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San Diego, CA

  (46 restaurants)    
1 2
1 2
Restaurant What to Get Show / Episode /
Recommended By
Yelp!
Rating
Yelp! rating descending order
Restaurant Notes
AlforonSee Alforon Video ($$)
(1712 ratings)

5965 El Cajon Blvd Map It!
San Diego, CA 92115
(619) 269-9904
www.alforon.com
  • Ouzi Lamb
    braised lamb served on Ouzi rice & almond slivers w/ side of homemade yogurt; looks good!
  • Soujouk Flatbread
    flatbread topped w/ minced meat & melted cheese; looks good
4.5 out of 5
1712 ratings
since 2010; serving authentic Old Country style Lebanese comfort food
Chuy's Taco Shop ($)
(889 ratings)

6663 El Cajon Blvd Map It!
San Diego, CA 92115
(619) 469-7777
chuystacoshopsandiego.myb...
  • Chuy Burrito
    carnitas, chili relleno, pico de gallo, guacamole sauce in burrito; looks good
  • Shrimp a la Diabla
    shrimp in (hot) Diabla sauce; served w/ rice, beans
4.5 out of 5
889 ratings
husband-and-wife team who saved to buy a house & opened the taco shop instead; serving authentic Mexican cuisine from family recipes
Crazee BurgerSee Crazee Burger Video ($$)
(771 ratings)

3993 30th St Map It!
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 282-6044
crazeeburger.com
  • Alligator Burger
    served w/ curry fruit tapenade as a topping
  • Kangaroo Burger
    served w/ creamed horseradish sauce
  • Santorini Burger
    1/2 feef, 1/2 lamb with Greek tsatsiki sauce; looks good
4.5 out of 5
771 ratings
2 German immigrants combining an old American tradition w/ a European bistro atmosphere; over 30 burger variations including exotic burgers (kangaroo, gator, ostrich, etc) and exotic toppings (fruit chutney, wine-infused pears, orange glaze, etc); Other Recipes: Turkey Burger w/ Orange Mustard Glaze
As Seen On:
Best Thing I Ever Ate, Episode: "Kids' Menu"
  • Make Your Own Pizza
    personalized par-baked pizza crust is brought to your table where you add your sauce, cheese, toppings, and then they bring it back to the kitchen to bake; looks fun
4.5 out of 5
4487 ratings
contemporary Italian restaurant featuring pasta, pizza, seafood & meat, plus wine & cocktails
Donut BarSee Donut Bar Video ($)
(5195 ratings)

631 B St Map It!
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 255-6360
www.donutbar.com
  • Big Poppa Tart Donut
    pop-tart stuffed into a donut, injected w/ filling, frosted & sprinkled; choice of blueberry, s'mores or strawberry; each weighs about 1-lb; Duff recommends strawberry
4.5 out of 5
5195 ratings
est. 2013
Grand Ole Bbq Y AsadoSee Grand Ole Bbq Y Asado Video ($$)
(888 ratings)

3302 32nd St Map It!
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 213-3765
grandolebbq.com
  • "El Borracho" Beef Rib
    ribs smoked 4 hours over white oak, smothered w/ chorizo queso & corn chip-serrano-pickled onion relish, served over polenta; looks good
  • Lamb Taco
    smoked lamb cooked 4 hours in birria, tomato salsa, cumin guacamole, lettuce, lime crema & house flour tortillas, served w/ au jus; looks good
4.5 out of 5
888 ratings
high grade meats, smoked Texas-style BBQ & Argentinian grilled; "the moistest, juicy, tender, smokey BBQ in San Diego" (from its website); guest appearance: food critic Troy Johnson; Other Recipes: Chorizo | Chorizo Queso | Corn Chip-Serrano Relish | Flour Tortillas | Lamb Birria Broth | Smoked Tomato Salsa
  • Braised Short Rib French Dip
    wine-braised short rib, caramelized onions, gruyere cheese, toasted baguette, & beef jus; served w/ reduced beef jus & choice of French fries, coleslaw or spring salad; "the jus is luxurious" -Guy Fieri; looks good
  • Jo's Meatloaf
    meatloaf wrapped w/ applewood smoked bacon; served w/ garlic mash potatoes, sautéed French green beans, beef demi glace; "some of the most tender, moist meatloaf I’ve tried" -Guy Fieri; looks good
4.5 out of 5
349 ratings
started as a French bistro; "diner food w/ a bistro attitude"; named after owner Ric Libiran's sister
KindredSee Kindred Video ($$)
(1573 ratings)

