This place is awful. Do not go. My co-worker and I stopped here after reading good online reviews. Our hostess was completely rude and gave us a snide look as soon as we walked up.. Then the 'security' guard asked if I was the mom of my co-worker and wouldn't let us in. For the record, I am 43 and he is 26. In a tourist town like this, you shouldn't be such a jerk. I will take my money elsewhere. We went to the marriott roof top bar and had a great experience.
(1)
Ashley D.
Amazing taco Tuesday deals! Love the Cochinita tacos yum yum The drinks a delicious as well! Frozen margarits!!! Doesn't get better then this
(5)
Karen H.
La Puerta takes the chip! My friend had mentioned this place a few times, and we decided to check it out while my cousin was in town during their 3pm-closing happy hour Mondays (half off select appetizers and drinks). Since we wanted to get a table, and there were so many people inside, we were told the wait was 45 minutes. However, they use this cool NoWait app that allows you to check how many parties are ahead of you and approximately how long your wait is while you meander around in the neighborhood. Once we were seated, I ordered a Bark At the Moon, which was one of their specialty margaritas with muddled serrano, lime, Dos Lunas Reposado, and agave. I was warned that this would be spicy, but I actually found the spiciness to be quite delicious and loved the margarita! Each sip just kept getting better. It is no wonder that this margarita made it on the Travel + Leisure's America's Best Margaritas of May 2014. I also tried sips of the Mr. Mojo Risin', which tasted of mint, mint and more mint. It was definitely refreshing, but not as great as I thought it would be. The Purple Haze, a combination of sangria and margarita, was also okay. The Loving Cup, however, was very good! It would probably rank the highest in my opinion in terms of flavor, but the Bark At the Moon definitely wins in novelty. Now, why did I say La Puerta takes the chip? Well, they serve AMAZING, complimentary chips! I don't know how they make their chips so thick and crispy but not overly oily, and that red salsa? Yum! These chip baskets were huge, but we could not stop ourselves from asking for more. As for the appetizers, we ordered the: Flautitas - They looked like taquitos, but shorter and fatter. I had the cochinita (pulled pork), which had great flavor and tender texture. I liked how the flautitas were drizzled with crema pico de gallo and cotija cheese, which, combined together, elevated the flavors and texture contrast drastically. Quesadilla (wet style, like enchiladas) - Yum! Spicy, saucy, and full of flavor, this is definitely something you need to share with its giant portions! I'm not normally one to order quesadillas, but I'm sure glad I did at La Puerta. In the end, with 3 appetizers, 2 free baskets of chips, and 5 drinks, our meal came down to ~$50-60, which for the amount of food we got among 4 people was very decently priced. I definitely recommend La Puerta if you ever find yourself in downtown San Diego!
(4)
Julie C.
Had this place recommended to us & we will definitely be returning when we're in SD. Food/Happy hour: My boyfriend and I shared an order of asada (beef) fries which were delicious! & an asada burrito which was good too. We came during happy hour which is from 5-7 and is held seven days a week. The drinks were made well and don't worry, just because it's happy hour it doesn't mean they are scrimping on the alcohol. On the contrary the drinks were made very well & tasted good too. Place: The place was packed when we got there around 5:30 and we had to wait 30 min before we could be seated for dinner & drinks. They don't seem to take reservations, so don't come too hungry incase your wait is as long as ours. At the time I was pretty hungry, so waiting 30 min was kind of annoying.. but we decided to wait and went to another bar near by while they called our cell to let us know our table was ready. You could have a drink around the bar while you wait but it could get kind of cramped in there. They have bar seating, some seats outside and about 5-7 big U shaped booths, seating is kind of limited, which might be part of the reason for longer wait times, but not too bad and worth the wait... Well at least during happy hour. Service was speedy, nice and helpful. Parking: Street or walking, this place is near everything in the gaslamp district. Enjoy! p.s. Get the Asada fries!
(4)
Amanda A.
This place is the BEEESSSSTTTT. Awesome happy hour. The fruit margaritas are DELICIOUS, and the service is great!
(5)
Kristin R.
