Top 5 Cheap Restaurants in San Diego, California

I moved to San Diego, California five years ago as a student. On first arriving, I was horrified by the culinary wasteland that I thought lay before me. As a proud Bay Area native, born and raised, I was used to popping in on small mom-and-pop restaurants on a whim and being served up a delectable array of cheap cuisine. To me, the San Diego dining circuit was a barren string of chains and overpriced, moderately palatable fare.

Fortunately, I have since grown older and wiser, and have discovered dining gems tucked in among San Diego's swaying palms. Since I spent most of my time here as a college student, I was able to discover many smaller restaurants that consistently deliver cheap, delicious meals and excellent service. Whether you are visiting San Diego, California on a budget or moving here, these five restaurants are sure to deliver winning, affordable dishes every time.

El Pescador
If you like fresh seafood, you'll love El Pescador. Although this fish market/restaurant is famous among San Diego natives for its fresh fish sandwiches, the fish plates, lobster, and sashimi are also more than adequate choices. El Pescador is a lunch joint, and be sure to arrive a little early as the place is usually packed.

El Pescador is the ultimate in cheap, casual dining in San Diego. The restaurant itself is very small, with two or three plastic tables inside to seat patrons, and wooden benches outside. Your journey into fish sandwich heaven will begin by waiting in an unfortunately long line for your chance to place an order with the helpful waitstaff. Don't be afraid to custom order; on one trip to the restaurant, I asked if I could assemble an assorted plate of sashimi that was not on the menu, and they allowed me to pick which types of fish I wanted straight from the display case.

Of course, most patrons go for a fish sandwich, which comes simply trimmed on a roll with shredded lettuce and assorted toppings, or a cheap cup of steaming hot clam chowder. Your trip to El Pescador will only set you back about seven dollars, or a little more if you opt for a fish plate (which includes salad, rice pilaf, and whatever type of fish is in season) or sashimi.