Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Don Tommy’s – San Diego
Don Tommy's - San Diego
Photo from Don Tommy’s
Don Tommy's at a glance
San Diego Ocean Beach
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 89 of the guests
#427 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#48 Mexican Restaurant out of 113 in San Diego
Good
7.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
511
Reviews
67.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh tortillas
- Tasty food
- Good service
Frequently criticized
- Difficult parking
- Uneven service
- Missing amenities
The restaurant, a vibrant Mexican eatery in San Diego’s lively Ocean Beach neighborhood, invites you to discover its authentic flavors. At Don Tommy’s Mexican Food, you’ll find a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for any meal.
Whether you’re craving a quick bite or a relaxed dinner, this spot offers a genuine taste of Mexico right in your local community.
Overview: Introducting Don Tommy's
Don Tommy’s offers a vibrant atmosphere with definite fiesta vibes, making it a lively spot for a meal. Many appreciate the friendly staff and the overall positive experience, especially when grabbing food to go.
However, some guests have encountered issues, particularly with customer service at the counter and a notable lack of parking. These aspects can detract from an otherwise enjoyable visit, suggesting a mixed experience for patrons.
Good
7.1
out of 10
511
Reviews
67.3%
Satisfaction
131
negative
36
neutral
344
positive
Don Tommy’s garners a respectable overall score of 7.1, indicating a generally positive reception. However, customer satisfaction sits at 67.3%, suggesting a somewhat mixed experience for a portion of diners.
This assessment is drawn from over 500 customer remarks, with 344 leaning positive and 131 expressing concerns. The Food (7.3) clearly stands out as a strong point, frequently praised by nearly three-quarters of all comments.
Service (6.9) and Ambience (6.8) also perform well, contributing positively to the dining experience. Where the establishment falters slightly is in Value (4.6), which customers often found to be just average, indicating that pricing might not always align with expectations.
What people like
- Homemade tortillas
- Flavorful dishes
- Friendly service
What people don't like
- Parking difficulties
- Inconsistent service
- Lack of amenities
Don Tommy’s, with a solid recommendation score of 7.2, is certainly worth considering if you prioritize well-prepared Mexican cuisine, especially their notable homemade tortillas. It’s a place where the food often shines, offering genuine flavors that many customers appreciate.
However, be prepared for potential challenges like parking difficulties and be mindful that the service experience can be inconsistent. If these aspects are minor concerns for you, Don Tommy’s could be a satisfying choice for a flavorful meal.
Similar Restaurants in San Diego
- Mexican Restaurant
9.1
out of 10
out of 10
522
93.3%
- $$
- Barrio Logan
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mexican Restaurant
9
out of 10
out of 10
65
90.8%
- $$
- North Park
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mexican Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
466
89.9%
- $$
- Golden Hill
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mexican Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
498
91.8%
- $$
- Skyline
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mexican Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
545
90.6%
- $$
- Banker's Hill
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mexican Restaurant
8.6
out of 10
out of 10
555
89.4%
- $$
- Little Italy
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Don Tommy's
Food (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.3 and customer satisfaction at 70.3%, many rave about the delicious and authentic flavors. Guests frequently praise the incredible homemade tortillas, flavorful meat, and fantastic street tacos, often describing the experience as truly authentic and delicious.
Its clear the kitchen knows its stuff! However, out of 367 comments (258 positive vs 87 negative), some diners did encounter issues. A few found certain dishes to be bland or noted a lack of seasoning.
Concerns were also raised about too little meat in some burritos, thick tortillas that felt doughy, and an occasional unpleasant old oil taste. So, while generally good, theres room for consistency.
Food
367
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
87
negative
22
neutral
258
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Homemade tortillas shine
- Flavorful, authentic dishes
- Delicious street tacos
What people don't like
- Food lacks seasoning
- Too little meat
- Unpleasant old oil taste
Often praised
- foodI enjoyed the yummy breakfast burritos, which featured super thick tortillas and great food. It's a wonderful place for my wife and I to get good coffee next door, and I get amazing food for myself. Although I've only tried breakfast so far, I'm eager to come back and eat next time I'm nearby.
