La Puerta in San Diego is the Gaslamp Quarter Mexican kitchen on Fourth Avenue, the after-bar carne asada fries and Taco Tuesday institution that anchors downtown's late-night Mexican map.
Signature dishes: Carne asada fries, Taco Tuesday, Margarita pitchers
Must order: The carne asada fries to share; Taco Tuesday $3 tacos until close.
Tip: Open until 1am Fri-Sat, midnight other nights; the back patio runs heater-and-fan year-round.
Address: 560 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Lolita's Mexican Food in San Diego is the Clairemont Mesa Boulevard Chicano taqueria chain founded by the Lolita Garcia family, the originator of carne asada fries in the late 1990s.
Signature: California burrito, Carne asada fries, Adobada tacos
Order: The California burrito with carne asada and fries; the carne asada fries that Lolita's claims to have invented.
Tip: Drive-through and counter both fine; the 24-hour locations stay open for the post-bar burrito run.
Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop in San Diego is the Mission Hills Mexican-wrestling-themed taqueria on Washington Street, the Diners Drive-Ins and Dives stop with masked-luchador decor.
Signature: Surfin' California burrito, TJ taco, Champion's burrito
Order: The Surfin' California burrito with shrimp; the Champion's gold booth if you book ahead.
Tip: Book the gold booth on the website 48 hours ahead; the line at the counter moves fast after 1pm.
Tacos El Gordo in Chula Vista is the Tijuana-style trompo taqueria on H Street and Broadway, with the city's canonical adobada al pastor sliced fresh from the vertical rotisserie.
Signature: Adobada taco, Suadero taco, Cabeza taco
Order: The adobada taco with diced onion and cilantro; the suadero for slow-braised beef.
Tip: Open until 02:00 Fri-Sat; the Broadway and H Street locations run separate queues. Cash speeds things.
Bali Hai Restaurant in San Diego is the 1955 Shelter Island Tiki institution, a sprawling Polynesian dining room with a boat dock, mai tai pour and unobstructed downtown skyline view.
Signature: Mai tai, Polynesian platter, Crab cakes
Order: The original Mai Tai; the Polynesian Platter for sharing.
Tip: Sunday brunch is the value play; book a window for sunset over the marina and Point Loma.
Phil's BBQ in San Diego is the Sports Arena Boulevard BBQ counter, a mesquite-smoked Texas-leaning shop with beef ribs, pulled pork and the onion-ring tower since 1998.
Signature: Beef ribs, Pulled pork (Mr. Pig) sandwich, Onion ring tower
Order: The Mr. Pig sandwich and a half-rack of beef ribs; the onion-ring tower for sharing.
Tip: Take-out from the side window has a shorter line; full table service runs the indoor dining room.
Common Theory in San Diego is the Convoy Street gastropub where Asian flavours run through a craft-beer menu, with a long bar, 40 taps and a kimchi-and-burger crowd.
Signature: Mongolian BBQ ribs, Crispy Brussels, Burger with kimchi slaw
Order: The Mongolian BBQ ribs; the kimchi-slaw burger with a Pure Project IPA.
Tip: Tuesday Hapa Half-Off runs half-price wines until close; the patio is heater-equipped year-round.
