San Diegans are seriously lucky. Not only do they get to enjoy some of the best weather in the country, minus the traffic of Los Angeles, they get to eat some of the best food in the country as well. Thanks to it’s location, San Diego’s Mexican food is world-renowned, but there is so much more to explore. Whether you’re staying in a classic San Diego vacation rental or are a local resident who has just been living under a rock, here are the dishes you have to try in San Diego.
Image Source: Flickr
California Burrito – Lolita’s Mexican Food
It’s called the California Burrito, but it really should be called the San Diego Burrito since this is where it started (and the only place you can get an authentic one). What is a California Burrito you might ask? It’s carne asada steak with salsa, cheese, and french fries all rolled up in a giant flour tortilla. Pro tip – add guacamole if it doesn’t come with it already. Lolita’s has locations around San Diego and make a particularly good version of a California Burrito, but any of these places ranked by San Diego surfers is a safe bet too.
Hamburger – Hodad’s
No restaurant is quite as San Diegian as Hodad’s. Surfboards on the walls, blaring rock music, and tasty, tasty hamburgers make this place an institution. The atmosphere is a bit rowdy, the burgers are messy, the music is loud, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. The burgers are big so a single cheeseburger will do for most people. Make the trip to the original Ocean Beach location for the most authentic experience.
Pork Ribs – Phil’s BBQ
There is a reason that this BBQ institution has been featured on countless travel/food shows, including Man vs. Food, and there is a line around the block to get in. The BBQ style at Phil’s is uniquely San Diegan. The pork ribs are a crowd favorite and come covered in honey-brushed sauce and taste of hickory smoke. The line to eat inside is always long no matter what time you go, so the best decision is to call your order in ahead and get it to go. Nothing beats chowing down on some Phil’s while enjoying the San Diego sun.
Turkey Cobb Sandwich – Con Pane
If you’re looking for something a bit lighter, or are a fan of amazing bread, Con Pane is the place to go. They bake all of their bread, pastries, and cookies on-site so you know they’re fresh. Con Pane isn’t just a bakery though, they make extraordinary sandwiches to eat in or takeaway as well. Their most famous is the Turkey Cobb, which comes with piles of thinly sliced turkey, applewood smoked bacon, gorgonzola cheese, house roasted roma tomatoes, romaine lettuce, avocado, and mayo on your choice of freshly baked bread. While there are no bad choices here, get it on rosemary olive oil or Point Loma Sourdough bread.
Fish Tacos – Oscar’s Mexican Seafood
Nothing says San Diego quite like a fish taco. It’s just beer battered fish in a corn tortilla complemented with shredded cabbage, crema sauce, and salsa, but it always tastes like San Diego. You can try the original baja-style tacos at Rubio’s, but we recommend taking a trip to one the Oscar’s Mexican Seafood locations for the best fish tacos around. Apart from the standard fish taco, they have shrimp, grilled octopus, and surf n’ turf tacos that will blow your mind. But since fish tacos are a city-wide tradition, any of these 5 essential fish tacos in San Diego won’t let you down.
Carnitas Tacos – Carnitas Snack Shack
Finally, the newest and hottest addition to the list are the carnitas tacos at Carnitas Snack Shack. This friendly, pork-friendly spot in North Park (and now Del Mar) serves up some of the best pork-related dishes in the city, if not the country. While the Triple Threat Pork Sandwich (pork schnitzel, carnitas, and bacon) may take most of the spotlight, the carnitas (marinated pork) tacos here are the real stars of the show. Just make sure to get there early and beat the long line!
Go to any one of these six restaurants and you’ll see why San Diegans are so lucky. If you’re visiting San Diego for a vacation or on business, try staying with PC Housing. You’ll have your choice of luxury furnished apartments to come back to after you’ve stuffed your face with all this delicious food. Contact us today to find out more.