If you're driving the 5 Freeway to or from San Diego and seeking nice, not-expensive places to dine, I have two suggestions. A few years ago, Carolyn and I lucked into a nice little Japanese eatery in an outdoor shopping center just off the 5 in Solana Beach and now we try to stop there every time we're in the area. It's called the Samurai Restaurant and it's about a half-hour north of where the Comic-Con is held — 22 miles to be more precise. They're open for lunch 11:30 AM 'til 2:30 PM on weekdays, dinner from 5 PM to 10 PM every day.
And you've seen me rave here about the Five Guys hamburger chain, which is ubiquitous in parts of the East Coast but just now starting to edge into California. There's been one in San Diego for a while but it's on a military installation and not open to the public. They've just opened one that we can all visit at 2445 Truxtun Rd., San Diego, CA 92106. That's about six miles (maybe fifteen minutes) from the Convention Center but if you're on the 5 heading to or from S.D., you'll be passing about two miles from the place. (There's also a Five Guys in Carson, just off the 405, for those of you who'll be heading south via that route. Despite appearances, I do not own stock in this company.)