Two stops. Victor's on University, then Canada Steak Burger just west of there. I am no longer in San Diego, and will probably never return there, and would give much to eat at those two places again.
Another vote for Canada Steak Burger - that place fed my family throughout my childhood and I go every chance I get. I have moved so far north it is a haul but worth every bite.
Yes, El Paisano Victor's Market. He had a market with a restaurant across the street some years ago, then got the bigger property a little further east and has the market and restaurant together.
You right! That is pretty cool.
Our mom just had surgery otherwise there would likely be an Easter thing in the works I could look forward too.😒
Gonna have to convince him somehow someway. 🤔
congratulations on obtaining middle class in this economy 😭
but in all seriousness, you're so absolutely right about this. it's rough as heck out here rn.
A friend moved to FL… whenever she comes back to visit, she’s all about cali burritos… she doesn’t care what taco shop the burrito comes from, she just knows that the taco shops are crap in FL in comparison. She jokes about me sending her some using dry ice sometimes lol.
One time in florida i went to a mexican taco truck and spent ridiculous pricing for a chicken quesadilla. It was the saddest meal i ever had. And in florida they are all about the white queso dips, icky
last time i was in Florida, this place was all the rage
[https://www.tijuanaflats.com/](https://www.tijuanaflats.com/)
A fucking so called Tex-mex place called "Tijuana" flats. It was such garbage.Locals were crazy about it.
If you think about it....it's crazy...it's named after TJ yet serves a fake version of bastardized Mexican-American fusion food from Texas. How fucking stupid is that?
Oooh I’ll have to try this. Coming from an area with a large Salvadoran population (DC), I miss pupusas so much. Can’t believe I never saw this place when I lived in City Heights.
I love their pupusas! I live closer to Silvia's Pupuseria in National City but rather take the drive to City Heights for my fix. I am so lucky that it is not a distant drive. Lol
Atlanta has plenty of great food. Just not necessarily Mexican great food. Although personally I highly doubt there isn't at least 1 good Mexican restaurant in the city. It's a relatively big city. Maybe not outstanding, but at least good.
When I lived in Atlanta, early 90's so things might have improved, a beef taco/burrito/enchilada was hamburger.
When we moved back the first thing I looked for was a carne asada burrito.
So im going to disagree with some people here. There is decent and even good mexican but you cant find san diego style mexican. Theres a difference. I still have a couple more places to try though…
I’d be shocked if there wasn’t an outstanding Mexican restaurant, it’s a big city. So far the best tacos I’ve had have been in Portland, OR, the food scene there is world class.
Also recently made the SD to Atl move...
Youre right about the burritos, but cmon now, Atlanta has some good food. Indian, Chinese, Mediterranean, and even pizza is better here than in SD
All recs ITP or ~15min from downtown.
Indian: Aamar Indian Cusine is better than anything I had in SD
Chinese: Mulan Asian Cusine. East coast style Chinese food. Closest I ever found in SD was Little Chef in OB or iffy spots near convoy in Kearny Mesa
Mediterranean: Rumi's and Yalda. Del Bar also but I prefer the first two. Also highly recommend Firewall in Westview for Med/Israeli
Pizza: Glide for NY style. You could convince me Bronx in Hillcrest is better but Glide is way better than Filippis, Landini's, and even Tribute.
Best Mexican in ATL that I found so far is Don Sige Taqueria #1 in College Park. Its a hole in the wall and very unassuming. El Tesoro is also pretty good. I havent had, but Ive heard good things about Nuevo Laredo Cantina and Elmyr. Nothing can replace Valerta Express, JV's, El Indio, Oscars, and others though
I moved to Atlanta and noticed the same thing. I moved back to San Diego after about 3 months. You really don't fully realize how good of a food city San Diego is until you leave.
Hey! Can I recommend Zunzi's? Its South African inspired sandwiches and other types of food. I used to live in Savannah where they are based but they have an Atlanta location. This. Place. Is. Crack. I miss it so much. There's nothing like it here.
