5 Best Cheap Eats - San Diego

Not all of us have the cash to spend $50 on a great meal, but a lot of us have the same taste buds! San Diego is filled with all kinds of food and you don’t have to spend a fortune to get it! I have compiled and counted down the 5 Best Cheap Eats – San Diego you’ve gotta devour while you’re there!

5). In-N-Out Burger

Address: 3102 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110

Menu: In-N-Out Burger Menu

In-N-Out Burger is just a classic fast food chain out West, it originated in California in 1948. It’s famous because the chain has barely changed since then. Stepping into an In-N-Out Burger will take you back to the 40’s with its interior design, same small menu, similar prices, and high quality!

I tried my first burger in May 2018 and yea I totally get why it’s so popular! One of the coolest parts about In-N-Out Burger is their secret menu. If you haven’t tried In-N-Out Burger yet you gotta try the classic menu items but definitely do some googling and find out what the Scooby Snack and Flying Dutchman are!

You don’t see much advertising from this company, but you do see it from everyone else! Instagram stars and celebrities are constantly raving about this place which just makes this an absolute stop if you’re in Cali! The retro feel and secret menu brings In-N-Out Burger to number 5 on our list of 5 Best Cheap Eats – San Diego.

4). Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill

Address: 3667 India St, San Diego, CA 92103

Menu: Blue Water Market and Grill Menu

Blue Water is the place you want to be when you are craving fresh fish. They either buy the fish in the morning from the local fisherman or they send the guys out from behind the counters to catch their own fish!

This place is no secret, there will be a line out the door any time of day! Part of its popularity is due to its appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives from the Food Network Channel; so you know it’s gotta be good!

They serve the fish in all kinds of ways from sandwiches to tacos to the classic fish and chips. I really enjoyed the detail of the home made specialty sauces and marinades! Of course we had to try it all! We ordered double amount any normal person would, no regrets! I really enjoyed the Ahi Tuna tacos and the fresh cod fish and chips! The fresh fish and the amount of choices brings Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill to number 4 on our list of 5 Best Cheap Eats – San Diego.

3). Bobboi Natural Gelato

Address: 8008 Girard Ave #150, La Jolla, CA 92037

Menu: Bobboi Daily Flavors

Ok, I get that gelato isn’t exactly a meal but I would definitely replace my meal with this gelato so therefore I had to add it to the list! Hands down the best dessert I’ve ever had. If you are a coffee lover you have to get the Affogato. It’s gelato drowned in espresso – MMM so yummy! I got the salted caramel and pistachio drowned in the espresso. The saltiness from the pistachios and the creaminess of the ice cream was just the perfect mix with the espresso.

Faris loved it so much that he actually got back in line after he finished his affogato to get another scoop of ice cream! That was true dedication since the line was well out the door. The freshness of the gelato and the creative flavors brings Bobboi Natural Gelato to number 3 on our list of 5 Best Cheap Eats – San Diego.

2). Baja Fish Mart

Address: 2036 Dairy Mart Rd #127, San Ysidro, CA 92173

Menu: Fish Mart Menu

So San Diego is known for having some of the best fish tacos in the world. It has to do with their proximity to the ocean and the border of Mexico! So of course we had to scope out the best of the best, and the winner is Baja Fish Market. It’s about a 30 minute drive south of San Diego right next to the border of Mexico! So it is a little bit of a drive but if you want the best you gotta check em out! The restaurant is in a strip mall and is no fancy place by any means, but the food just puts it over the top. My personal favorite was the blackened shrimp tacos and the fish soup. Also be sure to check out their margaritas, they are massive! The authentic Mexican recipes and fresh seafood brings Baja Fish Mart to number 2 on our list of 5 Best Cheap Eats – San Diego.

1). North Shack Acai Bowls

Address: 1255 Rosecrans St, San Diego, CA 92106

Menu: North Shack Menu

Acai bowls are a huge thing out west, but a lot of the world hasn’t even heard of them before. It’s basically a smoothie bowl comprised of acai or pitaya, or both if you’re lucky. Fruit is piled high on top along with nuts, coconut shavings, peanut butter, almond butter, granola, and the list goes on and on. So it’s a smoothie bowl on crack, which is said to be healthy. I question that a little bit, but sure I’ll go with it if that means I get more acai bowls!

North Shack Acai bowls have the absolute best acai bowls. I think about them daily and crave them constantly. This makes them number one on my list! Faris and I went to San Diego in the spring of 2018 just for a long weekend. We are both huge foodies so restaurant hopping is always included in our itineraries when traveling. We actually loved it so much we went to North Shack for breakfast two days in a row! Their portions are definitely “American” Style; the small is the perfect size while the large is inanely huge (which Faris got, of course)! The sweet taste of the fruit mixed with crunchy granola and nuts, along with the beautiful presentation brings North Shack Acai Bowls to number 1 on our list of 5 Best Cheap Eats – San Diego.