Jimmy Carter's Mexican Café Reviews

My daughter-in-law and I took grandsons (4 and 7) here while the men in the family had a night out at the basketball game. Convenient location. Nice fast, friendly service, crayons and kids menu. Margaritas for the adults. Good selection of small plates. All made for a fine combination, meeting our needs.

The name and the exterior are deceiving. This is a terrific Mexican restaurant with excellent service and fabulous food. We stayed at Inn at the Park and ate here 3x because it is so convenient and so good.

This cafe was across the street from where we were staying. The first time we went there was for an appetizer and drinks. The Nachos were very good and so were the drinks. We also went back for lunch. The Surf and Turf Tacos were delicious.

I am visiting Dan Diego and decided to dine out solo. The food and drinks were delicious and the waitstaff was so friendly. They even gave me a free dessert (probably because I was solo), bless their hearts! You should definitely eat here.

My friend and I were staying at the hotel across the street and late one evening decided to stop in for a quick bite. We entered shortly before closing (which I generally hate doing and feel bad for doing so), were greeted with a smile and were sat promptly. My friend had a few questions about the variety of sauces and our server happily answered them and brought her some samples. We ordered our food, it was ready quickly, very generous portions and it was delicious! Our server was so friendly and helpful. He offered great recommendations and was funny and personable. I wish I could remember his name, but he did say he had been at the restaurant for nearly 6 years or so. We returned in the morning for breakfast and were just as pleased with our experience then. Food was great, our server was fantastic, and the value for the money is perfect. My friend and her family were born and raised in Central Mexico and she qualifies the horchata as good and authentic as her aunt’s recipe, which she holds in very high esteem! Overall, wonderful and would recommend and will definitely return during our next visit in San Diego!

Our family group of 6 adults and 6 children had dinner here. Our waiter interacted with our group in a jovial way while still giving us efficient service. The servings were large and most of us could not eat everything on our plates. We enjoyed the meals we ordered.

This place was just OK to me the other day. Service was friendly, but the atmosphere wasn't all that. It was hot in SD over the weekend, and we commented to the server how hot the restaurant was, and how they should consider AC. He told us it was on. Not sure if he was joking or not. I wasn't......it was bloody hot! I ordered pretty simple. I had my youngest with me, and she likes everything. But, she likes to put it all together. We ordered a beef quesadilla, which was delicious. The meat was flavored well, and a generous portion. It came with a small spoonful of guacamole, which wasn't much for the size of quesadilla. It was cute and teased me pretty good. We also ordered chicken taquitos. They were terrible. Fried way too long, and I thought I'd chipped a tooth at one point eating it. We probably won't come back. There are too many excellent Mexican restaurants in SD, so we will stick with those. I remember coming to this place when it was on Washington Street, and was hoping to have a similar experience. Not sure what has changed, but I hope it can get back to that place I remember.

Cute little corner restaurant across from the Inn at the Park. We were hesitant at first but so glad we went in. In fact, we ended up eating there 4x this week (both breakfast & dinner). Wonderful service (Mike was fantastic) and really delicious food. Outstanding Carne Asade and the Veggie Medley is the perfect breakfast. We will definitely return!

Great food and service. Very authentic and food is well presented. Not pretentious at all. Dwarf are friendly and proactive. Parking is on the street.

Great restaurant with very tastey food and great service and price. We had the Asada Chicken Burittos which were fantastic. Loaded with meat and great taste!! Definitely a great place to eat!!

Take my review as only one persons findings. I will be as neutral as possible and only describe what I saw on that day on that particular trip. Your experience could vary from mine. We ate here as we were staying the night across the street in a hotel and they offered us a 10% discount. We weren't sure what we would find at a mexican place named Jimmy Carters but we thought what the heck, its close by. It appeared to be very clean with friendly staff and we were seated immediately. Nice authentic feel about the place. We tried the chili verde plate and a dish made with mole sauce. Both were really quite good. Great flavor and nice portion sizes. The refried beans that came with the meal were some of the best I've had. The beans were smashed just as I like them, not into a mashed potato style. For dessert we tried the regular flan and it was a great meal ender. The prices did not seem to be too unreal as well. I would feel comfortable eating here again and sure we will.

I ordered a Burrito. Not much meat, and a lot of filler. The tortilla was large so it was mostly "flower". I had to keep asking for more water and coffee.

Jimmy's Mexican restaurant on 4th avenue wasn't that good food was okay service was good margarita suck

best Mex Food...bar none. If you have never had "tlaquepaque" sauce ...you are missing a divine experience! Worth going just for that! And this is probably one of the few times that I have not...NOT...been able to finish my dinner platter. Lots of great GREAT food!

Wonderful Mexican meal served with margaritas with an appropriate 'kick'! Service was excellent. Would recommend a visit.

Wanting good, authentic, home cooked Mexican food, we looked this place up on trip advisor. We were hesitant because of the name. No relationship to the former president. Reasonably priced, clean, great food. Salsa was a little to hot for our group of 6. Our waiter, Baltazar was very professional & attentive. Great Marguerita's. Definitely a repeat if ever in the area again.

We ate dinner here with our 5 kids while we stayed at a nearby hotel. We found the restaurant to be charming with a real neighborhood-feel. The staff was welcoming and sat our big party quickly. They had some good local beers on tap, and the food selection was broad. The complimentary chips and salsa were good (pretty standard chips and salsa but also not bad) and they kept the bowls full. Our entrees came out quickly and tasted fresh. We had a variety of enchiladas and taco salads, all were good. Overall a good experience.

i love the interior of the cafe. reasonably priced. food is fine. good place for all day food and families. love the shelly's veggie medley.

We've been several times when we visit SD. We love the way they combine traditional Mexican fare with fresh seafood. Have had the cucumber margarita and the mold bloody Mary. Both very delicious.

Been here numerous times. From the outside, the place doesn’t look like much. Not 5 star dining but I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve eaten here from typical breakfasts to Mexican dishes. Friendly service, a varied menu and reasonable prices keep me coming back.

I had one of the best breakfasts in years at Jimmy Carter’s! A member of our group was originally from Mexico City so he suggested Jimmy Carter’s and guided us through the menu, starting by suggesting we get the excellent cinnamon coffee. I got something from the special bard and it too was excellent! Jimmy Carter’s is really a great stop!

