Casa Gabriela

Mexican restaurant · La Mesa

Casa Gabriela

Mexican restaurant · La Mesa

5

8384 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942

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Casa Gabriela by BO-beau kitchen + garden/Facebook
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Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null
Casa Gabriela by null

Highlights

Sip expertly crafted cocktails and savor authentic Mexican cuisine in a lively, contemporary space that's perfect for a night out or brunch.  

Featured in Eater
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8384 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942 Get directions

casagabrielalamesa.com
@casagabriela_lamesa

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

Information

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8384 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942 Get directions

+1 619 337 3445
casagabrielalamesa.com
@casagabriela_lamesa

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Jul 18, 2025

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@eater

Where to Sip the Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks in San Diego

"Bright, bold, and full of flavor — just like the menu — Casa Gabriela’s mocktails bring festive energy to La Mesa Village. Centered in the heart of the neighborhood, the restaurant’s joyful ambiance and airy garden patio make it a go-to spot day or night. Sip on a margarita sandia, made with Lyre’s non-alcoholic agave, fresh watermelon, and lime in a Tajín-rimmed glass, or try the creamy Niño’s Delight, a lush blend of coconut cream, prickly pear syrup, and lime with a salted rim. Whether you’re out with friends or on a date night, these vibrant drinks deliver all the flavor — no alcohol required." - Kelly Bone

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-san-diego-non-alcoholic-drinks-mocktails-alcohol-free-cocktails-bars
View Postcard for Casa Gabriela
@eater

Where to Sip Artful Non-Alcoholic Cocktails in San Diego

"At this charming spot in La Mesa, enjoy a classic Margarita Sandia with Lyre’s non-alcoholic agave, fresh watermelon, and lime juice in a Tajin-rimmed glass. Or savor the creamy Niño’s Delight, a lush blend of coconut cream, prickly pear syrup, lime juice, and a hint of salt from the rim." - Kelly Bone

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-non-alcoholic-mocktails-alcohol-free-cocktails-bars-san-diego
View Postcard for Casa Gabriela
@onthegrid

On the Grid : Bo-Beau Kitchen + Garden

"Bo Beau has so many special things about it. The French-inspired American fusion cuisine is top-notch. Watch out for the fried brussels sprouts appetizer served with bacon and parmesan cheese, it’s been known to spark feeding frenzies. They have a great local and import beer list + cocktails. The interior is beautifully designed, bringing the right balance of hand-made and modern decor, giving patrons a warm, welcoming environment. The most notable part is their outdoor patio with globe-style string lights, expansive seating options and even a repurposed school bus for children to play on." - Caava Design

https://onthegrid.city/san-diego/la-mesa/bo-beau-kitchen-garden
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@onthegrid

"Bo-Beau Kitchen + Garden, La Mesa by Caava Design. Bo Beau has so many special things about it. The French-inspired American fusion cuisine is top-notch. Watch out for the fried brussels sprouts appetizer served with bacon and parmesan cheese, it’s been known to spark feeding frenzies. They have a great local and import beer list + cocktails. The interior is beautifully designed, bringing the right balance of hand-made and modern decor, giving patrons a warm, welcoming environment. The most notable part is their outdoor patio with globe-style string lights, expansive seating options and even a repurposed school bus for children to play on."

San Diego
View Postcard for BO-beau kitchen + garden
@eater

Where to Eat in La Mesa - Eater San Diego

"File this restaurant under date night options or places to impress because its industrial-chic interiors softened with lots of natural lighting is a stunner. The menu is California-French featuring everything from trout amandine to fig flatbread." - Darlene Horn

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-eateries-la-mesa
View Postcard for Casa Gabriela

I C

Google
This mexican restaurant is in the heart of la Mesa. i really enjoyed how how much space there was indoor and outdoor. we went on a good day, where there was fans and water misting through the air. The weather was perfect. The ambiance and decor is very nice. The food and cocktails were perfect brunch, food and the portions were generous. A must try for casual tasty Mexican food.

Melanie Goff

Google
Nobody in our group liked the food. Way too expensive for what it was and our server sucked. You’re better off going to a hole in the wall taco shop than this place. We expected so much more. Very disappointing. Don’t waste your money!!!

