Touristy trip to San Diego - looking for good cheap food

[ah6tyfour]

Hi everyone,

I'm visiting San Diego with the folks next week and trying to figure out where to take them to eat. They're not very picky and just want a good meal at a good price.

We're staying in Hotel Circle and visiting Sea World as well as the zoo.

I've been searching around ChowHound and here's what I have so far:

-Marisco's German (which location should I go to? Any difference between B&M and truck? Did the University Ave. location really change hands?)

-Izakaya Masa (seems most people go for ramen? I'm actually more excited about their katsu-don)

-El Pescador Fish Market

-Tacos El Paisa (not sure about this place...but I think I had it once and really liked their fresh tortillas)

Any other ideas to add or replace what I have now? $10-$15 per person would be perfect.

Thanks!

[ah6tyfour]

Thanks for the tips, everyone! Got back from my trip last night. The food was great and my parents actually enjoyed everything too. Here are my thoughts of the places I visited (in order):

Rudy's Taco Shop
Excellent! The carne asada was the best I've had and I was not expecting so much meat from one plate. It was piping hot, tender, and had excellent flavor with a hint of smoke. A great meal at a great price! I also got a pastor street taco which was delicious. Definitely beats all the al pastor tacos I've had in the past. The salsa verde that came with the tacos was so good I wanted to take some home. Parents wanted another taco, so they got al pastor again while I tried the lengua. I'm used to lengua having a bit more "bite" to it, but once I got used to the surprising texture, it was a mighty good taco. I did, however, enjoy the al pastor taco more. Can't imagine a better break from driving than tacos and a cold bottle of Coke.

El Pescador Fish Market
Sadly we ended up being too full to order a grilled fish sandwich (it would have been the sea bass...yum). We ended up sharing a clam chowder and a cioppino. The clam chowder was great. It had plenty of clams and just the right amount of potato. The cioppino, however, didn't seem to be stand out in any way. It seemed a bit underseasoned and the seafood didn't have any sort of flavor (nor did the seafood impart any "Seafood-iness to the broth). Perhaps all it needed was a bit more salt to bring out the flavors? I'm not sure. But for $7.50, I probably should have just ordered the $10 sandwich.

[side note]
On to dinner! This was the most frustrating part of the trip. Drove all the way to Menuderia Don Vicente, but they were closed! It was very disappointing since it was the place I most wanted to try and my taste buds were already expecting menudo. So we ended up deciding on Sab-E-Lee. Drove all the way there and...closed. We ended up at Tofu House on Convey. I remembered reading somewhere that it was good.[/side note]

Tofu House
TERRIBLE. Turns out there are two places called Tofu House on Convoy. One is at 4646 and the other is at 4229. I went to the 4646 one. Worst decision of the trip. It was pretty full for a Monday night, so we figured we had the right place. We didn't. We were given ice water in tea cups (with no offer of hot tea) and invited to try the free drinks they had at the front. One was a lemonade and the other was Hawaiian Punch. Both super sweet and an odd thing to offer at a tofu house. The side dishes were lacking and unimpressive. The tofu soup (medium spicy) was not at all spicy and tasted nothing like a traditional Korean tofu soup. It was rather bland with a faint taste I later decided was mushrooms of some sort. The rice was served in a stainless steel bowl instead of in its own stone pot, so no crispy rice was to be had that night. But the WORST part was that we ordered two "Hot Stone Beef" bowls. It was their version of a bibimbap and it was terrible. It was essentially a bowl of rice in a hot stone bowl with shredded green leafy lettuce, a few slivers of cucumber, and some beef. While the beef was decent, the rest of the bowl was a mess. The rice was very soft and the lettuce was wilting and giving off moisture. The result was a soggy mess that had neither taste nor texture. The meal set us back $29 before tip (so $3-$5 more pricey than LA) and was the worst meal I've had in a while. So please make sure you go to the Tofu House at 4229 Convey instead!

Menuderia Don Vicente
We made it here after all. Turns out they are only open until 3pm every day except Sunday (5pm on Sundays). Luckily we made it there at 2. This place made up for last night's terrible dinner. Ordered both the red and white menudo as well as the green posole. Both bowls of menudo were very good! Usually menudo can become too bold or too salty, but what they served showed restraint. The result was a complex soup that featured the tripe and still managed to be light. The star of the meal, however, was the green posole. I took one sip and I was in love. The menudo was good, but the posole was insanely good. So rich and hearty and complex. I can almost taste it now! The freshly-made corn tortillas were perfect and their horchata was excellent. I also ordered a side of flour tortillas to try them and, unfortunately, they were the only thing I didn't love about the place. The flour tortillas were made too thin and cooked quite crisp (maybe a result of how thin they were). I was expecting a thick tortilla with some nice chew to it.

