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    La Puerta

    4.4 (578 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed 9:00 am - 11:00 pm

    La Puerta Photos

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    LA PUERTA ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - La Puerta

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    Pastor quesadilla
    Joey D.

    Let me start off by saying this is the best Happy Hour that my wife and I have had so far in San Diego. 3-5pm every day 50% off all their alcohol to include their cocktails and their appetizers and quesadillas. We got our customary classic Old Fashioneds and they were definitely delicious. My wife then got a Mezcal Old Fashioned and it was surprisingly delicious. The bartenders were very attentive, gracious, and fun to be around. We then got our food which was 50% off because of the happy hour. We got cochinita tostaditas, carne asada quesadilla, and pastor quesadilla. The portions were just right. All 3 items were very delicious! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant/bar was full and the atmosphere was very pleasant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We've been here a few times and will continue to return!

    Rohith V.

    We came by this spot since we were craving some Mexican cuisine after hitting up the little Italy farmers market earlier in the day. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We came with a pup and this place was listed as dog friendly.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The staff were kind and accommodating and even gave our pup some treats and he was behaving well. We ordered a couple of drinks to start off - a margarita and another (I forget the name but it was purple) we got it with salted rims and I'm not sure if they accidentally mixed a bunch of it in because these were the saltiest drinks I've ever had - tasted like I was drinking straight salt water. The server was kind enough to replace these with another drink sans salt rim and those drinks were a lot better. The food itself was solid. The rice and beans didn't hit as much and the rice was on the dryer side. The salsas, tacos, and burrito all hit the mark.

    Weekend HH Quesadillas (half off)
    Jonathan Z.

    Solid Weekend Happy Hour at La Puerta in Mission Hills! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Friendly and fast service, great outdoor ambiance, and yummy half-off bites.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They have a good selection of cocktails, including some with carrot, some with Olive juice, but our go-to is the spicy marg with Mezcal, all half-off. Quesadillas, cute flautitas (mini rolled tacos), chips and Guac all round out a perfect little meal. Def added to the Rolodex for weekend Happy Hours in Mission Hills.

    Carne Asada quesadilla, shrimp tostaditas, margaritas
    Julia R.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]What a fun, happy hour spot![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They're happy hour deals included half off all drinks, and a discount on their appetizers in quesadillas. Food was amazing, and drinks were super tasty, I got there a couple minutes before 4:30, and half hour ended at five. They did come around multiple times prior to happy hour ending, and made sure that everybody put in their last chance orders. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I love the aesthetic of this restaurant, and the servers are also attentive and kind.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I would totally come back! Food was delicious and really hit the spot

    Jessica P.

    La Puerta has one of the best happy hours--and it's daily, which is a huge plus! Drinks and appetizers are half off, making it such a great deal. Highly recommend the Purple Haze (a sangria margarita) and the steak quesadilla. Also, don't forget to ask for the complimentary chips and salsa! Great vibes, great prices--definitely a go-to spot.

    Carne asada quesadilla with chipotle crema
    Jenifer B.

    Went here for lunch and the service was quick and efficient. Staff was great and the food was solid but I wish you didn't have to pay extra for sauces. The restaurant itself is super cute. We got: - Carne asada quesadilla: 8/10 my boyfriend got this and said it was good - Surf 'n' turf tacos especiales: 8/10 the steak and shrimp on this were cooked well. I wish there was more flavor to it but it was overall well made - Guacamole: 9/10 this was delicious! Probably my favorite part of the meal

    Papas Fritas and signatures menu
    Simeko O.

    La Puerta is a delicious eatery serving tacos, burritos, and all-around good vibes in Mission Hills. They also have another location downtown. We visited the Mission Hills spot and had a really great experience. I ordered the surf and turf one-pound burrito, and it did not disappoint. It had a nice kick of spice and was easily big enough to share or take half home for another meal later, which I definitely recommend. The drinks were well-made, the staff was friendly and welcoming, and the overall atmosphere makes it a fun spot for a night out with friends or even a casual date. Definitely recommend La Puerta. This place is seriously delicious.

    Cocktails
    Ryan C.

    Stopped by here on Sunday for their happy hour (yes, even on weekends!) and had a super fun time. Started as two of us but had a bunch of friends join us through our time there, and the servers/hosts were all super accommodating with extra chairs and eventually moving us to a larger table. Food for happy hour is half off all of their alcohol plus half off the starters and quesadillas too. This is really a great deal, one that we will definitely be back for. The guacamole, flautitas, and shrimp ranchero quesadilla were the standouts for me - but honestly everything was delish. Vibes were good - good music playing, good mix of people throughout...and it was pretty full!

