Tradewinds Tavern (Permanently Closed)
7767 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, CA
Tradewinds puts an elegant spin on the otherwise delightfully low-key loco moco. Fried rice is a little more interesting than the plain, white stuff. The gravy has a zesty kick more intriguing than mere brown packet gravy. Finally, they add Spam and bacon to the mix, as though a more Spartan loco moco were somehow insufficiently salty and indulgent. The kitchen puts out a more conventional burger at the same $13 price point, but, unless you’ve got some aversion to Spam, gravy, burgers, and sunny side eggs all sharing a plate (and I wouldn’t necessarily blame you if you did), it’s loco moco or bust.
This locale formerly hosted Char House and later hosted HI Street Kitchen & Tap.