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    Papa Guapo Cantina

    4.3 (16 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed 12:00 pm - 7:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Papa Guapo Cantina Photos

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    PAPA GUAPO CANTINA ATMOSPHERE

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    Shrimp tacos and El Pastor tacos  (with no cilantro on either, by request.)
    Amanda Z.

    After looking around for a place to eat lunch in Old Town that was a) kid friendly and b) wallet friendly, we settled on Papa Guapo. They had a lovely outdoor patio perfect for eating outside on such a beautiful day. My kids happily munched on their chicken tenders and fries. I appreciated that they were cut up for them. My husband got a burrito and I couldn't decide between the El Pastor tacos and the shrimp tacos so I got an order of each and shared with my hubby. I also really appreciated that they were able to accommodate my request of no cilantro. The El Pastor was very tasty, albeit just a bit dry. And the guacamole was so good and fresh that I wished I'd gotten chips & guac as a starter. I wished they'd had a salsa verde for the pork, but the very pleasant and attentive server mentioned they didn't serve it anymore. The salsa that came with the tacos added a nice flavor though. The shrimp tacos were FIRE (delicious, not spicy) . Fried to a crispy golden brown, super fresh, and topped with diced tomatoes and a chipotle mayo, I could have easily put away twice as many. I was a little regretful that I gave my husband one of the three shrimp tacos, but after eating 4 tacos already, some self restraint was necessary. A little shredded cabbage on the side was the only thing that could have made these tacos any better. It was a very satisfying lunch for the whole family. Next time we're in the area, we'll definitely be back. And next time, I won't be sharing my shrimp tacos hahah.

    Chanel Y.

    While the service was great, the food itself was lacking, I think. It could've been a bad day, I'm not sure, but I feel like the food lacked flavor. And I ordered a few different things! It's on the main strip in Old Town, so I was expecting something really tasty. They were a little stingy with the toppings for the potato. I will say the guac was good-it was the best part. And the tacos are very small, which isn't a bad thing, but keep that in mind in case you're hungry! I guess I just had higher expectations. I'm willing to go back in the future to give a second chance, but it probably won't be for a while.

    Pour $2 marg drink can in cup then up charge 8x for ice, salt, and lemon
    Ramiro H.

    I hate leaving 2 stars, especially when the service wasn't bad, but I got their best meat recommendation and it was quite literally the worst taco I've ever had. The meat was chewy and had no flavor. I was looking for hot sauce to salvage the flavor but there was none. I asked for a margarita to chase the bad flavor and they got a plastic cup, put salt on the rim and cracked open a can of some marg drink then poured it in. I understand that it's a business but the price to value just isn't close to come back and try.

    Menu
    Grace D.

    Food was delicious!!! Carne asada tacos was really good and I would eat them again. The service was just okay but the restaurant was beautiful.

    Gustavo B.

    What a fantastic new gem in old town San Diego! We stumbled across it for lunch and gave it a shot. Though they lead with their famous baked potato we opted for some of their Mexican entrees. The chicken quesadilla, the chicken burrito and their homemade guacamole were superb. And ask for Madelyn... as our server, she was phenomenal!

    D G.

    I didn't order a baked potato carne asada fry--I had an experience. The potato was giving a perfectly crisp exterior, cloud-like interior, topped with juicy carne asada. The cheese? Melted and rich 10/10, and the customer service was top-notch. I sat outside with a large group, and we fit perfectly. The server was so kind. As soon as it started to get chilly, she turned on the fire, which made the ambiance so beautiful. Do yourself a favor and order the adobada potato with everything! THANK ME LATER!

    Carne asada burrito with green chili salsa
    Koldon S.

    Carne Asada baked potato with guacamole . Great food, nice vibe and ambience Taco Tuesday spot for sure

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    1 month ago

    Food was flavorful and fresh. Stopped in for a quick lunch and was pleasantly surprised

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    Quixote

    Quixote

    4.0
    (679 reviews)
    3.2 mi
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    Loved it here. Things to note 1. Parking is bad so plan…read moreaccordingly and be prepared to walk a block or 2 to get to the restaurant 2. It is very dark in here. I had to take photos in night mode so it looks a lot brighter than it actually is. If you are going with someone older or who has trouble seeing in the dark, they are not gonna see anything lol 3. I heard reservations were required months out but i went in the same day. It was the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend around lunch time but they took walk ins left and right so maybe just dinner is what needs to be booked in advance? The decor was immaculate and everything that came out was delicious and it came out very fast. It is connected to the Lafayette hotel which has the jungle room, bowling alley, pool and multiple bars. You can easily spend the day here. Mmmm not if you have kids though. 10/10 recommend

