Okay I don't say this lightly but Origen is one of the BEST spots in San Diego right now. Everything we ordered was insanely fresh, flavorful, and so thoughtfully plated. Like actual art on a plate but it tastes even better than it looks which says a lot. Nothing felt overhyped, just really high quality ingredients and unique flavors that all worked so well together. Our server helped us pick the best things from the menu too :) The vibe is super cute but still relaxed, perfect for a date night or a fun brunch with friends. Definitely one of those places you'll want to take pics but also actually enjoy every bite. @maddieeeats approved and already planning my next visit read more

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I wrote a review originally about my disappointment that there were no vegetarian options. I absolutely love Mexico and this restaurant has Mexico city vibes so I was absolutely disappointed to find out they HAD no vegetarian items because i have been vegetarian for 37 years.. For my birthday, I planned a birthday dinner with my parents, at the Italian spot next door (sadly) but I stopped at Origen to ask again in person about veggie items. To my surprise, within a week of my original review that there were no veggie items, the restaurant had added three options!! This is found impressive.. turned feedback positive. On with how it went: The decor is absolutely stunning. Minimal, earthy tones, pottery plates and open air style. The staff is more than on point. Very kind and professional. Very humble and giving all sorts of Mexican hospitality vibes. The menu: as a vegetarian I had three options. We went for the guacamole (i was very excited that the mango was not too out there) and for the cilantro/lemon sauce which i believe was hearts of palm. It was spicy but very pretty and yummy. My only disappointment with the dish is that it was basically more like a soup than a salad but the tortillas didn't help me at all. We ordered a side of potatoes but taste wise it wasn't a good pair. The dish needs some kind of consistency maybe rice so that the sauce can be eaten. My dad ordered some type of meat dish. He almost died due to spice In retrospect, I think it would have been wise of him to look out for those pepperchinis. My mom's dish was beautiful (salmon ceviche) but she thought it was more raw than she expected and it was extremely spicy so she could not have a bite. Unfortunate. Drinks were good. I was extremely surprised when the restaurant offered me a slice of birthday cake because i forgot i even mentioned it to them on arrival and how excited i was they had vegetarian options. I thought this was very sweet because i think i only mentioned it in passing to the host! The noise level though was intense and the music was noise more than beautiful Mexican songs. Overall i think this restaurant has potential to be SIX stars but it needs to edit the menu a bit in regards to spice or sauciness and find a way to minimize noise level. On the other hand, its staff could teach a thing or two to lots of restaurants out there. They are 10/10w read more

This was a fun restaurant my friend had recommended. Staff were so cool and so passionate about their food and preparation. I asked which items were the most popular for appetizers and he had recommended guacamole and salmon ceviche and then that was followed by Flats, croquet, and seared beef. All so delicious! Then we were craving a salad and saw that they had a Caesar salad that was uniquely made without Romaine lettuce. It was also quite good! Had to finish this great meal with a corn flan which was smooth and creamy. Loved this place, the staff, and will for sure come back. read more

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Very IG worth pictures, but that's all it is. I came with a friend for SD restaurant week and we ordered blue crab which came with a little salad, ceviche, tacos that you assemble yourself, and the 2 cake options offered. Pros: - Easy to make a reservation through Open Table. - Really cute and intimate setting for dates, GNO, etc. Cons: - Crab cakes were really creamy...I'm used to crab lumps in my crabcakes. The salad it came with was very salty? Ceviche was not bad, marinade was sweet, but refreshing. Tacos were okay. Chocolate cake was very fudgy, rich but in the best way possible. However, the regular cake was crazy dry. - Parking can be difficult since it faces a Main Street. This place is more of a one and done for me. read more

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My friend recommended that we come here as we were both craving something unique, seafood forward, and easily shareable. I can easily say this was the best meal on my San Diego trip that I had. We made a reservation and by the time we got there at 8:30, the place was alive and full, but it did not look like too many more seats came in after. There are several open air rooms with booth, table and bar seating. Music in here is great. Our waiter, Miguel, was fantastic. We each had an Agua Santa, and a Margarita which were both refreshing. To share, we split a guacamole, a tuna tartar and the crab tostada. Everything was SO good. I had never had guacamole like this before, as this one came with coconut cream that our server poured over it. It really complimented the creams of the avocado and added a nice, sweet flavor. It also came with plenty of fresh chips. The tuna tartar was super filling as well and we felt like this + the crab tostada had more than enough meat and toppings. The jocoque, which is kind of like a crema, on the tartar was perfection and they brought blue corn tostadas for us to top with this dish. I hope to come back here to try their salmon tartar as well! The desserts look fire as well. 5/5 stars, easily. read more

