San Diego’s Best Mexican Restaurants: Don Bravo Grill

Share

I have been coming to Don Bravo Grill in Bird Rock since 1991.  In recent years I have started bringing my kids here.  The family regularly asks to come back, so I feel confident saying this is one of the best casual Mexican places in San Diego.

WEBSITE: http://www.donbravogrill.com/

• Type: Neighborhood Mexican Restaurant
• Location: 5504 La Jolla Blvd, Bird Rock
• What to Order:  Fish Taco, Surfer Gigante Burrito, California Don Bravo
• Salsa Bar: 3 stars
• Drinks: Soda fountain, Full bar
• Prices:
  • Fish Taco: $2.49
  • Carne Asada Burrito: $6.99
  • 2 Beef Taco Plate: $11.99

The Don Bravo Grill is located in the high-end La Jolla neighborhood of Bird Rock.  However, this is an extremely casual place with great prices considering its location.  Don Bravo Grill is right by the ocean and we always like to take a walk in this neighborhood before or after a meal.

Be sure and check out our complete guide to Mexican restaurants in San Diego!

Best Mexican Food in San Diego

Being on the border with Mexico, San Diego is loaded with Mexican restaurants.  The Mexican food scene has something for everyone.  However, it can be confusing for newcomers.  This is Fun Diego Family’s guide to the best Mexican food in San Diego. Categories of Mexican Restaurants At Fun Diego Family we like to put things […]

I used to call this place Bahia Don Bravos.  My kids make fun of me when I mention the name, but I still see some Bahia branding in the parking lot and on older signs.  I am not sure, but the name change may be due to some other Bahia restaurants in San Diego.  Right now, the official name appears to be Don Bravo Grill.

According to the website, the first Don Bravo opened in 1980 150 miles north of Acapulco.  I have been coming to this location since 1991.  This is one of the few places where little has changed.

Seafood is a specialty at Don Bravo.  In 2014 the Huffington Post sent a writer to try fish tacos in San Diego.  Don Bravo Grill (which he called Bahia Don Bravo) was one of only two places that got 5 stars.

Fish tacos still go for $1.49 for mini or $2.49 for regular.  Over the years they have specials with $0.99 tacos.

Being located in health conscious La Jolla, there are extensive vegetarian options.  They also promote no lard or MSG.  The veggie burrito has bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes and onions.  There are also several vegetarian options that add potatoes.  The $8.49 Surfer Gigante burrito has potatoes, cheese, rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes and guacamole.

My personal favorite is the California Don Bravo.  This includes choice of meat, cheese, fries and guacamole for about $8.

Don Bravo Grill is one of the only casual Mexican restaurants of this type with a full bar.  This makes it a great place for Happy Hour.  There is a very small patio with barstool seating that overlooks the ocean just two blocks away.  Back in the 1990s I used to come here for sunsets.

The salsa bar is pretty standard.  My wife noted that the mild and medium salsas are hotter than what you generally find at these restaurants.  In my mind that is a good thing as they are not toning it down for tourists.

I should note that Yelp reviews of Don Bravo Grill are not particularly good.  I worried that my opinion may be influenced by nostalgia.  However, my wife and kids are now converts.  There are many places to go in this area, but they love Bahia, I mean Don Bravo Grill.

Note this is a nice spot for tourists but it is nothing fancy. The nearby coast is scenic but rocky.  The nearest beach is a few blocks down at Tourmaline.  However, for a more classic beach scene you will want to head a mile or two down to Pacific Beach.

There is a nice picnic spot overlooking the ocean right down the street at Calumet Park.

Share