Casa Guadalajara
4105 Taylor St., just outside the Old Town park, (619) 295-5111. L-D daily; $$.
Resembling a Mexican hacienda--with adobe walls, tile floors, and heavy wooden furniture—this comfortable spot offers seating both indoors in an expansive colorful room, and outdoors on a quiet tree-sheltered patio with a soothing fountain and free-flying birds. Adventuresome palates will want to try unusual items, which include “armadillo eggs” (deep-fried jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese), dishes made with spicy mole sauce, and seafood Mexican-style.
I am fond of the complimentary thin, crispy chips with spicy salsa, and I also favor the tangy enchilada verde. Margaritas come in styles and sizes galore, but my favorite remains the basic blended lemon-lime. A children’s coloring menu offers familiar items such as a cheese enchilada and bean burrito. For dessert, the whole family can easily share a deep-fried ice cream. Kids might also want to try a churro (a long Mexican donut) or Cup of Mudd (chocolate pudding with crushed Oreo cookies and gummi worms) from the kid’s menu. Live entertainment is scheduled nightly from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from noon to 3 p.m.
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| patio of Casa Guadalajara in San Diego, California |
Resembling a Mexican hacienda--with adobe walls, tile floors, and heavy wooden furniture—this comfortable spot offers seating both indoors in an expansive colorful room, and outdoors on a quiet tree-sheltered patio with a soothing fountain and free-flying birds. Adventuresome palates will want to try unusual items, which include “armadillo eggs” (deep-fried jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese), dishes made with spicy mole sauce, and seafood Mexican-style.
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| enchalada verde at Casa Guadalajara in San Diego, California |
I am fond of the complimentary thin, crispy chips with spicy salsa, and I also favor the tangy enchilada verde. Margaritas come in styles and sizes galore, but my favorite remains the basic blended lemon-lime. A children’s coloring menu offers familiar items such as a cheese enchilada and bean burrito. For dessert, the whole family can easily share a deep-fried ice cream. Kids might also want to try a churro (a long Mexican donut) or Cup of Mudd (chocolate pudding with crushed Oreo cookies and gummi worms) from the kid’s menu. Live entertainment is scheduled nightly from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from noon to 3 p.m.
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| colorful kitchen towels at Bazaar del Mundo in San Diego, California |
●Bazaar del Mundo
4133 Taylor St., (619) 296-3161. Tu-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun-M 10am-5:30pm. Across the parking lot from the restaurant, this colorful international marketplace has a large concentration of Mexican and Guatemalan handicrafts. Its jewelry, crafts, and wearable art are from all over the globe. I couldn’t resist a bright kitchen towel decorated with a Frida Kahlo motif, but your own weakness might be the large and lovely paper flowers.
More things to do in San Diego.
More information about San Diego.
Things to do in nearby La Jolla.
More ideas for exploring the U.S.
More things to do in San Diego.
More information about San Diego.
Things to do in nearby La Jolla.
More ideas for exploring the U.S.
images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
Now one question: is this tex-mex style ( = the US adaptation of Mexican cuisine) or the "real deal"? I always found that north of the border Mexican food lacked a little the freshness, crispy and often surprising flavors which one can find in the smallest Mexican family restaurant south of the border. Only once in South Carolina did we encounter this experience, in small family run place recommended by locals; even the experience was similar: real Mexican music, no colorful carpets on the walls but wood carvings, family kids playing on the floor in the middle of the restaurant, mum and dad serving, grand ma and some kitchen hands working out back.
ReplyDeleteI think it is more an adaptation, but a delicious and satisfying one.
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