Caribbean Taste

118

77

173

6 months ago

Immigrant food of all kinds is some of the tastiest, most satisfying food anywhere. Immigrants often walk the thin line between adjusting to their new environment while longing to the flavors from back home. Caribbean taste hits on many such points. The food seems to be taken directly from the Caribbean shores from which they came. With strong nods to African foods, the menu includes oxtail, curry goat and of course jerk chicken. My dish, oxtail with plantains, veggies (cabbage, corn, peas and green beans), rice 'n' beans was flavorful, with each component perfectly made. My request for "very soft" oxtail, was answered with "it's very soft" (and indeed it was fall of the bone, soft), and all ingredients came together to create a plate which would feel right at home on a sandy beach shack. I'll have to come back to try the jerk chicken and curry goat! The interior is in dire need of a make-up. Mismatched chairs and older tables hint at a clientele that doesn't sit and eat here often. The kitchen walls and the Covid era barriers all need a touch of paint, and would someone please fix the crooked gate leading to the kitchen? I would've loved to see the same dedication and pride and attention to detail that are obvious in the food, in the interior of the restaurant. Those details aside, if you want a REAL taste of the Caribbean, come here! read more

Caribbean Taste - Oxtail, plantains, rice 'n' beans and veggies - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

Caribbean Taste - Oxtail with rice 'n' beans, plantains and veggies - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Brian C.

767

318

259

5 months ago

If you're looking for a locals only joint, this is the spot to go to. This spot has a simple menu that is perfect for anyone who wants Caribbean food. I am a huge fan of the oxtail here. It was cooked to perfection and was fall off the bone. Their rice here was very good. To my surprise, it was packed with a ton of flavor. This spot feels like a family ranch restaurant with great service. It was just one person working who probably was the owner. She was nice to us and packed our plates. read more

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Robert H.

36

741

2090

1 year ago

So I've driven past this spot several times and told myself I must pop in and I finally did. It's very unassuming, but the food is anything but. I got my food to go and was served very fast. I got the goat/oxtail combination plate and I was blown away when I opened my plate. The amount of food was impressive. The goat was tender and the sauce had the right amount of heat. The oxtails were tender as well and the sauce was thick and flavorful. The plantains were fried to the right consistency and were sweet. If looking for Caribbean food this is definitely a spot to try. read more

Caribbean Taste - Goat/Oxtail Combo Plate. - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Alessandro P.

137

74

121

6 months ago

Best oxtail in San Diego by far. It's the closest to my mom's recipe I can find. Oxtail is recommended and ask for hot sauce. read more

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Evan H.

25

23

0

3 months ago

Loved it. You can smell the smoker working and the flavors are fantastic. And generous portions for a fair price. Easy going and friendly staff. read more

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Mariyah G.

0

2

1

4 months ago

Love the oxtail plate and chicken patty. We get the same thing every time with extra sauce and we're satisfied every time read more

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Grace R.

6

92

193

1 year ago

This place is a must, and the definition of an authentic hole in the wall. Simple menu with some BOMB ass food. I was craving oxtail and found this place, and was not disappointed at all. My plate was delicious, hot and made quickly. Pricing is also not bad considering its location. I will be coming back even with the shitty as San Diego roads I have to drive to get here. read more

Caribbean Taste - Oxtail small - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

Caribbean Taste - Meat pie - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Liz G.

Elite 26 All-Star

18

261

1450

1 year ago

The food was really delicious. I ordered the veggie plate and a veggie patty. The portions are generous and everything is flavorful. The prices are reasonable and the service is good. The ambiance is casual. I would definitely recommend this place and I will also be back myself. read more

Caribbean Taste - Veggie plate - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Dinah J.

0

3

0

2 months ago

First time trying it and it is so good. Curry goat and oxtail!!! I'll be back for sure. It around the corner from church so sundays watch out!!! read more

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Samantha G.

134

225

673

2 years ago

I ordered the curry chicken. The portions are big but I wish they added more veggies. The food had a lot of flavor and chicken was really tender. read more

Caribbean Taste - Curry chicken - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Karen B.

84

27

4

6 months ago

Flavorful, tender, excellent portions. So far I have had the curry chicken and goat and jerk chicken. All have been delicious. The plantains are fantastic too! read more

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Bosie L.

