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Puerto La Boca

4.1 (1.2k reviews)
Closed • 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

Order Puerto La Boca Takeout or Delivery

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PUERTO LA BOCA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Classy
Good for kids
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Puerto La Boca

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Reviews With Photos

Parrillada "El Conventillo" (For 2 | $75.95) Meatlovers heaven
Joe P.

We had dinner in Little Italy at this Argentinian steakhouse. We decided to share the parillada (short rib, skirt steak, culotte cut, chicken breast, chorizo, blood sausage and sweetbreads inc fries). The red meats were all nicely seasoned, moist & tender. On the other hand, the chicken breast was dry, and could not be rescued by the excellent chimichurri. Lastly, the fries were a nice side to the meats and were GBD. We activated our dessert stomachs and had the milhojas. The layers of walnut, along with the caramel crust contrasted nicely against the rich & savory meats. Rodolfo and his team took good care of us. We had some special requests, and they handled them with ease. The ambiance was quaint, and not too snug. The only downsides were the lack of ventilation made it warm, and parking was $25 for two hours. PLB has been serving great food for 20 years. Its no wonder they have been in business so long.

Randall B.

Sorry no photos. Picked BF up from airport and he had to have PLB. We each had the millense. Me chicken and hilm the beef. With two eggs and an empanada. Soooooo good. And the chimmie churri is Amazing. A great place for a night (or lunch) out.

The lovely atmosphere
Gary B.

My colleague and I visited Puerto La Boca, to explore the idea... who does picanha steak better Argentina or Brazil...comparing what we received steak wise at the local Fogo de Chao (on a previous outing ) vs picanha in the Argentina tradition. Hands down the service was very good. Our server was attentive and insightful. The food arrived in a timely manner...just that alone makes this a restaurant to visit. We orders a number of items including 1) Bread and Chimi 2) Mollejas 3) Chorizo All as starters ! Wonderfully flavored, one can't go wrong with anything we selected. The chorizo was very plain in presentation which was strange to me but still good! The Mollejas(sweet breads) were also well flavored and surprisingly not chewy However we came for the Picanha! In this case we ordered "picaña" for two with garlic fries. I'm not an expert on picaña as a cut of meat but what we received was very tender and cooked just right...they know that they are doing here! For dessert we ordered a lot- a lot because we couldn't decide from there many options and they have many desserts we've never tried, YOLO Panequeques con de leche, Alfajores de maicena and membrillo con queso as well as espressos to chase it down. I enjoyed the Panquequws, and Alfajores more than the membrillo mostly because cheese with dessert isn't something I'm accustomed to.

Paintings
Mitzy M.

This place is a gem! We've been wanting to visit puerto la Boca and what better than for Valentine's Day. 1st the food, we ordered the parillada el conventillo with fries and it was bomb. The ribs, the cuts with the chimichurri were amazing, very juicy for being medium well and not dry like in other places. The ambiance and service was great too. We are definitely coming back.

Do not bother ordering from them online. They cancelled my Grubhub order within 5 minutes? I was looking forward to it, and I find that to be so bizarre and inconsiderate. The reason given on Grubhub was "due to the restaurant pausing orders." It's 6:45 pm?

Churrasco
David H.

ordered the churrasco (med rare), sirloin center cut, and i would say it's pretty good. the steak was seasoned well and the side of garlic fries was pretty yummy. the chimichurri sauce was solid, great with the steak. the onion was good, which they gave more of it with the steak though. service was good, they overcooked my steak at first and made me a new one after i told them. checked up on me and was pretty attentive. overall, pretty nice place and the steak was good, but not the best steak i've ever had. yummy rating: 8/10

Sophia M.

We were so pleasantly surprised by this place - food, wine and service were spot on. There was apprehension at first because the place was really slow at 6pm on a Sunday but we gave it a try anyways. Not too many people venture past Barbusa when in Little Italy but I would absolutely recommend to come one extra block for this place! Every meat selection on the platter was simply amazing - well cooked, seasoned, and went amazing with the chimichuri! Our server, Sebastian gave a 5 star wine recommendation and was so pleasant to chat with. Great scene for date night.

Violet R.

Service as always was amazing very nice people and the food was good. The empanadas are a must every time i come here.

Awning sign
Emmett T.

