Craft & Commerce

One of my favorite restaurants near the airport. The best drink options in town and the food is always unique and delicious. The atmosphere is funky and fun. It’s one of my go to places to take out of towners.

Dark, rustic and trendy. I got my usual which is «first time here, probably will never be here again, what are your top 3 items». I believe we got the top 2 items. It was okay but I wouldn’t say memorable (I can’t remember it right now). Still, you’re coming here because other people want to be here. So. Just. Come.

We had a great experience at Craft & Commerce! The staff was cool and super-​friendly. It’s in a hipster kind of community, but the ambiance was so welcoming. The food was delicious, to say the least:
Steak & Eggs — Perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked, arguably the best steak and eggs I have ever had!
Burger — They do everything so well, you know their burger is as legit as you’ll find anywhere.
Corn Dogs — Spoiler alert. There’s bacon inside, enough said.
Smoked & Smoked — It was like the spirit of bagel and lox on a whole ‘nother level! I could eat this every day for the rest of my life.
It is a pet-​friendly establishment as well, so bring the pups! Also, the décor is very intriguing and engaging. These people know what’s up, for sure…

My friend was raving about this place for a while and I can see why. It definitely serves up delicious food! Went here for dinner with 2 friends and had a short wait on a weekend night, but we were able to grab drinks at the bar while waiting. Be patient, and you will be seated when something opens up. Some of the seating is communal, but it still provides an intimate vibe with the dim lights. They have books lining the walls like a library, and wooden accents everywhere. My friend recommended we get the corn dogs as an appetizer which were very yummy and came with 2 dipping sauces. I also ordered the crispy fish tacos which were phenomenal. Dare I say, these were the best fish tacos that I have ever tasted, without a doubt. The flavors were on point, the mix of veggies and the sauce were perfect. Service wasn’t the best, but I think the quality of the food made up for it and satisfied me. I will be back when I am in Little Italy area of San Diego next time.

«We believe that ketchup overpowers the flavors that we’ve created for you to enjoy. That’s why we don’t carry it». We got the above «seemingly purist» response from the wait staff when we asked for ketchup.
A majority of the menu selections were either deep fried, greasy and typical gastro pub fare but a bit glorified with gourmet sounding ingredients. In the grand scheme of things we don’t understand what delicate flavors they were trying to present that’ll be destroyed by the addition of ketchup.
Most of the food was OK but quite forgettable overall. Another eccentric observation was that they were playing poor Unilocal reviews over the bathroom speakers. So wouldn’t be surprised if this one makes it onto the list in a few months.

4 stars for the ambiance and craft cocktails, 3.5 stars for the food.
Perhaps I have been spoiled rotten by the great foods and drinks of the bay area. I came into Craft & Commerce with high hopes and expectations, and was a little disappointed by the food here. My cocktail was crafted well and nice and stiff. Food was good, just not excellent.
Side note, the bathroom has a creepy recording of someone reading all the bad reviews of C&C… You’ve been warned.

Well this was one of the oddest establishments I’ve ever been in, and I don’t necessarily mean that to be a negative. Back up a sec, I was in San Diego for a bachelorette party and we had Saturday night dinner reservations for a group of 11 girls.
Anyway, our servers did the best they could with a big group and fairly complicated orders. At one point I noticed that we had 3 or 4 servers — perhaps we were too overwhelming for just one?
The decorations were so cool and so very weird. It was book-​inspired, but also had a random religious angle — Jesus Christ himself was «presiding» over our bachelorette table in a funny portrait. There were large mirrors throughout the restaurant and they actually said on them something like «These mirrors were installed here to make the restaurant look bigger» — freaking hilarious. And very honest.
Okay so the weirdest thing? Well, the weirdest two things. I kept hearing that there was a second bathroom «upstairs.» Finally I decided to check out that bathroom. Okay so by «upstairs» they really only mean up about three stairs. Don’t get confused. I repeat, THE UPSTAIRS BATHROOM IS REALLY ON THE SAME FLOOR AS THE DOWNSTAIRS ONE. Save yourself the mental anguish by just accepting this fact now. Second weird thing is the bathroom (s) itself. There’s a super long monologue being read in the bathrooms and it’s super disorienting. At first you legit have no idea what’s going on. Eventually you either figure it out or someone tells you. It’s old Unilocal reviews being read! So then it becomes funny.
This seems like the kind of place that accepts that it’s super eclectic and quirky and just freaking goes for it. I can definitely appreciate that. The servings are gigantic, so you get your money’s worth. The outdoor seating area looked really nice, too. All in all, I would probably go back. It was weird but weird’s not bad. Its bar was packed. Give it a shot.