Walking across the Cabrillo Bridge out of Balboa Park, it can be hard to remember a time when Bankers Hill was not filled with cranes and shiny new apartment towers. Bajillionaires urgently need housing with micro-pubs and coffee shops, that sell milk shakes called lattes, otherwise they might end up living under a shrub in the park. Remnants of the original neighborhood can be hard to find but there is a block of modest sized businesses on 5th Ave near the park and one of them is Jimmy Carter's Mexican Cafe'. It is apparently named after a living person who was not the president of the United States. After going here you might question why every mother does not name all her children Jimmy Carter. In addition to sharing a name with one of the most honorable presidents, this Jimmy Carter has created a rare and welcoming environment in the middle of what is increasingly becoming another - don't look, don't smile at your neighbors, just keep walking with your head turned while thinking about Prada shoes - neighborhood. Help me here, what did Heidegger say? It was something about once you see something as a resource rather than a thing of beauty it is only possible to see it as a resource. There are probably competing real estate developers swarming this block constantly looking for the crack that will allow them to explode this little bistro into a tower of steel and glass. But as of this writing, Jimmy Carter's is still a thing of beauty worth more than the land it sits on. There was formerly a hand written sign in the center of the restaurant that reminded customers that when the 2nd amendment was written arms were muskets. That sign is no longer there, but the sense of neighborliness and acceptance exudes everywhere from the margaritas to the flight of sauces. Did someone mention margaritas? Oh yes please. They are fish bowl sized with enough tequila so that just one will make you very happy and two will have you reveling in the street. Combining a margarita with a flight of sauces means never having to say you're sorry. My favorites sauce combo for a flight are: Mole, Chipotle Cream, Guajillo and Chile Verde but as always, it's your mouth, choose what sounds good to you. The portions are very large so, if you don't require enormous amounts of food, they could be shared especially if you start with a flight. There is also an off menu desert, which is just a Churro, not the large Churro Boat. It is the simple and necessary sweet ending.

Visiting from Texas, we really missed our Tex-Mex food. After reading positive reviews we decided to give it a try. It is also conveniently located just minutes from San Diego Zoo. The waitress was very friendly and patient with our questions about the menu. The salsa and chips were great as well as the food. They didn't have Queso (melted cheese and spices) on the menu, but that may just be a Texas thing. If I had to make any suggestions, I would prefer to have the chips and salsa refilled regularly without having to ask for it. But this may also be a Texas thing and why we tend to over eat. If you are in the area, I would recommend stopping in at Jimmy Carter's. We went at 4:30pm on a Friday and were seated immediately. Not sure how busy it gets later in the day or around lunch time.

I walked by here and did a double take. I met President Jimmy Carter at a book signing once in Los Angeles but apparently this isn't his restaurant lol. I walked in and was greeted by the very friendly, cordial manager Balthasar who was also very helpful, not to mention having my take out order ready in minutes. During the short wait I enjoyed the Mexican Art and old San Diego photos. My large nachos with beef, cheese, guac, sour cream was the best I've had this year and overall I rate this best fine Mexican restaurant so far in Bankers Hill and top ten in San Diego.

Just had an authentic Mexican lunch reasonably priced too. Excellent chips n salsas and wonderful service.

Margaritas are very good. I ordered a chile relleno. It was covered with red sauce and I do mean COVERED. I only knew what it was because I found the stem of the relleno. WAAAY to much sauce so I didn't even bother to try the relleno. If it's a good relleno, why cover it up so much???? YUCK

Get the Jamaican Margarita. Their salsa is super fresh and guacamole is awesome. I had the veggie tostada- delicious, my husband had the veggie burrito and he was pleased as well! Great service, but not friendly.

Excellent Margaritas here! It's a small, family-friendly place near Balboa Park. Good food choices and easy to park on the street.

We grabbed lunch here after our tour of the nearby Marston house. We walked right in and had no problem finding a table. Service was excellent, and the food was very good. Prices were extremely reasonable. We were all satisfied with our meal and would recommend it.

This Mexican eatery is probably the funkiest of the number of competitors in this area, littered with colourful and surreal Mexican sculptures and paper mache figures. The flamboyant service complements the room, a simple cohesive family-style space adjoined by a lively narrow bar in the adjacent space. The food falls somewhat flat, though, generous on the plate, but either lacking in flavour or traveling in directions inappropriate for this kind of fare.

We arrived at our hotel in the evening and were looking for a close by restaurant to have dinner. Since Jimmy Carter's was right across the street from our hotel, we decided to give it a try. We were very pleased with our meal and the service. The margaritas and guacamole very good. My wife had the chili relleno and I had the chicken mole. The entrees were not only delicious, but also huge portions. We each left with to go boxes. Although we did not go there for breakfast we understand they are a great place for breakfast.

We got here by accident, but loved the experience. Pure serendipity ! We sat outside curb side. We tried 7 different dishes and all were over the top fabulous AND a good value too. Try it! BTW the Cinnamon spiked coffee was a great end to my meal.

Really enjoyed my meal, and it was right next to my hotel. I had the fajita's and cream of black bean soup and I really want them to tell me how they made that soup, it was so good.

Was at a friends house and ordered via postmates delivery service only to get the wrong order incredibly flat soda and what order was right was fairly terrible. Only giving them two stars because I don’t think it’s 1,000,000% fair to give a place one or five stars based on postmates delivery, but I will not be a returning customer.

Food & service great, decor really fun. We were only there for breakfast but the food was good. Lots of choices besides Mexican if desired.

My husband and I became regulars here while staying in an Airbnb down the street in Banker’s Hill. Prices are reasonable and portions are big. Nice outdoor seating and cozy indoors (with proof of vaccination). Good service and an array of unusual sauces to choose from to customize your order. Breakfast is an especially good value. We liked the fact that the wait staff wore masks.

As it is very close to the time share we were at we went for brunch one day. I had a wonderful breakfast enchilada plate with their Nortena sauce. Didn't want beans or rice as I generally find them tasteless and he suggested a fruit replacement. The fruit bowl was a good mix of fresh fruit. Mom ordered shredded beef enchilada with the beans & rice. She said it was very good and insisted I at least taste her beans & rice. Surprise they were tasty. Brunch was so enjoyable we went back for dinner. Ordered margarita's - much to our surprise they were served in large tall glasses rather than the small bowl shaped ones we usually get. At a minimum the equivalent of two of the others and possibly more. I love enchiladas and so went with one of the specials and even got the rice/beans. Great!!! Mom went for the Carnita's and said they were very good. Neither of us ended up joining the clean plate club and I was looking forward to trying the flan. Oh well maybe next time.

Right across the street from our hotel. We had dinner there twice in the 10 days we stayed in San Diego. The wait staff was very friendly and the food was excellent. I will go back when I'm in the area.

We came here with a Groupon for lunch. I am still amazed that for $6.50 I had a good sized burrito with rice and beans!! This wasn't one of those oversized dishes served in so many Mexican restaurants that you can barely, if ever, finish it, as good as it might be. It was just the right size and satisfied my hunger. Plus there were chips and salsas while waiting for the food. There are colorful Mexican folk art objects in the dining room and it is also colorfully decorated on the outside. Servers are very friendly.

Outstanding dinner at Jimmy Carter’s Mexican Cafe! My daughter had a shredded beef burrito that made her eyes light up. She gave it a 10. My fajitas were excellent. The atmosphere is outstanding and outdoor seating was just right. I highly recommend Jimmy Carter’s!