Instead of gorging ourselves on Brazilian BBQ, we came to Puerto La Boca during a past San Diego Restaurant Week. There were two very large parties already seated so a waitlist was in effect for an inside table. Availability was immediate if we wanted a table outside along the sidewalk which was what we chose. A three-course meal was priced at $50 for Restaurant Week. My friend and I shared the following... * Beef Empanada * Pulpo la Ribera (marinated octopus) * Picanha * Lomo con Hongos (filet mignon) * Panqueque con Dulce de Leche * Tarta de Chocolate While waiting for our food, a complimentary basket of sliced bread was provided along with chimichurri sauce, olives, and butter. Thank goodness we had this to munch on because the kitchen took an inordinate amount of time to prepare the food. In addition, because we were seated outside, our server was not easy to flag down. The empanada was as expected, a fried turnover with beef filling. The octopus came as diced up pieces sauteed in olive oil, garlic, parsley, potatoes, and paprika. The portion size was small, and I wish they had not cut up the tentacles. The picanha was a sirloin cap cooked medium-rare. It was served as four pieces weighing approximately three ounces each. The meat was topped with a Roquefort cream cheese sauce and three tiger shrimp. A serving of mashed potatoes also came with the dish. The cheese sauce did nothing for me as I liked the components without it. The filet was a ten-ounce portion that was grilled and sauteed in Malbec wine and porcini mushroom sauce. A side of noisette potatoes and broccoli accompanied the beef. We asked for it to be cooked with medium doneness. I thought this plate was well executed. The first dessert was a warmed crepe filled with Argentinian caramel and a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a ramekin. The caramel tasted so good and decadent. The other dessert was a chocolate mousse pie on a cookie crust. It was rather ordinary. When we got our bill, an automatic 18% gratuity was already added even though it was just a party of two. I didn't like that especially when aspects such as the food taking a long time to come out of the kitchen and the server being AWOL for lengthy stretches were below expectations. I don't remember my past visits being such a choppy experience. For this occasion, I rated the prix fixe dinner with three stars.

Ensalata Mixta la Boca & Empenadas
Natalie P.

I didn't try this place for a long time because I had heard mixed reviews, but finally went for lunch when they had their restaurant week menu and it was great! We went for a late lunch so it was pretty empty. The service was quick and the decor inside is cozy and nice. We had the ensalata mixta la boca, chicken and beef empenadas, and the Entraña steak. Everything was excellent! The chimichurri sauce was delicious. And the restaurant week was a great deal. I'll definitely be back!

Chicken milanesa
Jacob D.

Purchased a groupon and I was rather surprised that they were offering one as this place is located in a high touristy area with lots of other restaurants nearby and it was busy when we arrived (but seated immediately). We started off with the basket of bread with compounded butter and other tapenades, which was very good and fresh. I ordered the chicken milanesa and my friend ordered the steak milanesa. Both were decently sized and came with fries. Mine was good but not excellent. It was a bit confusing for me because it had marinara sauce so it was almost like I was having Italian food. We ended our meal with dessert: flan and chocolate mousse cake. The flan was just ok, not custardy the way I like but the cake was excellent! As for service, although the restaurant was busy, our server was lacking a bit (appeared to be the host as well), but very kind and friendly. I won't be in the area again anytime soon, but I would frequent this restaurant again and try other menu items (perhaps happy hour as well).

Mollejas al Jerez a o la parrilla (Sweetbreads) November 2024
Joanne P.

What a great experience on a Tuesday evening! I called almost a month prior to make early birthday reservations for our son & our visit was definitely worth it! My coworker came here a few years ago and recommended the sweet breads. I've been a fan of watching Andrew Zimmern & Anthony Bourdain for the longest. And I was so excited to finally try some sweet breads. I asked if our server could explain to everyone in our party which part the sweetbreads came from cattle- which he explained is not pan dulce (LOL) but, from the neck area. Everyone in our group LOVED this as a starter! Each bite just feels decadent. Rich in flavor, tender, and crispy on the edges. I enjoyed every bite with sips of Malbec along with chimichurri and bits of warm bread. As our evening continued on- patrons were piling in on that Tuesday evening. The short rib plate (asado de tira) and requested medium on the grill. All plates are made to order and the short ribs are flank cut w/ bone in. Steamed veggies are plentiful (carrots, broccoli, fresh green beans, and asparagus). I love how the "Meant to be Shared" platter options. Hubby and I plan on returning to indulge in this option.

Argentinian steak
Josue B.

