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    Mama por Dios

    3.8 (118 reviews)

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    Bar
    Denise C.

    We came here after our reservation somewhere else was unexpectedly cancelled, and we're so glad we did! They were able to accommodate us right away and were incredibly friendly and welcoming. The food and drinks were amazing! We had the enchiladas verdes de pollo, which were packed with chicken and full of flavor. The salsa verde was perfectly made and had a nice spicy kick but not too much. We also tried the guacamole with fried pork rinds. It was okay, the guacamole felt like it was missing a little something. The drinks were super cute and delicious! We had the Beso de Verano and the Pineapple Maria Bonita, and both were bursting with fruity flavor and had fresh fruit pieces in them. The atmosphere was so much fun, with great music. Our server wasn't quite as outgoing, but they did keep checking on us throughout the meal. Overall, it turned into such a fun night out! Great food, delicious drinks, a lively atmosphere, and good music. We'd definitely come back to try more of their menu.

    Pinay M.

    I don't see this business lasting very long if this is the level of service they continue to provide. I chose this restaurant to celebrate my birthday and paid an additional $50 for their "table decorated with roses" package. Based on the photos advertised on their website, I expected an elegant and thoughtfully decorated table. Instead, I was greeted by a few rose petals scattered across the table and three or four red roses placed in a tall drinking glass--not even a vase. It looked nothing like the photos and was nowhere near worth the extra $50. It felt misleading and honestly like a complete rip-off. To be fair, the food was good. I genuinely have no complaints about the quality of the meal. Unfortunately, the customer service and overall experience overshadowed what could have been an enjoyable birthday dinner. My reservation was originally for eight guests, but due to last-minute emergencies, only five of us were able to attend. From that point forward, the atmosphere changed. Whether intentional or not, the staff became noticeably less welcoming, and the service felt cold and dismissive throughout the evening. They even initially tried to move us to a smaller table, despite the fact that the reservation had already been arranged. Toward the end of dinner, one of my friends asked whether the restaurant offered a complimentary birthday dessert or cake. We were told they do not. Thankfully, we had brought our own birthday cake, even though it had partially melted during the drive. The staff did bring it out and sang "Happy Birthday," which I appreciated. However, had we not brought our own cake, there would have been no birthday acknowledgment at all. The biggest disappointment was realizing that the "table decorated with roses" package was nothing more than a few rose petals scattered across the table. Had I known that was all it included, I would have chosen another restaurant for such a special occasion. Restaurants like Eddie V's provide birthday cards, complimentary desserts, elegant table touches--including rose petals--and exceptional hospitality, all at no additional cost. Here, I paid an extra $50 for decorations that didn't resemble the photos advertised on the website and received service that felt indifferent from beginning to end. Overall, while the food was enjoyable, the customer service, hospitality, and value of the table decoration package were extremely disappointing. I would not recommend this restaurant for a special occasion, nor would I choose to celebrate here again. What made the experience even more surprising was that the restaurant was nearly empty during our visit, yet the level of service still fell far below expectations. I sincerely hope management improves both their customer service and the accuracy of their advertising. Customers deserve to receive what is being advertised and what they are paying for. Originally, I intended to leave a one-star review. The only reason I'm giving two stars is because, despite everything, the staff did make us laugh toward the end of the evening, and that was only because of my deformed melted birthday cake and I wanted my review to reflect both the positives and the negatives. FYI: If you're considering purchasing the table decoration package, be aware that you cannot request different rose colors--they only offer red roses with no customization options. More importantly, the actual setup did not match the photos advertised on their website. I recommend managing your expectations before paying the additional fee.

    Decor
    Kim K.

    Went this morning for brunch to celebrate a birthday. The decor is beautiful! We were offered fresh citrus for our water and a small complementary fruit plate once seated. There are mariachi's on the weekend for brunch and they are amazing!! The margarita flight that we ordered was both strong and delicious! They do not skimp on the tequila! For our meals we ordered 3 different dishes to share, the tres leches Dutch pancake, huevos bravos, and a birria omelette with potatoes. The portions were large and everything was so good! Service was great too! Highly recommend and can't wait to come back!

