UPDATE (09/14/22): We went back after our very negative first experience (see below for original review). We arrived on a Wednesday night around 8:15pm hoping to miss most of the dinner crowd. We had nice outdoor seats on a lovely evening. Service was VERY slow, but it was busier than we thought it would be so late on a weekday. The food was fine. Our favorite was the Guacamole appetizer (with salsa). We also got the Southern California burrito and Viva Mexico tacos, both were okay but nothing to write home about. ********** ORIGINAL: I wish I could have tasted the food. The hostesses tried seating us in a high top in the corner near the front, but it was too warm and very cramped asked to take a seat further in. The hostess waved us back to “sit where ever” but did not accompany us. We saw two open booths as we walked back. I walked back to the hostess and asked if we (2 of us) could be seated in one of the two open booth seats. She said one was reserved for large parties (understandable). But when I asked about the other one and whether we could sit there, she said “no” (just “no”) and looked at me with complete disdain. I asked if they were reserved or something, and she said “nope” and smirk-sneered at me, then walked away. I’m not one to jump to racism, but this definitely *felt* race-based (I’m an Asian woman, my husband is a white dude) given the circumstances. All of the other same-sized booths had two people in them, all white. Even if my negative treatment was not race-based, the hostess made me feel unwelcome and uncomfortable, so we left. This was around 1-1:30pm. It was NOT a busy evening. EDIT (08/13/22): In response to my negative review above (from 08/11/22), one of the owners published an unsatisfactory response, including some misinformation. I called the restaurant to speak to her so that I could give her additional information and clarify what happened. (The hostess demanded to know every detail about why I was calling before transferring me to a manager. Once I was able to talk to the manager, Megan, she took my contact to give to one of the owners, who responds to Google reviews.) One of the owners called me back within an hour. As it turns out, she was indeed misinformed by her staff at the restaurant, which in turn caused her become defensive and lash out at me unfairly in her response to my review. After giving her a fuller account about what happened, she apologized and promised to address what happened with the staff. She also promised to pull down her response to my review. She offered to send a gift card to try the restaurant again, should we feel comfortable doing so. I will update my review if we decide to go back.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30

I went to the NAHREP at L’ATTITUDE 2022 conference in San Diego and we stayed at the Hyatt. Between sessions I googled “restaurants nearby” and saw that this place had a 4.5 rating. Sure enough, it did not disappoint. As a matter of fact, a lot of the Plano/Garland NAHREP chapter decided they wanted to do dinner the same day that I did lunch as they heard how good it was. And, the very next day we had lunch there again. Lol. I went there three times in less than a day. Let me tell you everything was absolutely delicious! I had the posole & guacamole for lunch the first day I went by. The next lunch I had was the Carne Asada Fries and Cochinita Tostaditas that were shared. Y’all have got to try anything that sounds delicious. I guarantee, it will be. Forget Texas and Tex-Mex. La Puerta does Mexican good justice. Also, the place was a vibe with the famous dead at 27-yr-old celebrities and their ofrendas. By the way, pricing was SO reasonable.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20

La Puerta is a great option when looking for good, authentic Mexican food in the San Diego area! The restaurant itself is narrow and a little limited in seating on busy days such as weekends and during happy hours, but surprisingly we were seated right away around 3:00pm on a Friday, that happened to also be a Padres game day. I think we just got lucky in our timing because the bar area packed in quickly soon after! It is definitely a cool vibe for meeting up with friends and pregaming the Padres game - you may even get to see some cool characters! We ordered the Veggie Fries to start - they were smothered in cheese, grilled onion, poblanos, guacamole and pico de gallo. Honestly the portion of fries would have been enough to fill us up had we not been super hungry, but we also ordered a veggie quesadilla that was huge! Plenty enough to share between 2, maybe even 3 or 4 people! Oh and did I mention how good their margaritas are? Like award-winningly good! Definitely give this place a try!

I was looking for a lunch spit to enjoy some tacos and margaritas. La Puerta showed up in my search as having the best margaritas in Gas Lamp, so I decided to check it out. The sign on the door said “Please wait to be seated” so I waited at the door for the hostess. After 4 minutes of waiting, I decided to just grab a seat at the bar. I ordered the Low Rider margarita and three tacos from the bartender who was happy to oblige. The margarita was tasty but it seemed to be more ice than drink. The food arrived and looked and tasted great. Al Pastor, Asada, and Carnitas were all good, albeit a little on the small side. It came with plenty of rice and beans so I was happy. I ordered another margarita, Bark at the Moon, which was also very good but this drink had even more ice. If I’m paying $14 a drink, I’d like some liquid with my ice. Overall the food and drink was good. Service could have been better. I won’t be back due to the service and value for my money.

