Neighborhood Spotlight: trendy spots on India Street
WILLIAM CARLETON
CONTRIBUTOR
University of San Diego students looking for a fun place to spend an evening do not need to look very far away from campus. While some may have explored India Street on a trip to Little Italy before, there is plenty more to check out on India Street. Easily accessible by the Green Line trolley stop down the hill from USD, the area around the intersection of India Street and Washington Street is packed with a variety of places to eat, drink, and spend an enjoyable time off campus. Here are a few places worth checking out along this part of India Street.
Lucha Libre Taco Shop is a Mexican wrestling themed restaurant that sits on the corner of India Street and Washington Street. With colorful masks lining the walls, Lucha Libre footage playing on the TV, and the golden Champion’s Booth table, this taco shop has a distinct, lively atmosphere. Even with wait times, the food will satisfy any fan of taco shop fare.
Hagop Margossian, a senior at USD, recently heard about Lucha Libre and is already a fan of the food. “I’ve only been there a couple of times,” Margossian said. “But I do like the Surfing California.”
Home of the Surfing California Burrito, a hybrid of a Surf and Turf burrito and a California burrito, Lucha Libre is very popular, and even appeared on Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food” in 2010. Any trip through the area should include a stop at Lucha Libre.
If you are not in the mood for Mexican food, you might want to try some British cuisine. Farther down India Street and up a flight of stairs is the Shakespeare Pub and Grille. Here you can order traditional British dishes such as fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and a variety of drinks, including tea for those who might not drink alcohol. The English Tudor style of the pub creates a unique sense of being in another country without leaving the city.
Senior Jackie Crilley found the place to be a reminder of her study abroad experience in London. “Shakespeare’s Pub is an awesome place to experience a small part of London in San Diego,” Crilley said.
Sport fans will also be pleased to know that the pub shows live broadcasts of soccer, or as they say in England, football. The great atmosphere and variety of things to eat and drink make Shakespeare’s Pub and Grille a notable place to check out when visiting India Street.
Across the street from the Shakespeare Pub and Grille and across the second level of the building is the National Comedy Theater. Fast-paced improv comedy performances are staged according to input by the audience.
The Mainstage Show is at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. The cast acts in teams in order to compete in various games, similar to “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” The show incorporates the audience into their acts when thinking of scenes on the spot.
Senior Sarah Zentner found the shows at National Comedy Theater to be an engaging and special experience. “I love how engaging, entertaining, and spontaneous the performances are,” Zentner said. “Part of what makes each show so special is knowing that it’s the only one of its kind. You’ll never see the same one twice!”
To keep the audience and actor interaction PG rated, the cast will place a paper bag over your head if you get too out of line. With other variations of the show on certain days of the month, there are plenty of laughs to be had here over multiplevisits.
Though this is not every place of interest on this stretch of India Street, hopefully it has been enough to show what this area has to offer. There are plenty of things to see, so make sure to get out and explore.