    Kasey G.

    We had such a great night out here! The drinks were amazing, I loved my bathtub drink. Fun, creative vibes while still serving really good cocktails. Everyone was so friendly, from the host to our waiter, which made the experience even better. The food was delicious too, and our favorite dish was definitely the firecracker shrimp. We were also celebrating a birthday, and they truly went all out, signs, sparklers, and a great cake. They made it feel really special and memorable!

    Filet mignon
    Andrés M.

    New place in downtown San Diego. The ambiance is posh Mexican. Excellent decoration and great ambiance. The service was great and the staff was friendly and chatty. The food was great. I had the salad with the margarita sampler and the filet mignon. The salad was simple but very tasteful, the sampler is a good option if you don't know what type of drink you'd like. My favorite was the tamarindo one. The filet mignon was cooked to perfection with a mole sauce that was as not spicy, it had a bit of a kick but did not overpower the flavor of the steak. The only thing is that I thought the filet mignon was pricey with no sides, so if your order it, add a side or two. Overall, great place and I'd return to try other dishes in the menu

    Ann V.

    To the Yelp Community, Mamá X Dios is hands down the BEST Mexican restaurant in San Diego. This is where you enjoy delicious flavorful authentic dishes. Their creative cocktails are refreshing with the riiight balance...making you want to take your time with each sip. The beauuutiful decor, live mariachi band, and very attentive staff enhanced my dining experience...making me say, "Mamá por Dios!". I'll definitely be back Mamá :-)

    Partial view of the suite front
    Emmett T.

    This upscale Mexican restaurant has finally opened in the Gaslamp Quarter after a lengthy time in development. The ownership had opened other Mama Por Dios locations in the LA area before launching this version in the SD market. The interior decor was swanky with an outdoor-like courtyard ambiance. A central bar was to the back left of the room while upwards of 50 customers could be comfortably seated in the dining area. It was very quiet on my weeknight visit with just two tables having seated parties. A board containing a complimentary cheesy bread loaf with three salsas on the side was provided while I was looking at the two-sided menu. Appetizers, salads, and seafood specialties were listed on the front page. House specialties, enchiladas, grilled items, and sides were displayed on the back page. I picked the Pulpo Zarandeado from the set of ten choices in the Seafood Specialties. The cooked octopus tentacles were accompanied by sauteed rice, zucchini, mushrooms, and morita chili sauce topped with sprouts laced with sweet and sour sauce. For the $38 price tag, the serving size was modest at best as I have consumed a similar amount of octopus for at least ten dollars less at other places. The zucchini and mushrooms provided fiber to make the dish heavier while the sauces made the flavors saltier than I liked. The service from my waiter was polite and efficient. That aspect along with the decor kept my rating of Mama Por Dios between a three and a four star level.

    Vina R.

    Where to start?! Everything about this place checks everything off the list. The decor, ambiance, menu options, live mariachi on the weekends, servers constantly checking on you, delish food .... Literally all boxes were checked. For your water the server comes by with a platter of fresh citrus items to add to your water. Then you get a mini concha to snack on while you go over the menu. These types of touches make a difference. Then for the food so many yummy options, but I chose the mole chilaquiles with chicken. Wish they would have added more chicken, but the mole was delicious. Highly recommend. I ordered the lemon cucumber margarita and that was so tasty and refreshing. All the drinks we ordered were good even the mocktail drink. Our server, Daniella, was amazing. She was on top of our order when one of our dishes came out with some dairy (ordered without due to allergies). She immediately took the plate without us having to say something. Definitely have plans to come back for dinner and brunch again lol.

    Graciela A.

