American BBQ$point-loma
Phil's BBQ on Sports Arena Boulevard in Point Loma, San Diego, the long-queue mesquite-grill counter selling sandwiches under fourteen and a half-rack.
Try: Ribs, pulled pork sandwich, BBQ chicken
Vietnamese$city-heights
Pho Hoa on El Cajon Boulevard in City Heights, San Diego, the long-running Vietnamese soup counter selling large bowls of beef pho for under seven dollars.
Try: Pho dac biet (special beef pho), small or large bowl
Californian$mission-hills
Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop in Mission Hills, San Diego, the take-out wrestling-themed counter slinging four-dollar tacos and the Surfin' California.
Try: Surfin' California burrito, $4 tacos, Lucha-style adobada
Bakery$hillcrest
Bread and Cie's cafe counter on University Avenue in Hillcrest, San Diego, the in-house bakery serving sandwiches on its own stone-hearth loaves.
Try: Sandwiches on house bread, soups, scones
Californian$chula-vista
Tacos El Gordo in Chula Vista, San Diego, the open-until-4am Tijuana-style trompo carving adobada tacos for around three dollars and California burritos.
Try: Vertical-trompo adobada tacos under $4
Californian$clairemont
Lolita's Mexican Food on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard in Kearny Mesa, San Diego, the California-burrito counter selling the canonical version for under twelve.
Try: California burrito under $12, breakfast burrito $8-10