Highlights
- Live music
- Sports
oChef » CastaƱedas – San Diego
CastaƱedas - San Diego
Photo from CastaƱedas
CastaƱedas at a glance
San Diego Lincoln Park
- š® Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31ā$40
mentioned by 62 of the guests
#597 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#84 Mexican Restaurant out of 113 in San Diego
Average
6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
466
Reviews
57.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Live music
- Seafood dishes
- Bar service
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent service
- Value perception
- Food flavor
The restaurant CastaƱedas Mexican Food in San Diego’s vibrant Lincoln Park neighborhood is a casual Mexican eatery where you can immerse yourself in a lively atmosphere. You’ll find yourself enjoying delicious food accompanied by live music, making it a perfect spot for a memorable dining experience.
Itās a great place to catch sports while savoring authentic flavors.
Overview: Introducting CastaƱedas
CastaƱedas presents a vibrant setting, often enhanced by live music that creates a fun environment. While many guests appreciate the quality of the seafood and generous portions, some experiences point to inconsistencies in the dishes and the overall attentiveness of the staff.
The establishment often receives praise for its reasonable price, offering good value for many diners. However, a few encounters suggest concerns about the overall worth and the consistency of service, indicating a varied experience for some visitors.
Average
6
out of 10
466
Reviews
57.1%
Satisfaction
180
negative
20
neutral
266
positive
Based on 466 customer remarks, CastaƱedas achieves a Restaurant Score of 6, placing it squarely in the average category. This score reflects a mixed bag of experiences, with 266 positive sentiments balancing out 180 negative ones.
The Customer Satisfaction rate stands at 57.1%, which also falls into the mixed range, suggesting that while many leave content, a significant portion encounters issues. Delving into specific aspects, the Ambience (7.4) clearly shines, earning a good rating and contributing significantly to the overall appeal.
Both Food (5.8) and Service (5.7) hover around the average mark, indicating areas with room for improvement despite many positive comments. The Value (4.8) score, while still average, leans towards the lower end, suggesting that some patrons question the cost-to-experience ratio.
What people like
- Vibrant live music
- Delicious seafood dishes
- Attentive bar service
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service quality
- Questionable value perception
- Food flavor issues
CastaƱedas offers a vibrant setting, particularly if you appreciate a lively atmosphere with live music. While specific seafood dishes and the bar service often hit the mark, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in overall food quality and the attentiveness of the staff.
With a Recommendation Score of 6.1, it’s a place worth considering for its entertainment and certain culinary strengths, but it might not be a guaranteed hit for every aspect of your dining experience. Approach it with an open mind, focusing on the lively vibe.
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Verdict: Our expert take on CastaƱedas
Food (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 88% of the guests
When it comes to the food, many diners rave about the delicious offerings, with 108 positive remarks out of 200 total. Standouts include the excellent Taco de Camaron enchilado, the impressive tower ceviche, and dishes made with fresh ingredients, often served in generous portions. There's a lot to love here!
However, the overall food experience is a mixed bag, with customer satisfaction at 54% and an average score of 5.8. Some 83 negative comments point to issues like food lacking flavor, overly salty dishes, tough asada, and bland burritos, suggesting inconsistency in preparation.
Food
200
Reviews
54%
Satisfaction
83
negative
9
neutral
108
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent seafood dishes
- Fresh ingredients used
- Generous food portions
What people don't like
- Food lacks flavor
- Inconsistent food quality
- Overly salty dishes
Often praised
- foodIt's not uncommon for there to be a full live band playing norteƱo music, which contributes to the fun environment. All their food is fantastic, but the mariscos are particularly amazing. They have a full bar with great drinks, and the service is friendly.
- seafoodIf you happen to be a seafood lover, then this is your best place to be at.
- portion sizegood prices for the portion size
- beerI really enjoyed their great tasting piƱa coladas and their cocktails were delicious too. You can never go wrong with beer here. It's one of my favorite places to go dine in.
- drinksGot our drinks super quickly.
- portionsportions are really good.