M Abalos

Google
My niece highly recommend this place in La Mesa. So, the family and I made it to Casa Gabriela for happy hour on a weekday. Upon restuarant entry, we were greeted immediately. We got our seat preference at the bar table next to the bar area. Looked like seats were filling up, so we saved couple chairs just in case our friends would be joining. We ended our night around 7pm, the dining area and bar was solid pack. Side note, not a fan of the short back bar stools. Back was unsupported, at least chairs were cushioned. I already felt good vibes walking into the restaurant. Contemporary Mexican decor, music choice was a perfect mixture of pop/r&b/hip hop, and the overall ambiance was chill and lively. There’s a large outdoor patio area, unfortunately, it sat empty due to rain. Nonetheless, there was always something to look at beyond the many windows at Casa Gabriela. You can people watch…never a dull moment. The food was ok for happy hour price except for the small portioned ceviche that was ordered. Maybe we missed the portioning info on the menu, but it was practically half the size of a teacup. We honestly thought someone ordered avocado dip or something related. When ceviche arrived at our table, we were all expecting to share (we normally do on our Mexican vacations). Unfortunately, that was not the case. Disappointed 😔 All staff were attentive. Our server never missed a beat and if he wasn’t around, there was always another server available to help out with our needs. Besides being ultra attentive, our server was polite, friendly, a good listener and professional. Despite the rain, the restaurant had good energy. We plan to return 👍🏼

Robin K.

Google
Ate outside. Gluten free on menu. Servers are aware. Many options. Mexican food. Portions can be large. Drinks good. Staff nice. Place pretty clean. Parking can be difficult

Ton Jones

Google
Cocktails and staff are absolutely amazing, unfortunately the food was a big miss. The menu great with plenty of options. We chose to get some tacos. While waiting, we are treated to some great chips and a nice variety of salsa mild, medium, and hot. The hot salsa was delicious.It was hot, but had an amazing flavor. Then the tacos arrived. The first bite was delicious then the second bite It was just an overwhelming amount of hot peppers, from that point on your mouth is on fire and you cannot taste anything else. There should be no reason to cover up the flavor of tacos with something so hot that you cannot enjoy it. It was unfortunate. At least the salsa was hot, but tasted delicious and bursting with flavor.

Matthew Rubalcaba

Google
This place is the GEM OF LA MESA! staff was super friendly and always ensured that my significant other and I were taken care of. It’s right in the heart of downtown La Mesa which surprisedly is a nice little vibe on a Sunday evening. I ordered the Sur and Terra burrito which came beans, rice, and both salsa verde and rojo. The quality of the food was amazing every bite was tender and delicious. My significant other got the tres ceviche plate which she really enjoyed, the menu items are between $20-50 we did go during happy hour and got our Palomas for $10 each. Highly recommend if you’re in the La Mesa area, very vibrant and well worth every penny.

Caitlin Copley

Google
Great food, atmosphere , and service. Got a bottle of champagne and juices to share and then ordered the Birria Tacos which were super delicious! They stuffed them with so much meat so great value too. Everyone else's food looked delicious as well!

christopher williams

Google
This service was amazing.Carlos was so friendly, so knowledgeable and so nice.The food was spectacular.The environment was beautiful and welcoming.And I enjoyed being able to fill the breeze from outside while still sitting inside the restaurant.Definitely recommend this place
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Samantha I.

Yelp
While strolling through the farmers market last night, we stumbled upon this hidden gem of a restaurant just as we were wrapping up. From the moment we walked in, we were warmly welcomed and quickly seated at the bar. The bartender was incredibly friendly, answering all of our questions with ease and enthusiasm. Everything from the service to the drinks to the food was spot-on. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance, bustling and energetic, yet still cozy and intimate. It felt like everyone around us was enjoying themselves, but somehow, we were in our own little world. We started with the queso (a must), then ordered two rounds of tacos, one carne asada and one birria. Every bite was packed with flavor, and the portions were generous; we even had two tacos left to take home. We only wish we had saved room for dessert, the gentleman next to us ordered the churros, and they looked absolutely amazing. (Not pictured: the delicious frozen mango margarita she offered us a sample of, so refreshing!) This place is a total vibe, and we can't wait to come back.
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Juanita A.

Yelp
The service was great and the ambiance was awesome. We really liked the decor and the open patio space with lots of shade. Very spacious. Most of the food was good, but a bit overpriced. We ordered off the dinner menu as well as the happy hour menu. If I were to go back it would be to order off the happy hour menu only. The esquite has too much cheese (and I can't believe I'm saying that because I love cheese), and you couldn't taste the corn. The tempura cauliflower was amazing. Definitely recommend it. The queso fundido was very disappointing. They should just call it "beans with queso fundido." I've never had beans in my queso fundido and this dish has A LOT of beans. This is where I wanted the cheese not in the esquite. Would not get this again. The Cesar salad was basic. Nothing too great about it. The green chicken pozole was very thick and not enough hominy. The garnish also looked a little sad and not nearly enough cabbage or onion for the dish. It was also a little spicy, which I didn't mind but it was surprising. My husband really enjoyed his barbacoa nachos, large portion. The salsa served with the chips didn't taste homemade, nor did it have much flavor. The horchata and Jamaica (hibiscus) was good and looked pretty fancy, but was expensive. The Reina (seafood) molcajete was good and large portion. The hot dogs were good. Not pictured was the carnitas plate. My nephew liked it and ate most of it. What we didn't like was that they charge a 5% supplemental fee and print it very small on the bottom of the menu. The food is already overpriced, so paying an additional 5% to me seems ridiculous. The menu does say that we can request to have the fee removed, but we didn't see it UNTIL AFTER our card had been run. I get that prices are going up for everyone, but it felt that the way they go about adding this surcharge is a bit deceptive. Most people don't read EVERY SINGLE LINE on a menu, especially once they find what they want to eat.
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Julya C.

