The new weekly food column

Introducing our newly-created  food column, guided by student opinion

Lizzy Jennings / A&C Editor  / The USD Vista

As students in San Diego, we are particularly lucky to have access to the vibrant, ever-changing culinary scene that is alive in our city. The size of the city alone lends to a plethora of choices, especially with rapid expansion in neighborhoods across the San Diego area.

Little Italy is one of these rapidly expanding and developing neighborhoods. Little Italy is not only home to multiple new restaurants on India Street and beyond, but there is now a Little Italy Food Hall that boasts stations representing five different cuisines. Even with all of these examples of new and unique culinary options, Little Italy is still just one example of the greater variety San Diego offers. 

The city is also home to a wide variety of people of diverse cultural backgrounds, making San Diego famous for more than just its Mexican and American cuisine. Asian influences have come across the Pacific and shown up in restaurants across town. Most of this Asian influence has been particularly focused in the Convoy Street area, which has become a hub for Asian dining. Popular restaurants like the Jasmine Seafood Restaurant and Pokirrito line the street. 

Din Tai Fung, a restaurant known for its impossibly scarce dining availability, also shows up constantly on social media, posted by USD students happy to show off the delicious dumplings the restaurant has become famous for. Thai food is also a student favorite, whether it is J&Ts just down the hill or Oriental Thai in Pacific Beach. No matter what food you enjoy, it can easily be found in San Diego. 

However, with new restaurants popping up overnight all across town it is at times overwhelming to navigate the ever-changing options. To resolve this problem, The USD Vista staff has decided to launch a new weekly column that guides students to the best of the best in San Diego. We will be covering a range of cuisines, with restaurants fit for a range of budgets, and hope this column will serve as a guide to anyone looking for new spots to try when they’re deciding to eat out. Now we need your help, so we are urging you, our readers, to write in with your favorite spots in San Diego. There are no wrong answers, so tell us where you love to eat and why, and you may even see your recommendations featured in the column. 

A bite of San Diego

Kaitlyn Pereira / A&C Contributor / The USD Vista

Café Gratitude: 1980 Kettner Blvd.

The look and feel of Café Gratitude — the marble tables, patterned blue floor, and presence of potted plants all around — gives off a zen, peaceful ambiance for customers coming in. And the food takes it one step further. From keto bowls to fresh-fruit smoothies, everything is animal-product free, and the charming hotspot in Little Italy is perfect for those looking to experience something new. The menu has a unique twist to it, as all the items are named after positive qualities found in a person. The café does this so that when ordering food, customers are encouraged to open with the phrase “I AM…” followed by the dish name, ranging from Next Level/Watermelon Poke to the Devoted/Indonesian Grain Bowl. Café Gratitude also cultivates fresh produce to use in its new and unconventional dishes. This eatery distinguishes itself from others by incorporating elements of mindfulness with going out to eat. Our recommended dish to try is the Buffalo Cauliflower appetizer, a vegetarian dish that mimics the traditional buffalo chicken-style starter by breading and smothering cauliflower in adobe buffalo sauce. 

Morning Glory: 550 W Date Street

For all the Toreros who love breakfast, this one’s for you. When imagining the inside of Morning Glory, picture a restaurant with an atmosphere and aesthetic comparable to Elton John’s eccentric rocket man style. The flashy chandeliers, posh pink velvet booths, and checkerboard flooring of the restaurant transport customers to the 70s. Most well known for its dreamy and light soufflé, Morning Glory also offers a take on avocado toast called “Millennial Tears.” At times the restaurant can have long waiting periods over an hour, and doesn’t offer reservations. The overall aesthetic, along with the high tea option and opportunity to watch as chefs prepare meals seems to have drawn many to this popular breakfast spot in Little Italy. The extensive menu can be overwhelming, so a dish we encourage our readers to try is the extremely popular house-made Morning Glory Fried Rice, featuring peas, pork belly, and a delicious amount of cheese. 

Tocaya Organica: 4545 La Jolla Village Drive
It wouldn’t be San Diego without an excessive amount of tacos. One trendy taco spot, with locations all around San Diego, is Tocaya Organica. From opening in One Paseo in Del Mar, to the location at the University Town Center Mall in La Jolla, Tocaya Organica has established itself in San Diego this summer. One of the more affordable options for college students here is the taco combo, which includes two tacos, one of Tocaya’s side dishes, and a drink for $11. Vegans, vegetarians, pescatarians, and meat eaters alike can all enjoy the food and variety of options at Tocaya. The overall environment of the restaurant incorporates natural elements of the outdoors while staying true to its modern flair that is prevalent throughout the menu. If the taco combo isn’t what you’re looking for, we also recommend the seasonal watermelon and heirloom tomato salad,  which is a delicious seasonal salad topped with a light and lemony vinaigrette.