Casa Gabriela - La Mesa, California

Ton J.

Cocktails and staff are absolutely amazing, unfortunately the food was a big miss. The menu great with plenty of options. We chose to get some tacos. While waiting, we are treated to some great chips and a nice variety of salsa mild, medium, and hot. The hot salsa was delicious.It was hot, but had an amazing flavor. Then the tacos arrived. The first bite was delicious then the second bite It was just an overwhelming amount of hot peppers, from that point on your mouth is on fire and you cannot taste anything else. There should be no reason to cover up the flavor of tacos with something so hot that you cannot enjoy it. It was unfortunate. At least the salsa was hot, but tasted delicious and bursting with flavor.

M A.

My niece highly recommend this place in La Mesa. So, the family and I made it to Casa Gabriela for happy hour on a weekday. Upon restuarant entry, we were greeted immediately. We got our seat preference at the bar table next to the bar area. Looked like seats were filling up, so we saved couple chairs just in case our friends would be joining. We ended our night around 7pm, the dining area and bar was solid pack.

Side note, not a fan of the short back bar stools. Back was unsupported, at least chairs were cushioned.

I already felt good vibes walking into the restaurant. Contemporary Mexican decor, music choice was a perfect mixture of pop/r&b/hip hop, and the overall ambiance was chill and lively.

There’s a large outdoor patio area, unfortunately, it sat empty due to rain. Nonetheless, there was always something to look at beyond the many windows at Casa Gabriela. You can people watch…never a dull moment.

The food was ok for happy hour price except for the small portioned ceviche that was ordered. Maybe we missed the portioning info on the menu, but it was practically half the size of a teacup. We honestly thought someone ordered avocado dip or something related. When ceviche arrived at our table, we were all expecting to share (we normally do on our Mexican vacations). Unfortunately, that was not the case. Disappointed 😔

All staff were attentive. Our server never missed a beat and if he wasn’t around, there was always another server available to help out with our needs. Besides being ultra attentive, our server was polite, friendly, a good listener and professional.

Despite the rain, the restaurant had good energy. We plan to return 👍🏼

Miss N. L.

I cannot explain what a great spot this is. From the food, to the service, and the ambience all a great experience top notch 💕. Never have I been to a place where a chef comes to your table and tells you about the place and the food and much more. Gabriela is the best, thank you for being so wonderful. Can’t wait to come back during brunch.

Caitlin C.

Great food, atmosphere , and service. Got a bottle of champagne and juices to share and then ordered the Birria Tacos which were super delicious! They stuffed them with so much meat so great value too. Everyone else's food looked delicious as well!

Matthew R.

This place is the GEM OF LA MESA! staff was super friendly and always ensured that my significant other and I were taken care of. It’s right in the heart of downtown La Mesa which surprisedly is a nice little vibe on a Sunday evening. I ordered the Sur and Terra burrito which came beans, rice, and both salsa verde and rojo. The quality of the food was amazing every bite was tender and delicious. My significant other got the tres ceviche plate which she really enjoyed, the menu items are between $20-50 we did go during happy hour and got our Palomas for $10 each. Highly recommend if you’re in the La Mesa area, very vibrant and well worth every penny.

Sammy H.

What a gem! Chef Gaby and her crew absolutely did not disappoint. From the top notch service to the amazing food holy moly was it next level! My only complaint would be that I had a reservation for 2 and we were sat (at a beautiful booth) where all the families with children were.... as two adults without kids it really wasn't super great, seems like the host should/could recognize the seating of a couple without kiddos should probably not be sat in the family area. However! Our awesome server moved us to a table more suitable for the vibe we were after and everything went perfectly. We will absolutely be back!

christopher W.

This service was amazing.Carlos was so friendly, so knowledgeable and so nice.The food was spectacular.The environment was beautiful and welcoming.And I enjoyed being able to fill the breeze from outside while still sitting inside the restaurant.Definitely recommend this place

Josie M.

Atmosphere is wonderful especially at night. Staff is friendly but not all waiters are attentive; one waitress stepped in for our waiter to take away a beverage we weren't drinking and removed it from our bill. I liked that they worked together like that. Molcajete was good but not amazing; I'll plan to try their tamales if on the menu next time. Dessert was perfect!