r/FoodSanDiego

Hey everyone!

I love the threads of "best x in San Diego" but I live in the hills above El Cajon so sometimes recs can be far outside of middle eastern food.

I think I'm going to start some "what are your favorite x in East county threads so people can search for east county specific threads; I would like La Mesa to be the furthest West for recs to be located.

With that in mind...

What are your favorite pizza joints in East County?!

Visiting the area and I want some street corn. I did a google search and it brought me to Mikes Red Tacos, they didn’t have it…. Anyone know a place? Thanks.

Going to be staying at the Mission Bay Resort with my family for a few days and need recs for some cool restaurants. It’s me, my husband, and our 9 year old son. We’ll have a car, so a reasonable drive is fine. Looking for cool vibes, local favorites, patios, ocean, fish tacos, or anything worth checking out. Happy to go to MB, PB, OB, gas lamp, or anywhere interesting. We’re from Denver and I haven’t been to San Diego in years, but I spent a summer there in college.

I live in National City and I tend to shop at Food4Less and Grocery Outlet. Recently, Food4Less has been making me really frustrated by just letting their carts go to shit and not having enough staff. I know discount grocers are going to have downsides, but is there a better place near me? I like Trader Joe’s, but I don’t want to drive 25 minutes to get to a grocery store.

Where can I food an establishment with great food and a phenomenal view? Budget is not a concern.

Looks like it’s permanently closed

Been craving a good one and ponces isn’t doing it for me. Baja Betty’s is decent. Any other suggestions??

Like, a REAL cheese shop, with installed mongers who knows what the hell they're doing? I miss di Bruno. FFS even Wegmans had a decent selection.

Yes, I'm aware you can't buy it here...

Yes, I'm aware it can be bought online, in a massive amount with a long wait...

I'm really curious to try it, bc I hear it's really tasty. Since it's not easily accessible, I was wondering if anyone has found a local brand that kinda tastes like it?

My only other option is to beg Arby's to sell me the Cooper cheese they're using on their cheesesteak, but I don't imagine getting very far with that lol.

My partner is vegetarian, and I want to take her to a "nice" place for a date. We've been to the usual recommendations (ie Kindred, Loving Hut, Donna Jean, Tacotarian) but I want to know if there are any either fancy places or (and I'm cringing saying this) instagrammable locations with veggie dishes that are recommended?

The whole restaurant doesn't have to be veggie, just looking for at least 1-2 options.

Does any SD restaurant serve this? North county all the way to South Bay idc I’ll drive for it lol

Pregnant lady here in San Diego for only a few days and seriously craving birria chilaquiles - the only chilaquiles I could find in my hometown was a complete joke! I only have enough time to try out one restaurant so can’t screw this one up. Where to get the best birria chilaquiles?! Staying near Liberty Station but willing to drive any distance if it’s worth it!! TIA!

For those that love the traditional pre-mixed poke like 8th n B, Poke Etc, Hawaiian Fresh, and It's Raw.

The Hawaiian fresh seafood location on poway rd absolutely stacks your order compared to the mira mesa location. Mind you I've been going at around 4pm most of the time, but there's never a big line, and the portions are generous. Just the kind of info I'd want to know as a Poke enjoyer.

I'm not affiliated with them at all, but I know a lot of cooks here really like Penzey's spices, and well, times are tough and getting seriously tougher. This weekend they have a box of 27 Trial Bags of spices (a $57.76 value!) FREE with every $10 order. Online only.

The fine print: "ONLINE ONLY. Limit ONE Free Penzeys American 27ct Trial Bags Box per household during run of promotion. Not applicable to prior sales, not valid with other offers. Not for resale. While supplies last. Online, visit www.penzeys.com, enter the code AMERICA into the apply code field at checkout. Standard shipping rates apply. Offer ends midnight Monday, July 6, 2026."

Online Link: https://www.penzeys.com/

Best oysters spots in San Diego? Happy hours preferred!

Does anyone know why the downtown San Diego location of Farmacy has closed? They haven't been here that long and I guess their former Albuquerque location closed as well; they owed their employees quote a bit of money.