Yelp
Casa Gabriela is one of those places I keep coming back to. The food is always solid, the space is beautiful without being pretentious, and the service has never let me down. The jalapeño & white corn lasagna is one of my favorite things on the menu. It's rich, flavorful, a little spicy, and super satisfying. Their margaritas are great too. Not too sweet and definitely have tequila. One night they were also super accommodating to my very picky kid, which honestly impressed me more than anything. It's rare to find a place that treats families just as well as date-night tables. Just a genuinely good spot. I've never left disappointed.
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Rick H.

Yelp
I have to say, favorably impressed with this place. Great ambience, decor, friendly staff, and great looking menu. We started with a couple of margaritas, I opted for a spicy, jalapeño one. The server brought chips and salsa, and we took our time looking over the menu. I opted for the fish tacos, which were delicious, my date chose one of the salads. We sat in the patio and it was moderately attended, so the food was out relatively quickly. I felt like the food was a little pricey, but definitely was good quality. I see this place is being an excellent spot for happy hour, getting together with friends, or a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Will definitely be back
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Kim D.

Yelp
Enjoyed brunch last Saturday here. The service was flawless, everyone was so attentive! I had the birria sopepita benedict. The eggs were perfectly poached, the sopes were crispy on bottom without being dry, birria was well seasoned. The black beans were a nice surprise as well. My Michelada was a little light on the miche but our waiter brought us another shot of the sauce. The restaurant decor was beautiful.
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Jiansen W.

Yelp
Modern Mexican restaurant Casa Gabriela is serving innovative Mexican dishes for brunch, happy hour, and dinner. AMBIANCE Spacious, bright, and open with a second level for interior dining and an outdoor enclosed patio. There's a touch of culture with Mexican decor, painting, statues in the space and flowers on the menu. SERVICE I found the staff to be very personable and super courteous. FOOD 5/5 Chicken Barbacoa Nachos: flavorful and big portioned with pico de gallo, candied jalapenos, asadero, cotija & oaxaca cheese. The candied jalapeños deserve an award, they're just the right level of sweetness for me and retain the taste of jalapeño without the heat. PARKING By the commercial or residential streets
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Felicia R.

Yelp
Have the opportunity to check out this awesome space with my friend. We were fortunate enough to grab a table upstairs which was nice and tucked away. Our server was amazing. The food was delicious and the music was also great. Can't wait to come back here again!
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Fernanda M.

Yelp
We saw this place on youtube and decided to try it for my Dads birthday. Atmosphere was really nice. We sat in patio. The decorations were very pretty and had dia de los muertos vibes. Clean and had very friendly staff. Everyone was happy with their food which were very good portions. Appetizers were good and they have happy hour everyday. A little pricey in my mind but overall we were happy trying out this new restaurant.
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Heather D.

Yelp
This was my second time here but first for brunch. The Crispy Carnitas plate was good, I'd recommend! However, I was surprised that they don't offer chips and salsa during brunch hours. I also ordered the Azucar De Sandia which was a spicy watermelon margarita. The fresh watermelon made this not too sweet, however, it was way too tart.
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Issa G.

Yelp
Ok, so the judging starts at the chips and salsa for me. The salsa was chunky and flavorful. The chips were crunchy and perfectly lightly salted. We ordered the guacamole and didn't think to photograph it because we got too excited seeing it came accompanied with chicharrón and dug in immediately. Everything from beginning to end was delicious. The servers were very attentive and friendly and without us asking, offered to take a picture of our group. The inside of of the restaurant is beautiful with hacienda feel and the outside patio area is decorated beautifully with great selfie backgrounds in almost every area. This place is great spot for a date night dinner and then to hang out for cocktails afterwards
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Zaira R.

