JJ's Sunset Deli at Embarcadero Marina Park-South, San Diego, California

Located at the western tip of the Embarcadero Marina Park-South on the San Diego Bay (just a short walk from the San Diego Convention Center and the Marriott Marina & Resort) where solid ground gives way to a fishing pier, JJ's Sunset Deli has a view worth battling the hungry sea gulls over your sandwiches for.

I really don't know how these gulls can eat so much and yet remain so slim. They spend all day wind-surfing along the Embarcadero (waterfront), and the walkway along the tip of the park where JJ's is appears to be a hot spot. So... wear a hat and keep your food covered at all time (unless you are willing to have more exotic sauce than ketchup involuntarily added to the ribs sandwich. I have spoken ).

This little sandwich shop looks to be just another one of those 'park service hot dog stand in a fortress-ish little brick building' place. You order at the window, pay, pick up the food and eat it on one of the many benches in the area. There is also a little picnic umbrella-roofed area with a few steel tables and chairs that offers a good view of the fishing pier and the basketball courts nearby.

JJ's is open daily, serving breakfast (burritos and stuff) until 10:30AM. Lunch menu includes a variety of sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers. The sandwiches are hearty and fresh Their $9.92 Rib-eye sandwich is cooked to order right on the outdoor grill by JJ himself as you (and other hungry gawkers) watch and salivate in anticipation. This is a chunky fare of rib-eye on a fresh sub roll smoldering under perfectly grilled onion and melting provolone cheese. Completing the dish are the sides of either cole slaw or potato salad (your pick), chips and beans. I usually just go for the 1/3 lb hamburger, though. It comes in the size that fills you up without leaving left over (which is good for $5.70)... It tends to be a bit overcooked (and dry), though, but the grilled onion and sauce and the fresh bun blend really well with the meat that adding ketchup is strictly optional and mostly superfluous.

They also have pastries, cookies, and even ice cream and root beer float there. Drinks menu includes soft drinks, Arizona iced tea, some beer, and 3 selections of wine. And, for the fishermen among us, JJ's also sells baits and tackles along with having some fishing rods for rent (by the hours).

Wednesday and Sunday are rib days where you can order the daily special of ½ rack babyback ribs sandwich with garlic bread, soda, and a side order for $12.93. Also, on the Padres (baseball team)' home game days you can get a big hot dog and chips for only $4.50 Good deals considering the amount and quality of food you get... along with the view! There aren't many places around where you can sit and relax (after having successfully warded off the many hamburger-hunting birds in the area, of course) and munch on a good burger while watching sail boats and navy ships cruising along on the San Diego Bay... without going broke when the lunch tab arrives.

JJ's Sunset Deli: 200 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA 92101. Tel. (619) 237-1070. Opens daily from 9:30AM-6PM.