Great restaurant for dinner. The food was very good and the prices for the portions was very fair. Great little bar to have a drink and watch the baseball game. Service was top-notch.

We've been patronizing Jimmy Carter's about once a month for the past year. Love the fish tacos and of course the margaritas. Jimmy is a gem, family-owned business for over 25 years.

We seek this place out. Not touristy. Locals usually. Good Mexican comfort food. Reasonable price. Love it.

We stayed for a week at Inn at the Park, right across the street so this was a convenient place to grab a meal. During the course of our stay, we ate here once for breakfast and twice for dinner. Service was prompt and attentive and the food was very good. In our party of three there were no disappointments with food, drink or service. It appears to be a great gathering place for locals and we enjoyed our visits.

Was staying at the Inn at the Park, across the street. They recommended this restaurant and gave us a 10% off coupon. The food was very good, and the service was attentive. Noise level was pretty high even before the large group they set tables up for arrived.

We came here for lunch with our son. It was his recommendation as he lives here and he and his girlfriend frequent Jimmy Carter's. Not being very hungry, she ordered a chicken taco salad and I a chicken quesadilla. Our son had huevos rancheros. First, they serve fresh tortilla chips and the best salsa I have ever tasted. The taco salad was loaded with shredded chicken and had enough chicken for three salads. The quesadilla was also loaded with chicken and cheese and it too was good. The eggs also must have been good, because they were gone. We definitely will return on our next visit. Street parking is available at the meters. They also have a full bar.

Jimmy Carters provides both a restaurant setting an a cozy bar area, both of which my wife and I made use of. The breakfast selection and quality is excellent. Buttermilk pancakes were great - light and fluffy and tortilla and egg dishes prepared to order . There was a great selection of Mexican dishes for lunch and dinner. Happy hour(s) was very enjoyable in the bar with a very friendly bartender and complimentary snacks with your drinks.

We went to Jimmy Carters right after the San Diego St. Patrick's day parade. It was full but not TOO busy and got us seated right away. Their chips and guacamole were phenomenal and the meal continued to get better from there. I ordered chicken tacos with an avocado salad inside and it was delicious. The rice served on the side was very flavorful but not too spicy. This restaurant has a great staff and they were attentive without being annoying. Great spot for families of all ages.

Staying nearby and saw Jimmy Carter's on the corner, then someone recommended it. We were not disappointed. The food is fresh and the staff is attentive without hovering. We will definitely return this week - our first visit to San Diego.

As a picky vegan, I read YELP reviews and restaurant menus before I go anywhere, don't you? Jimmy Carter's Mexican Cafe never came up on any VEGAN search, and yet.. they had several things easily made vegan, they knew what I was talking about, no attitude, and I was very pleased with the food and service. Especially nice - right across from where we were staying, so if we cared to indulge in a few margaritas.. we could stumble home across the street. (We did not - I'm KIDDING!!) Decent food, well prepared, good salsas (ASK!!) and we even got a discount from our timeshare.. I am updating this review after visiting again recently. We went with friends who are Omni and eat everything. We of course are vegan. There are, seriously, wonderful selections for everybody. My friends husband said several times that it was the best Mexican food he has ever had. He said he eats Mexican food everywhere and It’s good, but it’s usually the same from place to place. This place is outstanding. I especially love to hear that when it is my recommendation to my friends. They do vegan right. We love this place. Also, there are wonderful decorations inside, so there’s always something to look at. Great food and a really cute atmosphere.

We're from out of town, stopped in after a google search and this place did not disappoint! Margaritas made with real lime juice, yum! Pozole was a little different than I'm used to but still great flavor! What I really appreciated was their honesty about cross contaminants and what my youngest who has food allergies could eat. He ended up eating guacamole which was really good and some fruit. Chile Rellenos were good. Neighborhood is very clean and pretty!

I ordered 3 soft shrimp tacos for my lunch meal. The taco filling was a lot lesser compared to any other soft tacos that I've had before and it only had 2 small shrimps in each taco. When I checked the bill, I saw that I was charged $27 for 3 small soft tacos. The price was not worth it for the amount and quality of 3 soft tacos served. I can't recommend this restaurant and I'm pretty sure that there are other Mexican restaurants in Balboa Park where you can good service and quality food that's worth your money.

The food was authentic and very flavorful from the salsa to the churros. The carne asada was one of he best I have had anywhere.

Love this colorful building on the corner and it's such a nice area to walk in. Inside is also colorful and artsy. I met friends and we had Margaritas with our chips and salsa. They ordered combination plates but I opted for just a chicken enchilada. The server let me try the tiaquepaque sauce beforehand and I ended up having that on my enchilada and it was very good. Loved the creamy spicy sauce. Very different. Jimmy Carter owns this restaurant but he's not the former President Jimmy Carter. Just a funny rememberable name for the restaurant though.

After reading several reviews my wife and I decided to try it. Not what we expected, would not go back. I ordered an enchilada with red sauce. I was expecting red enchilada sauce and I got a dark mole sauce. I don't like mole sauce. My wife ordered chile relleno which was stuffed with pork and vegetables. Almost no cheese.The margarita was O.K. We were not given tortilla chips when we arrived at our table. We asked the waiter and he wanted to know if we were buying dinner. They have a $7.00 min. order to receive chips. Will not go back.

Food tasted very authentic and the salsas were very good Staff were able to seat 10 of us at short notice and made us feel welcome

We were here years ago and came back to find it much the same Maybe more gringos have discovered it. It's kitschy with bright colors and ceramic animals, but cheerful and inviting. The sauces are the stars here, so choose carefully. The chiles rellenos with green sauce is excellent. The enchilada had well-cooked carnitas but the red sauce lacked umph even though I asked for spicy. The jalapeño poppers were fiery enough to bring tears to my eyes. Stick to some excellent beers here. The margarita was too sweet and needed more tequila. Coffee was average. The service was friendly and efficient.

Just a block west of Balboa Park is a great place for breakfast or lunch. The restaurant decor is a touch of Mexico with cermanic decorations colorful table and chairs. The food beats the decor. We stayed nearby so the restaurant was close for breakfast, and both times the food was great as was the service. We also had a late lunch which matched the breakfast in food. But because it was in mid afternoon the service wasn't as prompt but still good. If near Spruce and 5th Streets will worth stopping for lunch, breakfast, or i bet even a great dinner.

This restaurant is right on the corner of Spruce and Fifth Avenue and has a lot of outdoor seating around the front of the building. It is busy all of the time! We could use the traffic of people (and here noises associated with that) from our hotel window. We had the carnitas and carne asada plates. It was ok food and we are saying that, only because we have some excellent mexican food restaurants in our area, so we have had better. But as I said, they were always busy.

