El Sueño

Mexican restaurant · San Diego

El Sueño

Mexican restaurant · San Diego

1

2836 Juan St, San Diego, CA 92110

Photos

El Sueño by null
El Sueño by El Sueno
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null
El Sueño by null

Highlights

Jungle-themed Mexican fare & cocktails, lush patio, romantic vibe  

Featured in Eater
Placeholder

2836 Juan St, San Diego, CA 92110 Get directions

elsuenosd.com
@elsuenosd

$20–30 · Menu

Reserve

Information

Static Map

2836 Juan St, San Diego, CA 92110 Get directions

+1 619 510 9813
elsuenosd.com
@elsuenosd

$20–30 · Menu

Reserve

Features

payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations

Last updated

Aug 11, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

The Best Romantic Restaurants in San Diego for Date Night | Eater San Diego

"In Old Town, this chic Mexican restaurant offers a romantic vibe most potent from its open-roofed outdoor patio that drips with green plants and vivid pink flowers. On the menu, find standbys like miniature tiger shrimp tostadas; molten queso Oaxaca loaded with lobster, shrimp, and chorizo; pan de elote (a Mexican corn cake served with chile-honey butter); a roasted half-chicken with mole; an abundant taco menu; and surf-and-turf fajitas. Dates had during happy hour will garner many dishes and the same potent drinks menu at a discount." - Helen I. Hwang

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-romantic-restaurants-date-night-valentines-day-san-diego
View Postcard for El Sueno

je55icaLee

Google
We were excited to try this placing after seeing some posts about it and unfortunately left with the agreement we would never come back. To start, the table for two was kind of small. The outdoor patio was cute, but the music sounded like you were at a day club (not the vibe you want for a weekday dinner date). The waitress was attentive and kind. The food was terrible. The chips were stale although the salsas, especially the spicy ones, were good. We started with the calamari which was very underwhelming; something didn't feel right about the seasoning & batter. My boyfriend got the wagu chorizo burger. There was too much going on (which was ironic next to the basic fries they served with it). I got the Del Mar Enchiladas, and I ended up sending them back. There was no flavor; it was like eating textured oil (because they were so greasy). We decided not to order anything else and picked up something else on the way home.

Sean Collins

Google
We took a chance and wanted something a little bit off the normal path for Old Town. We were very happily surprised and had a great experience. It was not very busy, so I think we got lucky, but everything was great. The drinks were fantastic, probably some of the best margaritas I've had. The food was fresh and tasty, the service was quick and easy, and it was all reasonably priced. I'd say to go for lunch and maybe off hours to get a quieter experience like we had. It's definitely worth stopping in!

Kristen Contreras

Google
If I could give El Sueño more than 5 stars, I absolutely would! 🌮✨ This is hands-down one of the BEST Mexican restaurants in San Diego. From the moment we walked in, the energy was vibrant, welcoming, and fun. 🤩 Food: Everything we ordered was out of this world. We started with the elotes as an appetizer—they were absolutely bomb: creamy, perfectly seasoned, and full of flavor. I had the tacos, which were cooked to perfection, packed with flavor in every bite. My son’s burrito was huge and absolutely delicious, and my daughter’s chicken quesadillas were incredible—the chicken was tender, flavorful, and she loved them so much she didn’t even want to share! We finished our meal with churros and ice cream, which were warm, crispy, and the perfect sweet ending. Every single bite was amazing. 😋 Service & Atmosphere: The team at El Sueño truly makes this place special. Amberly, the hostess, was unforgettable—her energy was contagious! She welcomed us with the biggest smile, friendly conversation, and such an upbeat, bubbly personality that set the tone for our whole experience. Mailie, our server, was just as amazing—super sweet, thoughtful, and knowledgeable about the menu. She gave us great recommendations and made sure our dining experience was absolutely perfect!!! Between the incredible food, top-tier service, and the lively atmosphere, El Sueño is a must-visit. I’ll definitely be back every time I’m in San Diego! 🌟

Rebekah Cathey

Google
Excellent food and drinks. The Cadillac Margarita was a great start to the meal with some chips & salsa. Next we indulged in a delicious grilled octopus with chorizo. My boyfriend and I both got tacos and shared - the shells were excellent and the filling was flavorful. The beans and rice were also good.