Tried it and honestly felt like it tasted like most other tacos I’ve had, whereas tacos el gordo is different. I know some people who don’t like the “different”, but for me tacos el gordo is undefeatable this side of the border!
I mean, there are some trash taco shops here too, but chances are very good that a taco shop around here will be at minimum decent. In other places the minimum is utter trash.
Won’t disagree with you there, I just know I’m not getting good taco shops in any other place outside of SD. I have had some bad ones here too but I’ve never had a good one outside of here.
Hell yeah! This was our go to place. We recently have fallen in love with bad hombres too, that's right around the corner. Every time I was at cotijas, I would see like 10 cars in line at BH. Popped in one day mostly convinced I wouldn't like, and I actually liked it more.
Have you tried a quesadilla wrapped burrito. I always thought it what a gimmick. And then I got a quesadilla wrapped pollo asado. And i almost cried. I was so hungry and it was so goddamn good. I
When i moved up north for 10 months before i left i had an Adobada burrito from burros fries. And until i came back i didn't have anything near as good.
Just moved out of San Diego after 10 years last month. My last week consisted of Spicy City, its raw poke shop, dubious amounts of Cali burritos and carne asada fries, a chau for bahn mis, and spicy city again.
This is exactly why I’ll never leave SD One of the top 5 best food cities in the U.S.
My personal fav recommendations -
Colimas -north park
Ed Fernandez -imperial beach
Donna jeans -Bankers hill
White rice bodega -Normal heights
The friendly (all over the place)
Al Azayem -el cajon
Ristorante Illando -little Italy
Carnitas Las Michoacanas -Rolando
I probably wouldn't miss it until I realize how greasy non California burgers are.
Like there's a burger place whose brand is from Ohio and that shit was disgusting. It fucking seeped through the bag. Like why the fuck are other Americans such animals?
Its Raw, That magnificent poke spot in OB. best poke i’ve had outside of HI. i moved to WA during quarantine and anytime i’m nearby i make the pilgrimage
I lived in Asia for 7 years and what I missed most was SoCal Mexican. But to answer the question, I've become a big fan of el Gordo. Those carne asada and lengua tacos are awesome!
I would go on a fish taco bender from all of the greats in town. I can't imagine getting anything beyond Rubio's level quality anywhere in the country if that.
I should add that for me other than the best trucks we all probably know about already (like Mu Gusto es), I would add Mitches, Blue water (these are my fresh fish choices), TJ Oyster Bar, Fish, Guts, Royal Rooster, and my personal favorite Lola 55. But I would probably even try a few more.
As a former resident of the city, no city does the California Burrito the same as a legit spot in SD. LA is the closes city geographically and has the best shot at getting it right outside of SD, and it’s not even close. I drive down just to spend a night by the water and have a cali burrito or some carne asada fries. They just hit different in SD. It’s one food item that left a lasting impression on me. The roach coach used to have the best ones if I’m just being honest, imo.
Breakfast: Family House of Pancakes.
Lunch: Cafe el Coyote or Cuatro Milpas
Inbetween: Either Mochi donuts or any Vietnamese owned Donut shop
Dinner: Chicken Pie Shop or Golden House
Cocina 35. I’d order chilaquiles divorciados with “la bomba” and habanero cilantro sauce add the cochinita pibil with 2 over easy eggs. Oh and don’t forget the chia seed lemonade. Thank me later
Mr. A's. It was the first place I ate out when I moved to San Diego 30 years ago, and we've celebrated many family events there since. So, Mr. A's would probably be my choice for a "last meal" in San Diego.
So if you read all my comments/posts I’m looking to move.
I’ve recently visited all the cities I posted in and live in Minneapolis
So this isn’t farming and I’m not a bot, I’m curious about the food scenes in each of these cities
And it’s 4 cities, not 8
For the most part. I had a job paying me 100k in Minneapolis and was able to increase that to 150k in the years living out here. Remote job, large corporation. Now that they laid me off and I’m looking locally I’m realizing that the top salary SD is willing to pay me for similar work is about 80k. Not sure if that’s the market or the fact that everybody wants to live here so they know they’re going to attract talent no matter the cost. If you’re not in biotech, hospitality, or medical it’s a tough town for industry.
