Puesto La Jolla — Restaurant in San Diego

Ah, Puesto La Jolla—a veritable temple of culinary delight nestled in the heart of the jewel that is La Jolla. From the moment one steps into this chic, contemporary haven, it is abundantly clear that you are in for an experience that effortlessly marries sophistication with vibrant Mexican tradition.

The service, first and foremost, is exemplary. Warm, attentive, and intuitively accommodating, the staff at Puesto glide through the restaurant with an air of quiet confidence. They strike the perfect balance between attentiveness and discretion, leaving one feeling utterly pampered without being hovered over—a skill many establishments fail to master.

Now, to the pièce de résistance: the food. Oh, the food! Each dish is a symphony of flavors, artfully composed to showcase both the boldness and subtlety of Mexican cuisine. The tacos, in particular, are revelatory. Whether it’s the Filet Mignon with melted cheese or the Crispy Shrimp, every bite is an explosion of flavor so divine, you might just close your eyes in sheer ecstasy. And let us not overlook the guacamole—so fresh and vibrant, it could very well be mistaken for an art form.

The margaritas deserve their own standing ovation. Balanced, innovative, and expertly crafted, they serve as the perfect accompaniment to the culinary magic on your plate. The Puesto Perfect Margarita is precisely that—perfect.

The ambiance is equally enthralling. The modern design is infused with vibrant, artistic touches that nod to the rich culture behind the cuisine. Whether dining indoors or al fresco, the space radiates a sense of both energy and intimacy. And unlike other establishments in La Jolla, Puesto’s facilities are pristine and thoughtfully maintained—a testament to their attention to every last detail.

In sum, Puesto La Jolla is nothing short of a triumph. From the impeccable service to the masterfully executed menu and stylish surroundings, it delivers an experience that leaves you eagerly anticipating your next visit. It is a place where tradition meets modern luxury, and the result is nothing short of spectacular. Simply put:...

We had a nice lunch at Puesto La Jolla, on 7/15/24. There were many things about this restaurant I liked, but a few things detracted from our overall dining experience.

Things I liked:

1. We got excellent service at Puesto! Our server was most attentive, always being nearby & available, when we needed to order something, when we needed drink refills, bringing our food out in a timely manner, & clearing our plates, when my wife & I'd finished our lunches.

2. Salsa, brought with $4 Chips & Salsa was tasty!😋

3. My Filet Mignon Taco was amazing! Each bite was yummy & the taco was filled with a decent amount of tender cuts of filet.

4. Inside Puesto, it's nicely decorated, with a modern flair. For those who like dining outside, Puesto has a large outdoor patio, to accommodate your needs.

Things I wasn't crazy about:

1. If you want Chips & Salsa at Puesto, you must plunk down $4, for this pleasure. I thought they provided a large bowl tortilla chips, but the salsa, brought in a small metal bowl, was inadequate, for the amount of chips. That meant we had to ask for more salsa, which our server quickly brought us.

2. My tacos could've been stuffed with more flavor adders, both to fill out the taco, plus to add different taste nuances with each bite.

I also thought they were a bit pricey, for tacos, albeit the gourmet type. My Filet Mignon Taco was $15, & my Baja Fish Taco was $12. For 2, two ala carte taco lunches, plus 1 side dish & 1 drink, I think $70 felt like a bit of a gouge, to eat lunch here.

3. The fish, in my Baja Fish taco, was soggy in the middle. Biting into the two end bites, the fish was crispy & sensational. When I progressed into the middle of the taco, the fish batter was noticeably soggy.

4. Available parking for Puesto wasn't great. Unless you're blessed by the gods, & snare a parking spot on this or nearby busy downtown streets, you may have to pay to park, in one of the pay parking lots, close-by-a $19 flat fee-OUCH!, or in an underground parking...

Okay so let’s start this off with a clear explanation on the four star rating on atmosphere: this restaurant has a very casual, street/outdoor vibe to it that I loved, but not everyone is going to care for. They even have street art (some of you may call it graffiti, but you are mistaken) adorning the walls and even a massive piece hanging over the bar. They’re made with love by “Chor Boogie” out of Mexico City and he’s done all of their street art for their various locations.

Now that we have the atmosphere out of the way, let’s talk about the staff: very friendly, honest about what they like/dislike on the menu, and attentive without being annoying.

And the best is yet to come…the food! It’s amazing - and I can’t overstate this, it’s incredible. The flavors are fantastic (I highly recommend the shrimp tacos!) and they are filling! We were told by our waiter that since everything is ala cart, they recommended 2-3 tacos per person.

Unless you’re a big eater, stick with two - and maybe some guacamole and chips. I made the mistake of ordering three tacos plus guacamole and chips, and I could barely finish my meal - STUFFED!

Lastly, let me say they take allergies seriously, and upon hearing that I was highly intolerant to gluten, they explained which foods were completely off-limits (because of the marinade used) and which ones were “at risk” because they’re fried in the same oil as gluten items.

Our waiter even recommended that I get the shrimp taco - grilled, so as to ensure there was no risk of cross contamination. I’m glad he did - the grilled shrimp (I feel) made the taco even better than it would have fried.

Overall, it’s a great place to eat and it’s really close by to The Grande Colonial, which is a fantastic hotel in the area, and the wide variety of stores to shop in!

I highly...