Jose's Courtroom Reviews

I am from Texas where there are tons of Mexican food establishments. We stumbled upon Jose's Courthouse while walking around and decided to give it a try. By far the best cheese enchiladas ever! We came two days in a row it was that good.

Jose's of La Jolla: Not your typical Mexican Restaurant! Recently, we were craving Mexican Food while shopping in La Jolla Villages. So we decided to try Jose's of La Jolla on Prospect Street. The atmosphere is more of an casual, English pub than your typical Mexican restaurant. A fun bar area with plenty of great viewing of Sporting Events (with a good Happy Hour Menu). Plus a quaint little outdoor patio in front - directly on Prospect Street (great for people watching in La Jolla). Wee enjoyed the guacamole and chips...spicy salsa. Bot the Mahi Grilled Fish Tacos and the crunchy chicken tacos made it a worthwhile stop. Enjoy! .

If you didn't know the place (and we didn't), you might automatically think that: restaurant on main beachfront street of resort town = high prices, mediocre food, and indifferent service. We (wife and I) thought so at first, but decided to give it a try; and were pleasantly surprised. Despite the crowds on the street, we were offered a seat on the sidewalk patio quickly, got chips and libations quickly, and had our order taken by a friendly and efficient server. We both had the ENSALADA GRANDE--grande in size (there's plenty enough to take home for later), and really grande in flavor; romaine lettuce, carrots, bell peppers, avocado, tomatoes, salsa fresca, roasted corn and Cotija cheese tossed in the house made cilantro lime dressing. We added grilled shrimp to ours. Prices are reasonable, especially considering the location, quantity, and quality; and, the view of the ocean from our table. This was two days after Christmas, so Prospect Street was a non-stop parade of exotic cars and exotic people.

Tried to go to Puesto and it was closed for a private event, so rounded the corner and took a look at the menu. Basic enough, but the guy at the door reeled us in with a casual, "if you like what you see we'd love to have you" and we were sold! Margarita's were excellent - food was good. Loved the casual atmosphere and would come back in a heartbeat. Kudo's to Chris!

Saw this place driving by. Had dinner. Average food. Average service. Very pricey for the overall experience. No more than I expected. Not going back anytime soon.

Right across the street from our hotel, we stopped into Jose's early one evening for dinner. This classic restaurant has a great outdoor bar, smooth margaritas and good Mexican food. Love the quesadillas and the guacamole is perfection.

nice place to have a beer and buroto taco etc. nice selection of craft and bottle beers. ate the surf & turf buritto which was very good.

Four of us met up at Jose's Courtroom for dinner and drinks. We were not disappointed! I could not believe they had the albondigas (meatball soup)! It was delicious along with the flautas appetizer. My husband had the camarones diablo - a very hot and spicy shrimp dinner. He loved it, but you have to love spice and heat to order this dish. Another friend had a humongous burrito! We all enjoyed the food and delicious margaritas. There was only one server, but she was on it! We never had to wait for anything...I wish I remembered her name, sorry!! The atmosphere is very casual and comfortable! We definitely will be back......thanks for a great evening!

The food was surprisingly really great and the margarita was wonderful, I had the Skinny and it was fabulous. Nice view too!

Ate dinner here in late July during our 4 day trip to beautiful La Jolla. Really enjoyed our meal here. Was greeted by a friendly person and decided to go with an outside table. Server was over right away to get our drink order. From there, we were brought the free chips and Salsa. Salsa was delicious with a good bit of kick! For dinner, I had the Enchilada platter, son and daughter shared the cheese quesadillas and the dip trio. Food was exceptionally tasty and fresh, a real treat of a meal. And you get a nice view of the water from the balcony. Prices also were very reasonable considering you are in a touristy area. Highly recommended and will be back if ever we travel to the area again.

We went there on Tusday for dinner and they had Tusday tacos, great deal, the food and drinks were good and the service was great, great place to eat!

Stopped in at the bar for dinner and a beer the other day. Tarah the bartender barely greeted me, never asked me how my food was, etc. The fish tacos were fine but the service here is simply below par. Not sure if it is a staffing issue or what but there are plenty of other places in La Jolla to go to. Hopefully this review gives the restaurant a chance to improve for future diners.

We chose the place just walking by, as it looked nice. In a friendly atmosphere, we had very good cheese quesadilla and chicken fajitas. The portions are very big, the food can be spicy, but it is very tasty.

Had a great meal here with my family. Waitstaff was super attentive and quick with drink refills. Taco Tuesday is a great deal in La Jolla, where just about every restaurant is fairly overpriced.

I was exploring La Jolla at lunch time and saw Jose's. It was half full with a number of tables having lunch drinks. The tv's had sports shows but the noise level was okay. I sat at the bar and had the carne asada wrap. It came with chips, salsa (spicy) , beans, rice and a cabbage salad. The wrap was large but it had lots of lettuce. Lunch was good and for $10.99 a lot of food. It was pleasant not great but good.

One of the best margaritas I've ever had and also loved my chicken quesadilla-husband thought his burrito was excellent. We sat outside and service was fast and friendly.

Expensive, very rude servers, filthy tables. Built in tips so servers take your order and money…that’s it. Food was cold and nothing special. Oh and they throw another 4% on top of bill for inflation (small print). I won’t ever be back!

Just happened by this fun restaurant. Came in right before Happy Hour. Place was busy. Food, drinks, service and especially the view of ocean was awesome. Just had a few margaritas and queso dip. Both were outstanding. Will look forward to joining them again on our next visit to La Jolla.

The view is great, the location unbeatable. The service was slow and disjointed. The food was sub-par. Our chips were stale. The Tacos were blah. The experience was not "bad", it was forgettable.

