Point Loma Restaurant Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern offers New Perspective on Traditional Cuisine

Situated on the beautiful Point Loma Harbor, overlooking yachts on the water, sits the homey, chique, foodie heaven called Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern.

In a city that locovores love, with abundant farm fresh produce, and fancy organic faire, the concept off Jimmy’s does not seem too far fetched.  Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern, or J-FAT, is another restaurant that supports farms, ranches, and fisheries that are guided by principles of sustainability.  You may find locally grown and fresh ingredients at Jimmy’s but that’s not the drawing point. What truly sets Jimmy’s apart is the down home comfort food.

The four co-owners, David Wilhelm, Jimmy Duval, Jeff Hatch and Todd Hatch, joined together with the culinary mind of Executive Chef James Nunn to create a truly unique “frycook meets foodie” menu. The food joins together all the bold flavors true foodies have come to admire in a great restaurant with traditional flavors that will leave anyone feeling comforted.

“People are hungry for comfort foods that remind them of their childhood, but that are crafted with delicious, sustainable ingredients,” says Wilhelm. “Everyone on our team wanted to bring our collective experiences together to create a new version of the American tavern.”

If you’re looking for a bite to eat there is plenty to choose from. Committed to serving locally raised, organic dishes, the menu features selections with a lively twist of bold, craveable flavors.  Nachos are not just nachos – the “nachos” come with warm corn tortilla chips with a southern cheddar and pimento dip.  Looking for sliders? Try the cheddar cheese mini burgers with jalapeno jelly, applewood smoked bacon, and crispy fries. There is only one word for the food here – delicious.

If you’re looking for desert, please don’t expect a huge desert menu at this down home pub grub location. They only have one desert. What? One desert? Shocking, I know. But listen to this and try and keep your mouth from watering: vanilla bean ice cream with hot fudge, warm chocolate chip cookies, salted skin-on peanuts and whipped cream. What more could you want?

In addition to the daily menu, drop by on Sundays when Jimmy’s serves a mouth-watering brunch with dishes like the “BUBBA,” with housemade buttermilk biscuit, fried chicken, bacon, cheddar, sausage gravy and tater tots; and crème brûlée ‘pain perdu’ with bananas foster sauce. There are plenty of breakfast joints in San Diego, but this one is a place you should add to the top of your list.

The food is good; really good. This self proclaimed gastro-tavern features unfussy, nostalgic American food with a twist. But one thing should not be overlooked – the drinks. The great down home food pairs with old and new brews and specialty cocktails that are unique and special in their own right.

Come with friends or that special someone and enjoy a great drink to help you unwind after a stressful day. The bar boasts an inventive selection of hand shaken classic and original cocktails created by Ryan Magarian of Liquid Relations.  The beer list offers West Coast microbrews on tap, bottled beers from independent American breweries and some old favorites like Pabst Blue Ribbon―served in a can unless otherwise requested.

Inventive house cocktails include the Aperol Smash with hand pressed green grapes, fresh local peppermint, vodka, Aperol Italian Bitters and freshly squeezed lemon juice. It is tremendous.  Also, be sure to try the Bees Knees, a grown up version of lemonade that will leave you craving the sweet lemony concoction.  The Bees Knees is made with Plymouth Dry Gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and house made clover honey syrup that adds a special twist to an otherwise simple lemonade cocktail.

If you are looking for a new place to try or even a new joint to hit up daily, Jimmy’s Famous American Taven has what you need. The food and drinks are unforgettable, and the location is incredible as well.  The inviting indoor-outdoor location boasts classic Americana elements.

The repurposed wooden bar sits amongst retro seating areas, industrial roll up wooden doors, and a cozy outdoor seating area with a fire pit. As local patron Jake Symons accurately describes, the décor is “cabin chique.”

Neither the food nor the décor are exactly what you would expect. The mid century hunting lodge meets 21^st century modern lounge, all on the casual and laid back San Diego waterfront. It is a bit unorthodox but it all works together to create a unique local experience.

Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern has truly reinvented the tavern tradition. Do not miss it. Jimmy’s is located at 4990 North Harbor Drive and is open Monday – Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for brunch, then from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.  For more information, visit www.j-fat.com or head down to the harbor to check it out yourself.