Breakfast (or Lunch) at Kamila's
Plus: The Edward Tyler Park(ing) Conundrum; Tuesday Mornings at Skateworld, and Upcoming Community Events
From time to time, we have requested our readers suggest something, someone, or someplace they would like us to write about. Since most of you know we like to try different restaurants, we sometimes are asked to write about someone’s favorite hangout. This is what happened recently and so we decided to give Kamila’s a try. Although not technically in Linda Vista, we measured it to be about 3 miles from downtown Linda Vista and behind the Rite Aid Store on Balboa and Genesee in Clairemont.
Some of you may know this breakfast/lunch restaurant location as Country Waffles. It carried that name until about a year and a half ago when it was renamed Kamila’s (named after the owner’s niece). The owners remained the same, and they also own another Country Waffles in Point Loma.
Kamila’s is very welcoming. They have indoor and outdoor dining, the wait staff was masked, but vaccinated people do not need to wear masks. There are booths as well as tables; we were seated in a booth. The staff was very friendly and my coffee was placed before me quickly. The menu is extensive and although many dishes come with ham, pork or turkey bacon, linguica, steak, or sausage, there were enough non-meat selections to make our heads spin trying to decide what to order. Omelets, Benedicts, Mexican plates such as Huevos Ranchero and Chilaquiles, Waffles, Pancakes, and lighter meals such as avocado toast and Acai Bowls. There is also a children’s menu. This place has everything.
Steve decided on Garden Benedict, which consisted of two poached eggs on English muffins with spinach, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, avocado and red and green peppers topped with hollandaise sauce. He said it was really excellent and especially liked the avocado being included. He opted for hash browns. He said it all had a light feel so that when finished, he did not have that overly full feeling. He is ready to go back again and perhaps try out the Chilaquiles dish.
I selected a two egg breakfast for $8.99 from the “Lighter Side” menu which consisted of two eggs, choice of fresh fruit or potatoes, and either toast, pancakes, half waffle or biscuit. I opted for a half waffle. Not so light, but oh so tasty. You know you are in trouble when your meal comes in two dishes. The eggs were cooked perfectly, the home style potatoes with red onions and red and green peppers were delicious, and the half waffle crispy and very large.
We learned from the staff that this restaurant has a lot of regular local customers, which gives Kamila’s a friendly neighborly vibe. Many of their customers are seniors. We can see why they keep coming back. The portions are generous, the prices reasonable, and the food delicious. They have a large covered gazebo for outside dining and it looked very inviting.
We urge you to try this jewel of a place just on the outskirts of Linda Vista. Tell them the Linda Vista Update sent you.
Kamila’s Breakfast and Lunch
5252 Balboa Ave, San Diego
Hours: 7 days a week, 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM
The Edward Tyler Cramer Park(ing) Conundrum
Several of the Linda Vista businesses and parks we have featured over the past year have been described as neighborhood hidden gems. The word “hidden” has been used to emphasize the fact that for whatever reason, word about the venues’ quality hasn’t made its way yet to the general public. However, after paying a recent visit to Edward Tyler Cramer Park, I want to offer up another category of neighborhood gem—in the case of this park, I suggest the label of “hidden and limited accessibility gem.”
I know what you’re thinking…”Where in the heck is Edward Tyler Cramer Park?” The question doesn’t come as a surprise. After all, that’s part of what makes it a hidden gem. People drive past this City of San Diego park a million times a day, though I’m willing to guess quite a few Linda Vista residents have spent little to no time there. And I contend there is a good reason why such is the case.
Edward Tyler Cramer Park is located along Linda Vista Road, across the street from the University of San Diego, and adjacent to the huge Pacific Ridge apartment complex. Opened in 2014, it possesses the usual amenities expected of a quality park, including lush green grass, plenty of trees offering shade, convenient park benches, a children’s playground, a sidewalk pathway for jogging or walking, a water fountain, and a commanding view of Mission Valley from the park’s southern perimeter. You can take advantage of the park to exercise, picnic, or relax. It is a nice place to walk the dog, to sit and read a book, or to contemplate and compose a poem. If you are interested in exercise, the sidewalk pathway loop is .22 miles in length.
But there’s just one thing missing. A space to park your car! Yes, it turns out the city built this park without any parking! Why no parking? Perhaps the absence of parking spaces was a result of the city’s desire to lessen the typical park visitor’s carbon footprint, or maybe the city park budget ran too low, or maybe the city planners just forgot…who really knows? The precise reason is now shrouded in the fog of Linda Vista’s past.
In any event, unless you plan on paying for parking at the USD parking lot located across the street, Cramer Park is not a driving destination. Anyone mouthing the words “I’m going to drive over to Edward Tyler Cramer Park,” might end up getting very frustrated as they spend the next hour driving up and down Linda Vista Road looking for a way to access the non-existent parking lot.