A very casual place reminiscent of typical older restaurants south of the border. The food is very good, nearly excellent. We had fish tacos and a bowl of ceviche. From what we saw served at orher tables, we could have ordered anything and everything equally good. My wife raved about thei r Margarita.

Good food, great location. I liked the little patio so you can eat outside. I had a giant burrito that was very good.

Love this restaurant! Great food and service. Always a great experience. Always enjoy the food!. I had the cheese enchilada plate, with a custom drink and some side dishes. Always fantastic!

Very recommended. Great food, drink and atmosphere. Reasonably priced too! We only stayed one night in La Jolla or would have eaten there again.

Good Mexican food and the margaritas was really good. We had a good time in this restaurant. You should try.

Had a vegan burrito at Jose's and it was amazing. I was also lucky to find an outside seat with the view of the Ocean.

We went for dinner and the food was good. The chips and salsa were ok but that's all individual tastes. The location is good.

Totally worth stopping in! We enjoyed the margarita and cool beers! I had the Camarones Diablo shrimp - sooo good and spicy! He enjoyed the enchiladas! The view was cool and our waiter knew his stuff! Was not terribly busy on a Monday- we enjoyed the la holla cove and beach as well

Stopped here for lunch, people friendly but not enough help. Only one waitress. Food was ok and drinks were fair. Very casual. Watch out seagulls will eat your food right off you table.

dark, small and unappealing interior. expensive average food. cramped and old tables. dirty and sticky menus. overpriced

When strolling through LaJolla, Jose's is a great place to stop for good Mexican food, good atmosphere and good music... The guacamole is outstanding and the fajitas were still sizzling when we got them. It's a friendly bar with good food.

I️ was by myself today and sat at the outside table/bar that faces the ocean. I ordered the Baja Bowl with chicken which was tasty. It was just the right size for lunch. I️ have eaten here on Taco Tuesday before, and took my son and his roommates. The prices were good and the tacos were really good! Jose’s is definitely a good place to go for Mexican food in La Jolla.

It is hard to do Mexican food wrong in my opinion. Or at least Tex/Mex. A rather large group of ~8 of us stopped in and were seated quickly. Service was quick and attentive. The server helped make some suggestions which led me to the California Burrito. I would highly recommend this delicious twist on a burrito! Server was quick with chips and salsa as well as refills etc. TV's allowed us to keep tabs on the football games.

Met up with friends and their kids. Party of 8. Relaxed atmosphere allowed us to catch up while they hung out. Food was good. Drinks tasty. Guacamole was so good. FRESH with large chunks of avocado. Loved the location.

First impression of the place it’s just extremely dirty and not well taken care of. It seems the margaritas are premade and not freshly made as you would expect in a Mexican restaurant. Same with the guacamole it lacked lots of flavor. Location the music and the staff make it enjoyable.

This bar/restaurant has some of the yummiest food! The place looks like a local dive bar, but the food was soooo good. Make sure you try the California burrito. The rice and beans were amazing as well!

Jose’s is a dive on the main drag of La Jolla but we loved it. The service was prompt and careful, the food authentic, and prices reasonable.

This is the best Mexican food and margaritas I have ever had. My friend ordered a pitcher of the strawberry margaritas. Typically I don’t like flavored margs but these were made so perfectly. They weren’t too sweet and syrupy like most places. They’ve really perfected their margs. The salsa was spicy, but that’s how we like it. We both ordered a wet pollo asado buritto with green sauce and it was delicious. It was a huge burrito that came with rice and beans. Each table has hot sauce condiments if you want things more spicy. We were impressed with the service as well.

We sat on the patio, enjoying a sweet ocean view in the distance. Food and service were v good. Nice beer list. Skinny margarita was $11. And tasty. We shared mahi mahi tacos, which came with rice and beans- very tasty, $18 for two tacos. Chips and salsa were complementary. Overall, a very good rest stop on a Sunday afternoon.

Enjoyed a frigid pitcher of Modelo Especial beer with my hottie wife while I performed an epicurean swan dive into my perfect Mahi Mahi Taco. We also enjoyed her shredded taco. We received a bowl of creamy Guoc on the house from a hotel coupon. All within view of the breakers and the touristas meandering along the sidewalk. Great service, an eclectic clientele and a nice selection on tap.

Good place for a drink and lunch. Margarita will be a cool choice. Chicken Fajitas and Shrimp Fajitas are good. Ambience is nice. On the whole a desired halt for Mexican lunch close to La Jolla cove.

Excellent selection of specialty margaritas, we had a spicy jalapeno flavored and a mango flavored margarita. The food was delicious, especially the ceviche and guacamole. Very generous portions at reasonable prices. Lovely view of the ocean and excellent service made for a very fun time!

I loved eating lunch in Jose's Courtroom. The restaurant has a nice atmosphere and seems to attract a very classy clientele. I sat outside in order to take in the cool breeze and friendly, laid back vibes of La Jolla. The "great outdoors" also seems to boost a person's appetite. The best thing about Jose's Courtroom, of course, was the food. The enchiladas were fabulous. I was also impressed by how friendly the restaurant staff was. Service could, perhaps, have been a bit faster; but considering how great everything else was, that is a relatively minor criticism.

We were craving Mexican food when we got to La Jolla so this is where we stopped. Good food and generous portions. The chips and salsa were good, spicy if you like that and the food was very tasty. A small patio overlooks a section of the Pacific. Margaritas were good and stout must try one if you are here. Overall good Mexican food and definitely hit the spot.

jose's if good for what it is, which is a dive bar mexican joint playing lots of reggae, to grab some tacos. i must say, the veggie burrito my daughter got was the size of a duffle bag and apparently great.

