Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » La Paloma – San Diego
La Paloma - San Diego
Photo from La Paloma
La Paloma at a glance
San Diego Morena
- ☕ Café
$
Price per Person $1–$10
mentioned by 1 of the guests
#624 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#55 Café out of 65 in San Diego
Average
5.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
19
Reviews
52.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Culinary quality
- Campus spot
Frequently criticized
- Slow service
- Unclear pricing
The cafe La Paloma in San Diego’s vibrant Morena neighborhood offers a delightful spot for you to unwind. This casual cafe is known for its inviting atmosphere and excellent service options, including comfortable outdoor seating.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a refreshing coffee, you’ll find a welcoming experience here. It’s a perfect choice for a relaxed meal or a convenient stop during your day in San Diego.
Overview: Introducting La Paloma
La Paloma offers a notable culinary experience, with patrons appreciating the high level of culinary arts and sensitivity to dietary needs. It’s often highlighted as a favorite spot on campus, providing a pleasant atmosphere for many.
However, the experience can be inconsistent. Some visitors have encountered slow service and issues with card payments, leading to frustration.
There are also concerns about transparency, particularly regarding prices in certain sections.
Average
5.7
out of 10
19
Reviews
52.6%
Satisfaction
9
negative
0
neutral
10
positive
Looking at the overall picture, La Paloma holds an average Restaurant Score of 5.7, with Customer Satisfaction sitting at a mixed 52.6%. This suggests a somewhat balanced experience, where positive aspects are often weighed against areas needing improvement.
We see 10 positive remarks and 9 negative ones, indicating a fairly even split in customer sentiment. Diving deeper, the Food (8.9) and Ambience (9) clearly stand out as strong points, receiving excellent marks from patrons.
However, the Service (3.2) and Value (3.7) aspects appear to be significant challenges. These lower scores indicate that while the culinary offerings and setting are well-received, operational efficiency and pricing transparency could benefit from attention.
What people like
- High culinary quality
- Pleasant campus spot
- Accommodates dietary needs
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Card payment issues
- Unclear pricing
If you prioritize excellent food and a pleasant setting, La Paloma could be a worthwhile stop, especially if you appreciate high culinary standards and attention to dietary needs. However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service and some transparency issues regarding pricing.
With a Recommendation Score of 5.7, it’s a place that offers distinct positives but also clear drawbacks. Consider your priorities; if efficiency and clear pricing are paramount, you might find it a mixed experience.
Otherwise, the food itself is a strong draw.
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Verdict: Our expert take on La Paloma
Food (8.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
Alright, lets talk about the food here! Based on 6 positive opinions, its clear the culinary experience is a huge hit. With an excellent score of 8.9 and a perfect 100% customer satisfaction, you can expect top-notch quality and variety.
Diners have raved about the healthy options, the impressive range of dishes, and even the high level of culinary arts, making it a standout for those with dietary needs. Whats really impressive is that across all these opinions, there wasnt a single negative mention about the food. It seems they've truly nailed it, leaving no room for constructive criticism in this area.
Food
6
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Exceptional food quality
- Great variety offered
- Accommodates dietary needs
What people don't like
Often praised
- coffeePretty good coffee too
- culinary artshigh level of culinary arts
- dietary needsI was very impressed with the catering provided for our APSI over the last four days. The quality and variety of the food were exceptional, and I particularly appreciated their sensitivity to dietary needs. It's unusual to find such a high level of culinary arts in meals for a summer school.
- healthy optionsMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The staff were super friendly, and the prices were fair, offering healthy options. The coffee was also pretty good.
- qualityimpressed with the quality
- varietyimpressed with the variety
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a place where the food is consistently praised for its quality, variety, and ability to cater to different needs, this spot is definitely worth trying. You can go in with high expectations for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Service (3.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 60% of the guests
Lets talk service! The overall sentiment here is quite challenging, with a score of just 3.2, putting it firmly in the poor range, and customer satisfaction at a very low 12.5%. While theres only one positive comment among 8, it does highlight that some found the staff to be super friendly, suggesting a potential for good interactions.
However, the vast majority of feedback points to significant issues. Many customers reported slow service and considerable waiting times, often due to the cashier taking too long or problems with card payments at certain registers. Theres a strong feeling that the staff lacked respect for customers time and that customer service needs serious attention.
Service
8
Reviews
12%
Satisfaction
7
negative
0
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Cashier problems
- Poor customer service
Often praised
- staffSuper friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- card paymentsnot accepting card at that register
- cashiercashier takes time
- customer serviceUpon reaching the register, I was informed that card payments were not accepted at that particular station, requiring me to move to another. My overall impression was that the staff, likely college students, showed little respect for customers' time and had a disregard for customer service.
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was marked by slow service. I had to stay in line while the cashier took a considerable amount of time to handle everything except the payments.
- staffstaff had little respect for time
- stay in lineMy experience at the restaurant was marked by slow service. I had to stay in line while the cashier took a considerable amount of time to handle everything except the payments.
- waiting timeMy experience at this restaurant involved a 15-minute wait in line to order lunch. Upon reaching the register, I was informed that card payments were not accepted at that particular station, requiring me to move to another.
