A popular online directory for discovering local businesses announced its 10th annual Top 100 U.S. Restaurant List, which featured four San Diego eateries.
Yelp created its Top 100 U.S. Restaurant list by reaching out to Yelpers for their favorite dining spots and ranked each by the total number of submissions, ratings, reviews, and geographic representation, among other factors.
Beyer’s Deli, Otay Mesa
Beyer’s Deli in Otay Mesa landed in the fourth palace on Yelp’s Top Places to Eat in San Diego. This family-owned eatery is located less than 4 miles from the Mexico border. It offers top-quality, fresh-cut meats and deli classics like the Reuben, Italia Submarine, and Tripple-Decker Clubs.
It is also known for its specialty sandwiches served on tortas (Mexican-Style-buns) such as the Tuna Melt or the New Yorker, loaded with grilled pastrami and corned beef—which Arti B. calls “hands down [the] best sandwich in town.”
Reviews have praised the generous portions offered by the deli at reasonable prices. Most of the sandwiches served at the deli cost less than $11. Beyer is only open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and it only accepts cash. 3065 Beyer Blvd Ste A105 San Diego. (619) 428-4704. yelp.com/biz/beyer-deli-san-diego
GONAZO!, Carlsbad
GONAZO!, earned the 20th spot on this year’s list. Led by Japan-born Mika Murphy—who previously worked as a Tokyo movie publicist and elementary school “lunch lady” before opening this restaurant with her husband Jamison and their sons. Mika collaborated with LA-based ramen chef Kenichi Ota to develop GONZO!’s ramen style, which son Justin calls a “mixture of traditional flavor and local taste.
Customers can choose from five types: Red, with spicy miso broth; Black, with black garlic oil for a “smoky umami” flavor; vegan-friendly Green, “packed with tofu and veggies”; or the classic flavors of tonkatsu (creamy pork) or miso. The menu also includes “out of this world” rice bowls topped with pork chashu (roasted pork), chicken karaage (boneless fried chicken chunks), and katsu (fried pork cutlet) curry.
The restaurant also serves Japanese sake and beer. Dishes range in price from $14 to $17. 300 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad. (760) 672-5111. gonzoramen.com
Baba Kabab, Mira Mar
Baba Kabab, a father-and-son-owned restaurant inspired by traditional Afghan recipes that were passed down by the Attaie family for generations, ranked 35th in Yelp’s Top 100 U.S. Restaurant List.
These recipes were brought by the Attaie family when they immigrated in 1982. Rohullah Attaie and their son Romel debuted this location in 2018, while Romel’s uncle runs their Poway spinoff to the north.
“Living in a diverse community such as San Diego, we wanted to share our bit of culture with the city,” Romel says.
Reviewers rave about their tender, tasty kabobs including chicken, lamb, and chapli—spiced ground beef patties that Yelper Ezra E. calls “the best in San Diego.”Customers also enjoy dumplings, traditionally eaten on special occasions, including ashak (with chives) and mantu (with beef and onion.
Their most popular side dish is the potato bolani, a warm flatbread filled with vegetables and served with yogurt sauce.
9474 Black Mountain Road, Suite A, San Diego. (858) 800-1258. Babakabobsd.com
Mike’s Red Tacos, Clairemont
Chef-owner Mike Touma studied the art of birria in Mexico before launching a food truck and then this restaurant in Clairemont, where he serves up tortillas stuffed with melted cheese and high-quality beef.
Popular dishes include cheesy, crispy beef birria tacos and rich brothy birria ramen are two Yelper faves. The “Crunchstack,” crisp twin tostadas stuffed with birria, queso, guacamole, cilantro, and onions, all wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Combos are $12.70, or $13.99 with cheese (tip: don’t skip the cheese). 4310 Genesee Ave., Ste. 104, San Diego. (858) 737-4299. mikesredtacos.com
