Due to our geolocation and weather conditions, we truly have so many amazing choices when it comes to food in San Diego. We’ve got some of the best Mexican food in U.S., amazing seafood next to our beautiful beaches, great pasta and pizza spots, juicy burgers, and more. However, as every SoCal resident knows, “cheap” isn’t usually a word you associate with San Diego or nearby cities. So, while the existence of delicious food is nothing but a fact, the question remains: are there any good, local, cheap eats in San Diego? Thankfully, the answer is yes – and below are our favorite spots!
1. Taco Taco Poway
This popular spot promises to bring together a couple of key values: fresh food, affordable prices, and a sense of community. One cannot ask for much more! They also believe they provide the best value in town…and looking at their $0.99 fish tacos, we might just have to agree. The offer is for dine in only, but it’s still hard to beat – and if you’d still rather eat at home, they only go up to $1.50, which is still hard to find anywhere else. If fish isn’t exactly your thing, try their cheese quesadilla for just $5.25 instead, or the bean & cheese burrito for the same price.
2. Pokez
For anyone living in California…or wherever else was blessed with good Mexican food…”a burrito” is always one of the first things that come to mind when you think of something filling and affordable. And at Pokez, you can find exactly that. If on a budget, go for the $5 bean and cheese option, and top it with Salsa Ranchera for no extra charge. A cheese enchilada goes for the same price here. Or, for $7, you can choose Tom’s Deep Plate, and get beans, rice, sour cream, fresh salsa and tortillas. Overall, pretty good deals!
3. Isola pizza
We’re strong believers that no matter the questions, pizza’s always the answer. In the past years, we’ve constantly seen prices go up for this amazing dish, even for its simpler varieties. But thankfully, some spots – like Isola – still have amazing deals for their happy hour! Head there between 4 -5 PM on Mondays through Fridays, for one of the best steals in town: a beautifully cooked pizza Margherita for just $7. And if you’re looking for more deals when the budget isn’t so tight, they also have 50% off bottles of wine on Wednesdays. Yay!
4. Teri Cafe 2
For over 30 years, Teri Cafe has been serving delicious, large portions of Japanese food. Don’t know about you, but few things get us less excited than a big bowl of tasty ramen – and we get even more excited when we don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for it. At this Oceanside spot, oozy noodles are just $12 – $13, which is amazing value for money. But if your budget is a bit tighter, no worries – go for their lunch specials! For example, on Wednesdays, you can get chicken Teriyaki, fried shrimp, steamed rice and veggies – all for $11. That’s definitely one of the best deals we’ve seen when it comes to cheap eats in San Diego.
5. La Vecindad Neighborhood TACOS
Some topics may divide San Diegans, but we’re definitely all united but one thing…and that’s tacos. Our city has so many taco spots, from old-school “hole in the wall” style, to fancy fusion restaurants. Some of those offer the beloved concept of Taco Tuesday…and La Vecindad Neighborhood TACOS does a great job at it! Their special is 2 tacos for $8, and it’s a great option for cheap eats in San Diego. It may not sound like it, but trust us, the portions are sizeable, and the food is great.
6. Sahara on Adams Avenue @ Heights Market
Middle East is known for their delicious foods – creamy dips, great shawarmas, and plates filled with juicy meats. You can pretty much find all of those at this spot, and more – but if you’re on a budget, definitely go for their $6 gyro. It’s filling, tasty, and definitely affordable. Oh, and in case there’s a bit more leeway, try one of their homemade specialties, at only $4.
7. Whatever’s nearby on 2good2go
Okay, we know this isn’t a direct recommendation per se…but it’s definitely something that should be on your list! Through this app, you don’t just get the best cheap eats in San Diego, you also help avoid food waste, and save the planet. That’s win, win, and win. Create an account, share your location, and the app will tell you which restaurants and stores have food left at the end or start of the day. They offer amazing deals for food that’s – as the name says – too good to go, but can’t be served in a restaurant any more. Whenever you’re looking for a good meal for a couple of bucks, remember this option.