Yakitori Yakyudori
I felt instantly comfortable as I walked into the little restaurant. And the food was awesome. The shio ramen was a darn good bowl of ramen. Perfect in its simplicity and flawlessly executed. The spicy miso ramen, however, I did not really care for. It was not spicy and the soup seemed a bit dull and muddled. The yakitori was delicious and we loved everything they brought us. My favorites were the beef, cow tongue, and chicken gizzard. Also tried squid, smelt (with roe), and chicken breast. All perfectly seasoned and with just the right amount of smokiness and char. One thing impressed me above all else about the yakitori...the chef manning the grill would subtly glance over at us once the item was served to see our reaction to tasting it. We made actual eye contact two or three times and he'd give me a nod and continue on. I saw him doing that with other tables as well and it shows how much he cared about what he was putting out. I knew I was in good hands and we ordered more than we normally would have because of it.

Sabertooth Grill
Eh, what do you expect? It's a food service counter at San Diego Zoo. $35 and as good as your average zoo cheeseburger. However, I'd rather eat here again than that Tofu House!

And that's it! Thanks again for all your help!

[karaethon]

glad you had a great trip!

[hye]

The Convoy Tofu House (South of Balboa Ave.) is better than the one you went to, but definitely doesn't compare to some of the places I've been to in LA.

[ah6tyfour]

Thanks everyone!

I've replaced Masa with Yakyudori Yakitori & Ramen (on Covey Street, right?). Also added Menuderia Don Vicinte. I love menudo and haven't had a good menudo since I spent a summer in Baja.

Also added some of the places near my hotel. They're all on my Google Maps now so I can bring them up when we're looking for a place.

Super Cocina seems great, but I think I'm going to have to skip it since my parents always dislike those sort of places. They're usually too greasy and too cheesy and too rich for them. I'm going to have to stick with places that are fresher and not so bold (we'll see about menudo...maybe they'll like it).

Keep the ideas coming!

[DiningDiva]

Don Vincente also does a pretty decent posole. It's light and withthe plate of fresh veggie add-ins that comes with it, it's a delightful meal in a bowl. The posole comes in 2 sizes, chica or grande. The grande is pretty big.

[cgfan]

+1 Great point, DD.

[ah6tyfour]

Thanks! I was a bit worried my parents might find the menudo a bit too rich for their tastes. The posole should be a good backup plan. Probably get a big bowl of each and split it three-ways.

My excitement for menudo/posole far exceeds my excitement to watch Shamu prance around...

[cgfan]

BTW if your travels take you towards coastal North County, my favorite Carne Asada can be had at Rudy's in Solana Beach, just north of Del Mar which is just north of La Jolla which is just north of Pacific Beach which is just north of Mission Bay...

I think it even beats Yacqui in Rosarito Beach, Mexico, despite Jeffrey Steingarten's (well deserved) praise for the latter. But again, only if your travels take you up that far...

[ah6tyfour]

We're driving down from LA area, so can definitely fit it in! It looks great...worth the slight detour from the 5. Probably stop at Rudy's and then stop again in La Jolla for El Pescador.

Thanks!

[cgfan]

Great that it'll work out!

FYI a little tip about Rudy's - order the Carne Asada as either a Torta or as a plate. In this way you'll be served the large and irregular, nearly steak-like cuts of Arrachera . Some seriously good eating going on here!

If ordered as a Torta, I like to eat it open faced (just toss the top bun) with a fork and knife; in this way it strikes a better balance between the bread and the CA.

[ah6tyfour]

Thanks cgfan! I'll be sure to order the plate...but I might have to order the carne asada on some fries too. I've been living in the SF Bay Area for so long I've been craving carne asada fries. So the only solution is to get both.

Hope my parents don't think I'm crazy for eating lunch twice during our two-hour drive to SD.

[cgfan]

I doubt they even offer CA fries at Rudy's. You might even fall through the trap door for even thinking about defiling their CA in such a manner. Perhaps the Bay Area equivalent to ordering a Frappuccino at Blue Bottle?

[ah6tyfour]

They do offer carne asada fries! I'm not sure what my fascination with carne asada fries is. Probably more of a nostalgia thing. It's something I only find in SoCal and SD.

From yelp review of solana beach location:
"I was expecting a french-fries version of nachos -- finely chopped steak bits mixed with salsa, guac, and sour cream with melted cheese. What I got from Rudy's was exactly that but on steroids. The carne asada pieces were no joke - huge, tender pieces with a perfectly smoked flavor. Plenty of guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo was piled on top of the mass of fries, melted cheese, and carne asada. Their pureed chipotle salsa made the flavor really crisp and fresh with just a hint of spiciness."

The picture that goes along with that shows a drool-worthy dish.

Yep, definitely ordering both the plate and the fries. And then going to get a grilled sea bass sandwich at El Pescador. I might even have to get the menudo for dinner that night because it doesn't really fit into our schedule any other time. A full day of gluttony!

[ah6tyfour]

Do you know if the Rudy's in Carlsbad is as good as the Solana Beach location? Parents want to drop by the Carlsbad Flower Fields on the way down and it'd probably be easier to do Carlsbad location. But if the environment or, more importantly, the food isn't as good, then I'd definitely continue on to the Solana Beach location.

[cgfan]

I haven't noticed a difference, though honestly the Carlsbad location is not all that close to the Flower Fields even for being in the same city, and its location is further removed from the I-5 than the original SB shop.

