If you're looking for the gold standard of Mexican food and hospitality in Old Town, Casa de Maria is it--no debate. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere strikes that perfect balance of vibrant and welcoming, but what truly elevates the experience is the service--especially Olivia. She's the kind of professional who anticipates your needs before you even ask, keeps everything running seamlessly, and somehow makes every visit feel personal. In a place that's already exceptional, she's the differentiator. The food is consistently outstanding--rich, authentic flavors, beautifully presented, and clearly made with care. Every dish we've tried has been memorable, and it's the kind of menu where you start planning your next visit before you've even finished your meal. This isn't just a place we "like"--it's our go-to. Whenever family comes into town, we bring them here. When business partners visit, this is where we host. It's become our standard for both quality and experience, and frankly, nothing else in Old Town compares. Casa de Maria isn't just one of the best--it is the best. read more

One of my favorite lunch/dinner spots in old town. This spot is located in a square with live musicians and other shops around. It's perfectly walkable to or from other parts of old town. There is outdoor seating and some indoor seats too. Service is quick and the servers are super kind. I always get a molcajete which is perfect for two. They have a spicy salsa, and cheese inside with pieces of seasoned, well cooked meats like asada, chicken, and shrimp on the rim. They also have bulbs of green onion and nopal on the rim! The molcajete is served with rice, beans, your choice of corn or flour tortilla, sour cream and pico. Overall a great meal for two! They also have all lot of margarita options and mexican beer on tap. Chips and salsa are complimentary! read more

Casa de Maria - Molcajete - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Delicious Mexican restaurant!! But what stood out to me the most was the service here. All around good vibes. My husband and I went at a busy time last Saturday afternoon. Our server always asked what we needed and we started with chips and salsa. The chips were so fresh and crisp. The salsa had a kick to it which he let us know prior. He asked us for a refill because we ate that up. For our main dishes we ordered the Mahi Mahi tacos and chicken enchiladas. I usually don't eat much of the rice and refried beans but I couldn't help myself. The refried beans and rice felt light to me which is surprising with queso fresco. I enjoyed the food and the overall experience. I would highly recommend lunch and drinks here in the Old Town area. A must. read more

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The food here is absolutely fantastic and delicious but what puts this place over the top is the incredible service , if you get super lucky and get Gonzalo as your waiter you will be in the best hands ever. Made our outing so special and took such great care of us. Thank you Gonzalo!!!! Also he had the band play happy bday to our daughter read more

Food: My cousin and I each ordered tacos and shared so we each got a fish taco and carne asada taco. Both were great and so were the beans and rice! Service: Olivia was our server and she was very nice. Service overall was quick and great. A token per customer is provided for the restrooms across the way. A complimentary photo is taken with option to buy the bigger version for $20. Ambiance: Very nice! Even have a little stage within the restaurant area so it was nice to listen to while eating and just looking around. read more

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Fantastic food . Our server was phenomenal. My margarita was huge, enough for two. Enjoyed my steak fajita. Indoor/outdoor seating with live music. Only negative is bathroom situation. Share a common bathroom for area. Given coin to use. Bathrooms were filthy . read more

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My boyfriend and I really enjoyed our dinner. The staff was very friendly! Outside seating was nice! They even sang happy birthday to a guest which was very sweet!! The food was great! We got the following: Irish Coffee - very strong Surf and Turf as a Wet Burrito - 10/10 Tampiquena - 8/10 read more

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Casa de Maria is the perfect place to have lunch outdoors in Old Town. It's located just away from the center where it can get very crowded. The staff is dressed in vintage outfits I loved and serviced was great. The food was yummy and we especially loved the house salsa. Alicia León was the entertainment while we ate, her voice is beautiful she sang classic and modern songs in both english and Spanish. Also she danced twrds the end of her set, it was lovely! And their spicy mango margarita is so good, a must to order there. read more

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Thank you so much Gonzalo for giving our daughter such a special birthday , your service was above and beyond and you made us feel like family. The food here is so delicious. I got fish tacos, my son got shrimp street tacos , my wife got a burrito , my daughter got fish and chips. Every one of us loved our food . The service is gonna stay in our hearts forever. Also they don't use lard in their beans which we really appreciate. Gonzalo is the best read more