392

242

306

1 year ago

The chicken was really good but the oxtails weren't all oxtails. They were mixed with some other beef. It was tender and tasty. The cabbage was terrible and the plantains were hard and unripe. Customer service was wonderful and the place was clean. Don't play with my oxtails. Be truthful... read more

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Lorenzo R.

0

3

1

7 months ago

The food was so delicious & very flavorful!! Price for food is reasonable and costumer service was good. Called for takeout and took 10-15 mins for the food to be ready for pick up, highly recommend! read more

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Jefe V.

2

22

59

1 year ago

Being an East Coast transplant in San Diego, I grew up on Jamaican beef patties, and they're not easy to find out here. Both the spicy beef and chicken patties were legit--definitely hit the spot when I was craving a taste of back home. Don't come expecting ambiance or overly polite service--it's got that classic bodega vibe, which I respect. Just grab the patties--you won't be disappointed. read more

Caribbean Taste - Spicy Beef and Chicken patties - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Lincoln G.

1

86

60

1 year ago

Amazing food and service. Big portions. I've been back multiple times since . They never disappoint read more

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Tran P.

16

39

19

10 months ago

I ordered a large oxtail a side of jerk chicken and 2 beef pie everything for almost 44 bucks. Thought it was expensive until I open the box. Food fill up to the top 5-6 pieces of oxtail full of meat, big pieces of chicken thigh. Everything was great even the cabbage was great ( I don't like to eat vegetables). I had 3 full meal. Owner was an older man and very friendly. Please come and support your local restaurants. read more

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Libby G.

1

107

26

8 months ago

Jerk chicken thigh meat was unfortunately dry. Now very spicy considering it's jerk seasoning.

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Cindy N.

86

8

0

8 months ago

Food Is good but the service sucks. They take forever to respond when you ask a question. I put a order in on the phone and they said okay it will be ready in 30 minutes and I came to pick up the food it was not ready I had to wait another 30 minutes for my food that I placed ahead of time. They don't really have great customer service. read more

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Reggy H.

33

373

165

11 months ago

I give it a 3.5 but rounded up because you can't give half a star. I ordered 3 jerk chicken plates and 2 beef patties. The chicken was hot, fresh but a little dry, the rice and beans weren't as fresh, the plantains were not sweet and kinda dry. You get a good portion for the price but I've had better. I will try a few more places before I decide to come back or not. read more

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Rodney Key

0

2

0

6 months ago

The flavors were absolutely excellent. We were also pleasantly surprised with the portions which were considerately more than other restaurants. This is our new favorite! read more

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Annabella B.

0

4

3

1 year ago

I can't wait to go back! It's so delicious. I don't understand why some people say it's expensive, they have absolutely fair prices for the amount of food they give you and how delicious it is. The portions are big, you can choose small or large. It's a low key place, nothing fancy just a place where you can enjoy a good meal with an explosion of flavors. read more

Caribbean Taste - BB Chicken small size - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

Caribbean Taste - Jerk Chicken Large plate - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Tijera W.

315

86

231

2 years ago

the service was fast which i loved! we were greeted and ordered the large oxtail plate that comes with rice and peas and steamed vegetables! the portion of oxtails were large and nice sizes! the oxtails could of been more tender! i think they could of cooked for another hour or two to be more tender! but the flavor was good! it's a hole in the wall restaurant so the inside resembles that! i would again and try different things on the menu! read more

Caribbean Taste - oxtails - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

Caribbean Taste - large oxtail plate with steamed vegetables, fried plantains, and rice and peas - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Carenna W.

370

65

33

2 years ago

I can't speak on the ambiance/service because my friend picked us up an oxtail plate. But wow so tender, amazing flavor, and great portion size. read more

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Jaida P.

0

1

1 year ago

The food here was very good! Jerk chicken was very flavorful and there was a very generous amount of food per plate. I will definitely be returning! read more

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Esther M.

7

51

73

3 years ago

The Food is BOMB and service was on point. I ordered ahead for a meal to-go for my Jamaican husband. Unfortunately the call dropped like twice but I still got my order in!! I got a whole bunch of patty, Beef Patty and Chicken Patties which were all nice and hot. Then I ordered a plate of Oxtail Plate w/veggies (no rice) and Brown Stew Fish w/veggies (no rice). Everything was so delicious, HOT and flavorful!! I'm so glad I picked up from Caribbean Taste and Peter helped me out on Sunday afternoon. read more

Caribbean Taste - Oxtail, plantain & veggies - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Lucy D.