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Great staff, good service, interior design is amazing! Food is decent, wish the dishes have more substance to it, within 8 bites and 5-10 minutes dish is finished. Wished portion size is bigger for the price you're paying. Staff was accommodating to our party of 7 for birthday girl with dessert. They did a great job. Definitely come here for date vibes it seemed very romantic but could also be family/adult friendly as well read more

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There's so much to love about Origen. 5 stars for the food, decor, and the service. From the moment you step inside, you're transported from the busy street of North Park to a tastefully decorated, modern, sleek and trendy aesthetically pleasing establishment. Also love the name, Origen is the Spanish word for origin. The 2 owners are from Mexico City and the food concept is Latin classics with a modern elevated twist on in their dishes. The menu offers the perfect selection of small plates to share from fresh seafood tartare to savory short rib quesadillas, there's a variety of options to create the perfect tasting menu. Don't forget to order the croquettes and the flautas as well, both are seafood items and were delicious. It's a lively atmosphere with a bright ambiance. Perfect for a date, a celebration, and everything in between with service that is attentive, informative, and kind. read more

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Had dinner here for a date night on a Sunday. Was pretty quiet, as it was when they first opened. Love the decor and vibe. Definitely feels like you could be in Baja. Tried their michelada - which is made with a pickle beer (got em!)! And my bf had a mezcalina mocktail. Tried their smoked tuna flauta with a 1oz shot of tequila-- perfect bite. We also tried their salmon ceviche (a bit tart), quesadillitas (with mole) -- the mole was very flavorful and then a full order of the smoke tuna flautas. Would def come again. read more

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This place has become one of my favorite restaurants to visit when in San Diego. The food has always been delicious. And they sometimes update their menu so it's great to come back and try new things. The staff is so friendly and attentive. Definitely make a reservation especially on the weekends because they do get busy. The architectural design of the space is very nice. read more

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Finally got a chance to check out the recent addition to Park Boulevard, Origen. Great to see this and other new spots pop up right on the border of Hillcrest/Northpark. If you blink you'll miss this, very vibey, contemporary Mexican cuisine curated. tapas-style eatery. At first glance, the creative design mirrors a cool art gallery and the plating matches the aesthetic well. Our group was seated quickly on a rainy yet buzzy Friday night. If you're mezcal fan, this spot is for you!!! Good selection of Mexican curated drinks and the food menu is perfect for sharing with a group. We opted for the margaritas, shot + flautas, guacamole, shrimp aguachile, crab fritters and the mole quesadillas. Favorite bite of the night had to be the aguachile. I could have finished another plate by myself!!! Fantastic drinks. Service was a bit slow but but to be expected for a Friday. I'll definitely be back to try more! Give this place a try. read more

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Great service, fun bartenders, and an amazing menu. They have a unique Elote Old Fashion, def spirit forward with just a hint of corn and garnished with a corn husk. Their Carajillo is a must order. Well balanced, easily enjoyable, and skipped dessert for a second one. Coffee, Licor 43, slightly citrusy and a little foam. Loved their ceviche de salmon with the leche de Tigre. Fresh salmon, hibiscus and raspberry, green apple for tartness and crunch, smothered in a thick and creamy leche de Tigre with a side of blue tostadas (def ask for a second helping of tostadas since one won't be enough). Def recommend. Croquetas de haiba & poblano: blue snow crab croquettes with a cilantro aioli. Deep fried with a little salad to cut through the oil. Pulpo with the salsa matcha: octopus coins, potatoes and some pita bread to sop up the yummy garlicky salsa macha oil. A bit of spice on this one. Pesca del dia cebollitas; Seabass topped with spring onions coupled with mashed potatoes. Loved those greens on top of the fish. Also got the lobster taco. Asked for sauce on the side because that one really packs some heat. The old Breakfast and Bubbles completely reimagined with a backlit cavey Sonoran sort of vibe. Women's restroom on one side of the restaurant and men's on the other side was a bit odd but whatevs. Nice little bar area with the funniest bartender. Also tried the $60 per shot Reserva La Familia shot that went down super smooth, but def pricey. Overall a great concept and execution and would return again. read more

