When you're walking the streets of downtown San Diego during Comic-Con, you're almost guaranteed to work up a Hulk-like appetite.
Fear not, Comic-Con visitors: We've picked some spots that are walking distance to the Convention Center and offering unique Comic-Con themed specials.
And don't forget: If you're attending the convention, many restaurants/bars are even offering deals or discounts if you simply show your badge!
barleymash
600 Fifth Ave.
barleymash.com
-- A go-to restaurant/bar for many Gaslamp Quarter visitors, barleymash is once again in the Comic-Con mood with a lineup of themed dishes and drinks. Starting July 18, drop by for The Caped Crusader mac and cheese and The Riddler dessert (a double fudge chocolate cake with house-made mint ice cream). If you’re in the mood for an alcoholic beverage, get the Poison Ivy (blend of Herradua Blanco tequila, cucumber, mint, agave, lime and tajin) or the Brews Wayne Juicy Hazy IPA, which is a collaboration between barleymash and Thorn St. Brewing.
Bleu Boheme
4090 Adams Ave.
bleuboheme.com
-- The Kensington-area eatery is getting into the Comic-Con spirit with a cocktail inspired by Spider-Woman. Femme d'Araignée consists of rye whisky, Ramos Pinto fine ruby port, lemon juice and simply syrup, topped with soda water. Get it for $14 from July 18-21.
Breakfast Republic East Village
701 G St.
breakfastrepublic.com
-- One of San Diego’s most popular breakfast restaurants is extending its hours into dinnertime at its East Village location just for Comic-Con, and they’ll be serving up some super hero-inspired dishes and drinks to celebrate the week.
Here’s some of what will be on the special dinner menu from July 18-21 (3 p.m.-9 p.m.):
-- Justice League Mac ‘n’ Cheese: Macaroni topped with shrimp, BR’s famous Jurassic Pork bacon, cheddar cheese sauce and parmesan cheese.
-- Daredevil Burger: Hamburger with asadero cheese, roasted jalapeno peppers, roasted tomatoes, avocado, jalapeno aioli and a fried egg.
-- Hunky Hulk: Infused with muddled basil and cucumber, gin, lemon juice and simple syrup.
-- The Dark Knight: Cold brew, horchata vodka, Kahlua and chocolate bitters.
-- Marvel-Rita: Muddled serrano, pineapple, mezcal, tequila, lemon juice and a tajin rim.
CrunchTime Popcorn
611 K St.
crunchtimepopcorn.com
For Comic-Con week, one of the more popular places for a quick bite at awesome prices will have two all-beef hot dogs for $5, as well as a Chicago-style hot dog for $3.50. You can also get Mini Play bags of CrunchTime Popcorn for $2.49 each. Plus, for sweet treats, get ice cream cookie sandwiches for $6.75 or frozen dipped bananas for $2.75 (plain) or $3.45 (with nuts).
Primavera Ristorante
932 Orange Ave., Coronado
primavera1st.com
-- It’s all about Nintendo’s Mario Brothers for Comic-Con week at this popular Italian restaurant in Coronado. The eatery is serving up the Super Mario Brothers Meatballs (house-made pork and beef meatballs stuffed with creamy ricotta and served with house-made marinara, available for $12) and Mario Marsala (sautéed chicken breast with fresh mushrooms in Marsala wine sauce, priced at $28). The Luigi Martini, made with gin, dry vermouth, Cointreau, grenadine and orange juice, will also be available for $14.
Punch Bowl Social
1485 E St.
punchbowlsocial.com
-- One of the hottest hangout spots in downtown San Diego will have a special drink just for the week of the convention. Known as Dr. Banner’s Wellness Elixir, the $12 concoction is a special blend of Malahat Spiced Rum, RumHaven Cocount Rum, coconut milk, fresh lime juice, Coco Lopez coconut cream and matcha garnished with fresh mint. Punch Bowl Social is serving the Con-themed cocktail July 15-21.
Searsucker San Diego
611 Fifth Ave.
searsucker.com/san-diego
-- Searsucker has come through with uniquely themed specials for Comic-Con visitors in recent years, and this year’s menus are no different.
