Jun
22

Dining Spotlight: Mission Valley/Old Town

Courtney by Courtney
 

Discover San Diego’s Neighborhoods with our Summer Sweepstakes. Join us every week as we showcase the best in what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in some of San Diego’s unique neighborhoods. Be sure to check back for exciting insider tips, giveaways, and more! This week’s spotlight is on centrally-located Mission Valley and historic Old Town.

Mission Valley and Old Town are adjacent to each other, but they have two distinct dining communities. Mission Valley is a prime location for family-friendly fare and well-known restaurant chains. When it comes to authentic Mexican food in San Diego, there’s no better place than Old Town. Here are a few of our favorite restaurants in Mission Valley/Old Town:

Sammy's Caprese Pizza

Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza

An upscale casual family-friendly restaurant featuring gourmet pizzas, savory pastas, and tasty tapas.  Heralded as the “Best Gourmet Pizza” according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Sammy’s is a local favorite.

Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant

Serving handcrafted beer and bold made-from-scratch American cuisine, Gordon Biersch in Mission Valley offers something for the whole family.  Love a cold brewsky?  Gordon Biersch holds tasting events around their seasonal brews.

Outdoor dining at Casa de Reyes

Casa de Reyes

Just steps away from the Fiesta de Reyes stage, be entertained by energetic mariachis or traditional folklorico dancing while you dine at Casa de Reyes.  Watch out for the 58 oz. El Jeffe margarita and the Hot Licks Suicide Verde Pork Burrito, a dish so (spicy) hot that you have to sign a waiver to eat. Both items will knock you off your feet.

Café Coyote

A family restaurant with a festive atmosphere. Strolling Mariachis entertain while tortilla-makers prepare fresh tortillas the traditional way, a mano (by hand). Café Coyote also has an in-house Tequila Ambassador to guide guests through their selection of more than 100 tequilas.

Rockin' Baja's famous seafood bucket

Rockin’ Baja Coastal Cantina

A Puerto Nuevo-style restaurant known for big buckets of king crab, shrimp, and lobster available in eight different combinations, and all prepared Baja style. Rockin’ Baja features not one, but two Happy Hour menus: Mon. to Fri. from 3:00 to 6:00 pm in the bar, and Late Night from 9:00 pm to close, seven days a week.

We want you to enjoy Rockin’ Baja Coastal Cantina. Comment below by Monday, June 27, 2011 at 10:00 am and get entered to win a $50 gift certificate to Rockin’ Baja. Tell us, where do you love to dine in Mission Valley/ Old Town?

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CATEGORIES: Dining & Restaurants, Family Vacations, Insider Tips
  • http://www.sandiego.org Courtney

    Congratulations to Sarina! You won the $50 Rockin’ Baja gift certificate.

  • Sarina

    haven’t tried everything yet but as of right now, we love Cafe Coyote!! I love hanging out in Old Town.

  • Kelli

    I have never been to Old Town (just moved) but that pizza looks to die for! May have to make a trip there sooner rather than later…

  • http://facebook mary s

    Our family likes to take the Trolley Tour soon and our favorite restaurant in Old Town is Rockin Baja Lobster afterwards. We also love the Old Town Mexican Cafe and take home freshly made tortillas when we go.

  • http://www.dailydealsformoms.com Jen Ocheltree

    Oooh…Havent been down in a while, but I cant wait to go back! Craving the buckets at Rockin’ Baja! I also have a sentimental place in my heart for Lino’s if it is still there….Used to go there all the time as a kid with family!

  • Kellie

    Casa de guadalajara

  • Tracy

    The Old Town Mexican Cafe is a great place to eat and a great value as well.

  • Sandy Smith

    Brought my daughter and granddaughter in June for the first time. They loved it; especially Old Town. My husband and I are returning in late August. We’re Oklahomans who love your hospitality! Thank you!

  • Aimee

    Love the restaurants in Old Town and Mission Valley. So many to choose from so little time.

  • kim

    Haven’t tried Rockin coastal but always enjoyed their other locations – time to give it a try..

  • Oreet Herbst

    Your great writeup is making me hungry!! Now planning to take the family to Old Town for Mexican for dinner :-)

  • kim

    Margaritas at any of the restaurants in old town rock – sushi at Harney’s always makes the evening ! Gordon Biersch drinks and live music make a fun night out….

  • Dhill

    Cosmopolitan is a great new addition. Love the patio. In Mission Valley – Bully’s is a classic. Martini’s and steak.

  • Andrea powell

    My husband and son love the crab bucket. We will be there next week and I can’t wait!

