Old Town Mexican Cafe

Doesn't Recommend

Diego A.

Joined 1 year ago

Horrible service.. I used to love this place. I went back here last week and didn't even make it past the host stand. The hostess called my table, so I got in the line to the host stand. From the time it took me to get in line and get to the front, about 1 minute, the host had already given my table away. She informed me that I would have to wait another 30 minutes. I told her what had happened, the only reply she would give me was she gave my table away, and she couldn't have had a bigger smile. After her repeating that to me and not answering anything I said, I finally left. I tried to contact the establishment that night after I ate elsewhere and of course have not heard back. That marks the last time I go there or tell one of my friends to go there ever again. Horrible experience. Worst service, and the management could care less. They probably thought I was a tourist, as that seems what they have become geared for.

Doesn't Recommend

ciscodan

Joined 2 years ago

Worst I have ever had!. Out of 5 Stars:

Food: 1

Service: 2

Atmosphere: 2

By far, the worst salsa I have ever tasted. Think of water with a hint of tomato

Tortillas are great.

I ordered the carne asada dinner and had to send it back because it only had the flavor of burnt, dirty grill.

I definitely do not recommend this restaurant.

Doesn't Recommend

goethe28

Joined 6 years ago

Not Great.... My husband and I were originally enticed by this restaurant because of its homemade tortillas which is not something you find in every Mexican restaurant but the food itself was pretty lousy.

I ordered the fajitas and the chicken meat (which was ALL white meat) had absolutely ZERO flavor, the guacamole and salsa were tasteless, and the margaritas were ridiculously watered down.

Love Old Town, love spending time there but we will not come back to this tourist trap! This place gives authentic Mexican food a bad name.

Doesn't Recommend

CSMobileUser

Joined 5 years ago

It appeals to tourists.... That's the only reason this place is in business. Anyone remotely familiar with mexican food will find this place mediocre. The service is awful, the wait is not worth it.

Doesn't Recommend

sd103

Joined 4 years ago

Why anyone goes here is a mystery. First of all, remember where you are. This restaurant is in old town and caters mainly to out-of-towners who probably won't be back soon. The service is absolutely terrible and the long waits are not worth it for the quality and taste of the food. Take it from a local, if you're looking for good mexican there are lots of other places besides this.

Recommends

TheBestCritic

Joined 8 years ago

Outstanding Mexican Food; brave the crowds, it's worth it!. My wife and I were visiting from Houston, TX, and we actually felt we'd be dissappointed coming from a state who's Mexican food is the best in the land. However, we were greatly suprised with OTMC!!

The tortillas are fabulous and served too hot to handle, Texas could learn a lesson from these babies. We had guacomole and ceviche as starters and both were outstanding. Having been to El Agave two nights before where the avacodos were hard as green pears, we were concerned but ordered anyway. It couldn't have been better! The ceviche was very good, but not excellent. It contained only white fish (like the munu stated), but had great flavor and plenty of fish, unlike those that try to strech it by adding too much tomatoes and onion.

My wife designed her own plate with a chicken enchallida, a cheese enchallida, and a tostado. She was extremely impressed and didn't leave a morsel. I had the carnitas platter; unlike Texas carnitas it didn't have any sauce served on it, but the pork as tasty as it was.

After two margaritas each and the meal described above we walked out for $65 (including tip), feeling we had just finished a meal fit for a "Mexican" king. Two nights before we left El Agave with a $144 tab, and not nearly as impressed with the food quality.

Again, this comes from a couple of Texan's who eat Mexican food in restaurants at least 3 times a week. Next time in San Diego, we'll have OTMC on our agenda for a couple of nights.

Recommends

moonbeam2

Joined 6 years ago

Good food; Fun place. We went there on a busy Saturday night. Although we had a 40 min wait, we grabbed drinks and snacked on chips to pass the time. In the end, the food and experience was well worth it. The spinach enchilada, also with mushrooms and squash, was relatively light (for hearty Mexican food standards) and tasty. The waitress was attentive, and they even had a live guitar/singing duo come play (for tips). I recommend trying this place. And don't forget to order a churro for dessert!

Doesn't Recommend

lizzynval

Joined 5 years ago

disappointed. This was actually our 2nd visit, and we wont be going back. While our server was friendly, the food was not very good this time around. We actually took a friend because we where very happy with the food the first time . I actually sat in what seem to be the patio/extended area, which felt like they didnt know where to seat us. Our guest ordered the specialty carnitas plate, the biggest disappointment.

Recommends

notasurfer

Joined 7 years ago

One of the Best. So the wait for a table is longer than ever herebut the tortillas and the fresh margs are absolutely worth the wait. Last time we were here was a cousin's birthday: We had eight people, 4 pitchers of margaritas, never ending guacamole and ended up making friends with all the people at neighboring tables by the end of our dinner. I've been going here since I was a kid, and have yet to be let down by food or atmosphere.

Recommends

jomarkumar423

Joined 6 years ago

Average at Best. My friend recently came from out of town, and wanted to get some Mexican food. We had heard that this was the place to take people, so we checked it out. The Menu is pretty big, and our server was very friendly. However, the food we got here wasn't anything mind blowing by any means. We actually talked to some police officers who said most tourist go there, and if you can, check out something else. I guess we'll know better next time.