47

132

233

4 years ago

Visited Caribbean Taste today for the first time and I can say for certain, we will definitely be back!! I ordered the oxtail (small) and my spouse ordered goat curry (small). Both plates came with rice and beans and fried plantain, and a fresh side salad (I can't recall the name), all were delicious. The goat curry and oxtail were absolutely delectable! Highly recommend Caribbean Taste! Beyond exceptional food and service, they share ample parking with other store fronts, also their chairs are super comfortable. read more

Caribbean Taste - Goat Curry - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Ladon G.

91

2

1

1 year ago

Decided to switch up my normal large oxtail order for a combo plate to try something new. Much to my surprise I open up my plate to find no oxtail and just chicken. Extremely disappointing.... If this place wasn't so far from when I live I would have went back. That coupled with the fact that they close soon.. it's just not worth it. The chicken is decent but the oxtail was my main reason for going. The rice is dry and lacks flavor without the gravy on top. This experience and just confirmed I will be opting for a different jams in spot moving forward. read more

Caribbean Taste - Oxtail and chicken "combo" plate. - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Kelly M.

39

496

367

3 years ago

I finally tried my neighborhood spot for jerk chicken and a patty. They only had a chicken patty and I was pleasantly surprised how much flavor it had with a terrific flaky crust. My large jerk chicken fed 2 people and I enjoyed the heat level/medium spicy- the chopped pieces weren't super meaty which made me wishing for more. All the sides were bomb- veggies, plantains and rice n peas. Everything was cooked well and full of flavor. Service was quick and polite. read more

Caribbean Taste - Large jerk chicken plate - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Denise S.

18

48

52

1 year ago

Good delicious freshly cooked chicken jerk chicken. Fluffy rice, cabbage and platine good. They only accepts cash.

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Ismaiel A.

1

10

1

1 year ago

Is just that Caribbean taste you can't forget from back home brought here to San Diego

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Jake Y.

240

42

22

1 year ago

This place had the best ox tails I've had in a long time. I've been on the hunt for a good Jamaican ox tail plate here in SD and this place has it. Their beef patties are also incredible. I've been to 3 other Jamaican restaurants and they all sucked. This place was so good. I've also read reviews about the bad service. I didn't have a problem at all. They were cool. read more

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Doug S.

12

67

93

1 year ago

Tried the large jerk chicken platter. Very good spice level. Sauce was awesome. Worth the Drive from Sorrento Valley . It's the classic hole in the wall place with excellent food and friendly staff! read more

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Zunisa H.

146

23

26

1 year ago

Answers quickly and portions are very good. Always get the oxtail it's so tender and flavorful.

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Dee H.

0

22

17

2 years ago

Let me just say I been going here for years!!! I've tried other Jamaican spots and I must say they are taking the cake by far in San Diego. They may not always seem to be in the best of moods but the food is always on point. My favorite go to Jamaican spot. Try the spicy jerk and oxtail plate. Oh and there pies are scrumdiddlyumpious. #saysaydaaat read more

Caribbean Taste - Oxtail/Curry Goat plate - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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P J.

293

34

9

1 year ago

The food is always good when we have a taste for Jamaican food. One of few places in SD to find authentic Jamaican food. This place is my go to. My favorite is the oxtail, curry and jerk chicken. read more

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Karen L.

188

242

309

4 years ago

This is the best Caribbean please I have tried in San Diego. I got the jerk chicken and my husband got the goat curry. Husbands from the Uk so he has been complaining how all the other Caribbean places we have tried have been "trash." The jerk chicken had the perfect amount of spice and the goat curry was delicious. The rice was really good and the greens were okay. Each plate came with greens, rice, and plantains. The plantains were yummy. Portions are huge so you could probably share a plate with someone. The only issue with this place is that it's kind of warm in there and it was cash only. read more

Caribbean Taste - Jerk Chicken - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Rick D.

