Mexican is a good bet for both price & quantity for college kids. Also the suggestion for Convoy St which is an Asian food hub (I don’t have specific suggestions there, maybe others do).
Jimmy Carter’s near Balboa Park is fun and has good food. In South Park is a location of one of our favorite Italian restaurants, Buona Forchetta (they’d have to be prudent, but they can get out of there at around $35 with pasta and shared apps).
Puesto and Barrio Star are trendier and spendier Mexican places.
But if they are up for a bit of a pretty drive, there are a bunch of places in North County that will fit the bill.
Tamarindo in Del Mar isn’t as cheap as Jimmy Carter’s but there’s plenty that’s shareable and they also have happy hour (as does Monarch upstairs from them, and Shimbashi Izakaya).
In Solana Beach there’s Tony Jacal’s and Fidel’s (I think the latter fries their chips in lard in case that’s an issue).
A bit further up and divier but delicious is El Norte Especial in Encinitas.
Not quite as far and a bit more casual / flexible in Del Mar Highlands is a newish food hall with warehouse vibes that was pretty fun – Sky Deck at Del Mar Highlands Town Center. We had pretty good ramen and more there at Marufuku, but there are a bunch of other eateries under the same roof, and they also have happy hour. (There may be similar options closer to Normal Heights, but others can advise if that’s true.)
