Stopped in here for dinner before hitting the theater. Couldn't have picked a better spot! The mussel bisque en croûte is unbelievable. Your server let's the steam escape and add a little sherry tableside. I cannot recommend this enough!!! I paired it with a palm salad that was served warm... honestly, not my favorite. But the charm of the old wood, the quality of the wait staff and the en croûte are enough to return again and again. I also saw an amazing looking filet and rack of lamb that got rave reviews from others. I WILL be back, and soon!! read more

This restaurant never disappoints! We have been coming here for years when in San Diego, and we always make a trip here. Their food, service and ambiance is superb. It's great that this restaurant remains terrific. You won't be disappointed... read more

Snuck in last minute and as usual it did not disappoint. Jose, our server, did he usual outstanding job. We had the filet mignon and the all new 10on pork mignon. Oh my. Was this tasty. Amazing flavor and the sweet potatoes pure was killer. The filet mignon was cooked to the exact right temp and ws so smooth and filled with flavor. Over all you just cannot go wrong here. You also should try the tiramisu cake. Just a great thing to share. Yay. read more

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Love this place! I always feel like it's a little hidden gem that I will stop at when I im on my way to watch a show in downtown San Diego. It's historic & very tiny inside with the restaurant upstairs and the bar downstairs. Happy hour is from 3-6pm read more

Dobson's Bar & Restaurant - Inside - French Near Me - San Diego, California

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Have you ever noticed that some of the best restaurants and bars are tucked off to the side or hidden down an alley? This weekend, I found one of those little gems just off a main street in San Diego. While visiting a friend over Thanksgiving weekend, we wandered around and stumbled upon Dobson's Bar and Restaurant. Because it was mid-afternoon -- around 2 or 3 p.m. -- the restaurant was nearly empty, with only a few guests inside and one couple seated outdoors. The weather was great, so we opted for their small patio, which comfortably seats about 10 people. It's cozy and charming, though remember that parking in the area is limited -- street parking is tight, and nearby garages can be pricey. If you're driving, take a moment to shop around for the best rate. Inside, Dobson's has an old-school, intimate vibe: dark wood, leather booths, and a view of the chef cooking. There seemed to be just one waiter on duty, and he was excellent -- friendly, attentive, and full of thoughtful recommendations for both food and drinks. He even made the cocktails himself. The bread deserves its own moment -- warm sourdough with a perfectly crispy crust. There is a $1.75 service fee for butter, but trust me, it's worth it. Food-wise, I recommend the Caesar salad, the French dip, and especially the fish and chips -- served English-style with a generous portion of chips. You can choose your side, whether fries, salad, or soup, which I really appreciated. And let's talk cocktails: martinis, martinis, martinis! Our waiter made an incredible one -- strong, balanced, and delicious. Overall, I highly recommend Dobson's Bar and Restaurant. It's one of those great hidden finds with good food, great service, and a relaxing vibe. I'd definitely return. read more

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Amazing service and food! I've been wanting to try Dobsons since I've heard about it a few years ago from a foodie friend. She had given me a free mussel bisque soup coupon to use but I had never used it. I recently worked in the downtown convention center and to avoid the traffic going south, I stopped at Dobson's to eat what is probably the best mussel bisque soup and fish & chips I've ever eaten. From the bartender, Michael, I learned Dobson is the third oldest bar to have a liquor license besides Waterfront and Tivoli. I love the glass stained interiors and the vintage christmas music playing in the background. This French English inspired cuisine is a must if you're in the downtown area. Unfortunately, they are not open on Sundays. Parking: meter parking or park on the yellow loading line after 6 pm Recommendations: Their famous mussel bisque soup and happy hour menu from 5-7 Monday through Friday. read more

Dobson's Bar & Restaurant - Fish and Chipschips - French Near Me - San Diego, California

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Mediocre food for ludicrous prices. Service was fine but both the smell of the place and taste of the food was unappealing.