    Carne Asada Quesadilla, chicken tacos
    Canary H.

    Went here on a whim because the restaurant we had intended to go to was closed. The exterior was cute, and we were seated quickly. The girl seated us was very expressionless, and we couldn't tell if she had seats for us or not. We went in and were delighted with the decorative interior, extensive beer wall, and music themed menus. The server was quick with our food and was lovely. She brought everything we needed and checked in with us. Quesadillas were decent, but the selling point was how they cooked the carne asada. Tacos, chips, and cocktails were okay. Beer was cold and tasty. Nothing special worth noting and I don't think I'll be passing by again. Somethings were pricier than others, but being in this area, it's expected. It was very loud inside. But yes. Nothing exceptional that would make me drive down again.

    Ghina P.

    We went to Mission Hills for a pop-up Christmas experience restaurant but the line was ridiculous. Instead we went to La Puerta and I'm glad we did. The place is super cute and it's has Christmas decorations up. We took advantage of the Tavo Tuesdays deals. Our server, Shawn, is fantastic. He was very cheery since we walked in, made great recommendations and checked on us often, even when it got a bit busier. To start we ordered the refriend beans and it was great and super hot (which I love). For Taco Tuesdays they have $3 street tacos. The pollo asado, carnitas, and shrimp were great options. I got a Paloma that was very refreshing and their tequila flight (as pictured). I'm not sure what tequila brand is used for the flight but it was smooth. Overall it was a great first time experience and I will certainly go back.

    Queso fundido
    Angie B.

    Good late night happy hour with half off appetizers and quesadillas. Loved my carne asada quesadilla and the queso fundido was really good as well. Cocktails were good too. Our waiter was awesome and very knowledgeable on drinks. Really spacious layout. Rock themed which is fun. Street parking only.

    Queso fondito and some drinks.
    Arian B.

    Best happy hour in San Diego and it is 7 days a week. They also have the late night happy hour with great options. The 3-5 has all the drinks on special!! The vibe is very cool too. They have a location in downtown I am ready to try !

    Frontage
    Patrick Y.

    Suggested by two different people at the AAA office, we decided to try this place. I drove past this restaurant on the way to the AAA office, so it was dejavu to be back in this neighborhood, called Mission Hills. Right away, this place was giving a vibe us Sacramentans don't really have. Sure there are some restaurants in Sacramento that have open air from the patio to the inside, but honestly.....less than a handful. So when I saw, and felt, what I experienced when I walked up to La Puerta, I knew I was in for something special. We were seated immediately and given chips/salsa. The menus that had album covers on the front, with every one being different. The decor was inviting, fun, refreshing and lively. Our server greeted us and took our drink order. The menu is extensive and offered some dishes I've never seen before. Nonetheless, we played it safe and ordered what we know. This is what we got: Torta "La Puerta" This had pork, steak, ham, cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato, avocado, onions and jalepenos....whew! It was super tasty and definitely special. That's why it was under the La Puerta Signature Dishes section of the menu. I would order this again, but only after I try about ten other things, so I'll have to circle back around to ordering this anytime soon. Cochinita Tostaditas This was basically a tostada with pork, beans, avocado, cheese, pico de gallo, onion and lettuce. There were five of them and since it was happy hour, it was only like $6!! Crazy value!!! If I was a drinker, like many of the patrons there, I would have had several, considering the money you are saving on food. Definitely coming back for this one during happy hour. This place was amazing. I saw there is another location in Gas Lamp, so you have options. Simply Wonderful!!

    We had a Great time

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    1 month ago

    Do yourself a favor and come when Nick B is working, he's the best bar tender!!!!!!!!

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    Page 1 of 15

    Ask the Community - La Puerta

    Do you have any Taco Tuesday Specials?

    What does your Happy Hour include?

    I just called, 50% off appetizers, quesadillas, and bar drinks.

    Are we allowed to make reservations for a party of 8?

    No reservations- just come on in!

    Do you take reservations?

    We've always just walked in and had no problem. I've also never seen a empty table with a "reserved" sign on it.

    Do you have Taco Tuesday deals?

    $3 street tacos, tj dogs, and Tecate starting at 3:00

    Are all drinks half off during happy hour?

