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Mona Lisa Deli
Mona Lisa Deli

San Diego's Iconic Cheap Restaurants

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Mona Lisa Deli

From hole-in-the-wall Mexican joints to cash-only cafés beloved by surfers, San Diego is full of legendary dining destinations where a great meal can be had without blowing the budget. In honor of Cheap Eats Week we rounded up 12 iconic San Diego eateries that have not only cemented their place in the affordable hall of fame but also in the hungry hearts of regularly returning locals and visitors in the know.

What restaurant would you add to this list? Share in the comments below.

hole-in-the-wall Mexican joints, to cash only
café’s beloved by surfers,
San Diego is full of
awesome
and affordable dining destinations where a great me
al can be had without blowing the budget. In honor
of Cheap Eats Week we rounded up twelve iconic San
Diego eateries that have not only cemented their
place in the ‘value for money’ hall of fame, but in
the hungry hearts of regularly returning locals an
d
visitors in the know.
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Coop's West Texas BBQ

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There are some smoking deals to be had at this Texas style BBQ joint in Lemon Grove where spare ribs, beef brisket, Southwestern jerk chicken and pulled pork reign supreme. Alongside great lunch specials throughout the week, every Tuesday you can tuck into 1lb of pork sparerib tips for $9.99, or eat your way through 1lb of any smoked meats except beef (also $9.99) on Wednesdays. Considered the best of its kind in San Diego, be sure to visit outside peak hours (12 p.m. – 2 p.m., and after 5 p.m.) when the line can stretch around the block.

Kono's Surf Club Cafe

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All-day breakfasts “like mom used to make”, generous portions and killer ocean views have kept lines out the door since ‘91 at this longtime Pacific Beach favorite. Orders are taken at the cash only counter where wallet friendly menu items include four versions of Egg Burrito ($5.95), the Big Breakfast #2 ($7.95) and Breakfast Sandwich ($4.50). During lunch a grilled cheese will only set you back $3.95. With its primeoceanfront location beside Crystal Pier you can check the surf while chowing down one of three outside decks.

Las Cuatro Milpas

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Famous for their handmade tortillas (watch as they’re created from an open bakery at the back), the Estudillo family sticks to street food basics –– rice, beans, pork tacos and tamales, rolled tacos, chorizo with eggs –– and does them well. It’s cafeteria-style, cash only with a no frills menu and there is always (and we mean always) a line, but fans agree that, for a bite at the most authentic Mexican joint north of the border, it’s well worth the wait.

Lourdes Restaurant

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Lourdes and Hector Parra have been serving up their generations-old family chicken soup recipe for over twenty-five years. Known to cure the gravest of maladies this Abuelita–approved ‘sopa de pollo’ comes with rice, large pieces of white chicken, fresh onions and cilantro topped with avocado and served with either a flour, or corn tortilla. A half bowl will set you back a bargain $5.99, and a full bowl $7.29. Tacos, quesadillas, tortas and other cheap Mexican eats feature on the menu, but the soup is what really putsthis local chain on the map.

Mama's Bakery & Deli

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From beef Shawarma to baba ganoush, this delightful 10-seat deli might serves up some the most deliciously authentic Lebanese fare in San Diego. Levantine flat breads are cooked daily on the ancient ‘Sajj’ oven, which also warms the tasty Combo Pies –– a flatbread sandwich ($6.49 or less) with assorted fillings.Orders can be phoned ahead and picked up to go, or made at the counter-service deli and enjoyed dine-in style on the adjacent covered patio. While reasonably priced Falafel, stuffed grape leaves, generously sized wraps and more grace the menu, make sure to leave room for a homemade baklava or two.

Mona Lisa Italian Restaurant

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With roots stretching back to 1956 this charming old school Italian deli is a must-visit if only to peruse its fine selection of fresh breads, olives and hard-to-find imported edibles before ordering one of their deluxe deli sandwiches. Ranging in price from $7.25 - $7.95 there are nineteen varieties on the menu. Meanwhile the adjacent restaurant offers a wide selection of pizzas, pastas and salads during lunch and dinner (no dish costs more than $20), alongside a nice variety of Italian and Californian wines.

Pizzeria Luigi

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Considered one of the best pies in town you can grab a beer and a slice for less than five bucks at this mom and pop style joint, while a whole pizza won’t set you back more than $20. The vibe is affable andthe menu extensive – classics include the Leonardo (mozzarella, Parmesan, pesto), and local favorite the “as seen on T.V” El Diablo. Well-priced calzones and craft beers are also abundant, and the daily happy hour (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.) runs all day on Monday and Tuesday when PBR cans are only $2 a piece.