Mayra Martinez

Google
This restaurant has authentic Mexican flavors, great service, and delicious cocktails. I visited with a large party and everyone absolutely loved their food! Their ambiance is modern and picturesque inside and out. The service is great and attentive. I highly recommend the enchiladas suizas and the taco platter. Definitely had a 5/5 experience!

Yarén de la Cruz

Google
The service was outstanding, our waiter was paying attention to our table and our needs. The food, man.. that food iss GOOOOODDD!!! I highly recommend the burger, I swear is the best I've ever had. The restaurant is beautiful and clean It is not cheap but it is worth it.

Adam Hart

Google
Nice Mexican restaurant on the edge of Old Town. Great selection of authentic dishes. My only regret is that I didn't try more tacos! Good cocktails, too! I suggest trying the Lowrider, a nice take on an old fashioned with mezcal.

Jennifer Bailey

Google
The atmosphere and vibe was very fun and aesthetically pleasing. The salsa sampler that comes with the chips (and if free with your meal) were very good. The margarita was good and the service was ok. I had the fish tacos and although it had good flavor and were filling, it came out Luke warm. The fish was mahi-mahi and was extra fishy, which usually isn’t a good sign. But the flavors and ingredients tasted great together, overall. This was a social media find, but I’m not sure I’d rush back. Glad we tried it though!

Abby M.

Yelp
So Awesome!!! Best food and drinks!! Highly recommend the tortilla service and the Cadillac!! We love Maile!!!

Evelyn T.

Yelp
Cody was our server this fourth of July, he was amazing. Super attentive, we never had to ask for more water. He was on it, and he kept checking up on us. The food was delicious, the fish tacos are a must try. The ambiance was super laid back and relaxed. If you are looking for a hidden gem in old town, this restaurant is a must try.

Emily H.

Yelp
we LOVED the food, ambiance, and especially the service! Miley made our girls' night so special and we will 100% be back for more
google avatar

Perry F.

Yelp
Fun Fun FUN! After seeing all the positive reviews we decided to give El Sueno a try. We arrived a bit early for our reservation but were still seated promptly which was nice. We had a variety of drinks and all were solid and tasty! Taylor was our server who was EXCEPTIONAL! Was attentive but not overbearing. She made sure we were happy with our food and service which was a resounding YES, YES! Guacamole was fresh as can be. The tortilla service with the butter honey was RIDICULOUS. The entrees were all on point, freshly prepared and served up hot and proper. Couldn't ask for more! Thank you
google avatar

Leslie B.

Yelp
I met up with a couple of friends on a Monday after work for happy hour. We had been looking for somewhere we could sit outdoors and that had happy hour specials. For those reasons, we chose El Sueño. The first thing that struck me was the lovely outdoor space full of plants. The seating are was spacious and comfortable, with plenty of shade. We arrived just about 5:30 and were readily greeted by our server. She told us about the happy hour menu, refilled our waters, and brought house chips and four different varieties of salsa. Service started out very strong, but as it got closer to 6, more diners entered, and it trailed off a bit. However, I was still able to order my second drink before 6PM happy hour cutoff time, though it took quite some time to come out. For the three of us, we ordered the elote, a chicken taco, a fish taco, guacamole, and dirty fries. I liked most of the food, but didn't try the dirty fries or the fish taco. I very much enjoyed the guacamole. I had two of the house margaritas with salt. They came in a beautiful glass with black Himalayan salt. They were not too sweet, but could have definitely used more tequila. Perhaps, when I return, I will order a different margarita. All in all, I enjoyed my time at El Sueño. The atmosphere was perfect for a summer evening, and they had a variety of happy hour options.
google avatar

Alyssa S.