- 7 Mares soupOrdene caldo 7 mares muy bueno š
- California Burritoeat my California Burrito to-go order
- Camarones EnchiladosTry the Camarones Enchilados !!! Best in town
- Chile rellenosChile rellenos are delicious
Frequently criticized
- foodI sincerely hope future customers get a better server. We were told we had to wait an additional hour to eat, and the food was horrible š. I suspect if I had been a man, the treatment would have been different.
- chipsWe ordered a fish that was very good, but the wait time for the food was considerable. Unfortunately, the chips had a stale taste. On the positive side, the music was very nice and cheerful, and the price is reasonable for seafood.
- flavorthe flavor was lackluster
- California burritoopened the California burrito to find no pico
- burritothe burrito in my combination plate needs more
- drinkcashier forgot the drink that I had paid for
- drinkstook 15 minutes to get drinks
- friesWhile the food looked promising, it was unfortunately missing flavor and seasoning. The fries in the Cali burrito were bland, and the carne asada also had zero flavor. Even the green and red salsas we received were very flavorless, lacking any spicy kick.
- horchataMy experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. I initially overlooked finding a long brunette hair in my horchata, choosing not to ask for a refund or make a fuss. However, when I opened my California burrito and discovered it had no pico de gallo, I politely requested it be added.
- shrimp cocktailEl cocktel de camaron estaba muy desabrido savia a agua le faltaba mucho savor
If you're looking for specific seafood delights like the tower ceviche or enchilado shrimp, you might find a real winner. But be aware that the food quality can be inconsistent, so some dishes might disappoint with blandness or other issues.
Service (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 76% of the guests
Service
146
Reviews
51%
Satisfaction
68
negative
3
neutral
75
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
Often praised
- serviceThey have a beautiful bar stocked with very nice offerings. Alex took care of me at the bar and gave me spectacular service, with cool suggestions. I liked the music they were playing, but he mentioned that there is live music at night.
- staffVery friendly staff though
- waitressOur waitress was excellent.
- AlexThey have a beautiful bar stocked with very nice offerings. Alex took care of me at the bar and gave me spectacular service, with cool suggestions. I liked the music they were playing, but he mentioned that there is live music at night.
- customer servicehappy with the customer service
- employeesVery nice employees working there
- managerthe manager he's always so friendly
- serversgives the servers her position since they seem way more in handling a job
- Free parking lotParking options:Free parking lot
- KarinaI love Karina
Frequently criticized
- servicedĆ³nde hay dinero los atienden bien ...pide uno la cuenta y le traen el puro tiket..y a dĆ³nde hay dinero hasta con cartera y bien atentos
- customer serviceMy experience at this restaurant was the worst customer service I've ever encountered. The waitress, who had 'Julia' on her badge, was rude and completely unhelpful.
- waiting timeI sincerely hope future customers get a better server. We were told we had to wait an additional hour to eat, and the food was horrible š. I suspect if I had been a man, the treatment would have been different.
- managerIt feels like a customer gets no respect. I really have to agree with one of the comments here: the āmanagerā is argumentative and does not need to be in this position, or she needs training on people skills! šš½
- orderI had placed an order to go for about $40 dlls. I could not drink a Michelada while I waited for the food I ordered over the phone, and I could not stand to wait for my order either. She wanted me to sit.
- serverI have been going to eat there lately a few times because the food is great and the service has also been good. Today 8/30 the server with red shirt (Stephanie) was extremely rude. I had placed an order to go for about $40 dlls.
- waitressMy experience at this restaurant was the worst customer service I've ever encountered. The waitress, who had 'Julia' on her badge, was rude and completely unhelpful. I sincerely hope future customers get a better server.
- bad serviceStopped coming here because of the bad service.
- foodthe food did take longer than usual
- other serversSome other servers are just rude
Ambience (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 51% of the guests
The ambience here generally hits the mark, scoring a solid 7.4 with a strong 78.3% customer satisfaction. Many guests, accounting for 72 positive remarks out of 92, rave about the vibrant live music and fun environment. Youll often find a beautiful patio and appreciate the overall cleanliness, making for a great time.
