Posted by Andrew Wyatt on June 14, 2007
Of all the Roadfood-approved establishments in the San Diego area, D.Z. Akins is my favorite, and the most pleasant surprise. I went in search of DZ the night I arrived in San Diego on business, and tired though I was, it was well worth the drive of twenty minutes or so from my hotel.
It's tucked into a strip mall, and would be easy to miss if not for the large sign visible from the interstate. Once you walk in, however, you realize how huge it is, with a full bakery and dining space that goes on and on. The atmosphere is an odd gestalt of southern California diner and New York City deli, but the combination is pleasing. The place was clean--by Roadfood standards--and the waitstaff cheerful and helpful.
The menu is huge, but somewhat limited for a lacto-ovo vegetarian such as myself. My waitress helped me pick something out, and I settled on a half order of blintzes (blueberry) and a thick Swiss cheese sandwich. Very tasty, and I especially appreciated the extra helping of cold, crisp romaine lettuce on the sandwich. I was too full to pick up some dessert to go from the bakery, but the available cookies looked very tempting. I'll definitely return when I'm in the San Diego region again.
Overall: Worth a major detour
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Reviewers "Must Eats" List
"One of the best corned beef sandwiches we've had in a long, long time: hot meat, fresh bread, snappy mustard. Perfection."
Michael Stern
"Blintzes come four to an order with sour cream on the side."
Michael Stern
"According to the menu, this is 'Grandma Fay's' Matzoh Brei. We tip our hats with respect and admiration to Grandma Fay! (Those are apple sauce and sour cream in the background.)"
Michael Stern
"This close-up picture of the matzoh brei shows a perfect confluence of egg and matzoh that is the essence of the dish."
Michael Stern
"Some of the just-baked ryes and pumpernickles for sale on D.Z. Akins' shelves"
Michael Stern
"These challahs have an eggy-yeasty aroma that is dizzying."
Michael Stern
"D.Z. Akins is a huge establishment, the size of a whole small shopping center."
Michael Stern
"We haven't yet tried any of these soups, but we'd bet they're very good. Note the celebrity 8x10 pictures on the wall. The interior is plastered with publicity photos from famous and not-so-famous friends of the house."
Michael Stern
