Cocina De Barrio Reviews

We had a really nice breakfast at this Mexican place where they cook real Mexican food. The place is very nice and the service was nicer. The food amazing!!! We recommend it very much!!!

I wanted to surprise my daughter with a $75 gift card to this restaurant. I live in Virginia and she lives in Chula Vista. I found out that this WAS one of her favorite restaurants, Key word…WAS! I called the restaurant and spoke to Karen V. She eagerly took my credit card info and charged me the $75. A receipt was sent via email. I forwarded the receipt to my daughter and was very thankful! Fast forward to May. My decided to go to the restaurant with her son to use the gift card. She was informed that she only had a receipt and needed an actual gift card or QR code. She stated that was all she had (that was all that was sent to me) and asked for management to clear up the matter. Management refused, stating it was a third party’s problem, not theirs. This is basically a form of fraud and I would warn against anyone from doing the same thing I did! A simple management decision to honor the receipt would have prevented this negative comment against the establishment! My credit card company has been contacted and a dispute has been initiated.

We went for a birthday celebration (indicated on the reservation) on a Saturday night. The person seating us did not seem to understand, or care, that it was for a special event and tried to seat us in an outdoor patio area. Instead, despite multiple other empty tables, we were stuck right next to the door to the patio area. The server apparently had other plans for the evening because he rushed us through making decisions about food on a large menu. We ordered appetizers and main courses but the food was served all at once. Then multiple staff came by trying to pick up our dishes before we were done. Although the food was generally well-prepared and the mole sauces were memorable, the inadequate and inattentive service (not even recognizing the purpose of the dinner which had been indicated on the reservation) means we will not be returning to this location.

New, authentic Mexican restaurant in Hillcrest. Inside or outside patio with heat lamps. Menu has several interesting small plates like al pastor tacos, fish, and octopus. Main dishes are nicely presented and have one of three moles: Negro (sweet)., amarillo (medium), or coloradito (spicy) and all are great. They also have house made hot sauce that will blow your socks off! Almost all main dishes (short ribs, fish, chicken) come with one of the moles and they discourage changing things on the dish but will do so if you push a bit. A couple of the mains were pricy (close to $30) but the food is worth it. Only menu problem is that there are too few non-meat/fish dishes. Weekend brunch sounds creative and delicious.

We have enjoyed many meals here, and all were perfect. We have had dinner and breakfast here, and both were awesome. It's not easy to be great in more than one meal time category... but they succeed, and then some. Their outdoor patio is a very nice space and is quite comfortable. The wait staff are fun and friendly... and the food couldn't be better. Highly recommended.

Incredible food, some of the best authentic Mexican food I’ve ever had. It’s traditional but also modern food cooked with care. I’m really surprised this place isn’t packed but pretty easy to get in

I don't recommend. I went there this morning at 10am, when they opened. I asked for a table on the patio. They said all of the tables were completely full. I looked and not a single table was occupied and there was NO ONE on the patio except for a waiter. When I asked about this discrepancy they responded that they had reservations for all of the tables at 11am, an hour from then. I asked again since the patio was empty, and they said no. I would have been a good repeat customer had they made an effort, but since they didn't even try I left. And when I left ALL of the tables were still empty with NO customers. I hope their chef is better at accommodating customers than the management of their waitstaff. Find a more pleasant place to eat.

Can’t rave enough about Cocina de Barrio in Point Loma. — my new favorite Mexican restaurant! We went for my birthday and were blown away. They have great options for plant based and meat eaters, the presentation is stunning (and I’ve got high standards) and the food was even better. The mole is out of this world and my daughter won’t stop talking about the squash blossoms. Benjamin the bartender crushed it both on cocktails, and in adapting them to be mocktails for the non-drinkers. (Pro tip, if your drink doesn’t come with a popsicle, ask for one! SO good) The service was amazing, our waitress Karen was so on top of it (even with our big, high maintenance family). We sat in the sun room with the windows open with the heaters on. We felt safe and warm. Parking was super easy too. Do yourself a favor and go! I can’t wait to go back again (and again, and again).

I don’t write many reviews. This place is worthy and awesome! The food was exquisite and exceeded my expectations.

Don't worry about costing an arm and a leg to dine at the kitchen of the hood ;) It's pretty safe out here. I am still in one piece as I write this review. We happened to dine there on Valentine's day and they got pretty creative with the names of their dishes on the menu. I thought I was in the making of the 51st shade of Grey. The food overall tasted very good. Charred octopus was well cooked, striking a balance between chewiness and tenderness. If only its appearance looked firmer; I always thought Ursula would look better with a face lift. The lobster sauce dressed the masa cake pretty well. Eat them together since the saltiness in the sauce is supposed to accompany the cake. The grilled lamb was juicy with its meat easily picked from the bone and well seasoned. The white fish was fresh; nicely coupled with the pickled veggies. The acidity of the pickle was excellent; and I was surprised seeing the prickly pear cactus in there. Overall, it was a good evening in the neighborhood.

If you're looking for traditional Mexican food, this is not the place. Look elsewhere, perhaps across the street. Wanted to give this place a try due to reviews but seems like this place is only popular for brunch. Very limited dinner menu. Their tortilla soup is way too salty for consumption. Mentioned it to the staff, the bowl is left full but was still charged for it.

Good menu of authentic Mexican food and drinks. Easy-going yet elevated atmosphere. Servers were friendly without hovering too much. Recommend sitting outdoors on the lovely patio weather permitting!

