Get Your Eat On

JAMAICAN

Island Spice. 2820 Market St., Grant Hill. One of San Diego's very, very few Jamaican eateries, Island Spice serves faves like oxtail, goat curry and fish steamed in traditional spices as well as traditional Jamaican breakfast dishes like Ackee and cod. The fried plantains are excellent and don't forget to check out the restaurants tiny grocery store for Jamaican-style ginger beer and coconut cookies. Open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. $

KOREAN

Buga Korean Barbecue Restaurant. 5580 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Kearny Mesa. Can't get over how complicated Korean Barbecue looks? Leave your newbie fears at the door because not only do the friendly servers prepare your barbecue for you at your table, they also show you how to do it yourself. You'll be an instant Korean barbecue master as you skillfully dip and wrap the enormous portions of high-quality meat. Open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. 858-560-1010. $$$

Korea House. 4620 Convoy St., Kearny Mesa. If you're the type who doesn't like going to restaurants because they never seem to cook it just right, you'll love the DIY experience here, where you cook your choice of meat on a table-top skillet. The marinated meats, along with tasty appetizers and rice wine, create a tasty meal. Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday- Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. 858-560-0080 $$

MEXICAN

Bahia Don Bravo. 5504 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla. Bahia, as locals call it, is a block from Bird Rock and features some truly stellar fish tacos. But specialties aren't limited to traditional Mexican fare-here you can gorge yourself on affordably priced fresh lobster or octopus, grilled or in soup. Also check out the sabrosa "tostada supreme." If you're tired of wimpy tostadas, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Open 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday;8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. 858-454-8940. $

Café Coyote y Cantina. 2461 San Diego Ave., Old Town. Cool atmosphere great food and fresh tortillas to die for. There are also some American favorites, too. Open 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 7:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 619-291-4695. $$

Cantina Mayahuel. 2934 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Throughout the place, you'll see shrines to the Aztec goddess Mayahuel. Try one of the daily specials like mole con pollo or Yucatan seafood stew-but don't miss anything with their chipotle chicken, like the Alegria bowl (almost enough for two). If it's warm out, sip a Mexican beer at the outdoor patio. Highly recommended. 12 p.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; closed Monday. 619-238-6292. $

Casa Guadalajara. 4105 Taylor St., Old Town. The food keeps more than just tourists coming back. Unexpected dishes like turkey tamales with nuts and raisins in molé sauce and enchiladas topped with pumpkin seed molé grace the menu. Standard fare such as quesadillas and carnitas can be found as well. Be prepared for Mariachi music. Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday; 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. 619-295-5111. $$

Candelas. 416 Third Ave., Downtown. The chef here hails from Mexico City and has added a French flair to his "new Mexican" food. Enjoy your food by candlelight. The black bean soup and seafood main dishes are wonderful. Lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday, dinner 5 p.m.-11 p.m. daily. 619-702-4455. $$$$

Carnitas Uruapan. 8035 Broadway, Lemon Grove; Blvd. Diaz Ordaz,12650 Tijuana. These family-owned restaurants serve authentic carnitas without shortcuts. Their boneless chuck roast barbacoa is cooked for several hours. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Breakfast until noon. 619-462-0704, Lemon Grove. 664-681-6087, Tijuana. $

Casa de Pico. 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa. The former Old Town go-to restaurant has moved a few miles east along but still features old favorites. Owner Diane Powers has updated the menu, adding items from her Casa de Bandini and Rancho el Nopal restaurants, like Pescado a la Diana and the award-winning San German. Wash it all down with one of their giant margaritas. Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-10.p.m. Sunday. 619-463-3267. $$

Cozymel's. 4303 La Jolla Village Drive, UTC/La Jolla. This airy, though dimly lit cocina y cantina offers chicken, seafood, roasted pork and traditional Mexican favorites. The cuisine is enhanced by a variety of Mexican coastal sauces and peppers. If the myriad of margarita choices overwhelms you, order the sampler and you can try five at once. For added ambiance, request the indoor fireside dining. 858-658-0480. $$$

El Agave. 2304 San Diego Ave., Old Town. The service may not always be great, but the tasty food makes up for it. There are various molé dishes from which to choose, as well as 1,500 types of tequila. Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. 619-220-0692. $$$

El Zarape. 4642 Park Blvd., University Heights. Yet another competitor for the crown in the "San Diego's Best Fish Taco" race, this cozy eatery offers some of the cheapest of its kind ($0.99) but also ups the ante, adding a $2.99 scallop taco to the menu that melts in your mouth. 619-692-1652. $

Lalo's. 1266 University Ave., Hillcrest. Lalo's gets our vote for best breakfast burrito in town. A perfect blend of eggs, cheese, potatoes, salsa and bacon (for carnivores). Get it with beans, too. If you're looking for something later in the day, try the California burrito. 619-294-6810. $

Las Fajitas. 628 Fifth Ave., Downtown. The patio dining on linen-topped tables is a pleasant way to take in a meal. The preparation of the fajitas is unique, with a touch of sweetness to the sauce. The shrimp sautéed in tequila is also good. Open 11a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday. 619-232-4242. $$$$

Mamá Testa Taqueria. 1417-A University Ave., Hillcrest. For authentic tacos made from a tried and tested family recipe, take the viaje to Mamá Testa. It's a taqueria in the truest sense of the palabra: The only thing on the menu is ¡tacos tacos tacos! of all kinds, not just your everyday gringo-made, carelessly thrown together sham of a taco. These are tacos for the serious taco connoisseur-or for those who just want to look like one. Open 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m. till late, Friday and Saturday; 12 p.m.-9 p.m., Sunday. 619-298-8226. Mexican. $

Ortega's Cocina. 4888 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach (another location on Niagara Ave.). A little outside of the busy OB area, this place offers up some great food whether it's breakfast, flan or the fine coffee. Open 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday, Wednesday-Saturday; 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Closed Tuesday. 619-222-4205. $

Pokez Mexican Restaurant. 947 E St., Downtown. This is a great place for vegans, hipsters and other kooky cats-not to mention that with just about every dish, meat can be substituted with tofu. The decor and in-house DJs (on Tuesdays) make the place what it is. Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. 619-702-7160. $$

Porkyland. 1030 Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla & 2196 Logan Ave., Barrio Logan. From the funny name, one can draw the conclusion that the main feature here is the pork, or carnitas. You can enjoy your meal on their outdoor patio or at the long bar inside. Open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sunday. 858-459-1708. $$

Super Cocina. 3627 University Ave., City Heights. About as authentic as Mexican food gets without making the distant half-hour voyage south of the border, Super Cocina features an extensive rotation of genuine Mexican stews cooked not by hired cooks but rather by people who have cooked only for their families. Traditional home cooking? ¡Si! Open daily from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 619-584-6244. $

Tacos El Panson. 4433 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Keeping it simple with a menu of tacos, tamales, sopes and quesadillas, this place is a take-out haven. Watch the artful creation of tortillas and Mexican meals through the large picture windows facing the street. 619-654-3193. $

Taqueria El Rodeo. 4491 El Cajon Blvd., City Heights. Whether you're craving a lengua (tongue) taco or something a little less daring, this restaurant has the authentic feel of a Tijuana taqueria. Fish, carnitas, chicken and tongue tacos come complete with handmade tortillas and heaps of cilantro and onions. Other choices on the menu include burritos, tortas and chimichangas. 619-516-5256. $