Gringo's Cantina y Cocina
San Diego, CA 92109-3920
Phone: (858) 490-2877
- Price:
- $$
- Best of Citysearch:
- College Scene 2007, Margarita 2007
- Hours:
- Sun-Wed 11am-10pm , Thu-Sat 11am-11pm
Editorial Review for Gringo's Cantina y Cocina – by Michael Alarcon
The Scene
When out-of-town guests come in for a visit or if you just have a special occasion to celebrate, this is the go-to restaurant in Pacific Beach. Unlike the beach hut-themed restaurants up Garnet, Gringo's space is elegant and modestly designed with Spanish-style furnishings and a sleek, but never generic atmosphere.
The Food
While there's nothing new here (everything is relatively recognizable), the kitchen is good at taking a traditional dish and making it their own with technique and seasonings. Two good examples are the Conchita Pibil - Yucatan-style baked pork in banana leaves in an achiote marinade - and the Pescado a la Parilla of grilled swordfish topped with papaya-black bean salsa on a bed of Mexican pilaf. Of course, the restaurant is also a great place for drinks and appetizers on a hot day: a couple of the bar's mojitos and an order of nachos is a hard afternoon to top.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
When to GoSunday when the restaurant's brunch kicks off. For a little less than $20, this all-you-can-eat buffet is one of the best morning deals in town with appetizers, entrees and deserts that rival anything on the dinner menu.
What to DrinkTry one of the bar's city-renown specialty margaritas made with the restaurant's homemade mix and over 100 premium brands of tequila from all over the world.
User Reviews for Gringo's Cantina y Cocina
06/14/2008 Posted by topballs
awful food,service ,and everything about it was awful .You couldn;t pay me to go to this place I love mexican food and this place ruined it . Don"t waste your hard earned money go to taco bell or even del taco.
Pros: margarita
Cons: everything was bad but alchol is alchol it cant be bad hahaha
03/04/2008 Posted by sadielizz
From the outside Gringo's looks really cool. Even the inside boasts a really cool atmosphere. We visited Pacific Beach for the 1st time to explore the area and enjoy a night away from L.A. Sadly, the atmosphere alone could not overcome the less than mediocre food. As an example, the table-side guacamole came with canned diced jalapeņos. We requested fresh diced jalapeņos and received a 2nd bowl of the canned stuff. What Mexican restaurant doesn't have fresh jalapeņos on hand? Not sure that Pacific Beach has anything better to offer, but if you want good food, don't go to Gringo's.
Pros: atmosphere, heaters on the porch
Cons: food, margaritas
Users Like You Also Viewed
LIMONZ mexican taco
978 Garnet Ave
San Diego, CA 92109
Ruth's Chris Steak House
1355 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
