This was a great location. I think it was hidden which prompted to it being closed. Sad as we had great happy hours here but delicious food was definitely enjoyed while it was open. Service was always great and the ambiance was enjoyable. read more

RED O - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Stopped for a drink and a snack. Not many people here on the day went visited. Sat at the bar because the patio was too warm. Was told by the waiter that they no longer offer free chips & salsa. But that there was a small charge. We agreed on the chips & salsa because it's usually really good there. Had a spicy jalapenos Mule. Which was really good. read more

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An elegant space with high ceilings and interesting murals. The chicken enchiladas suizas, guacamole, and street corn were excellent. Service was friendly and attentive. A great choice for Mexican food near UTC! read more

We have enjoyed many meals and Happy Hours at Red O since it opened here in 2017. Their Express Lunch Menu has been very good, and Happy Hour in the Bar excellent. We've had dinners just the two of us up to hosting nine people with friends. The food has been excellent, as have the drinks -- especially the margaritas. Service generally has been very good to excellent. The ambiance warm ... although the open air bar can get chilly. We are saddened greatly to see RED O closing in April 2026. Sadly, Red O is closing permanently on April 20, 2026. read more

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RedO has closed. So sad to see them go. I'll definitely visit one of their other locations if I'm ever nearby. read more

RED O - RedO Dining Room Feb 20,2026 - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

We went here for dinner on a Sunday evening after Valentine's Day with a group of 4. We made a reservation earlier in the day. It was very busy and it seemed quite understaffed as our waiter was covering almost half the restaurant and was running around the entire time. The hostess was also setting up and cleaning tables which I don't normally see at other restaurants. We asked for chips and salsa and were told that they were no long complimentary. It was not added to our final bill so we were confused by that statement. I ordered the shrimp and carne asada fajitas. Portions were huge and no one finished their entire meal. The tortillas seemed made in house and my dish was tasty. Parking available in a paid lot, which the restaurant validates. There was also a sign for valet parking but no one was at the valet during our visit. read more

RED O - Sizzling Fajitas - Carne Asada; Sizzling Fajitas - Shrimp - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Had a 7:00 pm reservation on a Saturday evening and arrived right on time, but we still had to wait about 15 minutes for our table. The restaurant didn't seem particularly busy, so that was a little surprising. The atmosphere also wasn't quite what we expected -- the bar area was empty and the space felt a bit cold rather than lively for a Saturday night. Once we were seated, our server was very nice and friendly. Unfortunately, the booth we were seated in hadn't been wiped down properly and still had food on it, which wasn't a great first impression. Food-wise, it was an okay experience overall. The empanada poppers were interesting -- the flavor was unique. The lamb was good but not particularly memorable. The mole sauce was very strong and almost overpowered the meat. My favorite dish of the night was the chicken and rice, which was flavorful and well cooked. I had a glass of wine with dinner but skipped dessert. Overall, it was a decent meal, but nothing that would make me rush back. One last note -- I'm not sure if the valet is operated separately from the restaurant, but the experience there was also a little odd. When we came out, the valet simply handed us the keys and pointed to where our car was parked rather than bringing it over. Usually when you pay for valet service, they bring the car to you and open the door, so that felt a bit strange. read more

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Red O is a whole experience. We did some tequila tasting. All was fantastic. The energy, the cocktails, the flawless dishes--everything hits. One of my go-to spots for amazing Mexican food and a fun night out while in S.D..absolutely always delivers. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is vibrant, stylish, and buzzing with energy. The food is next-level--beautifully presented, incredibly fresh, and packed with bold flavors. Every dish we tried was a hit, especially the tacos and the margaritas (dangerously good). Service was attentive without being overbearing, and the staff clearly knows the menu and takes pride in the experience. It's the perfect spot for a fun night out, a celebration, or just treating yourself to amazing Mexican Food. Red O never disappoints--can't wait to come back! read more