It's clear that word has not got out about this new restaurant, and I want to recommend it highly. It is so good, that I want to keep going back and trying new things and work through the whole menu. They have wonderfully friendly servers, and a fresh building in a great location. I love this place. I'm kind of a molé afficionado, and I have grown tired of going to places advertising themselves as "Best Molé" and then being given stuff they have bought from the supermarket. Other than family homes, this is the best I have had in San Diego. Their ceviche is wonderfully fresh and zingy. In fact, everything I have tried on the menu has been wonderful - it's all prepared and served with care and attention. Nothing feels thrown together. I love this place and hope you will too.

Stumbled upon this restaurant during local pride weekend and we decided to try! There was a road block for the event on 5th Ave so there was a line but luckily we didn’t wait too long. The service is good from the hostess to the server, they were very attentive and genuinely care towards the customer! The food is ok as well as the price! We ordered Huevos rancheros with lamb birria and Chilaquiles rojo with chicken. The drinks tho, it was so good! We did unlimited mimosas for 2 hours with Tamarindo and Mango juice! The ambience is ok, music was loud since there was a block party where the stage was right by the restaurant, I asked the server if the restaurant has music typically and she said yes but only inside! In my opinion they need more good music in general to bring the hype up. I checked the music inside and it was mehhh! It is upscale Mexican restaurant so they need to bring the ambiance a little up! VERDICT: MAYBE I will comeback 🙂

True amazing Mexican food. I lived in Mexico City eight years and this, by far, is my favorite Mexican restaurant. I highly recommend the short ribs, mole, pambazos, and quesadillas de huitlacoche.

You have to check out this amazing spot for their $25 bottomless mimosas! A friend raved about it, and I just couldn’t resist trying it for myself. The service was top-notch—our server was so attentive and made us feel right at home! I went for the churro French toast, while my friend indulged in the birria chilaquiles. We couldn’t help but share our delicious dishes, and we even added a side of cactus salad, which was absolutely divine! I also ordered a cup of café de olla, and wow, it was incredible! We’re definitely planning to come back for more fun!

Disappointed in the Mexican options near our hotel near the Gaslamp district, we sought out something better a bit farther afield. And found Cocina de Barrio - much to our enjoyment. The food was truly spectacular. I ordered the Chilaquiles Verde and my wife the Coconut Aguachile and they were extraordinary. The Chilaquiles was rich with deep flavors and the Aguachile light, bright, and explosive - the perfect pairing. And we also very much enjoyed the (cooked) salsa that came with. The drinks were delicious as well...though we would rate the La Rosa Habisco and El Pionero slightly higher than the Jalisco Express and Shake Your Pom Pom. The atmosphere was surprisingly casual for such fine cuisine though the service was exemplary. If you are visiting San Diego, I strongly encourage you to make the trip...and if you live in or around Hillcrest I envy you.

Absolutely delicious food and outstanding service made for an unforgettable experience! I highly recommend trying their brunch—it’s a must! And don’t miss out on their incredible deals for bottomless mimosas. You won't regret it!

The product of years of work from Chef Jose J. Flores Cocina de Barrio can rightly be called a San Diego success story, three locations starting in Hillcrest all considered not only great for brunch but also as a place to enjoy Oaxacan classics. Home to bottomless Mimosas and walls built for the #gram, a youthful crowd of mixed races populating every patio seat and most of those inside, it is after friendly greetings that guests are seated in an open-air room where music plays loud and service is great. Perhaps best described as Modern Mexican, though plates such as the Tlayuda and Enmoladas made with hand-pressed Corn Tortillas and earthy Mole suggest a strong background in classic cooking, most tables will begin with Cocktails that range from Palomas and Mules to fanciful Popsicle-topped options including La Tia Chata. Faring well with Ceviche, local Shrimp standing up well to winter Citrus and Habaneros, items “From the Griddle” veer towards fun in the case of French Toast with Dulce de Leche or fluffy Flapjacks under a ladle of Rice Pudding made right.

Cocina de Barrio is that rare gem where you walk in, and instantly, you just know you're in for a treat. Their vibe is welcoming, like your favorite neighborhood spot where everyone knows your name. The food was great, especially the stone soup. The guacamole was a good sized portion made table-side. If you're craving authentic Mexican grub served with a side of good vibes, Cocina de Barrio is your spot. You'll leave with a happy belly and a new favorite hangout.

I am reviewing the location in the Lumberyard in Encinitas. TripAdvisor is lame and NOT CURRENT so it’s not pre loaded. Location has been open for a month. Get your act together TripAdvisor!!!! It’s your business!!!! Great food and service.

Loved everything about it. It had a casual fare, with amazing drinks and food. Everything was amazing, from the food to the drinks. Great service. We preferred to be seated outdoors, and they had adequate heating to make that comfortable on a cool, wet, February night.

We visited when in the area visiting a friend. She is vegan and has dined here several times due to the great vegan menu. I am not vegan and there were many delicious options for me. I chose the Pollo En Mole. The chicken was so tender it came right off the bone. The mole was rich and flavorful and the plate overall was beautiful. My husband had the short ribs en mole which was also tender and delicious. The cocktails were amazing. I had a spicy mezcal cocktail which was so good. They were as pretty to look at as tasty. You can tell the everyone in this establishment cares about the quality of the product they out out and the service. Definitely worth going and if I lived in the area this would be in my regular rotation. Highly recommend.

We went there for a family dinner, got some drinks, which were delicious, especially the paloma. One of the drinks was especially made non-alcoholic. The food was very good and very creative. The mole was very tasty. Parking is a bit iffy, so be aware of that.