Food was lovely, I enjoyed the margarita and enchiladas. Our server Olivia was great, and helped with all our questions. Also live music was playing and this one guy was going off on the flute. Will be back!! read more

10/10 I'm not one to leave a review but the food was great got the molcajete, the service was amazing, Gonzalo A. Was very friendly and on top of things main reason why I will comeback , the music is what made it even better, live rock en español and guy can play! Will comeback! read more

Casa de Maria - Old town - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

This used to be a favorite, visited a couple times each year. So disappointed in our last meal. Poor service, waited over 45 minutes to get our meal. Mediocre food, greasy and fatty carnitas tacos that were way overpriced for two street tacos and beans and rice. read more

We had friends visiting from Las Vegas and they wanted to check out Old Town. We explored the shops and museums then went for a drink and lunch at Casa de Maria. Becky and I have visited Old Town on a few occasions, never Casa de Maria. The live music, a solo female singer, in the courtyard was nice. The service was really good, the beer was cold and Becky enjoyed her spicy marg. The food. Meh. If we were to take visitors for authentic Mexican food, Casa de Maria would not be our first choice. It seemed like "touristy" Mexican food. Complimentary chips and salsa were brought to the table. The chips were good. The salsa was lacking. Not at all spicy. Perhaps offer two salsas? Add a spicy version. The bowls for both were tiny and had to be constantly refilled. I ordered the Street Tacos Plate. Three mini tacos (about 3 bites each) served with rice and beans. I chose one of each. Shredded Beef, Carnitas and Pollo Asada. In order, I liked the carnitas the best, then pollo and lastly the beef. The carnitas had good flavor and was juicy. The chicken was good as well and not dry. The beef was a tad salty and dry. Beans were really good while the rice was bland. Crispy Tacos Two crunchy corn tortillas filled with your choice of shredded beef or chicken, topped with lettuce, pico de gallo, and cheese. Serve with rice and beans. Becky and my visiting friend both ordered these with shredded beef. Both thought they were okay at best. I had one of Becky's and agreed. My friend said of the shredded beef: "They cooked all the flavor right out of it". Taquitos Shredded beef or chicken rolled tacos topped with melted cheese, lettuce, pico, and avocado sauce (not guacamole). Friend's wife had this. She chose the shredded beef also. Her assessment? See crispy tacos above. Prices were okay if not a tad high, but it's touristy Old Town so that is to be expected $20-ish dollars per plate range for most entrees. $8.69 for a single taco (bit steep). The bathroom situation is less than ideal. No bathrooms at the restaurant. There are two one-at-a-time bathrooms across the courtyard and you need a token to use them (your server will give them to you). The lines get long, plan accordingly. We'd likely return for a drink and the music but dine elsewhere. read more

Didn't even get a chance to eat there. I was on vacation visiting my elderly parents and thought I'd take them to Old Town San Diego. My mom wanted some Mexican food and this place looked decent enough. They have an indoor dining room and a large patio for outside dining. Maybe they do things different here because I'm from Texas and over there you have the option to sit inside or outside when you go to dine but I was walking with my parents into the inside dining room and this guy from behind the bar rudely told me, in a scolding fashion, that they were closed inside and we had to eat outside only. It was a hot day and my parents cannot be outside but it didn't seem like this guy would care so I loudly told him never mind we'll go somewhere else. We went to a neighboring Mexican restaurant and had a much better experience. If this is the way you treat your patrons your doors won't stay open much longer. read more

First time trying this restaurant in old town and it was delicious! We did come on the second day of Dia de Los Muertos, so for a party of two we did wait but it was worth it. The chips and salsa were great. Got a second round and wanted to take some home. I ordered a carne asada and Baja fish taco, both tasted great! The green salsa I asked for on the side was perfect!! My partner ordered the rolled chicken tacos, those were tasty too. She also ordered a mangoñada drink and that hit the spot. Over all, great experience. read more

Casa de Maria - Taco Plate - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Food is great. Gonzalo Aguilar was attentive, and give us a great services. We would definitely come back.