I have been without quality Mexican food for over 2 years since living in Hawaii. Therefore, a Mexican restaurant was absolutely on the list of things to do while visiting San Diego. I looked up highly-rated Mexican spots in the Gaslamp area and La Puerta came highly-rated with a significant number of ratings. La Puerta was packed, but I really liked the look and was really wanting Mexican food, so I decided to stick it out. The bar was full and the wait was about 25-30 minutes and I was by myself; the hostess suggested I just sit at the outside bar, which was right by the hostess stand. It was sort of a weird spot, but allowed me to people watch all the Comic-Con people. I was just at the tail end of happy hour so I jumped on some half of flautas. For my main course, I ordered the surf and turf tacos. All of this went down nice and I was entertained by the hostess, security and many fully dressed Comic-Con goers. A+ food and A+ staff!

I had a 25 min wait outside before getting my table. When i asked one of the 3 host in the front about my wait time they said the main hostess had a system and i had to wait for her to come back because she left the post. I did have to give some push back because a table opened up in plain view but it was 4 seater. It seemed like the main hostess didnt want to sit us since we were only a party of 2. She went back and forth with other 2 host and i clearly hear them say "Jasmine is next". We still waited 5 more min till the main host made up her mind after running her hands through her hair 3 or 4 times. LUCKY for us, our server was great and constantly check in with us. The place was small but it did have cool mug shot pics of famous people.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Nachos, Carne Asada Fries

I lived in San Diego for two years and this is the best Mexican food I had in the entire county. The food was well presented and very flavorful. The guacamole was a great way to start our meal and the tacos are all amazing. The decor is centered around the “27 club” and brings a unique style to what can typically be a cookie cutter like atmosphere. We sat at the bar and had amazing service from the time we were greeted by the Hostess until the time we left for the night. Worth a special trip to make sure you get some good Mexican food while you’re in SD.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Chips and Salsa, Pastor
Parking space
Somewhat difficult to find parking
Parking
Street parking may be tough to come by so give yourself some extra time if you have a reservation.

Came here a couple of weeks ago and ordered the 3 taco plate (shrimp, carnitas, and carne asada) which came with rice, refried beans, and rajas con crema. I usually dislike refried beans but I kept eating theirs so it was definitely good. I’ve never had rajas con crema so I can’t compare but I thought it was delicious. The carne asada wasn’t my favorite but I would order the carnitas and the shrimp again. Overall everything was well seasoned and tasty. I sat at the bar and the bartenders were nice to talk to and attentive. Loved the chips and salsa as well. Had to take it to go since I was about to burst. Couldn’t drink this time so hopefully next time I can sample their drinks.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Street Taco Sampler Platter

Food and service were excellent. Our server did a great job making recommendations. My friends had burritos...loved them. (Chicken asada and CA burritos) I had Street tacos (carnita, carna asada and pastor)...all so good! Only one of us had drinks and she really liked it. Their drinks looked and sounded very good so I will try one on another visit when I am not the designated driver. Place was kind of loud, which really is pretty normal for a bar and grill/food place downtown. The decor was fun. Enjoyed picking out the celebrities from their mugshots ;). Will definitely go again.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Chips and Salsa, The California, Pastor, Street Taco Sampler Platter, Crema

I have been here twice. The first time, I ordered the Shrimp especial, Viva Mexico, Surf ‘n’ Turf, Ranchero Shrimp, and Carne Asada street tacos. The Shrimp especial is really good, but I don’t like the cheese they put on the Viva Mexico tacos. The Ranchero shrimp tacos during happy hour are worth it in my opinion, priced at $3 each. The second time I went there, I ordered the Ranchero shrimp and carne asada tacos, guacamole with chips, and carne asada quesadillas. The total came to $36, which isn't bad, but I won’t get the quesadilla next time because it was so plain – just carne asada and cheese, with no guacamole or sour cream on top. I recommend this place for late-night food.
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4

La Puerta in Gaslamp Quarter, SD - Mexican food on point! Rock n' Roll decor is very cool! Bar and seating area wallpapered with mug shots of musicians. Bathrooms have more collages of photos in an entertaining way. Love the vibe and the staff very helpful for questions about food or their neighborhood for travelers. Photo: Pollo Asado burrito with "make it wet" upgrade with green enchilada sauce. Delicious!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Vegetarian options
Seemed there were options in several dishes.
Dietary restrictions
Server ensured food allergies would be avoided.
Kid-friendliness
Kids menu offered. Server happily made requested removal of ingredients to taste.

