San Diego’s Tastiest: Black-Owned Restaurants

San Diego’s Tastiest: Black-Owned Restaurants

Taylor DeGuzman / Arts and Culture Editor

Although classes are fully online for the start of the fall semester, some students are coming back to San Diego. Because we are home to some of the best food destinations around, those coming back to the city have endless options of foods to try after or between classes. USD’s campus is central to an unlimited amount of restaurants to expand your “SD Food Bucket List.” What many Toreros don’t know is that there are several locally owned small restaurants close to our campus. Today we are highlighting “San Diego’s Tastiest: Black Owned Restaurants” that are all under 20 minutes from our campus for a perfect after class pick-me-up.  

Rhythm’s Chicken and Waffles 

1136 Garnet Ave. San Diego, CA 92109 (15 minutes) ($) 

People from all over San Diego flock from near and far to try a very famous chicken and waffles sandwich. Located in beautiful Pacific Beach, 15 minutes from campus, Rhythm’s Chicken and Waffles is known for their famous Chicken and Waffles Sandwich ($10.99) and Chicken and Waffles plates ($8.99). Other customer favorites include their Sriracha Chicken Sandwich ($11.99), Loaded Chicken Fries ($12.99), and Chicken sliders ($11.99-$16.99). 

Heads up, this small business is always “take-out” only. However, “order and pick up” is offered as well. Due to its popularity, there is almost always a 30 minute or more wait, but come before they open or around 2 p.m. to avoid massive lines. Street parking is conveniently in front of the restaurant. Rhythm’s Chicken and Waffles is open every day; Mondays through Thursdays they are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays they are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays they close early at 6 p.m. 

Ackee Tree The Real Jamaican Cuisine 

5712 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, CA 92115 (13 minutes) ($) 

Have you been wanting to satisfy your Jamaican food craving? Ackee Tree The Real Jamaican Cuisine is where you should be headed next. Whether you’re craving breakfast, lunch or dinner, Ackee Tree The Real Jamaican Cuisine does it all with prices ranging from $10-$20. Though they specialize in their juicy and flavorful jerk chicken and oxtail, Ackee Tree the Real Jamaican Cuisine serves delicious plates of curry chicken, fried chicken, brown stew chicken, and much more. Most lunch and dinner plates come with sides of rice, peas, cabbage and plantains. The restaurant also offers popular side dishes such as collard greens, white rice, mac and cheese, and fried dumplings. Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., from Tuesday to Sunday, Ackee Tree The Real Jamaican Cuisine offers both takeout and delivery. 

Surf & Soul

7229 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, CA 92115 (14 minutes) ($$) 

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If you’ve been looking for food that’s good for the soul, Surf & Soul in El Cajon has got you covered. Surf & Soul has a unique menu, offering different specialties for different days of the week. 

Monday through Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., they serve “Surf” or their seafood specials such as classic baskets of your choice of golden fried catfish or crispy fried shrimp, all served with house fries, garlic toast, hot sauce and their citrus tartar sauce ($15). Closed on Thursdays, they serve their famous “Soul” food on Fridays and Saturdays from 12 p.m., until they sell out. 

Some of their most popular soul food dishes include crispy fried catfish fillets, golden fried whole chicken wings, and fried pork chops all served with your choice of sides, a cornbread muffin and their dessert of the day. A plate with one choice of meat and two sides comes out to $16 while a combo plate with two meats and two sides comes out to $20. Surf & Soul has their own private parking lot, and offers outdoor seating as well as takeout when you’re on the go. 

Extraordinary Banana Pudding 

8257 El Paso St. La Mesa, CA 91942 (18 min) ($) 

It’s finally time for dessert! “Extraordinary Banana Pudding” offers pudding unlike any other; their website says the banana puddings come from a long-time family recipe and are made from love. Open every day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., small puddings (8 oz) come out to $8 while large puddings (12 oz) come out to $12. 12×12 trays are also available upon order. Come for “happy hour” from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to get $2 off any size. The “Extraordinary” flavors include: Banana, French Vanilla, Chocolate, Pistachio, Cheesecake, Lemon, Coconut, Red Velvet, Butterscotch, Chocolate Banana, and White Chocolate. Not only does their shop serve pudding, but they also serve pudding filled cupcakes ($2.50) and banana pudding tacos ($3.00) which are both available if ordering in advance. Extraordinary Banana Pudding offers vegan options and has their own private parking lot.