My girlfriend and I were visiting Mission Beach for a week in Sept/15 and decided to spend a day in La Jolla. Being from Canada with somewhat limited choices for Mexican food , we were excited to enjoy some authentic Mexican. Mission Beach seemed to have more taco stands and small Mexican diners, which I'm sure were very good as well as authentic , but we were looking for more of a dining experience. La Jolla had all sorts of very nice restaurants to choose from including Mexican . While walking through this beautiful town we noticed the cool " Jose's " sign so headed straight there and checked it out through the open wall. The place looked very nice and inviting so we tried it out. We sat at a table next to the open wall with a view of the ocean looking down toward La Jolla Cove, incredible view!! I ordered the shredded chicken burrito and my girlfriend had the grilled chicken quesadillas, and of course a cold beer in a nice frosted glass( it was only 10:30am but in this nice place with the incredible view surrounded by locals watching a SD Chargers game, it just seemed appropriate). The food was amazing ,the staff were very friendly , and the beer was as cold as you can get it. The bill only came to $35!! We had great experience here and would definitely come here again if ever in La Jolla.

Steer clear of Jose’s! My husband and I stopped in for lunch while on vacation. We sat at a patio table for 20 minutes with no one coming to take our order and after watching 3 tables be served that arrived after us, we finally decided to leave. There is no second chance for us for this place. Terrible customer service!

Jose’s is a La Jolla institution. I have been going to Jose’s since the 1990’s. If you are looking for a bar for tasty margaritas and a lively atmosphere with nice views of La Jolla cove, Jose’s is the place. If you are looking for the best Mexican food in town, there are many better options.

Being from Texas, we like to compare Mexican or even tex Mex food to places we visit and this was pretty average, slow service. You just walk in and wait to get noticed. Food was plated pretty fancy but food wasn't very flavorful. Coming during happy hour might be better and will save you more money.

My daughters and I shared nachos which came heaping on a plate with tons of toppings - chicken, guacamole, cheese, roasted corn, roasted chiles, beans, etc. It was only $11.50 and it was awesome. The service was also great.

Absolutely wonderful dinner spot not far from the ocean! Fajitas were amazing as well was the chips and salsa! Wife had the chicken burrito and loved it! A must stop while in La Jolla!

The waitstaff and atmosphere here is fun and friendly and relaxed. We loved our meals, one of the best of our entire trip. The only slight ding I can give is that I didn't care for the flour tortillas, they seemed greasy or perhaps under-cooked to me. Would definitely recommend this place and will return the next time we're in the area.

After spending the day exploring the La Jolla coast we found ourselves in need of a pick me up. Found Jose's by accident and sat outside at the bar with a great view of the ocean. Margaritas were delicious and we had free chips and salsa, we added an order of cheese dip and had a enjoyable time eating, drinking and people watching. The waiter was very attentive and would recommend to anyone.

Good for very casual in-the-village eats, not a date place, friends meet-up is more appropriate. Not fine dining but good, large portions and tasty.

When in LaJolla, we always try to stop at Jose’s, if weather permits. We love the patio, where you get a glimpse of the ocean and good people watching. And yes, they have heaters to take off the chill. Last week we stopped by for tacos and a beer, our late lunch that day. Fish taco was v good! Beers and drinks always come through. Service has always been good, even tho it gets crowded on a warm day. We love the patio but of course there is indoor dining here too.

We went in to get out of the rain and have a beer, no food. It was a typical bar with typical bar service. Didn't try any food so as far as bars go, it was good for people watching as they passed in front in the rain.

Loved the food. Tacos, both beef and chicken we're good and they're very generous with all of what the taco includes. The burrito is huge! The chips and salsa we're delicious. Fajitas were a hit too. We all had margaritas and there were no complaints there either. Loved that all the windows are doors were open and you could really feel the last Jolla atmosphere.

Tasty food, great music & the best cocktails ever. Easy going atmosphere and very good prices. You can see the sun set over the Pacific from here. A real treat !!

Jose’s Courtroom is the closest thing to a dive bar in La Jolla Cove, though it is not even close to a dive. It is very clean, great service, and excellent food. It feels comfortable and inviting; a very fun vibe. The staff is super accommodating. Get the nachos!

I wouldn’t even give it one star. My friend and I got seated at a table for two, then within 5 minutes they sat someone else at that table and kicked us out. Hostess promised us another table with the same view and in the sun like original One. We waited for 20 minutes. That table she promised never cleared out. They wouldn’t want to give us at another table or accommodate us in any way, although we asked multiple times. Then, we asked for a table for 4 people that has same sitting and view as the original table. They refused claiming it’s only two of us and they need four people. although there was a couple sitting at the same table just like that and it was two of them. Hostess was incredibly rude. I told her that this is a terrible customer service and I feel like they only care about selling more food aka fitting 4 people at a table vs two. She replied: “this is what running a restaurant business is.” If I was the owner I would’ve fired her unless this is actually how this restaurant runs it’s business-solely on numbers and not quality. If that’s the case, I am glad we didn’t get to eat there. Businesses that focus on quantity vs quality tend to have terrible food and drinks. Stay away and take your money somewhere else is my advise.

Came here for a quick lunch. We were seated, but had to grab a server to get menus. Then we had to grab another server to actually take our order. The chips & salsa were good. I had the fried Mahi Mahi taco plate. The tacos were huge, and I appreciated that, but it lacked flavor. Didnt even touch the rice and beans, as it wasnt good. My wife got the elote and taquitos. The elote came out cold. Never been anywhere that served cold elote. Had to ask a guy coming from the kitchen to warm it up because our server was off having convos at the bar with her off-duty coworkers instead of checking on us.And the place wasnt busy, as we walked in on a Monday afternoon. All we desired was standard good, attentive service. Not to be ignored when we're trying to spend money at your establishment. PLEASE AVOID THIS PLACE.

