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.

It's always a pleasure to come back to this amazing restaurant!!!…read more First of all, all the servers are so nice and welcoming. The food is just so amazing, comforting, delicious and just the best for when you're super hungry!! The place has nice happy music but it might be a little loud. Can't wait to go back!

I came in for the first time ever and was greeted by Stephanie and seated right away. There were…read morefamilies enjoying the food, the music and each other at a few various tables. The place was exceptionally clean and inviting. It smelled like fresh food was being made right when you walk in which is always a great sign. The owners were there and even came by to ask how everything was. I ordered a ton of food to go, pollo y queso pupusas, res y queso, and a few Tamales. This place is a must try!!!!

Easy 10/10! Dropped by for lunch and loved everything about this spot! From the decor down to the…read moreservice and of course the food. Everything hit! I'm def coming back! I came during happy hour so I got to try a few appetizers and they all hit. The music playing was on point too. Shoutout to Christian & Morgan, they were both super sweet and attentive. Christian's recs were spot on ! Apps I tried: Papa Rellena de Carne - dangerous for me bc I love these! perfectly fried, crispy outside, soft and creamy inside, super flavorful Croqueta de Pollo - soo good ! crispy and packed w/ flavor the sauces they give you all paired so well with each appetizer! Empanada la Cubanita - 1000/10. perfectly fried, crispy exterior, packed w/ juicy well seasoned pork! the mustard added the perf tangy kick Main dish: I ordered the Ropa Vieja and let me tell you, the meat was cooked to perfection. I'd def order this again! It was tender, juicy and sauced so well. The rice was soft and the beans were a bit simple, they paired well with everything. Drinks: I wanted to try something cultural, so I went with the Malta it's rich, slightly sweet & super unique. Also, threw in a Coco Rico, this was super refreshing. I asked Morgan to bring any coffee and it was smooth and bold such a good way to end my meal. And you have to try the desert ! I didn't catch the name but it was absolutely worth it.

Havana 1920 is a Cuban restaurant in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter known for its authentic cuisine,…read moreextensive rum selection, and vibrant atmosphere with live music! Made a quick stop before heading to the Padres game and ordered the Cubano sandwich, (2) birria empanadas, (1) papa rellena de queso, and (1) papa rellena de carne. The food was absolutely delicious! The Cubano sandwich was fire!!! A warm, pressed sandwich blending savory, smoky, and tangy flavors. It featured layered roast pork, glazed ham, Swiss cheese, dill pickles, and yellow mustard, all served on crisp, buttered Cuban bread. The birria empanadas were packed with flavor! The consome was a nice accent to the dish. But the real highlight were the papa rellenas- fried, stuffed croquettes featuring a savory ground beef filling (picadillo) inside a mashed potato shell. They were crispy on the outside, and creamy on the inside! Ridiculously flavorful! Overall, service was excellent! Our server was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable! She made some excellent suggestions and recommendations! This place never disappoints! We will definitely be back for more! Psss... order the mojito with coconut puree! 10/10!

It was my first time here and it's my new favorite bbq spot! Lots of spacing inside and outside to…read moresit. Parking is a bit annoying but it's fine. Service was fast and friendly! I got the brisket, Mac and cheese, cold slaw Will definitely come back to try other things on the menu!

This is a cute spot! Love the picnic tables, the covered big patio, and the vibes. They have lots…read moreof good beers on tap, including 5-6 NA options. They also have some fun drinks like a hard lemonade, and a dole whip mimosa. The bartenders are nice too. Ambiance: 4.5 We tried the pulled pork, the brisket, and the tri tip. I was only impressed by the brisket, which was nice and moist. They have lots of sauce options too, and I really liked most of them. The Mac n cheese was pretty good, the potato salad was great, and I really liked the crunch of the green beans Food: 4ish

Came here for a girls night out and had a great time! Our server was David, he gave great…read morerecommendations and was very attentive. I got the wagyu short rib and thought it was delicious. Everyone enjoyed their food and agreed to definitively return soon!

Our waitress Anto was very friendly and always attentive of our table. She cared if our food was to…read moreour standards and always with a smile.