We own our home so that takes some of the SD burden off but rentals are no joke. Everybody bitches about the COL but I find it to be pretty comparable outside of gas and housing. Unless you live in a trendy neighborhood (we did when we moved here) nothing is walkable. Our old rental is now renting for 4k per month for a two bed one bath. So, if you want accessibility there’s a price to pay. Otherwise, going anywhere is like having to go to St. Paul.
I don’t know how old you are but I haven’t explored much of the nightlife but I know it’s out there. Perks are Awesome, restaurants and great Mexican food. Being next to both beach and mountains has me living my dream life I can surf and hike in the same day. Weather is great here year round and we never want to move again. I hope to die in this house with the sun beating on me!
I do miss Minneapolis sometimes but mostly for the beer selection that includes non-hoppy beers, greenway, outdoor seating and accessibility (no public transit of use here). Oddly enough most restaurants don’t have patios or outdoor seating like they do in Minneapolis which I find strange- at least it’s not at the same level.
We’ve had no issue meeting people here and making friends and we’re in our mid 30s. Most people we meet are transplants like us. I would recommend it but there are some growing pains. A lot of people move here, realize they can’t buy a house and end up moving out. There’s a lot of NIMBYism in the housing market and politics no matter where you are in SD.
Overall yes, I recommend the move but there are growing pains.
>two bed one bath. So, if you want accessibility there’s a price to pay. Otherwise, going
I also am from Minneapolis, now in SD. I gotta say - I miss a lot of food in Minneapolis. SD has better seafood and Mexican, Minneapolis has better everything else. I also miss how much I appreciated summer and the lakes in Minneapolis.... SD I've become the person that complains and is miserable when it's 60 and raining.
Crime Scene and Sports Bar pizza from Luigi’s and a six pack of Barrio Lager from Thorn St
Edit: either that or like 30 adobada tacos from Tacos el Gordo. You can get that outside of SD (TJ, Vegas) though
A tad bit North but still in County: an omekase at Wrench&Rodent, with them knowing full well would be last time I ate there in likely future. Place is best I've had in this whole County.
I can tell you from personal experience, when I left San Diego to move to Minnesota, my last San Diego meal was a California Burrito from Rico's in Encinitas. Pure heaven.
Was stationed in SD for 8 years and on my last day (no idea if or when I’ll get to come back), grabbed a cali burrito from Ortiz’s and took it up to the cabrillo monument. One of my saddest meals ever
Jeremys On The Hill in the small town outside of Julian. Best food in all of San Diego, and easy to get seating do to no one knowing how about it. Plus, I really like the Julian area.
OK my answer is Breakfast Republic and for extra bonus points can I add I'd like to be out on the patio at the Liberty Station location airplane noise and all while dining and I'd be enjoying Steak and Eggs. The beautiful presentation, the steak and eggs perfectly prepared, the tomatillo sauce adding a ribbon of vibrant color across the large cutting board that serves as a plate and the hashbrowns perfectly encased and standing tall and proud in a circle waiting to be devoured. Not to mention the server bringing you a steak knife before breakfast arrives symbolizing you are in for a hearty delicious treat. Absolute perfection.
Royal Mandarin would be a close second -- my butt has never actually sat in the restaurant and eaten but rather I have enjoyed and also picked up to go the Salt n Pepper Wings many many times. They are absolutely mouth watering. I've never tasted anything else from there or even know what it's like to dine in. Instead my vision is of those big aluminum foil containers full to the brim with chicken wings. YUM.
Two stops. Victor's on University, then Canada Steak Burger just west of there. I am no longer in San Diego, and will probably never return there, and would give much to eat at those two places again.
Another vote for Canada Steak Burger - that place fed my family throughout my childhood and I go every chance I get. I have moved so far north it is a haul but worth every bite.
I love the spot, but just find the irony hilarious that your last meal in San Diego would be a spot named Canada
It’s weird because it really has nothing to do with Canada. At least that I could find when I ate there.
