Very disappointing meal! My daughter was visiting from San Diego, and we chose Diego's for our special night out. What a mistake! I don't know whether we were there on an "off night" or what, but it certainly wasn't the quality I remember. They still had the tiny, yummy rolls, but they were served with garlic butter (tasty), not the aeoli. The Sangria was just ok...but something different and festive. We were chatting away and there to have a good time. After taking our orders, the server returned to tell us a lot of orders went in at one time (for whom, I don't know, because there were only 4 tables, and 2 had already been served). She said they would make it up with more bread, or whatever...that didn't happen. In fact, she forgot to bring our first course altogether...soup. Shortly thereafter, our entrees arrived. We asked about the soup and she brought it, but we only had a taste, not wanting our entrees to cool. (It was carrot soup, and very good.) My daughter enjoyed her tllapia, but I had a real fight on my hands just to cut a piece of steak off the skewer!! I managed to get a small piece off one of the ends and it was flavorful, but it was a real battle to get another, and when I did, I couldn't chew it!! I remember, the first time I ate at Diego's, that the marinated tri-tip was juicy, succulent & so tender...the vegetables were plentiful, colorful, and perfectly grilled! Not so any longer. The meat was too tough and overcooked. The beans were bland. The white rice appeared to be instant, and was crunchy!! And the vegetables were burned. I have only once ever complained to a waitress about a meal, but since my daughter was picking up the tab for this hot mess, I mentioned it. To their credit, they were very apologetic, and removed it from the tab. I don't think I'll be returning...very sad, because I had such happy memories! read more

What a nice change of pace from the usual "Mexican" food we are used to eating. I had the Anticucho. It was delicious and spicy and the chimichurri made it all the more so. My wife had the Ensalada Diego with chicken. It had plenty of meat to go with all the vegetables that were in it. Next time we're in Grass Valley, we're going to eat here. read more

Tired of steak, sushi, Mexican, etc? Try Diego's. The outdoor patio is a must if it's warm out, but the inside is pretty interesting. The food is great, and like I said, it's nice to get something different every once in a while. read more

Hadn't been there in a while and forgot how good this place is. Nice outdoor seating and service. From the rolls to the panqueque everything is fresh and yummy. The stuffed jalapeño appetizer is yummy and come on Thursday for fish taco night read more

I'm with reviewer Kim K., I also wanted to love this place so badly. The restaurant is cute and unique. The first time I went there the food was awesome (Chicken salad) and had the best bloody marry ever. The following four times I went it was terrible. The chicken on the salad looked like old chicken out of a microwave, the service was soooo slow it was painful. I kept going back hoping it would get better, but it didn't. They just seem to keep getting more disorganized and the food less than par. read more

My wife and I were in Grass Valley for the Christmas Fair Saturday. As usual, we made reservations for dinner at Diegos and had our panqueques, this time pork and chicken. We were not disappointed. Accompanying the entree, we had the mushroom soup, a light brothy soup versus the more usual cream-based soup. The soup was flavorful and rich. No complaints. We were particularly pleased with the fact that the food was not overly salted. In fact, I added a bit of salt to my soup, which I usually do not do. The servers were attentive and prompt. A great dinner!!!!! read more

The food was amazing Really unique flavors and a delightful atmosphere. Really fun local stop.

Eccentric, down to earth, original, organic, friendly and fun! Diego's represents everything unique and lovely about our little town. This restaurant is a gem, run with love by beautiful people. read more

Love this place! The food is fresh, much of it local, and the service is great. They have a few vegetarian items on the menu as well.