Yelp
Still a great patio - and much more comfortable in June than in January (when the heater was not quite enough to feel cozy). The service at the beginning was pretty annoying - no one would make eye contact with us or bring us water for a good 15-20 mins until we finally got our great server Mason (who also helped us last time). He's fabulous and kept checking on us after for the rest of the night. It was also disappointing that the two things I came for: pan de elote and huarache - they were both out of! We got the elote, which was good but not as good as the corn bread. I did get the fish tacos which I really enjoyed. I got the Oh. Behave cocktail which is a hard horchata and which I'd wanted to try last time but they were out of. It was tasty but the menu didn't mention it was a frozen slushy cocktail, which is not really my thing; I thought it would just be Horchata + Coconut + Dark Rum up in a martini glass. I would try a different cocktail next time. Anyway, Mason is the best. The patio was not full of tourists but lots of young Mexican Americans out for a fun night. I like it here but wish they didn't run out of so much stuff and that you might get greeted by someone when you sit down. But we'll ask for Mason again next time and hope to have the other dishes again!
google avatar

Karen G.

Yelp
Round up your girlfriends for a very fun and delicious brunch! Even in the gloomiest and coldest of days, I would still recommend this restaurant! We came to El Sueño, to celebrate one of my girlfriends' bachelorette Sunday brunches. The day was gloomy, we had no reservations, there was no seating indoors, but the restaurant staff did their absolute best and graciously hosted our party of 8. They did not disappoint! They quickly cleaned our outdoor table, surrounded it with outdoor heaters, and promptly came by with menus, chips, salsa and drinks. Our party didn't even feel the cold weather, to tell you that much. The margaritas were HUGE, reasonably priced for the size, and had a perfect amount of tequila. The complimentary chips included a variety of salsas (red and green) from spicy, mild, and light (yes they offer a variety of complimentary salsas with your chips, not just one). All the salsa's were absolutely delicious!! At this point the DJ set up in the tiny elevated patio booth and began playing fun EDM tunes to brighten the mood. The dishes arrived shortly and were HUGE! Do not be fooled thinking that the tacos or quesadillas won't suffice, let me tell you they will! The tortillas are made with fresh dough (we could tell) and everything was simply spectacular! Our waitress ended our celebration with a sparkler for the bride and yummy watermelon shots for the table. All the girls had a blast under inclement weather! Would we have rather spent this day under the sun? Yes. Did we miss it while we were dining? No. Because the entire experience was so wonderful! Thank you El Sueño staff for hosting our party under such short notice!
google avatar

Michelle O.

Yelp
I've been seeing this restaurant pop up on my TikTok and instagram for a while now. So when I was in the area today, I knew I had to try it out. It's very cute and trendy. It has a couple of places to take cute pictures. The food we tried was good. But I definitely feel like this place is more of appetizers and drinks kinda of place. We got 3 shots and some appetizers. MEXICAN CANDY Tequila, Watermelon, Lime Hot Sauce ... 9 ELOTE Com, Quaso Cotija, Lime secret Seasoning, Mayo, Butter...11 MOLE CHICKEN WINGS Fried Chicken Wings tossed in our house made Mole Sauce ... 18 TOSTADA BITES Sautéed Tiger Shrimp Guacamole, Queso Cotija, Pickled Onion, Chipotie Mayo ...15 Chips and chili sauce The Mexican candy shot we got tasted like a jolly rancher. It was good. My daughter really enjoyed it. The chips and green and red chili sauce had a nice spice to it. The Mole wings were our favorite. We really enjoyed the wings. The mole had a slightly sweet taste to it. The shrimp Tostadas were kinda spicy but were really good! We all enjoyed the elote. My daughter ordered a Cesar salad ($13.00) and it never came out. When the waitress came over to see if we got everything she noticed we didn't get the salad. She said they were probably making the dressing and would go check on the salad. The salad never made it to our table. At this point. We were all done eating our appetizers. So we canceled the salad. The restaurant wasn't even packed. So I have no clue why the salad wasn't brought out with the rest of our food. When it was time to leave, the waitress took a shot off the bill ($9.00). We spent a total of $66.81 Overall, this place was ok. If I'm ever in this area again, I would probably stop by for some drinks and some appetizers.
google avatar

Tina A.