If quick and efficient service is a priority for you, this might not be your best bet. Be prepared for potential delays, especially at the register, and possible issues with card payments. It's a place where patience is definitely a virtue.
Ambience (9 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this place is absolutely crushing it! With an excellent 9 score and a stellar 100% customer satisfaction, its clear why folks are calling it their favorite spot on campus. Patrons particularly love that its a great spot on campus and super close to the business school, making it a convenient and beloved hangout, based on 2 positive remarks.
Its truly remarkable that out of 2 total opinions, there isnt a single negative word about the atmosphere. This suggests they've really hit the mark, creating an environment that consistently delights and leaves everyone feeling right at home.
Ambience
2
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Favorite campus spot
- Near business school
What people don't like
Often praised
- close to business schoolThe coffee was also pretty good. It's my favorite spot on campus, especially being super close to the business school.
- spot on campusMy favorite spot on campus
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If youre looking for a place with a fantastic atmosphere, especially if youre near the business school or on campus, this is definitely worth checking out. The ambience is a clear winner here, promising a delightful experience without any downsides.
Value (3.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
On the positive side, one customer did find the prices to be fairly priced, offering a small point of praise. However, with a low score of just 3.7, the overall sentiment around value is quite poor, reflecting a customer satisfaction rate of only 33.3%. However, the value proposition takes a significant hit, with two negative remarks highlighting a major transparency issue.
Specifically, the absence of prices on items in the refrigerated section was a concern, particularly for students and those on a low income, leading to a feeling of being disenfranchised.
Value
3
Reviews
33%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- No prices displayed
- Lack of transparency
Often praised
- pricesfairly priced
Frequently criticized
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was marked by a significant issue: there were no prices on anything in the refrigerated section. This lack of transparency felt like a deliberate way to further disenfranchise students from food who are low income.
- studentsMy experience at this restaurant was marked by a significant issue: there were no prices on anything in the refrigerated section. This lack of transparency felt like a deliberate way to further disenfranchise students from food who are low income.
If youre heading out, be aware that the value here is a mixed bag, leaning towards disappointing. The lack of clear pricing, especially in the refrigerated section, could be a real dealbreaker if youre budget-conscious or a student. It might be best to look elsewhere if transparent pricing is important to you.
How are the prices at La Paloma?
Expect to pay about 7 $ per person, based on 1 review. That places it in the $1–$10 category. For a Cafe, that’s incredibly budget-friendly, perfect for a quick, affordable treat.
The data shows all prices cluster tightly around this average, indicating a very consistent, budget-friendly offering. Keep in mind, this is based on limited data, but it gives a clear indication of the pricing.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, based on the 1 most recent review. While data is limited, it gives a good indication of the pricing.
Heres how this Cafes value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Considering its a Cafe, we think this pricing is exceptionally fair, offering great value for money. Its a fantastic spot if you’re looking for an affordable bite or coffee without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about La Paloma
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Campus Spot with Friendly Staff
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The staff were super friendly, and the prices were fair, offering healthy options. The coffee was also pretty good.
It's my favorite spot on campus, especially being super close to the business school.
- staff10
- prices9
- healthy options8
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
2
Frustrating Service Experience
My experience at this restaurant involved a 15-minute wait in line to order lunch. Upon reaching the register, I was informed that card payments were not accepted at that particular station, requiring me to move to another. My overall impression was that the staff, likely college students, showed little respect for customers' time and had a disregard for customer service.
- waiting time2
- card payments3
- customer service2
2
No Prices Disenfranchise Students
My experience at this restaurant was marked by a significant issue: there were no prices on anything in the refrigerated section. This lack of transparency felt like a deliberate way to further disenfranchise students from food who are low income.
- prices1
- students1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
9
Impressive Catering for APSI
I was very impressed with the catering provided for our APSI over the last four days. The quality and variety of the food were exceptional, and I particularly appreciated their sensitivity to dietary needs. It's unusual to find such a high level of culinary arts in meals for a summer school.
Thank you for making our stay at San Diego University so much better.
- quality9
- variety9
- dietary needs10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Slow service at the cashier
My experience at the restaurant was marked by slow service. I had to stay in line while the cashier took a considerable amount of time to handle everything except the payments.
- service2
- stay in line2
- cashier2
What La Paloma offers
Crowd
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Coffee
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is La Paloma in San Diego accessible for everyone?
Yes, La Paloma is committed to accessibility. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, a dedicated wheelchair accessible parking lot, and comfortable wheelchair accessible seating available for your convenience.
What dining options and meals does La Paloma offer throughout the day?
At La Paloma, you can enjoy a variety of dining options. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making it a great spot for any meal. You can also stop by for a quick bite, a coffee, or a delicious dessert.
What is the overall verdict for La Paloma?
La Paloma has an overall Restaurant Score of 5.7, indicating an average experience. While Food (8.9) and Ambience (9) are highly rated, Service (3.2) and Value (3.7) are areas that could see improvement.
Does La Paloma cater to specific dietary needs?
Yes, customers have specifically praised La Paloma for its sensitivity to dietary needs and the quality and variety of its catering.
Are there any common issues with service or payment at La Paloma?
Some customers have reported slow service and issues with card payments not being accepted at all registers, leading to longer waiting times.