First visit to La Jolla and ate dinner at Joe's Courtroom! Very casual atmosphere with great service - ask for Cassy! The food was really delicious - large portions that no one in my party could finish. Would definitely eat here again!!

A friend who use to live in the area suggested we go to Jose's and it was great. Friendly staff and good food. We went with 6, two of which were kids and everyone was happy with our choice of restaurant.

Very friendly and excellent authentic Mexican food. No view at restaurant but after you have your meal you can walk just 5 minutes to LA Jolla Coves.

Seven of us stopped here for dinner after a walk around the nearby Sea Lion Park. Outside seating was available, so it was perfect. Between us we ordered Tacos, Enchiladas, Burritos, Quesadillas, and Shrimp Diavolo – with a mix of meats and vegetarian. Every item was authentic and delicious. Portions were generous, and we had tons of left-overs for the following day. The Starter Chips were so delicious that we had to have a second serving. Our Margaritas were made well, the Beers were cold and the Wines were served at the perfect temperatures. The atmosphere was relaxed, and our server was attentive and pleasant. What more could we ask for? We would love to return on our next visit to San Diego.

Dive Bar setting. Clean basic menu ; well executed. Chips and salsa to start were very good. Margaritas also very good. Appetizers and entree’s were large and delicious. Nice alternative to the name in town options.

Looking for a good Mexican food place in LaJolla?? Try Jose’s. Casual, friendly and helpful severs. Guacamole app is tasty but a bit small (yes the large order) The veggie quesadilla very good! Great option! The carne aside was very tasty!!!! Good for beef lovers!! Worth the stop!!!

Walked up here from the cove and seal watching! We got sat right away, & greeted promptly at the table, server was ok but the food was very good!

While in La Jolla I asked a waitress taking a break outside of another fine dining establishment, "Where can I find the best Bloody Mary around?" Without hesitation she enthusiastically pointed up the street and said "Jose's! Definitely!" Best reference in my opinion a server from another great restaurant! Friendly hostess said outside dining full however I headed inside to the bar for my bloody mary. It was excellent! After peeking at the menu I decided to order something. Yummy! The flavors in that shrimp taco simply indescribable! Will return next trip! Super wonderful place!

Always a solid Mexican food choice. Fun atmosphere. Prices are high but it is a prime location in La Jolla. We have eaten there several times and recommend it when visiting in La Jolla.

We came in fairly late with a crowd of 13, but they served us with a smile and got all of our orders right the first time! The chef even redid one our fajitas without being asked, just because he was unsatisfied with his work (he thought it was overdone, but it tasted great to me!)

Last night was my last night at Jose's. Have been a customer since the 1980's. Watery House Margarita. Small and overcooked Carne Asada taco. Must have new cooks in the kitchen. Blonde manager offered to replace it, but I declined because the food wasn't my main issue. The owners have almost destroyed the decor of the traditional Mexican Bar. . The old wooden Mexican bar has been replaced by a modern, cold, light grey, formica type counter with no personality or history. Cold, hard, aluminum or metal bar stools replaced the old leather stools a couple of years ago. The owners have done to Jose's what the owners did to the old Whaling Bar at the La Valencia Hotel. Destroyed it in the name of a "new look." If you look at their website, there are still photos of the old bar. They even painted over the handsome Cuevas guy on the back wall. Trennie, who refills our water and tortilla chips, seems to be the only familiar face or fixture left. From a very disappointed old-timer. It broke my heart to write this review.

It was a nice patio to eat on, albeit small. But the food was just average. The chips and salsa were pretty good but the guacamole was nothing special. The service was slow but friendly. My burger was ok, but I didnt really enjoy it. Thats not a knock on the restaurant, I just didnt love it. I wish we would have tried something else but if youre looking for a decent patio and just want drinks and apps, I would give it 4 stars. Plus this place suffered from us having a weeks worth of pretty good eating. The bar may have been a little bit higher because of this.

Great location, friendly staff and good food & drinks. Lots on the drink & food menus to choose from, and the staff happily makes recommendations.

Carne asada and enchiladas were ok, nothing special. One of our sets of silverware wasn't clean. Hostess cheerfully greeted us but our server (Adam) wasn't as attentive in filling our drinks and taking our order. Looked like a dive, gave it a chance, but I'd keep looking if it's Mexican food you want.

Good food, great staff, no-hassle attitude and very reasonably priced. If you like to actually enjoy yourself, good food and feel that staff is actually taking care of you......do not look any further. We have been going to this place for years, were never disappointed and, whenever we had any kind of issues, the staff always took care of it properly.

I had high hopes for this restaurant as it has many great reviews. However, my experience just wasn't that great. The food is just average and the portions were insanely huge. This might be great for some people but it was a little off putting and really a waste. The portions were made so large by adding lots of filler ingredients (such as way too many peppers/onions with the fajitas and way too many beans and lettuce in the wrap). I would have preferred smaller portions that had the ingredients in better proportion. I also wasn't impressed with the atmosphere of the restaurant. Maybe it was the night we were there...

We had just watched another amazing sunset and me, being me, immediately moved my attention to filling my belly! It was a Friday evening and La Jolla was busy. Luckilly, we managed to get the last table in the restaurant. As soon as you walk in the door the atmosphere hits you, which is great. There appeared to be endless chips and we doubled up the amazing tomato salsa with queso dip. To be honest, I could have left it there, just eating these all evening! My wife had the chicken toastito bowl and I had the vegetable burrito and both were fantastic. It's hard to believe that veggies could taste so good. For such a busy place, the sefvice was spot on and our orders came out quickly and exactly right. Love this place!

All the games on individual TV's, great wait staff and good food. For cheap. Likely not the best place to impress a date but for a group of friends a perfect place.

Can't go to San Diego and surrounding area without finding some good Mexican food. Friends and I were traveling from FL to San Diego and came across this little place while walking around. The margs were great and the tacos were good.