Dined here with the kids, partly because it was right across the road from our hotel - partly because we like Mexican and I love margaritas! Service was terrific, friendly without being pushy or intrusive, meal sizes were just right and the margaritas went down very well.

Place looks clean, service is really bad and the food is ok. Not the best good but not the worst. The service will make me not come again.

Decided to check this place out after a day of snorkeling at the Cove. What a pleasant surprise! The food was excellent, the service was quick and attentive and overall we were very pleased. Thus place was a refreshing change from the snooty joints in La Jolla. Even my house margarita was good. Not too sweet and not too boozy. We will definitely be back.

Good luck getting seated in this place. Big too-much-time-at-the-gym guy dressed all in black will dictate EXACTLY what table you may sit at - he actually stood and BLOCKED a table from us so we could not sit at it. We left and went to another restaurant. Our dinner will was over 111.00 so that's the roughly the amount of revenue they lost over a table.... I have previously highly recommended this place because the food is awesome - but if you care about things like good service, being able to sit where you want to, not being stuck at a table directly in line with the door and the ice cold outside air blowing in right on you, or being forced to sit where they want you despite many other empty tables-then by all means come here. we - after many years of frequenting this restaurant and having spent thousands of dollars here - will never be back - so hopefully you can make up the lost revenue..

Jimmy Carter's has a great menu and plenty of vegetarian choices. This is real authentic Mexican food. Great breakfast also and a full bar.

After a long drive from LA and checking into the Inn at the Park rather late on a Friday night we were directed to this Mexican restaurant by Worldmark staff. It was excellent. The beef tacos, chicken enchiladas, carnitas were top notch and the margaritas were super good as advertised.

It was right across from our hotel so we would go for breakfast the staff would take our order and was served within minutes. The food was pretty good and Steven our waiter was very helpful with giving idea where to go and vist other places point of interest;

California has a ton of great Mexican Restaurants and this is not the best but it is decent. The maragirtas were healthy and the food improved by the time you finished your drink.

Girl in bar was friendly fun to chat too. Helped us try local cuisine. Would definitely recommend you drop in for a drink and try the food.

Odd name for a Mexican food joint but why not? Located on 5th Ave in San Diego in the Banker's Hill area. Popular place for weekend breakfast and then visit to Balboa Park. I often have lunch here. TIP: select one of the specials from the white board. There is plenty of street parking around the restaurant but no dedicated lot. The chips and fresh salsa are a good start and compliments of the house!

Superb food if served in an essentially lackadaisical manner is exactly what you get here. They do, as far as my extensive experience in Carne Asada burritos goes - the BEST carne asada of anywhere. The resturant is fairly small, but that just makes it lovely and quaint. The staff are non-plussed, but I must stress - very pleasant. It is just clear they don't care if you are there or not because there will be another customer right behind you. Never rude, but never super accommodating. The food is very well priced too - and you're not going to break the piggy bank to ear here. complimentary chips and some of the best green and red salsa you'll ever taste. Make sure you don't fill up on those though - the food is definitely at its absolute apex when freshly served although the doggy bag will make for a fantastic later meal. Frequent it often and please make sure you always tip!

Just been for dinner here with a few friends and family, and was lovely. One of the best Mexicans I have ever had. Food was spicy, and not the best presentation, but once tasted, wow. Next time in San Diego will be back.

Burned pancakes that tasted awful. Cheap syrup for the pancakes didn’t help. Bacon is super thin, one of us liked the flavor of the bacon, the other hated it. You get 3 thin strips of bacon for $4.50. Not a good deal. Service was great though. Didn’t have time to send anything back to kitchen. Can’t recommend for breakfast.

We had a nice lunch near balboa park at this oddly named mexican restaurant. Service was very attentive and helpful. Standard mexican entrees with shout out for the crispy (fried) shredded beef taco plate.

We were completely blown away by this place. Came here on a whim expecting poor quality Mexican food. The name itself lead us to think this was an American version of Mexican cuisine. We were completely wrong. Everything down to the salsa was phenomenal. Definitely get the Chile relleno or the enchiladas with Tlaquepaque sauce. About as close as you can get to the border on the other side of the border.

We found out about this place from our car rental agent. He told us this was a great local spot. He was right. The food was great. I had the brunch menu. Tamales with green sauce and eggs. It was the best.

Went here with a group of nine (two families), and the drinks, food, service did not disappoint. Great enchilada's, great taco's....glad we stopped. Worth phoning ahead for a reservation as it can get busy.

We stopped in here for breakfast. Simple, clean and good food - it was out in a good of time. Everyone agreed it was a decent breakfast. We would stop here again for breakfast if we were in the area. Their Spanish rice was the best. Sent from my iPhone

Great food, quick service and friendly staff. They have several different sauces for their food items and all were good, some great.

The food here was a great experience. We brought friends from Germany with us, and we all loved the food. The portions are not small--but also not too much to be wasted. The pricing was surprisingly fair, and the atmosphere was very colorful, loyal to culture, and very interesting. They know many visitors by name.

This restaurant is sort of in the middle of nowhere, there are no other restaurants in the proximity apart from a coffee shop on the next block. This place must have been there forever, it looks very authentic, very colorful inside and the chips and salsa are great. The food is good too, the margaritas are weird tasting. All in all a good place for Mexican food.

I came here for dinner in the middle of the week and the place was not very busy. I noticed the menu is Mexican food however the description of the food is very gourmet and not do usual Mexican food selection. So if you're into traditional and authentic Mexican food find another place. I had the shrimp enchilada plate and found that it was only so-so. The bean sides are a black bean or pinto beans but not the traditional beans. Since I was by myself I ate my food at the bar and noticed that the waiter and waitress are more interested in talking to each other then the actual customers. So if you're into fancy gourmet Mexican food this place maybe for you. I prefer authentic genuine one Mexican food.

We were staying at a nearby hotel and saw the colorful exterior. Although we already had late dinner plans we decided to have our "appetizers" at this cafe. We ordered the nachos - and it was so large the two of us couldn't finish it! And it was good. Also ordered the lemonade which was sweet and tangy. If we had the time, and another day, we would have come back for a real meal.

We stumbled upon Jimmy Carter’s over 10 years ago, and now make it a must visit when here. The sauces are amazing, the variety of breakfast and dinner options caters to wide tastes, and the servers/staff make you feel like family. Thank you this trip to Ronnie, and all the best in your adventures. We love recommending this restaurant. Don’t miss out on this longtime gem near NW Balboa Park.

Our family flew into San Diego from all over the country and upon arrival went looking for a place to grab lunch. The hotel recommended we head over to Jimmy Carter's. Our immediate thought was weird name and it doesn't look like much, but we were glad they made the recommendation. The food was FANTASTIC, the servers were a delight, and the prices were reasonable. If you go, get a margarita--you won't regret it.