7

119

251

3 years ago

My Jamaican friend took me here and said this is the best Jamaican food in San Diego. We had Jerk Chicken, BBQ Oxtail and Goat Curry served with plantain, red beans and rice and veggies. Service was quick and the food was hot. It's a humble mom and pop shop nothing fancy, but the food is legit. Flavor throughout the soft, moist Jerk chicken. Oxtail fat rendered soft and tasty to compliment the soft suck-off-the-bone bbq meat, and mouthwatering spiced, make-you-wanna-eat-more, curry on super succulent and soft goat meat. My favorite was the Goat Curry. The food is half eaten in my picture because we started with a small taste of everything then just dug in and started eating, so delicious! I'll post better picks next time because I'll defiantly be back. read more

Caribbean Taste - Jerk Chicken, BBQ Oxtail, Goat Curry - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Irene H.

Elite 25

0

48

100

2 years ago

My son is studying culinary arts. He asked if he could make jerk chicken one day. I said shouldn't you try it so you know what it's supposed to taste like? So we decided to find a restaurant. Caribbean Taste had a very humble store front in the neighborhood I grew up in, Encanto. We tried a small jerk chicken and a small oxtail dinner both came with a yummy rice and beans mixture two plantains and mixed vegetables on the side. Everything tasted amazing. The jerk chicken was a little spicier than my son expected, but it was definitely good and has quite a level of kick. The oxtail was delicious. I wanted to try the beef patties, but there were none in the case so next time. read more

Caribbean Taste - Small jerk chicken and small oxtail both with rice&beans, plantains and veggie mix. - Caribbean Near Me - San Diego, California

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More info about Caribbean Taste

6171 Imperial Ave
San Diego, CA 92114
South Encanto
Directions
(619) 795-1772
Call Now
Visit Website
http://caribbeantastesandiego.gastro-america.com

Hours

What time does Caribbean Taste open?

Caribbean Taste opens at 10:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Caribbean Taste close?

Caribbean Taste closes at 8:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.Caribbean Taste closes at 6:00 PM on Sunday.

Mon-Sat 10:00 AM - 8:00 PMSun 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Caribbean Taste take credit cards?

Yes, Caribbean Taste takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Caribbean Taste have catering options?

Yes, Caribbean Taste does have catering options.

Does Caribbean Taste serve alcohol?

No, Caribbean Taste does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Caribbean Taste allow dogs?

Yes, Caribbean Taste allows dogs.

Does Caribbean Taste have TVs?

Yes, Caribbean Taste has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Caribbean Taste have bike parking?

Yes, Caribbean Taste has bike parking.

Does Caribbean Taste have outdoor seating?

No, Caribbean Taste does not have outdoor seating options.

Does Caribbean Taste have parking?

Yes, Caribbean Taste has parking options. Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Does Caribbean Taste have free WiFi?

No, Caribbean Taste does not have free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

Caribbean Taste Reviews in Other Languages

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Caribbean Pleasure

4.3(56 reviews)

8.8 mi•Loma Portal

I was in town for work and I always plot my meals ahead of time. I was thrilled to find a Haitian…read morerestaurant as it's rare to find here in the west coast. I ordered a chicken dish, pikliz, and something else. I should have known by how empty it was. I had to climb stairs to get to the restaurant and there was no elevator present. I took the food to go...I got to my hotel room and opened the food and tasted it. It was a hard no...there was way too much salt. The pikliz was just okay but not what I was expecting. Luckily I'd stopped at another place to pick up dinner and ended up eating that early. It's hard when you've had outstanding Haitian food and go somewhere and it's not what it should be.

My review is based on take out. I'm from Haitian-Brooklyn…read more So I was nervous coming here thinking it wouldn't be good. But the food was delicious. The staff is friendly and service was smooth. I ordered Griot and diri djon djon (fried pork and mushroom rice ) paid $30. It's a lot of food. You won't be mad I love the fact they fry the griot when you order and it's not just siting in warmer. It tasted nice and fresh. They give a nice amount of sauce which was real tasty. The rice was full of flavor. They definitely have a the Haitian flavors. They have seating for those who wants to dine in. Looks quiet and clean. You have to go up the stairs to get into the restaurant. So if you drive by and don't see much activity in front just keep that in mind. I will definitely be back.