Yelp
Super excited to try out this little gem located in Old Town. Cute spot, nice and intimate. Also great for larger parties. However, in my opinion the food was ok. The shrimp was on the tough side and the rice and beans were meh. They were also out of the shot we wanted to try. In addition, service was slow as we had to ask for water more than once. There were 3 of us and we all thought it was okay. Not bad. Not great. Would I go back? Sure! If someone else is paying
google avatar

Michelle F.

Yelp
Dined in on a Friday afternoon just in time for the tail end of HH. Service started strong and then our waiter disappeared to be the bartender. The indoor space is dark and moody, and loud. The food: Mole chicken wings- cool concept. Just ok. Grilled Octopus- cooked right but it was very salty. Tacos: Mahi mahi/fish: really good, would order again. Carne asada: good, steak was thicker for carne asada. Al pastor: meat was dry and flavor was bland. Loved: -the three salsa options -fact they have Mexican wine on the menu -corn tortillas are good! Bad: -service, unattentive, mediocre -the overly seasoned octopus -dont order al pastor tacos We live in the city of amazing Mexican food. This is simply not it.
google avatar

Cassandra H.

Yelp
The rice, beans, guacamole, and pollo asada tacos were delicious but everything else was alright. Great time to go is during tacos tues. As for the service it seemed they may have been short staffed because tables around us were still dirty from previous customers it wasn't a very busy night but you could tell the servers were being stretched thin. They were still kind and attentive as much as they could be.
google avatar

Helen L.

Yelp
Can't go wrong with homemade fresh tacos, delicious high quality margaritas, not too sweet, all the dishes were well flavored. Excellent service, playlist and decor. Ordered steak fajitas, soft shell crab (very spicy, but so delicious) and queso birria tacos.
google avatar

Felina V.

Yelp
A little cocktail hour with my girls was just what the doctor ordered! We enjoyed round of drinks, chips and salsa, and some super yummy chunky guac. Immaculate vibes! Can't wait to come back for a full meal!
google avatar

Jordyn J.

Yelp
Margs were great! Flavorful. Love the atmosphere here. Definitely will come back to try some food since the drinks were so great.
google avatar

Charlotte B.

Yelp
I came here with a couple girls for HH and we had a great time! I went to their adjoining restaurant a couple weeks ago and knew I wanted to visit El Sueno soon! The ambiance is fantastic and their decor is lovely. I absolutely recommend sitting outside (they do have heaters). I love that they brought out 4 different salsas with the chips. Their guacamole was flavorful and had a great taste and texture to it. The rolled tacos were quite tasty and had a great crunch to them and I liked the toppings. The birria tacos had great flavor as well and were a bit dry and I wish it came with consomme. I did just get the single taco so I wonder if it comes with consomme with the plate. Our server was so so sweet and friendly. She was relatable and knowledgable about the menu. I told her I was looking for a rum drink so she went to ask the bartender if a certain drink can have substitutions. She came over to check on us multiple times throughout the night (almost too many times IMO lol). Great service! I would recommend coming here! Street or parking lot.
google avatar

Dawn M.

Yelp
Open late. Amazing food. Polite staff. What's not to love!? I really enjoyed the peaceful open-air patio.
google avatar

Christina M.