    Yes

    Do you have vegan options?

    I checked the menu and decided to call and ask since I wasn't 100% clear. The gentleman on the phone said there are not very many options available. Things can be adjusted and they can make it work but it's limited with most items containing cheese… 

    Can I reserve space for a large party?

    Email full details to HP@lapuertasd.com to request

    Can I order tacos a la carte?

    Yes

    When is your Happy Hour?

    3-5 daily

    The online menu says "must be 21 yrs of age after 3pm". So family can't eat dinner there?

    That’s only for our downtown location - mission hills has no age restrictions. However, if you’re downtown under 21 may eat on out patio

    Do you offer a gluten-free menu?

    Our tacos are served on corn tortillas which are gluten free. The marinade and sauces are gluten free as well. The chips, tostaditas, and flautitas have a very small amount… 

    Do you have a happy hour?

    Yes everyday 3-5

    View All 16 Questions

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    Quixote

    4.0
    (687 reviews)
    1.8 mi
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    I was in route to Chula Vista birthday shenanigans, figured I'd check this place out on the way…read more The dark gothic creepy vampire castle aesthetics was really the main reason why I wanted to come here. The vibes were so chill. Music playlist combo was perfect. So glad I did! Phenomenal service. My server Alex G. was the sweetest! I arrived shortly Monday afternoon so they weren't very busy. The food was ok, not much of a selection was available. Loved my brownie ice cream. So delicious. I was in food coma. My favorite was my personalized birthday candle! Definitely recommend this spot!

    Overall, the experience was Ok. I will give you the "fantastic" and the "work on."…read more Fantastic- 1. Food was great. We got guacamole, beet salad, and the El Festin. Drinks were ok. The one I got was not to my taste buds. A lot of mezcal drinks. If you like mezcal, this place has some good ones! 2. Server was awesome. She was attentive, nice, and friendly. Love her. She probably was the reason why we actually left the nice tip. 3. Ambiance was a "cool young hip" vibe. Music was great and eclectic. Work On- 1. Our hostess. We made reservation at 6PM. We got there and she told us to wait while our table is being set up. They ended up taking us to the upstairs room. They had to split the 2 tables to have a seat for us. They wanted us to sit at the table that is in close proximity of the walkway. I said I did not want to sit there because I did not want to have people walk by me the entire time. They had to push the table away from the second one and we had to be closer to the entrance. I said will sit at the second table since it's not near the entrance. I had to repeat this 3 times. She finally said ok, well, I will have to take you downstairs. I said ok. They finally sat us at a table with 2 chairs and out of the way. So, here is the thing.....why was I waiting, if my table was not being set up, to where you had to split 2 tables, and put me closest to the entry way of the door? 2. The lighting is very dark. It was hard to see the food to maneuver and eat. I get this is the ambiance. So...maybe brighter lamps at the table?

    Photos
    Dramatic dining space!
    Dramatic dining space!
    Chamoyada dessert, the mango sorbet was the highlight!
    Chamoyada dessert, the mango sorbet was the highlight!
    Cool and dramatic setting!

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    Cool and dramatic setting!
    Coasterra

    Coasterra

    4.0
    (4.1k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$$

    Wow! If you're looking for a beautiful view of San Diego skyline and Coronado Island this is the…read moreplace. It's always a great place to stop before or after going to the airport because it's that close. We originally went there for an early dinner, but happened to meet the happy hour time frame (3:30-5:30). They have a wonderful array of drinks and appetizers to choose from. The most expensive being $11.00. Each appetizer is enough for two people. A man at the bar asked me if I wanted some of his guacamole dip because he could finish it all. He looked like that was his dinner meal too. I declined, since I was favoring the ceviche and chicken tinga tostadas. Both tasted delicious. I heard the bacon wrapped jalapeño were good but not gf. So I didn't try them. The views from our table were spectacular. They had many GF options listed on their menu. Our waiter, Jared, (so helpful and attentive), told me which items are more gluten sensitive and which ones were gluten free. The drinks were tasty and refreshing too. Definitely a place I'll be going back to with family and friends

    An Unforgettable Birthday Celebration!…read more I took my husband here for his birthday this past Monday, and the entire experience was absolutely incredible from start to finish. First, the location and the views are simply stunning. It set the perfect backdrop for a celebratory evening. But what really elevated the vibe was the music! The playlist was so on point that I literally found myself dancing in my seat to every single song. It created such a fun, lively energy. I also have to give a massive shoutout to our waiter, who was incredibly attentive, warm, and anticipated our every need. The entire staff went above and beyond to make my husband feel so wonderfully celebrated. From a sweet little "Happy Birthday" sign to a surprise dessert at the end of the meal, every detail was thoughtful and perfectly executed. This place is truly incredible. We will absolutely be back!