We had an amazing experience here. Too bad it recently closed…read more We go down Wednesday for lunch and lucked out as we found parking right next door. Only one space left near the restaurant. We get there right before it opens and they sit us down right away. I thought that was awesome. Some places will wait until they officially open. Even while just opening it was a festive atmosphere and the employees were amazing. My wife had the Diabla shrimp plate and I had the three taco platter I choose the birria and Korean tacos and they were amazing and had a different twist to them. You get to choose from various ones. This place is very instagramic and you may be paying a little bit more but in my opinion it is well worth it. We had the Miche mango blended drink and I ordered the Cadillac Margarita. They were very good and reasonably priced as well. The grand finale was the churro cart. What a show. Definitely worth some social media posts. We really enjoyed this place and hope it makes a comeback

Honestly pretty happy this location closed down. I figured it was only a matter of time…read more When we went here, both times it was fairly busy, but not packed, and the service took wayyy longer than expected to get our orders taken and food brought out to us. I believe this restaurant banked on the fact that it was in Little Italy within downtown so they could charge extra for everything. Nothing you would get food or drink wise felt it was justified and the food was really plain or didn't taste good. Ambiance was a bit of a mess too since it seemed to try and mix a lot of different themes together which didn't work out too well. I think it was for the best this business moved on. Let a new restaurant take it's place that can do a better job in the night life scene, or try something new and different.

We've had Ali as our server twice at brunch at El Chingon, and she's been amazing both times. She's…read morefriendly, attentive, and makes the whole experience feel easy and enjoyable. She's great at anticipating what you need without being overbearing, and her positive energy really stands out. Service like hers is a big reason we'll keep coming back! Highly recommend asking for Ali!!

Man I wish I lived in San Diego - I'd be here all the time. Randomly walked into this spot before…read moreWWE Survivor Series at Petco and this place is awesome. First off - let's talk about the staff. I have a little over four years sober. From my seat I could see the bar (which doesn't trigger me) and there was a fellow wrestling fan drinking alone. He left to use the restroom I assume and the bartender covered his drink. This tells me they hire quality people who care about their patrons - much respect. The food was amazing. I had the surf and turf burrito and holy smokes it was HUGE. It was also delicious. The steak was really great and cut up to not overwhelm the healthy portions of shrimp. I also got to try a bite of the Mexican Cuban and it was epic. Fusion done right Props as well for lots of complimentary chips and salsa and two types of salsa that were quality, This place is awesome - very much recommended it if you find yourself in the Gaslamp.

the music and vibes cool but don't order any food, it'll take too long.the service for the food…read moretake long as well

Originally, I wanted to dine at Freddy's chop house. It was a 2 hr wait without a reservation and…read morethe host recommended Las Hadas since it's their sister restaurant. I must be honest, I wasn't expecting much but the food, service and ambience definitely exceeded my expectations. Las Hadas absolutely deserves five stars! The food was outstanding from start to finish. The asada taco was tender, flavorful, and packed with perfectly seasoned fries inside--such a delicious bonus. The shrimp taco was also incredible, topped with a rich, flavorful sauce that paired beautifully with the seafood. I also ordered the surf and turf fries, and they were amazing--loaded, savory, and cooked to perfection. The chips and guacamole were equally impressive, featuring fresh veggies, crisp chips, and tasty salsa that tied everything together. Service was excellent, attentive, and welcoming. They also offer a great selection of additive-free reposado tequilas, with Fortaleza Reposado being my personal favorite. Highly recommend Las Hadas if you want great food, great drinks, and great service. I'll definitely be returning!

It's been a while since we've been here.... So glad we came out for a quick bite to eat. This place…read moreis a TRUE hidden gem in National City. Decently priced menu items. Great customer service & all around great vibes. Food was delicious as always..... What we ordered: 2 Shrimp Pupusas 2 Tacos De Adobada I forgot how BIG the pupusas were and we ended up taking one home. BONUS POINTS: They were so nice to give us a small container of curtido & tomato salsa to go. No extra charge!! The hubby and I ate dinner for under $20. AMAZING!! #DiningWithTheAndersons #Pupusas #SilviasPupuseria #Tacos #NationalCityGem

I enjoyed this place so much! I have not been in over 3 years, but after having a craving for…read morepupusas, I am glad I came back here. My partner and I tried four different kinds (revuelta, chicharron, queso con jalapenos, and loroco). I had a to-go order, but I put on all the toppings at home and it was great. The curtido was nice and fresh, I wish I could just buy this alone and use it as a topping for so many things at home. The horchata was also delicious and not overly sweet. I liked the nutty taste of the seeds. The interior was well kept, clean, and felt very at home. I came in when no one else was there and my order was made fresh and the wait was not long. Cant wait to go back and try other menu items or pupusa fillings.

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.