San Diego Mexican Food Reviews

1875 Logan Ave
San Diego, CA 92113 (map)
(619) 234-4460

Two things -

1) There are plenty of reasons to talk yourself out of eating here. No parking, a long line, paint peeling off the walls, half of the letters missing off the menu, few choices.

2) You should eat here.

I know many will disagree with me on this, and I completely see their point. There are tons of quality "real" Mexican places in the area. Quality cuisine isn't on the radar here. The limited menu is frustrating. Crunchy tacos with lettuce. Etc etc. Even if it makes me an idiot, I like it. Just know that many online food boards will bash this place regularly, so take what I say with a grain of salt.

Really, you should at least try it. There is a reason the place always has a line. And a line, I might add, where you'll almost never find a tourist. This is where San Diegans eat.

This place has been serving the same great Mexican food for over 75 years. And it's the sort of thing you won't find in many other hole in the wall Mexican places. There's only one "salsa" and it's made with pork fat. The tacos are apologetically unauthentic (fried shells with lettuce). You get flour tortillas with your meal. There are only 6-7 things on the menu. And it's all really good.

Let's be honest though..... Saying this restaurant isn't "authentic" just because it's not what you'd get south of the border is silly. It's been here for 75 years. So claiming it's not authentic is perhaps admitting you don't know what the word means.

It doesn't matter. The food is great. Old school. Unctuous. Worth the wait.

The chorizo beans and rice is my favorite. Sop it up with the flour tortillas before they get cold. And don't turn your nose up at the rolled tacos. This is the way all rolled tacos should be.

It's good to know what you're doing though. When you round the corner and get inside after standing in line out in the sun you are expected to order immediately, as people are waiting. So be sure to peek in and decide before you get to the counter. It can be intimidating. But, in my opinion, you should get the chorizo beans and rice if you haven't tried it. Don't get the large, the small is plenty. I also recommend the tamales, and I say that as someone who doesn't like tamales.

There is no salsa bar, so grab any fixins you want at the register.

And they're only open limited hours. What hours those are, no one seems to agree. But figure around 10-2, closed on Sunday.

Tourist advice - If I was a tourist here I would not feel comfortable going to a strange city in a rental car with a map I printed off the Internet and then driving around this area of San Diego. It's not what I would call a "bad neighborhood", but it's easy to get lost here if you aren't careful. Not saying you shouldn't go, just making sure you understand where you're headed.