However, its not all perfect. About 14 comments point out some drawbacks, primarily concerning loud music that can sometimes be overwhelming. A few guests also noted issues like a dirty table, unpleasant woman bathroom conditions, and tricky parking.
Ambience
92
Reviews
78%
Satisfaction
14
negative
6
neutral
72
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Lively live music
- Fun, vibrant atmosphere
- Clean, beautiful patio
What people don't like
- Overly loud music
- Unclean restrooms
- Challenging parking
Often praised
- musicThere was no flavor on the food at all. The drinks were okay, and the music was great. However, the food, particularly the ceviche, was flavorless and tasted more like a cucumber salad.
- live musicI enjoyed delicious tacos with crazy good prices for the portion size. The place also features a stage in the corner for live music, making it a winner all around!
- atmosphereit was really outstanding relax and Fun
- ambiencethe ambience, itās looks so beautiful
- barthe bar is pretty much full
- cleanlinessthe place is clean and nice
- live bandWe live nearby and have visited multiple times. It's not uncommon for there to be a full live band playing norteƱo music, which contributes to the fun environment. All their food is fantastic, but the mariscos are particularly amazing.
- Bandathey have Banda every friday and saturdays
- Banda on Sunday nightWhat a surprise. I'm not expecting Banda on Sunday night.
- Banda playingThey had a Banda playing inside the restaurant
Frequently criticized
- musicMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The music was so loud that the cashier struggled to hear my order. The burrito I received was dry and bland, and I almost choked without the limes I had to ask for.
- ACvery hot, they did nit turn ac on
- dirty tableWe were seated at a dirty table
- live musicLive music is too loud for the size of the spot
- loud musicLoud music draining out any sound
- major anxietyI have major anxiety and I was scared felt uncomfortable
- parkingParking lot is a hot mess be very careful
- toilet paperplus no toilet paper!
- too loudToo loud at night with the music
- woman bathroomWoman bathroom was disgusting š¤®š¤¢
If you're seeking a lively spot with fantastic live music and a fun atmosphere, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be aware that the music can get quite loud, and some guests have mentioned occasional issues with restroom cleanliness and parking.
Value (4.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
When it comes to value, things are a bit of a mixed bag here, with a score of 4.8 putting it squarely in the average range. However, many customers appreciate that some items are well priced and reasonably priced, especially for seafood, often noting good prices for the portion size. Plus, it's a win that there are no credit card fees!
On the flip side, customer satisfaction sits at a poor 39.3%, with 15 negative comments compared to 11 positive ones, indicating some real concerns. Many feel the food is pricey or a little too high, and there are complaints about menu prices not being respected, unexpected charges, and even feeling like they wasted my money on the overall experience.
Value
28
Reviews
39%
Satisfaction
15
negative
2
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonably priced items
- Good portion value
- No credit card fees
What people don't like
- High prices
- Menu price discrepancies
- Unexpected charges
Often praised
- pricethe price is reasonable for being seafood
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed delicious tacos with crazy good prices for the portion size. The place also features a stage in the corner for live music, making it a winner all around!
- $21.00I only spent $21.00
- credit card feesNo credit card fees
- reasonably pricedreasonably priced
- tipvery Onestos with the propina
- well pricedWell priced better then the near buy competitor's.
Frequently criticized
- priceFor the price of each plate though (spent $50+ for takeout) it was very disappointing
- Price per personI payed 4$ for a drink I didnāt receive
- billpide uno la cuenta y le traen el puro tiket
- buy a itemsaying I needed to buy a item to leave the restaurant
- menu priceslo que el menĆŗ indica
- pricesthe prices do not respect
- priceyfood was very pricey
- receiptmi recibo me agregaron precio diferente
- time and moneyThe food wasn't even that good. It was a waste of time and money. It's like throwing money in the trash.
- tipforced to pay over 60 on tip? For a server that didnāt even provide an acceptable costumer service
If youre looking for a bargain, you might find some reasonably priced options, but be wary of potential hidden costs or menu discrepancies. It seems like a gamble on whether youll feel you got your money's worth.
