It was our second time eating at La Mesa. It was my birthday yesterday and my boyfriend asked me where I wanted to go. I chose La Mesa because the first time we went I was very impressed with the delicious drinks and the short rib enchiladas. The atmosphere is so special and intimate whether you're on a date or with family. Both times we went, our servers were friendly and checked on us appropriately. Our server yesterday was handling making drinks at the bar and serving other tables that were there for Valentine's Day, but she still provided us with really good customer service (not sure of her name but she was wearing a pink shirt). We ordered a few drinks that included a strawberry horchata with rum, and a special one for Valentine's Day called the cupids kiss. They really stood out to me with how cute and yummy they were. For an appetizer, we ordered birria French fries. I was surprised that it had the consommé because I assumed it would make the fries soggy.... But it did not! They were AMAZING. The birria was tender and delicious, the flavor had a lot of depth in the consommé. For our entrees, we both cannot get enough of the short rib enchiladas with the mole sauce. They are our favorite. I really am just grateful that there is a restaurant like this that cares about the food they share with their customers. In the past, we ate at restaurants for my birthday where they didn't take as much pride or care about what they served. My birthday dinner at La Mesa felt very special to me and my boyfriend. Thanks a bunch we look forward to our return visit! read more

La Mesa- A Mexican Kitchen - Mexican Near Me - Stockton, California

See all

Really wanted to like this place but after two visits, my family and I decided no way Jose.... Over priced wannabe Mexican food. Their Spanish rice is more like a boxed rice pilaf. Gross! My biggest problem with this place is the chicken enchiladas!! Where in Mexico or anywhere else do they make enchiladas with grilled cubed chicken... let me tell you... NO WHERE! The flan was so bad.. not a flan more like a jell-O. No sugar for Ice Tea???) why serve unsweetened ice tea? Don't waste your time if you want authentic Mexican Food... because you will not get it here! read more

We've been La Mesa multiple times and every time we come it's a minimal to no wait which always a plus! Last time we went our waitress suggested to try their Molcajete after we seen it on a previous visit, it was delicious! It's enough to feed 2 for sure. I also tried the crispy beef short rib tacos they were ok, it lacked flavor. The Molcajete is where it's at!!! read more

See all

Stockton-I think there was a different Mex food restaurant here at one time, because we were looking for a different spot. We saw this one and decided to give it a try. Definitely did not disappoint. It was lunchtime and it was not busy, so that worried us a little bit. Not to worry, though, the drinks were fantastic, and the food was really delicious! I had the blood Naranja drink, and it was outstanding. Just the right amount of sweet. My lunchmate had a beer. Can't go wrong with a beer. Both of us ordered tacos. Mine were Carne Asada and hers were Carnitas. We both raved about the deliciousness of our selected entrees. Their green salsa was awesome. We ordered an appetizer of guacamole, and it was also perfectly made. Their homemade chips, along with pickled onions, made the guacamole even yummier. Definitely will be back. read more

See all

Enjoyed a fun lunch at La Mesa. I tried their Tijuana Caeser salad with grilled chicken. It was pretty good and very filling. The standout for me however was the chips and guacamole. The nice, thick and crunchy tortilla chips with chunky guacamole were delish. I also a pineapple margarita that kicked my butt, LOL. It was very good but very STRONG. Service was great despite our waitress doubling as bartender. She did an excellent job keeping up with both duties. I would definitely return just for those chips and guac! read more

See all

I've been here twice. The first time I had low expectations because you know strip mall restaurant, how good can it be. I don't remember how I found this location. I was pleasantly surprised, however when the food came out with the green salsa and the chips because that was exquisite. best green salsa I've ever had in my life and in fact that green salsa was the reason that we came back for the second trip. read more