Hi! I chise takeout to try diegos, something to be said for no distractions when going for a pioneering food adventure...First, i should say when i called up i talked to Sh..... and she wAs super awesome and helpful, led me in the right direction and i was excited to pick up my pulled pork sandwich with saurkraut and fish tacos....i showed up and felt like i had leprocy or something? I was anticipating this cool interchange with the gal on the phone i ordered from but it didnt pan out...now the fish tacos were so good!!!!! Killer tortillas, perfect balance....the pork sandwich was kinda bland:( maybe ive been drinking too much lately and my taste buds are a little off? Oh well, 4-5 stars on food...i had to ask for a bag? I tipped my usual takeout of 4-5$ but was dissapointed i didnt run into Shelly??? The one on the phone...well, i dont think i have leprocy, but maybe ill go back and get tacos again.... read more

When you walk in be sure to ask to sit in the back where there's a beautiful mosaic on the wall. The food is fantastic and the portions are large - I'd even suggest sharing an entree and an appetizer. Definitely share the desserts, they're massive. I had the grilled tilapia and my dad had the grilled chicken and both were wonderful. Try the Celestino for desert, it'll blow you away. We liked the sauce so much that they gave us a little container of it to take home at no extra charge. Great service, even when the place was packed and busy. And on that note, be sure to arrive early as in around 6pm unless you're willing to wait for a while. Hope to see you there because I'll definitely be going back. read more

This place is just amazing. The food, the decorations, the service. Pure and highly concentrated win. Eat here, your taste-buds will thank me. read more

I came here now the third time in a couple of months since my friends like it so much. Im not a big fan of pancakes/crepes, but apparently the best dishes are all related to that. I tried every time a different dish that is not a pancake, but every dish I tried wasnt that good. Sometimes cold, sometimes without any flavor. Not a place I would recommend. read more

Obviously, many people love this place - and some hated it; there seems no middle ground. Based on many glowing reviews, we tried it. Wifey had the chicken and bacon panqueque, I had the signature "Panqueque Especial." If you think of these as baked burritos with a softer tortilla, you would be very close. Hers had some chicken and bacon at one end, none in the rest of it, just filling; mine had a prety tasteless mix of finely greound meat and rice, with some bits of pineapple (including hard bits of pineapple core, ugh), kind of like canned hash, but with rice. Service was glacial and non-sequential - some who came in after us were served before us, some who came in right after us were served when we were leaving. The sangria was good enough for me to give them 2 stars instead of one - it made the wait more endurable. But we won't enduire another meal there. There are far better places to eat in Grass Valley. read more

As far as the food goes, it wasn't great, but the chef was new and I think I will give him a second chance. But what I really disliked and is the reason why I am giving it only one star was the service. The waitress approached us, told us her name and said: "Sorry to tell you, but you are stuck with me for the evening". I can't imagine a more stupid thing a waitress could say. When we tried to order Empanadas she refused to take the order and instead insisted aggressively that we should take the Empanaditas. So we were forced to take them and they weren't even good. She was aggressive the whole time and at the end she came to say: "You guys ate a lot, those portions are so big, you should be stuffed, I guess you guys don't want a dessert. I couldn't believe that a waitress could say something so stupid. I don't live in the area but I will certainly never go back to Diego's. read more

I travel from the Ashland area of Oregon to Grass Valley for family and have been eating at Diego's for years. Diego's has an atmosphere of a neighborhood restaurant in Portland with a sense of being welcomed without the glitz of a downtown establishment. The quirky decor reminds me of the favored aunt not unlike an Aunty Mame with welcomed arms. The Chilean-American fare is unique yet still familiar and comforting from the panqueque to the key lime pie. Every time I've eaten at Diego's it is a little different (being the decor or staff) but this is what gives that eclectic neighborhood appeal. read more

Wonderful funky and eclectic atmosphere and the food we've had has always been delicious. Great place to go on a nice date, but it's also very accommodating of kids (they have Legos and things to keep them busy, so nice)! read more

Ate at Diegos and was pleased with services and food until I go the bill. 56.00 for two small salads and two burrito things and two cokes. No side dishes. Good but not that good. read more

My husband & I stopped for dinner last night...our first time. He told me that over the years everyone that has spoken to him about Diegos has raved about the great food. We had a wonderful experience beginning with a nice choice of draft beers. Then came the the little round warm rolls with salsa and butter.YUM My husband ordered the stuffed portabello beginning with a salad and accompanied with sides of rice, black beans & grilled vegetables. I wasn't as hungry so I ordered a favorito w/steak and grilled vegetables. No doggie bags for us..nothing was uneaten! As we dined, we marveled at all the dinners going to other patrons and how delicious each one looked. Can't wait to go back again. PS The staff was very warm and friendly. read more

