Old Town Mexican Cafe Review

Old Town Mexican Cafe Review

Jesse Bluma at Pointe Viven. All rights reserved.

Pat, pat, pat, pat, pat.  Hear the sound of handmade tortillas being made.  The fresh dough patted back-and-forth by the artisan tortilla makers in the window of Old Town Mexican Cafe.  Customers buzz in and out, waiters bustling about, and a football game on the bar televisions.

This is the restaurant in San Diego, California I have been meaning to write about for quit some time.  I have frequented Old Town going back to childhood, including family vacations, school field trips, and Boy Scout outings to the missions.  This is the home of the first Spanish settlement in California, making it the origins and birthplace of the state.  This is a must do to gain a historic and contemporary understanding of the state and its culture, including missions, state parks, museums, eateries, shopping, the historic cemetery, activities, a "haunted" home, and more.

*I would not say the Whaley House is haunted...although the fan I saw in an upper bedroom did provide a nice breeze.  Old Town is also where my sister and I spotted and met Zachery Ty Bryan and Jonathan Taylor Thomas from the TV program Home Improvement.  (If I find the photos I will post them.)  No guarantee you will meet celebrities in town, although if you live in the area or are visiting check out Old Town Mexican Cafe and the surrounding sites.

Bob Estrada, Herb Lizalde, and J.D. Dahlin are the long time owners of the cafe.  "These old world traditions are what ignited the wide array of dining choices at Old Town Mexican Cafe in the early 1980s. The explosion of culinary dishes lead to a long and loyal following by locals and visitors alike. With the growing popularity came the need for expansion which is why you will see today the growth of the restaurant to encompass 2 large dining areas one outdoor with with a covered patio and one indoor built perfectly for large parties." 

My Recommendations

 1.  Check Old Town Mexican Cafe’s social media for events and specials.

 2.  The restaurant is located on San Diego Avenue--parking is located adjacent to the restaurant.  Although, you may wish to park in one of the nearby free lots for easier access. 

3.  Peak season in San Diego is from May through November.  Traffic and wait time gets congested.  You may wish to visit during the off-season.  (*Often going at the peak times to restaurants you get ignored or the food is not up to standard.  I always suggest avoiding the busiest of times anywhere.)

4.  Take a moment to watch and appreciate the artisan tortilla makers.  Watch as the batter is mixed, the dough is patted down, and stacks of corn and flour tortillas are produced for eating, turing into chips, tacos, and more.

5.  Ask to eat on the patio, weather and temperature permitting.  

6.  Order one corn and one flour tortilla for each person at your table.  These are some of the few corn tortillas I will eat.  

 7.  You may wish to order tortillas to go as well.

Old Town Mexican Cafe is located at the address 2489 San Diego Avenue in San Diego, California 92110.

 

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Credits: http://oldtownmexcafe.com/ and youtube.com/user/Noahwonderland