- tortillasIt’s something I can’t even describe, so I highly recommend you go ahead and try it yourselves. Everything, including the tortillas made inside, was exceptional. I've never had a better California Burrito; it tastes similar to Bistec Ranchero, rich in juice and flavor.
- FoodThe flour tortillas were incredibly fresh, and the tamales were some of the best I've ever had. The food was delicious and served quickly. It's definitely worth a stop if you're in the area.
- California burritoHad a California burrito for lunch... it was perfect.
- fish tacosMy experience at the restaurant featured veggie burrito and fish tacos. The fresh tortillas were a standout: thick, flavorful, and durable.
- flour tortillasThe flour tortillas were soooooo good on the fish taco
- salsa barsalsa bar had a couple salsas and they were soooo good
- tortillaA very different tortilla compared to other Mexican spots. More on the chewy side but the taste is awesome.
- Mexican foodMy experience at Don Tommy’s was fantastic! They serve the best Mexican food in San Diego. The service was quick, and the food was absolutely delicious.
- homemade tortillasthose freaking homemade tortillas are a huge reason to go
Frequently criticized
- burritoThe burrito was a pastry wrap and overly doughy
- foodfood has progressively went downhill
- cheeseUnfortunately, the burrito I received was very bland. The sour cream and cheese were undetectable, and the veggies were still quite firm and lacked any salt or seasoning. To improve it, I'd suggest adding salt, rice, and a more generous portion of sour cream.
- meatthe meat needs a lot of flavors
- tortillashave an odd taste. kind of sour and almost like a rancid oil taste
- carne asadathe carne asada was cheap no Angus for sure choice meat
- chickenthey don’t season their meat and their chicken
- flavorMy experience involved ordering a carnitas burrito with beans for $16. The burrito contained beef, avocado, and beans, but it had almost zero flavor. I found it very boring, as it lacked any garlic, cumin, cilantro, lime, or other seasonings.
- guacamolePaid for guacamole as well and got nothing
- portionsportions were a bit small for the high price
Overall, the food here is a strong contender, especially if youre after authentic flavors and amazing tortillas. While some dishes might miss the mark on seasoning or meat portions, its definitely worth a visit for a generally delicious meal. Just choose wisely!
Service (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 38% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 6.9 and customer satisfaction at 71.2%, it's clear many guests have a good experience. Out of 59 comments, 42 highlight the friendly staff, quick service, and great customer service, often praising the welcoming employees and owners.
However, not every visit is perfect. 17 comments point to some areas for improvement, including occasional long waiting times, issues with kitchen closure, and a few instances of perceived rudeness from staff. Some also noted a lack of amenities like boosters or free water.
Service
59
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
17
negative
0
neutral
42
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, welcoming staff
- Quick, efficient service
- Great customer service
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Rude staff instances
- Unexpected kitchen closure
Often praised
- serviceI got takeout for dinner with friends and the service was good. I ordered the taco Tuesday special😋 The meat was very flavorful, and I was delighted to discover that their tortillas are homemade too, which definitely made it feel authentic.
- ServiceService:5
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was sooo soo good. They have a large menu to choose from, and the service was quick with friendly staff. You can't go wrong here!
- customer serviceThe customer service is great
- chefmotivated to compliment their chef
- cookThe man cooking at the stove is always very friendly
- counter serviceCounter service was fast and friendly
- employeesemployees are warm and welcoming
- experienceWas it a nice experience? Yes.
- food for takeawayideal para pedir la comida para llevar y disfrutarla cómodamente
Frequently criticized
- ServiceService:1
- boosters or high chairsthey had no boosters or high chairs
- closing timeCloses 930 but randomly will close an hour early
- customer serviceThere were no other customers present. It's almost 2022, and I can no longer accept COVID or the pandemic as an excuse for bad customer service.
