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✔️Breakfast ✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out
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Cocktails & a menu of traditional Mexican dishes in a contemporary restaurant & bar.
Hours
| Friday | 3:30–9 PM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM–2 PM, 3:30–9 PM |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM–2 PM, 3:30–9 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 3:30–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 3:30–9 PM |
| Thursday | 3:30–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 8384 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942
Phone: (619) 337-3445
Website: https://www.casagabrielalamesa.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.com
Photo Gallery
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Private Events – Casa Gabriela
8384 La Mesa Blvd. La Mesa, CA 91942 Hours Sun & Sat: 10:30am-2pm Sun, Sat, Tue, Wed, Thu & Fri: 3:30-9pm Closed Monday Please call for holiday hours.
Reviews
Gourmand
Food is decent, service is absolutely terrible, and atmosphere is good.
The happy hour food is pretty good and decent portions. I liked the chicken nachos, the esquites, the queso fundido, and the breaded cauliflower.
I also liked the ceviche, however, it was an incredibly small portion with about two small pieces of fish in it.
Churros are ok – little too oily which probably means the temperature of the oil it was fried in was too low, allowing the churros to absorb too much oil.
They also have a very refreshing and tasty Jamaica juice.
The main issues that service is terrible. After being seated, it took 45 minutes for someone to come and take my order. Another issue was that my water was never refilled even once during my meal. My water was empty pretty early on and remained that way throughout the entire meal.
At the end of my meal, my waiter never came by, so I started asking other staff walking by if I could get my check and head out. They kept saying they would ask my waiter. It took an additional hour after I was done the meal for the waiter to actually come. The service was so bad, so if you come here, expect to be greatly disappointed. And the restaurant was not even busy! This was around 4 PM on a weekday.
… moreThe happy hour food is pretty good and decent portions. I liked the chicken nachos, the esquites, the queso fundido, and the breaded cauliflower.
I also liked the ceviche, however, it was an incredibly small portion with about two small pieces of fish in it.
Churros are ok – little too oily which probably means the temperature of the oil it was fried in was too low, allowing the churros to absorb too much oil.
They also have a very refreshing and tasty Jamaica juice.
The main issues that service is terrible. After being seated, it took 45 minutes for someone to come and take my order. Another issue was that my water was never refilled even once during my meal. My water was empty pretty early on and remained that way throughout the entire meal.
At the end of my meal, my waiter never came by, so I started asking other staff walking by if I could get my check and head out. They kept saying they would ask my waiter. It took an additional hour after I was done the meal for the waiter to actually come. The service was so bad, so if you come here, expect to be greatly disappointed. And the restaurant was not even busy! This was around 4 PM on a weekday.
teadrinker
Ambience: The restaurant is beautifully decorated and very inviting.
Service: attentive and excellent. Our waitress was knowledgeable about the menu and made sure to point out the spice levels of different dishes.
Food: Portions are generous. The La Jefa Asado has a nice kick—the spice lingers in a good way—and pairs perfectly with the rice, beans, and tortillas. The serving size is ideal for 2–3 people. Food is a bit too salty to our taste though.
We had an enjoyable meal and look forward to returning to try the weekend brunch.
… moreService: attentive and excellent. Our waitress was knowledgeable about the menu and made sure to point out the spice levels of different dishes.
Food: Portions are generous. The La Jefa Asado has a nice kick—the spice lingers in a good way—and pairs perfectly with the rice, beans, and tortillas. The serving size is ideal for 2–3 people. Food is a bit too salty to our taste though.
We had an enjoyable meal and look forward to returning to try the weekend brunch.
Maxine
We were there to celebrate my in-laws’ wedding anniversary. We were a bit disappointed that we mentioned this when making the reservation, but it was never acknowledged, nor were any congratulatory words offered.
We thought the outdoor garden area would be nice and beautiful, but it was actually quite chilly at night, even after they turned the heater on. I would highly recommend reserving an indoor dining area if you’re planning to have dinner there.
Parking is limited to paid street parking, and the meters turn off after 6 p.m. Be prepared to park farther away and walk a few blocks.
The food was pretty good and had great flavor, but we weren’t fans of the cactus in one of the dishes.
Dessert was the highlight—great portion size and tasted amazing! We had the cheesecake flautas and would like to try out some other dessert if we ever go back.
