La Pinata Mexican Restaurant
| Address: | 2836 Juan St, San Diego, CA 92110, USA |
| Phone: | +1 619-297-1631 |
| Site: | lapinatasd.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9:30PM 11AM–9:30PM 11AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 6
JD
JD Raymann
Do not buy the hype for this place. Do NOT fall for the good reviews like I did. Ive never written reviews before but just had to after having a very disappointing experience here. I went in expecting good Mexican food but came away appalled and confused by how many good reviews this place had gotten. First off, the service was subpar at best (the waitress did not seem to want to be there ; I cant say I really blame her), and when the food came out within 3 minutes of ordering I knew that it wouldnt be very good. The portions were large which I wished they werent. I was so hungry that, regrettably, ate nearly all of it (minus the horid wilted lettuce and soggy crispy "tortilla"). It tasted nothing like authentic Mexican food. Even taco bell has better chicken. I am not a picky eater, but this meal was a bit unsettling, especially considering the high reviews that this restaurant got. What really put me over the edge was the aftereffects of eating here. I felt so sick and nearly threw it up, probably from all the grease and processed stuff in it. I kept thinking of this nasty shriveled up crispy tortilla with processed cheese on it. What a horrible and disappointing experience. I think the only positive thing I can add is that the atmosphere was OK. Not great, but it was nice sitting out on the patio. The table was dirty, however, and there was old rice and crusty salsa on the menu. Plus the complimentary chips were not very good. They were cold, and Id probably prefer tostitos than what they gave. The prices were also very steep for the quality of processed, cheap, and ill prepared food they gave you. Do yourself a favor and stay away from here. I usually like Mexican food, but can safely say that this is the worst Mexican food I have ever had.
AL
Alan Davies
We have been dining at La Pinata in San Diegos Old Town for decades, having enjoyed the ambiance of the colorful sunny patio, good food at reasonable prices, congenial staff, and even the background murmur of the St Francis fountain standing watch for as long as I can remember. The restaurant is now under new ownership and is undergoing some major changes. For the moment, the menu remains the same, but small changes are creeping in. We ordered our usual half liter of house burgundy with our meal. They were out of burgundy so we were asked if Merlot would do. We often drink Merlot at home, but this particular Merlot was the worse swill that has ever passed our lips! Then they discovered they did have burgundy, and switched the awful Merlot for the new house burgundy. It, too, was undrinkable. If we do return, well have to switch to beer. One other small change...instead of the traditional tortilla chips and salsa that started each meal, the restaurant has changed to a thin, very heavily salted chip, and their new mild salsa was very poor. Some of the greenery has been removed, replaced by attractive and colorful succulents and other drought-resistant plants. St. Francis, however, has disappeared (along with original staff, some of whom had been there for many years). We might give the new La Pinata one more chance, but only one.
KE
Keisha Moroianui
Stayed in San Diego for 5 days and ate here twice. Husband got takeout one night and happened upon this place. I thought the food was good and he was really impressed with the service at the restaurant. We were out sight seeing one afternoon and decided on it for lunch with toddler. It was really lovely. The restaurant itself is small but there is an outdoor patio that is really the place to be. It is very lush, shady and green and there is seating in the back that can accomodate a larger party with a bit of privacy. The food is great- not nuevo latino or anything fancy but good traditional food and good portions. They bring chips and salsa that are tasty and free. Kids get to pick a special treat from a treasure box inside. I had a margarita that was delicious too. Parking is plentiful on the side lot which is a big plus for this area. Im big on researching and had happened across some of the more touristy restaurant names in old town but we are so happy we found this great place! The prices, ambiance and staff are unbeatable. We got married in San Diego a week later and had our small wedding partys luncheon at the Prado in Balboa Park- After paying for that rushed, inattentive, overpriced meal we sincerely wished for the patio at La Pinata! Our family would have enjoyed the tranquility, good food and great service so much more-
A
A Private User
We visited old town on the 29th, and were going to go to Baja rockin lobster, but after reading the reviews, decided to try La Pinata. We got there just as they opened, and our server "Tillie" was great as to menu choices and Margaritas ( we live in Utah, but we do like a strong Margarita, and they did not disapoint!!, try them on the rocks :) ) she brought over a fresh big bowl of chips and salsa. Restaurant is brightly colored, with Pinatas hanging all over the celing. just a nice, small getaway on Juan street, away from all the hussel & bussel of old town. The salsa was a bit too hot for my taste, and I eat a heck of a lot of hot salsa, but my wife loved it ( she makes the salsa in our house ), so I asked for a "gringo" salsa and it was just ok. They need to have more of a "pico de gallo" type of salsa with the chopped onion, tomatoes, peppers, etc., for those who dont want just ground up hot red peppers with a lot of seeds ( a lot ) to dip you chip into. This being said, the meal itself was very good. We shared the red chile colorado plate, it came with fresh flour Totillas, very tasty rice and beans and perfectly cooked beef in the red chilie sauce, and pleanty of it. You will not go away hungry from La Pinanta..
PA
Paul Volk
Im honestly surprised to see this place with such high reviews. First, the good. The decor of this place is really fun and light. Its an easy place to chill on the patio and relax. The service was also really quick and friendly (might have had something to do with not many people being there, but Ill give benefit of the doubt). The chile relleno I got was also really good and uncharacteristically authentic (and the rice that came with it). Now, the not-so-good. The margaritas are just pure marg mix out of a bottle and almost no tequila; 3/4 of a liter (yes....liter) got me barely buzzed. I just never feel justified paying for drinks at a restaurant that I could supersede at home. The re-fried beans werent good either (+1 for it doubling as caulking for minor home repairs). Turns out my combo plate not only came with a side of beans but also a bean tostada... yay? All in all, we came for the drinks and left empty handed. If youre looking for the real deal Mexican food, then old-town in general isnt the right place. But if your looking for some good margs I cant recommend this place either.
DW
Dwayne Schamp
Update 6/15/17 Change of owners needs change of rating. We had been eating here regularly, almost onece a week, for the past 40 years and now its like every other "authentic" Mexican restaurant in Old Town. Food quality subpar now due to pandering to tourist lack of knowledge. Kistsch value is now more important than food taste. Redoing and removing almost 50 years of planned landscaping and making a desert in the outside area changes the whole experience to a sterile, lack of character one. Guacamole is now runny and thin with little or no flavor. Dishes have lost that La Pinata flavor and now is like every other Old Town eatery. That took the oldest, most local restaurant in Old Town, and turned it into an over priced Taco Bell. The almost empty parking lot on a busy weekend around the park tells you all you need to know. I am sad this has happened, but I guess it had too at some point as the rest of Old Town on the North end has lost all of its old world charm.
