Even before the recent skyrocket in prices in San Diego, food was steadily climbing year after year. I, for one, am tired of paying over $15 for a sandwich or burrito, only to finish it in a single sitting. Compiled here is a list of places that keep the quality high and the prices low. Read on to find some of the best cheap food in San Diego.
Colimas
When you’re not looking to shell out a lot of time, effort, or cash for a meal, nothing hits the spot like Colimas. With a huge menu that can accommodate all price points and portion sizes to match, Colimas in North Park has been a staple for years.
Most of their burritos are under ten dollars, and while a few are close to the fifteen-dollar limit, they come filled with seafood and wrapped in a double-size tortilla. One of my favorites is the Bandido Burrito, which has a whole Chile Relleno stuffed inside. Deep-fried and filled with cheese, at first glance a Chile Relleno may not seem like a natural burrito filling, but trust me, this burrito will have you coming back for more.
Even huge meals like their Surf-n’-Turf Fries hover around the twelve-dollar mark. Nothing beats a huge serving of fries with a generous portion of shrimp, steak, cheese, and all the toppings you could wish for.
Offering some of the best cheap Mexican food in San Diego, Colima’s is perfect if you’re a little strapped for cash.
Sicilian Thing
Nothing gets my blood boiling like an overpriced sandwich, and unfortunately, it can seem like that’s all there is these days. Luckily, Sicilian Thing offers affordable sandwiches and pizza that are filling and delicious.
I had the Chicken Parm here, which was full to bursting with gooey cheese and great chicken. The sauce stands out, and while I have not had their pizza (offered in both thin crust and thick squares), anything with this marinara will be a hit. For a sandwich to-go, my total was about $12 with a tip and added fifty cents for a credit card fee.
Upon seeing the sandwich, I will admit I was dubious if it could fill me up, but it provided plenty of food for a whole meal. Two slices and a soda will run you about eight dollars before tip, which seems standard for any non-pretentious pizza joint.
Conveniently located right on 30th street and across from Second Chance, stop by after a pint for a quick bite before you head home.
The Friendly
While this spot has been talked about many other times on this website, it simply cannot be left off of any list of not only the best food in North Park, but also the most affordable. There are two excellent locations (and a third on the way!), both of which serve up cheap eats that will leave you yearning for more.
The O.G. location on 30th street has both pizza – $3.50 a slice – and Dirty Flat-top Burger – $6 each. The pizza is thin crust, fresh, and delicious. However, the real star of the show (in my humble opinion) is the Dirty Flat-top Burger. Two smashed patties with onions, mayo, and cheese are placed in between perfectly toasted and buttered buns.
While it may look small, it is definitely a heavy burger that will leave you full. If you’re really hungry, a burger and a slice will still be under $10. Not bad for one of the best burgers in San Diego!
The second location on University has burgers, fries, and onion rings. While the burgers there are slightly more expensive at a whopping $7, you are still way under budget, even if you add in a $5 order of onion rings (which I highly recommend).
Overall, The Friendly is one of the last places to get a really high-quality burger at an affordable price. They often collaborate with local chefs for one-off specials, but they usually stay under ten to twelve dollars. Follow their Instagram to stay up to date!
Mama’s Bakery and Deli
Located off El Cajon Boulevard, Mama’s Bakery and Deli is an unassuming Mediterranean restaurant that serves up killer wraps.
While some of their plates and meals do go over the $15 limit, their wraps and pies are comfortably under. Offering a huge selection of different flavors, from fried eggplant to beef shawarma, Mama’s is perfect for meat lovers and vegetarians alike.
Their wraps come stuffed with lots of different toppings and sauces, including pickled vegetables, hummus, and baba ghanouj. Their meat pies contain tender filling inside of a chewy and warm pastry.
While not as filling as a stuffed California burrito, Mama’s is on the lighter side and still manages to deliver a satisfying, delicious meal for some of the best cheap food in North Park, San Diego.
Ly Heng
While not technically in North Park, it felt criminal to leave one of my favorite cheap places to eat in San Diego off of this list. Ly Heng is in City Heights, and really only a stone’s throw from North Park, so we’ll still count it.
Serving up some unique Asian food that is a mixture of Cambodian, Chinese, and Vietnamese, Ly Heng has dishes I have never heard of before. They still do offer some staples, such as Egg Rolls ($5) and Beef with Broccoli ($10). The real winner here, however, is the Beef Sate “Noodle Soup”. In reality, this dish is not a soup, but a plate of spicy, peanutty, curried noodles with lots of pieces of beef.
Only $8 before any additions, this dish is huge by itself, but comes with a bowl of bone-broth soup on the side. While the noodles themselves make for one big meal or two moderately sized meals, the soup definitely increases the already great value of this dish. Their stir-fried noodles are also amazing, featuring tons of veggies, meat, and gravy for only $8-$9 (more if you want seafood).
Again, the portion size is monstrous, and one serving will leave most people happy and full. The only downside is that they don’t seem to offer takeout, but don’t worry if you have leftovers, because they do have boxes to wrap up your food. Simply some of the best cheap food in San Diego, everyone should give Ly Heng a try.