I want to be inspired when I go out. This was my first visit to Jimmy Carter's restaurant. I am always on the look out for great Mexican food. Ironically, I can't say the best Mexican food I've had has been in San Diego. Have not tried all the Mexican food locations in SD, but so far, no home run. The food at Jimmy Carter's was just OK. Zero wow factor. The Cointreau margarita was just horrible! When I see a tall glass heading my way, I know the quality is not going to be good.(bartender's here is the recipe .. 1/3 Cointreau, 1/3 fresh lime juice, 1/3 tequila. No reason to return to this restaurant.

Great Food Great Coffee Great Beer Great Service Cafe Style Mexican restaurant .. Loved it. Food can be served with traditional Mexican sides(beans, rice etc), or american sides (hash browns, fruit etc) We both had omelettes.

Fairly quaint diner feel, very colorful in aspect. Our waiter was most helpful and gave good recommendations. The bar has a lot of fun flair, as experienced on a later night, very helpful bartender.

This was our third time here & each consecutive visit was less impressive. Service was mostly nonexistent & food portion was minimal. We were originally drawn to their 'hot' sauces but even they were disappointing.

We stayed at the Inn at the Park right across the street and were struck by the funny name for a Mexican Restaurant. The concierge recommended it so we went for margaritas in the bar the first night and a delicious breakfast the next morning. The decor is so great - colorful and fun! The service is fine but not overly friendly. The breakfast was huge - we should have shared!

Traditional Mexican fare was delicious and affordable priced. SUPER friendly service, perhaps some of the friendliest we have experienced over our weeks visit. Definitely a must stop if you’re headed to the park or just looking for a quick lunch.

It's a really cute place to eat. Food was good, service was a little slow but it was a Saturday morning and they were rather busy. Waiters were friendly. And It was clean inside.

We stopped in for dinner on a Wednesday night and got a great booth by the window. I confess to people watching as much as eating but neither was a disappointment. We had the Carne asada and shared it between the two of us with a med. bowl of guacamole. Yummy and not too pricey. We ate our fill of chips and salsa before the food came and left very full. The service was quick and the atmosphere was funky, just the way we like it.

The foods okay, but unless you are one of the local regulars that come here all the time, expect to get the cold shoulder at best or completely ignored at worst. I’ve been here four times and I’ve experienced the previous each time, and I live locally, but I guess I’m not regular enough to get treated some general courtesy. Each time I’ve been here I’ve seen some of the exact same people who are clearly the regulars who will get priority attention or any attention at all even if they’ve been seated well after you. Also, if you’re sitting at one of “their regular tables,” you will get the stink eye from them. Last time I was there, and believe me, it will be the last time, I sat down outside and waited for someone to acknowledge my existence even after I had made myself known to the staff that I was there. After about 5 minutes two of the regulars sat down at a table right next to mine (of course I got the stink eye first because I think I sat at “their table”). Within one minute one of the staff walked right by me and brought them water and silverware and immediately started chatting with them. He then left them and again walked right by me, never acknowledging my existence. He then came back out and set up the next table on the other side of me with water and silverware, for all I can guess was another regular he was expecting. But again, no one was even at that table when I’m sitting right there at the next table four feet away waiting for some acknowledgement of my existence. None came! I got up and left. If you like getting the stink eye from the regulars, the cold shoulder, or no acknowledgment at all from the staff, then by all means, come here! If not, take your money and go somewhere else!!!

This was a great restaurant. I love Mexican food and where else to eat it but an authentic Mexican restaurant in San Diego. Sure was good. Not too spicy but spicy enough. Freshly made.

Pretty good breakfast and good service. Easily located across the street from the Inn at the Park. Great orange juice!

I rarely rate restaurants as excellent: I'm a teacher opposed to grade inflation! I reserve the rating for meals that evoke a strong emotional response. The pork Tlaquepaque at Jimmy Carter's was one of those. A creamy sauce of roasted jalapenos and cilantro topped savory pork that was flavorful in its own right. The rice and the beans were both unremarkable, but they were a mild contrast to the incredibly satisfying pork dish. My wife also enjoyed her shrimp tacos, which were also very flavorful. The table salsa's were also excellent, with good depth of complex flavors. Service on a busy Friday night was prompt and friendly. Noise level was a challenge, but the food made the visit memorable!

Went in for a nice Mexican lunch - had to wait a bit to be seated even though there was only a table or two occupied...I think the bartender seated us. Their were two of us, and our lunch choices were vastly different. Her carnitas taco salad was delicious with a good amount of the pulled pork and it was seasoned great. I had the seafood enchiladas, and I just gotta say, YIKES !! It didn't smell very fresh and the mayonnaise sauce (house specialty) was very off-putting. (I don't think warm mayonnaise is ever a good thing) I washed it down with a house margarita which was perfect, when made by the bartender, the second house margarita was nothing more than ice and lemon juice. No hint of tequila, and I always thought margaritas are best served with lime juice - it wasn't made by the bartender, rather the server...Lastly the poor flies had decided to expire legs-up on the windowsill by our table, much too close for comfort - and diarrhea ensued that evening and following morning...bummer !

Amazing food! Good service! The music is nice and fits the environment. Definitely worth a visit. Especially after walking all day at the San Diego Zoo.

The freshest chicken tacos in town. Good vibe, great staff. Calamari strips are a must try people! My wife had the beef tacos, the marinade/sauce they cook it in is delicious. The guacamole was made fresh to order. We are time share owners at the Inn at the Park just across the street, so we will definitely be back.

Guacamole, chili relleno, and tamale made on-site and are good quality. A bit out out the way, so it's not a tourist place but easy to get there.

We were staying across the street and the front desk clerk recommended this place. We sat outside and were waited on promptly. I had a margarita which was strong and tasty. I then ordered the chicken fajitas which were good. My friend had a shrimp taco with beans and rice. Then we ordered a fabulous dessert which was like a brownie with ice cream on top. A very casual atmosphere and we enjoyed it.

My BF and I stopped here for a great breakfast! Reasonably priced food and great service! We sat outside on the patio enjoying the wonderful San Diego sunshine! Service was extremely attentive and food selection varied from hearty omelettes to more extensive lunch menu...if you are looking for a place for breakfast, lunch or dinner this place is a good choice!

My husband and I came here expecting great Mexican food and were let down. The food was just okay. The eggs in my huevos rancheros were over cooked and the omelette was bland. The service was poor. It took over five minutes for someone to ask us what we wanted to drink and he was not very helpful. However, the coffee tasty!

Was on vacation in San Diego came upon Jimmy Carter's Mexican Cafe through Groupon. The exterior and interior is nicely decorated and neighborhood was in a nice area. We had the breakfast menu and it was delicious. Pic is an omelet with mushroom. I would go again next time I am in San Diego.