Yelp
I had no idea this place had opened up, so was excited to try out. First impression, staff was very nice and welcoming. I love the decor and the patio area is beautiful. Menu is short and to the point which I appreciate. It was 5 of us, husband and 3 kiddos. I ordered the Chumbera (sp?) which was very sweet and VERY strong. Kids got horchatas (Delicious) For food we had the huevos rancheros, steak and eggs, chilaquiles and waffles. My favorite out of all were the waffles. Overall it's a nice brunch spot. I don't think it was worth what we spent, I'd say is a little pricey for the actual taste of the food, but server was very nice and attentive. I really appreciate that a lot of their food options are gluten free.
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Gabriela L.

Yelp
Finally got around to trying this La Mesa spot after passing by it many times with curiosity. The place always looks lively and vibrant from the outside - for good reason! We came in with a group of 6 hungry folks on a Sunday brunch time. Our table ordered 2 chilaquiles, 1 burrito, cauliflower tacos, french toast and steak and eggs. All the plates looked appetizing because well, they were. It is no wonder this place seem to always be buzzing with happy diners. I ordered a zero proof cocktail for the first time - la flaquita. Wow, it was amazing and dare I say, worth the calories! Our server was also lovely and accomodated our requests without any resistance. I'm excited to come back some time for a dinner service to try the birria tacos and some real margs!!
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Robin W.

Yelp
Say hello to your new favorite neighborhood spot! I love the open air dining and all the friendly faces who work here. We made reservations and were sat immediately upon opening. Drinks were brought out right away and the waitress was attentive throughout the entire meal. They have a great happy hour menu with delicious and fairly priced apps/entrees and drinks! I ordered the potato taquitos which consisted of 2 regular potato and 2 sweet potato taquitos covered in all the toppings. The sweet potato was interesting and a nice addition! A great deal for $9. I also ordered the frozen mango margarita which had a nice kick to it but was still really yummy. The area was quiet and relaxed on a Wednesday, so it was a great place to hang out with family and enjoy specialty drinks and cuisine.
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Jennifer C.

Yelp
High quality, friendly service, dog friendly and has a Fri happy hour. Gotta love it! We came on a Fri around 4 and was able to get seated immediately on the patio. It was a bit of a chillier night but they had heaters outside which helped. Immediately upon seating we were given water and a basket of chips and salsa and the waiter asked if our pup wanted a bowl of water as well. We got the margaritas on happy hour for $8. A good size and super tasty. Definitely on the tarter side but I love that. Chips were of the thicker cut variety and tasted fresh. Salsa seemed homemade and had small kick to it which was great. We'd definitely come back!
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Kevin T.

Yelp
TL;DR: Come for a chill happy hour in the back patio and enjoy the drinks and fun bites! All the food we got was off the happy hour menu. Our favorites were the cauliflower and the fundido. Love the table chips and salsa, as well! Skip the ceviche - lacking punch in flavor and not worth the value. Of course, you gotta get the michelada to go with it all! Cheers, Casa Gabriela!
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Michelle F.

Yelp
Visited over the weekend after seeing friends post about it. The space is beautiful, lots of indoor/outdoor space. Beautiful colors everywhere. Large mural/ painting indoor. They have various seating options for both large and small parties. The service was prompt and our waitress attentive. I would say service is very fast, as we ordered, and food came out almost immediately. The food was subpar. Ordered the poblano omelette and the peppers were under cooked, still crunchy. The "carnitas" chilaquiles were ok. The tortilla's extra crunchy and the pork not crunchy at all. Literally belonged in pozole not chilaquiles. The texture was simply off on this combo. Their bloody Marys were very peppery, and very spicy. Def be aware. All in all a meh experience wouldn't visit for brunch again. Perhaps their dinner options are better.
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Victor F.

Yelp
Adding pictures from my experience at Casa Gabriela this past weekend. A must try restaurant.
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Vivian M.

Yelp
Superb!!! Upgrade of mexican food! Love the place, classy decor! Greeted by a friendly concierge. Food is really good! You can tell it's quality!
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Jack M.