Friendly staff, reasonable prices and great tasting food.... The food happiness trifecta!! Kids got shrimp tacos and shrimp burritos and left nothing on their plates. Husband and I shared the shredded chicken burrito. Staff cut and presented on two plates without being asked or giving any eye roll at all! Courtesy is everything, and they definitley have it!0

poor food, tasted bad, looks bad, service of staff was ... ehm..bad! we were really sorry for ourselves we ‘ate’ here, yug!

Ate at an outside table despite the cold. Good gas heaters helped. The menu is typical for Mexican restaurant. We split a dip trio, which has guacamole, elote, and queso. All were really good and the chips clearly homemade. We split the vegetable fajitas which were really good. Plenty of corn or flour tortillas, and the fajitas were not oily as they sometimes can be. Usual veggies and big slices of grilled portobello mushrooms. One order was great to share. The service was friendly and attentive. Will be back.

I ordered a burrito to go and paid as I ordered at the counter. When I came to pick up my order the manager told me that i told me these waiters make living on tip and I didn’t pay tip. I smiled and said I thought you wanted to give me discount because I’m your next door neighbor. He replies loud and nasty I won’t give you discount and never will. I was gonna leave the order but as a courtesy to neighbor I took the order and tell the owner about it later. I tried to tell him the next day that I didn’t receive any service to tip but he didn’t let me say a word by being loud and nasty and repeating I never give you discount which I never asked. The owner come the following day and apologize to my boss and settles the matter (not to me) as if I am nobody. Loud mouth Vito that turned the story to me asking for tip still working there. So make sure to tip if you ordered food to go at Jose’s and make sure to walk in the back alley to see their kitchen environment and search google for tip definition “REWARDS FOR TO INSURE PROMPT SERVICE”

In the heart of La Jolla, where it's hard to find the right place to eat. I say go here! Best Mexican food I've had in a long time. And it sure beats the fancy places up the hill. Add in the San Diego vibe and you have a winner for sure. Go for the burritos, tacos, or tostada.

Fantastic food, fantastic location about a block up from the shoreline. Went with our two kids, they absolutely loved it. Staff was brilliant, food was outstanding. Kids asked every day of the vacation if they could go back for dinner!!!

Great service, great chips and salsa, great salads and tacos! I would have eaten there again but we only were in the area for 24 hours. This place is awesome. I had a salad and it was so fresh and flavorful!

One year ago our family came here twice for lunch/dinner. It was fantastic THEN!! So of course we could t wait to come back again this year.......we should have stayed away!! What a waste of $$!!! Chris was our server and apparently he had better things to do than wait on his customers. Cocky attitude and terrible service. In fact the bus person /who cleared the nearby table actually had to get Chris not only for our table but for the one next to us!!! And they were not busy at all!!! (While bis ting tthe ladies room, Chris was horsing around at the back side of the bar!) Needless to say our “make it perfect margaritas “ were horrible!!! No tequila what so ever!!! No flavor actually at all!!! A TOTAL WASTE OF $60!!! Save your $$$ and go somewhere else!!

This place is fine, and that's about it. There are lots of better places, even better Mexican places, in La Jolla. The fact that there was no wait to get in when every other place nearby had a line out the door should have tipped us off. The service was good - prompt and attentive. The vibe of the place is a bit dive-y. Food was just okay. Complementary chips and salsa, but the salsa was very spicy. The bowl of tortilla soup was pretty small and consisted mostly of chicken pieces, though the broth was pretty good. The flautas didn't have a lot of flavour to them. Burrito was fine. Not a terrible experience, but decidedly average. You'd be better off to head to Puesto nearby.

I sat outside on the patio and ordered a strawberry margarita and veggie quesadilla. Both were wonderful! Very nice atmosphere watching people walking by as you enjoy a meal while looking at the ocean!

Jose's was recommended as a good place with a fun vibe. Put myself and wifey in a great ocean view table only to find they were reserved for a large group so we were put in the back. OK, but not the ocean. Ordered off of the Happy Hour Menu - decent Margs for $4, but the Apps were just not up to par at any price. Tried the street tacos and flautas - average at best. It is a fun throw back place, I'll give them another try next time I'm in town.

We stopped in for a late lunch. We tried the nachos and the portion was huge. The food was excellent and the service was great also.

I was the guest of my business partner who wanted to introduce me to "real, local, cuisine," and a local hotspot. Jose's does not disappoint. The service was fantastic and the food was great. I will go here again. The only complaint was that it can get noisy and it was very difficult to hear my friend.

Keeping it simple. Had to wait a few minutes, worth it. All of the dishes my party had were great! Service impeccable. Will be coming back next trip.

While walking the cushy streets of La Jolla, we were looking for a reasonable and casual place to rest our feet, get a cocktail, and enjoy a casual meal. When we came upon Jose's the place looked a little dicey at first glance, but none the less inviting. We were promptly seated and enjoyed frosty margarita's along with chips and salsa plus the house guacamole. Dinner followed with a variety of burrito, fajita or nacho entrees. The food was pleasantly good, served timely, and not unreasonably priced. The staff worked hard to juggle the large crowd, and ran as fast as they could, but were clearly understaffed for the crowd.

Prompt seating and service. The salsa and chips were good. My wife’s shrimp tacos had more complex flavors than my mahi-mahi tacos, but both were good! It is combination Mexican beer joint and sports bar in back room. The loud TV volume detracts from the ambiance in the front of the restaurant. Location is great, but atmosphere is rough!

We enjoyed a fabulous view for lunch. The food was delicious and the margaritas were the BEST! All the staff were friendly and service was excellent. Lots of local knowledge by the staff was very helpful to those asking. I enjoy the atmosphere here.