- free waterNo free water for guests
- kitchen closuretold they closed their kitchen while their doors were wide open
- long time customersSadly, as I said, we have been long time customers
- man behind counterit wasn't his deal and he wouldn't do it
- register staffhe spoke to my wife and myself very disrespectfully
- rudeness of these workersvery disrespectful and rude manner
Overall, if youre looking for a place with generally good service and a friendly vibe, youll likely be pleased. Just be aware that occasional waits or minor hiccups might occur, especially regarding closing times or specific amenities.
Ambience (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 36% of the guests
The ambience at this spot generally hits a good note, with a score of 6.8 indicating a good experience for many. While customer satisfaction sits at a 65.5% mixed level, a solid 38 positive remarks out of 58 total comments praise the atmosphere, vibe, and outdoor seating. Many appreciate the cleanliness and authentic feel, making it a pleasant place to chill.
However, not everything is perfect. With 13 negative observations, some guests faced challenges with parking, finding it difficult or non-existent. Concerns about seating limitations, the presence of flies, and the lack of restrooms or hand sanitizer were also noted, suggesting areas for improvement in guest comfort.
Ambience
58
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
13
negative
7
neutral
38
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Outdoor seating available
- Very clean place
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- Limited seating
- No customer restrooms
Often praised
- atmosphereWe ordered a burrito with beef, chicken, and shrimp and scarfed it down! The food was fantastic, and the atmosphere was also a highlight.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- cleanlinessclean good food
- experienceDon Tommy's changed my life
- fiesta vibesVery vibrant looking with fiesta vibes
- hidden gemgreatest hidden jem of San Diego
- hightop countera hightop counter inside
- indoor and outdoor seatingoffer table inside and outside along the sidewalk
- locationLocation is great
- outdoor seatingsome outdoor seating as well
Frequently criticized
- parkingI was told 6 for our order, but then when it came time, they told me I could only have 3, despite being promised a certain amount because I asked if I should buy extra and was told no. Also, there is ZERO parking. For our family personally, the lack of parking and the lack of booster/highchair situation was enough that we are glad we tried it, but we won't be returning.
- ParkingAlmost no parking
- bigger tablesJust need some bigger tables or improved seating outside.
- cleanlinessNot clean
- flysa lot of flys around when we tried to eat inside
- hand sanitizerMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the lack of basic amenities. There were no restrooms for customers to wash hands nor hand sanitizer available. Additionally, no free water was provided for guests.
- improved seatingJust need some bigger tables or improved seating outside.
- musicThe music was slightly to loud though, it hurt my ears
- parking spaceParking space:Difficult to find parking
- restroomsNo restrooms for customers to wash hands
If youre looking for a place with a good vibe and dont mind potential parking challenges, this spot could be a fun choice, especially with its outdoor seating. However, be prepared for possible limited seating and basic amenity issues like restrooms, which might be a dealbreaker for some.
Value (4.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
When it comes to value, some diners found a silver lining, noting the price per person and price point were quite reasonable, offering a good bang for your buck based on the amount of food received. A few even felt the price was affordable, leaving them stuffed with leftovers. This positive sentiment, though limited to 6 observations, suggests that for some, the cost aligns well with their expectations.
However, the overall sentiment for value leans heavily negative, with 14 complaints out of 27 total observations. Many felt things were overpriced and questioned the portion size to price, especially regarding small containers and the sticker price for certain items. This leads to a rather poor customer satisfaction of just 22.2%, despite an average score of 4.6, indicating a significant disconnect for many patrons.
Value
27
Reviews
22%
Satisfaction
14
negative
7
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- Food is overpriced
- Portions feel small
- Pricing is unclear
Often praised
- pricesLos precios son razonables y acordes a la calidad
- bang for your buckBang for your buck based on the amount of food
- pricestuffed with fish $14.50 and I still have half to eat later
- price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- price pointGreat price point!
Frequently criticized
- pricesmall for the high price compared to other local mexican
- burrito priceAt $13 a burrito I felt a little cheated.