    Brought my mom here for brunch for her to enjoy the mariachi they have going on during the weekends! She's loved it! The restaurant itself is super pretty and the staff are really attentive, down to the littlest detail of bringing you orange/lemon/lime/cucumber slices for your water. The food was yummy I liked that the tortillas in the Chilaquilles weren't soggy and the French toast had a little bit of crunch to it that I loved!

    Steven H.

    We visited Mama X Dios on Valentine's Day during their very first week open, and it already feels like a spot we'll be returning to again and again. Because it was a special Valentine's Day menu, not everything you see online was available that night. That didn't bother us at all. The curated menu felt intentional and festive. The cocktails were delicious and beautifully balanced, the kind of drinks that make you pause after the first sip just to appreciate them. Service was slightly spotty at times, but the place was absolutely packed and it was their opening week on one of the busiest dining nights of the year. We were more than happy to give them grace. We were served by Lalo, who introduced himself right away when we were seated and was pleasant and easy to talk to throughout the evening. The manager, Jacklyn (apologies if I misspelled), stopped by mid-meal to introduce herself and was visible the entire night backing up the team wherever needed. She was lovely and clearly very hands-on. We also had an amazing bartender come by our table and prepare the First Class drink tableside for my partner. We didn't catch his name, but he was a total showman, and it added such a fun and memorable touch to the experience. We started with the Camarones Roca. The shrimp themselves were very tasty and nicely prepared, served over a small bed of salad. That said, the portion felt a bit light for the price, especially for an appetizer meant to share. It's flavorful, but we'd love to see a slightly more generous serving. The entrées were the real stars. I ordered the Filet Mignon Puebla, a bacon-wrapped filet served over rich mole poblano with camarones mantequilla on the side. The steak was cooked perfectly and so flavorful I genuinely didn't want the plate to end. The mole was deep and complex without overpowering the dish, and the buttery shrimp were an indulgent bonus. My partner had the Las Fajitas with Shrimp and really enjoyed them as well. The shrimp were cooked just right and the dish arrived sizzling and full of flavor, exactly what you hope for when you order fajitas. If I had one small note beyond the appetizer portion, it would be presentation on the filet. It was served on a somewhat small plate, which made everything feel a bit crowded. A little more room to let the dish shine visually would elevate it even further. Overall, an impressive start for their first week, especially on Valentine's Day. Great drinks, excellent food, lively atmosphere, and a team that's clearly committed to making it work. We'll definitely be back.

    Thank you - waiting for our bistec ranchero w chilaquiles verdes
    Espy M.

    Overall 1 star bc I do not want to mislead my fellow foodies ... I will come back and update in a couple months after I give it a second chance because I believe they have potential to make dishes savory not salty ... my taste buds got a taste of flavor but it was a-salty brunch. ... 5 star for our Tamarind Margaritas and queso fundido ...my friend said Horchata was bland .... service by Briana or Brenda and Manager was also a 5 star ... Music was very good by Mariachi but loud so it was hard to hear our server name. 1 star for our food being Salty... 1 star for not offering the regular lunch menu at 1230-1pm ... would be great if brunch menu was optional after 1230 PM...I was really hoping to try mole enchiladas at 1 pm( lunch time). 1 star for Menu not being updated !!! Disappointed to receive no beans when dish description stated beans included . I think you should let customers know the menu is outdated and xyz is no longer included. 1 star for kitchen staff, please sample your dishes before sending out for saltiness. Also, we requested no eggs ( food allergy) for my friend and they gave us eggs !!!! :( Decor is nice... ambiance was good . Will try again if they will offer the option for regular menu after 1230PM Sunday !

    erica b.

    Had a wonderful dinner here on Thursday. The restaurant is beautiful. Regina our waitress was delightful. The food was really good. I really liked how much effort they put into their cocktails. They put each cocktail into special glasses. It was really cute. Everything I tasted was pretty good except the salsas. Those need a little work. Also the presentation of the garlic shrimp needs to be amped up to fit the aesthetic of the restaurant. Other than that dinner was great.