No wait and staff was friendly: everyone enjoyed their dishes and service was great. No complaints here

It looked good as we passed by but the food was tasteless. I had the fish taco and I think it was some frozen fish stick from the supermarket repurposed for a taco. The waitress refused to split the bill four ways as we were on a work trip and needed to get reimbursed. She then told us she could only do it three ways which didn't make sense. Finally, she said she couldn't print multiple receipts. As an established restaurant in a prime area, they should be able to do that. She was just lazy.

We hadn't been seated more than a minute when chips and salsa were brought to our table! Both were excellent! Fish tacos were just okay, nothing special

The atmosphere is fun but the food is lacking great flavor. It's just too American, not authentic Mexican. We came here for a Bridal party and all of us were let down. The service was good, but the food was average.

Nice patio with a view of the ocean. Also, a great view of all the people in $$$ cars getting stuck in traffic on the main drag.

Strolled around La Jolla, wanted a bite and a brew and stumbled upon this non-descript pub. What a find! Great Mexican-inspired food, fantastic quesadillas and salsa, attentive service. Great value as well, not expensive at all, considering being in La Jolla! All you can ever ask for in a good Tex-Mex joint! Secure a spot on the tiny patio, it's great for people-watching!

Being that my wife is Mexican, we are somewhat picky about our Mexican food. Jose's will not disappoint. We had shrimp tacos, ceviche and a couple margaritas that were out of this world - seriously - super flavorful and perfectly prepared. Could not ask for more!

An armpit in La Jolla? Jose’s food is sort of like what you’d get if you asked your greasy teenage son to make you dinner and then paid him actual money for the pleasure. Disgusting bathrooms and interior - disinterested staff - sub-par food plus floaties in and stuck on the water glasses. They could make this place great and highly profitable but ownership interest is clearly lacking.

The chips and salsa were very good. I had a cup of tortilla soup and a salad. The margaritas were fantastic. The guacamole was great.

Was looking for a lunch spot and decided on Jose's because of the front patio and the view of the cove, even though it is a few blocks away. Probably the best meal we had on our trip. Loved the shredded beef burrito! Great salsa too!

It is a charming Mexican restaurant that offers not only different food, but also a great view of the sea. We visited this place 20 years ago and it has retained its charm to this day. It's just nice to sit out there and enjoy the view. The food is good, though not outstanding. Nevertheless, the menu offers an appealing selection, and we tried different dishes that all met our expectations. Particularly noteworthy is the extremely friendly Service, which has made our stay even more enjoyable. Prices are fair for La Jolla, which is another plus. All in all, we enjoyed our lunch very much and can recommend the place as far as looking for a relaxed meal with wonderful views.

I was staying in La Jolla cove and looking for a place to have a few beers. Ordered the ceviche and a few Pacifico beers and had an enjoyable time. Wait staff are attentive, and the place has a rustic charm about it.

Omg their margs are the best I've ever had. I was driven to writing a review while looking for the recipe on Google. Our service was excellent and our food and drinks came out fast and everything tasted so good! They have enough variety of food options which I love. And you have a beautiful view!! I've gone twice now, one while visiting San Diego 5 years ago and today when showing my brother in law since moving here.

This is a great place to enjoy happy hour while the sun is setting. Prices were good, chicken tacos were outstanding, we ate way too many chips and salsa. Next time, I'll skip the house margarita, it was premade and very sweet.

I have been enjoying Jose's for over 20 years and it has never disappointed me, my family or friends. We live in San Diego and we often will eat lunch here when spending time in La Jolla. Jose's has a great location and if you get a seat along the outside wall you have a great view of the water and a tremendous spot for people watching. Start with the cheese crisp and take it from there. The food is excellent,very good service and awesome margaritas on the rocks.

cool place to go for dinner. funky looking place with lots of character. We had 3 different taco's each & all tasted great. reasonably priced & service with a smile.

This restaurant may not be on the ocean bluff, but it does have a view of the ocean. Good Mexican food. We had the chicken and shrimp fajitas; there was plenty to split between 2 people and enough sauteed onions for both of us. Service was also very good.

My wife and I stopped by here for lunch on a Monday on our way to Anaheim. I didn’t know anything about this place and was just a little suspicious just looking at it from the outside. Man, was I wrong. The place has great Mexican food. I liked the atmosphere as well. I had the Pollo Asado wrap and loved it. I washed it down with a tasty margarita. If you are in La Jolla and in the mood for some Mexican food, you can’t go wrong here.

I was craving fish tacos on my last night in La Jolla. This was the best spot! Great vibes, friendly staff!

I come to Jose's maybe 3 times a week. On nice days we will sit outside and when it's cool we belly up at the bar. Bartender staff is super friendly and although I only drink beer, their craft cocktails are interesting and delicious. Shrimp tacos are off the charts, the Bajaj Bowl is light and fresh and their happy hour is one of the best in town. If you're hungry or thirsty and want a great view of the ocean, Jose's is your best bet.

If you like Margarita's and even if you don't you MUST try the Caddy!!! You'll be a Margarita fan for sure! Down side, once you return home none will come close to Jose's! The burito's are incredible and so are the shirmp fajita's! You can't go wrong! The fish taco began right here in La Jolla so everyone has good ones, no great ones, from what I hear. I haven't had them yet just can't eat everything at once.

Saturday afternoon, had a good crowd. The margaritas were great and I also got a shot of Don Julio Blanco. Pricey, but it is on Prospect. My chicken burrito was very good.

We went there twice on our last trip to La Jolla. Everything we had was very good and best of all there is not much of a wait. We didn't have reservations on a Saturday night and this was the only place we could find without a wait. They seated us immediately and we had chips and beers within a few minutes. I really liked the Camerones Diablo appetizer. Good food and a great location!

