Looking for restaurants? Our top picks are Rice Chicken, El Pollo Grill Bonita and The Hills Pub, ranked by diner ratings. The full list below updates as menus change.
Discover the top 46 cheap dining experiences
Find cheap soul food restaurants in San Diego. Great soul food food that fits your budget.
San Diego's Cheap Soul Food Destinations
San Diego’s vibrant food scene offers a wealth of affordable comfort food that warms the heart without breaking the bank. This collection brings together diverse global flavors, ranging from the spicy kicks of Mexican taquerias and Thai street food to the savory satisfaction of Middle Eastern platters and classic American burgers. Whether you are craving fresh seafood at Ceviche House, crispy Korean wings from Rice Chicken, or a hearty meal from Evolution Fast Food, these local gems provide satisfying portions and soulful experiences. Explore a variety of budget-friendly spots like Main Chick Hot Chicken and El Pollo Grill Bonita to discover why the city is a premier destination for soulful, low-cost dining.
30 restaurants in Best Cheap Soul Food Restaurants in San Diego | Cheap Soul Food Food
- Rice Chicken · rated 5/5: Korean.
- El Pollo Grill Bonita · rated 5/5: Mexican.
- The Hills Pub · rated 4/5: American.
- Ceviche House · rated 4/5: Seafood.
- Soi OB · rated 4/5: Thai.
- Chicken Over Rice Co. · rated 4/5: Middle Eastern.
- Evolution Fast Food · rated 4/5: American.
- Contodo Fresh Mexican Eats · rated 4/5: Mexican.
- Taqueria By El Prieto · rated 4/5: Mexican.
- Filippi's Pizza Grotto Scripps Ranch · rated 4/5: Italian.
- Charley's Famous Hamburgers · rated 4/5: American.
- Main Chick Hot Chicken · rated 3/5: American.
- Dirty Birds Bar and Grill · rated 3/5: American.
- Cafe Pascale Grill & Deli · rated 3/5: American.
- Crazee Burger: American.
- Hash House A Gogo: American.
- Katsu Cafe: Japanese.
- The Curry Club: Indian.
- The Corner Drafthouse: American.
- Shank and Bone: Vietnamese.
- Tajima: Japanese.
- 55 Thai Kitchen: Thai.
- Caffè Calabria: Italian.
- Carnitas' Snack Shack: Mexican.
- The Smoking Gun: American.
- Lolita's Mexican Food: Mexican.
- Ali's Chicken & Waffles: American.
- Hasta Mañana Cantina: Mexican.
- Poncho's Mexican Food: Mexican.
- Bad Hombres Good Mexican Food: Mexican.
How this list is built
Chefi analyzes each restaurant’s menu and tags every dish’s dietary suitability with an ingredient-based engine. Restaurants with at least three matching dishes on their current menu rank first, ordered by diner ratings, with the number of matching dishes breaking ties; owner-verified restaurants are highlighted at the top. Lists refresh as menus and ratings change.