I LOVE La Puerta. I came here with my boyfriend for our anniversary dinner after reading great reviews on yelp. If you're going to order a margarita, get the PURPLE HAZE. It was delicious and refreshing. It's a mixture of their house Sangria and Margarita. The chips and salsa were delicious and so fresh. We decided to try the carne asada quesidilla and were extremely satisfied. All in all this is the best Mexican food I've had in a long time and I will definitely be back here again and again anytime I'm down in San Diego. It's also in walking distance of Moonshine flats (if you enjoy country music) and in the heart of Gaslamp.
(5)
Stephanie V.
La Puerta is always awesome! Was there for taco Tuesday last night and got 2 tacos (shrimp & pastor) and the bark at the moon margarita! Everything was delicious and service was excellent! I will definitely be a repeat customer!!
(5)
Diana W.
Ordered surf and turf burrito. Had it wet styled. So yummy! Also ordered carne asada fries which were just okay for me. A bit on the oily side and where's the meat?! Tacos we tried were the pastor and carnitas which were both good. Guacamole was excellent as well. Happy hour from 3-7 on Saturdays! Half off all drinks and apps Service is a bit slow
(4)
Seth G.
Returning 4.5 years later after my first visit, I went in with the expectation that maaaaybe it wasn't as great as I remembered it being...after all, I've eaten a lot of tacos and drank a lot of drinks in the intervening years since my new wife and I stumbled into La Puerta on our San Diego "mini moon". We fell in love with the frozen mojitos, and that was what had us salivating most as we planned our recent SD trip. La Puerta did not disappoint. We walked in to a pretty busy scene--it was going to be upwards of an hour for a table, but hanging around for just a little bit yielded two spots for us at the bar. This was a marked change from our first time, when we were the only folks in the joint in the early afternoon. We started in with what we had been hoping for -- the frozen mojitos were still on the list, and we dove in! They were still SO delicious. Next we got into the food. Starting with chips and salsa, the chips were warm and the salsa was fresh and zesty. Tasty! We each ordered a selection of various tacos, and they were all so good--the carnitas especially stood out to me. All in all, I am so glad we came back, and I'm so glad that La Puerta was just as great as we remembered it!
(5)
Junella T.
This little gem is located at the heart of the gaslamp district. You won't miss it bc it always has a line outside. Staff is exceptional and goes out of their way to accommodate. The Margaritas are unique and tasty. Happy hour is a steal. Boyfriend and I got a guac appetizer that came with 2 salsas. The salsa Verde is amazing! Very flavorful with a nice kick. Had to even take some home with me. Ordered the surf and turf and the pick 3 street tacos. Amazing! All the meat was seasoned well and fresh. Very yummy! Quick take: Great happy hour. Amazing Margaritas. Crazy good street tacos. Must try if visiting.
(5)
Jerome N.
Food was good but I don't understand why it took 20 min to put a taco and some rice on a plate
(3)
Freedom R.
I am so impressed with the tacos at La Puerta. I use to go to Puestos every Tuesday with my Bf for Taco Tuesdays until the portions and size of their tacos shrink. We decided to explore other taco Tuesday options and have hard for this busy spot. Yes, it gets packed so I would recommend to do a call ahead one hour reservation. We usually call it in around 6 and arrive at 7 for our Taco munch! the quality of taste, meat and portions are perfect. I usually get 3-5 tacos and a Tj Dog for my meal. They provide chips and 2 salsa! the TJ dog is amazing, a must try. It is a turkey dog wrapped in bacon on a sweet soft bun with grilled onions and jalapenos. I am not a big hot dog fan but this TJ Dog is a must!! All the tacos are delicious. Can't decide get one of each...I mean they are only $2 on Tuesdays!! this is my new spot for Taco Tuesdays! Happy hour is til 7 and it is half off ALL drinks! I love the jackass ( mule ) with Mezcal, it gives it a smokey taste to it!
(5)
K J.
Wow!! After getting ripped off at a nearby bar we decided to come here. We sat out front which was bar seating next to the sidewalk and it was BUSY because it was Saturday at comic con and happy hour. But surprisingly all the servers and staff were great team players and we never had to ask for anything! We had very attentive service, great drinks and great food! We ordered "Bark at the Moon", which is a spicy margarita with freshly muddled Serrano peppers! !!! It was SO GOOD, I had 3 and so did my husband!!! We also shared the guacamole and chips and we were FULL, since it was a very good sized helping! Our bill was only $42 for 6 premium, yummy drinks and delicious food! Everyone who was sitting around us was also very happy with theirs. Awesome place!!! I highly recommend! !
