My Mexican craving

I moved to San Diego roughly six years ago after visiting a couple of friends that live here. I had never been to America’s finest city before but something about how this city made me feel captivated me and I never left. I went back home, packed a larger suitcase and said goodbye to my family and my old life. 6 years later I look back and realize it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I have Adam and Alexander— and on top of that, great Mexican food!

Some Mexican dishes are very elaborate and difficult to prepare. The ingredients are not easy to find either. In México we not only have jalapeños, serranos, chipotles and habaneros—we have guajillo, chile de arbol, chile ancho, pasilla, morita and piquin, among many many others. Mexican dishes sometimes combine more than 20 ingredients just to make a sauce! To satisfy my Mexican food craving, filling a tortilla with cheese won’t always do the trick, so I rely on the hundreds of Mexican restaurants that we have in the city.

When I moved to San Diego one of my fears was missing my native Mexican food. When I was younger I would visit San Antonio quite often and I was never impressed on their take on Mexican food. (It was many years ago and I am sure it has evolved.) Moving to San Diego I expected something similar, but to my surprise, they had not only done a great job with their Mexican restaurants, they had also created beautiful, Mexican-inspired “SoCal” food. I put together a short list of some of my favorite spots closer to home (downtown-midtown) for you.

Here some of my favorite SoCal/Mexican restaurants and what I like to order at each one of them:

Sitting down:

La Puerta– This is a downtown San Diego restaurant-bar. Their food is surprisingly good as well as their micheladas! The place is fun, lively and usually pretty crowded. You might have to wait 20 minutes to be seated. The only downfall is that the music is super loud, so if you are looking to have a quiet dinner this might not be the place for you.
Puesto Tacos
Los Arcos– This is a delicious Mexican chain that opened a location in Chula Vista, CA. When I heard it had opened I was so excited! This is a casual place that I recommend for lunchtime. Definitely worth the trip (only abou t 10-15 min from downtown San Diego). Their ceviche and shrimp tacos are amazing. Their “clamato” is great if you partied the night before—this is Mexico’s version of a Bloody Mary. For dessert please order their banana cream pie, it is the best one I’ve ever had.
Mama Testa– Cute little spot in Hillcrest. They have good taquitos, cochinita pibil is great here. Their beans are pretty tasty too. They have an extensive variety of salsas and that always makes it fun! Their name, along with many items on the menu, are full of obscene wordplays when translated into Spanish.
Barrio Star– Most of their food is a little bland, but their carne asada torta and their pozole are worth visiting for. The place is very cute too. They have good drinks and the ambiance is great. Service can be pretty slow, so don’t go if you want a quick bite.
Puesto– I haven’t been to Puesto yet but I trust the people who have recommended it. The place looks very cool too. A friend really recommended their Mole Poblano.
Cantina Mayahuel– I know a lot of friends that love this place. I was not impressed with their tacos but their other dishes look really good.
Candela’s– Very expensive but generally good food. Good ambiance with a bar-dancing area.

Fast food options:

Las Cuatro Milpas– It is a San Diego classic. They are famous for their “rolled tacos.” They are good enough.
Everyday line at Las Cuatro Milpas
Santana’s– Guilty as charged! I love their machaca taquitos and their carne asada quesadilla.
Rubio’s– My Mexican friends might kill me for this one but their gourmet tacos are really good. Their salsas aren’t bad either.
La Fachada– I have to confess I have never been but I have heard wonders about their food and will go the first chance I get.
La Posta– This is a little 24 hours joint that you order through a window. Adam says they have by far the best California burrito in town. You will have to trust him on that.

I am sure I am missing many more. but if you are visiting San Diego or living in midtown-downtown area and you are craving Mexican food these places might do the trick. Please let me know your own picks, I always love to know about more good Mexican food close to home.