Situated on a corner in the bankers hill/hillcrest section of the city this small restaurant serves very fresh food at goid prices I had the taquitos appetizer which was full of chicken and my husband had the breaded stuffed peppers (you receive 4). They were flavorful and filling. Authentic mexican staff and cuisine. Will return for dinner

It's all good at Jimmy's. Excellent Mexican food with friendly, efficient service. Try the margaritas!

The chips were hot and fresh, with 2 types of salsa. That was a very nice start. I love a good chili rellano and was not disappointed. They had two choices. I had the one with pork, companion had the cheese only. Both the red and green sauces were good. Nice atmosphere and good service. Nice to find a good Mexican restaurant.

We selected this restaurant because it was relatively near the Zoo, solely based on the TripAdvisor reviews and our consuming desire for Mexican food. We were not disappointed! The food was served quickly and was all authentic and very delicious. We especially enjoyed the Serrano chile margaritas - YUM! Wish we had been in town longer so that we could visit for a second time. The entire menu was tempting, and the atmosphere was fun and friendly.

Perfect location right beside our hotel, Inn at the Park Food (careful - large portions) and service was excellent. Bar on one side and restaurant on the other. Outdoor seating as well

Their regular menu items and specials are delicious. Proximity to our hotel caused us to share several meals - breakfast lunch and dinner throughout the week. Great staff.

The best quacamole, generous marguerites of different flavors, we had surf and turf tacos, chili rellenos and carne asana. Terrific. Ask for Abner great waiter.

Have driven past this place for years. Finally decided to give it a try. Not impressed. Service was minimal. Never came back to ask how the food was or if we needed anything. Food was not very good and not very authentic. Sorry, maybe it was a bad night. There were 4 of us and not a single one of us enjoyed our meal. We eat Mexican at least 1-2 times a week. Sorry, hate to write a poor review. Just being honest.

Stopped in for Sunday night dinner. I got the chicken quesadilla which was really good but it was the house margarita that stole the show. Overall good meal, good drink and good service. Definitely will be visiting again.

We always stop by whenever we are in town. Strong, delicious Margaritas and sublime Carne Asada plate. The breakfast of fantastic as well.

Price and portion size is little off. Place was authentic but the service and the prices were not what we expected. Tacos start from 6$ piece.

Great Mexican food at reasonable Prices! It is only too cold inside! Friendly service offered too. Go there!

Strengths... 1. Great decor 2. Friendly staff Areas for Growth... 1. Mediocre wines 2. Food is ok.... the guac is excellent and everything else was fine

Found this restaurant on Groupon and was curious regarding name! Decided to check it out! What a pleasant surprise! They were busy but service was fast. Very friendly staff. Food was delicious with only one complaint. I ordered pork carnitas and had several dry tough edges. Taste was still good. My husband had a chicken dinner that was excellent. Inexpensive for large amount of food served...$14 for dinner that included rice beans and a salad. Margaritas were great! Several families eating around us. Casual decor. Would definitely return!

This little restaurant is a hidden gem! I have been going there for at least 15 years. Centrally located near downtown, it has been a mainstay of the locals for generations. Wonderful wait staff and a good selection of items from their collection of tried-and-true recipes. Not fancy; just delicious home-cooked Mexican food. Try the hot pickled carrots, the tostada and especially the Tlaquepaque special sauce. Yum!

I am a fan of fish tacos, I know at first several years ago I thought, what? Fish. Tacos. Do they really go together? Well, with the right fish and the right cook, absolutely. I saw fish tacos on the menu, I asked what type of fish, the wait staff said, oh they're tilapia; my heart sank. In San Diego? Oh, we have halibut too! Could I have them ala carte? Sure, we can do that! And they did, and they were a great dish to go with my pomegranate-mango margatini. Delish!

Authentic Mexican cuisine, great service and ambience. Not far from the Spruce Street Bridge, nice walk from Balboa Park.

Local Mexican Restaurant with an interesting name. Less than 100 feet from the Inn at the Park. Our party of four adults and two children was seated rapidly; however, we just beat the rush at this very popular restaurant. Very friendly waitstaff. Good children’s menu in addition to a decent selection on the regular menu. Chips and salsa were gratis and replenished as needed. We ordered Pollo Asada, Carnitas, and enchiladas. Plentiful portions and fairly rapid service. Grandkids had quesadillas and guac. Everyone had leftovers. Great service!

Finally, after years away from a birder town, this place is authentic, the food is fresh, the service is very good.

This restaurant was across the street from our hotel. We went there for a late breakfast. The food and sauces were delicious. The service was friendly and timely. We went there the next day for lunch too we liked it so well. Plus, it was very convenient. Prices were good and not inflated.

Walked from our hotel and ate there on recommendation from our concierge. Excellent! We had carne Assad tacos and nachos. I had a Cadillac Margatini and hubby a Margarita. Everything yummy, service good and owner friendly. We will probably return before the weeks out.

Went to Jimmy Carter's while staying at the Inn At The Park. It is right across the street so we thought would try it. My wife ordered the burrito and I ordered the enchilada. You can customize your order the way you like. The service was quick and the food excellent all for an inexpensive price. We will definitely go back the next time we are in San Diego.

Went for drinks one night and Margaritas and they were great. Back the next day for breakfast and I had the hash and my wife a scramble, both delicious. What we really enjoyed was the friendly service and in speaking with Vanessa, who was wonderful, she explained the owner Jimmy is an incredibly nice and genuine owner who takes care of his staff, and it shows! Go and enjoy and if you get a chance to talk to Jimmy don’t miss it, a wealth of San Diego knowledge!

Excellent margaritas. Had the enchiladas which were just as good. Very good service as well. Definitely recommend if in the area.

We had a feast eating at this restaurant, we enjoyed the ambience, drinks and food. We will be back for more, authentic Mexican food in San Diego. Great customer service, delicious food and good pricing. Highly recommended, we loved the Steak Tacos.

Think again with a name like "Jimmy Carter" for a Mexican restaurant you might be skeptical about the menu and food served. We were pleasantly surprised by the variety, tasty sauces and freshness of their food. They make their own chips and salsa and paired with the variety of margaritas....wow! We would definitely eat there again.

While in San Diego, I invited my friend to accompany me to Jimmy Carters restaurant. I was totally surprised to see that the entire menu has changed to 100% Mexican. I remember a couple years ago, when I went last, the menu was much better and more diversified; Indian, American, Mexican; like some choices from varying nationalities. So, I was going there for their Lamb Vindaloo, that they once offered. Nope, all Mexican! Having said that, I ordered Shrimp Diabla. Well, I found it flat, not spicy enough! The shrimp were large and tasty however; likely 16-20’s. I really wasn’t in the mood for Mexican; oh well. So my review is this. If you want Mexican food you may be pleased; I was really looking forward to their Indian dishes; curries, vindaloo, naan flatbread, etc, but they no longer offer that genre of food. Sad! Chef JP

This is a great little restaurant located on the outskirts of Hillcrest within 5 blocks of the Soruce St pedestrian suspension bridge. Have lunch and go for a unique walk. The ambiance is laid back and the prices are reasonable but a charge for chips and salsa. I had the Camarones del mar enchiladas which were excellent. The staff is attentive, Alcohol is served and there is outdoor seating. This is a gem of a restaurant and a must visit if you like Mexican food!