(5)
Thu V.
Taco Tuesday! $2 on their shrimp, asada, carnitas tacos! We arrived at 6PM and didn't get seated until 7PM. The wait was absolutely dreadful as we were hungry and it was around 65 degrees outside. Yes, it was cold! (Brrrrr). Of course, we could have gone to the bar and grabbed a few drinks while we waited but........ we're lame. The food was average. The chips and salsa, however, were the highlight of the night! The chips were a bit oily but crunchy and the salsas were delicious! Those can get pretty addicting but don't fill up on them! We ordered a few street tacos for $2 each, the carne asada fries, and their hotdogs. The shrimp taco was average, the carnitas were great, and everything else was just in between. Service was good, restaurant was loud and lively, and I probably will come back if the wait isn't so horrendous.
(4)
Linnea E.
Fantastic margaritas, and the most amazing carne asada fries!!! I went here a few years ago, in search of perfect carne asada fries. I was told this was THE place to get them. oh... it's so true. they are heavenly. really, it sounds like such a weird dish, but omg... like nothing else. so good!!! piled high (seriously... it's a lot of food!) and loaded up with all the yumminess of cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and the tastiest carne asada ever. the bar tends to get crowded, but totally worth holding out for a spot
(5)
D V.
Love this place. I don't live in the area and last time I came to san diego I yelped it and after reading reviews I had to try it out. The carne asada fries, which is a san diego staple, are on point. Just came back down to Legoland, which is in Carlsbad, and it was well worth the drive to eat there. This time got the carne asada fries again, still on point, and got the carnitas with 2 eggs on pancakes. Simply lovely. So good. Will come here everytime Im in the area. If you have kids like me you gotta get there before 3pm because its a bar and they wont let anybody under 21 in after that.
(5)
Armando U.
La Puerta...... meh, I prefer Las Hadas. I like this place but there is absolutely NOTHING better then the place next door. I lived in downtown for over a year and went to this place 2 times. food is over priced. margarita cost me $11 when the exact same one is $6 at Las Hadas. Overall, two stars. Place is chill but like yelp states it ~ meh, I've had better.
(2)
Maria L.
This has become one of my favorite spots downtown, and was always a crowd favorite with my co-workers. We loved coming in on Mondays, because happy hour is all day - 1/2 off appetizers and drinks. But we're a bit sad now because the carne asada fries are no longer part of their appetizer list and 1/2 of those things were such a great deal! They are FIRE! They're definitely a huge portion though, I mean for $12.99 they better be! It's a good call to share those things. If you're like me and LOVE tequila (drink it like water), definitely get Whole Lotta Love, it's their most popular margarita. They've also got flavored ones, like Colors (strawberry, mango, peach, blueberry(?))- I always go for Strawberry. Their Purple Haze is pretty bomb too - Margarita blend with Sangria. And their chips and salsa is bomb too! I'm never really a fan of verde salsa, but theirs is good! Oh oh, and can't forget their Mojito Rojo! Gahd, it's seriously to die for!
(5)
Alice T.
Great happy hour! 50% off all alcoholic drinks and 50% off appetizers or quesadillas Some appetizers on the menu: guacamole, flautitos, queso fundido Quesadilla options: cochinita, pastor, shrimp, grilled veggie Skip the appetizers. We had the flautitos and they tasted refried. The pastor quesadilla was awesome though. There were chunks of pineapple in it, and the meat was super juicy. One quesadilla is definitely enough to fill you up for dinner and it was only $5 at HH. Drinks were about $5. Tons of tequila and mezcal options. I had the Jackass, which is like a mule except with mezcal and bitters. Nice kick from the bitters. They also have Mexican craft beers. It's worth trying these beers just to see the politically incorrect pictures they use on their labels.
(4)
Jenny L.
10.25.13 You need to have patience to wait for a table here. And patience to wait for your delicious margaritas. Good thing we did - and lucked out with a table halfway into our first round. We needed a lot of grease to soak up what is going to be a long night of bar hopping at Gaslamp. Their guacamole and street tacos did not disappoint. yelp.com/biz_photos/la-p… Just a really cool spot to start the night. I'm a fan. Total damage for four: $169
(4)
Amy C.