The popular downtown spot will have the Tribute to Stan Lee specialty cocktail menu, in honor of the brilliant comic book writer/publisher. You can toast to Mr. Lee’s accomplishments with drinks such as the “Stan the Man” (Grey Goose vodka, Lillet Blanc, apricot, passion fruit, pineapple, lime, cardamom and mint), the “Dr. Doom” (cucumber, gin, bruised mint, lime and soda), or the “Cameo” (Remy 1738 cognac, peach, Campari, tropical Red Bull). (CLICK HERE FOR FULL TRIBUTE MENU)
“Game of Thrones” may be gone from the airwaves, but it lives on in other ways. For Comic-Con week, Searsucker is serving GOT-inspired scotches. Try drinks like the Dalwhinnie Winter Frost House Stark or the Cardhu Gold Reserve House Targaryen, and maybe you’ll know things like Tyrion Lannister. (CLICK HERE FOR FULL GOT MENU)
In addition to its special drink menus, Searsucker will have a "Character Brunch," where staff members will be serving customers while in costume!
The Smoking Gun
555 Market St.
thesmokinggunsd.com
-- The Smoking Gun will have some unique cocktails that “Walking Dead” fans will surely appreciate.
Here’s some of what they’ll have for the thirsty Con walkers:
-- Zombie Blood: blend of Cutwater Gin, Aperol, fresh lemon and pomegranate juice
-- The Rick: El Jimador Blanco Tequila, house made curacao, fresh lime juice and soda water
-- Carol Is A Badass: Old Forester Whiskey, fresh lemon juice, honey, ginger, angostura bitters, blood orange ale
Sugar Factory American Brasserie at Theatre Box
701 Fifth Ave.
sugarfactory.com
-- From July 18-21, head over to the Sugar Factory and indulge in its Comic-Con-inspired dishes and drinks.
Some of what’s included in the special menu:
-- Captain America Burger: Certified Black Angus beef patty with Vermond white cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, crispy onions and Sugar Factory sauce -- all served between a blue brioche bun
-- Deadpool Wrap: Tomato tortilla filled with crispy chicken, romaine lettuce, parmesan, croutons and buffalo dressing
-- Do or Do Not Yoda Wrap: Spinach tortilla filled with turkey, bacon, tomato, lettuce, avocado and chipotle aioli
-- Hulk Sliders: Sugar Factory’s classic mini burgers served on green buns with American cheese, crispy onions, the special Sugar Factory sauce and a duckie you can keep
-- Iron Fist Salad: Farro, strawberries, baby arugula, goat cheese, shaved fennel, crispy shallots and balsamic vinaigrette
-- Shazam! Hot Dog: Hot dog topped with aged cheddar cheese and relish, served on a brioche bun
-- Wonder Woman Salad: Mixture of quinoa, kale, tomato, cucumber, carrots, mint, basil and lemon vinaigrette
Tajima
901 E. St.
tajimasandiego.com
-- A favorite for many San Diegans when it comes to ramen, Tajima’s East Village location will have a special ramen that honors the popular manga series Naruto. The Naruto Ramen is a bowl of miso broth, pork chashu, a half ramen egg, sautéed garlic shitake mushrooms, green onion, baby bok choy and a “Naruto” fishcake.
Tajima’s location in Kearny Mesa will also be celebrating the Con with three Pokémon-inspired cocktails. The Strawmander (strawberry and citrus liqueurs), the Tikichu (vodka, floral liqueurs and pineapple) and Bluebasaur (blend of rum, orange and mixed tropical liqueurs) will be available throughout the month of July.
Union Kitchen & Tap
333 Fifth Ave.
gaslampunion.com
-- Throughout Comic-Con week, this Gaslamp spot will have drink specials and special pop culture-inspired events, including Star Wars trivia and karaoke nights. To celebrate the last night of the convention, Union Kitchen & Tap will have drink specials after 10 p.m. on July 20.
Whiphand
935 J St.
whiphandsd.com
-- The WhipHand will have food and drinks inspired by “The Walking Dead”! If you have your Comic-Con badge on hand and/or if you’re in a costume, you can get a special Walker cocktail at half off. The special drink is a blend of white rum, Jamaican rum, Overproof, citrus, falernum, orgeat and pineapple. Additionally, having a badge and/or a costume can get you the SKINS dish for $7. SKINS are a plate of potato skins covered in sour cream, cheese and bacon, with truffle dressing on the side. WhipHand’s Happy Hour pricing on food and drinks will be available any time during the convention.
Comic-Con organizers have put together a restaurant guide to help you find other places to eat and drink near the convention. Click here to access the full guide.