Cute little bar that reminded me of Chapter One in Santa Ana. Even though the place was becoming increasingly crowded, the bartenders were attentive and frequented often to check up on us (not to mention being hip af)
They have an interesting selection of beers on tap and their food looked pretty good too! I would definitely suggest to sit outside in the little patio area if the weather nice. Perfect place to catch up with friends or go on a date.

Weekday lunch for 2, self-​seated so we picked a table where the server can see us sitting down.
Parking was still slightly challenging, but much much easier than weekend/​night time I’d say.
2 sandies: Both were really delicious, and the albacore was pretty fresh.
1. SEARED ALBACORE TUNA SANDWICH
2. SMOKED & SMOKED SANDWICH
Drink: Spicy Grapefruit soda — sounds like a weird combination but it was delicious, spicy and tangy!
Servers were helpful and easy to work with.

This place has a great atmosphere and outdoor seating which is always a plus!
I came during happy hour and had two drinks, both delicious.
Started with the fried pickles. To be honest I’m not usually a fan of the spears, prefer the chips. But these were really good!
I had the grilled mahi mahi fish tacos and they were amazing. The salsa on the side was great as well.
Wish I lived in the area, I would be a regular here!

Craft and Commerce is a great place for a beer and snacks. Why the 4 stars you ask??? If you don’t get there early, expect a long wait.
We had the Bacon Cracker Jacks and a Ballast Point Wahoo White.
Bacon Cracker Jacks??? YES!!! Nice chunks of crisp pork belly mixed with carmelized almonds, pralines and Cracker Jacks.
It comes out nice and warm to your table. And pair it with a Wahoo White, that’s it!!!
Did I mention happy hour beer with * is 50% off? What a deal!!!
Get there early and you won’t be disappointed.

Mac N Cheese with Bacon. ‘Nuff said.
The server suggested this as a starter and OMG… YES YES YES YES! A little secret she shared was that they actually cook the mac n cheese WITH the bacon to get all that greasy goodness in there. But it wasn’t like it was even greasy. The cheese was gooey and had the right consistency to it. It wasn’t too salty, or to oily either.
That plate alone could of filled me up and put me in the worse food coma ever but luckily enough, it was shared with three other people.
I ordered the Smoked & Smoked which was smoked salmon and applewood smoked bacon with fries kindly blessed with blue cheese crumbles. I literally cried because everything was so delicious. The sandwich reminded me of a New York style lox bagel… happy salmon piled inside. Not this two slice crap that I’ve seen here. The sandwich bread was buttery and toasted to a fine crunch and then adding the bacon, salmon and all the fixings in there, every bite was just as good as the last. It wasn’t heavy at all which I liked because it allowed me to have more room to chow down on those blue. bleu? whatever cheese fries.
The staff was very helpful in accommodating our table (we moved three times… uh.sorry.) and on top of everything.
Lunchtime is a good time to go because you won’t be fighting the crowds, parking and all that other downtown headaches people put up with.