Partial view of some seating

Haitian Rice and Beans (Diri ak Pwa)

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Rock Steady Jamaican Restaurant

4.0(550 reviews)

4.0 mi•Grant Hill

Left the airport looking for some good food found this nice place on my way to Arizona maybe eight…read moreor nine minutes from (SAN) airport. Great location. Great set up. Great service. Amazing food definitely stopping here again. Next time I'm in town, want some good homestyle Jamaican food this is the spot for you.

Good portions Nice spice…read more Authentic jerk Plantains 10/10 The steamed vegetables could be steam more in my personal preference the cabbage is crunchy but adds texture to the dish 6.5/10 Mac and cheese 6.7/10 (a little dry ) Jerk chicken 8/10 Oxtails 8.5/10

Beef Patty Chicken Patty Beef Patty

Vegetable Plate

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Outside, from parking lot.

Coco Maya

I loved everything about this restaurant! It's so cute, trendy, good music, good vibes, delicious…read morefood and drinks. I made a reservation but it wasn't really needed on this Friday afternoon. Service was a little slow but the food and customer service made up for it. It was a little warm outside so I switched tables to get a shady spot, the friendly host let me use the restaurants handheld fan to cool down :) I didn't have any food to take home because I devoured everything lol. If you are stuck between Coco Maya and Morning Glory, CHOOSE COCO MAYA!

I never realized this place was here walking around little Italy until I attended a bachelorette…read moreparty here. It's located on the 2nd floor right off the main strip of little Italy. The space isn't huge but it was able to accommodate our group of 6. It has some outdoor patio space as well. We mostly were there for just drinks which were all delicious and pretty reasonably priced around $17 for their specialty options. We also got a couple orders of coconut shrimp. Came with 5 per order. They were large and delicious! Service was fast and friendly. Vibes were great.

Ceviche

Dulce French Toast

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Side piece

Island Spice

4.0(398 reviews)

3.0 mi•Rolando

O oxtails red beans and rice and plento everything was very good so oh and a beer ginger beerread more

As someone who grew up around Haitians, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, the whole Caribbean…read morediaspora in the Northeast, I know good Caribbean food. I know good Jamaican food. So when I was deciding between my options today, I went with Island Spice because Jamaicans make good rice and peas, y'all got good jerk chicken, and I wanted my money to go toward a Black establishment. I actively chose to support this restaurant. I will not be coming back. Rice is the star of the show in Caribbean cuisine. We literally go to war on social media over who got the best rice. That is how seriously we take it. And what I received today was mushy. The water ratio was completely off. Whoever made this rice knew it, and they served it anyway. There is already a serious lack of Caribbean culture in San Diego. We barely have options out here. So when one of the few spots we have decides to send out food that does not meet the standard, that hits different. You do not get to be mediocre when you are one of the only ones representing. If the decision was made to serve that rice because redoing it wasn't worth the time, you lost a customer permanently. Standards matter. You had mine and you lost them. Not coming back.

Locally sourced ingredients

Inside

4 pieces of chicken on that large jerk! (Breast split in half). Delicious! So much rice and beans!!!

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Patio dining

Havana Grill

YES YES YES!!!! If…read moreyou have not been to Havana Grill, get in the car right now. I'm serious - grab your keys and DRIVE! My family is Cuban and we have struggled some to find true authentic Cuban Food recently, but we struck absolute gold with this place. Their drinks are so wonderful - the margaritas, the Havana mojitos & the Old Cuban are top contenders. You really can't go wrong with any drink order though. I definitely have my favorites when it comes to their food items - the vaca frita (#1 oh my gosh I could eat it daily) and the fricase de pollo are so wonderful. The baked empanadas along with anything from their bakery section is going to be a win as well. Whatever you order just ask for more mojo! Make sure before you leave you get a Cuban coffee to end the meal paired with a slice of flan!

Attractive restaurant located in the Mission Valley mall…read more We stopped in for a quick lunch, trying 3 different empanadas and a beer. It took a while to be served the empanadas at the 'bakery' counter and right before we paid, the server went to serve someone at the outside walk-up window. Uh, hello...?! We sat at at the bar where the service as well as the empanadas were luke warm. The bar tender was wearing one earphone and obviously taking a phone call while 'working'. It was difficult to get her attention between her prepping limes, her phone call and her disappearing every so often. We could have easily walked out and not paid for our drink, but we were honest. She didn't get a tip. She also needs to learn to cut limes more efficiently. We wouldn't rush back.

