Any good restaurant recommendations in San Diego? I will be staying in the Mission Beach area with a car so location is not a problem. Not looking for high class/expensive places but some nice places that are well talked about. Also, anybody have any information on the Chart House restaurants in the area?

Brockton Villa in La Jolla & Kensington Grill in Kensington. Read my comments on thsi thread

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34461119

My absolute favorite restaurant in San Diego right now is the Fishery. But we love fish and sushi. It is north of where you are on Turquoise and Cass. They serve lunch also. Fab fish. So fresh and they do wonderful things with the fish, not just grill it and throw it on the plate. Very reasonable with many different preparations.

Other faves: Ichiban Sushi (very reasonable) on Garnet, World Famous for a basic meal is on the beach near you, The Third Corner (mostly fish) in Point Loma, and Thee Bungalow (continental)across the street from it. We love Harry's coffee shop in La Jolla for breakfast or lunch, and the Cottage for the same meals in La Jolla.

Old Town has Cafe Pacifica, Jacks and Julio's, and the Old Town Mex Cafe (great for breakfast, they make the tortillas in the window so you can watch). Love Albies Steak and Eggs in hotel Circle for good basic breakfast and another fave place is DZ Aikins near San Diego State - great deli, lots of food.

Lovely thing is there is so much great food in San Diego. Becoming a great dining town. So, manga, manga...

Oh, I thought of a few more. For fast food try In and Out burger. Great, cheap, fast. Their fries are good too.

And Rubios. Their fish tacos are the best. The chicken tacos are great too.

Bully's is a local steak/burger with about four locations in the city. I have never eaten there but I understand they are good.

We went to SD over the MLK long weekend and our great place to eat was Filippi's in Little Italy . . . it was cheap, huge portions, and absolutely fabulous Italian. We can hardly wait to return!!

We also had fun at Corvette's Diner, a 50s-60s rock 'n roll place with great burgers, real fries and a full soda fountain . . . this was a great place for kids, as well as adults.

We had a horrible meal at the Old Town Mexican Restaurant and even worse service . . . the only good thing I can say about it was the beer was cold when we finally got it.

Hope this helps,
Sandy (in Denton)

Another rec for the Corvette Diner - that place was great.

Like Sandy, we didn't have much luck with the Old Town Mexican restaurant. We went there because it had been recommended, but the carnitas weren't good and the salsa was very bland. It was cool to see the people making the tortillas in the window, but if you walk down the street another block or so, there is a restaurant called Coyote Cafe where they make tortillas on the patio overlooking the street. The food is better there too.

Wow, I think we'll skip the Old Town Mexican cafe when we hit SD in April. Back in the late 80s early 90s, it was wonderful with terrific carnitas and great margaritas. If it's gone downhill, I'd rather hold on to the great memories I have rather than spoiling them with a less than favorable experience. Sounds like the Corvette diner is a go with the kids though!

In the morning (depending how far south you are in Mission Beach), take a walk down the boardwalk to Kono's Cafe. Try to go a bit early b/c the line gets long. Cheap, great breakfast you can eat on their deck overlooking the Pacific. (Don't miss out on the Kono's potatoes!) It's a Sunday morning hangover type of place - very casual, comfort food that people crave the morning after.

There is a Chart House in La Jolla, but there's so much good eating in La Jolla that I don't know if I'd choose a chain. There's also one in Point Loma. Both are good, but if you're looking for a more authentic SD experience, George's on the Cove is renowned (and expensive). Try Trattoria Acqua for delicious food in a great atmosphere. For more casual Italian, I loved the garden at Piatti's.

Casual but well loved in PB: Tokyo House (Japanese), Filippi's (Italian), Karinya (Thai), China Inn (Chinese), The Eggery (breakfast)

Other great choices: Adams Avenue Grill in University Heights, California Cuisine in Hillcrest, Mission Hills Cafe in Mission Hills, Casa de Bandini or Casa de Pico in Old Town.

I reiterate one poster's choice on Rubio's. Great fish taco. Don't miss it.

Have a great time.

There are several websites for Corvette's . . . here's one http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/cohn/...nts/index.html. and here's another http://entertainment.signonsandiego.com/profile/90943.

Sandy

Thank you all for the great advice, it all sounds so great, can't wait to go! Thanks again!

Why waste time going to Corvettes? There are restaurants just like it all over the US--Jake's Del Mar, Chart House Coronado or La Jolla, Fish House (next to Seaport Village) - The Spot in La Jolla--enjoy

I like Point Loma Seafoods for casual eats. It offers good food at good prices. I've heard others rave about it too and I seem to remember seeing it menitoned on the Food Network.

Seoul BBQ on Convoy is great if you like korean food like I do. It's kind of pricey, but you do get to grill your own bulgogi on the table if you wish.

If you are going to Old Town, I second the vote for Casa de Pico. Make sure to get one of their huge margaritas.

Chateau Orleans in Pacific Beach is a great little place with a nice feel. The cajon/creole food is good and plentiful.