Great street tacos, awesome atmosphere and the service was great. One of my favorite spots in the are!
(5)
Corky L.
My husband and I were visiting San Diego on business and were looking for authentic Mexican tacos. Came here in hopes of finding and we're not disappointed. Great shrimp tacos, burrito and hand made cocktails were great! Loved the fresh salsas too! Good service and fun, lively spot as well!!
(4)
chinesegirlinLA c.
This is a bit late, but better late than never. My husband and I debated on a Mexican Restaurant in the Gas Lamp District the day after the Rolling Stones concert (Memorial Day). We were "extremely" surprised and happy with La Puerta. We went in at lunch time, and it was quite crowded, but we found a place at the bar. The two females behind the bar were very quick and helpful. My husband had a very large 1 LB Pollo Asado Burrito, and said it was extremely stupendous. I might add that it was not the usual burrito filled with beans and rice. It was supremely cooked with grilled chicken and grilled onions. He thought it might be too much, but it was so good, the plate was empty in the end. I had the Ranchero Shrimp Tacos, and I was never so happy with a Mexican dish. Great Margaritas, atmosphere and superb food. When we go back to SD, we will return!
(5)
Neal M.
DANG! That's all I have to say about La Puerta! I FINALLY came here for lunch yesterday and buddy, Am I glad!? First of all, they fry their tortillas fresh and possibly to order for their chips & salsa. Their salsa rojo is DELICIOUS. I had their California burrito and was only sad that I didn't get it 'wet'. I've had Cali burritos before but this was the real deal. If I lived here, I'd probably come here once a week. Easily.
(4)
Joey S.
Whenever I go to SD, I go on a burrito tour of the place. Some spots are very similar, some have common burritos like MXN, and some have killer surf and turf. However, this place has a standout surf and turf burrito. It comes in a little pricey at about $13, but it is served hot on the griddle. This hardens the tortilla and gives it a perfect contrast between the extra juicy contents of grilled onions, shrimp, and beef. You have to give this place a try for this one dish!
(5)
Christina S.
Cool, casual, and delightful. Great ambiance and vibe flowing throughout our dining experience. The sauces on my wet burrito and my gf's taco were bursting with flavor and had the most wonderful essence of spice. Everything we had here was on point. Jason the bartender was efficient and went above and beyond to make sure we were 100% taken care of.
(5)
T R.
Great atmosphere and decor. Food is amazing and they have tremendous Happy Hour prices. Carne Asada Fries are mouthwatering and cooked to perfection. Best Mexican food in downtown San Diego.
(5)
Linda G.
We are staying in the Gas Lamp district and were looking for a good place to have soCal mexican food. La Puerta came with great reviews, so we went there and were not disappointed. It was really busy during happy hour, but the hostesses at the door were super nice and let us go explore while our seating time came up then took care of us as soon as we got in. The food was amazing. We had the taquitos, shrimp tostaditas, and tacos. The flavors were amazing, a noticeably well thought out menu. The atmosphere was great, though a bit loud, so for sure not a place to go sit and chat, but it was exactly what we needed on this rainy night in San Diego! The happy hour prices on the appetizers is a great bonus- they are a meal in themselves.
(5)
Mathew S.
Super bomb good food chill vibe and great drinks. I go down town a lot and just found this place. I will be back!!
(4)
Kimiko A.
This place is my FAVORITE! The blended margs are as smooth as can be, not choppy or icy. The prices for the quality are fantastic - the freshest guac, cheese, and ingredients. Such a fun atmosphere, too!
(5)
Jv's M.
This is a must try when your in the area. The food was delicious, margarita was delicious and I enjoyed every bite. The chips for the guacamole is homemade so be careful if you eat too much you might get full and not be able to finish your meal. The froZen margarita was so good I had 2 and they were delicious. No house liquor they are strong and good I might try to go back again a few other items on the menu I wanted to try, The environment is nice and the place is clean
(5)
Lia C.
Just came here for dinner the guy at the front was extremely rude. Coming all the way down to SD never again here. Plenty of other places to try with friendlier staff.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner, Late Night Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Music : DJ Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Tue, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Mary E.
