7 Best Restaurants in Mission Hills, San Diego

Blame a television segment by Guy Fieri on “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” for the long lines of fans from around the globe. But it’s the fresh seafood cooked to order that keeps them coming back to this no-frills fish market and restaurant.

Housed inside a converted Ford dealership that dates back to the '40s, Fort Oak is a haven for sophisticated carnivores and pescatarians alike. Chef Brad Wise's menu leans heavily on wood-fired fish, like the whole branzino, as well as aged steaks, Duroc pork, and fried chicken. Fort Oak leans into the building's unique history, with remnants of the former car dealer and garage touched up on the outside wall, but inside is a chic and modern bistro with a sleek, u-shape bar at the center where patrons can sample their menu of cocktails named for vintage cars.

A youthful crowd gathers here for authentic Italian ice cream, espresso, and a second-floor view of the Downtown skyline. The place is usually occupied by regulars who stay for hours at a time.

Named for a form of Mexican wrestling, this taco shop with its hot-pink walls and shiny booths was famous mostly for its lack of parking until it appeared on the Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food.” Then long lines of burrito-crazed fans began forming outside the walk-up window for lunch; their North Park outpost is more spacious.

Don’t park in the gas station next door; they watch and will tow.

Outdoor tables on a narrow sidewalk and inexpensive prices make this a standout. The simple menu by Bangkok-born chef-owner Su-Mei Yu has noodle soups; stir-fried noodles with chicken, beef, pork, or shrimp; and a couple of uncommon Vietnamese and Thai-Indian noodle dishes bathed with aromatic sauces.

This trendy 21-and-over establishment attracts a diverse and discerning crowd to a somewhat quiet stretch of India Street with its solid seasonal fare and understated mid-century vibe. The menu covers the gamut of comfort food from mozzarella and squash fritters to macaroni and cheese, juicy roasted chicken, and a fish of the day paired with a Thai noodle salad. Night owls will relish the abbreviated late-night menu served from 10 pm to midnight. Cocktails are equally seasonal, and in hot weather the Starlite Mule is the perfect way to cool off.