I remember the first time we visited San Diego years ago. We went to Old Town & just happened to stop at Casa de Bandini for a margarita, ordering a grande, not realizing their mediums were the size of grandes elsewhere. The food was not outstanding to say the least (it was O.K.) but the margaritas were killers & the atmosphere was festive. Sitting in the California sun on the Casa de Bandini patio sipping a margarita was heaven (we travel from Alaska) - can't get enough of that sunshine. We fell in love with San Diego & now go every year. Our first stop of very visit is Old Town. There is much more to San Diego then Old Town but it has always been a major location for us on very visit & it will be a sad day if & when the contact is let to some major outside corporation and the Bazaar & all those restaurants disappear to be replaced by who knows what. Barbara on this thread reminded me of this possibility that we heard about on our last visit. I saw her comment & couldn't help but respond. We were so hoping it wouldn't happen.

Shea, it looks as though it will happen, but from what I read in the Union Tribune, Diane Powers has identified another location in San Diego, the old police HQ adjacent to Seaport Village, which she thinks would be a good area for her. Check out this link for up-to-date info:

http://bazaardelmundo.com/LeaseInfo.html

Another vote for Chuey's, although the new building doesn't have the flair of the old one. Food is still great, though. I used to drive past the old Chuey's on Sunday morning to see the guys lined up for menudo. Best hangover remedy in the world!

Thanks Barbara. How sad. I haven't been keeping up on the lawsuit over the awarding of the contract. I did write a letter to the editor of the Union Tribune when we visited last time but apparently all the support about leaving a successful operation alone is falling on deaf ears in Sacramento. If they think this authenticity thing is going to draw a bigger crowd I think they are wrong. I know some think it is too touristy now & somehow they think they are going to continue to bring in the tourist dollars along with dollars from the locals but it is going to be much worst with Delaware North's & some other supporters with the authenticity idea. As it now stands it has color, good food, & shopping. Bringing in high end retail stores & changing the landscape won't work - the atmosphere will be lost forever. There are other places in San Diego to shop why go to a place with wandering folks in costume dress. As a western Williamsburg it won't work. It will become one of those places where people visit one time & never return. Now many times will a person want to do a tour of a historic hotel such as where Casa de Bandini is located. Personally I wouldn't want to do it once but we visit the restaurant several times each visit. My wife & I, as two, will have no reason to visit Old Town again. Chuey's may be getting another customer.

The best place to go is Old Town. There are lots of great Mexican places there, and they all have huge margaritas that are excellent. I would recommend Casa De Bandini and Casa De Pico- both are very popular and right in the middle of Old Town. Don't bother with chain restaurants like Chevy's, El Torito, and Acapulco. You can find them anywhere and you will be missing out on the great Mexican food San Diego has to offer.

Thanks for all the exellent advice. We will only be there for a couple of days, so we will have to make some tough choices.

kristeng - I agree about places like Chevy's et. al. These places definitely don't make the grade.