Stopped in after visiting empire mine with our 7 and 4 year old. Very good food. I had the panceacea especial and papusas. Both were good. Kids food was decent as well (rare). I guess my only complaint is it's a little expensive. read more

unfortunately I had to give three stars due to cook . we ordered a burger and the waitress checked on it three times reminding the cook that its to be prepared rare and when my boyfriend got his burger it was well over done ! anyone could see so why serve it! as a cook he should of known better ... The waitress knew because I had said it as over cooked and she did nothing ! we're the only people dinning it was on a Monday so the place wasn't busy .. just not sure why the cook can't handle a simple burger read more

I thought the food was good and they have a nice patio and quirky decor. However, I paid $20 for a burrito and my date got a few small pieces of fish with rice and beans for another $20. Overpriced in my opinion. read more

LOVE this restaurant!!!..... Always something new & delicious, and different!!!.......staff is very nice & goes the "extra mile"!!!!

Not a fancy restaurant but the food and service was great! We had Panqueque with shredded pork. Very tasty and large portions.

YUM!!! My favorite is their Calamari & their Calamari Salad!

Food is excellent. The desserts are the bomb. We've eaten here probably a dozen times and know that every time we go there it will be a very positive dining experience. read more

I love this place. It has amazing Chilean cuisine and really unique, relaxing atmosphere. It can be a casual chill spot for friends, or a romantic dinner. read more

Great place. Love the atmosphere and food. 4 star rating because a few times service was substandard.

Good food with lots of interesting flavors as in the grilled vegetables and Chilean green salsa. The owner was so attentive and gave such personalized service. The celestine dessert is amazing made with a crepe, caramel sauce and sliced bananas with a little confectioners sugar sprinkled on top. read more

This place is great , I absolutely love the food and the ambiance ! My favorite dish is the bowl of love but it's not on the menu so you have to ask for it. Sam and Chris are by far the best servers there ! I can't say the same for Shelley and Diane the stress seems to get to them and the whole restaurant can feel it ! I keep going back it just sucks because I'm not sure of the quality of service I am going to receive until I see who is working. read more

This is the slightly more casual sister restaurant to Grass Valley. Also equally good food and really tasty Margaritas. Never miss a chance to go there. read more

Loved the food and the sangria. We had the peach sangria, which was a refreshing treat for the summer. The pupusas were a nice appetizer with fresh ingredients and not too greasy, like some other pupusas I have had from other places in the past. We had the Pescado La plancha and the pancheche. All were fresh and delicious. Interesting tastes that brought smiles to our faces. They were also very nice to our 14 month old and accommodated him with toys and a high chair. Next time we want to go back for a date night to relax and enjoy a little more. read more

Dinner was wonderful. My wife had a margarita, but when the check arrived, we were charged for two. I pointed this out to the server, who fixed the check, and I paid by credit card. Weeks later, looking at the statement, they processed another transaction for another drink. So, be careful and examine the check closely. Diegos submitted a false cc charge and has earned a single star over a $7 drink. read more

The food is pretty good but the service IS AWFUL. I go once a year now to see if anything has changed and I always leave there irritated. Not worth it. read more

I've only had the pleasure of eating here once... So far. The food was delicious and the waitress was fabulous. I couldn't decide what to eat and she told me if I didn't like it she would eat it! She sat down and talked to us at length. They had a great bottle of wine for $15.00. The whole evening was just perfect. Especially the food! read more

eclectic decor, really solidly good food with unusual twists..tacos were falvorful and healthy, glad to see pupusas in town

I don't know how many readers here are aware just have difficult it is to find a good, if not very good place to eat in the Grass Valley/Nevada City area. Take it from this Bay Area transplant, the culinary scene here is a world of disappointment. That said, Diego's is a place apart from the hum drum, greasy, rude, bad attitude, damn right depressing places that you're likely to find if you don't know to seek out a winner like Diego's. First off, the restaurant is rustic funky in sweet welcoming way; lots of recycled and found objects used to give the place a homey atmosphere. The antique floor fan in the bathroom, aimed at the toilet was strangely but surprisingly pleasant. The employees are all welcoming, friendly, knowledgeable about the menu and occasionally running around the place like chickens sans heads, but the overall effect is super charming. For the dirt on what really matters, the food is very good by Bay Area standards and it is 3 Michelin star quality for this foodie wasteland in the 95945 area code. Homemade breads and salsas, herbed butters, strong drinks and food that would make Alice Waters linger and chat with the cook. The grilled fish and achiote chicken we had were flawless, as were the grilled vegetables (and who EVER raves about grilled veggies?). Not sure what else to say, other than Dios Mio...Diego's is some kind of delicious. This place will make you slap your Mama. read more

