La Palapa Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Lakeside

Disclosure: My wife's family owned this restaurant for decades, but sold it to some friends a few years ago. I had never met any of the current owners before this visit.

Our primary objective in the San Diego area was for my wife to give me the tour of her hometown highlights: her high school, her house growing up and, of course, the restaurant (formerly) owned by her parents. We had a pretty tight schedule, so we weren't able to stay long, but she wanted to make sure we stopped in to meet the staff that had worked there since her childhood, as well as sample the cocktails for which La Palapa has become famous.

Due to our "familial proximity" to the ownership, I am not going to blather on and on about how awesome our margaritas and side dishes were; there are other reviews here that do them enough justice. What I will say is that they were excellent, as good as reported, and the staff were warm, friendly and gracious. Perhaps my experience as the pseudo-son-in-law played into it, but I was also able to observe, with the disconnected gaze of a seasoned reviewer, that all the other customers in the restaurant were treated with the same level of care, quality and familiarity as we were; it seemed obvious that many of the patrons here were regulars, this being among their favorite local haunts. After having a margarita here, I understand why.

Lakeside may be a bit out of the way for the average San Diego tourist, but if anything is going to draw you away from the bustle of the metropolis, to a sleepy suburb, the cocktails and companionship here at La Palapa could do it. Great local place, filled with warm, wonderful people, some of whom have worked here since my wife was a child. That says more about this place than any review I could...

The people were nice on the phone, and we'd always rather support a small business, so we really wanted to like it. Unfortunately, the food was just awful. The rice was the kind of dry where it won't even absorb liquid anymore. I would guess it sat out all day. The hot carrots were mushy with no sourness, no saltiness, no heat, just no flavor at all. There were a bunch of boiled onions in the chimichanga that tasted nasty and ruined the flavor of the meat. Our go to is Sombrero, which is just a decent, nothing-special chain, and this place was two steps down. We...

Lakeside’s Best Kept Gem! It’s in a very unsuspecting location in a tiny shopping center. But everything in it is perfection right down to the amazing food, consistently speedy and friendly service, specials/reasonable prices, and overall family atmosphere (or the small bar-scene sectioned off on the other side for dual pleasure). Margaritas are strong. The shrimp plate is a fan favorite. This is by far our favorite restaurant discovery since moving to Lakeside! Bonus points being able to support a family owned business with loyal and...