This local favorite was truly wonderful. Food made fresh and really well. My husband said the sauce on his dish tasted like it had been simmering on the stove for 6 months - it was so complex and delicious. Great service and beer selection also.

Our first visit to Jimmy Carter's and we enjoyed every minute from the Old World decor to the delicious food. We sampled a little bit of everything, a flight of their wonderful housemade sauces, Calamari and Shrimp tacos, Taquitos and Pork Jalapeno Poppers. Our 5 year old granddaughter even enjoyed her Bean and Cheese Burrito. Our son spoke with the owner Jimmy Carter himself who commented how he is proud of his staff that ensure the authentic Mexican flavors of the dishes served. It was obvious from the clientele's comments that there are many regular customers. Our server provided impeccable service throughout our lunch. A full bar is available and of course a fine selection of margaritas and beers.

Fabulous food at very reasonable prices. There is a range in the intensity of the spice level so something delicious to suit almost everyone. The service was timely and the staff very friendly. Thank you for a great meal.

The food was okay and will work when looking for a casual Mexican dining experience. I had breakfast with the potatoes ,egg whites, tomatoes, and cheese. The taste was good. I must also mention the aqua fresca (I had pineapple and that was actually delicious!). My memorable time at the restaurant was the service. We were immediately greeted and seated when we entered. Although our waiter was supposed to be about to go home, he had the best attitude and was extremely helpful. He even gave us an extra drink to go and his employee discount. This place has been around for awhile so it's certainly proven to be a local favorite. I am a foodie, so I am a little tough... but I would not sleep on Jimmy Carter's Mexican Café.

Went here a few days ago. The food was really bad. Somebody couldn’t pay me to finish the meal. I should’ve listened to my gut instinct when I saw and felt the atmosphere. Felt really tense, dirty and just overall bad. The owner was rude to us and his staff. There’s MANY different and better restaurants in the area. I’d recommend going elsewhere 100%

Having been going to JC's for many years, starting back when they were still on Washington St in Mission Hills. Their food is consistently good, a wide selection of specials each day and many of them are dishes you don't normally see at similar Mexican restaurants. The service is good, the place is clean and cozy, everyone we ever take there loves it as well.

Went looking for a Mexican and found this one through Trip Advisor. Turned out to be a favorite neighborhood hangout - the place was packed with families and groups, and folk were arriving throughout our entire meal. The ambience is generally friendly and the service is fast and efficient. The food is good, but we found it not to be particularly innovative - pretty standard Cal-Mex - and our choices weren't even very spicy. In fact, our local NY restaurant hits higher spots, though that probably speaks more to the quality of our local rather than Jimmy Carter's. This is a good place if you want to avoid the tourist traps of downtown San Diego, but book as you'll be fighting with the locals for a seat.

Good ambience, great service and great food. Easy to get to and worth a visit. Reasonable prices. I had the small Nacho Supreme and its unique presentation has changed the way I will be making them at home! Get some chips and the sauce that no stranger can pronounce to start with. My son likes the sauce so much he had it put on his burritos! Enjoy.

This restaurant was highly recommended by our hotel staff. We felt very welcomed though we had no reservations. It is a relatively small place. We were seated and quickly attended to by Michelle for drinks followed by dinners. We had the usual dishes with tacos, enchiladas, & black beans. The sauses were very tasty and all were used and enjoyed.

This place is awesome! The wife and I have been eating breakfast here most Saturdays for many years. I’ve never considered writing a review for this place on Trip Advisor since we go here several times a month, which should be a clue as to how good a restaurant it is. The Mexican dishes don’t suck and they make an exceptional Chicken Fried Steak.

We were staying at the Inn at the Park across Fifth from Jimmy Carter’s. Stopped in for breakfast (served till 2:30pm) and it was very nice. Sat outside under umbrellas and had a scramble and an omelet. Delicious food and quick friendly service. Liked it well enough to go back for dinner! We had the taco salad and a Chile Relleno with pork, Oaxca cheese, and mole. Excellent. They have a nice selection of mainstream and local beers. Okay Finished with churros! Great place, friendly service, reasonable prices. Gracias Jimmy!

Out standing- My wife & I love Mexican food! Yet the 2 neighborhood places we here we live n LA are boring standard Taco/Enchilada/Burrito places with average tasting boring menus! Not Jimmy Carters! They are creative, authentic family recipes dating back a long time with rich wonder flavors. The Tahlapapacque (sic) and Mole sauces to die for! The Pork Carnitas and equally fabulous! Its no surprise this neighborhood place is usually standing room only waiting for a table!

Jimmy's colorful cafe has delicious carnitas, marvelous mole, yummy enchiladas with Tlaquepaque sauce, great chips and awesome green salsa. (Love the fresh red salsa too; watch the heat!) They have creative daily specials & the nicest staff who always make you feel special. Great place for breakfasts too, the best hash browns and egg dishes or hamburgers for the kids. Vegetarian options too! Truly a favorite.

A Great Mexican food restaurant with friendly service. We tasted taquitos, guacamole, hard tacos, enchiladas of different types and enjoyed a lot. I also had a ginger margarita. Service was quick. We found a parking spot right in front of the restaurant.

This is a perfectly reasonable place to eat located near the western side of Balboa Park. The choice is good, the service is prompt and the staff are reasonable.

As a picky vegan, I read YELP reviews and restaurant menus before I go anywhere, don't you? Jimmy Carter's Mexican Cafe never came up on any VEGAN search, and yet.. they had several things easily made vegan, they knew what I was talking about, no attitude, and I was very pleased with the food and service. Especially nice - right across from where we were staying, so if we cared to indulge in a few margaritas.. we could stumble home across the street. (We did not - I'm KIDDING!!) Decent food, well prepared, good salsas (ASK!!) and we even got a discount from our timeshare..

We've been To JC Mexican Restaurant since it was at its prior location. We liked every lunch/dinner we've had there. It is a "must" stop place for our out-of-town guests. In addition to lunch/dinner selection, try out their pickled carrots (those made with clover). They are something special. They used to be served on each table along with the chips and salsas, now there is a charge :(. Affordable. Street parking only. Close to Balboa Park.

I'm a local so I've tried a huge number of San Diego's Mexican food places (tiny take-outs as well as up-scale), but this is THE best for a true Mexican atmosphere and a broad selection of great authentic food - yuumy fresh chips and salsa! It's a must for visitors who want a lovely, bright Mexican decor with wonderful flavors and lots of variety (from very spicy to mild). I especially love the breakfast and lunch offerings. Affordable for a family, fun, and excellent service - don't miss this lovely, welcoming restaurant that's very near downtown AND Old Town without the hassles of downtown and Old Town parking.

