San Diego's Best Mexican Food 2008

Where festive locals stop by for a tasty meal that will make them want to celebrate with maracas.

Reviews:

• “MANAGEMENT JUST DOESN’T GET IT!”
• “FRIDA Managers are UNPROFESSIONAL! The customer is NEVER RIGHT or RESPECTED!”
• “Very Good Food”
• “The WORST Mexican Restaurant in San Diego”
• “Horrible Manager and Customer Service”

Tips: This is the second Frida installment in California. The original remains open in Beverly Hills.

Frida Restaurant or email Frida Restaurant

The Pacific Beach Mexican restaurant is the perfect remedy when you tire of fast food tacos and burritos.

Reviews:

• “Best brunch on the beach”
• “worst place”
• “Gringo’s is a tourist trap – & not in a good way”
• “Gringos hates you”
• “Bartender Ignores you even if you try to be a nice person?”

Tips: Sunday when the restaurant’s brunch kicks off. For a little less than $20, this all-you-can-eat buffet is one of the best morning deals in town with appetizers, entrees and deserts that rival anything on the dinner menu.

Gringo’s Cantina y Cocina

Expect tacos, burritos and a taste of the 19th century in this Old Town Mexican cafe.

Reviews:

• “Romantic fireside dining, crowded on weekends, make reservation”
• “NEVER again will I eat here!!! "
• “WORST MEXICAN FOOD & SHADY SERVERS”
• “No kidding, 1 of the worst dining expiriences ever. Please read and don’t go!”
• “mojito night on thursday.great deal..”

Tips: Breakfast with champagne and fresh fruit is served daily until 1pm.

El Fandango Restaurant

Nouvelle Mexican cuisine in Old Town made better than the rest with a sunset patio and serious tequila selection.

Reviews:

• “Good Mole, Bland Margaritas, Over Priced”
• “Agave?..more like dry jerky”
• “Great mole”
• “slow service, pricey food”
• “Too expensive for what it was”

Tips: If you’re a tequila connoisseur you can select from more than 500 brands or savor one of the many tasty margaritas at the bar.

El Agave

Strictly candle-lit after dark, this moody lounge is heavy on the romance factor and follows through with sophisticated Mexican cuisine.

Reviews:

• “A New Way to Look at Mexican Cuisine”
• “Excellent food, excellent service.”
• “Great food, drinks and ambience”
• “Don’t miss Candelas if you are in SD.”
• “Fantastic Menu, Food, & Service”

Tips: The gated table in the wine cellar is up for grabs every night at no extra charge. Ask for it when you make a reservation or upon arrival if it’s empty.

Candelas

Legendary Old Town spot known for warm tortillas, premium margaritas and Mexican specialties served in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Reviews:

• “Outstanding Mexican Food; brave the crowds, it’s worth it!”
• “Good food; Fun place”
• “disappointed”
• “One of the Best”
• “Average at Best”

Tips: Taking home a stack of fresh tortillas after watching the famous “Tortilla Ladies” prepare them from scratch.

Old Town Mexican Cafe

Local Mexican food chain offers tasty, stiff margaritas and traditional south-of-the-border menu.

Reviews:

• “Great Mexican Dinning "
• “Good food, great environment”
• “Great deck area for happy hour”

Miguel’s Cocina

Mexican, South American and Carribean flavors combine for a seafood-heavy menu served in a warm, Old Town dining room.

Tips: Zocalo is the Spanish word for a traditional gathering place in the heart of the town, and the Zocalo Grill is owned by the same owners of The Brigantine chain, Azul in La Jolla and Miguel’s.

Zocalo Grill

Landmark Mexican restaurant in an Old Town hacienda with festive patio seating in the original Bazaar del Mundo.

Reviews:

• “One of the best Margaritas”
• “Best Mexican Food with the Best Atmosphere for the Best Price!”

Tips: The margaritas are legendary.

Casa Guadalajara

Get authentic Mexican food without crossing the border at this legendary Mission Hills taco shop.

Reviews:

• “Mmmm Mmmm mexican”
• “very disappointed”
• “Long line to get in!”

Tips: The round, tiled tables across the street are part of El Indio, and a nice place to sit on a sunny day, if you don’t mind the freeway noise from I-5.

El Indio Mexican Restaurant

Family restaurant serves Mexican favorites at affordable prices in legendary OB location.

Reviews:

• “Great chile rellenos”
• “relaxing”
• “I love Nati’s”

Tips: Breakfast is served on Saturday and Sunday only (11am-2pm) featuring favorites like machaca, huevos rancheros and the house specialty, carne asada with eggs.

Nati’s Mexican

The original hub of Old Town’s Mexican restaurant scene relocated inland to Grossmont Center, literally.

Reviews:

• “Best Mexican Food in San Diego”
• “Huge margaritas”
• “fun place for food and drinks”

Tips: They took everything—chairs, tables, decor, kitchen equipment, staff and the chef, straight form Old Town and brought it to the old Carlos Murphy’s restaurant space in the parking lot of Grossmont.

Casa De Pico

Lively Mexican eatery serves up tacos and fajitas to a college-aged, party-hopping crowd and tourists.

Reviews:

• “Good Grilled Fish Taco and Fun Atmosphere”
• “Awesome Salsa!”

Fred’s Mexican Cafe

Old Town Mexican favorite stands the test of time with traditional menu, mariacchis and casual, colorful patio.

Reviews:

• “Metal in the food??”
• “Worst possible customer service”

Tips: This is the oldest restaurant in Old Town.

La Pinata Mexican Restaurant

Authentic Mexican cuisine served in a hacienda style setting with a lively outdoor bar and popular Sunday brunch.

Reviews:

• “Best Mexican Restaurant in North County”
• “Winning Atmosphere, Food and Service”
• “Delicioso”

Tips: The outdoor cantina offers living-room style sitting, big-screen TVs and uniquefire pits, including a one-of-a-kind fire and water bar top.

Hacienda De Vega

Del Cerro taco shop with a handful of sit-down booths serves up Mexican favorites to a mostly-takeout crowd.

Tips: Try the carne asada fries, with salty carne asada over crispy french fries topped with cheese and guacamole.

Mi Guadalajara Taco Shop

Simple, authentic taco stand serves beef, carnitas and other meat tacos with corn tortillas, cilantro and guacamole.

Reviews:

• “Tacos Just like TJ "
• “Authentic street meat”

Tips: Try the cow head, beef tongue or intestines tacos for a real taste of TJ.

Tacos El Gordo De Tijuana

Local Mexican food chain offers traditional combo plates, plus more Baja-style and seafood dishes with an extensive salsa bar.

Reviews:

• “Yummy, cheap mexican right off the beach "

Valentine’s Mexican Food

With live music and traditional fare, this family-owned restaurant transports you to Mexico without ever crossing the border.

Reviews:

• “Absolutely The Tastiest "

Tips: While the homemade hot sauce is delicious with the warm tableside chips, ask for the chipotle sauce – it packs a serious kick.

Fidel’s

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