    Very trendy, friendly, evocative dining experience! It's located inside the Lafayette Hotel, but…read morethere's also an outside entrance to the restaurant. Beware there's only street parking, no valet service (unless you're a hotel guest), so that can present a challenge. Reservations a MUST on weekends, especially with a group. Now for the food reviews. Everything we ordered was delicious from the squash blossom and smashed tuna tartare appetizers to the El Festin platter (made for groups) . Since the main dining area is kept dark for the dramatic gothic effect, it's tricky to rely on your sense of sight for the presentation of each of the dish. The highlight for me was the chili garlic shrimp tacos. So full of flavor! The only drawback is that many of their dishes are made with nuts. So if you have a nut allergy, which one of us in our group did, the menu was limiting. Overall, it's an incredible place for first timers and out-of- towners. I might return for a special celebration, but not repeatedly. Once is good enough experience, especially with so many other special dining options in our fine city.

    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
    (4k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$$

    Delicious food, great view, and wonderful hospitality!…read more On our last evening in San Diego, we went to Coasterra to wrap up our vacation there. This restaurant came highly recommended by major Visit San Diego websites, and we felt we should give it a try. Located right next to the water, the restaurant offers expansive view of the harbor and the San Diego skyline. Sitting is about 50/50 indoor vs. outdoor, and we chose the indoor sitting as it tended to get colder in the evening. Parking is available out front, but we took Lyft there. We came in around Happy Hour, and we were able to score two appetizers for $11 each. We got fried calamari and fish cervice as appetizers. For entree, we had the fish tacos and scallops. Both of the appetizers were excellent, and the cervice was so light and flavorful. My husband loved his scallop entree, and the taste and presentation were original and outstanding. My fish taco was enjoyable as well. For dessert, we had fresh churro that was paired with ice cream, which was excellent as well. Our meal came to $143 with taxes, which was a very good value with the quality and services offered. Our waiter was attentive and friendly, which made us felt right at home. As for the ambiance, it felt modern and relaxed. There were diverse customers from locals, tourists, and business people. Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience and we will return.

    We discover a gem. Our server Case is a 10 star server in a 5 star rating system. The atmosphere…read morewas all of the 5 stars. The table side guacamole was all five stars. The main courses we ordered we not what our taste buds were looking for. The flan ( Yes, the flan ) was the best flan I have ever consumed. As dense as a cheese cake and coconut flavors of the islands. We lookd forward to giving the place another go because of the Service, the Atmosphere, and the guacamole. We hear happy hour on a week day is the best time to indulge.

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

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    Main dining room
    Puesto at the Headquarters

    Puesto at the Headquarters

    4.1
    (5.6k reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Private events

    The name might be Puesto but the food was PRESTO!!…read more Never been here before but I will ABSOLUTELY return in the future. From start to finish, everything was wonderful and I will NEVER forget my experience. We were met immediately with great service as well as continuing to receive it from every member of staff including our lovely server. Every other member that brought out our food & drinks was just as delightful. The weather was perfect to be seated outdoors in their patio, it matched the relaxing and enjoyable vibe we had. The food, I mean, the FOOD was undeniably delicious and full of flavor. I've literally never had a better taco anywhere else. The Al pastor was exceptionally juicy and tasteful and I'm so glad I went with my go to because it's a meal I'll never forget. The Agua Fresca were so refreshing too, sweet but not overly sweet, just the right balance. Overall, I have another new favorite when I come back out again.

    * catching up on old backlogged drafts so this review may be a bit out of date…read more Booked a big group dinner here as they had lots of spacious seating. We were split into two tables outside. Overall the experience was pretty underwhelming. The food was not very flavorful - it wasn't authentic Mexican food or even good California fusion Mexican food. There are so many better Mexican restaurants in San Diego, it was disappointing to have wasted a meal here. I believe it's a chain so not sure if the other locations are better as I've only tried this one.

    Photos
    Ribeye Taco
    Ribeye Taco
    Puesto at the Headquarters
    Puesto at the Headquarters

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    Papa Guapo Cantina - mexican - Updated June 2026

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