How are the prices at CastaƱedas?
Youāre looking at roughly 38 per person ā reported by 62 diners. That puts it in the $31ā$40 category. For a Mexican Restaurant, itās comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at the bigger picture, most diners in this market tend to spend in the 11 – 30 $ range. So, while this spot is a bit above the most common spending, it’s still well within the broader spectrum of options, which even includes some premium experiences over 101 $.
Hereās a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 62 reviews.
How does this restaurants value stack up against similar spots in San Diego? Lets see!
Considering the pricing, we think its a fair deal for a Mexican restaurant in San Diego, especially if it delivers on quality and experience. Its not your everyday cheap eat, but a solid choice for a good meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about CastaƱedas
Price per Person
- $11ā$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0ā5 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
3
Disappointing Food, Good Service
I did not like my experience. I ordered a chile relleno with an enchilada, and the seasoning was not to my liking. The music was also too loud.
The service was good; they were attentive and checked if we needed anything. However, the food was a 2/10.
- service8
- seasoning2
- music2
- food2
Price per Person
- $11ā$20
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Moderate
2
Nothing Special, Food Sucked
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The food sucked, and I felt it was a waste of time. There are waaaay better places to go eat in San Diego.
Honestly, there was nothing special here at all.
- food1
- places to go eat1
- nothing special1
Price per Person
- $21ā$30
Visit Type
- Family Dinner
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
8
Live Music and Family Fun
I really enjoyed the live music on the weekends at this place! We visited on a busy Saturday evening, which happened to be Mother's Day. Despite the crowd, we were able to enjoy the Banda playing inside while seated comfortably on the outside patio, where we could still hear the music well.
The food did take longer than usual to arrive due to the busy night. Overall, it was a nice experience, and my kids enjoyed their meals. They also have mariachi on Sundays.
I would revisit just for the music!
- live music9
- Banda playing8
- outside patio7
Price per Person
- $21ā$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0ā5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
5
Mixed Feelings: Okay Food, Bad Horchata
My experience at the restaurant was mixed. The food was fine, but nothing amazing. However, the horchata tasted gross.
It also seems they don't have a lunch menu. The service was rated a 3, and the atmosphere a 4.
- food5
- service6
- atmosphere7
- horchata2
- lunch menu3
Price per Person
- $31ā$40
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Great Food, Service, and Entertainment!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The customer service was great, and the food was delicious. It's a great place to come and enjoy a drag show every Wednesday, and they also have Banda every Friday and Saturday.
The atmosphere was rated a 5, service a 5, and food a 5, with plenty of free parking available.
- customer service10
- food10
- drag show9
What CastaƱedas offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and entertainment can you expect at CastaƱedas?
At CastaƱedas, you’ll discover a casual and inviting atmosphere perfect for unwinding. You can enjoy the vibrant energy of live music and catch your favorite sports games. There’s also a bar onsite, offering a great selection of hard liquor, wine, beer, and cocktails, ideal for happy hour drinks or late-night food.
What dining and service options are available at CastaƱedas, and is it family-friendly?
CastaƱedas provides flexible service options including outdoor seating, dine-in, takeout, and delivery. You can visit for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or dessert. It’s also very family-friendly, offering a dedicated kids’ menu, high chairs, and is generally a good place for children.
How does CastaƱedas generally perform according to customer feedback?
CastaƱedas holds a Restaurant Score of 6, indicating an average performance. While Ambience (7.4) stands out as good, Food (5.8) and Service (5.7) are rated as average, with Value (4.8) being slightly lower but still within the average range.
What are the main draws that customers appreciate at CastaƱedas?
Many patrons highly appreciate the lively live music and the quality of their seafood dishes, with specific mentions of mariscos and Camarones Enchilados. The bar service, often highlighted for its attentiveness, also receives positive remarks.
Are there any common issues or areas for improvement at CastaƱedas?
Some customers have reported inconsistent service experiences and concerns regarding the overall value for money. Additionally, while the music is a draw, it can sometimes be perceived as too loud, and certain food items have been criticized for lacking flavor.