Blanco Cocina + Cantina — Restaurant in San Diego

I'll start by saying this: My mom and I had been wanting to try this place out for months. I've picked up many orders here for work and liked the vibe and look of the place. Upon moving here from Virginia a few months ago, we've been on the hunt for a nice Mexican place with good food and drinks.

Fast-forward to last night: My mom was celebrating getting hired at a nice job she's been wanting, so we decided we'd finally try Blanco. Upon arriving, we were told there would be a 30 min-wait for indoor seating, which was fine and expected, as it's a cozy restaurant and it was a Friday night. The host said we were welcome to sit outside on the patio or at the bar for "full service." It was pretty chilly, so we opted for the bar option.

Our bartender-turned-server asked what drinks we'd like and went to get them. When she returned, my mother complained it was too cold (the bar is located in front of the always-open windows), and asked if we could wait for the indoor seating while drinking at the bar. The host returned and checked us in, no problem. She told us we'd get a notification once a table was open. From there, the night took a sour turn...

Upon learning that we wanted a table, our bartender proceeded to completely ignore us. She didn't ask if we wanted to order an appetizer or food (we did). She avoided us and went about making drinks and such. Even a simple, "They'll take your food order once you're seated," would've been appreciated. Luckily, another bartender who was even busier had the decency to ask if we'd like a drink, to which my mother obliged.

Eventually, we were seated at a table, and after some time, our "server" arrived to take our order. She informed us that she was going to put our food into the POS and told my mother that the water she wanted would have to wait because she had to take care of another table. After she returned with the water, we didn't see her again until she brought the bill. She didn't check on us to ensure that we actually enjoyed the food and that there wasn't anything wrong with it.

The food (carnitas burrito), by the way, was pretty bland and almost inedible. Best thing I had was the chips and salsa. shrug

She'd brought us one check, and when I mentioned that we'd like it separate, she seemed annoyed. She said that we could just give her our two cards and split it. What if we wanted to see our bills first?

My point of this review is that I was disappointed with my experience/the service provided. I think I would've received better from a robot. We had two chances to have a nice experience, but both times were subpar, at best. Unfortunately, "subpar" is the standard these days and I don't think that's acceptable. I also work in customer service, and people are always shocked by what I offer. But I guess I go above and beyond.

The nicest and most welcoming people were the host (duh), the foodrunner, and the bartender that wasn't supposed to be serving us but noticed that we had been neglected.

I believe the restaurant was under-staffed (as overheard by another employee talking about callouts), and I'm familiar with that concept at my own job. That doesn't mean you should slack, though. I still try my hardest to do a good job even if I'm stressed because I'm playing...

I had the opportunity to enjoy Blanco for lunch during their VIP soft opening. I know that restaurants use this time as a way to work out any kinks in their processes and give a good first impression, and I think Blanco did well in these regards. I felt that the staff was well trained as every staff member along with our server, Brittany, seemed very hospitable, observant, and attentive, not appearing to skip a beat, from the moment we were greeted to the moment we left.

Timing of the food seemed to be well, but I honestly was not in any rush nor was at the point of starving that I was paying much attention at the time between courses. The dessert did take a bit more time than expected, but several staff members came by frequently to give us updates as well as apologize for the delay. Again, was not disappointed at all as my friend and I were very well fed with the previous 2 courses and our drinks. The delay may have been a bit of a blessing as it gave us some time to digest a bit. lol

The food! I was a bit overwhelmed with the menu and its many options, but my friend and I narrowed our options down to the following:

Drinks: Smashed Watermelon and Blackberry Clementine Margaritas - I was tempted to get a one of the sangrias, but Brittany suggested the Blackberry Clementine margaritas as it was her favorite. I'm glad I went along with her suggestion as I really liked the tart and brightness of the drink. My friend thoroughly enjoyed his watermelon margarita and commented that as he got near the end of his drink he definitely could taste more of the tequila.