10/10 - Best Steak I've Ever Had! I had the Argentinian steak (medium rare) at Puerto La Boca, and wow -- it was hands down the best steak I've ever had! Perfectly cooked, incredibly juicy, and so tender it practically melted in my mouth. The garlic fries on the side were the perfect crispy, flavorful complement. You can get the option to get mashed potatoes. If you go, do not skip the Chile Toreados -- trust me! Pour the juice from the chiles over your steak and it takes the flavor to a whole new level. Absolute heaven. I been back 5 times already for this steak and it never missed. It takes amazing every single time. I also had the beef empanada and it tasted phenomenal. The empanada had a golden crunchy shell and the beef had a phenomenal flavor! I recommend to get! Even the bread and butter stood out -- warm, fresh, and addicting. Every bite of this meal was amazing. I highly recommend this spot to anyone who loves a great steak or is just looking for a fantastic dining experience. 10/10

The traditional dish. Get the bread, too.

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4 months ago

Excellent service and food! very pleasant cozy indoor seating area. It was a great dinner experience. We will definitly visit again soon:)

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Love the corn and cheese empanada! All meats are delicious and the dulce the leche crepe is amazing!

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The chimichurri sauce is soo good! I love this place and I've been coming food decades!

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Puerto La Boca Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Puerto La Boca

Do they still have live music on Fridays and Saturdays and who/what kind is it? Daniel back in the day was so awesome

Hi, Art! We don't have live music at the moment. Sounds like you have been here before, Daniel was great. I hope you can join us sometime for dinner! Have a wonderful day!

Are you doing happy hour anymore? If so what times?

Not at this time.

Does the restaurant take reservations?

No, we’re working on a first come, first serve basis for the meantime. We would love to see you here! Thank you!

For Valentine's Day, will your happy hour menu be available?

Yes! Best thing about happy hour is it makes people happy, especially on those special occasions but on Friday, Valentines Day it will not be available. There will be other specials to choose from to make it a great dinner and evening. Enjoy!!

Can we order the meats a la carte?

Absolutely yes. The meats will come with a garnish but there is no need to order a set meal.

Is the dinner menu the only menu served on Sundays?

Yes. Lunch Mon-Sat 11a-3p

Is this place actually kid friendly? Specifically younger kids.

I'm sorry we have missed your question but we have to say that we disagree with what someone have answered. We're kid friendly even though we don't carry kids menu. We always arrange at the time with smaller portions and combinations for the kids.… 

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Grand Ole Bbq Y Asado

Grand Ole Bbq Y Asado

4.3(1.2k reviews)
2.7 mi•North Park
•$$

I wish I had come here sooner. Got here on a Friday at 12 because I finally had a weekday off to do…read morethe boots on the ground journalism people deserve. Ordering was quick and simple at its own window the. We got a booth by the bar. We had a buzzer that rang almost immediately. I grabbed my own michelada while my partner was grabbing the food. They had on a few movies no loud music blaring and I can see it would get loud when packed. Brisket was amazing and this is my go to next time. The jalapeño link was also delicious. The beef rib was a lil dry which was disappointing I love a good beef rib. Pulled pork would be great on a sandwich. Cole slaw had no onions and it was my perfect complement to the bbq sauce. The Mac and cheese was sooooo rich and delicious. Quick tip ask for more bbq sauce if you're like me and drown your meat. Michelada was ok I'll probably just get a beer next time.

Visit October 2026…read more 3.5 stars Came here on a Friday evening about 8p. Got parking right in front and walked right up to the cashier. So nice! Problem though by that time some of the items were already sold out. Live and learn. No tri tip, links, or beef ribs. Just two of the three things I had zeroed on when looking online. Thank goodness they still had brisket! I noticed that the larger pieces which I assume were from the center of the cut were tender and juicy but some of the smaller pieces were drier and needed sauce. So that was a bit of a mix mix. Pork ribs. Could have been better. Red chili: I liked this a lot. Generous chunks of beef. Great seasoning. Sides: the fries and mac cheese are outstanding! Ambiance is lively. A lot of Halloween decor. Family friendly! Ample outdoor and inside (where bar is). Large beer menu. Order food at window. We got our food immediately at the window and just needed to find a table. There was a very pleasant young man working the tables. Very cheerful. Note: I have had take out before and the tri tip was great. So bummed wasn't there. Rating based on my dine in experience.