A friend and I went to Craft & Commerce (C&C) on a Friday afternoon for a late lunch. Although parking can be difficult to find in Little Italy, we were fortunate and found a spot that was rather close … and because we were having lunch at like 2:30 p.m., the restaurant was fairly empty. Because it was a nice day, we enjoyed the patio seating and had lunch outside.
Everything on the C&C menu seems good, so there will be something for everyone. I especially liked the décor of the place and I would return in a heartbeat. So sad that I only got to make one trip here before moving from San Diego, but I think it’s probably one of my favorite places.
Here’s what we got:
«Mini Corn Dogs»: You have the option of getting two or four of these mini corn dogs. They came with bacon-​wrapped cheese bratwurst, stone ground mustard and spicy cheese fondue. I had seen many photos of these mini corn dogs before our trip to C&C, and I had my heart set on them. Because we were there for a late lunch, I just got two of these corn dogs, but if I were sharing with someone, I would have gotten four. I savored every bite of these mini corn dogs. The bacon-​wrapped cheese bratwurst was delicious and flavorful, and the exterior was delectably crunchy, but not over-​fried. I think the stone ground mustard and the spicy cheese fondue were the perfect dipping sauce accompaniments. The mustard was great for when I wanted a bit more heat, and the cheese was phenomenal for making the bratwurst even more cheesy and gooey. Whether you’re ordering this as your meal or sharing it as an appetizer, I highly recommend this one.
«Smoked & Smoked Sandwich»: At first, my friend was all set to order the «Pastrami,» but when he heard about this sandwich (per our waitress’ recommendation), he changed his mind … and boy, was it a winner. It featured smoked salmon, applewood smoked bacon, tomatoes, cucumbers, sprouts, red onions and caper mayo in between slices of sourdough bread. He also substituted the chips for sweet potato fries with blue cheese crumbles. My friend said he was super glad that he tried this sandwich. He said the salmon and the bacon provided a great combo of smoky flavors, and he especially liked the caper mayo. But I had some of those sweet potato fries with blue cheese and I was sold! The sweet potato fries were thicker, which I liked in of themselves (not super thin and crunchy), but they were generous with the amount of blue cheese spread on top, which just made me even happier because blue cheese is my favorite cheese. These fries were seasoned with garlic and thyme as well … instant hit! If I ever order a sandwich from here, I’m totally upgrading from chips to these addictive fries.
«Bacon Ice Cream Sandwich»: After all that savoriness, my friend and I got something sweet for dessert. Although our waitress recommended the beignets – which did sound good – I wanted ice cream, so that bacon ice cream sandwich was our finale. It featured candied bacon, a graham cracker crumble, chocolate sauce, marshmallow fluff, blackberries and confectioners’ sugar. While I’m not a huge fan of marshmallow (and marshmallow fluff), it wasn’t prevalent on this dessert. I really liked the graham cracker crumble paired with the chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream, but other than that, the ice cream sandwich seemed rather ordinary. I think they could have added a bit more of that candied bacon. This dessert did satisfy my craving for something sweet, but I still think I prefer the «Bacon Brownie» from Slater’s ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ if I’m wanting something sweet with bacon in it.
«Mac & Cheese»: If I didn’t get those mini bacon-​wrapped corn dogs, I would have opted for the mac & cheese because that’s my favorite comfort food. This version features house-​made cheddar sauce, sautéed mushrooms and crusted aged cheddar. The photos that I saw on Unilocal of this dish look tantalizing, and I can’t wait to try it next time.

Came to C&C for a late lunch/​early dinner. It was an off hour so it was pretty empty. So glad I got to experience it empty because I really got to appreciate all of the details in decoration. I’m one of those bitches who are super into quotes… and Craft & Commerce is quote heaven. Like they literally have quotes written on their couches. Diggin it.
The menu is extensive. You really gotta be in the mood to indulge if you’re coming here.
+ Ode to the burger — Boyfriend got the burger and added bacon… I had a bite. and it was fucking delicious. JUICY and flavorful. The onion marmalade mixed with their house sauce and again the juiciness of the patty just hit the spot.
+ Roasted bone marrow — I love bone marrow… so if a restaurant has bone marrow, I’m 100% for sure gonna order it. It’s an app at C&C but I ordered it as my entrée. Comes with toast and a basic side salad. Bone marrow (to me) is always good, but it wasn’t top-​notch. A little less meaty and prepared a little more oily than most places. I wouldn’t recommend getting this as your entrée… lol, it was just too oily. Could’ve been balanced by a good side salad, but the side salad kinda sucked.
+ Chicken wings (k.f.c. Korean fried chicken) — Chicken wings are my shit. hmm how do I make myself 100% clear… I WILL COME BACK TO C&C OVER AND OVER AGAIN JUST AS LONG AS THEY NEVER CHANGE THE WAY THEY MAKE THEIR KFC. Texture is perfectly crispy, not damp at all… but still amazingly flavorful. Love that they’re not overly marinated in sugar/​Korean bulgogi sauce, but still have hints of that flavor fused with American hot buffalo wings sauce. Mouth-​watering good.
+ Sadaharu Oh — you had me at Japanese whiskey… a beautiful cocktail mixed with lemon, orgeat (sweet syrup made with almonds, sugar, and rose water), Cointreau (bitter + sweet oranges).
Long story short: Chicken wings kfc + 2 or 3 sadaharu oh’s = My type of party.