Outrageous burrito, and delicious tacos - get your Mexican food fix here. After a short 20minute wait for a table (around 730pm), we managed to get a table for 2. The 1lb burrito and tacos were our choice of food, and it’s safe to say they didn’t disappoint. Plenty of food to eat, alongside unique, rich flavours from each dish. The digital menu probably doesn’t need to be a thing as it takes away the dining experience and puts everyone on their phones, that’s just my opinion
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
The California
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Large vegetarian selection

Loved this place! What a beautiful bar with amazing Mexican food! Came on Sunday and were seated right away, which was nice. The servers are very polite and helpful. They have tv so you can enjoy games and so on. Food: A must try is QUESO FUNDIDO - omg so good. We also added some chorizo to it, it was bomb!! Also try bloody maria - bloody Mary but with tequila, sooooo good. You can get it spicy and it's loaded with jalapenos Carne asada fries were great and also tacos were good too. Pozole was on point! I really enjoyed it, it had so much flavor . We would definitely come back , especially for that queso! There's a brunch menu which we'll have to try sometime soon
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30

This is a popular Mexican restaurant in the Gaslamp area. The atmosphere is casual and filed with fun music. We tried Chicken and Shrimp tacos which came with rice, beans and rajas. Tacos were small but flavorful, raja was nice but the beans were average. We also ordered Salad and Potato Flautitas which were good. The best part about this restaurant might be their tasty salsa and drinks. You can spend long time enjoying chips and salsa with drinks. Rates are reasonable compared to other restaurants in this expensive touristy area. Service is good but very slow since they have a small kitchen as mentioned by our server. Overall this is a nice place to visit if you have lot of time and want to enjoy drinks with Mexican Food!

Went for happy hour. Great prices for downtown. Table Service was 5 stars, waiter was great. When we arrived the hostesses seemed disengaged and we considered leaving as that usually doesn't bode well for what's to come. Bartender was great! Food mediocre. Quesadilla used unseasoned veggies, one cheese (tasteless) and not a re order. The mini tostadas were perfect! Great value, great flavor, nice portion. Ended up using some of the tostada topping on the quesadilla to make it okay. Probably worth 3.5 stars not 4. Service was so good I rounded up.
Service
Dine in
Price per person
$20–30
Features
Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: Yes
Takeout: Yes
Delivery: Not sure
Curbside pickup: Not sure

This is one of the better Mexican restaurants in the downtown San Diego area. Great environment, the food is amazing and the drink selection is plentiful. There’s always a great crowd, everyone is friendly, the staff are efficient and welcoming. The place is clean, safe, and the food portion size is more than most anyone could eat at one setting. The house made salsa is incredible, along with the tortilla chips. You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, I visit this place every time I’m in San Diego.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Chips and Salsa, The California

We made it for happy hour on a Monday and got seated within a few minutes. Food is good but service was interesting. The waitress was positive but not very timely. She asked if we wanted chips and salsa when it was on the house. I understand giving people a choice but let us know it's complimentary since typically when someone asks if you want something as part of your meal, there's a charge. The pastor quesadilla was yummy, juicy and inhale worthy. The carne asada fries were good as well. Street parking may be tough.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Food: 5
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Carne Asada Fries, Pastor Quesadilla, Chips and Salsa

Lovely people here, easy to chat with, and while my meal took a while, I didn't mind as I was enjoying my drink and some chips and salsa (which was fantastic!) They even comped my drink when it became apparent my food was taking longer than usual (even though I didn't mind and made it up in the tip regardless.) The menus are creative and the food is delicious and super filling. One quesadilla was both my lunch and dinner, and all for under $8?! Amazing. Their Happy Hour is the very definition of the word.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Chicken Quesadilla, Chips and Salsa

We came all the way from Toronto Canada to eat at La Peurta. I discovered it while I was in San Diego last year. I made sure to bring my girlfriend so she can taste American/Mexican food. The carne asada fries are the best that I’ve had from any restaurant. The flavour is exactly what I remembered. Soft and tender beef on top of crispy fries, topped with premium salsa and sour cream. I’m drooling And don’t forget to order margaritas. They don’t taste as strong as they are
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Carne Asada Fries

TripAdvisor lists them in the top 10 taco places in America (as they say right on their menu), and they are for sure not wrong. The tequeso carne was probably the best taco I've ever had, to the point that when I finished my plate I was stuffed but very sad they were gone. Their drinks were also top notch, and overall prices were very fair given the portions and general pricing in the area.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommendation for vegetarians
Somewhat recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Clearly labeled vegetarian dishes

Excellent food and cocktails, but quite expensive. We had the asada fries, pastor tacos, and a shrimp quesadilla (the first time - yes, it was good enough to visit twice during the same long weekend) and the guacamole and drinks (the second time). All were very good! The service was great each time, despite how busy the restaurant always seems to be. It was crowded but comfortable; there are several large booths for groups like ours as well as a substantial bar. On Saturday night during Comic Con we had to wait nearly 2 hours for a table, so we ended up eating dinner elsewhere and coming back for drinks afterwards.