Yelp
good music and friendly staff, Hector at the bar throw in good drinks and delicious food means a nice relaxing afternoon for our last day enjoying San Diego We enjoyed a Cadillac margarita and Fortaleza neat one of their many tequilas available. But of course had to order chips and all their delicious tasty salsa. The Elote was tasty slightly spicy and juicy. Rolled tacos full of juicy flavorful chicken crunchy covered in marinated red onions some pico and a side of guacamole. First time here and will definitely be sure to come back.
google avatar

Dara T.

Yelp
We actually went here thinking it's Tako, but we were on the wrong floor. We kept it light since we still wanted to eat at Tako later. We order 2 appetizers and the carne asada street taco (comes in three). The appetizers were the mole chicken and the octopus. Both were good, but I've had better at other places. Octopus was soft, but a little more on the chewy side. It doesn't melt in your mouth and flavor was a little salty. The mole chicken just tasted like they threw it in mole sauce and popped it in the oven and that's it. It wasn't even flavorful. The tacos were good, but we had to wait an hour to get them. Overall spent about 1 hour just waiting for our food. Parking is on the side of the building towards the back on Wallace street. Overall, ambiance was really nice with indoor and outdoor seating areas. Overall, food wasn't worth the wait. Not much was memorable.
google avatar

Bailey G.

Yelp
Vito is THE BEST. So kind and helpful- food was amazing, patio is cute, does it get better for a GNO?
google avatar

Andrea M.

Yelp
I love it here. I've been with friends several times for Taco Tuesday- all day HH. I usually get the Cadillac Margarita and rolled tacos. Nick and Ryan are amazing bartenders. Ryan waits tables as well as the bar. He can't get pretty busy but stays on top of everything. There's a small parking lot around the restaurant, some street parking. Excellent customer service from everyone.
google avatar

Bouchra F.

Yelp
My husband and me went here for lunch and we loved it. Maile the bartender was amazing, she was so kind, welcoming and great at her job. She made us some awesome cocktails, Cadillac margaritas and blooming lotus. Our food was super delicious too, we had the grilled fish tacos and lobster tacos and we also had the rolled tacos and mole wings. Everything was excellent. Also they have all day happy hour on Tuesdays. I would highly recommend this place.

Adilene B.

Yelp
Truly Disappointing -- Won't Be Returning This was honestly a terrible experience from start to finish. We arrived within our reservation window and got a call from the hostess (who was kind and just doing her job) letting us know the kitchen was closing -- per the manager's request. Not a great first impression. Once seated, things only got worse. Our waitress treated us like an inconvenience. She wasn't friendly, didn't walk us through the menu, didn't check on our food, and completely ignored our need for refills. I asked for cheese on my dish -- it came without it, and no one followed up. What really bothered us was watching the same waitress enthusiastically serve a table of White men while giving our table of Latina women the cold shoulder. It felt uncomfortable and honestly discriminatory -- especially disappointing in a place that claims to serve Mexican food. Speaking of which, nothing tasted authentic. No aguas frescas? That should've been the first red flag. Mind you the reviews stating their food is good is not coming from POC so i'd take that with a grain of salt... which is the only seasoning the food had. I'll be calling the restaurant directly to share my concerns, but for now -- if you're a POC, I'd steer clear. You're not missing out.
google avatar

Arion R.

Yelp
Rarely do we write 5 star reviews but this establishment certainly earned one. We were greeted promptly and courteously by several staff members. The selection of salsas being brought out quickly was a nice treat since we walked in quite hungry. Nick was a very kind and patient server who was very knowledgeable about the menu. He made a special drink for our table which we appreciated big time. The food. The food was full of flavors from start to finish. The chef prepared great dishes that hit the spot
google avatar

Saadia P.

Yelp
Yummy food. Loved the rolled tacos. Server was extremely pleasant. Went there for my friends birthday and they were very kind to give us ice cream with churros that was very delicious. The place was cute and felt like we were in a courtyard with trees. Weather was perfect too. Good thing is they have their own parking.
google avatar

Rachel L.