    Carlos S.

    We love this place so much we had to come back a second time with a friend celebrating his birthday. The vibe is great. Beautifully decorated restaurant. Amazing service and the food is top tier. Highly recommend!

    Seabass

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    Excellent service jose luis Rosete is the best host, the food incredible. The ambience superb.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Mama por Dios Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Mama por Dios

    What time do the Mariachis start playing on the weekends?

    I believe from noon til 2/3pm?? Then a dj plays after, but that was when I went... so it may have changed now.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    RAISED BY WOLVES @ UTC LA JOLLA…read more Raised by Wolves is located inside UTC La Jolla, tucked away in the very back of the mall near the Din Tai Fung area. I would definitely recommend parking around Corner Bakery or near 24 Hour Fitness for the closest way in. This was my very first time going to Raised by Wolves. I made a reservation on OpenTable, and if you are reading this right now, I highly recommend booking one. When we got there, the wait was two hours for people without a reservation. I booked for 9 PM on a Saturday night with my friends after dinner. We actually arrived at UTC earlier than expected, so we let the host know and they let us in about 20 minutes early. As for parking, they do not validate here. Parking is free for the first hour and then two dollars per hour after that, so just be aware that you may end up paying for parking when you visit this bar. It is set up like a speakeasy, which is really cool. You get to see where the actual bar is hidden. We ended up ordering a bunch of cocktails and the drinks were super great. I really loved the vibe overall. It was lively and chatty, and the staff was super friendly. The ambiance is very dark and classy. Keep in mind they do not serve food here. It is purely drinks only. Overall, I would definitely recommend stopping by.

    LOVE THIS SPEAKEASY…read more Shoutout Taylor and Lexi for the incredible service. The ambiance and drinks are unmatched.

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    False Idol - Rum Old Fashioned

    False Idol

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
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    I love it here; this is one of my go to spots to bring people when they are in town for…read morework/visiting etc. Be warned, you can have a very long wait here if you just pop in, especially on a Friday or Saturday evening. Make a reservation if you know this is your destination. They have some spot on Tiki decor and the staff here is really friendly, happy to share their favorite drinks, or make suggestions based on your likes. If fruity drinks are not your jam... what are you doing in a Tiki Bar!! No really, they have great options for on the rocks or straight as well as ordering your favorite cocktail or beer. They have a ton of options, all sorts of alcohol bases depending on what your vice is, they also have non-alcoholic drinks for those so inclined. Hard to pass on a Mai Tai or a Zombie to start your evening off. lately I have been enjoying the Eastern Sour which is their take on a whiskey sour. It's always fun when someone orders a bowl and the room shakes and the lights flash with thunder and lightning adding a bit of excitement for first timers. Just to recap: Don't get mad if you have to wait and did not make a reservation. While they have lots of options, most drinks and all specialties are Tiki Drinks. Tiki drinks can be strong, mind yourself. If a place like this is not your vibe, that is fine, head back into Craft & Commerce, make room for others who are waiting to get in, just have fun!

    We ate at Craft and Commerce and decided to jump in line for False Idol as walk-ins. Luckily we…read morelined up near opening because there were quite a few reservationists that showed up on a Friday night. We were led into a dimly lit speakeasy soon after lining up. Fortunately we got bar seating. The bar then quickly filled up with many standing as the bar got crowded. As far as drinks, their menu had many listed drinks. Wifey and I started with Rum Old Fashioneds and they were delicious. Our second drink was a King Kong Old Fashioned and it too was yummy. The bartenders were very friendly and attentive. The place was hopping and packed. We will definitely return.