- mealWish I didn't spend 40 dollars on that meal
- platecharged $15 for a plate that’s listed as $13.50
- portion size to pricePortion size to price, was a lot more tortilla than the food inside
- pricesPrices are somewhat high
- small containerscharge me for 4 small separate containers, which amounts to $5 more
- sticker pricesticker price for two bacon & egg breakfast taco is unbelievable
- value for moneysomething crappy
If youre considering this place for its value, be aware its a bit of a mixed bag. While some find it affordable, many feel the prices are too high for the portions. You might want to choose carefully to avoid feeling overcharged.
How are the prices at Don Tommy's?
You’re looking at roughly 15 per person – reported by 89 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Mexican Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, most guests stick right to this sweet spot, with the vast majority of prices clustering around the $11–$20 range.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 89 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Mexican spot in San Diego. It hits that sweet spot of value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Don Tommy's
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
10
Best Flour Tortillas and Hot Sauce!
My experience at this restaurant was exceptional, particularly when it comes to their flour tortillas and hot sauce. No one, and I mean no one, comes even close to their quality. The hot sauce is truly the best I have ever had anywhere in the world!
The fish tacos were also amazing. I consider this the greatest hidden gem of San Diego.
- flour tortillas10
- hot sauce10
- fish tacos9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Visit Type
- Dine-in
10
Best Burritos Ever Found!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! We had been searching for the best California and breakfast burritos, trying places recommended on social media, but they were a huge disappointment. We accidentally stumbled upon this place and were so happy we did.
You have to come here, I highly recommend!
- California burrito10
- breakfast burrito10
- social media suggestions2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Dine-in
2
Bland Carnitas Burrito - Lacked Flavor
My experience involved ordering a carnitas burrito with beans for $16. The burrito contained beef, avocado, and beans, but it had almost zero flavor. I found it very boring, as it lacked any garlic, cumin, cilantro, lime, or other seasonings.
- Price per person5
- carnitas burrito2
- flavor1
- seasonings1
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
8
Awesome Tortillas and OJ, Needs More Space
My experience at this restaurant was largely positive, especially concerning the food. The fresh made tortillas were absolutely AWESOME, and the food and fresh OJ were fantastic. However, the dining experience could be improved with some adjustments to the seating.
They need either bigger tables or improved seating outside.
- fresh made tortillas10
- food9
- fresh OJ9
- bigger tables4
- improved seating4
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Divine Street Tacos!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially the food. It is a small restaurant, but the street tacos were divine. 🤤 We ended up ordering more tacos de carne asada and carnitas.
The atmosphere was also great, rated 5/5, and the food was equally impressive with a 5/5 rating.
- street tacos10
- tacos de carne asada9
- carnitas9
What Don Tommy's offers
Crowd
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Service Options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What are the parking options available when you visit Don Tommy's?
When you plan your visit to Don Tommy’s in Ocean Beach, you should be aware that finding a parking space can sometimes be somewhat difficult. However, you’ll be pleased to know that free street parking is available in the vicinity, offering a convenient option for your dining experience.
Does Don Tommy's accommodate all diners, and what meals do they serve?
Absolutely! Don Tommy’s is committed to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance and seating to ensure comfort for everyone. You can enjoy a meal here throughout the day, as they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making it a versatile spot for any craving.
How do customers rate Don Tommy's overall experience?
Don Tommy’s receives a good overall score of 7.1, with customer satisfaction at 67.3%. Food (7.3) is a highlight, while Service (6.9) and Ambience (6.8) are also well-regarded. Value (4.6), however, is seen as average.
What food items are highly recommended at Don Tommy's?
Many customers rave about the homemade tortillas and the flavorful dishes, particularly the California burrito. The salsa bar is also frequently mentioned for its quality.
What are the main challenges customers face at Don Tommy's?
Common concerns include parking difficulties and occasional inconsistent service from staff. Some also point out a lack of amenities such as restrooms or high chairs, and perceive the value for money as average.