THE BEST SPUDS
WHY COOK? HERE ARE THE PERFECT MASHED POTATOES TO BRING TO YOUR THANKSGIVING FEAST
While turkey might be considered the official star of a typical Thanksgiving meal, side dishes that complement the bird are the unsung heroes of the holiday. For some, Thanksgiving just isn’t Thanksgiving without the usual side suspects: stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, dinner rolls, roasted veggies, pumpkin pie and, of course, mashed potatoes.
Whether you like them buttery and classic or jazzed up with an elevated spin, we’re here to help you find the perfect tater for your Thanksgiving table. With options from all over the county and a handy “spud-ometer” rating system, this list is sure to help you find the right spud for you. Keep in mind that while some of these picks are available for dine-in or to-go on the restaurant’s regular menu, some are part of a special Thanksgiving menu (as noted).
Beaumont’s
This Bird Rock eatery may be known for its Truffle Fries, but don’t sleep on the Cheddar Chive Mashed Potatoes — they make a welcome addition to any Thanksgiving feast.
Taste test: The melted bits of cheddar add an extra creaminess to these otherwise traditional mashed potatoes. Though not a standout dish on its own, the chives do add a kick of flavor — especially if you’re not one to mix your potatoes with cranberries.
Price: $6.50 for a small side
Where to get it: 5662 La Jolla Blvd., Bird Rock. beaumont seatery.com — Garin
Café Gratitude
Plant-based Café Gratitude boasts a Thanksgiving menu full of healthier options like Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes with Garlic Confit. And with its company mission of gratitude, what better
fit for the annual day of thanks?
Taste test: As expected, these potatoes are heavy on the garlic. But my favorite part of the flavorforward dish ended up being the spices, especially the rosemary. Bonus points: this hidden side of cauliflower lets you feel less guilty skipping the green beans.
Price: $25 as a side on its Holiday Pies and Sides menu. All orders must be placed by 9 p.m. Sunday for pickup on Wednesday.
Where to get it:
1980 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy. cafegratitude.com — Butler
Cafe La Maze
This National City steakhouse was a favorite among the 1940s and ’50s Hollywood stars traveling to Tijuana and decades later, it remains a local institution. So, of course, you’ll find classic mashed potatoes on the menu hearty enough to bring home for dinner.
Taste test: You’ll love these if you prefer your mashed potatoes on the chunky side; they’re even served with the skins. Though they lack a bit in the salt department, the dish is served with a healthy heap of gravy. Bonus, the mashed potatoes come with warm rolls and warm butter!
Price: $5.95
Where to get it: 1441 Highland Ave., National City. cafelamaze.com — Garin
Common Stock
The Hillcrest eatery just celebrated three years in business, and while it might be better known for its famous Crispy Chicken Sandwich, the sides, like the Loaded Mash, also deserve a spot at the table.
Taste test: The Loaded Mash side dish hits the mother lode: A hearty side of creamy mashed potatoes smothered in cheese, bacon and butter and topped with chives. This dish would be the perfect accompaniment to a Thanksgiving dinner where comfort food reigns supreme.
Price: Available as a side dish on Common Stock’s regular dinner menu for $6.
Where to get it: Common Stock, 3805 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest. eatcommonstock.com — Ianni
Coop’s West Texas BBQ
Want to buck tradition this
year? Try Spuds N’ Que, a loaded baked potato from cult favorite Coop’s West Texas BBQ. Though Coop’s will be closed Thanksgiving Day and the day after, kick off holiday celebrations early with this unconventional dish.
Taste test: Spuds N’ Que doesn’t skimp on its mouthwatering toppings — my baked potato barely peeking through over the brisket, butter, sour cream and cheese covering. (Other meat choices are jerk chicken or pulled pork.) But after a few non-spud bites, you’ll uncover a large potato cooked to the ideal consistency.
Price: $10 per potato on its regular menu, listed as a combo. Add extra butter, sour cream or cheese for 50 cents each. Coop’s is closed for dine-in but available for takeout or delivery.
Where to get it: 2625 Lemon Grove Ave., Lemon Grove. coopsbbq.com — Butler
Herb & Sea
San Diego is home to a few “Top Chef” alum restaurants, including this modern, seafoodforward North County spot from Brian Malarkey. Since opening at the end of 2019 and surviving the pandemic by pivoting to takeout, Herb & Sea now offers brunch and dinner in-house, including these mashed potatoes.
Taste test: Top chef’s kiss.