The staff were friendly, but it seemed like they were a bit short-staffed. It sometimes took a while to get our water refilled and to receive all the service we needed.
… moreWe thought the outdoor garden area would be nice and beautiful, but it was actually quite chilly at night, even after they turned the heater on. I would highly recommend reserving an indoor dining area if you’re planning to have dinner there.
Parking is limited to paid street parking, and the meters turn off after 6 p.m. Be prepared to park farther away and walk a few blocks.
The food was pretty good and had great flavor, but we weren’t fans of the cactus in one of the dishes.
Dessert was the highlight—great portion size and tasted amazing! We had the cheesecake flautas and would like to try out some other dessert if we ever go back.
The staff were friendly, but it seemed like they were a bit short-staffed. It sometimes took a while to get our water refilled and to receive all the service we needed.
Lyn Will
My wife and I had dinner at Casa Gabriela for her birthday yesterday. We had reservations and we’re promptly seated on arrival. Our first observation was that the restaurant was spacious and clean. Servers were friendly and attentive. By chance we happened to get seated at their best waiter’s, Jeremy, section, what luck. Desert was delicious, most tender churros we’ve had to date. Empanadas were also delicious and the “La Jefa” was definitely worth trying. The service the atmosphere and food surpassed our expectations. A second visit is definitely in the stars for us.
… moreRamiro Frausto
I know CRG gets a lot of hate but this place is amazing!
Cheers to the chef who captured Mexican cuisine with soul and elegance. We got the molcajete, La Jefa, and were absolutely delighted. The depth of flavor was rich and satisfying, with a perfect balance of fat, salt, and heat. The decor and music makes me feel like I’m at my cool cousin’s house, the one with great style.
To top it off, the pace of service is perfect. You’re hosted, not churned out table by table. Great job, Chef Gabriela and team!
… moreCheers to the chef who captured Mexican cuisine with soul and elegance. We got the molcajete, La Jefa, and were absolutely delighted. The depth of flavor was rich and satisfying, with a perfect balance of fat, salt, and heat. The decor and music makes me feel like I’m at my cool cousin’s house, the one with great style.
To top it off, the pace of service is perfect. You’re hosted, not churned out table by table. Great job, Chef Gabriela and team!
Chinty Ferrer
Mixed experience at Casa Gabriella – great drinks and ambiance, disappointing food
We had a party of 6 and overall a very mixed experience at Casa Gabriella in La Mesa.
First, parking: there is no dedicated parking. It’s paid street parking, but we were able to find a spot without too much trouble.
The space itself is absolutely beautiful—impeccably decorated, great vibes, and clearly designed for a great night out. If you’re looking for strong, delicious cocktails in a gorgeous setting, this place delivers.
Sandía Margarita: 10/10
Mezcal cocktail: 10/10
Mangoneada: 10/10
One disappointment with the drinks was the Flor de Amor cocktails—we were given syrup on the side because their foam didn’t work, which took away from the experience.
Unfortunately, the food did not live up to the atmosphere. This is presented as an “elevated” Mexican restaurant, but in trying to elevate something that is already recognized as cultural heritage, the execution missed the mark.
Food highlights & issues:
Ahi Tuna Tostada (7/10): Ordered as an entrée but arrived about 30 minutes before the rest of the table’s food.
Carnitas Plate (2/10): Dry, under-salted, and inedible. The sauce was dry and ruined the dish. About 70% of the plate was left untouched. The only saving grace was the large portions of guacamole, rice, and beans, which were very good. No tortillas were offered.
Barbacoa Chicken (2/10): Dry, no salt, though the presentation was nice. Again, no tortillas offered.
Enchiladas Rancheras (2/10): Inedible. The sauce tasted like it was never seasoned. No one checked on us, and my friend ended up eating around the sauce.
Seafood Enchiladas – Salsa Suiza (4/10): The sauce was properly seasoned and saved the dish, but the seafood was overcooked. Despite that, we all shared this plate because it was one of the more edible options.
Tampiqueña Plate (5/10): Simple and edible, though the addition of chimichurri felt unnecessary and overkill.
One consistent positive: the rice, beans, and chips were excellent—well-seasoned, flavorful, and authentic. Ironically, the sides had better seasoning than most of the entrées.
Service timing was another major issue. We waited about 45 minutes for entrées in an almost empty restaurant. Then, after asking for desserts to-go, we waited another 40+ minutes.