This place is a hidden gem for sure located in the Lincoln shopping center in Stockton, Ca...! Came here this past week for lunch with a co-worker and absolutely loved it! I always judge 1st on g the chips and salsa. The chips are homemade so what's no to love about that and so are all the salsas. We got the trio including the homemade guacamole and I could've just had this for a meal it was so good! We also had their cheese queso appetizer and don't know how to describe how delicious this was and the homemade tortillas it's served with was just over the top. For lunch I had I had the crispy short rib tacos and cannot say or explain how good these were. They were a little awkward to pick up the way they put sauce on them , but I figured it out. So Good! Service was for sure over the top fantastic 5 out of 5 stars! Ambiance while didn't scream Mexican restaurant had an upscale vibe to it which really didn't matter. I would 100% come back here and bragged about it so much my daughter and her BF are coming here for date night this week...this is a great find in the 209! read more

See all

I'm still thinking about the chilaquiles I had here. They were absolutely to die for. I've been craving them ever since! Perfectly balanced flavors and just the right amount of spice. I also ordered a Bloody Mary and it was pretty darn good, flavorful, well-made, and nicely presented. Actually, all the drinks we saw coming out looked beautifully decorated and very tasty. What really stood out though was the customer service. The woman who greeted me when I walked in was incredibly warm and welcoming, which immediately set a great tone. Our server was also super kind and helpful with our selections. You can tell they genuinely prioritize taking care of their guests. The restaurant itself has a really nice cozy vibe that makes it easy to relax and enjoy your meal. Great food, great drinks, and great service -- I'll definitely be coming back! read more

See all

used to love this place.... after greet at the door, we requested a high chair by the woman who greeted us/ sat us, she never brought one. We also asked our server for one (2nd ask- clearly holding a baby in arms) when he came by to take our drink and appitizer order. Instead of bringing by the high chair he went and put our order in waited till he was done then saw him speaking to the manager for a bit by the computer then finally we got the highchair. No chips were brought to the table until our bar drinks were made and later delivered. Server forgot one drink. At the time there were 2 other tables in the restaurant, our server, another server/ bar tender and the manager. Waited over 10 mins for our drinks and the chips and salsa/ guac. The manager clearly was more concerned with door dash orders then the patrons in his restaurant. practically got out drinks and food at the same time and the food order was as wrong for the individual who had already had her drink forgotten about. the manager never came by to speak with us about any of this. Food seems to have lost its unique flavor and service definitely was horrible. will not ever come back. read more

Saturday brunch. Best French Toast in Stockton! For that matter- in region. Must try. My wife had the menudo- only available on the weekends. The flavor profile is balanced, spice level is just right. Service was excellent. Thank you read more

I really enjoyed my time here at La Mesa! Service was very attentive and friendly and even took time to give me best recommendations. I was between the cheese and shrimp enchiladas but since I was wanting to eat a mild dish, I had the cheese! They were tasty and filling. Food did not taste authentically Mexican but was still very tasty. Also if you'd like chips and salsa they must be ordered ( not complimentary) read more

La Mesa- A Mexican Kitchen - Cheese enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Stockton, California

To begin with, I would not recommend ordering the iced tea--it was truly disappointing, especially given the high price. As for the crispy tacos, there's a big difference between tacos that are freshly and properly fried and those that are overcooked in rancid oil. Unfortunately, what I received fell into the latter category, which is simply unacceptable. The service was also lackluster and apathetic. ----------- Jeff Berretta, no one is questioning the quality of the products served at your restaurants--La Mesa, Market Tavern, or Prime Table. The real issue is that your kitchen is ruining these high-quality ingredients. Perhaps you should try sampling them yourself to ensure better quality control. Additionally, before criticizing your customers online, I suggest you act with more professionalism. I regularly dine at your locations in Stockton and Dublin. While I do find your food overpriced and the service rather pretentious, that's not my main concern here. The real problem is your attitude. Next time I visit Market Tavern, I intend to address this with you in person and see if you live up to the online persona you project. Wishing you all the best in your role until then. read more

Love, love this place. Always so welcoming each and every time we go which is a lot lately. 5 stars above your traditional Mexican restaurants! Almost an eclectic Mexican vibe. Their menudo is par excellence..... And the prices are reasonable! read more