1503 30th St Map It!
San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 546-9653
barkindred.com
  • "Good Morning Captain"
    New England style kimchi chickpea cakes, shaved horseradish tartar sauce, radish & pickled cherry tomato salad, herb oil, chives
  • Skewers
    chargrilled seitan, chimichurri, harissa, horseradish aioli; looks good
4.5 out of 5
1573 ratings
opened in 2015; vegan restaurant w/ punk rock setting; guest appearance: American professional skateboarder Tony Hawk
Nutmeg Bakery and CafeSee Nutmeg Bakery and Cafe Video ($$)
(1492 ratings)

12640 Sabre Springs Pkwy Map It!
San Diego, CA 92128
(858) 486-8863
nutmegsd.com
  • Bananas Foster French Toast
    local brioche, dipped in cinnamon-ginger custard, stuffed w/ spiced ricotta filling; powdered sugar & caramelized bananas foster; looks good!
  • La Havana Panini
    slow-braised pork shoulder, nitrate-free ham, Dijon & grain mustards, homemade pickles & pickled shallots, Swiss cheese & 3-cheese blend; served w/ homemade chips; looks good
4.5 out of 5
1492 ratings
husband-and-wife team; artisan bakery & café specializing in local, organic & sustainable food & sweets
As Seen On:
Taco-Lanche!
  • Smoked Fish Taco
    smoked tuna served w/ cabbage, avocado & cheese; looks good
  • Spicy Shrimp Taco
    served w/ cabbage, onion, tomato, cilantro, avocado & cheese; looks good
4.5 out of 5
3387 ratings
est. 2011; truck driver-to-apprentice to taco food truck-to-owner/restaurateur; named after the food truck owner
Phil's BBQSee Phil's BBQ Video ($$)
(15897 ratings)

3750 Sports Arena Blvd Map It!
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 226-6333
www.philsbbq.net
  • El Toro Sandwich
    winner of Best Sandwich (West Coast); char-grilled sliced tri-tip topped w/ signature BBQ sauce & served on Kaiser roll; looks good
4.5 out of 5
15897 ratings
opened in 1998; "long lines of anticipation, an energetic, friendly atmosphere, fantastic food, huge portions and many, many, paper towels"
Shawarma GuysSee Shawarma Guys Video ($$)
(1180 ratings)

3012 Grape St Map It!
San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 340-1234
theshawarmaguys.com
  • Beef Shawarma Egg Roll
    Wagyu beef on shawarma spit; garlic aioli; looks good
  • Fattoush Salad Chicken Shawarma Wrap
    torilla wrapped w/ chicken shawarma, fattoush salad (romaine lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, radishes, bell peppers, pita chips, w/ a lemony dressing), garlic aioli; looks good
4.5 out of 5
1180 ratings
voted #1 restaurant in the country (Yelp! 2020); owner/chef started selling cell phones, but wanted to start a food truck, watched a bunch of Food Network shows & w/ a lot of hard work & determination he was able to open his food truck
  • Fried Rockfish
    whole rockfish deep-fried topped w/ Thai ginger onion peanut sauce; "you are going to lose your mind! that's outrageous!" -Guy Fieri; looks good
  • Special Lao Rib
    spare rib, marinaded & sous vide for 24 hrs
4.5 out of 5
269 ratings
brother & sister migrated from Thailand to open restaurant serving Isaan food that blends the cuisine of Thailand, Laos & Cambodia
TahiniSee Tahini Video ($)
(1125 ratings)

