The restaurant next to the Star of India (the ship) is probably Anthony's Fish Grotto. It's okay but not my favorite. Parking downtown or Hillcrest is so very bad. Old Town is a great suggestion. I think the popular restaurant, especially with kids, would be the Old Town Mexican Cafe. Once again, parking is bad. Try parking at the high school and walk. Sometimes they charge a small fee but at least it is a parking space. Oh, I have an idea! Go to Point Loma Seafood Market! The fish is fresh, they have parking (albeit kinda limited but always manage to find a place for my huge truck) and the seating is picnic benches along on the covered side of the building. If the kids don't like seafood, how about Italian. There are two locations for Filippi's Pizza Grotto but the one in Little Italy you can actually get parking for. The one in Hillcrest is smaller and has a coffee shop atmosphere and you need to park on the street. I love their antipasti salad!!! Yum!!! What a great idea for lunch. If it is a nice day, the best place with atmosphere outside of Old Town (well, this point can be argued) is Miguel's Mexican Cantina in Coronado. But that is kinda far south and you have to go over that bridge! Some people are intimidated by the bridge. If all else fails, there is a McDonalds down the street at the corner of A and 5th? (whatever the street is that goes along the side of Balboa Park).
