Japanese, Korean- Oshi's

Name: Oshi's Kitchen

Cuisine: Japanese, Korean

Opinion: Great

Area: San Diego State University, College Area

About: A hole in the wall restaurant in walking distance of San Diego State.

What to order: Chicken Katsu, Teriyaki Chicken plate, California roll, Rainbow Roll

More info: Very reasonably priced with great portions, this is one of the better Japanese places in the San Diego State area. This places seems like it is family run and has a good atmosphere. Most of the workers are Korean and some of the menu options are Korean too, but their emphasis is in Japanese food. If you are not in walking distance, try calling it in, because the parking lot is very small.

Address: 5838 Montezuma Rd
San Diego, CA 92115

Phone: 619-582-5391

Vietnamese-Com Tam 75

Name: Com Tam 75

Cuisine: Vietnamese

Opinion: Good

Area: El Cajon, San Diego State

About: This place is easily passible on your drive down El Cajon, but try to stop in for a big ball of pho.

What to order: pho, BBQ wings, Curry Linguine

More info: Very friendly atmosphere, and reasonably priced food makes this place a keeper. A good location for those living on 54th or Collwood Blvd. Also, the menu is very diverse, so everyone can get what they want!

Address: 5420 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92115


Phone: (619) 583-2311 

Drinks-Shake Smart

Name: Shake Smart

Cuisine: Drinks, Smoothies, Health Items

Opinion: AMAZING

Area: College Area-San Diego State

About: Just opened up this year, Shake Smart is the reason that I go to the gym, with amazing post work out drinks, this is a must for any ARC member or San Diego State student/guest.

What to order: Chocolate Covered Strawberry, P-B Squared, Banana Split

More info: Created by a San Diego State student who was told his idea would fail,  Shake Smart is the best thing to happen to San Diego State in a long time! Each smoothie taste just like its description, and when you're done you always want more. This is probably the best smoothie place in all of San Diego, and the best part is it's intended to be healthy. Also, don't quote me but I hear they may be putting Shake Smart on the SDSU meal plan, which will be a great deal for on campus residents or others with meal plans. Right now they have special hours for the summer so if you can't make the hours now, go when Fall semester starts again and give them a try. Make sure you tell them you want a stamp card because you are going to want to come back!

Website/Menu: http://shakesmart.com/

Address: Directly in front of the Aztec Recreation Center, located at 55th Street in San Diego, CA 92182

Drinks-Tapioca Express

Name: Tapioca Express

Cuisine: Drinks, Chinese, Snacks

Opinion: Great

Area: Clairemont Mesa, Kearny Mesa or El Cajon/San Diego State or UCSD

About: If you have never had Boba, it is hard to describe this craze. If you want, you can order boba which are small jelly-like orbs in your drink. In my opinion they add another dimension. Tapioca Express has a huge menu with smoothies (snow bubbles), teas, and food.

What to order: Milk tea (Hot or Cold) with boba, Spicy Chicken

More info: My favorite location is the Clairemont Mesa/Kearny Mesa area. The parking is horrible but it is worth it. They just opened up a new one on El Cajon, but I am not a big fan of it. The location is nice next to State, but it is not the same as the Clairemont Mesa/Kearny Mesa area. I have never been to the UCSD one, so I can't comment (but if you have then leave your comment below). This is a good place if you just ate at Shabu Shabu House, Taijima, Buga, The B Spot,  Chopstix, or if you just want to meet up with friends.

Website/Menu: http://www.tapiocaexpress.com/

Address: 4646 Convoy St. #106B,San Diego, CA 92111     or    6145 El Cajon Blvd. Ste. #G San Diego, CA 92115

Green Milk Tea

Snow Bubble

Sandwiches-4.0 Deli

Name: 4.0 Deli

Cuisine: Sandwiches

Opinion: Great

Area: College Area-San Diego State

About: This great sandwich place is a staple for San Diego State students.

What to order: The Godfather

More info: Not much parking in the area, but if you're walking from State, it's perfect. The sandwiches are pretty big and you can choose a full or half sandwich.

Address: 5844 Montezuma Road, San Diego, CA 92115-2340

Hamburgers-Buddies

Name: Buddies

Cuisine: Hamburgers

Opinion: Great

Area: College Area-San Diego State

About: Just opened up recently and is very popular with San Diego State students.

What to order: Great burgers and fries

More info: I always wanted to open a burger place next to state because there was only fast food chains and State Street, but Buddies beat me to it, and I am glad they did. If I could describe Buddies I would say it is a step up from In-N-Out, meaning a little more expensive but better quality. The servers have always been very nice there. One thing I don't like is that the burger just doesn't come with fries, you need to get a combo or add them on the side, but it's not too much of an issue.

Address: 5852 Montezuma Road, San Diego, CA 92115 

Sushi-Tokyo Sushi

Name: Tokyo Sushi

Cuisine: Sushi, Japanese

Opinion: Great

Area: El Cajon, College Area

About: Loud music at night and great sushi!

What to order: Chirashi Donburi (various raw fish over rice scattered with seaweed)

More info: It's hard for me to really recommend stuff from here because the menu is pretty large and has a lot of classic items and new rolls you probably have never heard of. Not very authentic but still delicious. At night time, techno music is blasted and it's hard to talk, not too big of a fan on that note, but I'll sit through it just because the food is so good. The chefs do take a lot of care when preparing your food and each plate in itself is an art piece. If you go to A-Plus review and need a pick me up, it's in the same building!

Address: 6784 El Cajon Blvd # D, San Diego, CA 92115