I came here on a Friday afternoon with a 12:30 PM reservation I booked through OpenTable. They offer seating outdoors, at the bar, downstairs, and upstairs. We decided to sit at the bar, where the bartender was very friendly and gave us some great recommendations. What we ordered: *Halibut (fish of the day): Light, refreshing, served over mashed potatoes. Nicely done, but nothing that really stood out. *Burger with fries: Huge portion, but my friend thought it was pretty bland. The interior is really charming. The place has been around for 45 years and has gold plates with regulars' names engraved and added to the side of the bar - a unique and personal touch. It definitely gave me New York vibes. Overall, the atmosphere is adorable, the service was excellent, and I'd come back again, especially for dinner when they have a more extensive menu. I enjoyed my dish, but it didn't have that "wow" factor. read more

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Small restaurant but so delicious! The waitstaff are super attentive and quick Great place to go before a show read more

Dobson's Bar & Restaurant - French Near Me - San Diego, California

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Think House of Prime Rib meets Cheers. Historic location with great food. You can tell the age of the building which created a fun atmosphere, perhaps haunted? The bar has that warm engaging feeling and you can tell everyone was having a good time. The food was delicious. I only gave them 4 out of 5 because a little girl came in harassing customers selling candy or asking for donations. It was cute but she was a slightly aggressive. In the end, no one got a candy bar and she received many donations. I would not have expected this to happen in a location with these type of prices. It made everyone uncomfortable for a short stint. read more

Dan is the absolute best. The food was amazing too. He makes a mean bourbon manhattan, not too sweet. The food is superb. read more

Dobson's Bar & Restaurant - French Near Me - San Diego, California

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I found this place since it was close to the theater and our parking. Our server was great until the very end when it came time to pay for our bill. In all the restaurants I've been, I've never had to face such a bill ordeal. I gave my card and noticed a notification on my phone that I was charged $140 before tip and was surprised because we only had happy hour items. When I pointed it out, they said "they would fix it" and give me my card back. They bring me a new bill that's not even my check and had again charged me $102.03 for some else's bill! They then admitted to switching bills with another table and said they would charge me the correct amount. Such a disaster! They blamed it on being busy but it's still important to be professional and careful. I still don't see the $140.87 returned and will be disputing it. read more

Dobson's Bar & Restaurant - Bill - French Near Me - San Diego, California

Food and drinks were delicious! Best espresso martini I've had, sourdough was amazing. Service was great (I think his name was Lino) and he recommended I try the mushroom ravioli and it was such a great choice! 10/10 date night spot read more

Dobson's Bar & Restaurant - Mushroom ravioli - French Near Me - San Diego, California

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I did write a review. I had it delightful time. Nice history. The steak was fantastic. I cut it with a butter knife. Service was superior friendly fast. They knew their product. It took me back to many years ago when that was the location for making business deals Memories and I look forward to going back again read more

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We have always walked by Dobson's and wanted to give it a try. It reminded me of those bar eateries in the East Coast. Since we had a show at the Civic Centre, it is a short 5 mins walk from the theatre. Reservations are highly recommended as it is filled with pre-theatre patrons. We were escorted upstairs which had cozy tables in dark wood decor, with decorative wrought iron balcony overlooking the bar space below. The service was prompt and attentive. We ordered a beet salad, escargot, Dobson's Mussel Bisque En Croute and Shrimp and Mushroom Ajilo to share. The beet salad had more spinach than beets, and the escargot was lacking in garlic. But the Mussel Bisque and Shrimp and Mushroom Ajilo were simply delicious, full of flavor. Definitely will order again! We were shocked by the $5 charge for bread and butter. That was an unexpected charge, and we wished we were told that it was not complimentary. But as a whole, there were more hits than misses. read more

Dobson's Bar & Restaurant - Beet salad, Dobson's Mussels en Croute, Escargot, and Shrimp and Mushrooms Ajillo - French Near Me - San Diego, California

Nice place. So downstairs looks like a pretty standard bar situation, dining is upstairs. The dining area is almost like a loft, 8-10 tables. The experience was unexpected. Solid food and service. We tried a variety of menu offerings, all solid. Experience overall was positive, food was solid and seemed fairly priced considering the set up. Thumb up read more