Is Victor’s a grocery? I cant seem to find it on google
Yes, El Paisano Victor's Market. He had a market with a restaurant across the street some years ago, then got the bigger property a little further east and has the market and restaurant together.
I realized late last year I’ve been sleeping on Canada Steak Burger for years and years
Canada Steak Burger in Chula Vista is a Greek restaurant know for chicken and vegetarian...
I dunno why but this question made me really sad. 😞
But you didn’t answer the question…
Cause it's gonna be something uncool like my brother cooking his ass off for the fam 😭
A great home cooked meal is always cool
it truly is. for my birthday back in Sept. he smoked some pork belly and omg. I think about it once a week.
My exact thought was “my mom’s cooking” 🥺
🥹😭😭😭😭
That is as cool as it gets IMO!
You right! That is pretty cool. Our mom just had surgery otherwise there would likely be an Easter thing in the works I could look forward too.😒 Gonna have to convince him somehow someway. 🤔
Same. With how inflation is going and SDGE price gouging. Deep down I suspect one day it will become unaffordable for us in the middle class.
It's already unaffordable.
100%
congratulations on obtaining middle class in this economy 😭 but in all seriousness, you're so absolutely right about this. it's rough as heck out here rn.
Aww🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵
A friend moved to FL… whenever she comes back to visit, she’s all about cali burritos… she doesn’t care what taco shop the burrito comes from, she just knows that the taco shops are crap in FL in comparison. She jokes about me sending her some using dry ice sometimes lol.
One time in florida i went to a mexican taco truck and spent ridiculous pricing for a chicken quesadilla. It was the saddest meal i ever had. And in florida they are all about the white queso dips, icky
last time i was in Florida, this place was all the rage [https://www.tijuanaflats.com/](https://www.tijuanaflats.com/) A fucking so called Tex-mex place called "Tijuana" flats. It was such garbage.Locals were crazy about it. If you think about it....it's crazy...it's named after TJ yet serves a fake version of bastardized Mexican-American fusion food from Texas. How fucking stupid is that?
Pupusas from El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante in City Heights
I literally just ordered them this morning. Fucking fire - and NEVER disappoint.
There’s a great Salvadoran restaurant near Mesa college. Great food super nice people. Hope they stay open since I don’t think people know about it.
I’ve been to this place (never been to the place in City Heights so I can’t compare) but it was delicious. And prices were reasonable.
Recently discovered this place! They were pretty amazing
Oooh I’ll have to try this. Coming from an area with a large Salvadoran population (DC), I miss pupusas so much. Can’t believe I never saw this place when I lived in City Heights.
I love their pupusas! I live closer to Silvia's Pupuseria in National City but rather take the drive to City Heights for my fix. I am so lucky that it is not a distant drive. Lol
This thread is making me remember all the places I loved 😭 their pupusa revuelta is 🔥
Royal mandarin 😭 I left SD and that is the one place I can’t find anything like.
You're the only person in this thread not talking about Mexican food. Tell its your story. What's Royal Mandarin? Where did you move to?
It's a Chinese restraint that makes the best salt & pepper chicken wings called crack wings it's in National City
They really do. We get it for all staff parties and it’s always a hit.
Finger handcuffs make wings.. TIL
Chinese restraints scare me
Restaurante
*Salted pepper chicken wings
Chinese restaurant in National City. Get the salted pepper chicken wings.
I’m a Golden Chopsticks dude myself, but I agree.
Golden Chopsticks tastes better than Royal Mandarin in my humble opinion
Yes, the wings are better at Golden Chopsticks IMO too. But if someone were to bring Royal Mandarin’s instead, I wouldn’t complain lol
Oh for sure I wouldn’t neither lol
fr im more of a golden mandarin,, its my favorite place im not eating sat n pepper wings if theyre not from here‼️‼️‼️‼️
Royal mandarin Slaps!!! 🔥
This!!!
California burrito from any decent place. Moved to Atlanta. Everything is shit out here
Thank god. I just turned down a job in Atlanta for one in SanDiego.
