San Diego Mexican Food Reviews

2489 San Diego Ave
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 297-4330 (map)
Official website

Bottonline - A San Diego tradition. Food doesn't stand up to the hype. Touristy.

While OTMC isn't one of my favorite places to get Mexican food, you will find many recommending it and lots of locals eat here. And of course it's mentioned in every San Diego guide out there, so I guess I owe it a review.

The good - Old Town Mexican Cafe is a fun experience for guests. With a festive atmosphere, colorful decor, and ladies making fresh tortillas by hand out front, there is plenty to make this a fun stop for San Diego tourists. The food is good enough that anyone not snobbish about Mexican food will enjoy it. Some of the dishes, such as the posole are pretty good.

The bad - San Diego has tons of great Mexican food. This isn't it. While the food is good, and might be great in a town with few Mexican food options, it doesn't measure up so well in a place like San Diego. Add to that the looooooooong lines that usually fill the sidewalk. In my humble opinion, the food isn't worth the wait.

So what should you eat in Old Town if you are a tourist trying to find lunch or dinner after going through the cute shops? To tell you the truth, I'm not sure it matters. During the tourist season most places will have lines that are just too long. And the food doesn't vary that much form place to place. I actually enjoy Plaza Del Pasado, mostly for the over-the-top atmosphere.

So.......... While it's not bad, you *are* in San Diego. Try the really good stuff.