For dessert, I had the chocolate bread pudding with ice cream. The flavors worked in theory, but the bread pudding itself was hard and chewy—I couldn’t even chew it. I only live 8 minutes from the restaurant so I don’t think travel was an issue on texture.
I’ve honestly never had bad Mexican food in San Diego before, which made this experience especially disappointing. Casa Gabriella nails ambiance and cocktails, but the food—especially for the price and concept—needs serious improvement. If you go, don’t come hungry, and stick to drinks only.
… moreWe had a party of 6 and overall a very mixed experience at Casa Gabriella in La Mesa.
First, parking: there is no dedicated parking. It’s paid street parking, but we were able to find a spot without too much trouble.
The space itself is absolutely beautiful—impeccably decorated, great vibes, and clearly designed for a great night out. If you’re looking for strong, delicious cocktails in a gorgeous setting, this place delivers.
Sandía Margarita: 10/10
Mezcal cocktail: 10/10
Mangoneada: 10/10
One disappointment with the drinks was the Flor de Amor cocktails—we were given syrup on the side because their foam didn’t work, which took away from the experience.
Unfortunately, the food did not live up to the atmosphere. This is presented as an “elevated” Mexican restaurant, but in trying to elevate something that is already recognized as cultural heritage, the execution missed the mark.
Food highlights & issues:
Ahi Tuna Tostada (7/10): Ordered as an entrée but arrived about 30 minutes before the rest of the table’s food.
Carnitas Plate (2/10): Dry, under-salted, and inedible. The sauce was dry and ruined the dish. About 70% of the plate was left untouched. The only saving grace was the large portions of guacamole, rice, and beans, which were very good. No tortillas were offered.
Barbacoa Chicken (2/10): Dry, no salt, though the presentation was nice. Again, no tortillas offered.
Enchiladas Rancheras (2/10): Inedible. The sauce tasted like it was never seasoned. No one checked on us, and my friend ended up eating around the sauce.
Seafood Enchiladas – Salsa Suiza (4/10): The sauce was properly seasoned and saved the dish, but the seafood was overcooked. Despite that, we all shared this plate because it was one of the more edible options.
Tampiqueña Plate (5/10): Simple and edible, though the addition of chimichurri felt unnecessary and overkill.
One consistent positive: the rice, beans, and chips were excellent—well-seasoned, flavorful, and authentic. Ironically, the sides had better seasoning than most of the entrées.
Service timing was another major issue. We waited about 45 minutes for entrées in an almost empty restaurant. Then, after asking for desserts to-go, we waited another 40+ minutes.
For dessert, I had the chocolate bread pudding with ice cream. The flavors worked in theory, but the bread pudding itself was hard and chewy—I couldn’t even chew it. I only live 8 minutes from the restaurant so I don’t think travel was an issue on texture.
I’ve honestly never had bad Mexican food in San Diego before, which made this experience especially disappointing. Casa Gabriella nails ambiance and cocktails, but the food—especially for the price and concept—needs serious improvement. If you go, don’t come hungry, and stick to drinks only.
Alice Renee Pierceall
First time at Casa Gabriella. We sat outside to enjoy the fresh air and atmosphere. Went with several friends who all wanted to try the food. We each got something different and shared a little bit. I had the Verde Chicken Soup. It was in a large bowl, making the portion big enough for a full meal. The flavors were delicious and a bit spicy but not overpowering. Two of my friends got the Mole, and it was much too spicy for them. Apparently, the peppers are different every time. You should probably ask the server to let you try a spoonful before you order the meal. We had a nice time. The service was great. I would go there again. Parking is challenging.
… moreMike Mikha
This is an awesome spot..love the tj dogs, and empanadas. Chip and salsa are really good, but don’t get full with them. Solid drinks are always on point. If you come on Fridays, you can walk the farmers market and then enjoy some dinner here.
… moreMichelle M
Delicious Mexican restaurant in the heart of downtown La Mesa.
This place is definitely vibes. With indoor and outdoor seating it’s a great place for gathering with friends and family. The staff is so nice. This is your friendly neighborhood restaurant.
… moreThis place is definitely vibes. With indoor and outdoor seating it’s a great place for gathering with friends and family. The staff is so nice. This is your friendly neighborhood restaurant.
Marilyn Chavez
We went today to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Our waitress was Gaby, she was great she was so attentive, friendly and nice. Nice music and great happy hour menu.
… more