9119 Clairemont Mesa Blvd Map It!
San Diego, CA 92123
(858) 779-3272
www.tahinistreetfood.com
  • Chicken Shwarma Pita
    all natural, antibiotic-free chicken marinated w/ 10+ ingredients; Halal; served in a house baked pita stuffed w/ lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pickled cucumbers, & garlic sauce; looks good
  • Falafel Salad
    freshly ground fava beans, veggies, herbs, & spices; fried upon order; served in a bowl of organic spring mix topped w/ tomatoes, red onions, bell peppers, Kalamata olives, & Feta cheese w/ Tahini sauce; looks good
4.5 out of 5
1125 ratings
opened in 2017; co-owned by high school friends Osama Shabaik (former lawyer) & Mahmoud Barkawi (former aspiring cop); "born on the side of a gas station in Pacific Beach, San Diego" (from its website); serving authentic middle eastern street food; Other Recipes: Sriracha Tahini Sauce
As Seen On:
Pizza Party
  • Chorizo & Avocado Pizza
4.0 out of 5
1415 ratings
specialize on pizza & beer
  • Halibut Salad
    Guy got it w/ Teriyaki
  • Halibut Sandwich
    Guy got it w/ lemon garlic butter; looks good
  • Cioppino
    hearty seafood soup made of wahoo, mahimahi, ahi tuna, scallops; served on plate of rice; looks good
  • Fish Tacos
    Guy got sea bass; served on warm El Indio tortillas w/ cheese, cabbage, tomatoes & onions & topped w/ homemade white sauce; "that's one of my favorite fish tacos I've ever had"-Guy Fieri; looks good
  • "Track Taco"
    grilled chipotle shrimp, onion mango slaw & cheese on a corn tortilla; topped w/ avocado, tomatillo sauce & queso fresco
  • Seared Ahi Salad
    6 oz tuna crusted & grilled, served on greens w/ cucumbers, onion, carrots, tomatoes, capers & choice of dressing
4.0 out of 5
4116 ratings
since 2004; local favorite; break-down their own fish; choice of seasonings once you choose your fish
Cafe 222See Cafe 222 Video ($$)
(2262 ratings)

222 Island Ave Map It!
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 236-9902
www.cafe222.com
4.0 out of 5
2262 ratings
est. in 1991; "functional funky-industrial atmosphere to compliment her (owner Terryl Gavre) quirky eclectic style of cooking" (from its website)
Carnitas Snack ShackSee Carnitas Snack Shack Video ($$)
(829 ratings)

1004 N Harbor Dr Map It!
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 696-7675
carnitassnackshack.com
  • Carnitas Tacos
    pork carnitas/ standard accompaniments in corn tortilla
4.0 out of 5
829 ratings
opened in 2011; serving slow food-inspired, pork-centric American cuisine, snacks & locally sourced craft beers; moved from airing location (2632 University Ave)
Crack Shack ($$)
(5307 ratings)

2266 Kettner Blvd Map It!
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 795-3299
www.crackshack.com
As Seen On:
Man v. Food, Episode: "San Diego, CA"
  • Senor Croque Sandwich
    crispy chicken, bacon, fried egg, cheddar, miso-maple butter, brioche
4.0 out of 5
5307 ratings
opened in 2015; "Admittedly, we're a little cocky." (from its website...they specialize in chicken); one of celebrity chef Richard Blais's restaurants; long lines
  • Mussel Bisque
    seafood bisque w/ mussels served en Croute (w/ pastry puff on top of bowl...like a pot pie); at service, waiter breaks a hole in crust and pours in some cream sherry from Spain
4.0 out of 5
427 ratings
opened in 1984; California cuisine with a touch of Italian, French, Spanish and Asian
  • Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches
    free during happy hour (M-F, 4-7pm)
4.0 out of 5
766 ratings
[CLOSED]
As Seen On:
Best Thing I Ever Ate, Episode: "Cake Walk"
  • Dulce de Leche Cake
    looks good
4.0 out of 5
3682 ratings
opened in 1988; chef/owner studied pastry-making at the Cordon Bleu (in France)
Grant GrillSee Grant Grill Video ($$$)
(498 ratings)

326 Broadway Map It!
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 744-2077
www.grantgrill.com
  • Smashing Pumpkin Martini
4.0 out of 5
498 ratings
opened in 1951; the place to power lunch; brass plaque commemorating a 1969 women's successful sit-in known as "the Grant Grill invasion" protesting men's only sign during lunchtime
As Seen On:
Bacon Paradise
  • Bacon
  • Bacon Waffle
    whole bacon slices cooked inside waffle
  • BBLT
    BLT w/ extra bacon
4.0 out of 5
8372 ratings
opened in 2000; won many awards (San Diego Magazine: Reader's Choice Best Breakfast; City Search: Best American Food; and others)
Herb & WoodSee Herb & Wood Video ($$$)
(1695 ratings)

2210 Kettner Blvd Map It!
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 955-8495
www.herbandwood.com
  • Oxtail Gnocchi
    oxtail brined 2 days & braised 4 hrs; w/ roasted garlic, parsley, chives, sherry, horseradish & parmesan; looks good
4.0 out of 5
1695 ratings
focusing on rustic, wood-fired dishes; seasonal, Mediterranean flavors
San Diego, CA   (46 restaurants)    
1 2
1 2

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