Yelp
I stopped in Casa Gabriela during happy hour and sat at the bar. I ordered the TJ Dogs at $8.95, the Caesar Salad at $8.95, and the Queso Fundido at $10.95. All the items arrived at the same time. I started on the salad first. It was good and came with "toasted chile de arbol croutons, roasted tomatoes, basil, shaved cotija enchilado, spiced pepitas" (Casa Gabriela, 2024). I enjoyed the shaved cotija enchilado and spiced pepitas. They were very tasty. The salad definitely needed more of the chile de arbol croutons however, and although tasty, the dressing for a Caesar was on the thicker side. A few crispy garnished on top of the salad would have been nice, too. The TJ Dogs were tasty, too. The hot dogs were of good quality and the bacon was terrific. I enjoyed the cilantro aioli. I did not like that they were so small. I was expecting two regular sized hot dogs. They should change the title on the menu to "Two Mini TJ Dogs" for better accuracy. The Queso Fundido sounded great on the menu but its execution was sub par. For example, traditional fundido comes with gooey and stretchy cheese or that wonderful melted goodness, this cheese was over baked hard and on the dry side. There was a little bit of cheese that did not get over cooked inside but most of it was done for the count. I felt the Oaxaca & Asadero cheese deserved more respect. Honestly, they dish was more a casserole if anything. I did like the roasted poblanos inside the fundido, but they should have been swimming in the melted cheese, not set inside the container as a separate component. Also, the pinto beans were the whole beans but refried beans. With a few tweaks here and this queso fundido could have been a winner, but that over cooked cheese made it lose that traditional feeling. Service at the bar was hit and miss. The bar that kept making the beverages was not much of a conversationalist, even though I was sitting right in front of him. I tried to ask him a few questions about the libations he was working on and/or make comments on how well he was doing, but he would not respond. Finally, towards the end of my visit, I raised my voice as he stood right in front of me and said, "hey bar keep, you are doing a great job!" To which he finally responded, "oh, thank you." The other gent who took my order and asked how my food was was on it. In the end, I was not up set, just intrigued. Casa Gabriela is a beautiful restaurant, inside and outside.
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michelle s.

Yelp
this place was so cute. It's in downtown La mesa everybody there is so friendly and to my surprise happy hour was fantastic. All the choices were delicious. I wish there was a little bit more drink choices other than margarita in Moscow, but will definitely go back and have a real dinner.
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Stephanie A.

Yelp
We stumbled upon this location after church and oh my goodness I am so glad we did. It was absolutely amazing! I came in with my family and I got the chilaquiles they were delicious we also got the pineapple French toast and it was the best French toast I've ever had. AMAZING! Our server was good, the ambiance was it they were playing great music. I can't wait to return and try the drinks they had a great drink menu. I can't recommend this enough place enough!
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Vivian R.

Yelp
I've been to this place multiple times and have had such a different experience each time! It's very pricey, but their portions are big. I've been here on a weekday, and they offer chips and salsa during the week. This is a huge perk! Because of this, I wanted to take some friends during the weekend for brunch, but to my surprise, they don't offer chips! That was a bummer to learn and makes me not want to visit on the weekends (you gotta have chips when going to a Mexican restaurant!). On my last visit, the service was okay. We had to track down our server a couple of times, which I would understand if it was busy, but we were the only party there. They do offer unique cocktails, so this place is worth checking out if you haven't been. It's located in the heart of downtown La Mesa, so it's street parking only. Their outside patio is shaded and super cute.
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Nyssa B.

Yelp
You guys... I'm not too sure why it took me so long to try this place. It's been on my list since it opened and I've finally had the time to go and let me tell you girl I wasn't disappointed. Came in on the Saturday of Oktoberfest weekend and was seated pretty quickly. Our server was super attentive and quick with our food and drinks even though they were pretty busy with the crowd. Food was delicious, drinks for yummy and service was quick. What more could you ask for in a restaurant. Already trying to make a trip back. Keep up the good work!

Sherlyn C.

Yelp
Came here to celebrate my sister and I graduating, and honestly, this experience was upsetting and kind of ruined what should've been a special day. We ordered the cazuela to share (a big cocktail meant for the table) and were already halfway through it when we found a huge cockroach floating in it. Not something small you could mistake -- it was clearly a big, nasty roach, just sitting there on top of the lime. We told one of the staff members (not even our server because he was nowhere to be found), and instead of apologizing or showing any concern, he just said, "yeah that's gross," and brought us a new one "on the house." At that point, obviously, we didn't even want to keep drinking anything. It completely killed our appetite we still picked at our food, but we were honestly just worried there'd be roaches in that too. What made it worse was that our actual server never acknowledged it. Not even a simple "sorry that happened." Just acted like it didn't happen at all. For the price and the hype, this was unacceptable. I get that mistakes happen, but the way this was handled, from the service to the complete lack of accountability was so disappointing. Definitely not returning, and wouldn't recommend.
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Dave S.

Yelp
Excellent food and service! Gabriela shows true love for her cooking and her customers!
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Mafalda C.

Yelp
Stumbled on this cute place and had to get in for a drink. Margaritas were delicious, a great blend. No salsa chips or guacamole. Menu needs a better food list. Our waiter was a great addition to the party.
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John M.