  • Jon Hall

    Never been to any of them … let’s change that !!!

  • Greg

    Hop on the Amtrak, Old Town stop, enjoy a drink or two, some great food, back on the train and you’ve enjoyed a great day in San Diego!!
    Best carnitas – Old Town Mexican Cafe!!

  • Jennifer

    Rockin’ Baja Coastal Cantina!! =)

  • Sue

    I haven’t been there in so long, couldn’t tell you my favorite! But we will be there for a week next month and be able to try some of these places mentioned.

  • Brittney wong

    I love coastal cantina!!!

  • http://facebook Doris S

    <3 Rockin Baja seafood buckets and dinners at old Town Mexican Cafe! In Mission Valley we always go to Pat & Oscars!

  • Kristen M

    I’m not sure if it’s technically in the Old Town neighborhood but we love Luche Libre Taco Shop.

  • Elizabeth

    I love Pei Wei! Also love Mexican so would like to try Rockin’ Baja!!

  • Susie

    There is something good everywhere we go in San Diego!

  • Jennifer

    Just moved from Mission Valley! So Gordon Biersch was right around the corner, I had so many good times there with friends! You can’t go wrong with any Mexican restaurant in Old Town!

  • Rene’ May

    Love Old Town and Old Town Mexican Cafe has excellent food. Haven’t tried Rockin Baja! There was a restraunt called Hamburgasa but I didn’t see it last time I went to Old Town they had the best margaritas!!!

  • http://facebook Andrea

    My family and I always go to Freds in Old Town…Great food…Great Atmosphere!!!! Love it!!!!

  • http://Facebook Wendy M Reed

    We have always enjoyed eating at King’s Fish House in Mission Valley and Casa Guadalajara in Old Town!
    Since we will be visiting San Diego in August, it would be fantastic to win the $50.00 gift certificate to Rockin’ Baja Cantina, which we have yet to try!

  • Jason Watson

    I love going to El Coyote in old town! We haven’t been to Rockin Baha yet but it’s definitely on my list!

  • Claudia Gomez

    Whenever I visit my best friend in San Diego, we like to take an afternoon stroll through the streets of Old Town San Diego and enjoy visiting the little boutiques and shops. The whole atmosphere is a unique reminder of how life was within the past century. Our night always ends at Casa de Reyes with a delicious margarita (or two) and dinner complimented by the live music. Don’t get me wrong, I love Rockin’ Baja, I have one close by where I live (La Quinta), their happy hour is one to beat, and for me to win this gift card would only add to another evening filled with memorable moments with the ones I love :)

  • Marilyn McCall

    We live in the Phoenix area but every time we go to San Diego we have to go to El Agave. It’s our favorite restaurant because my husband is recognized and treated as if we were there every week instead of once or twice a year. The atmosphere is quiet and elegant in a rustic way while the food is just delicious.

  • Bruce Geller

    I’ve been eating at the The Old Town Mexican Cafe for years, they are favorite restaurant in Old Town. Rockin’ Baja Coastal Cantina sound’s good – I’d like to try it.

  • Geoff

    Casa Guadalajara

  • Nancy

    We are from N.C. and visited San Diego last year. Cafe Coyote was absolutely the best Mexican food we’ve ever had. The atmosphere was wonderful, too!

  • Bruce Geller

    Rockin’ Baja Coastal Cantina

  • JERI GELLER

    The Old Town Mexican Cafe is my favorite, but I would love to try the Rockin’ Baja Coastal Cantina. I liked their FB page and checked out their menu. I’d love to try some of their Lobster Corn Chowder right now! Yummy!

  • Chris Brake

    Love taco Tuesday at Café Coyote. Great blog post of some great places to eat, good job SanDiego.org. :)

  • Erica

    LOVE Cafe Coyote!

  • Jeanette

    Im not from San Diego, but me and my boyfriend are going for 4th of July. Im so excited. A gift card to a restaurant would really help our budget :D We love Italian food so we will definitely be trying Sammy’s

  • Shelby

    Harney Sushi! I love this place because you can get Mexican food and drinks and try sushi in the same neighborhood! I love it!

  • Maureen

    I like rockin baja!

  • Laura

    Love San Diego! Headed there in July! Would love to win a dinner for our upcoming trip!

  • Katina

    I Love everything about Old Town!!

  • jenn huff

    haven’t been able to dine in old town yet but will be doing so next week on my first real trip to san diego.

  • Katie

    Sammy’s is great. Can’t wait to try the other places you recommend!