RED O - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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My daughter and her boyfriend wanted to treat me to a birthday lunch. One of their favorite restaurants is Red O's so they suggested we go there so I could try it . So, the next day after my birthday, we headed to Red O's in La Jolla, California for lunch. It was an outstanding experience from start to finish. The décor is elegant, the ambiance is inviting, and the service was impeccable. Chips and salsa both fresh and delicious were brought to the table before we ordered so we could enjoy. I had a Caesar salad and tortilla soup, both fresh and flavorful. My daughter ordered the Poke bowl and her boyfriend ordered enchiladas. They looked great! After our meal, we had dessert which was also outstanding! It was the perfect portion to enjoy without the guilt! The staff was professional and attentive. I left thoroughly impressed and can't wait to return. Highly recommend!" read more

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COME HUNGRY! I've been wanting to try Red O for a long time, so I felt my birthday was a perfect excuse. Unfortunately, I am a December baby--19th to be exact--so the Friday night we went, it felt as though the entire restaurant was full of holiday parties. So it was LOUD! Loved the live music, although it is the type of restaurant you need to shout at each other just to hear. Literally so loud that when our server asked us if we wanted chips and salsa I guess he heard yes when we said no, so he brought us over the chips and salsa and charged us for it btw the salsa is SPICY! The Lime-Marinated Ceviche Negro was divine (know it is SPICY)! It was a massive portion, so don't be worried about having to split it as an appetizer. In fact, my plans are to come back and just order this ceviche with drinks for happy hour. Fried sweet plantains are my jam, also quite a gigantic portion for a side, so definitely another shareable item. I was quite disappointed with the short rib enchiladas. I felt the meat was chewy when I was expecting it to be tender. Cocktails were on point and strong! I would be on the floor if I had more than one. Overall a dim lit sexy vibe. Flavorful bites. Looking forward to visiting for happy hour with my girls! read more

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I've dined at Red O in the University Town Center in La Jolla many times, and the service is consistently excellent. Today was no exception. While waiting for our table at the bar, Esther, the bartender, greeted everyone with a smile and was both professional and genuinely cheerful. It was clear she truly enjoys taking care of her guests, which made the wait pleasant. Mary and Chris were our server team, and they were outstanding. They were polite, hardworking, attentive, and incredibly pleasant throughout the entire meal. Red O is one of those rare restaurants where you can always count on consistently great service. The food goes without saying. If you love Mexican cuisine, there's an excellent variety to choose from. I highly recommend the enchiladas, and the grilled salmon was also cooked perfectly. Red O continues to be a reliable favorite read more

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A blend of traditional Mexican food with an innovative twist. From the moment you step foot inside you're greeted and embodied in a resort inspired atmosphere. Wow, this place was beautiful inside and out. There is valet parking upfront or you can park for free in the near by parking garage for up to 3 hours. There is indoor and an enclosed outdoor patio available. There is a full bar and plenty of room for large groups. There is an elegant vibe and everything was nicely decorated for the holiday season. We were celebrating a birthday and they made our dining experience very memorable. From the custom birthday card to the free celebration sparkling wine, this place made our evening special. The drinks were delicious, the food was amazing, the service was exceptional, and the desserts were a nice way to end dinner. We ordered the crispy empanada poppers and the queso fundido to start. The poppers had a spicy kick and were very good. The queso was good, the only downside was the small amount of tortillas given. We ended up having cheese left over and no tortillas to eat it with. We compromised and used the complimentary tortilla chips, but would have been nice to have had more. I ordered the enchiladas trio platter (short rib and chicken) and it was delicious. There was good flavor and a lot of food. The desserts were good, but nothing special. The flan was a little bland, but we did enjoy the butter cake. You can say we will definitely be returning and recommend giving them a try. read more

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I had a wonderful lunch at RED O. It was my first time here and was really impressed by the service and the food. We made a reservation but we probably didn't have to. The restaurant was huge and there was plenty of room on a weekday lunch. They had displays of tequila everywhere (good sign). Our server greeted us as he showed us our table and checked if it was the first time we were there (yes, for most of us). He introduced us to the menu and offered chips and salsa to start. Tasty salsa! We also ordered guacamole, which came with plantain chips (yum!) I ordered a cocktail to start and it was ok. Could have been stronger or a little more generous but it's not bad. I was initially choosing between a short rib enchiladas and the shrimp one but our server told us that there's an enchilada trio (not listed on the menu), which consists of the chicken, short rib and shrimp enchiladas. Problem solved! That's what I got. All 3 were good and my favorite was the shrimp, followed by chicken and then the short rib. For dessert, we got the tres leches. I highly recommend it. It's not too sweet, and it's moist and "melty". I love it. read more