Dobson's s a classic tiny restaurant in Plaza Circle. There is bar seating on the main level and seating upstairs. The room upstairs is usually booked for parties. So make a reservation. Classic food, chicken skewers, French onion soup and a huge burger. They have a nice happy hour. read more

Dobson's Bar & Restaurant - French Near Me - San Diego, California

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Love this place. Dobson's reminds me of being back on the East coast. The restaurant has character and charm. You walk into a narrow space with the bar while upstairs has extra seating for dining. We've been here numerous times and each visit has been consistent with service and food. We recently dined here and brought the kids before our show at the civic theater. Ordered fish and chips, escargot, ravioli and Chilean sea bass and pizza. Had to order extra bread to wipe up the extra garlic butter sauce from our escargot. Delicious. This is the perfect spot. We love coming back here. So convenient to the civic theater just a block away. Go check it out. read more

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Our server was very attentive and kind, sadly, that's the only thing that gave this review any stars at all. What happened to this once amazing restaurant/bar? Granted, this was the place to go back in the late 90s and early 2000s to grab something to eat and have a drink at their intimate bar. I did not have their famous soup this time around. So, can't review something I have had many times in the past. I dined here for dinner just before heading to a play at the civic center, because it's walking distance, and this used to be a great place. I'm hoping this was a just an off evening. The hostess us sat my friend and I in this cramped corner, it was just too close for two girls to enjoy our food and wine. Perfect for a close intimate date. And def not a first or even second date. (Seating was directly behind the hostess stand fyi) We ordered their charcuterie board and the entire board was just a mess. The cheese was dry, the bread was so stale, the one choice of meat was so salty we just couldn't eat it. My friend ordered the salmon, and it was way too dry. I really cannot recall the last time I've had such a horrible food experience. Def won't be returning, and I used to come here all the time. The inside is still intimate and I love the aesthetics and bar. Maybe just a place now for some cocktails and head out somewhere else for the rest of the evening. I did see a few bartenders come in for a pre work drink before starting their shift. read more

Dobson's Bar & Restaurant - Salmon plate - French Near Me - San Diego, California

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Small, tight, tavern with exceptional food and service. We usually eat at the Westgate before Theater...not anymore. Dobson has excellent menu items and just sublime chef's skills. Its very tight, upstairs is really tight but all 8 of us loved it. read more

Last week I had the opportunity to take my wife to lunch at Dobson's restaurant. This small place packs a big punch . From the moment we walked in we felt special. We sat upstairs and were taken care of from that point on . It was years since we were at Dobson's but let me tell you the mussel bisque was just as tasty as it was years ago when the owner Paul Dobson was there to make sure we were taken care of !! My friends if you have read my posts please make time to visit Dobson's. You won't be disappointed. read more

Sat at the bar and had the charcuterie plate with a glass of wine. Great atmosphere. Friendly staff.

