Walking along the bustling street of Garnet in PB on a Friday night is quite an adventure. College students partying, young professionals networking (for personal and professional relationships), locals enjoying a night out, tourists shopping...there's a lot to see.
My husband and I researched beloved restaurants in San Diego and Crushed was one of the top picks. Understandably, our expectations were high. And we weren't disappointed.
The front of the restaurant opens to the sidewalk, like many PB spots do, giving it the feel of a busy bar. The ambiance and music in Crushed was appropriate for a Friday night: loud music, low lights, and plenty of people. I preferably would've liked the music a little lower so I could hear my husband's voice with more ease, but it wasn't to the point of frustration. The place was not full so we were seated immediately, but we did arrive for an early dinner time; by the time we left, the place was full and there were people waiting outside. A beautiful beach mural stretches across one wall and the rest of the restaurant is full of unusual, thought-provoking art that drew my gaze.
As I looked around, I noticed long tables with multiple parties seated there, giving the place a "communal" feel. Our server was delightful and very helpful after he noticed it was our first time. Admittedly, the happy hour specials were not that great of a deal, so we went with the regular menu. The wooden tables have "Crushed" carved into them, giving the restaurant a rustic feel.
I ordered a carne asada pizza while my husband order a "meat lover" style one. The portions were perfect and the pizzas were delivered on a slab of wood, highlighting their arrival to your table straight from the oven. The bread was perfectly baked (not too crunchy but not too soft), the tomatoes were cool and fresh, and the meat and cheese were warm but not too hot. The carne asada pizza was definitely an interesting combo of Mexican and Italian, but it was done very well.
Overall, I was very pleased with my experience at Crushed. It was evident why it is such a beloved San Diego spot and I will definitely be back again soon.