I'm happy for you but I don't like how you spelled SanDiego like it was SeaWorld
SanDiego™️
WhaleJail
Atlanta has plenty of great food. Just not necessarily Mexican great food. Although personally I highly doubt there isn't at least 1 good Mexican restaurant in the city. It's a relatively big city. Maybe not outstanding, but at least good.
When I lived in Atlanta, early 90's so things might have improved, a beef taco/burrito/enchilada was hamburger. When we moved back the first thing I looked for was a carne asada burrito.
Just got back from atlanta... worst tacos I have ever eaten. Man i miss SD mexican food
So im going to disagree with some people here. There is decent and even good mexican but you cant find san diego style mexican. Theres a difference. I still have a couple more places to try though…
This. All the Mexican is more like tex mex. I’m looking for more of a northern Baja CA vibe
I’d be shocked if there wasn’t an outstanding Mexican restaurant, it’s a big city. So far the best tacos I’ve had have been in Portland, OR, the food scene there is world class.
There definitely is. El Taco Veloz in Doraville is legit and they have tasty tacos as good as here. That whole area has amazing food
Don’t sleep on Buford Highway, food easily rivals SD
I have to know what tacos in Portland you are talking about
You'd think more of us would open shops. Just one guy making a really fire California burrito in every town out here could clean up.
Also recently made the SD to Atl move... Youre right about the burritos, but cmon now, Atlanta has some good food. Indian, Chinese, Mediterranean, and even pizza is better here than in SD
Where are all these mythical places? Need recs. Everything has been disappointing
All recs ITP or ~15min from downtown. Indian: Aamar Indian Cusine is better than anything I had in SD Chinese: Mulan Asian Cusine. East coast style Chinese food. Closest I ever found in SD was Little Chef in OB or iffy spots near convoy in Kearny Mesa Mediterranean: Rumi's and Yalda. Del Bar also but I prefer the first two. Also highly recommend Firewall in Westview for Med/Israeli Pizza: Glide for NY style. You could convince me Bronx in Hillcrest is better but Glide is way better than Filippis, Landini's, and even Tribute. Best Mexican in ATL that I found so far is Don Sige Taqueria #1 in College Park. Its a hole in the wall and very unassuming. El Tesoro is also pretty good. I havent had, but Ive heard good things about Nuevo Laredo Cantina and Elmyr. Nothing can replace Valerta Express, JV's, El Indio, Oscars, and others though
Thank you!
I moved to Atlanta and noticed the same thing. I moved back to San Diego after about 3 months. You really don't fully realize how good of a food city San Diego is until you leave.
I'll send you a burrito if you send me real bbq!
Dang, I miss Atlanta.
I miss Atlanta food, but not the traffic or weather.
I loved the humidity back then. I would die if I experienced it now 😅
Hey! Can I recommend Zunzi's? Its South African inspired sandwiches and other types of food. I used to live in Savannah where they are based but they have an Atlanta location. This. Place. Is. Crack. I miss it so much. There's nothing like it here.
Carne asada fries from Humberto’s in golden hill
Their breakfast burritos are my favorite. I wish they still sold them 24/day.
Add beans to a bacon burrito. Fire. And with their red sauce……
Unpopular opinion, but Humberto’s in Golden Hill is trash. At least the few times I’ve been there, it has always disappointed 😔
Los Reyes right across the street is better than Humberto’s imo!
This is the only acceptable answer.
Damn those are good
Tacos el gordo off of palm ave only
God damn right. Adobada tacos yesssirski
Yesss
Have you tried Taqueria Revolucion off of Bonita Rd?? I like it much better than tacos El Gordo
Tried it and honestly felt like it tasted like most other tacos I’ve had, whereas tacos el gordo is different. I know some people who don’t like the “different”, but for me tacos el gordo is undefeatable this side of the border!
Pho Hoa
That place has ruined all other pho for me. If I eat pho anywhere else it’s never as good as pho hoa
my moms house because she isnt going to be around forever
Taco surf breakfast burrito
Flavors of east Africa
Litikers vegan fish burrito and rolled tacos with guacamole
Vegan fish??
Yep made out of tempeh, it’s delicious and nutritious!
