A Bite of San Diego: lunchtime

A Bite of San Diego dives into a few of the most convenient lunch spots by campus

Shelby Todd / Asst. A&C Editor / The USD Vista

For the spring semester, students who prefer to eat off campus will once again be looking for a place to grab food during breaks. Luckily, USD’s campus is surrounded by great options for students to grab a quick lunch in between classes. This week’s edition of A Bite of San Diego will highlight some of the best options for affordable and tasty eats near campus. 

Kiko’s Place 
6090 Friars Road, San Diego, CA 92108

Kiko’s Place is a popular food truck parked down the street from USD on Friars Road, and is a great lunch spot for any seafood lovers. Kiko’s menu features tacos, quesadillas, and burritos filled with fish varieties, shrimp, and even octopus. Prices at Kiko’s range from $3.75 to $6.50 for tacos and $7.75 to $10 for burritos and quesadillas. Kiko’s also offers a special for their OG Fish Taco for $2.50 or $6.75 for the burrito or quesadilla version. Daily specials such as three for $5 tacos on Tuesdays are also featured on the menu. Kiko’s Place does not accept card payment, but takes cash or Venmo. Easily identifiable, this popular food truck is parked in a parking lot up the hill from campus with plenty of spaces. The truck typically opens between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., staying open until 8 p.m. every night of the week. Kiko’s is a great place for lunch to go, but for those looking to eat in, there is a table to stand and eat.

Urbane Cafe
5375 Napa St. San Diego, CA 92110

Located just down the hill in the Shops at Arrive Mission Valley, Urbane Cafe is a perfect place to go for a lunch break in between classes. Urbane’s menu consists mainly of sandwiches, ranging in price from $8.25 to $10.75, and salads, from $8.50 to $10.95. Their menu also includes nutritious choices that are perfect for students looking for a healthy lunchtime option. The portions are large and made with a variety of fresh ingredients, like ahi tuna and mozzarella. Drinks and sides, like their popular cookies, are available to add to any meal. At the counter, you can order to-go or sit and eat at one of the inside or outside seating areas. This is a popular spot for students and local employees on their lunch breaks, so be prepared for crowds during lunch hours. Urbane is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The parking lot offers plenty of spaces, but they can get filled quickly during the lunch rush. 

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Buta Japanese Ramen 
5201 Linda Vista Road #103, San Diego, CA 92110

A relatively new addition to the Morena restaurant scene is Buta Japanese Ramen. This eatery offers appetizers like edamame ($4.50) and gyoza ($5). Their ramen selection includes options like Crazy Garlic ($10), Golden Curry ($9.50), and Spicy Red Buta ($12). The appetizer and ramen offerings also include vegetarian and vegan options. Buta Japanese Ramen also serves specialty tea drinks to finish off the meal. Located in the popular Ford Trolley Plaza that houses J&T’s Thai Street Food and Ballast Point Brewery, parking can be tight, and restaurants can be busy during lunch hours. However, if you want to avoid the crowds, Buta Japanese Ramen offers an online ordering service for pickup orders. If you are looking to eat at the restaurant, tables and bar-style seating are available for dine-in guests. Buta Japanese Ramen is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is closed on Mondays.

Pita Pit 
5375 Napa St. #110, San Diego, CA 92110

If you are looking for a more unique sandwich experience, Pita Pit is conveniently located just a few doors down from Urbane Cafe in the Shops at Arrive Mission Valley. This lunch spot offers both classic and artisan pita sandwiches in a wide variety of flavors to satisfy any customer’s tastes. Some of these pita flavors include the Boom Boom Black Bean, Thai Chicken, or Gyro. Prices for pita wraps start at $6.99 for a small and $8.99 for a regular. Their menu also includes Beyond Meat options and gluten-free wraps for customers with dietary restrictions. Pita Pit prides itself on serving fresh food to its customers, and is a healthy alternative to fast food when you’re in need of something quick.