I needed to dine within walking distance of the Civic Center Theater without getting mugged going to and fro. Pass through the cute little patio on the street and step into the cute little vestibule. Move to the cute little hostee podium and the cute little hostee will check you in and guide you through the cute little bar and upstairs to the cute little dining room and your own cute little table. If you lean forward one elbow will be on the next table. The normal sized menu covered the entire 2 Top, top. The place is totally tricked out in Bistro chic and looks more like a Bistro than any Bistro on Boulevard St. Germain in Paris. Carved wood bar, subway tile floor, carved crown molding, textured ceiling, walls and corbels Bottom line, it's a cool spot to bring a hot date. The whole resto is essentially a two story Shotgun Shack that has been Frenchified. The Staff: Both those dudes must have thunderous thighs from hiking up and down the steep stairs from the kitchen below to bring more butter. Cheaper than going to the gym, so everyone wins. Those kitchen mules come and go without much interaction or maybe it was just my aftershave. No matter, they are efficient. The Bar: The Bar takes up the entire ground floor. The buzzin' bar slings whatever a buzzin' bar slings. Cocktails, Mocktails, Beer, and Wine from a nice list which is a PhD Thesis on the subject. The substantial list and the food portions are the only things in Dobson's that may still be cute but certainly not little. Who's in the House (and the Senate)? Dobson's has long been the watering hole and dining trough for the City's makers and shakers. I perfect go to place for politicians that need to be watered or who want to hole up. Add to the chronies, phonies, nepo-babies and politicians there is a smattering of tourists who wandered over from the U. S. Grant Hotel, a few tables for first dates and the odd silver haired, gold chained charmer, who is out on the town with his "niece", nice. The Food: Yeoman like classics that flirts with true Bistro fare. Note: The portions are heroic. The Crab Cake opened the show and was the size of a shoe box and filled with filler (Bread Crumbs), Carrots, Celery, Onion, and lots and lots of real Crab. It was fried until kinda crisp. There are a few Baby Arugula draped on the top and after dragging those off it was down to some serious Crab business. Perfect. A thin watery Lobster Sauce in a cute little cup doesn't add much to the Crab party. Eat it neat. In all fairness, the Crab Cake was very good. It stands on it's own and supplies a distant linger of gentle heat. I'd return just to get the Crabs. A huge wedge of warm house made Sour Dough Bread appeared with a cute little cup of recently defrosted Butter. The bread crust is crispy even being as thin as it is. The interior crumb was spongy but carried that delightful sour tang we bread eaters enjoy and appreciate. If you order something with sauce, that spongy bread is just what you need for moppin' and soppin'. The Black Mussels came in a contraption that was designed just for this dish. A steel domed pot looked like the Tiffin Wallah dropped off your lunch. The top turns upside down and holds the empty shells, maybe 30 or more, as each layer of Mussels revealed the next layer of Mussels. And I ate every damn one of them and would've eaten more as they were delicious. The Mussels are submerged in a Coconut Curry, Garlic, White Wine Broth which was terrific. Now, where is my spongy bread? Note: This is the same broth that supports the famous Dobson's Mussel Bisque. For almost the same price you get a full bucket of Mussels instead of a shallow bowl. So just order the Mussels and be happy. The Lamb Chops were three double cut monsters that came with a tablespoon of Demi/Wine Reduction Sauce on each one and were stacked on a platoon of Roast Potatoes, sans crunch, but then who cares if you like Potatoes? Vegetables du jour come along for the ride. Baby Carrots, String Beans, and whatever the kitchen picked from the just picked. All good and cooked exactly the right way. The Lamb was a hair rare but the kitchen would have fixed it if I asked. I didn't. Dessert involved the ususal suspects. Creme Brulee, Chocolate Mousse, Pistachio Cake and Tiramisu. (French? Hmmm...) Dobson's presents a Hobson's Choice. Whatever you order will be pleasant enough. Note: There is a cool bar menu available only at the Bar which is always crowded. Which if only I had known. Oh well, next time. read more

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Still great! The mussel bisque en croute is one of the best things you'll ever eat anywhere. The pastry is buttery and fluffy and the bisque is just amazing. Honestly, I go out of my way just to have this soup. It's that good. The service is still very professional, and the people are really nice. read more

Dos palabras! Sea Bass! Du mot: Brie en crute. (Trois mot?) Ces tres bon. Marvellioux!! Je oblie ma French! Salad de France Muy bueno. read more

Went here for the first time...to try it out and celebrate a nice Christmas dinner. The bar set up was interesting. Downstairs was small and they had a singer on keyboards, upstairs was nice and cozy and you can still hear the music and the roudy people. It was a bit confusing honestly especially with the menu ... To me I would describe it as a local bar to hang out downstairs and upscale dining upstairs. The server was nice, and checked in often. The food options were limited and kind of pricey. We tried escargot for the first time and I actually liked it. I had the chicken Marsala and it was okay not really seasoned well. My date has the lamp chops and they tasted good. I don't know if I'd go back again, but good time. read more