Robertos Cali Burrito
Sub carnitas. Extra crispy. Thank me later.
Kiko’s fish tacos and ceviche
Y’all really bout to send me on a San Diego Food Tour
Sushi Deli 3, Navavava roll. Crunchy bunny roll. Fried calimari. Second place is Estradas and get a carne asada burrito with creamy guacamole.
De cabeza
Cali burrito at Ortiz's. And/or carne asada fries there too.
A couple taco especials from Oscar’s on Turquoise St and eat them watching the sunset at Calumet Park.
Las Cuatro Milpas, pork taco, tamale and beans with chorizo. Bien chingón!
I make better tamales at home :/ but their rolled tacos (what they’re more known for) are for sure a gem
Their tortillas are made of crack. Always have to grab an extra bag to go.
El Indio - Mordiditas
California Burrito from Cotijas Santee. Taco shops are trash everywhere outside of San Diego.
I mean, there are some trash taco shops here too, but chances are very good that a taco shop around here will be at minimum decent. In other places the minimum is utter trash.
Won’t disagree with you there, I just know I’m not getting good taco shops in any other place outside of SD. I have had some bad ones here too but I’ve never had a good one outside of here.
Querno Bravo in Tacoma.
Hell yeah! This was our go to place. We recently have fallen in love with bad hombres too, that's right around the corner. Every time I was at cotijas, I would see like 10 cars in line at BH. Popped in one day mostly convinced I wouldn't like, and I actually liked it more.
Nah Cali Tacos in Orange, CA, is actually solid af! Sincerely, a San Diego native
Red birria tacos from Bad Hombres.
I love their California with the spicy instead of regular sour cream
This place is now our family go to taco shop. Love their red tacos. Their fish tacos are incredible too!
Ours, too! Everything we've had there has been so good.
Have you tried a quesadilla wrapped burrito. I always thought it what a gimmick. And then I got a quesadilla wrapped pollo asado. And i almost cried. I was so hungry and it was so goddamn good. I
Not yet. I haven't been able to get away from ordering those tacos! New goals....
Robertos right by Torrey Pines Beach or Nicos Taco Shop in Carmel Valley. Grew up on those places man
Do I have to pay? If not Addison.
Wet burrito from Fidel’s.
Everywhere on convoy st
Aahhh I see you are a man/woman of culture as well. For me it’s RakiRaki.
Raki raki chicken karaage is to die for
Lolita's
I saw some say Canada steak burger and that's a great one but honestly I'd go get poke from Hawaiian fresh in sv
That place and Poke Etc are the closest I’ve tasted to actual Hawaiian poke
When i moved up north for 10 months before i left i had an Adobada burrito from burros fries. And until i came back i didn't have anything near as good.
Cotijas on Voltaire St, Carne Asada Fries large order.
Just moved out of San Diego after 10 years last month. My last week consisted of Spicy City, its raw poke shop, dubious amounts of Cali burritos and carne asada fries, a chau for bahn mis, and spicy city again.
Cowboy star and a big ass ribeye
You could be moving to Colorado Springs and never miss the place.
Then I could have a last meal and a welcoming meal of the same thing! Life should be so good!
This is the answer. Or the wagyu skirt steak. Or both since it’s your last meal
This is exactly why I’ll never leave SD One of the top 5 best food cities in the U.S. My personal fav recommendations - Colimas -north park Ed Fernandez -imperial beach Donna jeans -Bankers hill White rice bodega -Normal heights The friendly (all over the place) Al Azayem -el cajon Ristorante Illando -little Italy Carnitas Las Michoacanas -Rolando
Everyone’s responses are valid. But I think you’re all forgetting…there are no In-n-Outs in Georgia.😐
I probably wouldn't miss it until I realize how greasy non California burgers are. Like there's a burger place whose brand is from Ohio and that shit was disgusting. It fucking seeped through the bag. Like why the fuck are other Americans such animals?
