Its been a while but the Hillcrest Farmers Market has a hot food section and there is a vendor selling salsas and it looks like "mom" id making tacos dorados. Last time I was there they had three kinds and al I remember were the flor de calabaza (squash blossom) with cheese. hand made in a fry pan over a propane stove and they were delicious. I am going to look for here this Labor day weekend,

Im a fatty is right about extraordinary desserts. i live two blocks away and know from experience that if you have to go because the whole gang wants to go. order there fruit based desserts like cobbler or pie. those are very good. their chocolate stuff is legend for being pretty...BUT DRY as a bone.
after my last visit where I took my chocolate dessert back to the cashier for an exchange or refund..then was refused. i won't go back. They overcharge, have shitty service, and surly attitude. the customer is not right. Even though the cake may have texture like its from last week.. they say that's the way its supposed to be. You'd think with the high turnover their stuff would be fresher, or taste fresher and be moist. Very weird. they lost me as a customer.

Don't bother with Cuatro Milpas, Yes there are lines outside but that's because the food is cheap and generous. I find it salty and basic. If you seek more authentic Mexican, try El Comal on the 2800 block of Imperial. there is also El salvadoreno across the street from El Comal for Salvadoran food. Cuatro Milpas and Chuey's are real basic greasy spoons. Chuey's food is frozen. Last time I asked for an enchilada with beans inside they couldn't make it because staff said the enchiladas are frozen? How's that for authentic?

I have a place I liked so much we went twice during a 4 night stay. It was mid summer and all the hot places were booked. Try 1550 Hyde. the name is the address, 1550 Hyde in the Russian Hill area. Not too pricey but is GREAT local bistro type place with high quality ingredients and excellent execution. Its small and it does get crowded. Its not far from U Square but I'd walk back to US from there because it is mostly downhill the whole way. We had excellent dinners with short notice reservations.

My wife and I enjoyed the BC during the New year and found it to be well worth the drive from Scottsdale.
I grew up in LA and it kind of reminded me ( except much better) of the former serenata de Garibaldi. The food is delicious, the atmosphere very bohemian chic and the service super. we also bought a couple of the BC tee shirts with Comida Chingona on the front and a cooking chef calavera on the back. A nice badge that our friends really liked. We also liked los Sombreros but we would rate the BC a solid A experience and Los Sombreros a B to B+.

Porkyland is very greasy and too salty. The tamales are decent. For good Carnitas try La Michoacana in the Farmers MArket Building on Imperial and 22nd. All they do is Carnitas and you get your choice of the cut, ribs, buche, leg, whatever you ask for. the beans are great too. You can buy by the pound and take home.

As a native of LA I have lived in all neighborhoods except the Valley. I have lived in SD for 8 years and have determined that It is difficult to find excellent local places. In LA it seemed that every neighborhood has at least one good Mexican, one Chinese and or Thai, One Italian and very likely a sushi place. I am talking good everyday places that are reliably delicious. LA is a tough market and if you don't meet the market needs you cease to exist.
Now SD? We accept mediocre much too often. As an example, what passes as good Mexican in SD ( Chuey's, Cuatro Milpas) would be considered barely passing, only-in-an-emergency kind of food in LA. Point is, a community gets the kind of food it expects/accepts!

At Mona Lisa they have a great sandwiches. the Number 11, Caprese is fantastic, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil leaves and fresh tomato with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It is one of the freshest foods one can eat on a hot day.
I am not a fan of Fillippis unless you like overly thick tomato sauce and pizza that is unremarkable. If forced to go, as I have been in the past. I order one of two items, spaghetti with olive oil and garlic or shells with peas. I am indifferent about peas but the Shells with peas is very good/a light white sauce with roasted onions in a large bowl. Very good with parmesean cheese.
Also Mona Lisa i think has a better deli section with larger selection

Another little gem that might be worth the drive or the ferry ride is Il Fornaio in coronado. it is a chain but has very good food and I like their seasonal chef's offerings. But mostly they have a fabulous view at sunset. You look back at the SD skyline with boats and ships passing