Best margarita I’ve ever had and such a great vibe. The food was delicious, the drinks delicious, everything delicious. Portions were huge and there was so much selection especially when it comes to tequila and margaritas. The waiter was friendly, constantly checked on us, and split our bill as requested with ease. We barely waited for a table and our food came quickly even with how crowded the restaurant was. Big time recommend for people visiting San Diego. I would 1000% go back. Little pricey for Mexican food but totally worth it.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30

La Puerta was an absolutely amazing experience! From the moment we got greeted to our cheque, everyone was attentive and had attention to detail. The rock/mug shot themed decore was interesting and had lots of character. The food was some of the best authentic Mexican cuisine I've ever had in North America, Central America, or South. Definitely recommend and will be back again!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Pastor Quesadilla, Chips and Salsa, Street Taco Sampler Platter

This was recommended as one of the best places to get Mexican in San Diego and that recommendation was spot on! Everything here was delicious, well-priced, and the portions were huge. The 1lb burrito is LITERALLY a pound and our server was so kind/attentive. Also recommend the queso! They do not take reservations so keep that in mind’
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Chicken Quesadilla, Chips and Salsa
Vegetarian options
Got the 1lb vegetarian burrito!

It was my first time to La Puerta and it was incredible!! We sat sat outside on the patio, which it was a beautiful evening. Our server was friendly and personable! Both salsas, which came with chips, were delicious!! I ordered three tacos because it was taco Tuesday. All three were extremely tasty! And the margaritas…on point. La Puerta also has a great happy hour! Stop by and check this place out!!
Service
Delivery
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Features
Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: Yes
Takeout: Yes
Delivery: Not sure
Curbside pickup: Yes

Looking for a quick meal mid-Saturday afternoon but wanted quality food in a nice environment. Tried this place and was very pleased that I did. Very happy to be seated at the bar, rather than wait for a table or booth, and ordered some steak tacos and a local craft beer. The food and drinks were excellent, the staff were incredibly friendly, and the decor was fun. Highly recommended.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Features
Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: No
Takeout: Not sure
Delivery: Not sure
Curbside pickup: Not sure

Wow, we are really impressed. The Sopa de Pozole, a dish you can't find everywhere, was fantastic. Atmosphere was super lively and relaxing - the menus are printed on reimagined record covers. Such a vibe. Waiters were attentive and friendly. I loved how much guac they put on the tacos. And, as an added bonus, the chips and salsa were delicious. Thanks for a great dining experience!!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommendation for vegetarians
Somewhat recommend

Quesadillas here are phenomenal! Carne asada fries were a tad soggy when we visited back in July (during Comic-Con) but still delicious. Restaurant is always packed but it's worth the wait, and we were lucky to find a seat at the bar right away. Hostess came to find us when a table was ready but decided to stay at the bar instead to chat with the bartender and learn more about mezcals from him.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Chicken Quesadilla

Nothing special to me. Average. Guac is on top of a bed of chips. Didn't like that and carnitas burrito was pretty good I forgot to tell them no fries inside. I didn't care for th hat twist.*** after reading the company's response about cali burritos ususally containing fries inside ...thank you im from Texas. Didn't know. I'll keep this in mind should I return to Cali.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Features
Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: Yes
Takeout: Yes
Delivery: Not sure
Curbside pickup: Not sure

I’d been disappointed by my San Diego taco experience up until I visited this place. Surf and Turf tacos were excellent, would get them again in a heartbeat. The tortilla chips also appear to be house made and the best I’ve had in a while. And the house margarita was one of the best I’ve ever had. Also tried the carne aside fries since it’s a San Diego thing. It was good and hearty but prob wouldn’t get it again. Good service and cool vibe overall. Recommend one of the comfy booths inside if available.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner

We went on a day that the Padres were playing. We had to wait for about 20 minutes. A server never came to our table, so one of the hostess finally took our order 20 after we had been sitting at out table. So be very patient. But it was worth it. The Purple haze drink and Wheel in the Sky were really good. The queso fundido, Cochinita pibil quesadillas, and carnitas were DELICIOUS!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Purple Haze

Food was absolutely delicious. The shrimp quesadilla was amazing, there was a huge helping of shrimp in there and they were cooked perfectly, which normally doesn't happen. The guacamole and chips were delicious and the salsa tasted great. The drinks were definitely good, the sangria margaritas mix was interesting to say the least. 100% recommend. Decor gives you a chill feel to enjoy your evening in peace.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

It was our first time eating here. Place was in the Gaslamp district. Tacos did not disappoint. I ordered the Mix 'n' Match signature street tacos. And chose asada, carnitas, and chicken. Meal comes with rice, beans, rajas (removed them). Carnitas and asada tacos were delicious, chicken was ok. My drink was When Doves cry and it was also pretty good. Parking was a block away good for the legs I guess.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

Their Pollo Asado Quesadilla was amazing. Every single flavor was shining through, from the juicy chicken to the golden brown tortilla. Even though quesadillas are considered one of the simpler dishes out there, they managed to elevate this one with superb ingredients and preparation. I also enjoyed a frozen mojito cocktail with the meal, and both items were half off as part of their happy hour specials.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Recommended dishes
Chicken Quesadilla

