The Linkery isn't exactly the newest joint around town, but since it opened it's been applauded for taking fresh local ingredients into their menu daily and creating flavors that are uniquely San Diego. Truly a farm-to-table approach. Along with quality food, the restaurant has that hip modern vibe with great open air seating that has become commonplace to North Park and San Diego in general.
Not only is the Linkery a great spot for food, they tout a very reputable selection of craft beers that San Diego has recently been known for using daily specials and food pairings to enhance the experience for those seeking a quality brew with their food.
On this day we made a lunch trip which to no surprise, came with lunch specials. Obviously being called Linkery, I had my sights set on a sausage or two until I spotted the Salchichero topped fries.
Ok so I guess I'll start at the bottom with this one. The fries are cut fresh and fried in beef tallow (fat.) This preparation really lends to a unique flavor of the fries as they took on a richness you don't get with any regular fry oil. This is probably why they had such a great crunch to them as well. Over the fries was the house made longaniza which had a great pork and red pepper mix although more resembled Mexican chorizo due to the way it flaked rather than Spanish longaniza. The locally found spring hill cheddar added a perfect bite of cheese without being overpowering and created that classic taste with the fries elevated by preparation and quality. The avocado over the cheese was a quick guacamole mix which fit well with the theme of the fries and longaniza while adding a fresh contrast to the fried cheesy goodness. Where things take a twist is the bacon and eggs. The egg is fried perfectly over easy and as the yolk drips down into the rest of the food, it doesn't get any more rich and flavorful (if you're into that sort of thing!) The bacon is just icing on the cake, smoked in house and cut thin adding a great note to the end of your bite. If this dish is any indication towards the goodness of the rest of the menu, I can't wait to be back.
The Linkery is definitely unique and worth a try, especially for lunch where you can get something like the above dish and a draft beer for $12.50. The lunch specials also had offerings catering toward the extensive sausage menu which will probably be my route the next visit. The prices might be generally high but remember, the philosophy is farm-to-table so the quality is definitely there and I can vouch for that. As a side note, for their method of gratuity, 18% is added automatically(kind of Euro style,) and anything extra is donated to the charity of the month so don't be shy if service was particularly great on your visit.
The Linkery
3794 30th St
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 255-8778