Yelp
Arrived to celebrate my girlfriends birthday, never been before but have been when the establishment was Bo Beau. Naturally skeptical of something new, but wow.... Everything was honestly just great. Cocktails: unique handcrafted. Food: again unique flavor combinations that are working.... Get the veggie lasnga, and churros for dessert. Service: Our sever Laynee was very nice had a great smile and provided us with everything we needed! Thank you all! And keep up the good work!
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Cynthya T.

Yelp
I'll start off by saying I love the decor and the music they play inside. The servers are also very nice. The food, in my opinion, is not great and terribly priced. We stopped in yesterday without knowing that Oktoberfest was going on. I typically love coming here for their happy hour drinks but I was a little disappointed to find out they didn't offer it because of Oktoberfest. We ordered the tablita, the carne asada tacos, and a pitcher of margaritas. From the tablita we really enjoyed the potato tacos, the sweet potato ones not so much but everyone has their own preferences. The empanadas weren't that great, they were dry, and having tried their usual queso fundido, the mini size really was just beans and cheese. The carne asada tacos lacked meat, especially at its price point, and the fries that it was topped with were really dry and almost old, seemed like they just threw them back into the fryer just to reheat. Overall, very disappointed in the quality especially since my fiancé and I are such foodies.
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Song T.

Yelp
A nicely decorated restaurant with awesome staff but horribly priced food and a sad.. sad brunch menu. We came thinking that we could partake in the lunch menu on Saturday at 12:30pm. They said no. When we asked if we could have chips, they said not for brunch. What the heck! My party got the chilaquiles, waffles, chorizo burrito, birria tacos, huevos rancheros, enchiladas and the crispy carnitas. Absolutely nothing to write home about. The food was... decent but I can't justify paying $29 for carnitas, 3 tortillas, rice and beans. To say I was flabbergasted was an understatement. The staff was super friendly and that's why they get a star.
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karla S.

Yelp
We stopped by during brunch hour today, the food was so good the red chilaquiles with chicken barbacoa were delicious the sauce isn't too spicy its well balanced with the right amount of heat, the barbacoa is very flavorful, we also tried the pineapple French toast, best French toast I've had in San Diego they are crunchy on the outside and custardy on the inside topped with a delicious whipped cream, pineapples and toasted pecans, highly recommend both dishes. Our waitress Samantha was very attentive and super helpful she made sure we understood the menu and made a few suggestions, overall a great experience, the place is also beautifully decorated.
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Angie C.

Yelp
I had some time to kill while I was in the area and decided to finally check out Casa Gabriela after walking past them for the past few years lol-- here's how it went ! Casa Gabriela is decorated so beautifully; inside and out . I really enjoy their outdoor patio dining area and bar; bonus points for making it a comfortable experience during this summer heat by adding mist fans and a tarp for shade . Upon entering, the hostess could've been more inviting, but the male host who showed us to our seat out on the patio was super sweet and saved that interaction . We were greeted by our waitress right away, who was super amazing ! Like I mentioned earlier, I visited Casa Gabriela on a time-crunch so I didn't get to eat/drink too much, but let me tell you about what we did have ! I was about to order some type of chips and dip because my son lovesss it, but then a waiter stopped by and gave us complimentary chips and dip ---- SCORE ! They don't skimp on this and the chips/salsa were actually really fresh and tasty . (Thank you to our waitress who gave us a brand new set of chips/salsa because a Junebug decided to make a grand entrance into our chip bowl LOL) . I had no idea it was happy hour so that made me excited; I ordered The Cantarito off that menu and it was very refreshing ! I love the fact that it really did have a nice fresh grapefruit taste; The only thing is that I didn't taste any alcohol, so that was a bummer . This drink would be great for someone who is just starting off with cocktails or likes super fruity drinks ! Birra Empanadas were sooo delicious ! They were generously filled with birria and cheese-- and they were sooo luxurious . I highly recommend trying these ! The only thing that would make these a 10/10 is if it was served with a side of consume for dipping-- YUM . Overall, we had a great experience . Casa Gabriela is definitely a more Americanized Mexican restaurant, but I still would totally come back and try out the rest of their menu and other cocktails . I wonder how their taco Tuesdays are like ?!
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Melodie H.

Yelp
Great service, ambiance is gorgeous, and the flavors deliver!! Drinks are always great, and they serve cafe moto coffee which I love.
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Zuli M.

Yelp
Cute patio area! Nice vibe! The service is not bad. They seemed a bit annoyed by our group on a Friday night. (Strange that they close by 930 on a Friday night!) the food was delicious! The lobster flautas were so good omg
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Phamhong G.

