San Diego American restaurants you'll love
Top American restaurants in San Diego, California
If you’re searching for “American food near me” in San Diego, you’re about to embark on a tasty journey. San Diego has a wide variety of locations for American cuisine such as casual burger joints, diners, and steakhouses. From home cooking to delicious upscale dining, there is no shortage of options when it comes to this beachside city.
The beautiful weather is great for takeout in San Diego paired with a stroll on the shores or a morning bike ride before grabbing a fresh-pressed juice. No matter the occasion, there is American fare to enjoy. Take the family out for a nice meal together or offer your employees pastries from the local bakery. Downtown San Diego has cheesesteaks, breakfast, hot dogs, and seafood to choose from.
When you’re through enjoying a delicious meal, head over to one of the many local breweries and taste the unique flavors of San Diego craft beer. Perfect for a beer crawl with friends or a relaxing weekend. If beer isn’t your type of beverage there are plenty of other options like whiskey bars, cideries, wineries, and cocktail bars. There is a lot to enjoy about San Diego, so search for your favorites and discover what’s in store.
Must-try American restaurants in San Diego
SANDWICHES • HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES • CHEESE
Grater Grilled Cheese
5618 Mission Center Rd #1002, San Diego
Popular items | |
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Nashville Hot Grilled Cheese | $13.99 |
Our Basic 5 Grilled Cheese with Buffalo Chicken Tenders, Coleslaw, and diced Pickles. | |
Grater Fries | $4.99 |
Truffle Fries with Parmesan & Parsley. Served with our made from scratch Grater Ketchup. | |
Basic 5 | $8.99 |
Our Grater 5 Cheese Blend on Artisan Sourdough Bread. Comes with your choice of spread. |
Lucky's Lunch Counter - 338 7th Ave
338 7th Avenue, San Diego
Popular items | |
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B.Y.O Breakfast Sandwich | $13.25 |
one egg any style, topped with choice of cheese and one breakfast meat on a toasted bagel and served with hash browns. | |
#23 Chipotle Chicken Sandwich | $16.75 |
grilled chicken breast on grilled sourdough with swiss cheese, arugula, tomato, red onion and chipotle aioli | |
#19 Super Chicken Sandwich | $16.75 |
hand-breaded boneless tender chicken breast seasoned to perfection on a buttered & toasted bun |
PIZZA • SALADS
The Shop: Pizza + Cocktails
11967 Bernardo Plaza Dr., San Diego
Popular items | |
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Lunch Special Pizza Combo (n/a drink) | $18.00 |
A traditional crust cheese personal pizza, served with a side green salad and a soda or tea (toppings extra charge). | |
Spicy Baked Wings | $17.00 |
1lb of chicken wings, served with house-made ranch and baby carrots | |
Fancy Caesar Salad | $18.00 |
this salad has baby gem lettuce, chives, parmesan, house-made croutons, boiled egg, bacon, house-made caesar dressing (dressing served on the side) |
SALADS • SANDWICHES • HAMBURGERS
Common Stock - Hillcrest
3805 Fifth Ave, San Diego
Popular items | |
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CHICKEN SANDWICH | $15.00 |
CLASSIC | crispy chicken breast, bacon, melted muenster cheese, and house made ranch coleslaw NASHVILLE STYLE | Classic + Nashville Style Hot Sauce COMEBACK STYLE | Nashville hot chicken breast, sharp white cheddar, pickles, ranch coleslaw, + comeback sauce | |
CHARRED BRUSSELS | $13.00 |
BLOOMSDALE WALDORF | $15.00 |
TAPAS
Barrel & Board - 1027 University Ave
1027 University Ave, San Diego
Popular items | |
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BOARD RENTAL DEPOSIT | $30.00 |
Want to show up and show out? Have your spread artfully crafted and served on a real wood board! Add this item to your order and you will be refunded once the board is returned to the restaurant. | |
SHAREABLE - BYOB | $45.00 |
Chef selected cheeses of the season. Garnished generously with fresh fruits, macerated cranberry apricot medley, fig preserves, nuts, crostini, and warm baguette. Feeds 2-4 people. | |
INDIVIDUAL - BYOB | $32.00 |
