Common Theory Public House is a british gastropub restaurant in Convoy, San Diego.
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 daily.
Editorially verified May 19, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Mongolian BBQ pork ribs, Crispy Brussels sprouts, Burger with kimchi slaw
Must 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.
Address: 4805 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
Tasty Noodle House in San Diego is the Convoy Street northern Chinese noodle counter, with hand-pulled noodles made through the open window and one.
Signature: Hand-pulled noodles, Xiaolongbao, Dan dan noodles
Order: The Lanzhou hand-pulled beef noodle soup; the xiaolongbao steamer for sharing.
Tip: Cash is fine and faster than card. The dan dan noodles are the room's secret order.
Tasty Noodle House in San Diego is the Convoy Street northern Chinese noodle counter, with hand-pulled noodles made through the open window and one.
Signature: Hand-pulled noodles, Xiaolongbao, Dan dan noodles
Order: The Lanzhou hand-pulled beef noodle soup; the xiaolongbao steamer for sharing.
Tip: Cash is fine and faster than card. The dan dan noodles are the room's secret order.
Hodad's in Ocean Beach is the 1969 Newport Avenue burger shack with surfboards on the walls, the Guy Fieri Diners Drive-Ins and Dives stop and the canonical.
Signature: Double bacon cheeseburger, Mini burger, Onion rings
Order: The Double Bacon Cheeseburger with the works.
Tip: The line moves; queue at the side door for takeout. Park your car blocks away on weekends, Newport Avenue fills up.
Phil's BBQ in San Diego is the Sports Arena Boulevard barbecue counter, a Texas-leaning shop with mesquite-smoked beef ribs, pulled pork and the famous onion.
Signature: Beef ribs, Pulled pork sandwich, Onion ring tower
Order: The Mr. Pig sandwich and a half-rack of beef ribs; the onion ring tower for the table.
Tip: Take-out from the side window has a shorter line; full table service runs the indoor dining room.
Carnitas' Snack Shack Embarcadero in San Diego is Hanis Cavin's harbour-front Mexican-American pork counter on North Harbor Drive, the larger waterside.
Signature: Triple threat sandwich, Carnitas tacos, Schnitzel sandwich
Order: The Triple Threat sandwich, layering pulled pork, bacon and pork schnitzel; the carnitas tacos.
Tip: Indoor and outdoor seating with a harbour view; arrive before 7pm to get a patio table.
The Crack Shack in San Diego is Richard Blais and Michael Rosen's Little Italy fried-chicken yard since 2015, attached to Juniper and Ivy. Priced at $$.
Signature: Firebird chicken sandwich, Coop deville (10-piece), Schmaltz fries
Order: The Firebird spicy chicken sandwich; the schmaltz fries with sherry-vinegar mayo.
Tip: All outdoors; bring a sweater for marine-layer mornings. The Coop Deville feeds a table of four.
Fonda del Barrio in San Diego is Gerry Torres's ancestral Mexican kitchen on Logan Avenue in Barrio Logan, cooking Oaxacan moles and Mayan achiote rubs.
Signature: Pollo en mole de guayaba, Puerco manchamanteles, Yucatan cochinita pibil
Order: The 27-ingredient pollo en mole de guayaba; one mezcal flight to start.
Tip: Closed Mondays; weekend brunch is the quieter window to land a patio table.