We went on Friday night around 930pm. It was busy but we were seated right away. The hostess was very nice. Our waitress was nice, she took our drink order, after we received our drinks, at least 15 minutes gone by and we had to flag her down to let her know we were ready to order. Otherwise everything was good! Definitely recommend trying them out!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Chicken Quesadilla

Best Happy hour downtown everyday 3-5. 1/2 off all alcohol/ shots , appetizers, and quesadillas!!! We had no idea! Amazing fresh chips. Great drinks.Great food.Great service and music.This is going to be my go to Mexican food place in the Gas Lamp District. One block off of fifth on fourth so less busy and easy to get in and get great service and food. Excellent selection of Tequilas and Mezcal.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Features
Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: Yes

Top tier restaurant. Delicious food. Amazing location with great outdoor seating. Fantastic service. And so on... If you're looking for a Mexican restaurant in the area, look no further. Cannot recommend it enough. The vegeterian options were delicious as well. Some of the best you'll have. Portion sizes were huge. Price was reasonable. Finding a parking won't be easy but after food you can walk around in the lively neighborhood.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30

Incredible food! The Pastor Quesadilla was one of the most flavorful I’ve had with pineapple, jalapeños, cheese and well seasoned meat..We also got a variety of taco’s- shrimp, steak and carnitas from the regular menu and the steak taco’s from the specials menu(this one was tastier compared to the regular ones). For dessert we got the Flan which is a little thicker than a caramel custard but tasty nevertheless. The service was great too, we had to wait 20min to get seated but it was well worth the wait!

I wish I could give Service a rating higher than a 5. Daniel, our server, was amazing. He thoroughly explained menu items as well as providing a bit of history of certain food items. He was very attentive to all of his customers and truly seemed to enjoy his work as he served everyone with a smile and a bit of humor. Strong work!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Chips and Salsa

Visited here 3 times during Comic Con 2023. The happy hour drink specials are amazing. Get yourself a Mr. Mojo to cool off from the summer heat. The food is also very delicious. I really enjoyed the al pastor quesadilla. The burritos are giantic and very filling. Highly recommended spot.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Pastor Quesadilla, Chips and Salsa, The California, Pastor

This place was delicious! But somewhat disorganized... We asked for guac and cocktails to get us started, followed by the mix and match street tacos, and the taqueso carne. We got the tacos well before we got the guac and had to inquire about it 5 times before we received it (right as we were finishing up, so already full). The tacos were delicious! The taqueso ones were a little dry but the rest were great. Wonderful food but could be better organized.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner

Lovely atmosphere and good food! Unfortunately the service was very, very lacking. Our waitress rarely checked on us, and we were often left waiting an unreasonably amount of time to get more water, order more drinks, etc. Overall the service was just extremely inattentive, and we did not feel valued. I’m hoping management can improve this situation for future guests.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 4
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 5

Fun kind of voice with mug shots on the walls and some "live" greenery. They have an altar to artist's who died at the age of 27. The frozen drinks, which were half off at the time, were easy to drink, nothing life changing. The chips were my favorite part. The torta "La Puerta" was okay. Or server Jacky was great. And she even split the bill for a group of 9. All in all it's not standout food. As there are so many options in this neighborhood, it may be a while until I return... no big appeal.

I was happy to see vegetarian options but the veggie burrito was more spices than flavorful filling. And it's really hard to differentiate the margaritas as the base flavor profile shines through any added flavorings. I was happy with the quick and polite service and the pretty decor, but the food and drinks could have been better. However this place has some of the best complimentary chips and salsa I've ever had!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50

Made it for a late night special, glad we did. Staff and decor was great. QR code menu put me off a bit, coupled with the music too loud to think or effectively communicate cut my rating. Food and drinks were great, staff was nice, everything appeared clean and organized. Seemed to be enjoyed by people who came frequently, which is a wonderful sign!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 3
Recommended dishes
Pastor Quesadilla

Awesome place from the food to the service to the ambiance. Server came by to bring us water and take initial order within 39 seconds of sitting down. Amazing chips and guacamole. Got a margaritas and cider which were both excellent. Then had a mix and match tacos and California burrito which delicious.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Chips and Salsa, The California

This was definitely a yummy treat! First and foremost the margaritas were absolutely delicious. The food had generous portions that did not compromise the taste. It was so good that I also had lunch at the other La Puerta location during my stay in San Diego. That speaks volumes!! Two thumbs up!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Recommended dishes
Taquitos, Nachos, Carne Asada Fries, Fries, Chicken Quesadilla, Chips and Salsa, Surf N Turf

The one pound burrito is where it’s at! I got mine wet (on the side) and was brought bowls of the two sauces - both are incredible. I considered boxing them and flying them clear across the country back home because they’re so good. Skip the added rice and beans, it’s only a dollar each but the portion is tiny and honestly, after the burrito, you probably won’t have space! Happy hour deals are pretty good too.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30

Ranked as "best burrito in the state of CA" per Google, we had to give it a try. Great atmosphere & location in the Gaslamp. Chips & salsa were good, especially the red Salsa Fresca & green was also good. We had a SoCal burrito & a Carnitas burrito. Not HUGE but filling & SoCal was my favorite w chicken, bacon, onions, potatoes etc! Very tasty. There are many places that can offer competition for "best burrito" though. Margaritas & service was excellent! I will be back to try more.