Chef selected cheeses of the season. Garnished generously with fresh fruits, macerated cranberry apricot medley, fig preserves, nuts, crostini, and warm baguette. Feeds 1-2 people. |
Smoking Gun & Spill the Beans - 555 Market Street
555 Market Street, San Diego
Popular items | |
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ICED Vanilla Latte | $5.50 |
Our signature espresso, vanilla syrup, milk and ice | |
ICED La Vida Mocha | $5.50 |
It's like a mocha... but better. This delicious concoction infuses Aztec chocolate, dark chocolate sauce, espresso and milk | |
Cinna-Bee | $5.50 |
Honey, homemade cinnamon simple syrup, espresso, milk |
SEAFOOD • SANDWICHES • FRENCH FRIES • STEAKS
Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar
902 W Washington St, San Diego
Popular items | |
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Buddha Bowl | $18.00 |
quinoa, seasonal berries, roasted pine nuts, rainbow carrots, beet hummus & lemon tahini dressing | |
Harley Gray Burger | $18.00 |
Gold Canyon Angus, toasted brioche bun, frisee lettuce, tomato, onion, bleu cheese, bacon bourbon jam, pomme frites | |
New England Clam Chowder | $9.00 |
Santa Cruz Chowder Cook-Off Peoples Choice 1st Place |
SANDWICHES • CHICKEN • HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES • FISH AND CHIPS • BBQ • SALADS • CHICKEN WINGS • GRILL
Chicken Charlie's Table
12457 Rancho Bernardo Rd, San Diego
Popular items | |
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Beet Salad | $14.75 |
Red and golden beets, avocado, feta, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions, over mixed greens. Add grilled or crispy chicken $5 | |
Fried Chicken & Shrimp | $19.75 |
Your choice of 2 pc dark or white meat, with 8 large crispy shrimp. | |
Fried Chicken Dinner | $18.75 |
4 pieces of our famous fried chicken |
Hidden Craft
600 WEST BROADWAY SUITE 130, SAN DIEGO
Popular items | |
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One America Cheese Burger | $18.00 |
Ground beef brisket short rib patty, crisp lettuce, tomato, pickled onions, american cheese, house spread on a sesame amish bun | |
Chicken Banh Mi | $17.00 |
Ginger, garlic, marinated chicken, pickled veggies (carrot, daikon, cucumber, white onion), miso aioli, cilantro on fresh baguette. | |
Turkey Avocado BLT | $17.00 |
Swiss cheese, bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, chipotle aioli on ciabatta bun |
Junction Bar & Grill - Scripps Ranch -
9860 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego
Popular items | |
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12 Inch - Meat Feast Pizza | $22.00 |
Pepperoni, sausage, ham, bacon, meatballs & salami. | |
Cali Club | $18.00 |
Turkey, apple wood bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado and mayo on grilled white bread. | |
12 Inch - Works Pizza | $22.00 |
Black olives, green peppers, mushrooms, white onions, pepperoni, salami and sausage. |
SALADS • CHICKEN • FRENCH FRIES
The Local Eatery & Drinking Hole - The Local Eatery & Drinking Hole
1065 4th Avenue, San Diego
Popular items | |
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FIESTA SALAD | $18.00 |
Chopped romaine and iceberg lettuce tossed with boneless fried chicken, roasted corn, black beans, tortilla strips, jack & cheddar cheese, avocado, jalapeño, cilantro, and our house-made cilantro lime dressing | |
AHI POKE BOWL | $18.50 |
Cali-style ahi poke, served over a choice of brown or white rice. | |
BIG ASS NACHOS | $15.00 |
Tortilla chips topped with black beans, pico de gallo, jack and cheddar cheese, jalapeño, guacamole, and sour cream |
GRILL • FRENCH FRIES
Urban MO's Bar & Grill
308 University Ave, San Diego
Popular items | |
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RANCH WRAP | $16.50 |
Crispy or Grilled Chicken, Bacon, Cheddar, Jack, Tomato, Romaine, Ranch. Tortilla | |
MO BURGER | $16.75 |
Cheddar, Jack, Bacon, Caramelized Onion, Lettuce, Tomato, Thousand Island. Served on your choice of bun. | |
FLAMING WRAP | $16.50 |
Crispy or Grilled Chicken, Hot Wings Sauce, Bacon, Cheddar, Jack, Romaine, Blue Cheese or Ranch. Tortilla |
SANDWICHES • HOT DOGS • FRENCH FRIES
Mastiff Kitchen - North Park Beer Co.
