Good Mexican Restaurants in San Diego?
 

After hearing that our favorite restaurants, Casa de Bandini and Casa de Pico, are no longer in Old Town, we are so sad!!! Some great memories are dining there, sipping on margaritas, listening to the Marachi band, while eating dinner outdoors. We don't find anything like that in Utah!! Any suggestions of reasonable good mexican restaurants, especially with outdoor dining available?

Absolutely. The Gudalajara Grill is still in Old Town. A bit further out, in south Escondido, is a great place called Hacienda de Vega. I have to give all the credit for finding this place to Fodorite dwooddon. No Mariachi band, but great margaritas and food and a beautiful garden setting. Here's the web address:

www.haciendadevega.com

El Agave in Old Town! This is genuine Mexican, not touristy Mexican.

My thanks to karebear. I am always searching for authentic Mexican food and since I will be staying near Old Town, I will check out El Agave.

The only place in Old Town I ate at was some Rockin' Baja place? Lunchtime buffet, very Americanized. I didn't go back.

El Agave is famous for its tequila selection. And the food is good, too.

Barbara, i'll be in Escondido this weekend and the Hacienda de Vega sounds (and looks) good.. can you give me an idea if it is high or medium priced? (friends not willing to splurge).. also... is it a far drive from Old Town to Escondido? thanks!!

El Agave in Old Town!!! Very authentic Mexican food...

Hi..
Just had lunch at Hacienda de Vega and it was outstanding....Gorgeous outside patio and lovely waterfall and they have a Peruvian Band on Friday and Saturday..
I want to thank Barbara and all the other wonderful Fodorites for putting it out there..
They serve hearty corn chips with 4 different hot sauces with one being tomatillo and the other were 3 red hot sauces while you wait for your meal...On their lunch special that appears to be constant, they a (3) bean tostada's for $5 and (3) Snapper Ceviche tostada's for $8..I had the queso de vega $6 and it was served with fresh corn/flour tortillas and big bowl of guacamole, DH had pork tacos that were served enchilada style with excellent rice and beans $10..
It took us awhile to find it but it was right in front of our eyes right off 15/Centre City Pkwy..a block down from the famous Christmas store, Cantebury Gardens.
I can't wait to go back!

TT, glad you enjoyed! we've been several times now.

Callalilli, I'm so sorry. I was out of town when you posted and so I missed your question. I would say low to medium pricing, definitely not high.

We'll be eating there for the first time tomorrow.