Phuong Trang Vietnamese

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Tasty and affordable, this Kearny Mesa mainstay is a must for Vietnamese cuisine. The authentic eateryserves up over two hundred dishes, but the Pho and wings are two real menu standouts. Ranging in price from $4.25 (no meat) to $9.25 (shrimp) there are eight varieties of this delicious homemade beef brothgoodness in a bowl to choose from. While the wings, which come in two varieties –– glazed in the housespecial sauce, or garlic butter (lightly fried, butter, salt) –– have a fan club all of their own, and cost $11.95 for a dozen or $6.25 for a half order.

Rocky's Crown Pub

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For old school burgers and craft brews with a no frills vibe this Pacific Beach pub has been a go-to since 1977. The drill is simple: order at the bar from the four-option menu which comprises a 1/3lb or 1/4lbburger plus or minus cheese ($6 - $7.25) and fries ($3.75), pay with cash then find a seat. The patties are juicy, made fresh daily and come garnished with mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles. The Monday to Friday lunch special will get you a 1/3lb cheeseburger, fries and a soda or draft beer for $12.

Super Cocina

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Established in 1988, the expansive menu at this hole-in-the-wall gem covers traditional regional specialties from Michoacán, Oaxaca and Veracruz. Served cafeteria style, all dishes include a tortilla, a hearty helping of rice and beans and come in under $10. Cooked using family recipes from local housewives, as the full name suggests this really is Super Kitchen Homemade Mexican Food at it’s finest. Perhaps best known for its slow cooked soups and stews, you can get up to three free samples to help make a choice from the twenty five plus dishes on offer.

Yakyudori Yakitori & Ramen

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Ramen bar by day, Yakitori bar by night (after 5 p.m.) this modern Japanese eatery is a top spot for lunchtime noodles, and smoky meat on a stick for dinner. During lunch there are 6 options for ramen including spicy miso, vegetable and Nagoya, with optional toppings and add-ons (50 cents - $2.50).In the evening take your pick from a variety of skewers - beef tongue, chicken hearts, pork and veggie -whichrange in price from $3-5. Draft Japanese beers come in 5oz, 16oz and 33oz pours ($2-$8), or a 60oz pitcher for $13. With only 8 tables and single seats at the bar it’s a cozy spot so be prepared for a long wait during busy times.

V.G. Donut & Bakery

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A Cardiff institution, since 1969 this old school-style bakery has been serving up the best baked goods in North County. Locals flock here for the “very good” cookies, éclairs, cakes and pastries within, but it’s the donuts that really keep lines out the door. The from-scratch creations (85 – 95 cents) are fresh, delicious, and highly addictive. From cake, raised, old-fashioned, jelly, buttermilk, to bites they come cherry iced, cinnamon crumbed, maple glazed, sprinkle topped and more. Look out for seasonal red velvet and pumpkin flavors, or for $2.25 why not try a ‘doissant’ – a donut-croissant hybrid in the ‘cronut’ style.

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Coop's West Texas BBQ

There are some smoking deals to be had at this Texas style BBQ joint in Lemon Grove where spare ribs, beef brisket, Southwestern jerk chicken and pulled pork reign supreme. Alongside great lunch specials throughout the week, every Tuesday you can tuck into 1lb of pork sparerib tips for $9.99, or eat your way through 1lb of any smoked meats except beef (also $9.99) on Wednesdays. Considered the best of its kind in San Diego, be sure to visit outside peak hours (12 p.m. – 2 p.m., and after 5 p.m.) when the line can stretch around the block.

Kono's Surf Club Cafe

All-day breakfasts “like mom used to make”, generous portions and killer ocean views have kept lines out the door since ‘91 at this longtime Pacific Beach favorite. Orders are taken at the cash only counter where wallet friendly menu items include four versions of Egg Burrito ($5.95), the Big Breakfast #2 ($7.95) and Breakfast Sandwich ($4.50). During lunch a grilled cheese will only set you back $3.95. With its primeoceanfront location beside Crystal Pier you can check the surf while chowing down one of three outside decks.

Las Cuatro Milpas

Famous for their handmade tortillas (watch as they’re created from an open bakery at the back), the Estudillo family sticks to street food basics –– rice, beans, pork tacos and tamales, rolled tacos, chorizo with eggs –– and does them well. It’s cafeteria-style, cash only with a no frills menu and there is always (and we mean always) a line, but fans agree that, for a bite at the most authentic Mexican joint north of the border, it’s well worth the wait.

Lourdes Restaurant

Lourdes and Hector Parra have been serving up their generations-old family chicken soup recipe for over twenty-five years. Known to cure the gravest of maladies this Abuelita–approved ‘sopa de pollo’ comes with rice, large pieces of white chicken, fresh onions and cilantro topped with avocado and served with either a flour, or corn tortilla. A half bowl will set you back a bargain $5.99, and a full bowl $7.29. Tacos, quesadillas, tortas and other cheap Mexican eats feature on the menu, but the soup is what really putsthis local chain on the map.

