Smallgoods Cheese Shop & Cafe

While most La Jolla sandwich spots source their cheese from the same distributors, Smallgoods stocks hundreds of cheeses from small producers worldwide — and actually knows how to use them. The difference shows up in the California Cheese & Turkey, where thin-sliced apple and cucumber keep the richness in check, and in their grilled cheese variations that change based on what's worth eating from the case that week.

The space runs like a European provisions shop that added tables as an afterthought. Grab a number, browse the cheese case while you wait (they'll let you taste before buying), then pick up your sandwich and head to one of the sidewalk tables on La Jolla Boulevard. The owner's usually working the counter and can talk you through anything in the shop.

The California Cheese & Turkey moves fastest at lunch, when the post-beach crowd stops in before heading north. Their grilled cheese variations rotate but tend toward serious — think aged cheddar with caramelized onions, not American cheese on white bread. They also do cheese and charcuterie boxes to-go if you're headed to the cove for sunset.

Parking's easier than in the village proper — there's usually street parking on La Jolla Boulevard or in the small lot behind the building. Weekend mornings can run a 15-minute wait when locals pick up provisions, but weekday afternoons are typically quiet. They'll ship cheese anywhere if you find something you can't get at home, which explains the out-of-state repeat customers.

The shop doubles as a grocery for basics when you don't want to drive to Vons — decent olive oils, good butter, fresh bread from Bread & Cie. Skip it if you want a quick grab-and-go situation; this is a place that requires browsing time.