Yelp
Had the most delicious cocktails "Polka Dot Bikini" and "Cactus Flower". Our waitress Mailie was so amazing and bubbly personality she was very sweet an helped us out a lot with drinks and her service really made our day even more enjoyable her personality is really hard to come by so thank you so much for your service and our food was phenomenal thank you we will definitely be back with friends !

Claudia H.

Yelp
The ambiance is nice, we sat outdoors and it was romantic and pretty. The food was a big disappointment however. It was flavorless and reminded me of cafeteria food. The choices are also very limited. I would come here again for a drink but definitely not to eat.
google avatar

Harper M.

Yelp
Had a super weird experience trying to get a table here. Arrived 30 minutes early (11 am) before opening to get sat for breakfast. Spoke to a manager and told him we'd be back at opening time. We arrive back at the hostess at 11:30 and tells us she can't seat us for another hour? We ended up leaving because the experience was just bizarre lol

Kallie D.

Yelp
WOW!!!! If I could give 10 stars I would!!! Maile was AY-MAY-ZINGGGG!!!!!!! Best drinks, best talks, best vibes! My drink was perfection and the talks - wow. I could talk to her all day!! If anything, come here for their #1 bartender that makes the most fire drinks!
google avatar

Natalie B.

Yelp
We had a large party here Sunday as sort of our "pre wedding" dinner. The restaurant was very accommodating of our group which was appreciated. The actual restaurant is stunning, the outside was such a vibe. Food was delicious as were drinks. We really loved the elote and the cornbread appetizers! As a surprise, they brought out congratulations shots for us at the end. We had such a nice time!
google avatar

Janai W.

Yelp
Cute little Mexican spot hidden in the heart of old town. Great spot for a girls night, date night, and if I had to guess hh (planning to check it out soon). My friend and I came for dinner on a Friday night, we made reservations, but there were a good amount of seats open. It took us a for the hosted to get us seated. When our time finally came we were sat outside, which was super cute - giving Tulum vibes. Thinking our wait was over, we then had to wait, what felt like an eternity, for our server. By the time she came around we were in the way to order. Threw in drink orders and grabbed the chicken mole and pan de elote for apps. Once our drink came service started to pick up - remaining that way the rest of the night. Our server was very knowledgeable and offered up some solid recommendations. We ended up getting the street tacos and birria tacos as our entrees, but thanks to the drinks, shots, and appetizers we were too full to make it past one so we have them boxed to go. They accidentally messed up my order, which they fixed immediately but also surprised us with a free round of shots for the mix up. Overall, this place is 100% worth checking out. I look forward to bringing my husband back so we can check out HH.
google avatar

W A.

Yelp
This place has potential, that it's not living up to. Decent food, but limited menu and high prices. Blonde bartender clearly didn't want to be there. Tried engaging in friendly simple convo, but acted like she couldn't be bothered, even while not busy. Somehow according to the front desk, all inside tables were booked until late at night, but the two hours I was there it was pretty empty inside. It probably needs a revamp with new management.
google avatar

Grace F.

Yelp
Great place for dinners with a group of friends or family. It's in a great area that's walkable around Old Town while you're waiting for your table or just want to spend the day and get a bite to eat. I've had a couple dinners here with a group of friends and the service has always been lovely. They also have a speakeasy, so I would recommend checking that out as well!
google avatar

Adriana C.

Yelp
I checked this place out on aSunday afternoon and there was no wait. We sat outside and weather was nice. You start with chips and 4 different salsas. I enjoyed two of them. We got elote, chicken flautas, a birria quesadilla, and the crispy rice. I kid you not everything was sooooo delicious 10/10. The quesadilla was huge. Margs were also very good. Check this place out.
google avatar

Tomas M.