Ate a late lunch there today with the whole family (3 kids). Food was really good, as was the free chips/salsa. Fajitas were really good, and the kids got full. The wait staff were on-the-spot and patient/indulgent with the kids. Was a great place to eat before hitting the Children’s Pool Beach/Scripps Park, which is a very short walk. Would highly recommend, especially if you want Mexican food.

Food was good, service average, view was fantastic. The inside of the restaurant is older, and fairly small.

We stopped just before noon for a few drinks, chips & salsa and queso. Everything we ate was great. The beer was perfectly cold. The Bloody Mary was great, complete with spicy salt on the rim. We love outdoor seating anyway, but the ocean view from the patio was unbelievable. We didn't have any entrees, so I can't speak to the rest of the food, but I highly recommended this place for hanging out in La Jolla.

A great place to grab a grilled fish taco or full Mexican meal. Great chips , salsa and of course margarita's. A great place to watch people as well.

The caddy margarita was great. The fajitas was good. The chips and salsa was also good! We enjoyed everything!!

The Mexican food is very good. The dishes are large and filling. I had the surf and turf burrito which consisted of shrimp and beef. The shrimp were firm and the beef was very tender. The guacamole inside the burrito was delicious. The fajitas had a nice line marinade. They have several margaritas to choose from by the glass or by the pitcher. The margaritas are quite good. If you eat outside, don't leave your food unattended to use the restroom. Seagulls are waiting out of sight where you can't see them. We observed a seagull swoop down on someone's lunch. The birds don't bother you if you are with your food, only if you leave it alone. Great place for Mexican food.

Excellent food and phenomenal service. We had the house margarita, quesadilla with carne asada, guacamole, and chips and salsa. Fantastic find.

Jose's was a funny and cozy place with a small bar -the best view ever- we ordered dips with nachos and cold beers ¡Highly Recommend!

We stopped by this place just at the end of happy hour. The portions we large, the food tasty and we liked the sunset view of the pacific.

We went to Jose's for the first time a year ago on vacation on a tip from our Uber driver, and came back a year later (on scooters) while on our next vacation because it works that well. Jose's isn't fancy, it's just very good. You can find fancier foo foo places all over La Jolla Cove and La Jolla if that's your thing. Jose's is fresh, good, Mexican food, and if you eat outside, colorful scenery and happenings. The location is perfect, just up the hill from the La Jolla Cove rocks where the sea lions and seals hang out. We opted for tacos (fish and shrimp) but there are many other menu choices.

Who knew?! we had a weekend brunch on the patio with our dogs. Our food (and waitress) were amazing.

After a morning of sightseeing in La Jolla, we were more than ready for lunch. After driving around looking at several possibilities, we settled on Jose’s. They have a nice patio with a view of the ocean. The server was very nice and efficient. Two of us had the meatball soup, which was delicious. It was a huge bowl, and I did not think I could eat it all, but it was so good, I managed to finish it. The others had fish tacos, shrimp tacos, and chicken enchilada. The food was good, the service was fast and friendly, the location was great, and the place was clean and comfortable. I would definitely recommend Jose’s.

We were so excited to try this restaurant. The reviews looked great, and the menu looked good. However, when we arrived, we were immediately disappointed. The service was slow/rude and the food was cold. Our server was not attentive and did not seem to be interested in helping us. We waited over 30 minutes for our food, and when it finally arrived, it was not what we had ordered. We tried to send it back, but the server was rude and told us that we would have to pay for it. We ended up leaving without eating, and we will never be going back to that restaurant again.

Our uber driver recommended this spot and so glad she did! Beautiful margaritas loads of gorgeous chips and salsa and everything else we tried from the menu was amazing! Great staff too

You can get a great view of the ocean from the outdoor seating area at Jose's. The food was average but the view was great. Watch out for the seagulls if you eat outside. We had one drive between my wife and I and steal some food off our plate. Apparently this bird had done this before because he came from behind and was on our food before we knew what was going on. It was quite funny and I wish I had it on video.

Sat in the bar area on Taco Tuesday, had a great time. The bartender was also our waiter was great Margaritas! We had the tortilla and meatball soup along with the tacos They were packed.

The beer and margaritas flow easily at Jose’s. No stuffiness here. A nice switch from the uber expensive places near by. A little disconcerting that the cute bar tenders all were having multiple shots with customers. That made it feel sketchy. Are they working for tips or shots of tequila?

This place has great Mexican food. I loved their tacos. We also had our one year old and it was definitely a family friendly establishment. Great prices too.

The vegan burrito was wonderful, the service was fast and friendly. It was a huge plus that they had the TV and we could see the game while eating lunch.

Jose’s is a long-time restaurant in La Jolla that is billed as a sports bar & eatery. It also offers some really good southern California Mexican food. Ingredients are fresh, combo plates are very generous. My flautas were among the best I’ve had…meaty & crisp, and deep-fried with a light touch. Several burrito dishes I tasted also were generously filled with beef or chicken, not filler. Table salsa is spicy with a touch of heat. The menu is wisely limited to a few of each: appetizers, salads, sandwiches, tacos, burritos, and specialties. Our group of eight sampled a number of dishes and all were declared to be very good to excellent. Service for the group was efficient and friendly. Our hotel, with its own restaurant, recommended Jose’s for Mexican. That’s a compliment!

I ordered a to-go meal of fish tacos. Were so delicious and fresh. The meal came with an order of chips and salsa. Was pleasantly surprised!

Good mexican food and yummy margaritas. We sat next to the window for lunch and had a great view of the ocean.

Very good food!! Had the shrimp tacos and chicken burrito. Very quaint and unique to the area. Enjoyed the scenery from the deck even though it's sits a street back from the ocean you can still enjoy the views from their small outside deck.