This place is awful. Do not go. My co-worker and I stopped here after reading good online reviews. Our hostess was completely rude and gave us a snide look as soon as we walked up.. Then the 'security' guard asked if I was the mom of my co-worker and wouldn't let us in. For the record, I am 43 and he is 26. In a tourist town like this, you shouldn't be such a jerk. I will take my money elsewhere. We went to the marriott roof top bar and had a great experience.
(1)Ashley D.
Amazing taco Tuesday deals! Love the Cochinita tacos yum yum The drinks a delicious as well! Frozen margarits!!! Doesn't get better then this
(5)Karen H.
La Puerta takes the chip! My friend had mentioned this place a few times, and we decided to check it out while my cousin was in town during their 3pm-closing happy hour Mondays (half off select appetizers and drinks). Since we wanted to get a table, and there were so many people inside, we were told the wait was 45 minutes. However, they use this cool NoWait app that allows you to check how many parties are ahead of you and approximately how long your wait is while you meander around in the neighborhood. Once we were seated, I ordered a Bark At the Moon, which was one of their specialty margaritas with muddled serrano, lime, Dos Lunas Reposado, and agave. I was warned that this would be spicy, but I actually found the spiciness to be quite delicious and loved the margarita! Each sip just kept getting better. It is no wonder that this margarita made it on the Travel + Leisure's America's Best Margaritas of May 2014. I also tried sips of the Mr. Mojo Risin', which tasted of mint, mint and more mint. It was definitely refreshing, but not as great as I thought it would be. The Purple Haze, a combination of sangria and margarita, was also okay. The Loving Cup, however, was very good! It would probably rank the highest in my opinion in terms of flavor, but the Bark At the Moon definitely wins in novelty. Now, why did I say La Puerta takes the chip? Well, they serve AMAZING, complimentary chips! I don't know how they make their chips so thick and crispy but not overly oily, and that red salsa? Yum! These chip baskets were huge, but we could not stop ourselves from asking for more. As for the appetizers, we ordered the: Flautitas - They looked like taquitos, but shorter and fatter. I had the cochinita (pulled pork), which had great flavor and tender texture. I liked how the flautitas were drizzled with crema pico de gallo and cotija cheese, which, combined together, elevated the flavors and texture contrast drastically. Quesadilla (wet style, like enchiladas) - Yum! Spicy, saucy, and full of flavor, this is definitely something you need to share with its giant portions! I'm not normally one to order quesadillas, but I'm sure glad I did at La Puerta. In the end, with 3 appetizers, 2 free baskets of chips, and 5 drinks, our meal came down to ~$50-60, which for the amount of food we got among 4 people was very decently priced. I definitely recommend La Puerta if you ever find yourself in downtown San Diego!
(4)Julie C.
Had this place recommended to us & we will definitely be returning when we're in SD. Food/Happy hour: My boyfriend and I shared an order of asada (beef) fries which were delicious! & an asada burrito which was good too. We came during happy hour which is from 5-7 and is held seven days a week. The drinks were made well and don't worry, just because it's happy hour it doesn't mean they are scrimping on the alcohol. On the contrary the drinks were made very well & tasted good too. Place: The place was packed when we got there around 5:30 and we had to wait 30 min before we could be seated for dinner & drinks. They don't seem to take reservations, so don't come too hungry incase your wait is as long as ours. At the time I was pretty hungry, so waiting 30 min was kind of annoying.. but we decided to wait and went to another bar near by while they called our cell to let us know our table was ready. You could have a drink around the bar while you wait but it could get kind of cramped in there. They have bar seating, some seats outside and about 5-7 big U shaped booths, seating is kind of limited, which might be part of the reason for longer wait times, but not too bad and worth the wait... Well at least during happy hour. Service was speedy, nice and helpful. Parking: Street or walking, this place is near everything in the gaslamp district. Enjoy! p.s. Get the Asada fries!
(4)Amanda A.
This place is the BEEESSSSTTTT. Awesome happy hour. The fruit margaritas are DELICIOUS, and the service is great!
(5)Kristin R.
