San Diego's one-of-a-kind vibes bring chefs from all over the world to create inspiring dishes in California's Beach City.
San Diego's prime location doesn't just mean nearly 300 days of sunshine a year and beach time in the winter — its combination of geography, diverse topography and a laid-back lifestyle have set the stage for culinary innovation, too. Dishes, drinks and brands have started right here in San Diego thanks to the region's forward-thinking spirit.
From cross-border influences in food and craft beer to a Top Chef restaurant empire, here are a few culinary and beer icons born in San Diego.
Better known as San Diego’s unofficial mascot, the fish taco is said to have debuted in San Diego in 1983 thanks to Ralph Rubio, co-founder of fast-casual Mexican chain Rubio’s. During a 1974 spring break trip to San Felipe on the Baja Peninsula, Rubio stumbled upon the simple, beach-perfect taco and wrote down a list of ingredients from his favorite vendor (rumored to be Taqueria Adriana). He held onto that recipe for seven years before opening his first restaurant, in Mission Beach. Now you can find various interpretations all over the city—from a gourmet riff at Puesto to the crowd-favorite TJ Oyster Bar in Bonita and the Mariscos Nine Seas food truck in South Park.
Richard Blais rose to stardom on Top Chef and Top Chef All-Stars, and when he chose to start his restaurant empire, he wanted the Pacific Ocean as his backyard. Blais debuted with his “left coast cookery” Juniper & Ivy in 2014, known for its beef tartare and Instagrammable yodel dessert. Next came Crack Shack, a wildly successful fast-casual eatery devoted to chicken and egg dishes like a two-hands-needed fried chicken sandwich. Since then, Crack Shack has expanded to Encinitas, Orange County, L.A. and Las Vegas, with lines out the door.
Burritos are a San Diego staple, whether you’re re-fueling after surfing or taking in a sunset from Windansea Beach. But to make it next-level local, you order a California burrito. Who actually invented this San Diego specialty is a hotly debated subject — some say it’s Roberto’s — but the components are the same: carne asada, guacamole, cheese and fries, all wrapped in a flour tortilla. If you want to try a different spin, in addition to offering a classic California burrito, Lolita’s is famous for their carne aside fries — a mound of crisp fries topped with carne asada, guacamole, sour cream, and cheddar and cotija cheeses.
There are more than 150 breweries (plus brew pubs and tasting rooms) in San Diego, but few have seen the kind of meteoric rise Stone Brewing Co. has enjoyed. Known for its bold, hoppy beers, Stone launched in 1996 with its sprawling location in Escondido that touts a 1-acre beer garden, a large patio, and a food menu that champions local, organic ingredients. Beyond a second location in San Diego’s Liberty Station — which has a bocce court and summer move nights — they’ve expanded globally, too, and you can find Stone beers in Asia, Europe, Australia and more. But they keep their recipes close to home, working with fellow San Diego-bred biz White Labs, a yeast producer that consults with many breweries.
It’s craft beer with a Mexican twist at San Diego’s only 100% Latino-owned brewery. Located in Barrio Logan, the city’s epicenter of Chicano culture, Border X shines with Mexican-flavored brews like the Horchata Golden Stout, Abuelita’s Chocolate Stout, and the Blood Saison. They also host events, including Taco Tuesday, cupcake and craft beer pairings, and lotería nights.
Many cities have farm stands, but not all have stands that are beloved by such chefs as Alice Waters and Wolfgang Puck, and have been written about in The New Yorker. Fans like these have helped spread the world about this “vegetable shop” in Rancho Santa Fe whose roots date back to the early 1920s. Thanks to their microclimate-contained location five miles from the Pacific Ocean, Chino Farms’ 45 acres burst with sweet corn, strawberries, oranges, tomatoes and other seasonal goods. Around the city, you can find their produce at Nine-Ten La Jolla, George's at the Cove and Mister A’s, among other top restaurants.
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