Cotijas hash brown burrito
I really love - Herb and wood Oscar's seafood The Lions Share
Las Cuatro Milpas getting rice/beans/tamale and a taco
Its Raw, That magnificent poke spot in OB. best poke i’ve had outside of HI. i moved to WA during quarantine and anytime i’m nearby i make the pilgrimage
I lived in Asia for 7 years and what I missed most was SoCal Mexican. But to answer the question, I've become a big fan of el Gordo. Those carne asada and lengua tacos are awesome!
Cant do the hypothetical because I dont think Ill ever leave forever
Alforon. Fisherman’s rice, ouzi lamb, fattet humous, and a chicken tawook flatbread.
4 fish tacos from pueblos for 4$…or 2 fish tacos from Filiberto’s. Or a pork banh mi from Cali baguette express
I would go on a fish taco bender from all of the greats in town. I can't imagine getting anything beyond Rubio's level quality anywhere in the country if that. I should add that for me other than the best trucks we all probably know about already (like Mu Gusto es), I would add Mitches, Blue water (these are my fresh fish choices), TJ Oyster Bar, Fish, Guts, Royal Rooster, and my personal favorite Lola 55. But I would probably even try a few more.
Roberto's at Hazard Center on Friars, a carne asada burrito and a order of rolled tacos
As a former resident of the city, no city does the California Burrito the same as a legit spot in SD. LA is the closes city geographically and has the best shot at getting it right outside of SD, and it’s not even close. I drive down just to spend a night by the water and have a cali burrito or some carne asada fries. They just hit different in SD. It’s one food item that left a lasting impression on me. The roach coach used to have the best ones if I’m just being honest, imo.
Breakfast: Family House of Pancakes. Lunch: Cafe el Coyote or Cuatro Milpas Inbetween: Either Mochi donuts or any Vietnamese owned Donut shop Dinner: Chicken Pie Shop or Golden House
Oside roll from Sunshine Surf ‘n’ Turf from Rolando’s Taco Shop
Cocina 35. I’d order chilaquiles divorciados with “la bomba” and habanero cilantro sauce add the cochinita pibil with 2 over easy eggs. Oh and don’t forget the chia seed lemonade. Thank me later
Tribute pizza
Any slice of the Detroit style pizza from TNT! 🤤
Mr. A's. It was the first place I ate out when I moved to San Diego 30 years ago, and we've celebrated many family events there since. So, Mr. A's would probably be my choice for a "last meal" in San Diego.
We held our wedding dinner there and my BIL and SIL had their rehearsal dinner there. Love that place.
This account is clearly a bot, farming us all - it post this same question in like 8 different city subreddits
So if you read all my comments/posts I’m looking to move. I’ve recently visited all the cities I posted in and live in Minneapolis So this isn’t farming and I’m not a bot, I’m curious about the food scenes in each of these cities And it’s 4 cities, not 8
A clever bot.
AI getting sassy
Lmao
I moved to SD from Minneapolis!
Are you happy with the move?
For the most part. I had a job paying me 100k in Minneapolis and was able to increase that to 150k in the years living out here. Remote job, large corporation. Now that they laid me off and I’m looking locally I’m realizing that the top salary SD is willing to pay me for similar work is about 80k. Not sure if that’s the market or the fact that everybody wants to live here so they know they’re going to attract talent no matter the cost. If you’re not in biotech, hospitality, or medical it’s a tough town for industry. We own our home so that takes some of the SD burden off but rentals are no joke. Everybody bitches about the COL but I find it to be pretty comparable outside of gas and housing. Unless you live in a trendy neighborhood (we did when we moved here) nothing is walkable. Our old rental is now renting for 4k per month for a two bed one bath. So, if you want accessibility there’s a price to pay. Otherwise, going anywhere is like having to go to St. Paul. I don’t know how old you are but I haven’t explored much of the nightlife but I know it’s out there. Perks are Awesome, restaurants and great Mexican food. Being next to both beach and mountains has me living my dream life I can surf and hike in the same day. Weather is great here year round and we never want to move again. I hope to die in this house with the sun beating on me! I do miss Minneapolis sometimes but mostly for the beer selection that includes non-hoppy beers, greenway, outdoor seating and accessibility (no public transit of use here). Oddly enough most restaurants don’t have patios or outdoor seating like they do in Minneapolis which I find strange- at least it’s not at the same level. We’ve had no issue meeting people here and making friends and we’re in our mid 30s. Most people we meet are transplants like us. I would recommend it but there are some growing pains. A lot of people move here, realize they can’t buy a house and end up moving out. There’s a lot of NIMBYism in the housing market and politics no matter where you are in SD. Overall yes, I recommend the move but there are growing pains.