Nice ambience, place is smaller than I thought but luckily we were able to get a table for 6 during the dinner hour rush. The chips & guac are pretty good as well as the beef mole. I tried the chicken enchiladas recently and wasn't too much of a fan, mainly because I'm used to eating them with shredded chicken but grilled chicken was used instead. I also wasn't a fan of the drinks and wished they had a larger selection. I had ordered a margarita but it tasted like it was just tequila and water and it was so strong I didn't even touch drink it. I liked the food overall and would be back to try some of the other menu items. read more

I hate to leave a bad review but I was not impressed!! Ordered here tonight two burritos and a couple tacos and some birria tacos.. Our burritos were mostly rice! I do have to say the quality of steak was perfect for the little tiny bit of what was in there, but the entire flavor Was just eh ok.. definitely not authentic in any way.. The price was outrageous but I already knew we were ordering from Lincoln center.. We won't be returning.. read more

Delicious food! Got the chips and salsa for app & posole for main 9/10! Red wine sangria 8/10 Coco y pina 8/10 Super yummy and fast service ! read more

See all

Limited menu but what they do they do well. The green ceviche was different, but good. Carnitas were a little dry if I'm being honest, and the asada plate was pretty lean, with only one small piece of asada. Ambience was nice and service was really good. Very friendly staff. We will try again. Overall a good experience. read more

See all

I rarely give 5 stars but this place deserves it! When we arrived the hostess was taking a call but still acknowledge us and let us know she will be right with us. She finished the call and sat us right away! It has a full bar and the lights are dimmed, it's a real nice vibe inside. When we sat down the waitress was so friendly and attentive, she checked in frequently but wasn't too much. Firstly the chips and guacamole and salsa was so bomb! I don't know what they did to it! I ordered the fried shrimp tacos with the Spanish rice and black beans soooo fire, I highly recommend. My husband ordered the crispy Pellizco tacos and he can't stop raving about them. For my picky daughter we order the steak nachos and she wanted extra cheese and they were good! Now for the star! the drinks ! Omg okay, I ordered the fumar hibiscus but switched the tequila and it was so bomb, it's like the main reason I will be coming back! My husband ordered the blood niranja and he ordered two, that's how good it was. Listen, I have never seen him take down a drink that fast. He absolutely loved it. For dessert we had the churros which came with chocolate covered strawberries and it was amazing !!!! Needless to say I love this place! Get here! read more

See all

Absolutely my go to place for great drinks. Had lunch here and food is always consistent. Always enjoy the fresh chips and guacamole for appetizers. Also the ceviche I like it as my entree taste like verde aguachile to me so good! There chicken is marinated well in there burrito bowl. The hibiscus drink is a must try if you love hibiscus. Taste like a margarita... Beautiful clean modern place for date night or hanging with friends for a couple of drinks. read more

See all

5 stars with an asterisk!!! The service is always exceptional especially Cierra! There is another bartender who always delivers amazing service! The asada is what we come for everytime!!! Quality ingredients make a quality meal!!! Their horchata is pretty good too! The restaurant is always clean and tidy! We love the vibe! Thank you for remaining consistent through the years!!! read more

Easy to find, convenient location, great parking. Gal who seated us was a little snippy regarding questions we had about the menu; very tall, large build woman. Waitress...Devon (I think), excellent customer service, brought us water, put in our chips and salsa order then our food was delivered shortly thereafter. Great menu options. Tried these yummy quesadilla tacos; tortillas dipped in a red sauce, tacos served with a dipping sauce. Maybe called Birria tacos or quesadillas. AMAZING good, salsa and house made, perfectly salted chips. There is a full bar, lots of seating. I will definitely go back. read more

See all

Amazing food and great staff! I called for a reservation & hostess was friendly over the phone and in person. Drinks were top notch! It was busy when we went also but our server was on top of it all! read more