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Such a beautiful space! The interior is beautifully decorated and very warm and comforting. The service was fantastic and everyone was super nice and explained the menu and possible modifications for my vegetarian friend. My friend found a piece of plastic in her soup but the staff was incredibly professional and nice about it, getting her a new one. The quesadillas with short rib were very cheesy and flavorful, the cochinita tacos were seasoned great, the sopa azteca was very comforting, and the mango ceviche with guac was very coconutty and refreshing! read more

Origen - Cochinita tacos Sopa azteca Guacamole and mango ceviche - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - San Diego, California

The service and food are 11/10 here! The staff went above and beyond with their kindness and service. They made my friends birthday spectacular and fun. The conchinita tacos were just okay, BUT I'd recommend everything off the crudo section of the menu. The restaurant itself was gorgeous. Will 100% be coming back. read more

Origen - Paloma, margaritas, salmon crudo, guacamole mango ceviche, aquachile - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - San Diego, California

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Came here with my friend for San Diego Restaurant Week and it was definitely a miss for us. The ambiance here is great perfect for a date night or girls night out with the neutral organic decor and nice lighting. However, the food and service unfortunately leaves much to be desired. All the food had something about it that just made it off (more details below) and service was slowww. We waited 20-30+ minutes between each course despite ordering everything at the beginning so our 3 course dinner ended up taking over 2 hours!! And most of that time was spent waiting for the next course. We came for early dinner 6:15pm on a Thursday so the restaurant was pretty empty when we got there but it still took about 20 min for the first course when we ordered and only took progressively longer for each course after that as the restaurant got more packed. If anything I would think that it would help to serve tables quicker before it gets packed so that there are less groups overall waiting at a given time. There were literally tables that had been there before us still there waiting for their check when we left. Croquetas de jaiba y poblano: For appetizer we ordered the "Croquetas de jaiba y poblano" these were actually pretty good for the most part, little crunchy balls of blue crab served with a cilantro aioli, not too oily, the miss was with the salad/greens served with it that was weirdly super salty. Would have been better with a more refreshing salad/greens or even just plain since I'm assuming some kind of dressing might have been put on top that made it salty! Tiradito de res served w tortillas: this was actually pretty good too, it just had more of an asian flavor profile to us vs a Latin/Spanish flavor profile which was a little odd given the theme of the restaurant menu. Good but nothing wow. Tartar de atun served with tostadas: this was weirdly sweet, first sweet tuna tartar we've had and we both agreed that tuna tartar is much better savory. The flavor profile was just off since it was sweet and nothing in the menu description would have hinted at that imo I actually expected it to be a little spicy possibly given that chipotle was listed in the menu for this item. The menu describes it as "tuna, house chipotle jelly, capers, guacamole, jocoque, cilantro tabouli, sunflower seeds" somehow it seems like maybe the house chipotle jelly is sweet instead of spicy? Desserts: The sito chocolate cake was probably the best thing we actually ate for this dinner, super rich chocolate, think fudge but in cake form. I actually would have preferred the sito chocolate cake to be served with vanilla ice cream instead of the other dessert we had. Weirdly the white cream on the sito chocolate cake had 0 flavor almost like someone forgot to add sugar to it? But the cake itself was enough to make up for it, chocolate lovers don't miss out on this one! The tarta de Santiago is just so plain. There's hardly any flavor to it so not worth ordering imo. It seems like they give this as the free birthday dessert if you celebrate your bday here but I would suggest asking for an alternative given how underwhelming this cake is. The vanilla ice cream it was served with had more flavor than the cake itself so unless you like super bland cake I would skip. Overall, the decor and vibe is super cute here but the food and service makes it not worth coming back. I definitely don't plan to come back here for a meal of any kind and their drink menu seems pretty basic too so I'd probably even skip coming here for a drink given that there are tons of other places in SD that have better food and drinks. It's also only street parking so it's not like it's an easy place to stop by to begin with. read more

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We came to Origen for drinks and small bites, and it was the perfect spot. I ordered a spicy margarita, which was a solid 10/10 and had just the right amount of kick. We tried the flautas, which were so good and perfectly crispy, and the quesadillitas de short rib con mole, which were also delicious. The mole was a bit heavy for my taste, but that was just personal preference. The vibe was great, lively and fun, and it was packed on a Friday night. It can get a little pricey since the menu focuses on small bites, but everything we had was high quality and flavorful. I will definitely be back. read more