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    We had such a great experience at this space themed bar! One thing that I would make a note of is…read morethat we did make a reservation for 10 pm on a Saturday night, but still had to wait in a very long line out the door for a good 15 minutes. We were confused, along with many other folks in line. I think they were just preparing their tables way longer than expected. Other than that inconvenience, the bar itself was beautifully decorated and very on-theme. The drinks were very much giving "tiki bar but in space" and were veryyyy strong. They have an alcohol strength spectrum on their menu so you can guide yourself through the drinks. We got drinks that weren't even on the strong side of the scale and they were still pretty strong. This would be a great place for a pregame for sure! They even have some food and seasonal soft serve other than their normal drinks. Overall, great service, strong drinks, and fun vibes. Perfect place for a pregame!

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    Noble Experiment - Spiced banana flip! Delicious!

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    Convoy Music Bar - Lychee Martini

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    I've been coming to Music Bar since they first opened, and somehow never got around to writing a…read morereview. This one is long overdue--not that they need my review, because by now everyone already knows how amazing this place is. What keeps me coming back is the combination of great music, an energetic vibe, outstanding service, and some of the most creative cocktails you'll find anywhere. Tonight was girls' night out, so we decided to order the prettier, and sweeter cocktails. But don't let the sweet flavors fool you--they are definitely generous with the alcohol. These drinks may taste dangerously easy to sip, but they pack a punch! I don't even remember the names of the cocktails we ordered, but honestly, that doesn't matter because the menu changes so often. And that's one of the things I love most about Music Bar. Every visit brings something new, fresh, and exciting to try. Both of my drinks were absolutely delicious, with the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. I honestly don't know how the bartenders come up with these combinations, but kudos to the team for constantly pushing their creativity while still making every cocktail incredibly well balanced. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular, Music Bar never disappoints. I'll definitely keep coming back to see what new creations they come up with next. Cheers to one of my favorite cocktail spots in San Diego!

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    Prohibition - Our famous Prohibition Old Fashioned

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    4.0(1k reviews)
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    Starlite - Starlite Burger

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    $$$

    Starlite delivers that quintessential sleek, mid-century modern lounge atmosphere right along India…read moreStreet. The iconic geometric wood ceiling, dramatic chandelier, and moody lighting make the space feel effortlessly cool. The craft cocktail program is legendary, and the elevated gastropub menu is just as impressive, the grilled octopus was tender with a wonderful smoky char, the Jidori chicken was remarkably juicy with perfectly crispy skin, and the sea bass was delicate and flaky. Taking off one star because street parking along India Street can require quite a bit of circling during peak evening hours, and the dining room gets rather loud and dim once the crowd settles in. Still, an absolute San Diego staple and a top choice for a stylish date night, late-night craft drinks, or dinner with friends.

    I had a reservation for Thursday and it was packed but took less than 5 minutes to get seated. They…read moredo check your ID at the entrance it's 21+ only. Parking is a nightmare good luck finding parking within a mile of the restaurant. Pros: atmosphere, drinks, service Cons: food wasn't great for the price, restaurant was small and crowded, no parking Service: All of our servers were friendly and very accommodating. Gave us some knowledge on the menu and recommended cocktails based on our preference. I had spilled my drink and they were quick to make me another one. Food: I had intended to get the prime ribeye cap steak but they ran out for the night around 8pm. I shared the steak sampler which came with four different cuts of steak and 4 sauces. I ordered medium and it was cooked medium/medium rare which was fine with me, it also had a good sear, almost burnt though. Out of the four steaks, we only liked two based off flavor and tenderness. The other two were more tough and gamey. None of the sauces really stood out but the bordelaise and horseradish were good. For our sides we got fries, roasted broccoli, and the grilled wedge salad. Fries were average. The roasted broccoli had really good flavor, I expected the broccoli to be al dente but it was cooked to mush and drenched in sauce. The grilled wedge salad was decent, there was a slightly bitter taste to it. I know it says grilled wedge but the experience of biting into the salad and it being both hot and cold was not pleasant. Cocktails: I tried the Honey Ryder and New Wave. These were recommended as the more fruity/sweet cocktails. You can definitely taste the alcohol but it's only 2oz so it's not too strong. Ambience: 10/10 I got seated downstairs by the bar. Only thing about downstairs is that it's too dark to take photos unless you use flash. Overall, I agree with the other reviews saying to go just for drinks and appetizers. I would go again just to sit upstairs and get drinks and take pictures. We left unsatisfied and ended up getting in-n-out after.