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One thing to know about Dobson's is that Dobson's seating area is upstairs. The staircase is dark and steep. If you are not in good shape to climb the stairs, your choice is to sit at the bar or outside. The people who had the onion soup were raving about it. It looked really cheesy and they said that the taste was amazing..I had the Caesar salad with shrimp. The 4 shrimp were small and the salad was over dressed. It also had tomatoes in it which is rare for a Caesar salad. The service was good. The server was attentive and refilled the ice tea glasses often. He did a good job taking the orders and gave people the correct food when it was ready. read more

Dobson's is a steakhouse filled with old world charm. I checked this spot out for restaurant week. The live music on Saturday night was a nice touch. Our bartender was friendly and attentive. Highly recommend their filet with escargot sauce. read more

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Good things come in small packages. Y'all...this place is AMAZING!! This cozy, teeny-tiny restaurant / bar is one of the best places I've eaten in a long while. And I travel globally for a living. Let's get this right: the place is SMALL....but the warmth and charm of its decor, and more importantly: its wonderful STAFF, make it feel inviting and comfortable. I went to eat dinner by myself and was warmly greeted by the lovely hostess. I had a few cocktails and the complimentary sour dough bread, which was amazing. No seriously, like life changingly amazing. The free bread is worth it alone. Now...the food. I had the Mussels Bisque. Nothing short of perfection. Rich, creamy, covered in a chewy phyllo dough that was pierced table side and splashed with a shot of sherry. Decadence! For my main course I had the Filet Mignon Chez Martin which was cooked perfectly to my "medium" specifications and topped with a decadent escargot sauce. For dessert I had the crème brûlée which was made from scratch. I know this because I heard the whirring of the egg beating machine and saw the young lady torching it before bringing to me. The perks of dining in a TINY restaurant! LOL Even the piped in music was on point!! The Cure, AC/DC, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Foo Fighters. My lil GenX heart was as full as my tummy. This place feels "local", but still inclusive. I saw several patrons who clearly knew the staff (joking and laughing with them) come and go. And yet I, too, was made to feel right at home .... even as a first timer. Like I belonged there. The hostess, bartender, and my waiter were so nice and accommodating. I 100 percent recommend this place for cocktails or an amazing dinner. PS: I just KNOW this chef trained in France. I know it. LOL read more

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Dobson's never disappoints! The Mussel Bisque is the best Bisque I've ever had. Sherry, puff pastry and cheese...heaven. In the fifteen years I've been dining at Dobson's, the food quality has remained top notch and service was excellent. If I'm down town, I'm goi g to Dobson's. read more

Dobson's Bar & Restaurant - Paul Dobson's Famous Mussel Bisque - French Near Me - San Diego, California

Let's get this out of the way: I'm old. Old enough to remember when Dobson's was the after-work magnet for downtown San Diego's lawyers, dealmakers, and the kind of people who didn't mind sweating through a double-breasted suit over three martinis and a shot of something unwise. The kind of joint where a statue of Lady Liberty--scales in hand--stood in homage to justice, or maybe just the beautiful chaos of the '80s. Back then, the bar was stacked three deep with ambition, bourbon, and a healthy dose of late-afternoon lust. You didn't come here to be seen--you came here to forget. To laugh too loud. To maybe hook up with someone who smelled like department store cologne and bad decisions. It was the '80s. People did that kind of thing. And they were happier for it. This was my first visit in years. Decades, maybe. And I'll be damned if it doesn't look almost exactly the same. I hear Paul Dobson sold it off ages ago, but whoever took the reins had the good sense not to touch the bones. That massive oak bar, probably older than statehood, still anchors the place--scarred, worn, beautiful. Maybe it always looked that way. Maybe we just couldn't see it through the fog of hairspray and after-hours haze. The Mussel Bisque? Still here. Still legendary. I met a guy who drives up from Baja just for a bowl. That kind of dish. Creamy, briny, a punch of the sea wrapped in velvet. If you come, it's mandatory. No excuses. Miguel was behind the bar this time. Young, sharp, quick with the pour and quicker with the scoop on who's who in a downtown that feels half-abandoned since the plague rolled through. No more piano upstairs. No more Dudley Moore sightings. Just echoes. Look, you can't go back. Not really. The music's changed. The crowd's gone home. The city moved on. But Dobson's? It's still standing. A little dusty, a little forgotten, but with enough soul to make you remember what going out used to feel like. So if you're wandering downtown, thirsty for a piece of real San Diego history--step inside. Order the bisque. Raise a glass to what was. And don't be surprised if, for a moment, you hear faint piano music from somewhere above the bar. read more