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Food is GREAT. Drinks are FRESH. Servers are HOT. That's all. Yelp wants me to say more, but that's all. read more

Origen - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - San Diego, California

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This place really is a fine dining experience. The staff and of course the food were Botha delight. I was surprised how professional everyone here was and the level of knowledge they had on the dishes they served. They all had a high level of respect for the chef and spoke highly of the creativity of the dishes. The food was super tasty and hearty. We ordered 3 dishes plus a dessert but we could have done one or two and felt full. The Quesadillitas de short rib con mole was my favorite. The mole was really complex. Same with the Tartar de atún. Btw, I would dress up a bit for this restaurant. I felt some of the clientele looked fairly trendy. Good place to definitely go with a friend or a group of friends. read more

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Got in on a Thursday night and this place was packed and full of energy. Edgar, our server, was super attentive. This place has cool design, warm ambient lighting details on the wall, and also has their cactus insignia woven into the décor. We ordered a Margarita mocktail, quesadillas, tuna tartar, pulpo macha, and tartara de Santiago. The tuna tartar was beautifully balanced, with a pleasant contrast of flavors and textures that kept each bite interesting. The pulpo and potatoes were tender and delightfully infused with just the right kick from the spicy olive oil, smooth and tasty but with a little edge. The quesadilla had a nice smoky, rich flavor that made it especially comforting. The tartara de Santiago was light and puffy, with the perfect amount of butter that made it melt in your mouth. Overall, great food, great service, and a lively spot to hang out. read more

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We had a good experience here overall! The cocktails were refreshing (I enjoyed the mezcalina and my friend enjoyed the depth of the elote old fashioned and the refreshing nature of the agua santa), the food was creative and reminded me of Mexico City, and our waitress was attentive and knew the menu well. The crab croquettes and tiradito de res were probably my favorites; the ceviche was a bit bland for me. I would definitely go back to try more! read more

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Best aquachile of my life 1000/10. Great service and the restaurant is beautiful. Highly recommend read more

Origen - Aquachile verde - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - San Diego, California

This place is not shy about bold flavors. The dishes we had showcased the ingredients and creativity. The drinks were phenomenal. The waiters were knowledgeable and provided great service. It's not easy to find spots like this these days, authentic with a modern twist. Very solid dining experience! Highly recommend. read more

Origen - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - San Diego, California

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I came here with a friend of mine after seeing this place on tiktok! The vibes were very cute and aesthetic. The food was good but there was a mishap we encountered. Prices were also a bit steep in my opinion! We had a reservation at 5pm and ordered 3 things, 2 drinks - Salmon Ceviche, Tuna Tartar, and the Short Rib Quesadillas. The Ceviche and Tartar came out fairly quickly, and over time we just assumed that the quesadillas were forgotten which was fine with us since we were full anyway. No updates whatsoever, 45 minutes later after the first round of food comes out, it randomly shows up as we are about to finish chatting and leave. We tell them we don't want it anymore and didn't think it was still coming out since it took so long. It would have been nice to get an update at some point but I honestly think they just completely forgot. Salmon Ceviche - 7.5/10, it was good but not great, the flavor was personally not my favorite Tuna Tartar - 9.5/10, this was delicious and my favorite dish, I would get it again! Mezcalina Mocktails - 10/10, they were delicious and flavor was great Overall service was really friendly and great other than the missing dish. Caesar was great in particular! It was unfortunate since the mishap with the dish dampened the mood near the end since our waitress stopped coming by to check up on us and we had to get a check from another waiter. read more

Origen - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - San Diego, California

The food was smacking... Very very unique flavors, almost all of them had acidity but balanced. Favorite was the carnitas with a peanut mole. The place looks new and sleek and the service was very helpful . Thanks for a great night read more

