Chula Vista has some of the best Mexican and Mexican-American food in the San Diego area, and Third Avenue Village has the highest concentration of good independent restaurants in the city.
El Lobo Taqueria on Third Avenue is a local institution for carne asada burritos and birria — the kind of no-frills taqueria that defines Chula Vista's culinary identity. Taco El Gordo, a Tijuana import, draws long lines for its al pastor and adobada tacos prepared on a vertical trompo. If you are willing to cross into Tijuana, the border is less than 20 minutes away and the food scene there is outstanding.
For non-Mexican food, the Third Avenue corridor has a growing number of Vietnamese, Japanese, and Peruvian spots reflecting the diversity of Chula Vista's population. The farmers' market on Thursday afternoons along Third Avenue is a good source of local produce and ready-to-eat food from small vendors.