I LOVE La Puerta. I came here with my boyfriend for our anniversary dinner after reading great reviews on yelp. If you're going to order a margarita, get the PURPLE HAZE. It was delicious and refreshing. It's a mixture of their house Sangria and Margarita. The chips and salsa were delicious and so fresh. We decided to try the carne asada quesidilla and were extremely satisfied. All in all this is the best Mexican food I've had in a long time and I will definitely be back here again and again anytime I'm down in San Diego. It's also in walking distance of Moonshine flats (if you enjoy country music) and in the heart of Gaslamp.
(5)Stephanie V.
La Puerta is always awesome! Was there for taco Tuesday last night and got 2 tacos (shrimp & pastor) and the bark at the moon margarita! Everything was delicious and service was excellent! I will definitely be a repeat customer!!
(5)Diana W.
Ordered surf and turf burrito. Had it wet styled. So yummy! Also ordered carne asada fries which were just okay for me. A bit on the oily side and where's the meat?! Tacos we tried were the pastor and carnitas which were both good. Guacamole was excellent as well. Happy hour from 3-7 on Saturdays! Half off all drinks and apps Service is a bit slow
(4)Seth G.
Returning 4.5 years later after my first visit, I went in with the expectation that maaaaybe it wasn't as great as I remembered it being...after all, I've eaten a lot of tacos and drank a lot of drinks in the intervening years since my new wife and I stumbled into La Puerta on our San Diego "mini moon". We fell in love with the frozen mojitos, and that was what had us salivating most as we planned our recent SD trip. La Puerta did not disappoint. We walked in to a pretty busy scene--it was going to be upwards of an hour for a table, but hanging around for just a little bit yielded two spots for us at the bar. This was a marked change from our first time, when we were the only folks in the joint in the early afternoon. We started in with what we had been hoping for -- the frozen mojitos were still on the list, and we dove in! They were still SO delicious. Next we got into the food. Starting with chips and salsa, the chips were warm and the salsa was fresh and zesty. Tasty! We each ordered a selection of various tacos, and they were all so good--the carnitas especially stood out to me. All in all, I am so glad we came back, and I'm so glad that La Puerta was just as great as we remembered it!
(5)Junella T.
This little gem is located at the heart of the gaslamp district. You won't miss it bc it always has a line outside. Staff is exceptional and goes out of their way to accommodate. The Margaritas are unique and tasty. Happy hour is a steal. Boyfriend and I got a guac appetizer that came with 2 salsas. The salsa Verde is amazing! Very flavorful with a nice kick. Had to even take some home with me. Ordered the surf and turf and the pick 3 street tacos. Amazing! All the meat was seasoned well and fresh. Very yummy! Quick take: Great happy hour. Amazing Margaritas. Crazy good street tacos. Must try if visiting.
(5)Jerome N.
Food was good but I don't understand why it took 20 min to put a taco and some rice on a plate
(3)Freedom R.
I am so impressed with the tacos at La Puerta. I use to go to Puestos every Tuesday with my Bf for Taco Tuesdays until the portions and size of their tacos shrink. We decided to explore other taco Tuesday options and have hard for this busy spot. Yes, it gets packed so I would recommend to do a call ahead one hour reservation. We usually call it in around 6 and arrive at 7 for our Taco munch! the quality of taste, meat and portions are perfect. I usually get 3-5 tacos and a Tj Dog for my meal. They provide chips and 2 salsa! the TJ dog is amazing, a must try. It is a turkey dog wrapped in bacon on a sweet soft bun with grilled onions and jalapenos. I am not a big hot dog fan but this TJ Dog is a must!! All the tacos are delicious. Can't decide get one of each...I mean they are only $2 on Tuesdays!! this is my new spot for Taco Tuesdays! Happy hour is til 7 and it is half off ALL drinks! I love the jackass ( mule ) with Mezcal, it gives it a smokey taste to it!
(5)K J.
Wow!! After getting ripped off at a nearby bar we decided to come here. We sat out front which was bar seating next to the sidewalk and it was BUSY because it was Saturday at comic con and happy hour. But surprisingly all the servers and staff were great team players and we never had to ask for anything! We had very attentive service, great drinks and great food! We ordered "Bark at the Moon", which is a spicy margarita with freshly muddled Serrano peppers! !!! It was SO GOOD, I had 3 and so did my husband!!! We also shared the guacamole and chips and we were FULL, since it was a very good sized helping! Our bill was only $42 for 6 premium, yummy drinks and delicious food! Everyone who was sitting around us was also very happy with theirs. Awesome place!!! I highly recommend! !