I had bookmarked this place since they first opened, and finally made it out for a Friday night dinner with my girlfriend. We frequent go to valle often, and this spot caught our eye with its modern take on Mexican cuisine -- and it did not disappoint. Parking Heads up: parking in Hillcrest near University Ave is no joke. Definitely plan ahead and give yourself some extra time to find a spot. Ambiance The vibe here is modern minimalist meets chic -- open, spacious, and airy. We were seated right away at a communal table, which worked fine, but next time I might request a quieter corner (more on that below). The menu is divided into two sections -- land and sea -- which I loved. We shared a few dishes: * Croquetas de Jaiba y Poblano (blue crab croquettes): Generously stuffed with crab (no skimping here!) and served with a fresh green salad. One of my favorites of the night. * Quesadillitas de Short Rib con Mole: Tender, melt-in-your-mouth short ribs with a rich, layered mole sauce. Flavorful and comforting. * Ensalada de Palmitos: Super fresh, with a great amount of hearts of palm, beets, and a light, zesty dressing. * Fideo Seco con Camarones y Chorizo: This dish was hearty, savory, but the flavor didn't wow us. We were full by the end and probably could have skipped one dish -- but no regrets! Service Our server was friendly and attentive. Food did take a bit to come out, but the place was buzzing, and we didn't mind soaking in the atmosphere. The One Downside It was loud. Not from music -- just the acoustics. The sound carries in a way that makes it tough to hold a conversation. Next time I'll ask to sit closer to the edge or near the outdoor area. Fresh ingredients, thoughtful flavors, and a beautiful space. It's a solid spot for a casual-yet-special night out. We'll definitely be back read more

Origen - Heart of palms and beet salad - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - San Diego, California

Beautiful Minimalist Vibes & Flavorful Eats at Origen Finally got to check out Origen in Hillcrest and it did not disappoint! The first thing you notice is how stunning the interior is--minimalist desert vibes done so right. Think warm tones, natural textures, hanging plants, and soft lighting that makes the space feel chic yet relaxed. We sat inside, but they also have a cute patio that looked like a great spot for weekend brunch or sunset dinner. The whole vibe was fun, inviting, and definitely Instagram-worthy. The food was bursting with flavor--each dish felt fresh, vibrant, and well-balanced. You can tell they really focus on quality ingredients and thoughtful combinations. There's something for everyone, and everything we tried hit the mark. Seriously flavorful, not just trendy. Service was friendly and helpful, though a bit on the slower side--nothing major, but just enough to notice. It didn't take away from the experience, but worth keeping in mind if you're in a rush. Parking was a bit tricky (Hillcrest life!), but we got lucky and found street metered parking a couple blocks away. Give yourself a few extra minutes to circle the area if you're coming during peak hours. All in all, Origen is a beautiful space with flavorful food, good vibes, and a menu that makes you want to come back to try more. Great for date night, girls' night, or just treating yourself to something delicious in a gorgeous setting. read more

Origen - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - San Diego, California

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Definitely a 5 star. This place is a future Michelin Star restaurant, come and try the food now before they get the star and the price of the food bumps up! The interior is excellent and fits the theme. The service was one of the best. Aside from all the good food, they without a doubt have the best mole and cevice you will ever have, and we've had it at other Michelin star restaurants. Bravo Origen, keep it up! read more

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I live right by Origen so I knew I had to check it out, and WOW, it was delicious! It was truly a five star experience, from the bites to the service. First, our server Edgar, was fantastic! He was so kind and helped us curate the best experience for our meal with the best recommendations. The space of Origen is gorgeous too. The vibes here are immaculate, feels very desert chic themed. Ok, now the food - I would 10/10 recommend the pulpo dish, that was INCREDIBLE. Flavor and spice just right, I also love octopus hella so it was amazing, and with the lil pita we got too WHEW CHILE. It was bomb. We also got the quesadilitas con mole, another 10/10, i've back twice now just for these my gosh. mole is one of my favorite mexican dishes ever and i love their spin on it being an app. the blue crab croquetas - i will be ordering each time. they're perfectly crisp outside and tender inside, stuffed beautifully and with the avocado cream sauce on it? girl. fire. i've had both the salmon ceviche and the agua chile now, and i prefer the latter as it just tastes soooooo fresh and the spice in it is prime. i love salmon so much but it being in ceviche wasn't MY favorite thing (but it was still good to be clear). The Tuna Tar Tar, also good, basic in someways but one could also just say simple and simply delicious. Origen will definitely be a place I come to often with friends. It's so good and I hope they thrive here because they are incredible. read more

