El Sueño — Restaurant in San Diego

I made reservations for my wife's birthday but was disappointed with the service we received at the restaurant. Despite requesting a birthday dessert as noted in the reservation, it was not offered or mentioned. Our waiter was unfriendly and interrupted my wife while she was asking a question about the menu item, he raised his hand and said, "If you wait, I will explain everything." He also failed to remove the menus from our table so we were constantly moving them to avoid them getting dirty, and when cleaning our plates, he took my son's fork and attempted to take his plate, assuming he was done without asking. He then returned the fork to his plate after touching it to other dirty plates and his hands. To make things worse, when we were ready to check out, the waiter announced the cost of the meal out loud in front of my family and other patrons nearby, which was inappropriate and caught me off guard. I did not see the actual itemized bill before paying, just the charge machine with the cost and tip amounts. Despite the poor service, I still tipped as the food was good, and I wanted the staff to feel appreciated and compensated. I was disappointed with the waiter's service, but the hostess was friendly, and Vito at the front was outstanding and helped us leave on a positive note.

Despite the food being good, the meal cost us $175 for 3 1/2 of us, we felt very rushed even though the restaurant wasn't very busy. We choose our eat-out meals very carefully as a family of 4 and we left very disappointed. I won't be returning to the restaurant, despite working close by and being really excited to try it out as I had been following the progress...

A Flavorful Dining Journey at El Sueño! I had the pleasure of visiting El Sueño, it was a fantastic experience from start to finish. The inviting atmosphere, with its vibrant decor, creates a warm and cozy backdrop that’s perfect for any occasion. Now, let's talk about the food! We had the huarache and the quesobirria tacos. They were both standout dishes—the hand-pressed masa base was perfectly cooked and topped with fresh, flavorful ingredients that made each bite a celebration of taste on the huarache. The quesabirria tacos were another highlight. The tender, richly seasoned meat was simply divine. Dipping them in the accompanying consommé took the flavor to another level—each taco was a savory masterpiece. The salsas deserve special mention as well. Each one had a unique flair, from zesty to spicy, adding layers of flavor that beautifully complemented the dishes. I found myself reaching for them with every bite! And let’s not forget their amazing cocktail selection! From refreshing margaritas to inventive concoctions, each drink was crafted to perfection. The cocktails truly enhanced the dining experience. Service was attentive and friendly, making us feel right at home. The staff clearly takes pride in their work, ensuring every guest feels welcomed. El Sueño is also an excellent choice for special events. Their spacious outdoor area is perfect for celebrations, executive dinners, or gatherings with friends and family. Overall, El Sueño delivers top-quality food, a delightful atmosphere, and exceptional service. If you're in the mood for authentic Mexican cuisine with a contemporary touch and a great time in Old Town, I highly recommend...

Terrible Experience — Will Not Be Returning

Truly one of the most disappointing dining experiences I’ve had. Received a call from the hostess shortly before our reservation time to let us know her manager has made a session to close the kitchen because of a slow night. Essentially insinuating to not show up but we were literally pulling up as she called. Hostess was sweet just doing her job but can’t say the same from the waitress.

Unfortunately, the service from our waitress was cold and dismissive. She made no effort to make us feel welcome, didn’t check in after bringing our food, and ignored requests like adding cheese to a dish. We were never offered refills or any basic hospitality.

What made it worse was watching her happily engage with another table of white men while barely acknowledging our group of Latina women. In a restaurant claiming to serve Mexican food, this felt especially uncomfortable and discriminatory. She only got chatty when it was time to pay the bill expecting a tip. Lol

Mind you when asked for the bill she just showed the total on her device and didn’t even ask if we wanted to see a breakdown or split it.

The food itself was far from authentic — and no aguas frescas? That should’ve been the first red flag.

For those reviews stating the food is good, I’ll let you know they’re not coming from POC so I’d take that with a grain of salt.

I’ll be reaching out to the restaurant directly, but if you’re a POC, I’d strongly suggest going elsewhere. The service, atmosphere, and food just...