At taste festivals held downtown prior to the pandemic, Dobson's Bar & Restaurant had been serving samples of their famous Mussel Bisque as one of the stops. I had an opportunity to redeem a coupon for a free bisque with the purchase of an entree which led to a dinner visit. The inside was smaller than I had expected. It was like walking into an old school steakhouse with lots of wood in the interior. Some tables were available upstairs, but I didn't go up to take a look. As I sat at the bar, I told the bartender that I wanted to see a dinner menu. It featured an interesting variety of dishes with no cuisine style in particular that stood out. I settled on the Roasted Texas Quail which was three birds served on a plate with roasted vegetables in a blackberry sauce. The quail meat was cooked just fine, however it was a lot work to extract it from the bones. The Mussel Bisque was served in a cute vessel with a puff pastry covering. The bartender broke open the pastry shell and then poured a generous amount of sherry into the soup. The kitchen could have added a few more pieces of mussel to the bowl, but the broth was so creamy and delicious. The bisque was why my dining experience at Dobson's Bar & Restaurant was at a four star level. read more

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One of the best experience I have had In a while It's been about 2 years since I've been back and they haven't missed a step Recommend the surf n turf We also had the sea bass and the scallops All 100 The bread is really good read more

Dobson's Bar & Restaurant - French Near Me - San Diego, California

Excellent food, everything here is fabulous, especially their bisque, steaks and wonderful service.

We had the best dinner! The cocktails were amazing to start, then with the delicious bread service. We had the halibut and scallops for our main and shared the the mussels in the curry sauce. Really tasty. All of the staff was friendly and making sure we were having a top notch experience. Really enjoyed the music and the old school charm of the restaurant. Can't wait to come back when we go see a play at the end of the month. read more

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Food poor Service good Atmosphere good Would I try it again..., maybe Used to be excellent ...., not so much now! read more

Honestly the best cheddar burger and fries anywhere for lunch. It cannot be any better. Friendly staff and old school vibe. Love it!

Came here to enjoyed the restaurant week San Diego. I have heard about this place from the legal pplz from my last office locations. They say come here and you will meet lawyers here. Sure enough the place is filled with them hahahahahaha Nice place. It has two floors and best utilize the rooms efficiently. The food is okay. A tad salty for my taste. I do loved the Brie Fondue! The combo was sweetened within the cheese and its breadsticks. Luckily I have water and a cocktail I ask the server to bring it to me. Pretty place. But I think they haven't cleaned their brass chandelier! It's lost it's shine! Especially you are sitting on the 2nd floor you can see they probably forgot to cleaned. Yup this is where a good percentage of lawyers hangs out here. read more

Dobson's Bar & Restaurant - Dobson 's mussel bisque en croute, New York stripe loin, and a Brie fondue! With a cocktail to enjoyed the food - French Near Me - San Diego, California

3 stars... Another joint that attracted our interest through the San Diego gift card promotion. Opted for the bone in pork chop..a lovely piece of meat atop a bed of mashed potatoes and veggies and topped with a lovely bernaise. My bride had the scallops, and while they were very tasty, she thought the portion was small for the price tag. Rounded out the meal with the cheesecake....perfectly creamy and topped with a fruity glaze...very good! Ambiance is shotgun speakeasy, service was prompt and helpful, and prices exceeded expectation. For the price point we expected a bit more upscale ambiance and better portion size. This joint does not make the list. read more

Dobson's Bar & Restaurant - Bone in pork chop - French Near Me - San Diego, California

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What used to be a premium institution with exemplary customer service is now a shadowy organization of its employees past. Watery cocktail, exasperated server at lunch time and tough piece of steak with barely steamed veggies. read more