These were salty, creamy and drowning in pools of butter. Topped off with chives, these decadent potatoes are a standout, a bit more than your basic side dish.
Price: Available as part of Herb & Sea’s dine-in prix fixe Thanksgiving menu: $84 per person; $34 per child.
Where to get it: Herb & Sea, 131 W. D St., Encinitas. herbandsea.com — Ianni
International Smoke
Along with acclaimed chef Michael Mina, Ayesha Curry is part owner of this upscale Del Mar restaurant that focuses on smoked meats and seafoods, with a menu of globally inspired dishes and sides like Whipped Potatoes with truffle upgrade. Pro tip: Do not miss out on Ayesha’s Fresh-Baked Cornbread with Thai red curry butter.
Taste test: Has there ever been a better flavor combination than truffle and potatoes? According to this dish, the answer is no. The mashed potatoes alone are heavenly, but the truffle upgrade knocks it out of the potato park.
Price: Available on International Smoke’s regular dinner menu for $9; upgrade to truffle for $5 more. Also available as part of the restaurant’s special Thanksgiving menu: $88 per person; $30 per child and $320 for a takeout
option that serves four.
Where to get it: International Smoke in the One Paseo shopping center, 3387 Del Mar Heights Road, Building 1, Del Mar. internationalsmoke.com — Ianni
Jollibee
Favorites at Jollibee — the popular Filipino fast-food chain — include Peach Mango Pie and fried chicken ... not mashed potatoes. But if you’re looking for a quick and inexpensive Thanksgiving fix, you’ll find it here.
Taste test: Smooth and salty, the mashed potatoes are surprisingly tasty for fast food. They’re served with gravy and are good enough to eat on their own (but even better if you wash it down with Jollibee’s trademark Pineapple Quencher sweet drink).
Price: $2.49 for a regular; $3.59 for a large
Where to get it: Jollibee has three San Diego locations: 285 E. Orange Ave., Chula Vista; 1401 E. Plaza Blvd., National City; and 8436 Mira Mesa Blvd., Mira Mesa. jollibeefoods.com — Garin
Rare Society
The only steakhouse in the Trust Restaurant Group family of restaurants, Rare Society recently opened a second location in Solana Beach. The menu boasts fine cuts of meat, like filet and wagyu, and traditional steakhouse sides like these whipped potatoes.
Taste test: If you’re a mashed potato purist, these spuds will satisfy. They’re made with cream, white pepper, salt and roasted garlic. Nothing too fancy, but the old adage rings true: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Price: $11 as a side on their regular menu.
Where to get it: Rare Society:
University Heights, 4130 Park Blvd., and Solana Beach, 330 S. Cedros Ave. raresocietysd.com — Ianni
STK Steakhouse
Located inside the Gaslamp hotel Andaz San Diego, this steakhouse chain is full of elevated menu items. Its Thanksgiving offerings are no different, featuring dishes including cornbread and sage stuffing, cranberry orange chutney and Yukon Gold mashed potatoes with Parmesan crust.
Taste test: The smooth texture and subtle tasting notes of these potatoes keep things simple, making it a solid pairing option. However, the thin layer of crispy Parmesan — which I can’t stop thinking about — transformed the basic spuds into a decadent side dish.
Price: $16 as a side on its regular dine-in and to-go menu. Also part of its Thanksgiving dinner special, available for dine-in ($59 for adults, $29 for children) or takeout for two ($119).
Where to get it: 600 F St., Gaslamp Quarter. stksteak house.com/venues/san-diego — Butler
Terra American Bistro
Terra American Bistro opened in Hillcrest in 1998 and moved to the College Area in 2011. What hasn’t changed is the quality — Chef Jeff Rossman’s offerings, like his Country Smashed Three Cheese Potatoes, back up the awards hung on the restaurant’s wall.
Taste test: Equal parts soft and chunky, the consistency of these mashed potatoes tastes like nostalgia, reminding me of the recipe my mom has been making since I was a kid. And don’t get me started on the cheese — the combo of Parmesan, brie and Gruyère makes me wonder why I’ve been using cheddar all these years.
Price: $18 as a side dish on its Thanksgiving menu. All orders must be placed by noon Saturday for Wednesday pickup. (Thanksgiving orders are required to be $100 minimum.)
Where to get it: 7091 El Cajon Blvd., East College Area. terrasd.com— Butler
sara.butler@sduniontribune.com nina.garin@sduniontribune.com jennifer.ianni@sduniontribune.com