La Mesa- A Mexican Kitchen - Piña y coco - Mexican Near Me - Stockton, California

Excellent food and service! I don't usually like green salsa,but this was so good we even ordered extra to go with the homemade chips. Puffy asada tacos (server's recommendation) were perhaps the best carne asada I've had... very tender and flavorful. Steak fajitas were also excellent. Everything was beautifully presented. Will be back! read more

My friends brought me here during a break we had after class. I'm not really in Stockton much so they bring me to try new restaurants all the time. I usually stick to my usual chilaquiles when ordering breakfast and they did not disappoint. The chilaquiles were delicious and the drink I had just topped it. It is decent in price so it's not terrible expensive. I believe they have a full bar too so you can wet your whistle if you please. I'm a big boy so I always wish plates were bigger but I can't complain when eating out. read more

See all

first time trying la mesa in lincoln center and we were not disappointed (except by the prices which were pretty insane). the chips seemed to be homemade, but pretty hard. they tasted good, but i hurt myself multiple times eating them and being stabbed by them because they're so hard. the salsa was good and i liked the flavor a lot. i really enjoyed the bean dip but not everyone at the table was a fan. the bean dip was $12.... if i had known the price (the bean dip isn't on the menu) i would not have ordered it. i really enjoyed the tacos except for the fact that they fell apart so easily from being soft and soggy. they had crispy cheese on the inside, the soft ones did, and the meat had great flavor. the al pastor tacos didn't really taste all that much like al pastor normally does though. i didn't love the beans, they tasted somewhat like canned beans. the rice was good, but i've had better. instead of cilantro it was like some sort of micro green situation happening. instead of regular onions they had pickled onions which i prefer regular on my tacos. the cilantro like rice was just alright. the salsa read more

La Mesa- A Mexican Kitchen - Short Rib Birria Quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - Stockton, California

Great food, cool atmosphere, delicious margaritas, and friendly staff. Can't wait to go back.

I frequent this place often and the service is always amazing. I usually sit at the bar and the bartenders always take great care of me. They are down to earth and make you feel welcome every time. The food is phenomenal. My go to is always the tacos or the pozole, but I have also tried the burrito bowl and enchiladas which are just as good. I still stick to my faithful favorites though. The vibe is always great and this is my go to spot whenever I want to relax, talk, and enjoy some fancy tacos and pozole. read more

their carnitas tacos are amazing. the spicy salsa and warm tortilla chips are a fine meal.

Real shit This place slaps!!!! In a city where there's Mexican food on every corner this is the best place. read more

0 complaints, good experience. Nice & clean restaurant with honestly some good water hahaha We ordered three apps: chips and trio salsas, fresh chicharrones (the main reason why I chose this spot was because I been craving fresh chicharon!!!!!!!), and empanadas. My fav outta all three was the chicharrones of course, the chips seemed a bit overdone for me but it was still good, and the empanadas were filling and flaky. Make use of all the salsas these plates come with to elevate the dish!!! I got the carne asada burrito bowl with less rice and more salad. My meat was cooked beautifully but it did need salt and some lime- once I added those it was literal perfection! Huge portions, I would've liked the lettuce mix maybe chopped up but whatever I still tore it up. This bowl was better than chipotle ;) My boyfriend got the carne asada plate 9/10 for him. He also got the melon & watermelon agua Fresca and it was delicious. We ended it with the corn cake dessert and wow 10/10 amazing. The cake itself was nice and crispy but moist inside. The vanilla bean ice cream is soooooo goooodddd and then the almonds/strawberries on top topped it all off. I would def recommend this dessert. Service was also nice and quick. 4/5 stars for me read more

See all

Excuse me I need to be alone with my Strawberry Tres Leche.... so so so delicious so refreshing on a warm evening worth every bite read more

