15-Plus Top Summer Restaurant Specials 2022: San Diego Area

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — Keep the summer vibe alive with seasonal dining deals. Check out some of the best, splurge-worthy offerings from restaurants throughout the San Diego region, along with some budget-friendly freebies and discounts.

Among the options: free guacamole and chips for National Avocado Day (July 31); and watermelon sips and salads for National Watermelon Day (Aug. 3).

Peruse the list, and find what appeals for all tastes and budgets.

And don't miss the photo slideshow at the top of this post for some visual inspiration .

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BJ'S RESTAURANT & BREWHOUSE: Cool off this summer with sweet and tart, sour fruit beer "Yuzu the Dragon" on tap through mid-August, while supplies last. The limited-time brew hails from a BJ's partnership with New Belgium Brewing Co. Find locations throughout the San Diego area. Website.

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BLACK ANGUS STEAKHOUSE: "Ranch Hand Plates," offered at a discounted $20.22 through Sept. 1. Choose from ribeye or salmon, with broccoli & wild rice. Plus, Prime Club Members can score a $10 gas gift card through July 31 when they spend at least $50. Website here. Locations include Chula Vista, Escondido & El Cajon.

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CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN: Celebrate the season with CPK's new summer menu highlighting seafood & fresh berries. Among new dishes: seafood cioppino, a flavorful stew; the California Fields Salad with watermelon, strawberries & California-grown pistachios; and a piled-high strawberry shortcake. Summer beverages include fruit sangria & sparkling watermelon cooler. Website. Find restaurants here.
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DEL TACO: Snag a BOGO deal through July 31: Buy one Crispy Chicken Taco and get one free when ordering via the Del Yeah!™ Rewards app or online. And on July 31, National Avocado Day, rewards members can score free regular chips & guac or queso with $5 purchase. One per customer. Plus new limited-time items, including Queso Crunchtadas, $3 BreakFiesta & Strawberry Piñata Shake made with M&M’S, just hit menus. Website here.
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DOG HAUS: The new "Uncle Morty," a limited-time creation with beef patty, white American cheese, pastrami, dill pickles, caramelized onions & garlic aioli on grilled King’s Hawaiian Rolls, is offered at all restaurants Aug. 1 through Sept. 30. A collab with TV and YouTube personality Sam Zien, aka “Sam the Cooking Guy,” the sandwich is a benefit burger with $1 of every sale to charity partner, No Kid Hungry. See website for info & locations in San Diego & Vista.
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DUNKIN': Stay cool with the Brown Sugar Cream Cold Brew, part of the chain's summer offerings. Also on menus for a limited time are the Mango Pineapple Dunkin’ Refresher, Cake Batter Signature Latte, Butter Pecan Iced Coffee & Sunrise Batch Iced Coffee. Everything Stuffed Bagel Minis — served warm — are back for the season, along with Tomato Pesto Grilled Cheese, Omelet Bites & Cornbread Donut & MUNCHKINS Donut Hole Treats. And DD Perks members can earn 3X points on Iced Espresso beverages through July 31. Website here.
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EL POLLO LOCO: Celebrating National Avocado Day on July 31 with a free small chips and guac with purchase of $1 or more. Offer is for Loco Rewards loyalty members. For more info or to join rewards program, visit this link. Locations listed here.
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HABIT BURGER GRILL: New to menus for summer dining: the Chargrilled Peach Salad, from Habit's Executive Chef Adam Baird. Salad features chargrilled peaches and chicken, pickled red onions & diced tomatoes. Find locations here. Details.
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ISLANDS FINE BURGERS & DRINKS: Toast summer with limited-time, watermelon margaritas, featuring Sauza Hacienda Silver Tequila, Triple Sec, watermelon juice, agave nectar & lime juice. Also on summer menu: the Heat Wave Burger, a 1982 original menu item with jalapeños, ortega green chilies, pepper jack cheese, spicy mayo, lettuce & tomato. Website. Find area locations here.
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JAMBA: Enjoy a sweet deal Aug. 3, National Watermelon Day, with $5 medium Watermelon Breeze Smoothie at participating stores. Use promo code ‘MELONDAY’ online or in-store at checkout. Plus Jamba Rewards members can score a $5 medium Classic or Plant-Based Watermelon Breeze smoothie every Saturday & Sunday through Aug. 21 — valid once per day, per guest at participating shops. Info. Location finder here.
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KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN: Budget-approved, $5 Mac & Cheese Bowls are back for a limited time. The dish features cheddar mac & cheese topped with KFC’s crispy popcorn chicken & three-cheese blend. Or turn up the heat this summer & order Spicy KFC Mac & Cheese Bowl, featuring KFC’s spicy, smoky Nashville Hot sauce. Details here.
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NOODLES & COMPANY: Noodles Rewards members can take 50 percent off all zucchini "Zoodle" dishes, including Zucchini Grilled Orange Chicken, Zucchini Pesto with Grilled Chicken, Zucchini Roasted Garlic Cream with Grilled Chicken & more, from Aug. 5-8. Plus, diners who sign up for Noodles Rewards for first time will receive free, small entree after first purchase using the Noodles Rewards app, valid for 30 days. Area locations include Carlsbad & San Diego. Website here.

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QDOBA MEXICAN EATS: Citrus Lime Shrimp is the summer star on the chain's limited-time menu at participating sites. New dishes include: the Surf & Turf Burrito or Bowl with the shrimp, adobo steak, guacamole, chile crema, cotija cheese over rice & black beans; and the Citrus Lime Shrimp Burrito or Bowl (an online exclusive), with the shrimp, chile crema, pico de gallo, rice, black beans & cotija cheese in flour tortilla or in a bowl. Website here. Location finder here for San Diego area.

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RED LOBSTER: It's the perfect time to indulge in "Seafood Summerfest" —a limited-time, line-up of special dishes & summer cocktails. Among the deals: BBQ Bacon Grilled Shrimp ($18.99), including soup or salad & starter, and the new "Summer Sangarita," a blend of sangria and margarita. Website here. Locations here.

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RED ROBIN: Running through July 31 at participating restaurants are $10 Gourmet Meal Deals, with burger, bottomless steak fries & bottomless beverage. Burger options include: Gourmet Cheeseburger; Whiskey River BBQ Burger; & Banzai with teriyaki-glazed patty & grilled pineapple. Dine-in only. Locations in Escondido and National City, and confirm participation.

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RUBIO'S: Rewards members can enjoy free chips and guacamole on National Avocado Day, July 31. To score the offer, sign up for Rubio’s Rewards here, or download the app by Saturday, July 30. Then place order online, through the app or scan in-app QR code at the register. And through Sunday, July 31, delivery is free with minimum order of $15. Locations found on website.
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THE SHORES RESTAURANT: Summer offerings including new Happy Hour and Taco & Margarita Mondays. Happy Hour is Mondays through Thursdays 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. with such food & drink specials, starting at $7, as asada rries, ceviche mixto tostada, street corn & new signature cocktails. Taco & Margarita Mondays are 5 p.m. to close with margs & choice of two tacos (Baja fish, al pastor or asada). Find info here. At 8110 Camino Del Oro, La Jolla.

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