Filippi’s Pizza Grotto (San Diego)

On my recent work trip to San Diego, CA I met up with my wife’s cousin and his good friend for dinner. He insisted we head out to Mira Mesa to try out this “incredible” prime rib place. Who am I to san no to that?? Any place would have been fine to be completely honest though he did have me at “prime rib.”

So when drove out to the Mira Mesa area of San Diego and we pulled into the parking lot of an Italian pizza place. I was curious but still excited. As we waited to be seated I looked around and saw some very incredible looking dishes on the tables. I saw some very good looking pizzas, lasagna, pastas, and other great looking things. I wondered just why a person would come here and order prime rib.

When we sat down we all knew what we wanted. My two fellow diners ordered appetizers. Wings of Fire and the Shrimp Jumpers I believe. We also wasted no time in ordering the Filippi’s cut prime rib at $25.50. It comes with a salad and a side of choice. I opted for a baked potato. The other guys chose rigatoni and steak fries.

We chowed down on the appetizers for a while and when our main entree came out I will admit right here and how that I completely underestimated it. This thing was absolutely massive. It came with two nice sized cups of house made horseradish and a nice cup of au jus.

These guys know how to order let me tell you. The neighboring customers who’s jaws weren’t already opened offered to buy our doggy bags. This is how great this massive cut of meat looked. We all ordered ours medium rare. (I mean its prime rib man.) The picture I took does it no justice. I’ll admit I can usually hang with the best when it comes to casual eating. I didn’t even touch my baked potato. I fully regretted even taking a single bite from my salad. I wish I had come on a completely empty stomach so that I could devour this beast the way it should be devoured.

The meat was perfectly seasoned and cooked. The au jus was phenomenal. I was able to just eat the prime rib all the way to the bone, but there was still plenty of meat left. Luckily all the meaty bones were saved for my friends dog. Trust me when I say he ate like a king that Friday night. I know I did.

I’m very thankful that I was introduced to Filippi’s and I will always remember that huge cut of beef that I couldn’t quite conquer!