I will be in San Diego next week for my conference. I am looking forward to it! The bulk of my time will be spent in the Gaslamp area. I am staying at the Solamar and will be busy at the Convention Center just about every day.

I am on a fairly tight budget but not super tight. I can afford a decent meal and drink. When I travel alone I usually just find a place with good food that I can eat at the bar. I also like to try eating anything that the region is famous for... such as eating cajun or creole food if I was in New Orleans. In general, I like seafood and also your general American fare. When I look for a place I usually ask two questions: 1) Is it food that I am really going to enjoy? 2) Is it a fun or interesting atmosphere that is worth paying a visit to?

So... any suggestions for the Gaslamp area? It can be from cheap to moderate, I would say. A friend already suggested that I must go to In-And-Out Burger but I am assuming I would need a car for that.... so I am open to anything!

As always, many thanks...

I like Croce's. Owned by Jim Croce, the late singer's wife who is a renowned cook. Food is always creative and good. Prices are reasonable. Often she has jazz in the bar.

Love the Hotel Solamar and it's smack in the middle of the Gaslamp area..
Croce's is great and Ingrid works the door on the weekends and she is such a sweetie!
Fresh seafood and mexican dishes are what SD is known for and you must have a fish taco..
We have some of the best taco shops in the world and they are super cheap and super good!
Take a water taxi from Seaport Village over to Coronado and walk to the Hotel Del and have a fish taco at the Brigantine for seafood happy hour..the best in town!
Have fun Shandy!

gaslamp.org
brigantine.com
sdhe.com

I've like Kansas City BBQ, and the price is in the tight budget category (IMO): http://www.kcbbq.net/
I haven't been there in a few years though.

Shandy--click on my username for a short trip report of San Diego in the gaslamp area. I was there for a conference a couple of weeks ago (stayed a couple blocks from the Solamar).

I agree about Croce's for the good meal. We went there and really liked it--good atmosphere.

We loved Croce's so another vote cast.

For traditional Italian -- Filippi's Pizza Grotto in Little Italy. It isn't in Gaslamp, but the food was really good and LOTS of it:

www.realcheesepizza.com/

Deb

I noticed that there's a Moose McGillycuddy's in Gaslamp. I'm never been there, though familiar with the good and budget to moderate priced fare at their HI locations.
Tahiti Tams- have you ever been to the Gaslamp one?

Cafe Sevilla on 4th. In and Out burgers are horrible. If you really want a fast food burger, go to Jack in the box and get a sirloin burger. You'll actually taste the meat.

In and Out has great burgers and the double double with cheese and grilled onions is one of the best for under $3.00..
I guess that is why the line is out the door and wrapped around the building at the drive through, since 1940..

Hi trippin..sorry I did not see your post till now..
No, I have not been to Moose's in the Gaslamp..

Hope Shandy reports back!
Merry Merry..

I also loved Filippi's. I was alone when I went there, so here's a tip: get an extra plate and eat off of that. 1 serving could probably feed 4 people, yet it's so cheap!! I boxed up my untouched leftovers and gave it to the guy at my hotel front desk. I mean, let them know your intention so they don't think you're being weird!

Aloha Mel's..
Shouldn't you be in Vegas partying like a rock star?