Yelp
I got a little nervous because of the several recent poor reviews so I came here on a Tuesday with no expectations. Located in adorable DT La Mesa with plenty of street parking. We had a reservation for 5 pm but it wasn't needed. The restaurant had a bright and inviting ambiance, and was clean. Our server Chris was friendly, personable, and very attentive. Chris' service really contributed to our enjoyable dining experience. Our waters were constantly being refilled by staff. Comp chips & salsa, the chips were dusted with a light seasoning which was delicious. The HH michelada was a great deal for $10 and came with "snacks." I don't even like cauliflower but the pickled cauliflower they used was great. I don't like celery either but it was so gigantic, I had to eat it. The HH campechana was like a fancy shrimp cocktail. It was flavorful but very small and only contained 4 shrimps. They were a decent size and cooked well, but the dish overall was tiny and I sure hope that isn't the size of it for the regular menu. My friend received a comp birthday dessert with a lit candle that was vanilla ice cream with caramel, blueberries and strawberries. The ice cream was unique and so good, I almost contemplated paying for another one for myself. My friend also enjoyed her $5 taco Tuesday special margarita and HH taquitos. Unfortunately no taco Tuesday specials and the only Tuesday special is the $5 margarita, which I'll be back for next time! Chris let us know that it's made fresh and not just the pre-made mix kind. The prices of the regular food menu are steep so I will likely only be back for HH. I definitely plan to try the HH chicken nachos next!
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M A.

Yelp
My niece highly recommend this place in La Mesa. So, the family and I made it to Casa Gabriela for happy hour on a weekday. Upon restuarant entry, we were greeted immediately. We got our seat preference at the bar table next to the bar area. Looked like seats were filling up, so we saved couple chairs just in case our friends would be joining. We ended our night around 7pm, the dining area and bar was solid pack. Side note, not a fan of the short back bar stools. Back was unsupported, at least chairs were cushioned. I already felt good vibes walking into the restaurant. Contemporary Mexican decor, music choice was a perfect mixture of pop/r&b/hip hop, and the overall ambiance was chill and lively. There's a large outdoor patio area, unfortunately, it sat empty due to rain. Nonetheless, there was always something to look at beyond the many windows at Casa Gabriela. You can people watch...never a dull moment. The food was ok for happy hour price except for the small portioned ceviche that was ordered. Maybe we missed the portioning info on the menu, but it was practically half the size of a teacup. We honestly thought someone ordered avocado dip or something related. When ceviche arrived at our table, we were all expecting to share (we normally do on our Mexican vacations). Unfortunately, that was not the case. Disappointed All staff were attentive. Our server never missed a beat and if he wasn't around, there was always another server available to help out with our needs. Besides being ultra attentive, our server was polite, friendly, a good listener and professional. Despite the rain, the restaurant had good energy. We plan to return
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Hanna V.

Yelp
I'm a fan! My friends and I went here for a girls night and the couples deal was a GREAT bang for our buck! I enjoyed my margarita and would gladly go back anytime. Hefty portions :)
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Kaylene P.

Yelp
Came here for brunch on a Saturday. Went at around 11am and it wasn't crowded but it did start picking up when we left. This place is located in downtown La Mesa so you'll have to find street parking. Luckily for us wasn't too much of a problem but I can see it getting busy at night or during peak hours here. We had 4 people in our party. For drinks we got the Besos de angel (basically an alcoholic horchata), the Mimosa (bottle of champagne that came with oj, strawberry, and blueberry juice) and a Paloma. All the drinks were really good and the favorite being the besos de angel. For our entrees we all got the chilaquiles and everyone seemed to enjoy them. It came as a huge portion and with a lot of chicken. I will say you do have to eat it quickly so it doesn't get soggy but it tasted good regardless. Overall great hangout spot and I'd absolutely come here again. I do want to try their dinner options so I'll come back for that.
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Kimberly E.

Yelp
The ambiance of the restaurant was great. I love how everything is decorated and there is a ton of outdoor and indoor seating. We sat in the open bar area and the service was great and speedy. The food was good and had a lot of flavor. The only issue I had was with my order which was the sopes Benedict. There was a huge piece of egg shell that was attached to the poached egg. I don't know how that could have been missed and honestly really grossed me out and I lost my appetite. My husband got a steak and eggs dish and enjoyed his. My husband tried the horchata which was great and I tried the virgin watermelon margarita that was delicious as well.
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SD G.

Yelp
The service is great here! I had the espresso Martini and it was delicious!!! They added the right amount of liquor and was not diluted! The trio ceviche was too sour ( more limón and no lasts) and I didn't enjoyed it . The complimentary salsa and chips were so young because the salsa was nice and warm. The outdoor seating is very cozy with nice fire pits at some areas.
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Adam S.

