Gastropub$$$escondido
Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens in Escondido is Stone's flagship destination brewery and restaurant since 2006, the one-acre beer garden, 36-tap room and farm-driven kitchen.
Signature: Stone IPA flight, Beer-braised short ribs, Garden-fresh salads
Order: A Stone IPA flight to compare the eras of the West Coast original; the beer-braised short ribs from the kitchen.
Tip: Take the brewery tour at 1pm before lunch; the back garden is the move on warm afternoons.
Polynesian-Pacific$$$shelter-island
Bali Hai Restaurant in San Diego is the 1955 Shelter Island Tiki institution, with a sprawling Polynesian dining room, a boat dock and the city's most famous Mai Tai pour.
Signature: Mai tai, Bali Hai egg rolls, Polynesian platter
Order: The original Mai Tai (a known-strong recipe since the 1950s); the Polynesian Platter for sharing.
Tip: Sunday brunch is the value play; book a window for sunset over the marina and Point Loma.
Gastropub Asian-influenced$$convoy
Common Theory in San Diego is the Convoy Street gastropub where Asian flavours run through a craft-beer menu, with a long bar, 40 taps and a daily kimchi-and-burger crowd.
Signature: Mongolian BBQ pork ribs, Crispy Brussels sprouts, Burger with kimchi slaw
Order: The Mongolian BBQ ribs; the kimchi-slaw burger with a Pure Project IPA.
Tip: Tuesday Hapa Half-Off runs half-price wines until close; the patio is heater-equipped year-round.
Northern Chinese$$convoy
Tasty Noodle House in San Diego is the Convoy Street northern Chinese noodle counter, with hand-pulled noodles made through the open window and the city's most reliable xiaolongbao.
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.
Burgers$$ocean-beach
Hodad's in Ocean Beach is the 1969 Newport Avenue burger shack with surfboards on the walls, the Guy Fieri Diners Drive-Ins and Dives stop and the canonical San Diego beach burger.
Signature: Double bacon cheeseburger, Mini burger, Onion rings
Order: The Double Bacon Cheeseburger with the works; the mini version if you want to keep walking after.
Tip: The line moves; queue at the side door for takeout. Park your car blocks away on weekends, Newport Avenue fills up.
American BBQ$$point-loma
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 ring tower since 1998.
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.