Bar scene

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SEAFOOD PAELLA , this one is good

Miss B's Coconut Club

4.4(1.3k reviews)

12.1 mi

Vibes are great! Open, casual, caribbean dive feel. Couple booths with pillows that are super…read morechill. Simona was our server and she was fantastic! Checked on us regularly with a great attitude. Drinks were fast and she was sweet!

Simona took amazing care of us!! We had a great time grabbing drinks and apps here, would…read moredefinitely come back for the great vibes and good service.

Bar and interior

Jerk Rubbed Chicken Wings with ranch

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Coconut margarita

Tropical Star Restaurant & Specialty Market

4.0(408 reviews)

10.0 mi•Clairemont

We were on the hunt for Puerto Rican pasteles. We ordered 6 hot and 4 frozen (they ran out of the…read morehot). We also purchased goya chips, goya rice, and coco rico. The pasteles were deliciously meaty. Would've preferred more olives and sofrito. Half of the space is for dining the other half is a market. Ample customer parking. Friendly service, clean, and organized.

The worst service I have ever experienced in my life. The server could not have been ruder, more…read moreill-mannered, or more unprofessional. He was restocking the fridge and actually put one of the items in his mouth so he could free up his hands to put away the rest of the products--I found that absolutely disgusting and unhygienic, and that's where it all started. Afterward, he treated us poorly--lazily, without a smile, nothing. The food was cold and flavorless... I will NEVER return to this place!

Drinks

Empanadas de queso

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Dining area

Jibaritos De La Isla

4.4(107 reviews)

5.2 mi•East Village

What a place!! A large group of my friends and I came in for dinner and they were more than willing…read moreto not only take our orders but also let us sit inside at the order table to wait :) Sweet lady at the front was helping those of us who were unfamiliar with the menu decide on what to eat. It's a bit of a hole in the wall so don't expect to eat inside, but absolutely expect to be welcomed with open arms and delicious food!! Amen amen amen

I hate to say it but nothing about this food is puerto Rican. The pastelillo meat was salty, the…read morerice was flavorless, the pernil was mushy, the beans were awful. The sofrito/recaito base was missing in every bite. The Puerto Rican flavors were absent overall. Disappointing to say the least. I spend $133 and feel it was a safe of money. I'm still on the hunt for good Puerto Rican food in San Diego. Help!

Pollo Frito/Fried Chicken Plate

Pernil y arroz con gandules

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Havana Grill

4.5(2.1k reviews)

10.7 mi•Clairemont

Locally sourced ingredients

Happy hour specials

This was all recommended by the cashier who did amazing and giving me the low down on what's the…read morebest and honestly everything here was so amazing even a really great place to relax and do some work in there comfy chairs and nice big pillows. Really a 10 atmosphere and vibes as well You need to try this place. The entire meal was less than $40!! The plate was only like $22 which is a steal

As someone with Cuban heritage, Havana Grill has always been a place that felt comforting and…read morefamiliar to me. In the past, I've had some really great meals and experiences there, which is why this review is difficult to write. Unfortunately, during my most recent visit to the Clairemont Mesa location, the food quality was noticeably different from what I remembered. Several items tasted stale, cold, and as though they had been reheated. The beans were mushy and lacked flavor, and the plantains seemed old and not freshly prepared. Overall, the meal felt below the standard I had experienced there before. I'm sharing this not to criticize harshly, but because I genuinely remember this restaurant being much better and I hope they can return to the quality and freshness that made the place special in the past. I truly want to see them succeed and improve because there is a lot of potential there.

The Crazy Cuban Sandwich..up close and personal

Lechon and Garlic Potato Mash

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Cuban Fries!

Antojitos Colombianos Restaurant

4.6(541 reviews)