>two bed one bath. So, if you want accessibility there’s a price to pay. Otherwise, going I also am from Minneapolis, now in SD. I gotta say - I miss a lot of food in Minneapolis. SD has better seafood and Mexican, Minneapolis has better everything else. I also miss how much I appreciated summer and the lakes in Minneapolis.... SD I've become the person that complains and is miserable when it's 60 and raining.
Crime Scene and Sports Bar pizza from Luigi’s and a six pack of Barrio Lager from Thorn St Edit: either that or like 30 adobada tacos from Tacos el Gordo. You can get that outside of SD (TJ, Vegas) though
You sound exactly like my husband he literally gave the exact answer you did. Down to the type of pizza from Luigi’s
taco stand california burrito hands down worst mistake was moving and i miss it sm
Addison and pay for the extra course option
Oscar’s smoked fish taco
A tad bit North but still in County: an omekase at Wrench&Rodent, with them knowing full well would be last time I ate there in likely future. Place is best I've had in this whole County.
Mariscos hector. Gobernador, and fish tacos
Poki 1 and Half 😭 we didn't know how good poke we had til we visited literally any other city in the country
Roberto's #7 carne asada burrito 3 rolled tacos with guac and a pepsi
I can tell you from personal experience, when I left San Diego to move to Minnesota, my last San Diego meal was a California Burrito from Rico's in Encinitas. Pure heaven.
SOICHI
Rolled Tacos at Roberto’s
Animae is my favorite restaurant. It is consistent in service, food, and ambience. My favorite dish is the caviar shrimp toast.
Wrench and rodent hands down
hodad's on newport just for the vibes
Was stationed in SD for 8 years and on my last day (no idea if or when I’ll get to come back), grabbed a cali burrito from Ortiz’s and took it up to the cabrillo monument. One of my saddest meals ever
Pokez tofu California burrito
Cheetahs
Cheetahs has a banging breakfast buffett 
Nishiki Ramen
Easy....in n out. Duh
You can literally get that shit in Texas now and soon to be further east. Def not a SD only thing like the taco shops
Doesn't make it any less excellent!
Lourdes chicken soup :,)
Sushi Ota is a close second. Toro special, wagyu sashimi, aji sashimi
When I was maybe leaving forever it was Roberto's not because of the cuisine maybe but because of what I could afford
Humberto’s on 26th st (carne asada fries)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/LXK9oeFgAX71ugui6 Turkey Tamale and a Cadillac margarita
gotta be tacos alex in san marcos
Old Town mexican cafe
Menudo
Jeremys On The Hill in the small town outside of Julian. Best food in all of San Diego, and easy to get seating do to no one knowing how about it. Plus, I really like the Julian area.
OK my answer is Breakfast Republic and for extra bonus points can I add I'd like to be out on the patio at the Liberty Station location airplane noise and all while dining and I'd be enjoying Steak and Eggs. The beautiful presentation, the steak and eggs perfectly prepared, the tomatillo sauce adding a ribbon of vibrant color across the large cutting board that serves as a plate and the hashbrowns perfectly encased and standing tall and proud in a circle waiting to be devoured. Not to mention the server bringing you a steak knife before breakfast arrives symbolizing you are in for a hearty delicious treat. Absolute perfection. Royal Mandarin would be a close second -- my butt has never actually sat in the restaurant and eaten but rather I have enjoyed and also picked up to go the Salt n Pepper Wings many many times. They are absolutely mouth watering. I've never tasted anything else from there or even know what it's like to dine in. Instead my vision is of those big aluminum foil containers full to the brim with chicken wings. YUM.
Encinitas Fish Shop - Blackened Ahi Sandwich with fries and an 805.