See all

As soon as you walk in you notice the warm ambiance of the restaurant. Very well decorated. The air was light with the smell of good food. We were immediately greeted and seated. I noticed several specialty drinks at the bar where a group was sitting. We ordered the chips and guacamole, the asada plate and the posole. Everything was fresh, legit and left me wanting to try more. I'm so used to Mexican restaurants over serving to compensate for the lack of quality. Le Mesa's portions were just right. The flavor of the asada was amazing. Tortillas tasted homemade. My posole looked like a small portion but it was more than enough. Flavor so rich I slowed my normally fast eating cadence to enjoy it even more. Will definitely return. read more

La Mesa- A Mexican Kitchen - Posole. - Mexican Near Me - Stockton, California

Chanced upon this location when I was in Lincoln Center- it was really tasty! The beef birria quesadillas were very tasty and the Oaxaca cheese texture complemented the quesadilla very well, but my favorite was the specialty of the day taco platter. For 4 tacos at the price of $21 (the regular tacos on the menu go for 2 around the prices of $17-$19), it was an amazing deal and allowed for us to try a variety of meats- our favorites were the carnitas and birria tacos. The dessert was very delicious (and not available on the online menu), a warm cornbread complemented with cold vanilla gelato and strawberries doused with a chocolate sauce. The gelato was very creamy and the strawberries were very ripe, adding a tangy taste to the sweet creamy mix. Service was great. The waitress Yesenia was kind and checked in on us, even asking us if we wanted plates to share our dishes with one another. She also made sure to run out and give us our credit card that we forgot even after we left! read more

See all

We were meeting a friend in the area for his birthday and after a quick Yelp search this place was in our top two places. We went to our first choice first and for some reason they were closing early so we headed to La Mesa instead. At first we were quite discouraged; when we entered it was dark and loud and after a minute I said we should leave since we wouldn't be able to hear each other talking even if we did get a table. As I opened the door to go, someone spoke to my husband saying all the tables were reserved but we could sit outside if we wanted. It was unseasonably warm, but still cooler outside than in the restaurant packed full of people and there were only two tables outside so I agreed. I will say I was a bit uncomfortable as there was no breeze and it seemed to get hotter and hotter but that is not the restaurants fault. Also not their fault were the multiple occasions noisy, smelly and purposefully loud muscle cars drove by us blowing their exhaust. So much for ambiance. On the positive side, we were able to eat most of our meal in peace and enjoy some great conversation. The waitress was prompt and friendly and happy to have a break from the interior of the restaurant to serve us; she said so herself. We started with drinks and their chips and salsa. The chips and salsa is not complimentary, it is $5 and it comes with chips made in house, two types of salsa (a red tomato based salsa and a green chile/chipotle salsa) as well as some pico de gallo. It was ok but honestly the free ships and salsa from most restaurants is better. The chips were quite greasy and the salsas were basic. For our mains, my husband had the asada plate ($21) and he really enjoyed it. He gave it 4 stars easy. I had the pork belly quesadillas with cilantro rice and beans, but what I was served looked like tacos. They definitely had chicharrones in them though. I did not enjoy my main and my husband still had room to finish my plate as well, so although the portions look large in the photos, they really aren't, especially for the price. Honestly, Chipotle does cilantro rice better than this restaurant. However, our friend enjoyed his meal and gave 4 stars as well. I don't recall what he ordered but he had a large serving of meat and black beans and said it was good, but nothing special. Of course, he wasn't paying and I think that usually makes a difference when one is rating something. This restaurant was ok, so it deserves 3 stars. The staff was friendly enough and the food was edible, but when you add in the ambiance (or lack their of) and the prices for what you are getting, there are just too many other places where you can get delicious, authentic food in larger quantities and lower prices that I probably would not return. read more

See all

Went to dinner with a girl friend and everything was great! The service, food, drink, ambiance was all a 10/10! We ordered the salsa flight, guac, chicken nachos, birria fries, empanadas, and Paloma's. All so delicious can't wait to go back! read more