(5)Thu V.
Taco Tuesday! $2 on their shrimp, asada, carnitas tacos! We arrived at 6PM and didn't get seated until 7PM. The wait was absolutely dreadful as we were hungry and it was around 65 degrees outside. Yes, it was cold! (Brrrrr). Of course, we could have gone to the bar and grabbed a few drinks while we waited but........ we're lame. The food was average. The chips and salsa, however, were the highlight of the night! The chips were a bit oily but crunchy and the salsas were delicious! Those can get pretty addicting but don't fill up on them! We ordered a few street tacos for $2 each, the carne asada fries, and their hotdogs. The shrimp taco was average, the carnitas were great, and everything else was just in between. Service was good, restaurant was loud and lively, and I probably will come back if the wait isn't so horrendous.
(4)Linnea E.
Fantastic margaritas, and the most amazing carne asada fries!!! I went here a few years ago, in search of perfect carne asada fries. I was told this was THE place to get them. oh... it's so true. they are heavenly. really, it sounds like such a weird dish, but omg... like nothing else. so good!!! piled high (seriously... it's a lot of food!) and loaded up with all the yumminess of cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and the tastiest carne asada ever. the bar tends to get crowded, but totally worth holding out for a spot
(5)D V.
Love this place. I don't live in the area and last time I came to san diego I yelped it and after reading reviews I had to try it out. The carne asada fries, which is a san diego staple, are on point. Just came back down to Legoland, which is in Carlsbad, and it was well worth the drive to eat there. This time got the carne asada fries again, still on point, and got the carnitas with 2 eggs on pancakes. Simply lovely. So good. Will come here everytime Im in the area. If you have kids like me you gotta get there before 3pm because its a bar and they wont let anybody under 21 in after that.
(5)Armando U.
La Puerta...... meh, I prefer Las Hadas. I like this place but there is absolutely NOTHING better then the place next door. I lived in downtown for over a year and went to this place 2 times. food is over priced. margarita cost me $11 when the exact same one is $6 at Las Hadas. Overall, two stars. Place is chill but like yelp states it ~ meh, I've had better.
(2)Maria L.
This has become one of my favorite spots downtown, and was always a crowd favorite with my co-workers. We loved coming in on Mondays, because happy hour is all day - 1/2 off appetizers and drinks. But we're a bit sad now because the carne asada fries are no longer part of their appetizer list and 1/2 of those things were such a great deal! They are FIRE! They're definitely a huge portion though, I mean for $12.99 they better be! It's a good call to share those things. If you're like me and LOVE tequila (drink it like water), definitely get Whole Lotta Love, it's their most popular margarita. They've also got flavored ones, like Colors (strawberry, mango, peach, blueberry(?))- I always go for Strawberry. Their Purple Haze is pretty bomb too - Margarita blend with Sangria. And their chips and salsa is bomb too! I'm never really a fan of verde salsa, but theirs is good! Oh oh, and can't forget their Mojito Rojo! Gahd, it's seriously to die for!
(5)Alice T.
Great happy hour! 50% off all alcoholic drinks and 50% off appetizers or quesadillas Some appetizers on the menu: guacamole, flautitos, queso fundido Quesadilla options: cochinita, pastor, shrimp, grilled veggie Skip the appetizers. We had the flautitos and they tasted refried. The pastor quesadilla was awesome though. There were chunks of pineapple in it, and the meat was super juicy. One quesadilla is definitely enough to fill you up for dinner and it was only $5 at HH. Drinks were about $5. Tons of tequila and mezcal options. I had the Jackass, which is like a mule except with mezcal and bitters. Nice kick from the bitters. They also have Mexican craft beers. It's worth trying these beers just to see the politically incorrect pictures they use on their labels.
(4)Jenny L.
10.25.13 You need to have patience to wait for a table here. And patience to wait for your delicious margaritas. Good thing we did - and lucked out with a table halfway into our first round. We needed a lot of grease to soak up what is going to be a long night of bar hopping at Gaslamp. Their guacamole and street tacos did not disappoint. yelp.com/biz_photos/la-p… Just a really cool spot to start the night. I'm a fan. Total damage for four: $169
(4)Amy C.
