Being so close to Mexico, San Diego is one of the top cities in the United States to eat Mexican food. San Diego’s got some of the best burritos, tacos, mariscos, and more, and in this series, we’re highlighting the best Mexican food in San Diego specific to whatever you may be craving. The first in our series is Mexican-style brunch. Where can you go for the best chilequiles or breakfast tacos in San Diego? Keep reading for 5 of the best.
1. Talavera Azul
This Mexican breakfast spot is just 7 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border in Chula Vista. The owner, Enrique Román Curiel, serves up TJ-inspired plates, like their most popular, Chilaquiles, that come in a variety of salsas (Poblano, Mole, Verde, Rojo, and Chipotle). They’re served with a size of homestyle potatoes and refried beans. For something spicy, order machaca served with potatoes and eggs, and wash it all down with a traditional Mexican beverage, cafe de olla, a spiced coffee made with a sugar syrup called piloncillo.
Location: 365 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910
2. Ponto Lago
Take a trip to Baja California without the drive at Ponto Lago at the Park Hyatt Aviara. The restaurant is upscale, serving brunch plates and specialty cocktails made with mezcal and tequila. Their brunch, aptly titled, Baja Brunch, features a rotating set of menu items from Concha French Toast, mariscos like Ceviche and Oysters, Churros, Mexican hot chocolate, and delicious cocktails like their build your own Blood Mary or Margarita Flights. Their brunch is every Sunday from 11:30am to 2:30pm and costs $68 per person.
Location: 7100 Aviara Resort Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92011
3. Cocina 35
A modern location on the circuit, don’t skip Cocina 35 if you’re in the mood for great Mexican food in San Diego. The interior is beautiful, with a showstopping cherry blossom tree that brings all the Spring vibes and they have a self-declared “best chilaquiles in town,” that are stacked tall and come with different toppings. Their best-seller, the Los Rancheros, is topped with chorizo or Al Pastor with grilled pineapples and crispy Al Pastor, plus their Divorciadas let’s you pick two salsas. For those with a sweet tooth, their Pancakes De La Feria is served with creamy cajeta envinada (a Mexican caramel sauce), and fresh berries and grilled turkey and eggs on the side. All of their platters are on display when you first walk in, so you’ll be able to choose with confidence.
Location: Various locations
4. Cocina De Barrio
A beautiful restaurant that does beautiful plates of Oaxacan-style Mexican food and specialty cocktails in San Diego. One of their signature drinks are there popsicle cocktails in different flavors like Horchata, which are as tasty and they are pretty. They’ve got pancakes like Arroz con Leche and Marzapan Pancakes, Churros French Toast, plus Sopes Benedicts and Huevos Oaxaqueños. On Sundays they’re open from 10am-4pm and they have brunch all day.
Location: Various locations
5. King & Queen Cantina
King and Queen Cantina has a huge menu, but their brunch menu is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-2pm. Mimosa flights and mimosa towers are available, they’ve got a variety of chilaquiles available in different sauces plus meats like Al Pastor, Birria, Chicken, and Pork Belly. Grab a stack of Churro Pancakes, dig into a Birria Benedict, or a platter of Carne Asada with refried beans, chilaquiles, topped with a sunny side-up egg and a grilled nopal.
Location: 1490 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
That’s our guide, a mix of more traditional-style Mexican restaurants and more upscale and modern restaurants doing Mexican brunch. From Birria Benedicts to Al Pastor Chilaquiles topped high with delicious salsa, cheese, and avocado, check out one of these best Mexican brunch spots in San Diego and let us know what you think?