3038 University Ave, San Diego
Popular items | |
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Buffalo Chicken Fries | $14.00 |
shoestring fries, chopped chicken tenders, Buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, green onions | |
Jumbo Tenders | $13.95 |
two house battered chicken tenders. Choose one dipping sauce. Served w/ shoestring fries or side salad. | |
Loaded Nachos (gf / *v) | $16.00 |
carnitas, house al pastor sausage, queso cheese sauce, charred scallion crema, pico de gallo, Cotija cheese, guacamole |
Harbor Town Pub - 1125 Rosecrans St
1125 Rosecrans St, San Diego
Popular items | |
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Seared Ahi Bowl | $16.95 |
Seared Ahi, rice, cabbage, pickled carrots, cucumbers, grilled pineapple, edamame, cilantro cream and katsu sauce | |
Grilled Ginger Soy Wings | $12.95 |
8 ginger soy mariniated chicken wings, cilantro garnish, served with a side of Dojo sauce | |
Harbor Town | $13.95 |
1/3lb beef patty, double American cheese, griled onions, house sauce, lettuce, tomato, pickle, served on a brioche bun with side of fries |
SANDWICHES • HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES
Working Class
4095 30th St,, San Diego
Popular items | |
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Standard Breakfast | $11.50 |
2 eggs any style, bacon or sausage, hash browns and choice of toast. | |
Breakfast Burrito | $11.50 |
Scrambled eggs, hash browns, diced bacon, cheddar cheese, avocado and house sauce. | |
General Tso Cauliflower | $12.00 |
Deep fried cauliflower florets tossed in sweet and spicy General Tso sauce topped with sesame seeds |
SANDWICHES • HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES
Hodad's Downtown
945 Broadway, San Diego
Popular items | |
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GUIDO | $13.50 |
Inspired by Triple D’s Guy Fieri - Our Burger served with Pastrami, Ketchup, Pickles, Swiss Cheese, Grilled Onions and Spicy Brown Mustard | |
BLUE JAY | $16.00 |
Local Favorite - Bacon Cheeseburger w/ thick Blue Cheese Sauce & Grilled Onions | |
Mini Cheeseburger | $7.75 |
KANSAS CITY BARBEQUE - 600 West Harbor Drive
600 West Harbor Drive, San Diego
Popular items | |
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D-Sliced Beef Brisket | $20.95 |
Chicken | $16.95 |
Diet Coke | $3.00 |
SALADS • SANDWICHES • FRENCH FRIES
Second Nature
5026 Cass St., San Diego
Popular items | |
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Kid Chicken Fingers. | $7.00 |
Choice of sliced fruit or fries | |
Basic Breakfast* | $13.75 |
Three eggs any style, bacon, potatoes [choice of toast: sourdough / multigrain] | |
Vegan Hot Wangs | $14.50 |
Maitake mushrooms, hot sauce, "parmesan", green onion, vegan ranch. |
SANDWICHES • HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES
Maggie's Cafe - Barrio Logan
1985 National Ave, San Diego
Popular items | |
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Torta Cubana | $18.59 |
Milanesa, chicken, ham, chorizo, egg, cheddar cheese, Pepper Jack Cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado and, chipotle mayo | |
Maggie’s Chilaquiles | $14.75 |
Homemade corn tortilla chips covered with your choice of green or red salsa, topped with red onion, cotija cheese, and sour cream, served with rice pilaf and refried beans / Add two eggs, Chicken | |
Chicken Caesar Salad | $15.50 |
Grilled chicken breast on top of romaine lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, parmesan cheese, croutons and a cheese quesadilla |
SALADS • SANDWICHES • HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES
Dunedin New Zealand Eats
3501 30th St, San Diego
Popular items | |
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-Beet Salad | $17.00 |
assorted beets, blue cheese, basil, onion, pumpkin seed | |
-Hogs n Heffers | $24.00 |
organic grass fed beef, bacon, avocado, edam cheese, LTO | |
-Steak & Caesar | $24.00 |
romaine, anchovy, fried capers croutons, parmesan |
SEAFOOD • SANDWICHES • HAMBURGERS
Fort Oak Restaurant
1011 Fort Stockton Dr, San Diego
Popular items | |
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Charred Caulilini | $20.00 |
fermented chile aioli, shallot vinaigrette, smoked almonds, currants, herbs | |
Goat Milk Cavatelli | $29.00 |
charred broccoli, fennel sausage, summer truffle, grana padano, soft herbs | |
Hearth Roasted Carrots | $20.00 |
quinoa, humboldt fog, pickled fennel, smoky yogurt, tarragon |
Burgeon at The Arbor
1326 KETTNER BLVD, San Diego
Popular items | |
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Winter Harvest Salad | $11.00 |