Quick service. Nice outdoor patio seating. They were accommodating to large group with small kids. I loved there guacamole and potato taquitos. Veggie fries were a surprise hit, soft fries with great mexovan toppings. Other food like tacos had too much guacamole in it, just not something I enjoy in my tacos. Green sauce they had was bomb, went with everything.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Parking
Public parking a block away

Very close to perfection. House-made nachos with salsa and salsa verde were on the house but I totally would pay for them. Their refried beans were some of the best I've tried, and their sauces on the wet burrito were to die for. The one thing I didn't jive with was the meat in the tacos. I got shrimp, chicken, and pork tacos. The meats were unfortunately overcooked and dry. However, everything else was 10/10 so I think they deserve 5 stars. Would recommend this spot for sure.

Mind-boggling selection of tequilas plus a fabulous menu of Mexican favorites and a nice happy hour deal make this an awesome spot to eat and try new drinks. We enjoyed the shrimp quesadilla and the potato taquitos, and the spicy margarita had an excellent kick. Their salsas pair well with the dishes, and I only wish I had more stomach space to try their tacos. Great service at the bar and lots of TV screens to show whatever game is on when you're there. Hard to go wrong here!

One of the best (if not) Mexican places in downtown San Diego! Such a wonderful atmosphere, amazing service and of course the food is the best! Tends to get crowded because the space is not that big. One of a few places downtown that also offers a reverse happy hour!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Carne Asada Fries, Fries, Chips and Salsa, Surf N Turf

One of the most hippest and amazing restaurant bars I have ever been to. The ambience is fantastic and it is always crowded - read - it will always have a wait. There are bunch of other fusion places next to it where employees will literally beg you to come in but skip those. I promise this is worth the wait. Love the menu items and drinks I ordered were fantastic. The waiters were very well behaved. The murals on the walls are incredibly witty and fun. Highly recommend it.

AMAZING. right now this is my favorite taco place in San Diego. If you’re going to get the chips and guac know that it’s for 2-4 people or more- it’s a lot of guac! Lol. The tacos are so freaking good they’re my number one right now and I’ve been on the search for a few years for the best in SD. Super cool atmosphere too. Music stuff all over the walls and menus. Absolute San Diego must!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30

Great Mexican food! The guacamole was so good! And the salsas that came on the side were amazing. I went for Taco Tuesday, and all the tacos I got were outstanding! Overall, it was a great experience!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Chips and Salsa, Surf N Turf, Pastor, Street Taco Sampler Platter, Tijuana Caesar, Mexico City Salad

Not too busy place with tacos and margaritas, exactly what’s needed after a day of exploring San Diego. The beans and veggie mix don’t make it look appealing, but the taste is there. Our tacos were maybe filled a bit too much, but that wasn’t an issue for our empty stomachs. There are many taco places in SD, so I won’t say this is the best one. But you don’t have to avoid it.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20

Impressive tacos. Really friendly service. Recommend. The decoration is a kind of bar style. Only around 15 min u can get your food, it’s quite fast (i went there during the day time so not sure night time). The Mexican’ mix tacos recommended (u can choose 3 types then) and the first two pork options amazing. But the shrimp version is just so so… by the way, just located at th corner of the cross, their door face not so big, so don’t miss it

Went here for lunch on a Saturday. Please was packed and was Seated at the bar quickly. Ambiance is great for night out. Margaritas are good too! They have a nice selection of tequila at the full service bar. The 2 salsa that came with the chips were absolutely delicious. I had the mix and match tacos. Pollo asada and grilled veggie. They were great and came with some rice and beans. Will definitely make this a staple during my San Diego trips

What a cool place; loved the atmosphere and decor! We started with the guacamole, chips and salsa followed by the mix & match street tacos: carne asada, carnitas, and shrimp ranchero....so yummy. The tacos came with rice, beans and a creamy, roasted mixed veggie side which was amazing. I had one low rider margarita after another :) We had great customer service as well. Lots of places to choose from in the area but happy we found this gem!