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I live in San Diego and I have not found the one Mexican restaurant that makes me forsake all others. Until now. Red O, you were fantastic. The outside patio was beautiful even in the rain. The service was impeccable. My glass was never empty. Try the cucumber refresher. Delicious! The food thought? The lamb chops in mole sauce were so tender and not gamey at all. The sea bass in chili sauce? Buttery flaky perfection. Excellent flavor. The surf and turf? Cooked perfectly! The rice tasted like a Mexican Chinese fusion rice. Tasty! I was so stuffed when I left. But so so happy! I'll be back. read more

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I come here every other month for happy hour and it never disappoints! I feel like I have tried everything on the menu and came to the consensus that the top things to try are the chicharrones, empanadas, ceviche, and the crispy beef taco. My favorite is that the crunch aspect of the food is always there! The chicharrones literally come out crackling. Not to mention the complimentary chips and spicy salsa is always nice to snack on while waiting for the food. For alcohol, the sangria is always yummy as white or red. The go to is always a frozen margarita, especially on a hot day. I am so surprised, that this place is not constantly bombarded with crowds for happy hour, but also thankful because that means a quicker meal for me! read more

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I am not sure if it's right for me to evaluate my experience based on lunch of an restaurant week. But I had been blown away with fancy Mexican food experience before. And this one here, was not one of those. It was good quality item. But neither did it WOW me. Service and ambience was top notch. I just wanted to be more intrigued with food, that's all. read more

Overall, the food was good. Everything was a bit too spicy for me. I ordered the fajitas and was disappointed that there wasn't any guacamole with it, nor cheese nor sour cream. My husband had the salmon and was very good. The rice was a bit spicier than expected. The service was very good. The staff was quite attentive. It is a large beautifully decorated place. I will say that the valet parking fee was quite steep. My husband can't walk long distances, so we had no other option. This definitely added to the expense of the meal. read more

First the good. The food was delicious. Extremely good. The service not so much. We were there about 3 hours and checked on 4 times. Two of those I had to call someone over. The bill was wrong adding what we already paid for at the bar and my initial order was wrong. I could understand if it was busy but it was almost empty for most of the 3 hours. Maybe they had an off day but I wasn't impressed with the service. Again the food was hands down delicious. So take this review for what it's worth. After thinking about it some more I bumped up the rating from 3 to 4 stars. The be fair the service was not great since we felt as if we were forgotten. Service would be 2 stars but the food was a 5. We will give it another try down the road. read more

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I'm surprised how big the place is! The venue is beautiful and located across a number of corporate offices. The parking is tough though for sure. For food, I thought it was simple and good. It was nothing spectacular. The service was great. The venue is what makes it fun. Just feels grande! read more

RED O - Fajitas - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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Ambiance was ok- couldn't hear our convo much unless super close. Food was ah ok not the best Mexican overall... tamales were good - flan was ok a little out of color... beans were yummy .... My fave was the service - Cisco was awesome.... I was not impressed with the food taste .... Unsure of a repeat ... maybe I must try a different dish - read more

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We had our meeting here on a Sunday afternoon. It's almost hidden to the outside world. This used to be the Rusty Pelican and then Donovan's Steak House and now Red O. The food was great and the ambience was fantastic. The service was ok. It was not busy at all. The bar area was open and had TVs to watch Denver Broncos beat KC Chiefs. There's limited parking in the drop area and at the time no valet. We parked in the parking structure and walked over. You can get it validated from the restaurant. read more

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This is a beautiful place with a large outdoor bar/seating area. I could imagine it's wonderful during the summer when the La Jolla weather is perfect. I was a bit dissatisfied with the food and service, although once the waitresses figured out who was responsible for our table, service improved greatly. The food however did not. I was hoping for more unique flavors from all the dishes and I just didn't get that. I'd love to give them another try, because it's a lovely place. read more

