Location: San Marcos
Top Restaurants in San Marcos
Most Popular American food in San Marcos, California, United States
Find out what American restaurants to try in San Marcos. San Marcos is a city in the North County region of San Diego County in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 83,781. It is the site of California State University San Marcos. The city is bordered by Escondido to the east, Encinitas to the southwest, Carlsbad to the west, and Vista to the northwest. Lake San Marcos is an enclave, or county island, in the southwestern part of the city, within San Marcos' sphere of influence but technically an unincorporated community.
Things to do in San Marcos
10. In-N-Out Burger
Overall Ratings
4 based on 48 reviews
At In-N-Out Burger, quality is everything. Stop by to enjoy our menu of hamburgers, cheeseburgers, french fries and shakes. In-N-Out makes fast food the old fashioned way.
Reviewed By 275DenisD
Fresh and tasty but would have like to know size of patties as I would have doubled up the double :)None the less my first time and nice to get fast food that is fresh... almost an oxymoron lol. But truly for fresh cut fries and double double (meat and cheese) for 2 with drinks for about $16usd this is a great tasty deal...Almost makes you feel ok fro going for fast food!Will be back.
9. Urge Common House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By sharrongeg
OK, call me old, but the weird parking threw us off balance. Donât park at facility...turn around and make 3 rights into a parking garage that has no signage. Hope you make it to the correct stairway...and walk down a construction pathway. OK, we finally found it.Fantastic modern building with multiple outdoor seating areas with modern gas fireplaces. Inside...huge, with a bowling alley to the left and restaurant/bar-to the right. Excellent sound proofing, as no bowling alley sounds extended to the modern bar area.Ordered one glass of wine and two four ounce craft beer tasters and an appetizer. Wire arrived-great. 2 small beers arrived 10 minutes later. Plates and cutlery next. Waited another 10 minutes for our appetizer. Bartender said he wasnât aware we ordered anything - to which we pointed out the plates/napkins/cutlery. Appetizer finally arrived and was OK. Maybe facility is brand new, but timing was way off.
8. Old California Mining Co
Overall Ratings
4 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By Rob M
We stopped at the Old California Mining Company in Restaurant Row today. Initially, I was thinking of trying their $7.99 salad bar, but after viewing their menu, everything looked good, we decided to order a regular lunch. Prices were not cheap, but also not overly expensive. We started with an iced tea and a root beer. The root beer was fresh, and didn't taste like fountain soda. The tea was good, served with a huge wedge of lemon. My lady ordered their meatloaf, 2 big slabs with garlic mashed potatoes and a bowl of potato soup. I had their County Fried Steak and gravy, also served with garlic mashed potatoes and potato soup. All was very good. and service was excellent! The interior of the restaurant is very appealing, not crammed together. Definitely worth another visit!
7. Decoy Dockside Dining
Overall Ratings
4 based on 75 reviews
Reviewed By DavidB288
We've dined here about 6 or 7 times since Decoy opened. We had been consistently pleased until the last two dining experiences. When we had dinner at Decoy earlier this week, we found the service exceedingly slow and the food not nearly as well prepared as had been the case during our previous visits. Particularly disconcerting was ordering cocktails. It took about 20 minutes for them to be served. I asked for a Bloody Mary 'a little on the spicy side' and without too much ice.What I got was ridiculously spicy and undrinkable, and mostly ice. The waiter offered a replacement. What I got was a drink with the right amount of ice. But I figured out what the bartender must have done: instead of making another drink, he (or she) poured out about half the ice and half the drink, then filled the glass with Bloody Mary mix. I told the waiter what I thought, to take the drink away, and to not replace it. There are a few lessons here: 1) If what is served to you is poorly prepared, the vast probability is that anything that the kitchen or bar does to fix it will either not help, or - most probably - make matters worse. 2) Unfortunately, when you send something back, and are promised that a whole new one will be prepared, that often is a lie.3) when you are served something unsatisfactory, rather that have the kitchen attempt to fix it or rely on the promise that a new one will be prepared, you're far better off ordering something entirely different. 4) If I am correct about the antic I suspect with the Bloody Mary, then be advised that if a restaurant pulls an antic like that, it is my opinion that there is a likelihood that they would do other things with your food that you wouldn't like. Which means dine elsewhere. Unless given a good reason to do so, I won't be returning to, or recommending, Decoy, as I have in the past.
