out and about: harry's coffee shop

Talk about a long time local staple in la jolla proper, and you are talking about harry’s. I can’t remember a time when it wasn’t here (because it’s been here longer than i’ve been alive- looking at you 1960), or we weren’t going. I went as a child with my grandparents and parents, as a teenager for late weekend breakfasts, as an adult for a weekend out, and with my children for a special treat.

It’s the locals local. I even went to high school with some of the kids. And my last visit? Walked right by my childhood best friend’s dad, which really wasn’t that much of a surprise, since we’ve always joked that harry’s was his office away from the office.

There’s nothing fancy or frou frou about it. Just classic dinner fare, cooked to perfection, and oh so tasty. Just thinking about it has me craving it.

The only downside? It closes at 3, so you can’t get breakfast for dinner.

A little bit of dissappointment. Usually harry’s hosts two beers. Pacifico and stone ipa. And you know how jamie feels about stone. So he was a little sad when they were out and he had to “settle” for pacifico.

Personally I love that they have tangerine (my favorite of all the citrus juices) mimosas.

breakfast burrito: scrambled eggs, american cheese, hash brown potatoes, and bacon

The breakfast burrito doesn’t get better than this. (Although they do have a carne asada verson that’s pretty darn special). Everything is cooked perfectly, and the best part? The salsa that it’s served with. Like seriously I could bathe in it… and let’s just be real, this is southern california. We like our breakfast burritos with salsa, but so many places don’t serve it, or even have it when you ask for it.

harry’s famous grilled tuna melt: tuna salad with tomato, melted cheddar cheese served on grilled sourdough- add avocado extra charge

There is a reason why this is called the “famous” tuna melt. And as a lover of all things tuna melty, I whole heartedly agree. This is literally what you imagine when you think about what a tuna melt should tast like. And the grilled buttery bread? Takes it to a whole other level. Pro tip. Add the avocado.

patty melt: hamburger patty with cheddar cheese on grilled rye served with hashbrowns- grilled onions served upon request

I always forget how much I love rye bread, until i have it. And then I fall in love with it all over again and want to put it on all the things. I love this nod to the brooklyn deli scene. I should have also been more clear. Not only do I love tuna melts, I simply love any kind of melt. And let’s be honest. Unless you have an allergy, there is no reason you shouldn’t be adding onions to the patty melt. It just wratchets the flavor up another notch.

And let’s talk about the flavor. You know it’s good when you don’t need anything extra muss, no sauce, no condiments, just the basics.

We elected to get fries instead of hash browns, since we were already on quite the hash brown bender already, but to be honest with you? We prolly should have just gotten more hash browns, because these are so good, you are left always wanting more.

Which about sums up the entire harry’s experience.