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From the jump the restaurant atmosphere is welcoming and very cozy with a modern coastal touch. This is a family run business that is reaching its 1 year anniversary in March and you can just tell how passionate these individuals are about their craft. My party was immediately welcomed with warmth by the owners brother where he sat us quick and was on top of tending to our table. He gave us a run down of how the restaurant started and the best approach to ordering off the menu. Later on the owner himself came over and told us a bit more about how the restaurant came to be and all of the fun events they host from time to time! Now into the food and drinks.... The margarita my table ordered was probably one of the best margaritas I have had in a long time. While we opted out of the mezcal, but you could genuinely taste the quality of ingredients and craftsmanship that was put into the cocktail. So good! I'll be thinking about it regularly! For food my table decided to order a few plates and share it. The Guacamole y ceviche de mango was the perfect starter. The coconut leche they add into the Mix was impeccable, I have never tasted a ceviche with so many mix of flavors that blend and pair together so beautifully! Now while the rest of the plates we ordered did have smaller servings, it worked well for our party of 3 and everything was evidently fresh and high quality. At the end of our meal they brought us over these complimentary espresso cocktail shots I can't quite remember the name of, but they were SO YUMMY! Overall, the passion and kindness of the two brothers alone is making me want to come back just to learn more about what's to come as they approach their 1 year restaurant anniversary along with, of course, their delicious handcrafted food and drinks too! (That Margarita omg)!! read more

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I've only been there twice, and both times I sat at the bar. But this gem of a restaurant is indubitably here to stay. Let's start with the design, shall we? The north wall of the restaurant is a work of art; asymmetrical carves outs in the wall are punctuated by various vases highlighted by a light source that runs the perimeter of the back wall of each carve out. It truly is a site to behold. The restaurant itself, I'm honestly guessing here, is informed by marble and wood and reminds me of many of the restaurants I've dined at in Mexico City. I met the two Chilangos who started Origen, Franco and Sebastian, and they are both really nice, very down to earth. There was none of that false modesty I find about as appealing as nails on chalk. Franco told me that he hoped to wait on me one day. Franco, if you're reading this: Voy a hacer que cumplas tu palabra, jaja. Cesar, the bartender, is the shitz. The first time I went he had back up so he had time to show me some of the more interesting mezcals they had; Elote-washed mezcal, anyone? He made me the closest cocktail to a Paloma, I've yet to find in this city and it was divine (though I may start bringing my own grapefruit soda). More than that, he is very charismatic and entertaining and is almost as much fun to watch as the entire dining experience was superb. The second visit, though? Not so much. For reasons unknown, he was the only bartender that night and for a Sunday night, the place was packed. And you cannot have just one person running a bar, a service bar, restocking, washing glasses, etc. by oneself. Still, he managed to pull it off for the time I was there with his usual aplomb. On a side note: The plateware, designed by Sinoloa earthenware, is simple stunning while the silverware by Eustis matched the interior design's goals of ordered asymmetry. Though I haven't tried much, what I have tried - Ensalada de Palmitos, Tartar de atún, and the Fresas con Crema - does indeed elevate your typical Mexican fare. The hearts of palm were bathed in this refreshing yogurt-dill concoction and brought new life to the salad. The tuna was rhapsodic. And in a world filled with generic Ahi tuna towers with avocado and mango - Yawn - this Mexican delicacy was enhanced by chipotle jelly, and house made jocoque (think tangy sour cream or yogurt). The cream served with the strawberries had this lemony essence of sorts and I gobbled it down like it was the last meal of my life. I will certainly come back to this bustling newcomer on Park Boulevard to try many of the other dishes. And my guess is that by the time I make it back, hundreds of others will have already discovered the well-earned charm of Origen. read more

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Our party of 4 enjoyed this new Mexican restaurant in Hillcrest! Making a reservation online was a bit confusing as it gave you about 4-5 different options. I ended up booking a regular table for our party. Just a heads up that the "communal table" is a booth that can fit a larger party (around 6-8 maybe?) Environment/Service: -Loved the aesthetic and decor inside! Apart from the communal table, there were many 2-4 person tables inside, a few 4 person tables on the "patio" (which is still technically inside by just by the open window. -Service by Edgar was great and our food and drinks came out fairly quickly. Food: Their menu is meant to be shared family style and is separated by seafood and meat dishes. We ordered mostly seafood items but I wish we ordered more meat dishes. QUESADILLITAS DE SHORT RIB ($18/2 pieces): my favorite dish of the night. The short rib with the mole on top of the little quesadilla tasted great together. AGUACHILE VERDE ($27): served with tostadas; I enjoyed the spiciness and the overall flavor of the dish but that shrimp was just too raw for me and I unfortunately couldn't get past it. CEVICHE DE SALMON CON LECHE ($24): served with tostadas; this one I enjoyed and would get again. PULPA A LA SALSA MACHA ($38): octopus; again, this one was a texture thing for me. My husband who regularly enjoys octopus said that he enjoyed this dish. PLATANO FLAMEADO: served for the birthdays in our party. 2 pieces of plantain in caramel sauce with nuts. So good! Overall: I enjoyed the ambiance and the concept of this new restaurant. I'd love to come back next time and try more of their meat dishes. read more

