Mama Antonia's - San Diego

My experience at this restaurant was outstanding. The food was excellent, comparable to the best Mexican food in Old Town, San Diego. The service was also outstanding. We enjoyed a live band playing on Sunday during our visit. I'm not sure I would believe the 3. 2 review rating based on our experience.

My experience at this restaurant was very positive. I enjoyed the delicious Mexican food and a good selection of chilled drinks. The atmosphere was great, rated 5 out of 5, and the service was equally excellent, also rated 5 out of 5. Occasionally, there is live music, which adds to the enjoyable ambiance. The noise level was moderate, making it a comfortable dining experience.

We had a disappointing experience at this bar. Despite several bartenders being present, one ignored our request for a refill, staring blankly and walking away. When we politely inquired with another bartender, she eventually made our drinks. However, the original bartender then whispered to her as we closed our tab, which felt really suspicious and gave the impression of a potential scam. The overall vibe was uncomfortable.

My experience at this restaurant on New Year's 2025 was extremely negative. I ate the food there, and within an hour, I was throwing up. Thirty minutes later, while driving home, I developed a high fever, had to pull over, and threw up again. I felt like I was going to pass out behind the wheel, so my passenger, my girlfriend, called 911. I was taken to a local hospital, where blood was drawn and tests were run. I was diagnosed with a severe case of food poisoning and hospitalized for a day. It was the worst I ever felt, and I would never eat there again.

We visited this restaurant on Dia de los Muertos, opting for it after a lengthy wait at another establishment. We were extremely hungry and thirsty and decided to give it a try. In hindsight, we should have checked the ratings and reviews beforehand, as our experience was disappointing. Firstly, while the wait time was minimal compared to other places on that day, the restaurant seemed disorganized. There was a lack of a proper hostess to manage the waitlist or seating. Secondly, the service was peculiar; it was difficult to identify staff members, and once our order was taken, we received no further attention. We had to actively seek someone out for the bill, a struggle we observed others facing as well. Thirdly, the menu was confusing, featuring Ecuadorian dishes alongside hot wings, which felt out of place for a restaurant touting itself as Mexican. Fourthly, the food itself was flavorless and lacked the authentic taste of Mexican cuisine. The portions were also not the best for the price. Unfortunately, shortly after eating and paying, I began to feel unwell, experiencing stomach issues and clamminess. My girlfriend also fell ill a few hours later and remained sick the next day. The only positive aspect was the semi live band, although their extended breaks limited our enjoyment. We usually adhere to a 4. 5 review rule, but our hunger and haste led us to skip this step. I hope this review helps others make an informed decision. We could have gone to the Old Town Cafe across the street, which has decent reviews and likely would have provided a better experience.