For all of its charm and "ambiance" (or lack of it), I'd recommend the original location in Solana Beach. That location still retains all of its ethnic charm as a real operational Latin market, whereas the Carlsbad location is your typical cookie-cutter strip mall-esque retail suite sans Latin market.

BTW how about two lunches and some dessert? Just off of the I-5 in Encinitas is Elizabethan Desserts, a local favorite for take-out desserts. My fave is their mini-lattice cherry pie.

[ah6tyfour]

Solana Beach it is, then!

And as for pie? It's now on my list, but I have a feeling I'll be way too full to even contemplate dessert. Maybe I'll just save it as a pit stop on our way back to LA. Pick up a full pie and bring it home for dessert.

Thanks again!

[DiningDiva]

Pie? Elizabethan Desserts in Encinitas. Their lattice topped cherry pies (small, not mini, 2 servings) are fantastic.

[y6y6y6]

While the carne asada at Rudy's is certainly some of the best in San Diego, please also try the al pastor street tacos. It's one of my top five.

[cgfan]

Thanks y6^3... Heard that their Al Pastor's good, but it's hard for me to not order their CA. Must try next time.

[ah6tyfour]

An extra al pastor street taco can't hurt...

I was disappointed in the Tacos El Gordo adobada that everyone seems to rave about, so hopefully I'll finally get some good al pastor.

Thanks!

[cstr]

I'd add Super Cocina, on University, good Mex and very reasonable and well within your budget. One of the marisco's trucks is on Univ & 35th. Also, Bahia Don Bravo on La Jolla Bvld, in Bird Rock, mini fish tacos for .99 from 9-3pm and you can walk down to the ocean for a great view.

[Beach Chick]

Since your staying in Hotel Circle...close by good eats

Perry's for breakfast/lunch
Sab-E-Lee
Bay Park Fish Company
Waters Catering
JV's Taco Shop

Anything that our beloved cg recommends!

[karaethon]

Waters catering qualifies as a restaurant?

[Beach Chick]

They have some of the best food to go..

http://waterscatering.com/?page_id=41

[ah6tyfour]

Thanks! We'll probably be eating the free breakfast at the hotel (ugh) early in the morning and heading out to the parks, so won't really be back to hotel until decently late. These seem like good options if parents want something other than taqueria food.

[cgfan]

I didn't think Izakaya Masa's Ramen was any good, but I can highly recommend Yakitori Yakyudori's Shio Ramen. But if you must have a Tonkotsu Ramen, then Santouka's Tonkotsu Ramen is a very competent rendition that I've found to be much better than Masa's.

When you mentioned fresh tortillas, it reminds me that I've enjoyed none better than the wonderful fresh tortillas at Menuderia Don Vincente, worth a try if a bowl of Menudo interests you. (Though my top choice for Menudo goes to Las Brisas Taqueria in Fallbrook, a crazy far drive for most but still [barely] within the county.)

BTW I do believe that both the South Park and the University Ave. MG's have changed hands. Outside of my usual preference for the South Park location, I hadn't really noticed any difference due to the change of ownership.

[ah6tyfour]

Thanks!

Do you recommend anything else at Yakitori Yakyudori? Do they have good takoyaki or yakitori? It seems one location closed and their website closed with it. So the remaining location "Yakitori Yakyudo & Ramen" does not have a website or a menu online anywhere.

I haven't had a menudo craving for years, but it's suddenly hitting me...haha. My last good bowl of menudo was on the way back from Bahia de Los Angeles. Don Vincente seems a bit out of the way, but hopefully I can go there after the Zoo. I don't think my parents have ever had menudo, so no idea if they'd like it or not. Guess we'll find out!

[cgfan]

I highly recommend their Yakitori, they specialize in Shio-aji, but for that you'd have to go during dinner hours. At lunch time it's primarily Ramen (and a selection of sides).

If Don Vincente's too out of the way, a few on these boards vouch for Las Cuatro Milpas' white Menudo in Barrio Logan, though nothing there seems to float my boat. You'll also be waiting in one of San Diego's more perplexing food lines, where the reputation seems to far outpace the actual quality of the food. (Still love making the crazy far pilgrimage out to Fallbrook for Las Brisas Tacqueria's Menudo [and carnitas too!].)

[daantaat]

Yakyudori has the best ramen and yakitori in the county. Yakitori is only available after 5:30 pm, ramen is all day. They also have takoyaki, not sure how it compares to other places, but if you use their ramen and yakitori as examples, it should be pretty good. It's on Convoy Ave, just south of Clairemont Mesa Drive, off the 805 freeway.

[karaethon]

Do not get the takoyaki at Yakyudori (or pretty much anywhere else in SD for that matter). It is pre-made and seems to be frozen. I once ordered it and the middle was still cold.

[ah6tyfour]

I did order the takoyaki. And yes, it was frozen pre-made takoyaki =(

I've yet to find any restaurant in LA or SF that makes it fresh, so it must be logistically difficult to make it to order. I normally ask the waiter before I order it, but was so excited this time that I forgot.

[daantaat]

cold=not good