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This spot was Baja inspired with a modern twist. Great drinks, clean plates, vibey space. Loved it. Food and service was quality. read more

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This place may have just opened two months ago under new ownership, but Franco and Sebastian are already making waves -- and let me tell you, it's not just hype. These two are some of the kindest, most humble owners I've ever had the pleasure to meet, and their warmth radiates throughout the entire restaurant. You can feel the passion in every corner -- from the evolving menu to the way their team takes care of guests. We came in as a party of six and were lucky enough to be served by *Cesar a.k.a. El Papi* -- yes, that's what he goes by, and trust me, he lives up to the name. The man's vibe? Impeccable. He made our first visit feel like a celebration, not just a dinner. Attentive, charismatic, and with the kind of work ethic that makes you want to come back just to be attended by him again. Interior: Minimalist, clean, and effortlessly aesthetic. Green aprons on the servers, sharp blue dress shirts on the bussers -- it's a simple but elegant vibe. The bussers didn't miss a beat: as soon as a drink or plate was done, it was out of the way like magic. Honestly, service across the board? 11/10. Now the food... buckle up peeps Flautas de atun ahomadas: If I could give these their own separate 5-star review, I would. We ordered one plate thinking it'd be a quick app, but after one bite, we ordered *two more orders*. Golden, crispy, savory, and absolutely addictive. (We were tempted to lick the plate). Aguachile Verde - Not as spicy as you'd expect (unless you confuse jalapeño with cucumber like I did hahaha), but the flavor is THERE. Perfectly marinated shrimp with a refreshing jicama crunch. Chef's kiss. Carnitas- Tender, flavorful, and comforting. Solid dish all around. Quesadillas de mole with short rib? YES, you read that right. Mole-covered quesadillas. Table favorite. Don't think, just order. Croquetas de Jaiba + Poblano: Think crab cakes, but elevated. Light, crispy, flavorful -- gone in two bites! The bartenders *do not play around*. You'll taste the liquor, but everything is perfectly balanced. My pick? The Carajillo-- like an espresso martini, but better. Smooth, bold, and dangerously easy to love. Street parking, so plan accordingly -- but trust me, it's worth circling the block a few times. Final verdict... dun dun dun.. This isn't just a restaurant. It's a whole *experience*. From Franco and Sebastian's hospitality to Cesar's unforgettable service and a menu that's clearly crafted with love -- it's clear this spot is going places. Already dreaming about my next visit (and yes, flautas will be on repeat). read more

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I celebrated my birthday here yesterday and i absolutely loved it! The server was amazing I believe her name starts with a T but I forgot by now. A beauty as well! The food was delicious, more on the spicy side but we all enjoyed the different meals. The drinks were our favorite part! Delicious wines and cocktails Thank you for the experience and good vibes, perfect for pictures and a good time read more

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Such a cute spot! Came here with a few of my girlfriends for dinner. We were seated immediately upon arrival. The place was buzzing with people. The decor is super cute and aesthetically pleasing. Our server(I can't remember his name) was super cool. He gave us recommendations and we were not disappointed. One of my favorite dishes we all tried was the smoked tuna flauta with a shot of mezcal. It was excellent and I'm still drooling as I think about it. The octopus was also really good. Oh and we also ordered a salad that was really good and I can't remember which one it was. The drinks were also really tasty if you're a tequila or mezcal lover. I'll definitely return to order the flautas again as well as try other dishes. read more