6. The Bellows
Overall Ratings
4 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By Bill S
After reading a lot of the reviews I decided to take my mom and dad for a 87th Birthday celebration. All of us are foodies. I am known for discovering unique eateries. Our waiter Tom was very good. We went all out with appetizers, great meal and desert. Everything cooked to perfection and piping hot. I was actually surprised where it was located and the experience. We will be going back again and probably sit at the bar as it had a friendly looking atmosphere as well. If you can cook our flat iron steaks to perfection, plank roast jumbo prawns with intense flavor and serve a awesome plate of beignets for desert I congratulate you. One thing I have learned as a person who enjoys all the aspect of the culinary world. I like to go in open minded and understand that food preparation and service can have glitches at times because the chefs and wait staff are human too. Be passionate and positive. Go experience it. You will be happy you did!
5. Sublime Alehouse - San Marcos
Overall Ratings
4 based on 136 reviews
Breathing life into the San Marcos culinary scene, owner James Limjoco worked hard to bring Sublime Alehouse to life. Today, you'll find James and his team ensuring every customer who walks through the door is met with exception service, outstanding food,
Reviewed By Mcculloch1501
Very good dinner with family, nice atmosphere, very good service, clean tables, very good food and a great selection of beer. If you like a pale ale, try the Full Barley Forge. Well worth the try and a great recommendation by our waitress Alexandra, who was wonderful and very pleasant.
4. Fish House Vera Cruz
Overall Ratings
4 based on 288 reviews
Reviewed By Radiohutch
Recently, Lynn and I and a friend stopped for dinner at Fish House Vera Cruz after spending the day touring the nearby mountains. We each had the Pacific Rock Fish (Pacific Red Snapper) which included a salad and a vegetable ($21.50). We each had one nice filet of the fish which was grilled on an open fire. It was really good. Atmosphere is nautical with white tablecloths. Our server, Emily, did a good job. The menu is extensive and offers everything from appetizers to the finest seafood.
3. Phil's BBQ
Overall Ratings
4 based on 381 reviews
At Phils BBQ we combine the best barbecue, legendary service, and the biggest value to create a fast, casual, and fun experience. Our baby back, beef, and chicken dinners all come with your choice of sides, our most popular are the fresh cut fries and col
Reviewed By Bill S
Phil's is one of those restaurants that you can become addicted to. The Bar-B-Que (BBQ) is excellent, both in terms of quality, taste, and variety. Lots to choose from and all of it prepared excellently. I'm not sure how they do it, but the result is evidence that they really know what they are doing.There are several locations in San Diego County and the quality is consistent at all of them. It's usually crowded, but the line moves quickly and the service is great. You can pre-order online and they cater events (we've done this several times.0They do use a lot of sauce, so I recommend asking for light sauce or have them put it on the side. Prices are slightly more than other local restaurants, but it's worth it.Overall, I highly recommend Phil's.
2. Mama Kat's Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 267 reviews
Reviewed By JimmyJackk
Had belated Fatherâs Day breakfast. Even on Tuesday at 11am still had 25 min wait. But food and service were wonderful. Well worth the wait
1. Fish House Vera Cruz
Overall Ratings
4 based on 288 reviews
Reviewed By Radiohutch
Recently, Lynn and I and a friend stopped for dinner at Fish House Vera Cruz after spending the day touring the nearby mountains. We each had the Pacific Rock Fish (Pacific Red Snapper) which included a salad and a vegetable ($21.50). We each had one nice filet of the fish which was grilled on an open fire. It was really good. Atmosphere is nautical with white tablecloths. Our server, Emily, did a good job. The menu is extensive and offers everything from appetizers to the finest seafood.