Yelp
We were really excited to try this place after all the hype on TikTok, but unfortunately, it was a letdown. We went on a Saturday night and honestly wish we hadn't. The vibe was dead--nothing special at all. If they want to stand out in San Diego's competitive Mexican food scene, they definitely need to step up their music, food, drinks, and overall atmosphere. First red flag: what kind of Mexican restaurant doesn't have horchata or any aguas frescas? LOL That was just the start of our disappointment. The food itself was underwhelming and way overpriced. Sadly, I wouldn't come back or recommend this place. Our waitress was sweet, but the food and drinks were just bland and forgettable. The staff was okay, not particularly welcoming, but that wasn't even the biggest issue--the lackluster vibe and disappointing food were the real deal-breakers. Even the chips and salsa disappointed. The salsa was good but the chips weren't even cooked right super chewy.
google avatar

Kyle D.

Yelp
5 Stars - Living the Dream at El Sueño If El Sueño means "The Dream," then please do NOT wake me up! Especially if Maile is behind the bar. She's part bartender, part drink whisperer, and all-around legend. Every recommendation she gave was spot on, specificially her spicy margarita. Hands down, best in town. Perfectly balanced, dangerously smooth, and possibly magical. The vibe is fun and Maile is the reason I'll be back weekly (don't tell my liver). Do yourself a favor: sit at the bar, trust Maile, and let the dream begin.
google avatar

Karen W.

Yelp
El Sueño is a relatively new restaurant in Old Town. The restaurant interior is beautifully decorated and there's plenty of seating on the patio. Lindsey was our server. She was attentive and helpful. They bring you chips and 4 kinds of salsa. 2 are mild and 2 spicy. All were flavorful and distinct. We ordered Al Pastor Tacos and Queso Birria Tacos. The tacos were tasty, brimming with bright flavors. The Al Pastor tacos were topped with micro cilantro leaves. All the tacos were served piping hot. The only disappointment of the meal was the rice and beans which were not even lukewarm warm. They need to have better quality control over the basics. The quantity of food served was good. The menu is simple yet varied. We'll be back in the not too distant future to try other items.
google avatar

Sydni S.

Yelp
I love a restaurant with complimentary chips and salsa but El Sueño is even better because they give you 4 kinds! The verdes were my favorite but we loved them all. The california burrito was really good but the surprise scene stealer was the tortilla service which came with honey chili butter. It was pretty cheap and gave the perfect balance of sweet and savory. The service was great as well and the food came out very fast on a Friday night. We sat on the patio and it looks like it would be a fun place to have a big group.
google avatar

Sarah M.

Yelp
Absolutely loved it here! Ate here with my family and had an amazing time. The outdoor patio area was so cute and inviting. Our server was wonderful, food & drinks were great quality. My drink - Que Rico - was really tasty and refreshing. Really enjoyed the chips & salsa and the enchiladas Del Mar!
google avatar

Arthur R.

Yelp
They changed how they fix lobster enchilada. Not near as good and don't get the lobster you used to. Too expensive for what you now get
google avatar

Kaloni S.

Yelp
I've heard great things about this place so decided to give it a try! I love that there is a parking lot for the restaurant. During the week reservations aren't necessary, but they're easy to make online if needed. There's both inside and outside seating available. Staff were very attentive and welcoming. The decor is super cute outside! Food was bombbbb. There is a newer speakeasy right above the restaurant named Tako that I'm excited to try soon. Definitely worth giving this place a try if you're in the area. Food review: Complimentary chips and salsa: (5/5) The chips are perfectly cooked and seasoned. They give you 4 different house salsas to choose from. All very different in flavor, but super tasty! Enchiladas suizas: (5/5) These were soooo delicious. It comes with 2 enchiladas and they are very filling and flavorful. Birria tacos: (5/5) Equally as delicious. They're on the smaller side, but packed with flavor. It comes with a side of rice and beans.
google avatar

Brooks W.

