.
But this visit took an unexpected and delicious turn. Just as I arrived, I ran into Tom North, one of the owners, on his way out. I mentioned I was about to order the Cali Bowl again, and he let me in on another secret menu item he’s been working on which is a twist inspired by the Hawaiian Loco Moco.
When he mentioned the name of the dish, I had to ask him to repeat it a couple of times because I was unfamiliar with the term “Loco Moco.” In the end, I just kindly asked Tom to put in the order for me while I looked it up and learned more about it.
The origins of the Loco Moco go back to Hilo, Hawaii, in 1949.
A group of hungry teenagers from the Lincoln Wreckers Sports Club used to hang out at a small café called the Lincoln Grill. Tired of the usual sandwich-and-fries routine (and probably low on cash), they asked the owners, Richard and Nancy Inouye, to make something cheap, hearty, and different.
Nancy came up with a simple yet genius dish: a scoop of white rice, topped with a hamburger patty, covered in brown gravy, and finished with a fried egg on top.
Northside Tavern’s version of the Loco Moco Cali Bowl takes their standard Cali Bowl base and swaps out the usual protein for a grilled hamburger patty and two eggs.
I took Tom’s word for it and gave it a shot. He was absolutely right as this remix takes an already excellent bowl and kicks it up with hearty, savory comfort food energy. The hamburger patty is grilled just right, giving it that backyard BBQ vibe, and the creamy egg yolk ties everything together in the best way. It’s rich, filling, and seriously satisfying. And it’s no small portion. This is the kind of meal you could easily split into two servings if you’re not starving.
Right now, it’s not listed on any menu, but if you ask for the “Loco Moco style” Cali Bowl with two eggs and a hamburger patty, and give a little explanation, they’ll know exactly what you mean.
Highly recommend giving it a try. Just a heads-up, it’s hard to photograph what’s really going on inside this bowl of greatness. It might not look flashy, but it absolutely delivers on flavor. I have also included my previous visit photo of the delicious Shrimp Cali Bowl.
Address:
2228 Bacon St, Ocean Beach CA, 92107
Website:northsidetavernob.com/
Telephone: 619.228.9980
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