Tacos al pastor, chiles en nogada, cochinita pibil, mole poblano, pozole…The list is endless! If Mexican food is known for something, it is by its great variety of dishes. Why’s that? Well, each state has its own recipes and culinary traditions.

Nowadays, in San Diego, many options bring us closer to the authentic taste of the Aztec culture. That is why today, we share the best Mexican food restaurants in San Diego. In each of them, you can enjoy the authentic cuisine of Mexico, either with a traditional or contemporary concept.

Go and let yourself be delighted by the flavor and color of Mexican cuisine!

Birrieria Don Rafa

Located for 13 years in Chula Vista, this restaurant offers a unique style and exquisite Mexican cuisine. The family business started by Rafael Godinez, "Don Rafa," has as its main dish the goat birria, an original recipe from Jalisco. Likewise, over the years, this place has also opted to merge Mexican food with North American food, which has resulted in unique dishes such as the quesadilla ahogada (made with cornflour, stuffed and covered with birria). This gastronomic spot currently offers quesadillas, tortas, menudo, beef birria, and birria tatemada (steamed goat meat then roasted in the oven), among other specialties.

For reservations, go to: www.birrieriadonrafa.com

El Pollo Grill

If you want to delight your palate with authentic Sinaloan food and enjoy a friendly atmosphere, you must visit El Pollo Grill. Founded by Rafael and Constanza López in the historic area of Lemon Grove in 1987, this place's star dish is flame-roasted chicken. But that's not all; on their menu, you will also find tacos, burritos, chimichangas, and even plenty of salad varieties.Today, led by Víctor López (the founders’ son), El Pollo Grill has two more locations: Bonita (3041 Bonita Rd Ste 105) and Otay Ranch (2015 Birch Road, Suite 2003). As additional information, it is worth noting that this restaurant also offers a catering service, just as it did in the beginning.

For reservations, go to: www.elpollogrill.com

El Patio

Looking for flavors that will bring you back to your home kitchen? Then you must eat at El Patio. Located in Chula Vista for 62 years, this Mexican restaurant offers tasty and authentic dishes in a cozy and familiar atmosphere. On their menu, you will find broths, stews, ranchero-style meals, enchiladas, pozole, and much more. Eating at this place will be like going back to your mom's or grandma's kitchen.

For reservations, go to: www.elpatio.com

La Sabrosita

With a modern twist, this restaurant offers three different concepts for patrons of all ages. During the morning, opening at 8 AM, you can enjoy authentic Mexican breakfasts such as huevos a la mexicana, broths, pozole verde, or an omelet. In the afternoon, the restaurant changes its style and, accompanied by live music and a cocktail bar, offers a menu where you can pamper your palate with dishes such as tripas, seafood enchiladas, shrimp, pork rinds, marrows, Michoacan mole, among others. To keep in mind, La Sabrosita usually has live DJs on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 6 PM to 12 AM. Here, you can spend a quiet morning enjoying a delicious breakfast or a fun afternoon tasting authentic Mexican dishes and drinks while listening to great music.

For reservations, go to: www.lasabrositacantina.com

TJ Oyster Bar

Almost 20 years old, this family restaurant is characterized by offering patrons different “Baja Style” recipes. Exquisite dishes such as tuna tacos with cheese, tostadas, burritos, cocktails, grilled fish, and various snack options, stand out on their menu. One peculiarity of this place is that it offers three different types of oysters: one from Baja California, another from Washington, and the third from Canada, each one different in flavor. You can have them in an oyster cocktail, for example, or also fried. On the other hand, the restaurant has wines from the region, beers, and delicious micheladas to complement your meal. So, if you want to enjoy a flavor fusion, visit TJ Oyster Bar. They currently have three locations: two in Bonita (4246 Bonita Rd and 4410 Bonita Rd.) and one in Chula Vista (601 E Palomar St).

For reservations, go to: www.tjoyster.com

Taquería Revolución

If you are looking for tacos similar to those in Tijuana, you must visit Taquería Revolución. Open for lunch and dinner, this Mexican restaurant specializes in carne asada and Tijuana-style dishes. You will find tacos, burritos, tostadas, birria, potatoes, and more. This taquer¡a has its own App: Taquería Revolución, through which you can place your orders.

For reservations, go to: www.tacosrevo.com

Las Tres Catrinas

If you want to enjoy a night full of music, Mexican food, and drinks, visit Las Tres Catrinas. Being open for six months now, this Mexican restaurant and bar offers a colorful and fun environment, ideal to live an unforgettable moment with whoever you want. You will find tacos, sopes, snacks, hamburgers, among many other options on its menu. In addition, you can enjoy delicious micheladas, mimosas, and different drinks. You should note that they recently began to open on Saturdays and Sundays at 9 AM when they offer a unique brunch menu. So visit Las Tres Catrinas! We guarantee that the flavor of this place will be unforgettable.

For reservations, go to: Las Tres Catrinas SD

Taco Lounge

Originally from Tijuana, Rubén Jiménez and Roberto Mercado opened Taco Lounge in San Diego after eight years of opening their first branch in their hometown. Since they were little, this pair of cousins related to the gastronomic world. Now they offer a relaxing atmosphere, calm music, and a menu that honors Mexican food's traditional flavors. Here you can delight your palate with tacos, birria, chilaquiles, seafood, and, above all, handmade tortillas.

For reservations, go to: www.tacolounge.net

Ceviche Craft

Encouraged by a friend to make different types of ceviche in a beach town, Chef Meír opened Ceviche Craft in December 2019. This fantastic Mexican food restaurant specializes in their house marinade “Leche de tigre.” Also, it has a ceviche bar that allows patrons to assemble their dishes in a Poke or Subway style. As a particularity of the spot, they use a lemon machine to achieve more freshness in the food preparation process.

For reservations, go to: www.cevichecraft.com

Papagayos

If you want to combine your meal with delicious drinks and live music, you have to visit Papagayos. Located in Chula Vista for 22 years, this Mexican restaurant is characterized by its delicious molcajetes and refreshing margaritas. But that's not all; you will also find fajitas, tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and many more traditional dishes on their menu. In addition, they offer special dishes for each holiday, such as Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. It is worth noting that this place has live bands until 2 AM, karaoke nights, and different DJs on Saturdays and Sundays.

For reservations, go to: www.papagayoseastlake.com/

Now that you know, make sure to visit these restaurants to enjoy a little piece of Mexico in every bite.

RELATED VIDEO: "Taco Bites": Asada Taco at Mi Tierra Super Taco