Appetizer: Mariscos shrimp and crab cocktail - A different and elevated take on the typical shrimp cocktail. My friend and I liked this dish, but it was definitely out shined by our entrees. Chips and salsa were also provided soon after we were seated and prior to us ordering.

Entrees: Wagyu carne asada tacos & pork carnitas tacos - I immediately noticed the fresh handmade corn tortillas. I'm not usually a fan of corn tortillas, but I loved how these were the perfect thickness, consistency, and ratio of tortilla to meat. Speaking of meat, the abundance and quality of the meat in each of the 2 tacos per entree was great. As much as I liked the flavor of the carnitas, the wagyu was so tender and delicious that it definitely stood out a bit more. In the words of my friend, "This cow had a good life... better than me." lol I appreciated the rice and quinoa mixture as well as the black beans as accompaniments to the tacos, but I would have been fine without them.

Desserts: Caramelized Banana Split and Mexican Chocolate Tiramisu - I typically would choose vanilla over chocolate, but I really enjoyed the lightness of the tiramisu. It wasn't overwhelmingly sweet, and had the consistency of chocolate mousse layered with cake-like biscuits. I took a few bites of my friend's dessert and enjoyed it as well, but was really loving the use of luxardo cherries.

Overall, our dining experience was great. It was nice that the meal was complimentary during this time, but I still felt compelled to leave a tip as we received really great service. The restaurant is quite spacious and had a great ambiance as well as nice decor. I can imagine it would be a nice spot for a...

Ah, lunchtime—where mortgage brokers and mild-mannered food enthusiasts unite for a single cause: preventing mid-day hanger before sealing life-changing real estate deals. So there I was, stepping into Blanco Tacos + Tequila, a vibrant Mexican restaurant parked right across from the AMC Theater in Fashion Valley. A place where tacos flow like poetry and tequila whispers bad decisions in your ear. But today? Today was about balance—a noble pursuit of greens before the grandeur of closing-day celebrations.

Enter Logan: Bartender, Multitasking Extraordinaire, and Possibly a Jedi It’s high noon—literally, 12:00 PM on the dot. Logan is already running the show like a well-rehearsed Broadway star, greeting me instantly despite orchestrating what looks like a small army of customers. He hands me a menu, asks if I need a drink, and doesn’t even blink when I request unsweetened iced tea (because, you know, sugar crashes are the enemy of productivity). Then, like a true hospitality sensei, he drops the chips and salsa like a mic, setting the tone for a service masterclass.

Avocado Caesar Salad: A Healthy Power Move Now, I’m no stranger to the seductive ways of Mexican cuisine, but today was about strategy. When I inquired about the Avocado Caesar salad, Logan didn’t just describe it—he sold it like an Oscar-winning performance. He broke down the ingredients, explained the health benefits, and made me feel like I was about to devour the kale of the gods. And folks, he wasn’t wrong. It was crisp, flavorful, perfectly portioned—not too big, not too small—just right, like Goldilocks' dream meal, but with more guacamole.

Service So Good, Even the Staff Are Fans Logan wasn’t flying solo either. Enter Frank, an in-house fan of Logan’s work. Watching them interact, it’s clear this isn’t just a workplace—it’s a dojo of service excellence. A place where camaraderie, leadership, and fun exist in perfect harmony, much like the tea that accompanied my meal.

Final Verdict: Like a Great Mortgage, This Experience Was Seamless As a Mortgage Broker and small business owner, I live by the principle that great service isn’t just a nice touch—it’s the foundation of everything. Buying a home? Refinancing? Every detail matters—from the initial handshake to the final signature. And today, Logan and his crew at Blanco delivered that same level of excellence.

And here’s the kicker: I didn’t even need tequila to make this a memorable experience. That’s right—I was fully sober, yet still raving about this place. If that’s not a five-star endorsement, I don’t know what is.

Bravo, Logan. Bravo, Blanco Tacos + Tequila. You just made a regular lunch legendary.

Highly recommend.

Eric Atilano Resident Lending & Realty...