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Grand Ole Bbq Y Asado - March 2024 menu/prices

March 2024 menu/prices

Grand Ole Bbq Y Asado - Pulled Pork Sandwich w/Coleslaw $15.00 (06/11/26). @GrandOleBBQYAsado @ExploreNorthPark #SanDiego #BBQ #Bar #PulledPork #Sandwiches

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Fogo de Chão - Fraldinha Cutting Board

Fogo de Chão

4.1(5.6k reviews)
1.1 mi•Gaslamp
•$$$

Impeccable service by the staff at Fogo de Chao! It was difficult to get everyone's names, but…read moreshoutout to Will (server), Analee & Enrique (meat carver) were the ones I was able to get, but the entire team took care of my party today. I also appreciate meeting the restaurant manager, Rafael, making our experience exceptional. The food was great as always, some of our all time favorites are the picanha, lamb chops, ribeye, grilled pineapple, and Brazilian cheese. To update from my last review, we were able to try all the meats offered on their dinner service today and that's THE experience. This is one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego to dine at, especially on special occasions. Today's parking was tricky because of the padres game, but it's worth looking for to dine here. I highly highly recommend, THANK YOU FOGO TEAM!

Food is good. But, place is very disorganized. We had 730p reservations, didn't get seated till 8p…read more We noticed that a walk in group got seated well before us. Despite having a reservation, they sat us in the very back where we felt forgotten because the meat didn't come to us. Also, when we went to the salad bar, somebody stole my friends chair and she came back to the table with a missing chair. The highlight of the evening and big thank you to staff Samuel. He truly turned our negative experience to a positive and really took care of us. He made sure the meat servers came to us, checked up on us and gave us 5 star service. Thank you Samuel for your top notch hospitality!!

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Paraná Empanadas - Malbec Beef Empanada

Paraná Empanadas

4.0(480 reviews)
2.6 mi•Liberty Station, Loma Portal, Point Loma
•$

I love empanadas and have had these empanadas before when at Pacific Beach open market…read more I kind of stumbled on this place and immediately I knew I wanted some empanadas! Empanadas are stuffed turnovers, originally from Spain and Portugal, and eaten widely across South America, including Argentina, Paraguay and also eaten in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Phillipines too. They are a delight and delicious! This spot is an Argentinian place and I got 3 empanadas. They have many different stuffed options and I chose a beef, mushroom and spinach as my three. I asked how spicy the spicy beef one is and the very nice lady working said it was about 5/10, so I passed. She said it wad spicy, unfortunately, I cannot handle too spicy. So far, I have eaten the beef and spinach one and like them both. I was given chimichurri sauce, but I dont think I like this version, its a little too lemony for me. I like a more parsley forward chimichurri and this one too sour for me. For 3 empanadas, it was about $11, which isnt too bad! The empanadas are delicious and I will def be back again and again!!

I really like the empanadas here. I do not like fried empanadas so to me these are close to…read moreperfect. I like the texture of the baked dough and usually these are filled pretty full. I prefer the spinach, mushroom and beef empanadas. I tried the Malbec beef but it was too mushy and sweet for me. I'll stick with the traditional one, with olives. I lived in S. FL and baked empanadas are everywhere and usually were $1.50 each (now maybe $2.00-$2.50) so it does bug me to pay $4.00 for an empanada. On the other hand, they make a great snack or meal, depending on how many you get. And they are not as easy to find here, especially baked, so I'll keep coming to Parana.

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Tropical Star Restaurant & Specialty Market

4.0(411 reviews)
6.5 mi•Clairemont
•$$

I've visited the store for snacks and drinks a few times in the past, but I finally dined in to try…read moretheir delicious food. I tried the homemade style Colombian empanadas with potatoes and beef inside, the Cuban sandwich with salad, and my guest ordered the chicken Milanesa with rice, beans, plantains, and salad. The empanadas came out hot and fresh. The outside was crispy and the filling of potatoes and beef was delicious. I want more! My Cuban sandwich was good as well. Some parts of the meat were too chewy for my liking, but that might be a personal preference. I enjoyed the salad with it, added some freshness to the dish. Tried bites of the milanesa and the breading was flavorful. Same with the rice and beans. I really liked the plantains too. The service has always been nice, especially when I dined in. Our server was super friendly, warm, and always had a smile on her face. I haven't tried many things from the culture so I always have fun trying the snacks and drinks from the store. The dining area is cute with tropical decor around the whole room.

Ever since Tropical Star changed ownership, the prices have increased dramatically and frankly,…read moresome of them are ridiculous. Certain items have literally doubled in price. And for the prepared food? They cut the size of everything and they charge even more. What makes it even more frustrating is that many products no longer have prices displayed, so you don't even know what you're being charged until you're standing at the register. Why? Customers should be able to see what something costs before deciding to buy it. I used to shop here twice a week and Tropical Star was always my go-to place for Latin ingredients. Unfortunately, not anymore. With these prices and the lack of transparency, I simply can't justify shopping here again.

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Tropical Star Restaurant & Specialty Market - Empanadas

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Puerto La Boca - steak - Updated October 2026

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