mixed greens | radicchio | goat cheese | dried cranberries | butternut squash | roasted chickpeas | balsamic vinagrette | V | VE no cheese | GF | |
Arbor Wings | $15.00 |
oven-roasted wings | butter Buffalo sauce | red chili flakes | house ranch | |
Burgeon Burger | $19.00 |
COMES WITH: beef patty | cheddar | lettuce | tomato | dill pickles | special sauce | brioche bun | comes w/ fries (sub side salad + $1) |
FRENCH FRIES
Barleymash
600 5th Ave, San Diego
Popular items | |
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SALAMI | $19.75 |
artisan salamis and pepperonis, roasted tomato-ale sauce, mozzarella, roasted garlic cloves | |
ALL IN | $18.75 |
applewood-smoked bacon, chili-braised short rib, ale-braised pork shoulder, pepper jack beer-cheese sauce, fresh chilis | |
BRUSSELS NO MAC | $14.25 |
fried brussel sprouts, caramelized onions, bacon, shredded parmesan and jager- balsamic drizzle |
Not Not Tacos
550 W Date St Suite B, San Diego
Popular items | |
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The Trio Bundle | $14.95 |
choice of three tacos. | |
Shrimp Po'boy Taco | $6.00 |
Fried Shrimp| Remoulade | Lettuce | Tomato | |
Asian Salmon Taco | $7.50 |
spicy garlic hoisin | japanese mayo | jicama | togarashi spice | green onion | micro cilantro |
SANDWICHES • GRILL • CHICKEN • HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES
Bare Back Grill
4640 Mission Blvd, San Diego
Popular items | |
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Hogs & Heffers | $24.00 |
100% organic grass fed beef OR grilled/fried chicken, bacon, avocado, edam cheese | |
Maui Waui | $23.00 |
100% organic grass fed beef, bacon, grilled pineapple, edam cheese | |
Average Joe | $22.00 |
100% organic grass fed beef american cheese, ketchup, mayo, mustard |
PIZZA • HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES
Bayside Landing
3780 ingraham st, san diego
Popular items | |
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Crispy Brussels Sprouts | $13.95 |
Crispy Brussel sprouts served with Chili fish sauce, cilantro, and roasted chickpeas | |
Seasonal Salad | $14.25 |
A fresh salad using seasonal, locally sourced greens and vegetables. Just ask your server for today’s current selection. (Baby spinach, roasted sweet potato, barlett pear, spiced candied pecans, shaved manchego cheese, maple thyme vinaigrette) | |
Bacado Burger | $16.50 |
1/2 lb Angus Chuck, lettuce, tomato, onion, chipotle aioli, cheddar, bacon, avocado on a Brioche Bun. |
SANDWICHES • HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES
Toast Cafe - San Diego
11455 El Camino Real, San Diego
Popular items | |
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Breakfast Sandwich | $9.00 |
3 eggs soft scrambled, white sharp cheddar, arugula, chipotle aioli, brioche bun | |
Tuna Salad Sandwich | $11.50 |
arugula, olive tapenade, lemon aioli, sourdough | |
Farmer's Market Salad | $11.00 |
artisan lettuce mix, fennel, shaved heirloom carrots, watermelon radish, heirloom tomato, champagne vinaigrette |
SEAFOOD
Hob Nob Hill Restaurant
2271 First Ave., San Diego
Popular items | |
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MIXED SEAFOOD FRY | $19.50 |
3 BUTTERFLY FRIED SHRIMP, 1 CRAB CAKE, 1 BEER BATTERED FISH, FRIES AND ONION RINGS. | |
THANKSGIVING TURKEY DINNER | $22.00 |
SAGE STUFFING AND CRANBERRY RELISH | |
EGGS BENEDICT | $18.00 |
English Muffin Topped With Grilled Tomatoes, Sauteed Spinach, Two Poached Eggs, Cheese Sauce & Served With Fresh Fruit |
PIZZA • FRENCH FRIES
Bay Hill Tavern
3010 Clairemont Drive, San Diego
Popular items | |
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Tecolote Chicken | $18.00 |
Mixed greens, grape tomatoes, roasted corn, black beans, diced bbq chicken, shredded cheddar, tortilla strips, chipotle ranch, topped with cilantro | |
Wings | $16.00 |
1 lb. wings, side of carrots, celery & ranch / Choice of: buffalo, whiskey bbq, sriracha-lemon pepper, mango habanero, or salt & pepper | |
Smoked Gouda & Cheddar Mac | $14.00 |
Creamy mac & cheese with sharp cheddar & smoked gouda, topped with seasoned bread crumbs and scallions. |
SEAFOOD • FRENCH FRIES
One Door North - San Diego, CA
3422 30th St, San Diego
Popular items | |
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BBQ Chicken Flatbread | $22.00 |
In house marinated and grilled organic chicken breast, BBQ sauce, red onion, mozzarella, topped with fresh cilantro & scallions | |
Burger & Fries | $23.00 |
1/2 pound burger, lettuce, tomato, roasted onion, pickles, cheddar cheese, comeback sauce (mayo based) |