Guava Beach Bar & Grill

Most Mission Beach spots optimize for one angle: Cannonball owns the rooftop-sushi view, Rosemarie's perfects slider mechanics, Moe's runs tablecloth service. Guava splits the difference and doesn't apologize — sports on multiple screens, tiki décor that predates the current wave of faux-Polynesian cocktail bars, pool tables in back, a fireplace that gets actual use during winter evenings when the marine layer settles in heavy. It's the joint locals bring visiting friends who want 'the beach experience' without committing to sand or a $40 seafood tower.

The carne asada tacos and chicken tacos get consistent mentions — straightforward prep, good tortilla-to-filling ratio, nothing revolutionary but reliable enough for repeat orders. The queso runs standard brewpub formula, shareable and designed to pair with cold beer and afternoon Padres games. Margaritas skew better-than-average for a sports bar, though the kitchen draws mixed reviews on anything involving seafood — the ceviche seasoning doesn't land for everyone.

The real value proposition shows up during happy hour, when beach-adjacent pricing drops to functional levels and the patio fills with post-surf regulars and dog owners taking advantage of the genuinely pet-friendly policy (water bowls provided without prompting). Weekend nights tilt toward anniversary dinners and group gatherings — the Sunday afternoon crowd runs mellow, service moves fast even when Matthew's not working your section.

Parking follows standard Mission Beach rules: good luck after 11 a.m. on weekends, relatively manageable on weekday afternoons. The atmosphere works best when you're not comparing it to dedicated cocktail programs or refined taco operations — it's doing sports-bar fundamentals in a neighborhood where most venues optimize for either Instagram angles or fine-dining margins, neither of which Guava particularly cares about.