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Omar is the man! He treated us like royalty! We were here for our anniversary and we will be coming back for more! Please give this man a raise! read more

RED O - Welcome - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

I can't believe it took me this long to come here! I finally broke out of my shell and decided to try something new, since Javier's has always been my go-to. This place was an absolute hit! The ambiance is chic, and there's both parking and valet available. The food and drinks were superb--so flavorful and fresh! I especially want to thank the incredible staff. Jocelyn was our server, with Tony assisting, and they both went above and beyond. Jocelyn truly made our night--her kindness, patience, and amazing energy stood out. She not only recommended the best dishes but was also attentive and genuinely thoughtful. She even remembered we mentioned a friend's birthday, and the way she handled it felt heartfelt and personal, not robotic like at some other places. It really showed how much she cared, which was so refreshing. We had cucumber margaritas, empanadas, and shrimp ceviche to start. For dinner, we enjoyed the trio enchiladas, sea bass, and salmon. Everything was delicious--even the chips and salsa were fantastic. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

Food: fabulous and tasteful. You could taste the different spices and chilies. Service: attentive. There was our main server with 2 more assigned for clearing dishes and filling water. Ambiance: beautiful, vibrant and fun atmosphere. There were many large parties being held. We celebrated our anniversary and the server brought over a signed card and complimentary tres leches for dessert. The front of the restaurant has great inspiration social photo opportunities. Would highly recommend! read more

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I came here at the end of November for dinner and really enjoyed my experience. I don't think you could ask for a better ambience! This restaurant is absolutely stunning. It is the perfect backdrop for a date night, happy hour, party, or just a fancy family night out. Today my husband and I took advantage of their express lunch deal. On weekdays, there are several different entrée options that come with a drink...all for $16. You honestly cannot beat that price. That is how much fast food is nowadays. We started with the complementary chips and salsa. The salsa has a great flavor and the chips are delicious. I ordered the Smashburger and loved every bite. The fries are fantastic as well. My husband ordered the chicken quesadilla, and he really liked it. We ordered the lava cake to go so I don't have any pictures of it, but it was insanely good. The service at Red O's is amazing as well. They kept our drinks refilled and checked in on us often. I love when a restaurant can transport you to another world. I feel like this restaurant does that. The ambience is so well done that it feels like you went on a quick trip to Tulum for your dining experience! read more

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Service was so good!! I was consistently checked on and the ambiance and drinks were great! Very cute large Mexican restaurant near UTC mall. read more

RED O - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Super beautiful restaurant! Perfect spot for our fancy birthday double date night. Our group's items were - classic guacamole, ceviche negro, wet burrito, taco plate, fajitas, and enchiladas. Plus a few old fashioneds, berry brambles, and wine, topped off with a birthday dessert. Service was great as well, though it took a while to get the bill once it got busy - quick drinks at a busy bar before our reservation was called, and throughout dinner everyone was super attentive. read more

Great food and ambiance Little on the pricier side but all good Quick service and great drinks read more

RED O - Tres Leches Al Pastor Chicken Tacos - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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Saturday brunch offers bottomless mimosas for $25. I believe you can mix and match with bloody Mary's & something else, however, we were not offered this option. The menu offers a variety of options for breakfast and lunch items. Their salsas are tasty. The Chimichurri salsa on the steak and eggs is amazing and their verde crema is delicious!! Be aware if you have a request for extra items like extra salsa there is a charge. Love the decoration. When you walk in, it seems very peaceful with the greenery and brown. They have two patios. I like the one near the bar with firepits. Service was decent. Timing was a bit slow. read more

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Red O is an awesome spot to grab dinner with friends or coworkers throughout the week. The bar usually isn't packed. Most of the food is great, some is a miss. The value used to be incredible, but apparently the tariffs have affected burritos and tacos too (like why are they charging for chips and salsa now lol). Cools vibes though, and an easy local favorite with a high quality touch. read more