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    Skyline & bay views
    Skyline & bay views
    View from patio
    View from patio
    Main dining room

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    Main dining room
    Oscars Mexican Seafood

    Oscars Mexican Seafood

    4.2
    (2.2k reviews)
    0.7 mi
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    I can't wait to go again!! Oscar's was amazing, best seafood tacos I've tried…read more The restaurant is a bit small and had limited seating, so we ended up eating outside, but it was a beautiful day. I tried the tacos especial (fish, shrimp, scallops) and grilled octopus and they were both amazing! I would get 2 tacos or 3 if you're really hungry.

    Fish tacos are a San Diego staple, and Oscars is said to be the best restaurant for them…read more Grilled Fish Taco: Best of the meal. The fish was grilled to tender, paired with smooth avocado puree and fresh salsa--a rich and satisfying bite. But! The biggest surprise is the tortilla--it was on the softer side, yet surprisingly chewy. Smoked Fish Taco: A classic and San Diego signature dish. The fish was shredded into small pieces, giving it a smoky flavor and a slightly dry texture. The taste was nice, but you don't really feel the meat in bites, so it was slightly less impressive. Fish Ceviche: Marinated in lemon juice, the proteins denatured, making the fish appear white and fully cooked, but it still had a firm, raw texture. Completely different from other raw fish ceviche I've had. But! Incredibly tangy!!! The first bite was so tangy it was almost painful; it was only after being served as tapas with tostadas that I gradually got used to it. Lemon juice, tomato, and onion--it was easy to imagine the refreshing taste, while the rich aroma of avocado nicely balanced the harshness. Shrimp Ceviche: The shrimp appeared to be cooked; they weren't large but were quite fresh, with firm and tender meat. See above for other details. The restaurant is located in a small food court, with very limited parking and seating. It may be inconvenient for groups of four or more to dine in.

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    Inside | IG:@socalsnomnoms
    Inside | IG:@socalsnomnoms
    Battered Fish Taco
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    Fish Ceviche
    California Burritos

    California Burritos

    4.3
    (1.4k reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    Overview: very quick and friendly service, yummy California Burrito according to my bf…read more ---- We placed an order through the phone for a California Burrito ($13.90) and a Fish Taco ($5.50) and they said it would be ready in 5 minutes! We left right away to pick up the food and sure enough it was ready waiting for our arrival. One quick drive back home to dig in and the aroma was so enticing. California Burritos is very apt for their name, my bf rates it a 10/10. As a California Burrito connoisseur, he liked the addition of sour cream in it and said the flavors were delicious. He topped it with their green salsa for a little bit of a freshness to cut through the richness and fattiness of the meat and fries in the burrito. He didn't care for the fish taco that much and rated it a 4/10 but said the restaurant overall was a 10/10, as he thought there was too much lettuce and tomato throwing off the ratio of the taco. I, on the other hand, am a huge fan of veggies and liked the ample amount they provided. ---- There's a couple benches outside in front of the shop and seating at booth tables inside as well. It's a bit smaller to sit inside, I recommend sitting outside to enjoy the fresh air and the sunset is beautiful. ---- Overall: if you're in the mood for California Burritos come to the place rightly named California Burritos!

    They do things a little different at this place. The California had guacamole and sour cream. Makes…read moreit more like a carne asada burrito adding fries. That said, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this burrito. It's large, filling, but their sauce had an almost artificial red color to it. Despite the weird look of the sauce, it had decent spice, wasn't overwhelming but wasn't weak either. Parking is very difficult here, and seating is limited. It's a small tack shop style place, made more for to-go orders. Service was fast and friendly. Their horchata is where they really lose a star, it's from a fountain and tastes like it, watered down artificial flavor. However you don't come here for the drinks, you come here for the large tasty California Burritos, hence the name. They've definitely won me over and I'll be back when in the area. That's this critic's review, until next time, I'll be eating.

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    California Burritos
    Sausage, Eggs, Cheese, and Potatoes Burrito
    Sausage, Eggs, Cheese, and Potatoes Burrito
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    La Puerta - mexican - Updated July 2026

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