Yelp
Disappointed Doesn't Even Cover It. We were seated early--which was the highlight of the night. Unfortunately, it went downhill fast. When we asked if the kids' burrito could be made with black beans instead of pinto, the waiter flat-out said no--even though black beans were clearly listed on the menu. What the actual hell? When my wife said we needed a minute to look over the menu, he took that as a cue to disappear for twenty. We never got our drinks. To make matters worse, they sat us directly under blaring EDM speakers. Not only was the music objectively terrible, but putting young kids right under pounding speakers? Come on. When I finally went to ask the waiter what was going on, he gave a weak apology and basically told us we could "just go." So we did. The fresh guacamole and honey butter tortillas were the only bright spot--two stars for that and that alone. But everything else left a bad taste in our mouths. We were really looking forward to this spot, and we walked away annoyed, hungry, and totally disappointed.
google avatar

Katie O.

Yelp
Best place in old town! Our bartender Hector gave us the best service! He checked in on us to make sure we enjoyed our drinks and food! He even offered to take pictures of my group before we asked! I'm excited to come back and I will definitely be looking for Hector's service!
google avatar

Ellen L.

Yelp
The food was great, but not excellent. It could've come out hotter and fresher the tacos could've had more cheese and the salad on the fish tacos could've been crispy, but the guacamole was good and so were the fresh chips. They bring you several salsa in different heats, which is really nice and they were all really good as well. The service is good, but for some reason, the server thought we were only going to give her a three dollar tip so she gave us attitude when an actuality we gave her a 20% tip. So that was a bummer. La piñata was previously in the space so el sueno is a nice change. Mezcal and tequila tasting and some very interesting drinks one of the best margaritas I've ever had. Great Mexican beer cheese from. In my opinion, this is a restaurant for the younger crab based on the drink menu. But I think anybody would like trying out some of the food. The prices were typical San Diego so if you're gonna have a couple drinks, expect to pay at least 80 bucks per person with tax and tip
google avatar

Nastaran M.

Yelp
Came here after Tako. The service was way better here. Hector our bartender made the best drinks and made our celebration fun. Thank you so much.
google avatar

Julianna A.

Yelp
Went to El Sueño for food and drinks & Tako for drinks! El Sueño Review The vibes here were super cute--loved the greenery and cozy lighting, definitely a great spot for a night out with friends. The chips, salsa, and guac were solid, but the tacos and drinks were just okay. Nothing bad, just nothing super memorable either. Tako (Speakeasy) Review Now this was the highlight of the night! The drinks at Tako were way better than at El Sueño. I got the one on fire, and it was such a cool experience--and actually tasted amazing too. The whole speakeasy vibe was giving exactly what we needed, and music was great! Would I come back? Maybe for the ambiance and definitely for the speakeasy drinks, but I'd probably skip the food next time.
google avatar

Karina G.

Yelp
Made a Saturday 8pm reservation to celebrate a birthday. We checked in at 7:50pm, we weren't seated until 9:15pm. Our food came out cold, we were given the wrong drinks and all deserts were sold out when we tried to order.
google avatar

Oscar H.

Yelp
Good atmosphere . Great drinks. All the workers greeted us super friendly am definitely coming back
google avatar

Joseph L.

Yelp
If your visit to this establishment was prompted by a TikTok recommendation, it may be worth considering the increasingly blurred line between genuine enthusiasm and sponsored content. I've assigned three stars: one for the thoughtfully curated ambiance, one for the notably courteous staff, and one--grudgingly--for effort. The beverages were adequate, if unremarkable. However, those in pursuit of authentic Mexican cuisine would be well-advised to look elsewhere. Discretion compels me to say only this: the food, it was consumed.
google avatar

Tim T.

Yelp
This was my first time here. My family has been coming to this location for over 20 years and when it went out of business this place took it over I have to say I love what they did with the decor and the upstairs and the food and salsas and chips are unbelievable. Make a reservation and come here.