Over cooked burger, boring magi tacos with tough taco shells. Good guacamole but awful chips. I'd skip it unless you just want a drink.

We often stop into Jose's Courtroom when we are in La Jolla. We like their nacho's and quesadilla along with their margaritas.

Salsa and chips are good, beer is not expensive. Ordered the shredded beef tacos the cook probably forgot to season the meat as it was tasteless.. Dissaponted!

Second visit did not disappoint. Great margaritas, large portions of very tasty food at more than reasonable prices. Staff was very cordial and the view can NOT be beat. If I get the chance I will definitely return.

We usually go there for Taco Tuesday. Simple place, great tacos, even better margaritas... Sit outside and watch the ocean from a place where you can actually afford it. Happy hour is nice as well.

My son and i were sitting next to this place deciding through yelb were to go for a dinner(mexican),The smell of sizzling food attracted me to check out the place,It was almost packed but we managed to find a table ,Service and staff are good ,We ordered Quesadilla and cheese Enchilada"chicken" i would say it was ok but its not top of the chart,But if you are looking for a place to hang out with ur friends and u have something ok to eat/dine then this the place .

A surprisingly lower end eatery in La Jolla. The food was a bit tasteless. Chips with salsa bland. I’m certain I’ll not visit again. Too bad!

You'll find a friendly warm staff at this restaurant. I found the food to be slightly better than average. The nachos are a significant item. They'd feed 3-4 easily. I found it be searching Mexican food with a view. While not a spectacular view it did have a distant view of the cove and plenty of open air seating. If you're looking for a quick bite and drink this is a good place to choose.

we used to come here regularly 4 years ago but now the food was very disappointing, even the guacamole and the cadillac margarita poor, what a shame

Jose’s courtroom it by far the best Mexican in that area the food is always amazing and the staff is very friendly I highly recommend this restaurant

Stopped here for a burrito. Was the biggest best one I have had. This olace is a short walk from the beach . Atmosphere not the greatest ( just a typical bar) but the food and service made up for it? I had the veggie burrito it was stuffed full of roasted corn, black beans, cactus,sweet potatoes, zucchini onions, peppers .... Very good !

Excellent margarita's and meals! The complimentary chips, salsa, and guacamole were excellent. So nice to sit outside with a good quality meal for a reasonable price. Will be back!

Stopped here a couple times for margaritas, chips and guacamole. All were very good. The bar is a fun atmosphere and I would go there again.

The prices are reasonable for the area and the location is near a lot of great shops. The salsa was delicious, the guacamole was delicious, the service was great, the tortillas tasted house made, and the portions were very large. Casual bar style restaurant with a great atmosphere. There was no green chilli... which is how I rank Mexican restaurants.

Had been to Jose's 5 years ago with some colleagues and enjoyed it very much. So this recent trip with my wife I wanted her to try their great margaritas. We went on a Saturday afternoon after a great kayaking tour of La Jolla and we were hungry and thirsty on arrival. We sat outside overlooking the Pacific. The sun was a little bright, but the temperature was perfect. The chips and salsa they brought to the table could have been a stand alone meal for me, the salsa is that good. Ordered the flautas and fish tacos, which were both excellent. The tortilla on the flauta was fried to a crispy deliciousness. My wife ordered a carne asada wrap, which she loved as well. All in all, a great time at Jose's. Excellent food and drink with professional, friendly service to boot.

Tasty, crunchy shredded chicken-packed tacos! Sitting outside enjoying the view and the food. Excellent service. Fast and friendly

I ate here twice during a recent visit to San Diego. The second time was to test whether the Ranchero Shrimp quesadillas were as good se one time around. Good news!!! Delicious both times. Generous servings, relaxed atmosphere, and a good range of draft beer. Don’t miss it for lunch or dinner.

A must when visiting La Jolla if you are after authentic Mexican food. This place has been around for 50 years, has a great atmosphere and the service was great. You can’t book and it gets busy so we had to wait 25 mins to be seated. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu and the food and alcohol prices were very reasonable. Highly recommended.

I stopped in at Jose's for lunch after touring around La Jolla with family. I split Nachos with my dad, and others in my family got a quesadilla, fajitas, and a salad bowl. Everyone was very pleased with their meals. The portions were all huge and the nachos were very good and filling. Service was pretty standard, nothing above and beyond but that is ok. I would say that Jose's Courtroom is a good location to come to for lunch/dinner but come hungry.

We visited the San Diego area and ate at Joses in La Jolla. I think this was our favorite meal from the entire trip. The food was fresh, delicious, reasonably priced, and the service was quick and friendly. We recommend Joses!

Wow, what a disappointment. If you enjoy being ignored as the bartender plays favorite with friends, this is the place for you. If you like paying $12 for a margarita that has maybe one shot of tequila, 1/4 shot of Cointreau and 2 shots of sweet and sour(watched it being made), this is the place for you. Pathetic at best.

I was looking for Mexican food that my husband would go to, he doesn't like it. Burritos were good, my daughter liked the rice, and she is picky ;) Margaritas were OK, but I am picky on those. Overall this was a great choice for our lunch and shopping day!

As we walked Prospect Avenue, we happened upon a unique Mexican Restaurant - José's Courtroom. We sat outside, facing the street on a bar with nothing between you and the passers-by than thin wrought-iron and a pitcher of Margaritas. Soothing music (it was Funky this evening at JC's, with Sly and the Family Stone emitting from high fidelity speakers) made the night fun! The food was EXCELLENT, with the fajitas and Shimp Burritos topping everyone's list. Moderately priced, this makes José's Courtroom a rare find off of The Cove in La Jolla, where $1,000 dinners-for-two are the norm. For fun, drinks, and a decent evening in La Jolla without taking out a second mortgage, José's Courtroom gets a Guilty for Good All-round Value.