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Admittedly, our group of 4 was late to our 5pm reservation by 11 minutes and only half of our party was there but they sat the two of us who were there immediately. Though, it appeared they were having a team meeting for the night as we were the first to arrive for the night and felt like we interrupted. Another couple came in shortly afterwards and it was mildly empty for a Tuesday night until we left around 7:15pm and it was packed. The drink recommended as the most popular order was the mezcalina and it was delicious. I was nervous it would be too sweet but it was nice and unique. The two of us who came early started with the crab tostada and that was my favorite bite of the night. Next time, I will order one of those for myself and not share. Once our full party came and the menu was explained, we ordered the tuna flautas and short rib quesadillas to start while we browsed the menu further. The flautas and short rib came out rather quickly - a pleasant surprise. But the unpleasant part was that they had brought a $40 short rib and mashed potato dish instead of the $18 short rib quesadillas in mole we had actually wanted to try. Then it was an awkward back and forth of should they take it back to the kitchen. Eventually, our group told them to leave it because HOW AWKWARD that they wouldn't just take it back when they realized that isn't what we wanted. The short rib and mash was the most bland dish we (didn't) order. The whole situation left me feeling a certain way for the rest of the meal. The smoked tuna flautas had great flavor and were delicious. We also ended up ordering the fish of the day (sea bass) with cebollitas (an herbaceous onion topping) which was also a table favorite. The octopus we ordered was my 2nd favorite dish of the night - only disappointment was the pita (2 half slices for 4 people with a good sized plate of octopus with delicious butter/oil) wasn't the best vessel to soak the deliciousness. I feel like a sourdough or any other regular bread would have been a better pairing. Probably because I was already mildly annoyed, but they often tried to take plates that we weren't quite finished with, but took forever to take my actually empty drink glass. Had we not ordered the $40 short rib, I think we all would have had more belly space to order and try more mains. But ce la vie, we ordered both desserts and the plates were almost licked. Overall, I'd go back if someone else chose to but not of my own volition after my experience. So many other spots with stunning food and great service to go to a place where service is subpar. read more

Excellent service from everyone but a big shout to Edgar, Juan Pablo & Enzo!!!! One of the best services i ever had, totally recommend coming. Good drinks and environment, 2nd time here and it keeps getting better read more

Origen - Cochinita pibil tacos Drink: mescalita - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - San Diego, California

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Many thanks to my Yelp Elite friends for this amazing find! Scrolling through my Yelp activity feed, I noticed a few Yelp Elites frequenting this restaurant. Love the desert vibe! Shout out to Alexis who was our attentive and informative waiter. What I had- Agua Santa - Refreshing drink with tomatillo. No it doesn't taste like tomato lol. Croquettes de jaiba y poblano- The blue crab was plentiful and fresh! Highly recommend! Flautitas de Atun Ahumado - I love smoked tuna and this was great in this rolled taco which def has a kick! Ceviche de Salmon - The hibiscus and raspberry sauce that they pour over the dish was absolutely delicious! Tartare de Atun - This tuna dish was fresh and loved topping it on my tostada. Camarones al ajillo - This warm dish had a savory garlic sauce which I recommend is delicious to dip some bread in. Quesadillatas de Short Rib - Tender short rib on fluffy tortilla Tortilla Clam Chowder - I loved this take on clam chowder with tortilla chips! Pulpo a la salsa mancha - This was soooo good. Highly recommend dipping bread into the sauce of this one! Platano Flameado - Loved the grilled bananas with the dulce de leche sauce! Fresas con Crema - Fresh strawberries with crème is a nice light dessert to finish off a great meal! Come early when it opens to get a better choice of seating and parking availability. Highly recommend reservations. read more

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Service was good. Food was decent but a bit pricey for the portions. Was more of tapas than meals. But the drinks were good and the ambience was great. Weird that the other photos I posted didn't show up. Good date spot for light appetizers but if you're hungry I'd go somewhere else. But Definetly a nice spot for drinks read more

Origen - Pesca del dis cebollitas - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - San Diego, California

Visited this restaurant a while back. The food and service was decent. All of their food I ate seemed to utilize acidity. It was a bring too strong for my taste (drowned the flavor a bit), but overall tasted above average. However, it was extremely loud. They have a lot of tables within a small area, so it was pretty difficult to hear anything. read more

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Origen is a very beautifully-designed bew restaurant in the eastern section of Hillcrest in San Diego. Parking can be somewhat problematic, since the restaurant is located on a busy stretch of Park Boulevard directly at the intersection with University Avenue. Once inside the restaurant, I love the lighted niches holding pottery on the north side wall. There is a long row of tables along a banquette that divides the main dining room from the bar, where you first enter when you come through the front door. The actual menu is physically small in size--like a little brochure--but each dish is well thought out. There are two fish dishes offered, both of which are recommended. The staff at Origen Restaurant is unifomally pleasant. Special mention goes out to Cesar and to Manuel. read more

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