Thee Bungalow

03/01/2007 Posted by weinman

I have been a patron of Thee Bungalow since late 60's. It has always been a place to go where you knew the food would be excellent and the wine choice would be outstanding, the atmosphere cozy and the service impeccable. The resaturant has never failed me at any time over the decades. There have been some lovely structural changes to add more seating, but the ambiance has remained cozy and intimate. I feared that when it was taken over by the Cohen's Restaurant Group that it might lose some of its former magic, but have to say that they have remained true to the Thee Bungalow's style. Maybe I'm nostalgic about it, but I feel that it still one of the best restaurants in San Diego. I have some great memories of many special dinners at Thee Bungalow. This is BY FAR the nicest restaurant in the OB neighborhood. I have always enjoyed the duck with cherry sauce, and it remains one of my favorites. I have found it to always be moist and tasty and the cherry sauce to be sweet but appropriate with the duck.

Pros: Great food and outstanding wine list

Cons: Once in a while a loud diner with kind of spoil the atmosphere (cell phone)

02/21/2007 Posted by rkreisler

Went to Thee Bungalow as a party of four and the only menu item that wasn't up to par was ironically their specialty - the duck. Although the dark meat was juicy and tasty, the breast was dry and the cherry sauce was too thick, sweet, and syrupy. The rest of us had great meals and the salmon was exceptional. Everything was fresh, nicely presented, and the waiter did nothing to make us feel unwanted when we presented a bottle of our own wine for a relatively minimal corkage fee of $15. Service overall was good - nothing outstanding, but nothing negative either. Overall, we enjoyed our evening there. Are there better places in town to eat? Sure, but there's nothing wrong with this one.

Pros: Overall, food was good. Presentation was beautiful. Low corkage fee, great wines on the menu.

Cons: Parking in a dirt lot, noticeably drafty covered patio seating in the winter - especially if the patio isn't full of warm bodies.

02/07/2007 Posted by traimundo

It's hard to believe these other reviewers had a bad time at Thee Bungalow. Iv'e been dining here for a number of years, tried just about the whole menu, and loved it all. I've never had a bad meal, although I will admit that I wouldn't recommend the duck. There's too many other good things to try. The waiters have always been very nice and helpful. My favorite part of the experience is the wine list. Maybe the biggest in San Diego, but more importantly the best priced! I definately recommend this restaurant, no matter what those others say. My favorite is the Osso or pepper steak, and the new crab cakes.

Pros: Wine, food, wine, staff, and wine

Cons: parking can fill up on busy nights

01/23/2007 Posted by bessfish

Not impressed. In fact, I question who is writing these positive reviews and if they are real. Better restaurants in Point Loma are Old Venice, The Brigantine and Island Prime.

Pros: Probably not THAT bad

Cons: Most of these reviews seem fake

01/10/2007 Posted by damjadi

I went to Thee Bungalow numerous times with meat-eating friends. Not only was there no vegetarian entrees, one time the waiter refused to give me an appetizer as my main meal. My companions all ate well, and had a wonderful time. Basically, as a vegetarian we were either given tasteless steamed vegetables or crappy pasta. But if you eat meat and love great wine, this is the place for you!

Pros: Great meat entrees, fantastic wine

Cons: Treat vegetarians like second-class citizens

09/30/2006 Posted by newenglandtransplant

If you're looking for really good food and a professional wait staff this insn't the place. No one in our party came away thinking that this was an awesome experience. I had the lamb (the site won't let me give the entries full name it must thing the first work is vulgar but you know how lamb is server...it's a XXXX of lamb). It was OK but not great. Several others had the duck that night and were unimpressed and duck is supposed to be a specialty there. The place was average at best. I'd spend my dollars elsewhere.

Pros: can't think of any

Cons: average food, average wait staff

09/05/2006 Posted by newmanc1

Just recently purchased by the Cohn Restaurant Group, Thee Bungalow is located in the seaside community of Ocean Beach. Adjacent to Point Loma, Thee Bungalow Restaurant has been a San Diego dining favorite for over 30 years. The restaurants success is unique in that it is located in a quiet San Diego neighborhood away from most tourist destinations. It is best known by the locals who have come to appreciate Thee Bungalow for its wonderful food, consistent quality and friendly, caring staff. A wonderful, old, country bungalow, Thee Bungalow consists of four intimate dining rooms just perfect for that romantic rendezvous, small party or business meeting. They can accommodate parties from 15-40 people. Specialties of Thee Bungalow include the famous roast duck, fresh seafood, escargot Bourgogne, wild game , prime grade beef as well as incredible dessert soufflés. An annual award winner of the Wine Spectators Best of Award of Excellence, Thee Bungalows extensive wine list features modestly priced wines from all regions of the world. A full service bar is also available. This place is a must visit. Cudos to the Cohn Restaurant Group for carrying on one of the biggest traditions in San Diego.

Pros: food, wine selection and service

Cons: Parking lot is owned by the City so non-guests take parking spaces

09/04/2006 Posted by sfmove2006

Based on the recommendation of this site and others, I recommended this place for a family get together. What a mistake. The duck (which 3 of us ordered) was like beef jerky, and the cherry sauce was syrupy and sweet. Everyone who had the duck had the same comment afterwards - tough and inedible. And duck is their signature dish??? I read that Thee Bungalow has gone downhill since it was purchased by the Cohn chain. I assume this to be true, because I can't imagine this place ever getting a positive review. Please heed my advice if you are looking for a good place to eat in the San Diego area, keep looking!!

Pros: Waiters are friendly

Cons: Awful, inedible food that is overpriced to boot