See all

I recently visited for a family dinner and was extremely disappointed with the service. We were told that we couldn't sit together party of 9, which was frustrating, especially since there were plenty of open tables. To make matters worse, we were informed that if we were at different tables, we couldn't walk over or talk to each other. This felt incredibly disrespectful and made our experience unenjoyable. This was just to get a table. I expected better accommodation for a group, and I won't be coming back! The man in the picture was the rudest I wish I could give 0 starts read more

La Mesa- A Mexican Kitchen - Mexican Near Me - Stockton, California

As we dined outdoors, I overheard this guy approaching say to someone on the phone, "this don't look like no Mexican restaurant...I hope the drinks are good" My thoughts exactly. It's very modern-like and feel like they have to keep up w/the aesthetic of Lincoln Center which doesn't allow them to truly display the authentic Mexican decor outdoors. We were walk-ins for a party of 3 on a Friday night. The hostess was super friendly and said it was alright we didn't have a reservation. I wish all could be friendly like her. DRINKS: -The coco y pina margarita (5/5). It was a sweet recommendation from the server/bartender. If you love sweet cocktails, get this. It was sweet and creamy b/c of the foam. -My husband's sangria was ENORMOUS. He said it was refreshing. (4/5) FOOD: -Empanadas: 2/order, and were filled w/papa, queso, and chorizo. I tasted mostly meat, but didn't get that strong chorizo spice taste. I wish it would've been strong. I couldn't really find the queso or papa. (3/5) -Shrimp salad (a special). The salad consisted of lettuce, shredded carrots, tomatoes, red onions, cucumber, and 4 shrimps in a yummy sauce, I think it was chipotle? I forget but it was sweet. I think they could've used some salt. I don't recall what the dressing was, but it was delicious. do that again. I wish the salad would've came with more shrimp though. (3.5/5) . -chile verde (a special): not bad (3/5) -Chips & Guacamole: I heard they make the chips fresh but they were just okay. They were room temp which meant they weren't freshly fried. They also lacked the fundamental salt. The guacamole was delicious and you could tell it was made fresh. (3/5) SERVICE: We were automatically met with a guy. He wasn't friendly or welcoming but told us to hold on meanwhile he checked the back for space. The hostess came up (not aware that this guy was helping us). She was SO friendly and welcoming. She didn't make us feel bad for not having a reservation but quite the opposite. Inside was super packed but offered us a table outside. which was perfect b/c honestly inside was too loud. Our server was also a bartender gal - I saw her making drinks. You could tell she was busy so I think that didn't allow her to be the friendly server she could be. She was a bit pushy and I felt a stress when she came around. We also felt rushed at the end to leave when she brought us the bill, told us to take our time, but then came and started clearing stuff which made us feel even more rushed. Overall, the food was OK. If a friend wanted to meet up here, I would return. But I don't think I'd come back on my own. read more

See all

This restaurant is in the perfect location in Stockton. Great parking and a perfect shopping area especially if you love boutiques. It's a small restaurant but they definitely get a lot of people going there. They do have tables outside. They have a small bar area that seems to be very popular. I ordered their Veggie Bowl. This is not a bowl! Haha....it was huge! Platter huge. Hubby ordered their Cheese Enchiladas. I love their rice! We also ordered their chips with guacamole. Their chips is one if not the best I've ever had. Soooo good! Infact, it's so good that we will be stopping by sometime this week to order a few bags lol. Our waitress was awesome Very social and took good care of us. I love that! Made sure to refill my hubby's drink a few times. I absolutely recommend this restaurant. read more

La Mesa- A Mexican Kitchen - Mexican Near Me - Stockton, California

See all

WOW! Never knew about this place until recently and boy oh boy am I glad I found it! We just had appetizers and drinks and man I can't wait to come back for a full meal! The Chile relleno was super fresh, not deeply fried or heavily breaded. The empanadas were super tasty too! Sangria was yummy to top it all off! read more

La Mesa- A Mexican Kitchen - Chile relleno appetizer - Mexican Near Me - Stockton, California

See all

Very good food and attentive servers. Everything was freshly made original. Dog friendly as well.