I guess the park is intended mainly for those Linda Vista residents living in the nearby area. That basically means the residents of Pacific Ridge. On the day I visited the park, I noticed the people circulating through the park were all Pacific Ridge residents—they enjoy easy access to the park via a key fob that allows them to enter and exit through a gated fence that separates the park from the apartment complex. Unfortunately, every other Linda Vista taxpayer needs to walk a distance to the park.
Because of this lack of parking spaces, I suppose Edward Tyler Cramer Park will in all likelihood remain unfamiliar to many Linda Vista residents, except those residing at the Pacific Ridge apartment complex. But should you dare to take the time and effort to walk—from your residence or a distant parking lot—you’ll surely enjoy a visit to this hidden and limited accessibility gem of a park.
****
Poem: The Park with No Parking
There is no parking at Cramer Park,
You must first walk there, to take a stroll.
What a curious LV landmark.
—
Take Fido for a walk and let him bark,
A circular concrete path awaits:
There is no parking at Cramer Park.
—
Glittering valley lights when it’s dark,
Stand and observe from the southern edge.
What a curious LV landmark.
—
The serenity will surely spark
your psyche’s reinvigoration:
There is no parking at Cramer Park.
—
Cool ocean breezes leave their mark,
Pac Ridgers bask in a sea of grass.
What a curious LV landmark.
—
After your serene time, you’ll embark,
But it won’t be in a car, because
There is no parking at Cramer Park.
What a curious LV landmark.
If It’s Tuesday Morning, It Must Be Skate Time
What does the typical Linda Vista resident do on a Tuesday morning? If the resident is 21 or over and inclined toward listening to oldies music—and also a skater—then chances are good that resident will be paying a visit to Skateworld for a Coffee Clutch skating session. As many Linda Vista residents know, Tuesday morning Skateworld Coffee Clutch sessions are reserved for adult skaters (as mentioned on the Skateworld web site… “for ages 21+ only. Geared toward ages 40+ and plays music from the 40's, 50's, and 60's.”).
This past Tuesday I visited the early part of the Coffee Clutch session and watched as about 40 skaters skated laps around the Skateworld floor. Most of the skaters fit into the 40+ category. I was impressed, though not impressed enough to actually put on a pair of skates and join them. Maybe some other time.
I took the opportunity to ask a few of the skaters about their thoughts on being able to return for Coffee Clutch sessions now that pandemic restrictions have subsided. Cheryl M, who identified herself as a Coffee Clutch regular, mentioned she was happy about being able to return to Skateworld after its long pandemic shutdown. “Skating didn’t work for me outdoors,” she said. “I mainly limited my exercise to walking.”
A married couple, Nora and Bill H, commented that they tried to skate at the beach boardwalk but found it “too crowded.” They much preferred skating at Skateworld.
Kelli C expressed her appreciation for Skateworld by remarking that she had not skated for many months, not just because of pandemic restrictions, but because she had broken her leg the last time she had visited Skateworld. Nevertheless, she returned to Skateworld because she enjoyed the exercise and the music. “And it’s a great way to get ready for skiing season.”
Though the atmosphere at Skateworld was festive this Tuesday morning, not everyone was happy. I happened to encounter a trio of family members—a grandmother (visiting from New Jersey) and her two local grandchildren—who had the misfortune of finding out that Coffee Clutch sessions have a minimum age requirement. I was able to capture the young skaters’ moment of shock and dismay upon finding out the bad news (See the photo below). I hope they can return in the near future for another opportunity of skating fun.
6907 Linda Vista Road
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 560-9349
News Brief
The County of San Diego reports that temporary election workers are still needed for the September 14 Recall Election. Election workers can earn up to $20.00 an hour. Click here for more details. Click here for an application.
Upcoming Community Events
—Soccer: The SD Loyal SC plays its next home match on August 7 at 7:30 pm. Home matches are played at USD’s Torero Stadium. Click here for ticket information.
—Backpack Giveaway: Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber’s office reports the following: “Please join us on Saturday, August 14th, for the ninth Annual 79th Assembly District Backpack Giveaway! Between 10 am – 1 pm at Horace Mann Middle School, we’ll be giving away 1,000 free backpacks filled with school supplies for the upcoming school year and sanitation kits to prepare students for in-person learning. There will also be a free vaccination clinic, free helmet fittings and helmets, and more giveaways! To ensure that we have an accurate count, we ask that you complete the registration prior to the event. To register, you may visit: https://bit.ly/ad79backpacks. Please note that registration will close 3pm on Friday, August 13th. Masks and social distancing will be encouraged during this event.”
—ROBOTHINK Video Coding Class Commences: A video coding class will be conducted at the Linda Vista Recreation Center beginning August 16. See the poster below for more details.
—The Circus is Coming to Town: The Fern Street Circus will be at the Linda Vista Recreation Center on Saturday August 21. See the poster below for more details.
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The Linda Vista Update publishes informative, interesting and fun news about Linda Vista and its neighboring communities.