Great street tacos, awesome atmosphere and the service was great. One of my favorite spots in the are!
(5)Corky L.
My husband and I were visiting San Diego on business and were looking for authentic Mexican tacos. Came here in hopes of finding and we're not disappointed. Great shrimp tacos, burrito and hand made cocktails were great! Loved the fresh salsas too! Good service and fun, lively spot as well!!
(4)chinesegirlinLA c.
This is a bit late, but better late than never. My husband and I debated on a Mexican Restaurant in the Gas Lamp District the day after the Rolling Stones concert (Memorial Day). We were "extremely" surprised and happy with La Puerta. We went in at lunch time, and it was quite crowded, but we found a place at the bar. The two females behind the bar were very quick and helpful. My husband had a very large 1 LB Pollo Asado Burrito, and said it was extremely stupendous. I might add that it was not the usual burrito filled with beans and rice. It was supremely cooked with grilled chicken and grilled onions. He thought it might be too much, but it was so good, the plate was empty in the end. I had the Ranchero Shrimp Tacos, and I was never so happy with a Mexican dish. Great Margaritas, atmosphere and superb food. When we go back to SD, we will return!
(5)Neal M.
DANG! That's all I have to say about La Puerta! I FINALLY came here for lunch yesterday and buddy, Am I glad!? First of all, they fry their tortillas fresh and possibly to order for their chips & salsa. Their salsa rojo is DELICIOUS. I had their California burrito and was only sad that I didn't get it 'wet'. I've had Cali burritos before but this was the real deal. If I lived here, I'd probably come here once a week. Easily.
(4)Joey S.
Whenever I go to SD, I go on a burrito tour of the place. Some spots are very similar, some have common burritos like MXN, and some have killer surf and turf. However, this place has a standout surf and turf burrito. It comes in a little pricey at about $13, but it is served hot on the griddle. This hardens the tortilla and gives it a perfect contrast between the extra juicy contents of grilled onions, shrimp, and beef. You have to give this place a try for this one dish!
(5)Christina S.
Cool, casual, and delightful. Great ambiance and vibe flowing throughout our dining experience. The sauces on my wet burrito and my gf's taco were bursting with flavor and had the most wonderful essence of spice. Everything we had here was on point. Jason the bartender was efficient and went above and beyond to make sure we were 100% taken care of.
(5)T R.
Great atmosphere and decor. Food is amazing and they have tremendous Happy Hour prices. Carne Asada Fries are mouthwatering and cooked to perfection. Best Mexican food in downtown San Diego.
(5)Linda G.
We are staying in the Gas Lamp district and were looking for a good place to have soCal mexican food. La Puerta came with great reviews, so we went there and were not disappointed. It was really busy during happy hour, but the hostesses at the door were super nice and let us go explore while our seating time came up then took care of us as soon as we got in. The food was amazing. We had the taquitos, shrimp tostaditas, and tacos. The flavors were amazing, a noticeably well thought out menu. The atmosphere was great, though a bit loud, so for sure not a place to go sit and chat, but it was exactly what we needed on this rainy night in San Diego! The happy hour prices on the appetizers is a great bonus- they are a meal in themselves.
(5)Mathew S.
Super bomb good food chill vibe and great drinks. I go down town a lot and just found this place. I will be back!!
(4)Kimiko A.
This place is my FAVORITE! The blended margs are as smooth as can be, not choppy or icy. The prices for the quality are fantastic - the freshest guac, cheese, and ingredients. Such a fun atmosphere, too!
(5)Jv's M.
This is a must try when your in the area. The food was delicious, margarita was delicious and I enjoyed every bite. The chips for the guacamole is homemade so be careful if you eat too much you might get full and not be able to finish your meal. The froZen margarita was so good I had 2 and they were delicious. No house liquor they are strong and good I might try to go back again a few other items on the menu I wanted to try, The environment is nice and the place is clean
(5)Lia C.
Just came here for dinner the guy at the front was extremely rude. Coming all the way down to SD never again here. Plenty of other places to try with friendlier staff.
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