    Photos
    Starlite - Bar area after entering

    Bar area after entering

    Starlite - Cocktails are fun!

    Cocktails are fun!

    Starlite - The disco cave has what resembles a waterfall in the back.

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    The disco cave has what resembles a waterfall in the back.

    Polite Provisions - Uncle Jalapeño

    Polite Provisions

    4.3(2k reviews)
    4.0 miUniversity Heights, North Park
    $$

    Always a 5 Star experience when gathering for drinks here…read more Over the years, the names have changed for the provider of Polite Provision's delicious orderable food to go along with their polite provisions. Items such as scrupulously prepared meatballs, fried polenta, spaghetti with mushroom sauce, etc., from the prior next-door, connected purveyor "Soda and Swine"...but those days are done ...I digress. And where is Soda and Swine's Yelp page? I know I did a review, but now the page appears gone completely in search? Nah, it's just hidden, presumably to accommodate Fortunate Sons, which opened about a year ago after re-construction of both establishments. I'm too lazy to see if still owned by Consortium Group. I did search my reviews and found my updated Soda & Swine review dated 8 & 10 years ago. O_o !! Now, food is still served, however, there's a new name in town called "Fortunate Son" (next door, connected). Apparently, food now served is Asian-inspired. I've not visited recently to taste. The North Park area is a great neighborhood with many different types of food close by. While you're there, don't forget to stop by "An's Dry Cleaners", where the most inventive gelato's, ice creams and sorbets come from.

    You can order from the bar or your table. Lots of different seating options indoors and outdoors…read more Very extensive drink menu almost too many options. The drinks we ordered were good and service didn't take too long. Right next to Fortunate Son so you can order food from them and enjoy in their bar.

    Photos
    Polite Provisions - Want. Make. Disco.

    Want. Make. Disco.

    Polite Provisions - Real oil lamps!

    Real oil lamps!

    Polite Provisions - Art deco

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    Art deco

    Kiku Room - DJ in the front room. Back room behind him that can be accessed from the side.

    Kiku Room

    3.5(45 reviews)
    1.7 miMiddletown

    Maybe it's because we went right at opening time 6pm on a Saturday- our group enjoyed this spot…read more The bartender was great and we got a few rounds before heading to our next destination. Being here for about an hour and a half, people started to arrive. It is on the smaller end but it was a vibe! Would come again even with the mixed reviews on yelp.

    I've visited here a couple of times, and my experiences have been completely different depending on…read morewhen I went. The first time was fantastic. The atmosphere immediately reminded me of Berlin with its moody red room aesthetic and unique vibe. There's a DJ right when you walk in next to the bar, and as you make your way toward the back, you'll find additional seating. It's a fun, energetic space that's unlike many other spots in San Diego. However, my visit this past Friday was a completely different story. We had to wait outside for people to leave before we could get in, although thankfully that only took a few minutes. Once inside, it was packed shoulder to shoulder. There are only two bathroom stalls so it took about 20 minutes just to use the restroom. The biggest issue, though, was the temperature. It honestly felt like it was 100 degrees inside. It was unbearably hot, and after a while we had to leave because we were so uncomfortable. During a crowded San Diego summer night, having air conditioning or at least improved ventilation would make a huge difference. That said, I still recommend checking this place out. My advice is to visit on a weekday instead of a weekend, and avoid especially hot or overly crowded nights. When it's not packed, the atmosphere is unique, stylish, and definitely worth experiencing.

    Photos
    Kiku Room - Pay to get in bar.

    Pay to get in bar.

    Kiku Room - Entrance to the back room

    Entrance to the back room

    Kiku Room

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    Mama por Dios - bars - Updated September 2026

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