I'll be at Mission Beach the third week in August. Going to the Zoo and SW, and kids want to go to Belmont, so that will be one night.
Good food, off beaten path places would be appreciated. We are not foodies, but like good food. Kids are good eaters, teen and almost teen, and are game for all but raw fish, well most raw fish. Suggestions?
San Diego is known for two things - beer and fish tacos.
Seaworld - our best BBQ place believe it or not is in Seaworld. Pretty legitimate.
Close but off site for your SeaWorld day - Pizza Port. Great beers and decent pizza. Located in OB. Perfect for kids.
Pt. Loma Seafood would also be a good local pick (seafood sandwiches and salads and fried things). Super fresh. Head upstairs for views of the bay and seals swimming between the boats.
Tender Greens in Liberty Station would also be excellent. Fresh food, excellent salads and simply prepared meats.
Also in Liberty Station is Stone Brewery Beer Gardens. Stone is our largest local brewer and they just opened a wonderful space. Good food as well.
All these are within 12 minutes of SeaWorld.
Zoo Day - I would suggest Mexican food.
Mama Testa in Hillcrest is an excellent place for tacos, great for kids.
Next to Mama Testa is our second or third best sushi bars in town (also have cooked food) called AkiNori.
A little further afield by about 5 minutes and worth it is the Seven Seas Mariscos German Food Truck located in a parking lot on the corner of Fern and 31st. Yep, it's a food truck but it's seriously some of the best Mexican seafood you'll find. Order the Gobernador (shrimp with cheese) and the Smoked Marlin for something special.
For some of the most authentic Mexican food around I'd try Super Cocina. Located in a more... tired... part of town this is the real deal. They employ chefs from each region of Mexico and have about 4 or 5 cooking each day. This is guisado or steam tray Mexican food - how to order is ask for samples of everything and then pick your favorites 3 or 4 dishes. I feed my family of 3 for about $12 here and take left overs home. It's a perfectly safe neighborhood just needs some new paint.
Carnitas Snack Shack is a place for all lovers of pork. Super casual.
Urban Solace is great comfort American food. Bit more formal than the above mentioned places but one of our best.
All these are located between 5 and 12 minutes from the zoo.
Other notables - Bruno's Pizza (Naples style pizza near zoo), Blind Lady Ale House (pizza and beer) and next to it Viva Pops a wonderful place for paletas (popsicles).
Not much worth suggesting in Mission Beach (Belmont) but a few minutes up the road (you could probably walk it if you're an active family) is Pacific Beach. Good eats there include Costa Bravo (Spanish tapas) and Latin Chef (Peruvian food - excellent cebiche -hey, it's technically cooked in citric acid) and Bare Back Bar and Grill (excellent lamb burger). Our best or second best sushi bar Sushi Ota is locaed in PB as well. Get there at opening, and prepare to wait.
Hope this helps.
August is a great time to visit. Have fun and happy eating.