Cooking in the Spirit of Mexico at Casa Guadalajara

Cruise visitors in San Diego looking for authentic Mexican food should head to Casa Guadalajara in Old Town, San Diego. The restaurant is close to the port and even closer to the airport, which is convenient for travelers looking for something to do with a long layover.

When I visited the restaurant at 5:30 pm on a Saturday night,  Casa Guadalajara was already buzzing with patrons, and the wait to get a table was about 45 minutes. Was it worth the wait? I say, yes!

Don’t worry if you don’t have a reservation. There are enough tables to accommodate over 300 guests that can sit outside in a courtyard, indoors in the dining room, or in the garden room. The service is quick and the staff is skilled at turning tables. There is a bar that serves a mix of drinks, but the margaritas are very popular. The rooms are decorated with Mexican folk art and you might even get a table-side serenade by the house-mariachi-band.

Could Casa Guadalajara be the best Mexican Restaurant & Cantina in Old Town San Diego California?

According to www.CasaGuadalajara.com, it most certainly is. The lively atmosphere is quite festive and the food is rather delicious.

Award-winning cuisine

Casa Guadalajara has been a member of Diane Powers’ Bazaar del Mundo family of restaurants since 1995.  Casa Guadalajara received the California Restaurant Association’s award for “Best Mexican Restaurant 2010″ and voted “Top Margarita in San Diego” by Star 94.1 FM listeners in May 2011.

Executive Chef, Jose Duran, who received the Chef de Cuisine Chef of the Year in 2007, offers a mix of popular Mexican dishes as well as interesting twists that result in a fresh approach to classic Mexican restaurnat fare.   For a look at the menus, click here.

Some of the items I suggest trying are the Carne Asada Tacos, the Guadalajara Chimichanga, the Fish Tacos, and the Grilled Chicken & Fresh Fruit Salad. And if you are looking for an assortment of goodness, try the Antojitos Platter, which is the ultimate appetizer platter.

 

Address:

4105 Taylor St, San Diego, CA 92110