Had the pastor 1lb burrito traditional and some chips and salsa. The waiter was great, quick to come up and take my order, refill water and salsa. Had football on and good atmosphere. Burrito was good almost reminded me of a fajita partially but was great and would eat again.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes
Chips and Salsa, Pastor

Excellent margaritas. Busy, we sat at the bar. Got an amazing margarita. The food looked delicious but I didn't have any. Excellent selection of tequila.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$20–30
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Dietary restrictions
I asked about gluten-free and they said they get the tortillas separately. I think they might be good for GF but I had a margarita

I was in town for a concert out in Chula Vista and after I landed and got my car I stopped here for lunch based on very favorable reviews. I was not disappointed. I sat at the bar, and Robert took really good care of me. I had the three street taco combination and it was great. Highly recommended.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Wow, just wow!!! The food here is incredible. The queso fundido with Chorizo, simply amazing!! The tacos were all delicious. The spicy margarita was literally to die for. I didn't know until I got there that travel and leisure rated in #1 spicy margarita in America. Must go place in San Diego.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Great place to go to while visiting San Diego. The staff, the drinks, the food, never disappoint. Do happy hour from 3pm-5pm. Try their frozen margaritas and when doves cry (paloma), bomb!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Nachos, Carne Asada Fries, Bark at the Moon, Fries, Chips and Salsa, Pastor

We were impressed with the flavor and quality of the food. Prices werd very reasonable as well. The service was prompt and the server was friendly. The music was a bit loud but bearable. Would definitely visit again.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 3
Recommended dishes
Nachos, Chicken Quesadilla, Chips and Salsa

Went in summer of 2021. The food was incredibly delicious. My mom is typically not a big eater. More often than not, she has trouble finishing half of any plates when not eating at home. But my mom devoured that quesadilla, so this place will get some bonus points just for that. The burrito is also great. Frozen margarita is a must during the summertime.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner

Ugh.... I really want to say it was terrible so that I dont have to share.... but I'd be a big fat liar!! It was AMAZING.... Margaritas? Nailed it! Tostaditas? Nailed it! Tacos? Hit it out if the ball park! Venue is lively and the music is relevant and well considered. Seriously good food, truly lovely talented staff and excellent cocktails 11/10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Cool place with great food and friendly service. We went before a Padres game and it was pretty packed, but the bar staff was friendly and attentive. Great surf and turf tacos and good frozen margaritas. Highly recommend when in Gaslamp.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Surf N Turf, Potato Flautitas

The 1lb burrito and the tacos are just amazing. I have the taco of pork, shrimp, and beef. I have to say the slow braised pork is my favorite. Strongly recommend it. The chips with guacamole is also really good. The chips are just fried to the perfect level, I recommend ordering one and even just pairing it with the red salsa is great too as it’s really flavorful and I can’t stop eating it.

Great customer service and helpful staff members,clean restaurant good indoor and outdoor seating.we had veggie French fry,one☝️ Lb Grill Veggie burrito and Grilled Veggie quesadilla. They were delicious. This has to be one of the best Mexican restaurants I’ve ever been too. This is located in downtown San Diego
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30

This place is a hidden gem. Food was better than most Mexican eats in SD. Had the Pollo Asado burrito and this baby was perfect. Plenty of meat veggies and crispy but soft flour tortilla. Their salsas are also amazing, that combined with the huge selection of Agave Tequilas this place truly embodies what SD Mexican food is all about.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Good food, good drinks. Keep the price low by getting happy hour items at half off (I like mezcal, and they have a pretty good collection, though there is mich more than that). Atmosphere is great, though it can be a bit dark in the back (we sat near the entrance). Waitress was nice and service was fast. We went around 2-3 PM on a Saturday. Very satisfied with the lunch we had here.

I loved everything about my dining experience here. The food was honestly the best I've ever had in my life because of how seasoned and flavorful it was. The service was top knotch and the atmosphere was so chill. It was worth every single penny.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Mexican food cravings - 100% satisfied ✨ we left with our stomachs super full. Everything was just so on point. Quesadilla Tacos Chips and salsa If it wasnt for the fact that there are also so many other great Mexican restaurants in San Diego to try, we’d eat here everyday, twice a day. Would highly recommend this place. Service was super great too

Delicious Mexican food, we tried a bit of everything and it was all really good. The poloze hit the spot and the guacamole was really fresh. Salsa was tasty.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Nachos, Chips and Salsa, Surf N Turf, Crema, Steak, Potato

Chips and guacamole were excellent. Carnitas taco was great. Carne asada taco was okay. Chicken taco was dry and not tastey. Beer in a chilled mug was excellent. Veggie quesadilla was a cheese quesadilla. Service and atmosphere were 10/10.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 3
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Service was amazing. Malia was our server and she was the best. Very knowledgeable about the menu and the liquor. If you like tequila and mezcal this is the spot and she should be your server.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Pastor

Maybe it was over hyped but a bit disappointed in food. Some stuff was great but other items were very mediocre Margaritas = excellent Baja taco = average Cochinta taco = excellent Pastor = above average Guacamole = average (def not worth $13) Rice sides = below average Service was also very slow and add 1-1.5 hr wait for a table. Definitely underwhelmed

Thw tacos were off the chain, excellent some of the beat i have ever had. The chicken with pineapple is so good, i can not believe it. The cheese was just okay. The beans were good but not great but the tacos made up for everything. The service was mediocre but it is all about the tacos and in fairness it was super busy and I sat in on the paitio area.

