Pinky's Cafe

san diego has built a genuinely serious coffee scene over the last decade, with north park at the center of a lot of it. university avenue cuts through the neighborhood carrying a mix of taquerias, record shops, and the kind of independent spots that locals actually return to. pinky's cafe, at 2864 university ave, is one of those places, and it draws consistent attention in a part of the city where you have real options. the reception it gets from the people who end up here isn't accidental, and the standing speaks for itself. if you're spending a morning in north park, it makes a sensible starting point before the avenue gets busy. the afternoon espresso pull is worth planning around.