Mom is a Grass Valley resident, I am a former Bay Area and currently LA area resident and foodie. I loved the review from Dale earlier this year, and totally agree with his opinions (as well as others' accolades). My mother had been wanting to try Diego's, and we headed there on the Thursday before July 4th weekend. Masses had already arrived for the Grass Valley evening market, with streets blocked for all the festivities. However, I think the majority of folks had headed to Diego's. Luckily there was one table for two, but unfortunately not in the slightly more air conditioned front room, where a singer/guitarist was entertaining the crowd. However, the back area was just as, if not more so, quaintly decorated, with flashy chips of recycled glass mosaics gracing the walls, funky art and light fixtures, and rippled tin siding for a rustic and fashionable "wainscoting" effect. The staff was running to keep pace with orders and keep patrons happy. We overheard one of the wait staff say they had NEVER been inundated with so many people at once. Thus, the hot evening, hectic setting -- and I still give this a 4+ star for fantastic food, amazingly informed and charming wait staff, surprisingly delicious food - yes, the donut hole bread with garlic butter is fantastic, as are the "new" calamari salad with fabulous grilled vegies (big YUM) and the Panqueque especiale -- burrito shaped, filled with various meats, cheese sauce (and whatever the heck else that made it delicious) -- the "crepe"-like covering was light and not heavy like a tortilla, garnished with quite a spicy guacamole. All this was cooled down by tasty white sangria, filled with melon balls - very interesting. And to top it all off, we were treated to one of the best key lime pies ever -- all because they appreciated our patience on such a busy night. Needless to say, I can't wait until my next trip back to see mom in GV, as there is no question we're headed back to Diego's. read more

this place sucks in the food way too pricey the only reason I got 1 stars because I had t

Really had a bummer of an experience here at Diego's. I went in with a friend to have dinner. The whole night was bizarre. We get seated. Waitress takes our order. We ordered Sangria's for our drinks. This was the best part of the whole trip because the Sangria was really very good. We ended up drinking our whole drink each and chatting and catching up, and realized we had been sitting there for a while and still haven't received our meals. I looked at the time and a whole hour had gone by since we had placed our order. Nobody came to check on us, nobody apologized. A table had been seated after us, maybe about 20 minutes after us. A party of 6. They ordered obviously after us and I realized they were eating. A manager came to their table and apologized for their food taking so long to come out and comp'd all their meals. At this point my friend and I are thinking, wait a minute, we haven't even gotten our food yet! Our waitress finally comes out and doesn't apologize but says "we are going to comp your sangrias since it's taking so long." Okay, let me get this straight. We've been waiting over an hour for our food, the table near us came in after us and received their food before us and left the restaurant before we even got our food. And the manager very loudly comps all their meals, and we get our drinks comp'd? Okay.... 10 minutes goes by. Waitress comes out and asks what our meals were again. Seriously?! Finally food comes, almost two hours after we had ordered it, wish I was exaggerating. Waitress brings the bill, she had taken the sangrias off, but salads were on there. Salads were part of our meal but we had never gotten them. We point that out to her. She asks if we still want them. We had finished our meals, no we didn't want them. We ask for her to take them off. She returns and salads are taken off the bill, but now the sangrias are back on there! Okay...so we bring that up to the waitress. She asked us if we could just do the math and pay for the bill as if the sangrias weren't on there. So we subtracted the sangrias off ourselves, and left the cash for our meals. And we still tipped, just because I'd feel bad if we didn't. The whole experience was very odd. Not sure if they were short staffed or what was going on. I never expect perfection, but this was far from perfect. read more