La Casita in Downtown San Diego: The Little Blue House that Cooks

This strikingly blue wooden house full of savory Mexican food at the corner of C Street (Broadway) and 13th Avenue is a favorite refueling place for students attending the San Diego City College across the street. Approaching it from 13th Street, and it doesn't look all that hip a place. Once you get inside and see the well kept homey decor with all the family photos and good humored traffic signs on the walls, and a very comfortable open air (and nicely tree-shaded) dining patio out back, though, it is clear why this joint attracts bookworms and class clowns with equal ease.

The menu here is Mexican food, of course. Down home Mexican food rather than the fish-fetish Californian Mexican you would see at Baja Fresh and other fish-taco joints. They serve breakfast, lunch and early dinner (closing at 6PM). Portion size is very good, and the price very student-budget-friendly. You can have a filling lunch here for $7 (drink included).

The chorizo burrito $3.75 seems to be everybody's favorite here, and for good reason; real spicy pork sausage on real tortilla, and all the ingredients are fresh... Nothing fancy. Just food the way your mom (or doting grandma) would cook it (with full intention of blowing your diet. What grandma ever thinks her toddlers have eaten enough anyway?). The toppings like sour cream and guacamole are included, and you get free refills on your soft drinks.

Service is very friendly and efficient even when the shop is busy, though, not being a college students, I usually avoid dropping in at lunch hours. They do to go orders and even deliver in Downtown area.

Unless you are attending class or a function at City College in Downtown San Diego, La Casita is rather far from the area's tourist and business attractions. Parking is an issue during lunch hours, since they don't have their own parking lot (most of the clientele get here on foot anyhow). That they are closed by 6PM is just as well, considering the area's questionable safety after dark. If you find yourself in the City College neighborhood during the week and craving cheap but good Mexican food for breakfast or lunch, though, La Casita is a fine choice.

La Casita: 1247 C Street (Broadway at 13th Avenue), San Diego, CA 92101. Tel: (619) 531-0044. Opens Mon - Sat: 8AM-6PM. Major credit cards accepted.