BEST TACOS EVER!!! The service was excellent, great authentic salsa selection, and the best churros we’ve ever had. Absolutely please try them out. Can’t wait to come back. Update: returned for my second visit to San Diego — they didn’t disappoint. The margaritas are killer!!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50

Some of the best Mexican food I ever had. Sat outside and the service was excellent. Would absolutely recommend this to anyone in the gas lamp area of San Diego.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Chips and Salsa, Surf N Turf

Great place for a happy hour special. Drinks and appetizers half off. I ended up going with the Carnitas fries. Very tasty dish. While it was a great mix of flavors and everything complimented each other well, I felt there could have been a little more carnitas. Seemed a little short on the amount of meat. Still a great meal I would order again.

“Are these the best tacos I’ve ever eaten? Is this my favorite margarita / tequila drink? Is the queso fundido the most delicious?” Yes, Yes, YES!!! This is a must visit restaurant from all points south of Los Angeles. Short walk from the Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and the ballpark. Happy staff, fast service, no reservations - worth the trip.

Great place to grab some wonderful food. I had the street tacos , carne asada, pork carnitas and Pollo. All 3 were very tasty and served quickly. If you're in to tequila, this is a fantastic place to get some really well made tequilas. Fantastic selection. Looking forward to going back
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

Quite possibly the best tequila bar in San Diego. The drinks are freshly made with actual tequila (not Actor inspired tequila) Taco Tuesdays are the great pair for a happy hour made match in heaven. Parking not forgiving so make sure to catch a ride or scooter.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30

Austin and Aly were great! Austin was the first barista in town to accommodate my drink and even suggest one that was great! Aly is an amazing host , she took good care of us and was so quick , welcome and proactive.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$100+
Recommended dishes
Chilaquiles, Fries

I come here every time I visit San Diego — love the food and the vibe. However, I asked about the chips & salsa today, and the waitress said “it’s not on the menu but it’s an item people order” instead of saying it’s free — so I ordered the guac & chips instead. They were delicious, but it would’ve been nice if she was straightforward.

Food here is good! Service is friendly. On a busy day it can get loud, but that is because of the great social atmosphere this place holds. They have unique drinks with excellent dishes to complement them. I would recommend.
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

Wow wow wow... First time there. WON'T be the last. Cool vibe. Great people. WICKED food. I wanted to order everything I saw. Pastors and a shrimp tacos were SO Good. I've had many Marg's in many places... These guys know what they're doing. 5 ⭐ all the way ... See ya next time
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Really great vegetarian food and mini-tostadas were wonderful for an app. They have enchiladas as a secret item and the cheese enchiladas with 1/2 and 1/2 sauce were excellent as was the margarita.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 4

Stopped at La Puerta for dinner when I was down in San Diego. The reviews said top 10 tacos, but I was eager to see if that was true. The cochinita tacos we're definitely the best ones, but the pastor was also great. The vibe was also great, with mugshots of musicians all over the wall. The staff was friendly.

Loved this place! Super friendly staff, great vibe, and delicious food. We ordered the ranchero shrimp quesadilla (wet with both red and green sauce!) and a pastor burrito. The portions were quite large and we finished everything!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20

Fantastic food and drinks! Been there a few times while traveling to San Diego, and each time was awesome. On the most recent trip, our server, Tila, was incredible attentive and friendly. If you are staying in the Gaslamp Quarter, this is a must-have!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Best meal I had while in SD. Got the mix and match street tacos — the pastor was the best but the beef was also super good. Wasn’t as big of a fan of the shrimp, it was good, but relative to the other two it was a bit plain. The sides were all excellent — plus you got chips and salsa while you wait.

My Cadillac Margareta was so good I camera beck the next night. But the true show stopped is the guagacamole appetizer. Best I've ever had including TX Restaurants.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Nice little spot in the heart of the GasLamp district where you can dine in or out. It’s a little disorganized to get a table but once sorted it’s fine. The spicy margarita was so good and I really enjoyed my salad. The quesadilla was also nice. Salsa was delicious but the chips could be better.

The street tacos were amazing! Some of the best tacos I've ever had. I had the shrimp, carne asada, and al pastor. Also the house Margarita was delicious and fresh!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Overall good experience. Came in with strollers and they gave us some space to park them. Drinks where OK, tacos were delicious! Good ambiance, very sports barish
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Great food. Staff was very kind and accommodating. The general feel of the restaurant is really cool. Didn't use the bathroom, so can't say how clean it was, but the rest of the space was clean. Would hands down go again. Chips and salsa are hands down some of the best I've had in a while.