Mama's Bakery & Deli

From beef Shawarma to baba ganoush, this delightful 10-seat deli might serves up some the most deliciously authentic Lebanese fare in San Diego. Levantine flat breads are cooked daily on the ancient ‘Sajj’ oven, which also warms the tasty Combo Pies –– a flatbread sandwich ($6.49 or less) with assorted fillings.Orders can be phoned ahead and picked up to go, or made at the counter-service deli and enjoyed dine-in style on the adjacent covered patio. While reasonably priced Falafel, stuffed grape leaves, generously sized wraps and more grace the menu, make sure to leave room for a homemade baklava or two.

Mona Lisa Italian Restaurant

With roots stretching back to 1956 this charming old school Italian deli is a must-visit if only to peruse its fine selection of fresh breads, olives and hard-to-find imported edibles before ordering one of their deluxe deli sandwiches. Ranging in price from $7.25 - $7.95 there are nineteen varieties on the menu. Meanwhile the adjacent restaurant offers a wide selection of pizzas, pastas and salads during lunch and dinner (no dish costs more than $20), alongside a nice variety of Italian and Californian wines.

Pizzeria Luigi

Considered one of the best pies in town you can grab a beer and a slice for less than five bucks at this mom and pop style joint, while a whole pizza won’t set you back more than $20. The vibe is affable andthe menu extensive – classics include the Leonardo (mozzarella, Parmesan, pesto), and local favorite the “as seen on T.V” El Diablo. Well-priced calzones and craft beers are also abundant, and the daily happy hour (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.) runs all day on Monday and Tuesday when PBR cans are only $2 a piece.

Phuong Trang Vietnamese

Tasty and affordable, this Kearny Mesa mainstay is a must for Vietnamese cuisine. The authentic eateryserves up over two hundred dishes, but the Pho and wings are two real menu standouts. Ranging in price from $4.25 (no meat) to $9.25 (shrimp) there are eight varieties of this delicious homemade beef brothgoodness in a bowl to choose from. While the wings, which come in two varieties –– glazed in the housespecial sauce, or garlic butter (lightly fried, butter, salt) –– have a fan club all of their own, and cost $11.95 for a dozen or $6.25 for a half order.

Rocky's Crown Pub

For old school burgers and craft brews with a no frills vibe this Pacific Beach pub has been a go-to since 1977. The drill is simple: order at the bar from the four-option menu which comprises a 1/3lb or 1/4lbburger plus or minus cheese ($6 - $7.25) and fries ($3.75), pay with cash then find a seat. The patties are juicy, made fresh daily and come garnished with mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles. The Monday to Friday lunch special will get you a 1/3lb cheeseburger, fries and a soda or draft beer for $12.

Super Cocina

Established in 1988, the expansive menu at this hole-in-the-wall gem covers traditional regional specialties from Michoacán, Oaxaca and Veracruz. Served cafeteria style, all dishes include a tortilla, a hearty helping of rice and beans and come in under $10. Cooked using family recipes from local housewives, as the full name suggests this really is Super Kitchen Homemade Mexican Food at it’s finest. Perhaps best known for its slow cooked soups and stews, you can get up to three free samples to help make a choice from the twenty five plus dishes on offer.

Yakyudori Yakitori & Ramen

Ramen bar by day, Yakitori bar by night (after 5 p.m.) this modern Japanese eatery is a top spot for lunchtime noodles, and smoky meat on a stick for dinner. During lunch there are 6 options for ramen including spicy miso, vegetable and Nagoya, with optional toppings and add-ons (50 cents - $2.50).In the evening take your pick from a variety of skewers - beef tongue, chicken hearts, pork and veggie -whichrange in price from $3-5. Draft Japanese beers come in 5oz, 16oz and 33oz pours ($2-$8), or a 60oz pitcher for $13. With only 8 tables and single seats at the bar it’s a cozy spot so be prepared for a long wait during busy times.

V.G. Donut & Bakery

A Cardiff institution, since 1969 this old school-style bakery has been serving up the best baked goods in North County. Locals flock here for the “very good” cookies, éclairs, cakes and pastries within, but it’s the donuts that really keep lines out the door. The from-scratch creations (85 – 95 cents) are fresh, delicious, and highly addictive. From cake, raised, old-fashioned, jelly, buttermilk, to bites they come cherry iced, cinnamon crumbed, maple glazed, sprinkle topped and more. Look out for seasonal red velvet and pumpkin flavors, or for $2.25 why not try a ‘doissant’ – a donut-croissant hybrid in the ‘cronut’ style.

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