San Diego Mexican food

July 1, 2008 9:20 AM

Authentic Regional Mexican food in San Diego. Where "regional" ≠ Tijuana/TexMex.

My folks from Idaho are coming for a San Diego visit and they asked to go out for some authentic regional Mexican food. I've been to places like Marisco's German and Tacos El Gordo, which I've been told are at least close to "authentic", but I suspect those are more Tijuana authentic. I think we're looking for something other than the Tijuana region. But I'm a complete gringo so how would I know? Additionally, I'd rather not go to places where I'm uncomfortable parking my car. I don't mind being the only white guy in the place, but I have my comfort limits.

So two questions -

1) What are some good, authentic, regional Mexican restaurants we should try?
2) What the hell does "regional Mexican" food even mean really? What food am looking for?

And please, do us all a favor, don't tell me to go to Old Town Cafe. I'm sure it's authentic on some level, but I'm interested in something more.

posted by Ragma to Food & Drink (8 answers total)

Point of clarification: most American Mexican food, especially in San Diego, is based on Chihuahua or Michoacan style food, especially so with burritos. Years ago, one of the owners of a burrito chain in DC went on kind of a burrito vision quest, searching for their origins. He eventually determined that there are very few places in Mexico where flour tortillas even show up. Michoacan shows up in numerous instances of local Mexican food as well--probably the second most common type of taco stand name in San Diego behind ____berto's is some variation on "Cotija". I've even seen Koteeha, and a couple places with other types of names that have pictures of Cotija in the restaurant (I'm thinking specifically of El Cuervo on Washington in Mission Hills).

That said, I'll be watching this thread with some interest, because I've lived here all my life and I can't adequately answer it. Most Mexican restaurants in town follow the OTMC model (I wouldn't go there anyway--they've changed ownership and their quality has really suffered. If you're going to go to Old Town for some generic type Mexi food, go to La Pinata on Juan St.), and the one exception I knew of was Taco Auctioneers in Cardiff, which closed about five years ago (they had a dish on their menu called Carnitas al Michoacan). Breaking away from the OTMC model isn't necessarily a guarantee of authenticity, either. When I've been further down in Mexico than TJ, dishes at restaurants were basically a plate of stuff (meat, beans, pico de gallo) and a stack of tortillas, which is pretty much what you get if you order a plate of carne asada or carnitas anywhere in town.
posted by LionIndex at 9:58 AM on July 1, 2008

I had excellent Christmas Duck Mole at El Agave when visiting in April.
posted by cameradv at 10:36 AM on July 1, 2008

I'll throw in La Especial Norte which is up in Leucadia, up the road from where Taco Auctioneers was.

It's authentic regional central Michoacan. The owner, Angel, and his family come from a small town in the central part of the state. He has incorporated a lot of regional specialties onto the menu - such as Tarascan soup. I actually dont recall if he has Michoacan-style Carnitas, which are different (and in my biased opinion, better) than the carnitas you get at most Mexican places. But he also has all the standard stuff folks in San Diego expect from their Mexican joints (burritos, tacos, etc)

The place is a not fancy, but people go there for the food. Also, a disclaimer: My parents are friends with Angel and his family.
posted by vacapinta at 10:37 AM on July 1, 2008

The San Diego Reader recommends this Oaxacan place (grasshoppers!) in Tijuana. Also check out Chowhound's California board.
posted by mdonley at 11:47 AM on July 1, 2008

Mama Testa.
posted by csd at 3:21 PM on July 1, 2008

This Chowhound thread looks promising: "Looking for authentic Mexican in San Diego"
posted by junesix at 9:51 PM on July 1, 2008

Was coming in to add La Especial Norte (soup! and mole) and Mama Testa (best tacos, salsa)... I see both have been commented on already. Highly recommended though.

Another to add to the list is Rancho's in OB. Great veggie and lot's of plates you dont find anywhere else.
posted by ShootTheMoon at 1:48 PM on July 2, 2008

I've been dying to try Super Cocina in City Heights.
posted by bottlerocket at 3:12 PM on July 21, 2008