We stayed at the Inn across the street. We called in our breakfast order two different mornings to pick up and take to are room. All was good and at a fair price.

Jimmy Carter's Mexican Cafe has good Mexican Food. Not to far from Balboa Park. I had a very good breakfast there. It was a nice time. Will be back.

Fun little establishment with decent Tex-Mex food at a low price. The chile relleno is particularly good.

I can officially say I found my five star place in San Diego for dinner. When you can find those vacation staples that are a must visit, it is pretty exciting. In this case it’s Jimmy’s Mexican Cafe! This is an amazing local place right by Balboa park for a meal after the zoo or museum. Currently outside dining and take out are available but it’s their accommodations that are so impressive. I have yet to hear them say “no we can’t we do that” after two visits. We were able to bring our two dogs and they even brought them a bowl of water. As for food it was out of this world. We ordered clam chowder and a calamari burrito smothered with their special Telaquepaque (sp?) sauce. The portions are large and generous and the taste is so authentic which is important being from Phoenix. At the end of the day this was such an amazing find and couldn’t recommend this place more! I don’t give out five stars freely but this earned all five. We will definitely find our way back even if it’s out of our way!

Good portion for the best value. We were the group of seven and believe me, we ordered a lot. The final bill came out surprisingly reasonable. Very pleased!!!! Found this place on TripAdvisor.

Yes, the cost is cheap but it just wasn't worth it. I ordered the carnitas. i could not believe the server would even bring it out to our table while trying to convince us that the carnitas was fresh. it was so dried out and maybe cooked on some other day. My partners meal was horrible also.

We visited Jimmy Carters twice while visiting San Diego. It is directly across from the Inn at the Park Hotel which is an outstanding place to stay at. Carter's is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and has a happy hour. Food is good especially the Carnitas - they are crispy pork accompanied by beans, rice and salad. They will give you complimentary taco chips and salsa prior to your meal. Pay the extra 2 dollars and add the guacamole to the dips - its smooth and home made. They have regular specials and the breakfast entrees are very generous. Forget the Happy Hour - yes you get a reduced price but so are the portions. The dollar off the beer and drinks is the only deal here. The place is often crowded and bustling with people talking and waiters scurrying about. The seating and ambiance is not the greatest but this is a corner bar not an upscale restaurant. I would recommend this to anyone staying near Balboa Park - solid authentic Mexican.

Outside of Old Town and Casa de Pico in Grossmont Center, this is one of the best Mexican restaurant atmospheres in San Diego. Reasonable prices, wonderful waitstaff, and truly delicious food.

We frequented Jimmy Carter's 10 years ago when it was on Washington Street in Hillcrest. Missed it when it closed, and didn't realize that the restaurant actually only relocated! So, many years later, we are once again, loyal customers. Cute little corner cafe with easy street parking - it's a good bet for consistent, authentic and affordable Mexican food. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, so it's almost always open. The salse verde is good, and very hot. Only complaint is that the milder salsa served with the chips, is really a pico de gallo with chopped tomatoes. We like a good red salsa for dipping. My husband likes the chicken mole and I would recommend the seafood enchiladas for dinner. The Tlaquepaque sauce made from roasted jalapeños and cilantro is fabulous as is the selection of margaritas and craft beer. Staff is friendly and the service is quick. Won't disappoint if you want casual, relaxed and authentic.

Starting off the day with a great breakfast is always the right thing to do. Starting off breakfast at Jimmy Carter's with a margarita and some Tlaquepaque is the most incredible thing to do. There are plenty of options to help even make it easier for even the pickiest of eaters to find something good. I highly recommend trying a flight of their sauce offerings and starting off with an order of chips and guacamole. Once you feel like you're good and done order yourself a churro to cap off your meal.

This “Hidden Gem” - this place is away from the hustle and bustle of San Diego but well worth the hike (2 miles from downtown uphill) or drive. This NOT a TexMex place, it is a Mexican restaurant. Get Mexican food!! The Pork Chili Verde is excellent! The margaritas are just as good as the food and nothing is overpriced like in the rest of San Diego. No Hurry, No Rush - just great food and good people.

Really great tacos and combination plates....the carnitas was outstanding. The plates had the usual beans and rice, but not too much of either and they were well prepared. In addition, they add a bit of guacamole and salad. very reasonably priced, especially given the area (5th avenue restaurants tend to be pricey).

My husband would rate this higher, for sure, but I just wasn't as blown away as he apparently was. We arrived at a non-busy time, which meant we were shown to a table right away. They had happy hour - only good at the bar - when we showed up, but neither of us wanted to drink at that time, and we were comfortable at our little booth table. Our waiter didn't exactly exude the warmth or hospitality (it was the day before Thanksgiving), but he was at least on top of things. We ordered our non-alcoholic drinks and then took our time with the menu. While we were perusing, the friendliest lady brought out the chips and salsa. If this review were based on her alone, I would give five stars. She was honestly the sweetest human we'd run into in a while, and she made us both smile. The salsa, by the way, was pretty tasty. The chips were warm and salted, and the flavor of the roasted peppers within the two different salsas was very good. I preferred the green to the red, as did my husband. But they were both tasty. For dinner, I went with the Chile Colorado, with chicken (on the waiter's suggestion) and flour tortillas. My husband ordered the Carnitas plate with corn tortillas. They don't have very many vegetarian options - things that aren't salads, at least - so it's a good thing that I'm not a very good herbivore. The food came out piping hot and - for me, at least - unexpectedly spicy. The sauce on the Chile Colorado was way more rich in color and flavor than I'd expected, but the deep chile flavor was good. My husband took a few bites of my plate (he actually finished it off for me, because I had to tap out about halfway through); he fell in love with the flavor the second the fork hit his mouth. For me, it was too spicy to enjoy. Again, the flavor was good, and maybe they serve a traditional recipe, but I'm used to something a bit less dense, less rich and way less spicy. Both packets of tortillas were hot, steamy and fresh, just the way we liked them. The sides on the plates paired well with the main dish, giving us options when building our own taco/burrito type meals. By the way, my husband loved the carnitas plate, as well. He said the meat was perfectly cooked and verbally applauded the crispy outer layer of the pork. I'd be willing to give them another try on a different day, but my first visit left a bit to be desired.

A mix of Mexican and American plates with a welcoming atmosphere in both breakfast, lunch, and dinner times. A very clean and comfortable quick dine or full meal.

If you like Mexican food with a little kick then you will like Jimmy Carter's. Wide selection of food and even has a burger if that what you want. Prices are pretty good and the selection of beers is a bit limited but I am sure you will find one you like. After traveling all day it was just what we needed.