This place is nice and in a great location. The style and décor is very random with a lion rug on the ceiling, writing on the booths, and what looks like red lawn chairs for seating.
The drink selection is decent. Plenty of beer and hard alcohol to choose from. I liked the fact they carry the Lindmens Framboise. Its one of my faves.
After ordering, our food took a very long time to come out. Once we received it, it was just ok. I got tacos and instead of having one fish and one shrimp like I asked they were both shrimp. It was more cabbage than anything else on the tacos. The sauce on the side was a bit too spicy for my liking.
When you go to the restroom, theres a recording of what sounds like Unilocal reviews playing. For the size of the restaurant theres only two single restrooms which doesnt seem resonable. Kind of weird.
The background music was great. A bunch of oldies from motown. Love!

Came here on a foodie quest with the boyfriend and his cousins one Saturday (an early weekly Sunday Funday) starting in Del Mar, then Little Italy, and then the Gaslamp.
When we arrived here and got our table (chose to sit on the patio because it was a nice day), we took turns and headed straight for the bathrooms, or should I say the bathroom. That’s one con here… one bathroom to serve everyone in this establishment. Once you walk in, you’re greeted by audio of good and bad reviews of C&C. I wasn’t exactly expecting it, and I kind of wanted to stay awhile to listen to the various people speaking (without realizing this was the only bathroom in the place). Oops.
Bf and I shared their seasoned garlic fries which were delicious paired with the garlic aioli. I also ordered their Macchu Picchu Punch and man, I swear you could grow some hair on your chest with that one. It really does pack a punch but it was tasty. Bf ordered a beer. Bf’s cousin ordered the 2 corn dogs appetizer. It was a cheese bratwurst with bacon wrapped around it and dipped into their corn batter. There was some ground mustard seed dipping sauce too and that was good.
Ambiance is hipster and casual, and very airy. Definitely a good place to visit if you want a quick bite or drink. I heard their brunch is good too but we didn’t make it there that early. Next time!

Came here for brunch with my girlfriend during the art walk and we both loved this place. Didn’t even have to wait and got seated right away on a Saturday brunch. The service was very fast and very friendly. Seems like their signature cocktails were very popular menu items. I got the smoked and smoked sandwich which was so so good. It had smoked salmon and bacon with sprouts, tomato and cucumber. Came with a side of fries as well that were very flavorful and perfectly crispy. The sauce that accompanied the fries was great as well.
I heard a little rumor that this restaurant doesn’t serve ketchup or vodka. I can’t wait to try this place for dinner one night.

John… you awesome drink slinging bastard! Thanks for saving our night!!! I guess this requires some explaining…
We had had a rough start on our date night at another establishment. The terrible service at the other place made us leave before we could even order entrees. It was that bad. But it was a blessing in disguise cause we ended up wandering into Craft & Commerce which was just around the corner.
We decided to sit at the bar in hopes of interacting with a decent human being which is, cue the heroic cheesy music, where we met John. He was awesome, funny, attentive and single handedly saved our night. The drinks he made for us were consistent and amazing you could tell he truely cared about his craft.
We had lost our appetite from our last place but decided to order just a side of the Seasoned Fries that came with a bomb aoili. I love all things potato & I’m super picky when it comes to french fries! They sound easy to make but you’d be suprised how easy they are to F*@& up. These are some sexy @$$ french fries! Perfectly crunchy and perfect season… I’d dare to assume they are double fried to purrrrfection. Will be coming back soon!