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Stopped by on a Friday early evening, for a last minute birthday dinner. I was greeted by the host with a happy birthday and a birthday card on the table. I thought that was a cute touch and start to the dinner. The cucumber refresher wasn't too sweet and definitely refreshing!!! 8.5/10 The shorts ribs enchiladas were so so good... it looked I cleaned the plate before leaving the table haha. I always say that you can tell if a place is good by how the rice and beans taste. Let me just say, the charro beans were AMAZING. I'll leave it at that and will let you decide I loved the feel and ambience of the restaurant. Service for us was meh... If was a group of 4 people and it took our server about 15 before she introduced herself and took her a while to come back and check on us after we got our first round of drinks, then food. Overall, our group still enjoyed our time and dinner here, despite the service. read more

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What an amazing time. We went a few weeks ago for my wife's Birthday. It was a toss up between this and Javier's. I'm glad we chose Red O!! Getting here was a little comical and you need to park at the first garage then it's a short walk to the Restaurant. It's kinda hidden away in a corner. We got there early like at 430 PM , the dining area was empty but there was plenty of people in the bar area for happy Hour. It started to fill up as we ate and got busy. We got a nice booth and our waiter was Dillion. He was the best, very attentive and had lots of knowledge and recommendations on the food. The chips and salsa was probably the best we've had so far in San Diego! For an appetizer we orders the empanadas. The cream sauce was amazing. My wife ordered the rib eye and I got the rack of lamb in mole sauce. It's hard to get good mole and this was very rich and flavorful! Both were amazing and were cooked just right. The asparagus was on point as well and seasoned much different than say a traditional steakhouse. It definitely had a nice kick to it. For drinks she ordered the Pina Colada mocktail. I had a Margarita and the Red O fashioned except they use Mezcal. Is was really good and strong! Highly recommended! At the end Dillion brought over the Happy Birthday Tres leches and a Sparkler! What a great birthday celebration! We will be back for sure. The food service and atmosphere are all a perfect 10 in my opinion. read more

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Delicious food, interesting cocktails, excellent service and cozy environment, everything we ordered was good, rack of Lamb was tender and juicy, ask for the habanero sauce with the chips and salsa! read more

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Delicious restaurant with plenty of vegetarian options. We visited during brunch without realizing the dinner menu was different and were happily surprised to see the vegetarian options. I got the crispy vegan baja tacos and huevos ahogados. The tacos were tasty but expensive for only two. The huevos ahogados was an extremely large portion size in comparison. Both were delicious. Parking is valet out front or in a self-parking garage down a block (they validate). read more

First and foremost Ryan is awesomeness and he needs more time off, he's a hardworking and make sure you are well taken of.the food and service is always great , they do validation so no worries there, they do have valet also . My go to for brunch int he chicken enchiladas. The cheesecake is a must try . And just do the bottomless mimosas.. you won't go wrong. Cheers everyone read more

This place is a hidden gem- hidden... in University city but you will not drive by it as it's behind an office park. Don't let this fool you- the ambience is amazing, the service is fantastic and the food is superb. read more

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We went here tonight for our NYE dinner. We sat at the bar and the service was great. Our bartender was so nice and made amazing lemon drops. Alex the bar back stole the show. He was so personal, and funny and kind. He needs to move up to bartender. We will definitely be back!! read more

RED O - Lemon drops - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

We celebrated 50th birthday of my friend here and we made reservation using the email id. Got pictures of couple of places to celebrate in the hotel and they quickly scheduled us to celebrate the evening. We are hosted by Lucy and she really made the birthday celebration memorable. We started with Tequila shots were offered some tasting and followed by Appetizers and Snacks. The food was very good. We ended up ordering cheese Empanadas, Pollo Taquitos, Chips, salsa and Guac. Main entrees we ended up ordering different varieties of Tacos and Sizzlers. The food was delicious and felt like made by experienced chefs. They also provided complementary cake for celebrating the birthday too. The ambiance is very good, and we ended up spending almost 3 hours and everyone enjoyed the place settings, food, ambiance and wonderful hosting by Lucy. read more

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Great place to grab happy hour and delicious food. The venue is beautiful. Valet parking available else parking lot that is shared w office buildings near by. There is also street parking is you are lucky in la jolla village drive. Food is fresh and tasty. Tequilla cart is fun and great selection of drinks. We love their happy hour and lunch specials. Generous portions and decent prices. Will recommend and return! read more