Delicious food and service was great. Our server Gonzalo was very kind and attentive.

The chips were very good. Quick service and great teamwork all around. I was very skeptical and I ended up loving this place. I liked how you grab a menu and just sit anywhere. In America we love our options. read more

Olivia was our waitress and she was absolutely killer. Food and drinks were amazing! I recommend starting off with the shrimp ceviche! read more

Casa de Maria - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

We went down to Old Town for the Dio de los Muertos event and stopped here to eat. while the outside seating was nice and refreshing, with lots of shade which was very nice because it was a sunny day. There was nice live music playing out near our seating which saved the whole eating experience. We were seated right away, but it still took over 20 minutes to take our drink and food order. we ordered the fish and chips, calamari, and two enchiladas. All of the food came a once and was over 30 minutes of waiting. All of the food was warm, nothing was hot. The fish and chips and calamari all looked like it was made out of the frozen food section of a supermarket. No sauce option for the fish and chips, and the calamari was rubbery. The enchiladas (one red, one green) tasted very plain with little to no spice or anything to enjoy. The meal came with beans and rice, which the beans were almost solid and the rice was very dull. Lastly, we had to ask a separate waiter for our check because our waiter disappeared after some time. I'm not one to complain a lot about my reviews, but this place was a huge disappointment. I will not return or recommend this place to anyone. read more

Casa de Maria - Calamari - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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Amazing food and service! Our waiter Olivia was very kind and helpful, she made us feel at home! Would highly recommend. read more

Casa de Maria - Molcajete de Maria (Serves Two) - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

The food, drinks and service is Excellent. Great choices o the menu. The best part of the experience was Gonzalo. Ask for him. So friendly and helpful! read more

I visited this restaurant last Sunday with a few of my girlfriends. I needed to use the restroom. Imagine my surprise when I was told there was no restroom inside the place, but I could use one a few feet away. I was handed a token by the waiter, and I went, although I thought it was unusual and that every restaurant in California must have a toilet, but maybe I was wrong about that. The token did not work, and out of the two toilets, one did not open. Soon, someone came out of the working toilet [an extremely dirty one, with no soap no towels no toilet covers nothing.] We were quite a few waiting, and we held the door open for the next person. I wanted to have a cocktail, but I thought the better of it - I did not want to revisit the experience! I ordered a grilled fish taco, with avocado. I also ate the chips and salsa. The next day I was oh so sick to my stomach. Figures! If I don't have access to a toilet as a customer, how are the food preparers going to find one. Yuck! The live music was wonderful tho. read more

Cute rustic ambiance but food is SALTY. They are accommodating to your party's needs, which is a plus for any place. Try to go on cooler days because it's mainly an outdoor venue. All-in-all, a good place to sit back and relax. read more

Casa de Maria - Patio view - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Great atmosphere, good food and Olivia, the waitress was outstanding! I'd go back just for the service!

Terrible customer service. 30 minutes to take our order. Hour for the food. Another 30 minutes for the check. The food was not worth the 2 hours. read more

Best service by Gonzalo Aguilar. the food was also great. try the tampiquena and the carne asada.

Me and my family have been coming here for years! Dont knock it till you try it! Never any wait and the food is always hot and good! I never had anything bad at this place before. Also the drinks are STRONG! The service is always fast and they are always checking in on you! 10/10 especially for locals like us read more

Casa de Maria - Sope of chicken - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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First time down in San Diego with my wife, we came down to Old Town, had to enjoy a good bite with the culture and this place did not disappoint, great food and service. Definitely recommend the California Burrito! read more

Casa de Maria - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

So disgusting don't even waste your time here. I ordered two kids meals for each of my kids and I received the tortilla COLD and stale. The meat too both the kids plates were cold and the rice was cold as well when I told the waiter they took it back and when they came back clearly they put it in the microwave bc the plate was ALL of A SUDDEN HOT but wasn't before. The waiter said things happen at restaurants well NO then we got the main course the molcajete and the nopales was disgusting the chorizo was nasty and the shrimp was cold and fishy don't waste your money here read more

