Old town
O'Hungry's
Soup and salad very limited, sandwiches, yards and half yards of beer, live music on weekend nights.
Old Town Mexican Café
2489 san diego avenue, +1 619 297-4330, (http://www.oldtownmexcafe.com). daily 7am-2am. huge portions.
The Cosmopolitan Restaurant and Hotel
2660 calhoun st, +1 619 209-3525. m-sa 11am-10pm, su 10am-10pm. a beautiful dining establishment in a building originally built by juan bandini in 1829. later, in the 1860's, a second story was added and it became the cosmopolitan hotel. you can eat in the garden amid flowers, trees, and fountains or inside the wonderful historic building.
Casa De Reyes
2754 calhoun st, +1 619 220-5040. mexican food with lovely courtyard, and wandering musicians.
Mission valley
Seau's
1640 camino del rio n # 1376 in the westfield mission valley center, +1 619 291-7328, (http://www.seau.com/). su-th 11am-10pm, f sa 11am-12am. a large sports restaurant in mission valley. $8-$20.
Oggi's
(http://www.oggis.com) 2245 fenton pkwy ste 101, +1 619 640-1072. part of the local chain of pizza in san diego, they have a very extensive menu and also brew their own beer as well, with a stocked bar. also has plenty of tv's to watch sports as well.
Old Town not only offers great Mexican delicacies it also offers many other types of food like Italian or even some Irish Pubs. If you are planning on going during the weekend leave plenty of time because it will get crowded. Or, try to make reservations if the restaurant will take them.