One of my favorite memories growing up was when my Dad would take my Brother and I to Fenway Park to watch the Red Sox play.  I couldn’t tell you a single team that played against the Sox during any of the games we went to because that wasn’t the reason I loved it.  For little Anthony, it was all about the excitement of the crowd, the lights and the food.  I LOVE ballpark food.  I also loved the fact that driving home from Boston back to Rhode Island always meant that we got home so late that I wouldn’t have to go to school the next day, which was pretty much the best thing ever.  I went to a Padres game for the first time last year and had a ball eating (and drinking, yay being an adult!) myself silly.  I could seriously care less about the game itself then or now.  I have less romantic memories of Petco Park coming to San Diego in 2002.  You see, I had a lovely apartment in the heart of Downtown San Diego.  Once plans were finalized to give San Diego a second stadium (Y’know cuz Qualcomm got lonely), my rent tripled in a very swift and effective way of exterminating the middle class from this new cash cow real estate.

Southpaw Social Club is right at the gates to Petco Park and I was unsure what to expect.  As Downtown has a slew of hipster, douchey, bros and hos, tourist trap type places, I was sure with a name like “Southpaw Social Club”, I was going to be up to my mohawk in ironic cocktails and gastro foam.  Obviously, I couldn’t go on this journey alone…

Aimee-Roommate since the 90’s, BFF, allergic to hot dogs and therefore labeled a commie by many

Anna-Canadian goddess, theatre dresser and puppet builder.

Brad-Rocky Horror performer, Fluent in most nerdisms, Still thinks Miley Cyrus is sexy

Harry-Wise guy, master of the grill, loves camping for some reason

Lily-World’s Cutest Baby (a Joe & Nicole production)

Joe-Theatre and beer enthusiast, podcast co-host, Co-Creator of World’s Cutest Baby

I’m not really sure what Harry’s doing there on the right but Brad seems pleased. Lily on the other hand seems deeply concerned.

With such an expansive drink menu at Southpaw, drinks were a must.  Aimee started with the Southern Hospitality (Bourbon, Ginger Peach & Honey Syrup with Lime & Angostura).  She instantly dubbed this drink “The Magic elixir” and ordered a second one 2 sips into her first.  She really, really liked it.  Of course with 4 beer lovers in the group (Lily only drinks bourbon) there was plenty of beer tasting to be done.  Harry had the Ballast Point Sextant Stout.   Anna had a Lomaland Saison from Modern Times.  Joe had the beer flight with Golden Monkey, Tricerahops, Rubusto & Shake Money Maker.  I could obviously care less about the beer but watching our server grow increasingly uncomfortable during his long explanation of each beer to Joe while a toddler kept fondling his inner thigh was comedy gold.  I could’ve pretty much watched the adventures of creeper baby all night.

For appetizers Brad ordered the Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Skewers with German Potato Salad and Sherry Gastric.  He said the bacon was awesome; perfect and smoky with great sized shrimp. Anna ordered the Lincoln Log Duckfat Fries with Bleu Cheese Dip and Tap Mustard.  Anna immediately pointed out that these things are not fries in the traditional sense.  They’re huge.  Tasty but huge and lacking a bit of flavor on the duck fat end.  I started with the house made Pretzels with garlic, salt, herbs, cheddar sauce and tap mustard.  While the tap mustard was bitter and weird, I am IN FRIGGIN LOVE with these pretzels and cheddar cheese sauce.  The look and consistency is closer to a breadstick but the flavors are fantastic.  Worth coming back for this alone.  Total winner.

I dream of these nightly now. If I liked beer I might never have left.

For main courses Aimee had the Blackened Tilapia Sandwich with Applewood smoked Bacon, shaved red onion, baby arugula, spiced aioli on a brioche bun.  She described the bacon as “magnificent” (This place does amazing bacon).  The blackened seasoning rub was perfect and the fish was beautifully cooked.  Great sandwich.  Harry had the Crab & Shrimp Endive Wraps (with Granny Smith Apple, Fennel, Dill Greek Yogurt, Shallots, Lemon Vinaigrette & Sherry Gastric).  Harry said the dish was nicely spiced and he loved the refreshing element brought by the Tzatziki.

Joe and Brad both had the Southpaw Mac with Applewood Smoked Bacon, English Peas, Vermont White Cheddar & Pretzel Crumbs.  Joe loved the use of bigger noodles with great sharp cheeses.  The pretzels added a nice crunch.  Brad, on the other hand was not feeling the pretzels as they were storebought and small.  The idea of the house made breadstick-sized pretzels jammed on top of this Mac n’ cheese would just be… sexual  tasty.  Lily had pasta and apple sauce as our server  felt things between them were moving too fast and he could no longer look her in the eye.

Anna had the Steak Burger with Applewood Smoked Bacon, Vine Ripe Tomato, Smoked Cheddar, House Dressing, Habanero Pickle on a brioche bun.  She absolutely loved the jalapeno pickle.  She said the burger was very good and the bacon was “the truth”; the real standout of the whole dish.  I had the Lobster Roll with celery, corn and onion with a side of kettle chips.  Having grown up in New England, I’m a huge snob when it comes to lobster rolls but I gotta say this was damn tasty.  The fresh corn was a nice touch and the kettle chips were great.  Super satifisfying meal.

A taste of home without the shitty weather.

So while Southpaw Social Club is heaven for those who love beer and baseball, there’s plenty of other fantastic things to be found there.  It wasn’t game night so it was chill and not super crowded.  This place is definitely going to be added to the regular rotation of “have to hit” places when I’m downtown.

Further reading: http://southpawsocialclub.com/

To see all of the photos from this week’s restaurant, be sure to check out The Boy Who ate San Diego on Instagram!