I really want to write a terrible review just so it can be theatrically read in the C&C bathrooms. Seriously, take a minute to stop in and listen.
Overall, the experience was on par with what I’d expect at a San Diego gastropub: great theme, kitschy décor, craft cocktails, and upscale bar food. When others are discussing Saturday night festivities during brunch over mimosa’s and quiche tartlets, I prefer keeping the party going by guzzling boozy cocktails and filling my gut with fried treats. It’s the REAL American way — right?
C & C does that right. Brunch is served from 11am-​3pm. Plenty of specialty cocktails, like the Port Assam. Rich chai infused gin tantalizes the tongue while the ginger provides a zing and the honey sweetens it all up. This is the perfect cocktail to soothe an upset tummy or even give you a little pick-​me-​up.
The mini corn dogs were everything and more. A delightful play on the traditional, these puppies connected my youth and bacon-​loving adult self. The stone ground mustard and cheese fondue completed the experience.
My only real issue, and I truly hate to bring this up, was that there was a hair in my cocktail. While nice and healthy looking (I secretly envy this thick haired beauty from which it came), I didn’t enjoy its presence in something I was so gleefully sipping. I mentioned this to the waitress and she was mortified. They did all the right things: returned it, brought me a new drink, and comped the whole thing.
I’d return again if not just to try out a few of their other cocktails. Maybe I’ll get lucky and have a horrendous experience to detail on Unilocal.Only then will my words have the honor of being heard in the bathroom.

****3.5 STARS****
My friend made a reservation here for her birthday dinner.
We came here on a Saturday night & Valentine’s day.
*** Reservations are only for parties of 7 or more people.
Parking absolutely sucks around here!
Don’t waste your time and just park in one of the ACE parking lots for $ 5.
There’s one right next door but parking lot is extremely tiny!
There’s like two more nearby that is about one block walk with a lot more parking space available.
SETTING:
At first glance, the place looks really small. But they have a good amount of tables.
They can accommodate large groups as well.
They have really cool decorations, like an old rustic book shelf, a (fake) lion floor mat on the ceiling, and other animals heads on the walls.
Sucks they only have ONE bathroom for everyone.
And it was really odd how extremely close it was to a door leading to the kitchen/​back.
FOOD:
VERY limited menu but surprisingly really good.
Smoked Ribs (Garlic Chili) $ 16
(carolina rub, buttermilk biscuit, coleslaw)
The garlic chili sauce was definitely a new and interesting approach for ribs and it was delicious. The ribs were a bit on the dry side but they gave a very generous portion size. The coleslaw was really sweet and good. The buttermilk biscuit on the other had was too dry. Needs a lot more butter.
Fried Chicken $ 14
(coleslaw, mashed potato, seasonal vegetable, spicy vinegar)
The fried chicken was delicious! The batter was light and deep fried to perfection. Everything else went really well together! I was quite impressed. Once again, large portion size is always a plus as well!
Lay Lady Lay $ 11
(raspberry lambic, ginger, champagne)
This drink was delicious!!! Highly recommended for peole who like light fruity drinks. Although portion size was very small. Served in a small wine glass with giant ice cubes. This drink should be worth more like $ 6 at the most.
SERVICE:
Service is on the slower side…
Took them awhile to bring out the drinks.
Took them more of awhile to bring out the food.
Took them an even longer time to bring out our birthday cake, plates & utensils.
Took them an even longer longer time to bring out the check.
Yes it’s a busy saturday night but I saw a bunch of workers running around in different unique oldschool outfits with their valentines day goody bags and talking to each other in between and running in and out of the back room which didn’t make very much sense to me while I was waiting the bathroom.
Overall, this place is a pretty cool place to check out at least once.