4.7 mi

As a Colombian who has been craving authentic Colombian cuisine since my last visit to New York in…read moreDecember, I can confidently say this restaurant truly satisfied those cravings. Being nearly eight months pregnant, my expectations were especially high, and it is rare to find a place that meets them so well. From the seasoning of the food to the warm and attentive service, everything about this restaurant stands out. Although I don't recall my server's name, he was incredibly kind and provided excellent service throughout. The ambiance is also worth noting--the space is large, offers plenty of seating options, and even features a large TV, making it a great spot to relax or watch sports. To start, I ordered a watered mango juice along with a beef empanada. The empanada exceeded my expectations--despite being on the smaller side, it was packed with flavor. I enjoyed it so much that I ordered five more to go, which speaks for itself. They were served with fresh ají, a traditional sauce that complemented them perfectly. For my main course, I had the carne asada plate, which included steak, rice, beans, sweet plantains, avocado, tomato slices, and a small arepa. Every component of the dish was well-executed--the beans were flavorful, the meat was well-seasoned, and the overall plate felt authentic. It is often difficult to find truly authentic Colombian food, especially in San Diego, where options are limited or not genuinely Colombian. This restaurant, however, delivers on authenticity and flavor. The portion size was generous, and I ended up taking leftovers home to enjoy later. In addition to the empanadas (two chicken and three beef), I also ordered a buñuelo and a cheese arepa to go. Unfortunately, these items did not meet the same standard. The arepa lacked flavor and was overly greasy, and the buñuelo was dry and similarly oily, even after absorbing excess grease from the bag. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for Colombian food, especially given how rare it is to find quality options in this area. Friends of mine visited recently as well and thoroughly enjoyed their bandeja paisa, further confirming the consistency of the food. I will definitely be returning--especially for those empanadas. Como colombiana que ha estado antojándose de comida colombiana auténtica desde mi último viaje a Nueva York en diciembre, puedo decir con confianza que este restaurante realmente cumplió con mis expectativas. Además, estando casi de ocho meses de embarazo, mis expectativas eran aún más altas, y no es fácil encontrar un lugar que las cumpla tan bien. Desde el sazón de la comida hasta el servicio cálido y atento, todo en este restaurante destaca. Aunque no recuerdo el nombre del mesero, fue sumamente amable y atento. un servicio excelente en todo momento. El ambiente también merece mención: el lugar es amplio, y limpio. cuenta con muchas opciones de asientos y tiene una pantalla grande, lo que lo hace ideal para relajarse o ver deportes. Para empezar, pedí un jugo de mango (rebajado con agua) junto con una empanada de carne. La empanada superó mis expectativas; aunque es un poco pequeña, tiene muchísimo sabor. Me gustó tanto que pedí cinco más para llevar, lo cual habla por sí solo. Venían acompañadas de ají fresco, que las complementa perfectamente. Como plato fuerte, pedí la carne asada, que incluía arroz, frijoles, plátano maduro, aguacate, rodajas de tomate y una arepita. Cada componente del plato estaba muy bien logrado: los frijoles tenían un excelente sabor, la carne estaba bien sazonada y jugosa y, en general, el plato se sentía auténtico. Hoy en día es difícil encontrar comida colombiana verdaderamente auténtica, especialmente en San Diego, donde las opciones son limitadas o no lo son del todo. Sin embargo, este restaurante sí cumple con ese nivel de autenticidad y sabor. La porción fue bastante generosa, por lo que terminé llevándome lo que no pude terminar para comer más tarde. Además de las empanadas (dos de pollo y tres de carne), también pedí un buñuelo y una arepa de queso para llevar. Lamentablemente, estos no estuvieron al mismo nivel. La arepa carecía de sabor y estaba grasosa, y el buñuelo estaba seco y también muy aceitoso, incluso después de que la bolsa absorbiera parte de la grasa. En general, recomiendo este restaurante sin duda a cualquiera que esté buscando comida colombiana, especialmente considerando lo difícil que es encontrar buenas opciones en esta área. Unos amigos míos también vinieron recientemente y les encantó su bandeja paisa, lo que confirma la calidad constante del lugar. Definitivamente volveré, especialmente por esas empanadas.

BEST EMPANADAS IN ALL OF SAN DIEGO. I spent my whole day trying to find good empanadas here in san…read morediego that would remind me of new york and this was the only location that didn't disappoint. $1.99 per empanada, they are super filling and can tell are made with love. Service was amazing and quick and the atmosphere is very welcoming i love this place. LAS MEJORES EMPANADAS DE TODO SAN DIEGO. Pasé todo el día buscando buenas empanadas aquí en San Diego que me recordaran a Nueva York, y este fue el único lugar que no decepcionó. $1.99 por empanada, son muy llenadoras y se nota que están hechas con amor. El servicio fue increíble y rápido, y el ambiente es muy acogedor. Me encanta este lugar.