Yelp
I have been wanting to come here since they opened. I can't believe it's been two years! Well I finally made it and I was not disappointed! We were welcome warmly and shown to our table. Our waitress was Victoria and she was amazing! So friendly and super attentive! We sat inside the dining room, but the patio looked vibrant and lively too and will try that next time. The food was the best part too. The Queso Fundido was the best I've ever had. I had the chicken barbacoa something that was absolutely amazing. My plate arrived with rice and beans and a surprisingly large metal pot completely filled with the most delicious juicy seasoned chicken. My daughter had the carnitas and they were also fantastic. Of course there were chips and salsa for the table and plenty of flour and corn tortillas, piping hot! I did not have a cocktail this time but my daughter enjoyed some kind of fruity looking margarita. Well done! Can't wait to go back!
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Wendy S.

Yelp
Love this place for its happy hour!! We meet as a family often because the atmosphere is amazing!! Love the outdoor patio. The food special for happy hr are great. The nachos are our absolute favorite to get!! It's a must try for the vibe, the service is great, and just good food if you are looking for more of an upscale Mexican place to hang at.
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Cassandra I.

Yelp
First time at Casa Gabriela and it was amazing! The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming, the service was friendly and attentive, and the food--absolutely incredible. Every dish was full of flavor and beautifully presented. You can tell they put a lot of heart into what they do. Can't wait to come back and try more from the menu. Highly recommend if you're in La Mesa and craving great eats!
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Hannah N.

Yelp
I love checking out restaurants in La Mesa and I had never been here and it is so cute! We last minute decided to check out this spot for dinner on a Saturday night and we were pleasantly surprised. The chips and salsa to start were awesome. My boyfriend did the michelada which was great and honestly lasted awhile. I ended up ordering the shrimp quesadillas which was massive but was super good, I loved how seasoned the shrimp was and we had lots to take home for leftovers. We just recently saw they do a brunch in the weekends so we will definitely be back to try that soon!
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Nick C.

Yelp
It was busy, but had some good bites here. Service was great, chips and salsa were provided. I ordered the seafood enchiladas, they were good. More on the heavier side, but the flavors were good. I didn't care so much for the rice and beans. I would definitely come back to try more of the menu.

Ruth G.

Yelp
Service was prompt and helpful. Dinner was not the usual Mexican fare, although it was tasty and hot. The vegetarian lasagna was excellent as well as the fish dishes. We will return.
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Alonzo N.

Yelp
Food was decent, got the happy hour chicken nachos and margarita. My date got the ceviche and margarita. Big piece of coiled up metal in her ceviche! If had swallowed it, would've caused great harm or death! Server didn't really seem to care, he just said I wont charge you for that plate. Casa gabriela has lost my trust. Shame because I'm latino and wanted to help a latina run business. I even asked where restroom was, and was told "over there" as if i was a nuisance or bother. Get better, respectable employees. Yikes!

Tina D.

Yelp
Was treated to dinner here Friday before Mothers Day. My son and DIL had been before but it was my first time. They had a reservation for 7:15 and our table was waiting. Tables are semi-close and not divided but we enjoyed eavesdropping on a table of 6 ladies obviously enjoying a Friday night out. lol! The service was immediate and actually we were asked by 3 separate waitstaff about drinks and chips and salsa. Salsa was good, chips warm. My drink was a mango margarita, the only one served "frozen". It was thick and delicious. I didn't taste it but felt its tequila effects about halfway through. I ordered the Enchilada Mariscos Suizas. It was excellent with lots of shrimp, tiny scallops and lobster. The creamy sauce was excellent came with beans and elote rice. My DIL got the carnitas and I tried a bite. Excellent and not dried out. My son got the corn "lasagne" which he had had before so it must have been good. We had another helping of chips and salsa somewhere in there. The waitstaff was attentive. We had no room for dessert. The items were a little more expensive than my usual Mexican diner but so worth it. They have patio seating too. I would say if you go on a Friday night, be aware that the Farmers market is right there so go after 7pm to find parking.

Ellie B.

Yelp
We had a part of 11 and we came in around 6:30 with no reservations and we still got a table quickly. Our waiter was very nice and the service was quick. Don't even get me started on the amazing food! I got the taquitos and they were amazing! Our whole party enjoyed the dinner and food that we got. The portions were fairly big for a good price. This place is by far the best Mexican restaurant I know in San Diego. I will definitely be coming back for this food and good service again.
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Alicia C.

Yelp
Overall a great meal. Pretty sizable portions and options. I loved the cocktails and the outdoor patio ambiance was very nice. Tacos were delicious and plenty of variety!