This was my first time here. Compared to the other restaurants in Old Town. It is very slow. There only two waiters. The closer it got to 1pm. The busier it got. The service is okay. The waiter was very polite, and checked on us often. After the food was served. The ambiance is an old time western Mexican theme. Right next to restaurant, are musicians that play for the plaza. So you get to hear some smooth jazz and Latino music. The food was pretty good. The Molcajete De Maria, is a great option for a first timer. It is filled with a wide selection of the treats. Inside has carne asada, chicken, onions, cheese, cactus, jalapeño, shrimp, and chorizo. My favorite part was the cheese. Two thick cuts of queso fresco. This item is served in a piping hot Molcajete. You must be careful with this. As it can burn you. This is also a dish shared, and shared a little fast. I say this because the dish is hot, and will continue the cooking process. Especially the shrimp. They will overcook them and make them stick to the Molcajete. The smoothies sweet. So if you love sweet drinks. This is up your alley. The Jamaica is not overly sweet. This is a nice drink on a warm day. I would come here again. read more

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Great service, food and drinks! Loved the mezcal and also the spicy jalapeño margaritas. We were out on the patio this Sunday in the shade and a great singer singing Mexican songs. Loved this place, our second time here. We will be coming back every time we go to the Cygnet Theatre. read more

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Slow service, over priced, mid food, do not recommend, no receipt offered or given when asked read more

We were in old town last weekend sitting in front of this restaurant listening a street singer. We decided to grab a drink, chips and quac while we are enjoying the music. There were 3,4 tables of customers in the restaurant yet we got the worst service. 1. Chips and quac came with a small little bowl if chips that we could count them we asked for more chips and he took 15 mins to bring after we reminded him. 2. I said Guacamole right? It was actually just chunks of tasteless avocados 3. we ordered calamari and he spilled the tartar sauce all over my wife's legs right before we were going to an event. He did not even apologize genuinely like it is a normal thing. 4. I was watching him bringing my beer spilling as he walks and he actually spilled a big chunk in our chips bowl ‍ We were there enjoying the music and trying to have a drink, couple appetizers. He said he will not charge us for one of the beers because of the incidents which was thoughtful. We were still being nice to him and he did a last punch; "Normally I am not like this, may be it is because of your energy" It took me a second to understand what he had just said. I ended up writing "energy" as tip on the bill. Long story short, dont bother going here. read more

Olivia M. should be cloned immediately! Handled six (!) tables on her own upon opening and made it look fun! The weather was awesome and we sat outside which opens to a beautiful courtyard. Loved the menu selections. Our food was delicious! Fajitas had a fabulous ratio between meat and veggies, the meat was so tender and tasty; while he had lemon garlic shrimp plate and raved. The house wine was smooth and tasty enough I asked for the label name. Everything was very reasonably priced and they don't mind if you consume your weight in salsa. It was just a really wonderful experience and the perfect way to start a great day in Old Town San Diego. read more

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Definitely one of the best restaurants in old town! Margaritas are delicious and food hits the spot! My family loves this place as well. Recommend giving it a shot! read more

Gonzalo was AMAZING! Amazing service for a pretty large party. Served our table of 27 with hospitality and a smile on his face the whole time. I'd want him as my server every visit!! read more

We were completely ignored by the server. Waited 30 minutes and the hostess had to bring us water. It was busy, yes. But when people that arrive 10 minutes after are enjoying their drink AND food and you barely got water, that's when you get 0 star. The 0 star would go to the waiter who cared less when I let him know we were leaving due to his lack of service. He shrugged and said ok. The nice hostess said she was sorry. For her, you get one star. read more

Came here for my partner's, mother's birthday and we had a wonderful time. The waiter was attentive and the overall vibes were very comfy and homey. The food was plated so nicely and everything was delicious! This place did not miss the mark! As far as authenticity of the plates everything was delicious but I do feel like they tone down the food a little for the gringos but ultimately I would come back. The drinks were delicious I will add that the Jamaica was made perfectly! Only thing I wish was that everything was a bit spicier but that's just my preference. I would definitely come back here for the mole though! read more

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Great food and generous portions. Nice open area for patio seating. Service was good