I am always looking for a fantastic meal when I'm on a trip somewhere new, and the last time I was in San Diego, I found one. 😍
I went to El Prez in Pacific Beach, and it was totally worth the hype! The food was great, the drinks were better, and the ambiance was the best of all. 👌
Read on to learn all about my experience with El Prez!
All About El Prez 🍸
El Prez is a beach bar and cocina in San Diego, California, in the Pacific Beach area.
Even though they serve food all day long, you need to be at least 21 years old to enter, so make sure you bring your ID! ✨
It's known for its beautiful views and interesting cocktails. The prices are reasonable for the area, and everyone from celebrities to college students likes to visit.
You can find it at 4190 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109. 📍
My Experience at El Prez
I went to El Prez with a few friends for cocktails and a tasty meal! 😍
It seemed like a fun and safe place to socialize and I knew the view was supposed to be stellar!
Sure, there's nothing wrong with a standard dive bar, but I wanted something special and I think
I found it.
I've broken my thoughts down into a few categories! ❤️
❤️ First Impressions
❤️ Ambiance
❤️ Food
❤️ Prices
❤️ First Impressions and Ambiance
As soon as I walked up to the restaurant I could tell it was going to be a great place to eat and drink. ✨
The whole place is decorated with vintage-inspired furniture and decorations. It looks like a real
"Old Hollywood Glam" aesthetic. ❤️
The seating is arranged for casual and intimate conversations.
The outdoor roof area is perfect for enjoying a warm California day or evening while you sip your cocktail amongst friends.
The outdoor area seemed to be pet-friendly if that's something that matters to you!
❤️ The Food
The food was to die for. 😍 The menu has a lot of small plates that are great for sharing with your friend while you take in the skyline.
We got the chicken tinga tacos 🐔🍗 and they were the best that I've ever had the pleasure to taste.
The crispy brussels sprouts in a tangy vinaigrette were amazing, as was the roasted cauliflower. 😍
There are plenty of heartier foods as well if you don't want to share with your friends. You can get the El Prez burger topped with cheese, avocado, and bacon for a super-filling meal. 🍔
This isn't catering-type food and it's also not typical "Mexican" food. There's something for everyone. It is, however, great-tasting food.
Of course, we also had drinks! I had the Frosé and a spicy margarita and they were both great!
❤️ Price Point: My Thoughts on the Prices
The prices here were reasonable! With the way the spot looked, I assumed it would be super expensive, but that wasn't the case.
Sure, some of the specialty cocktails were on the pricey side, but they were worth it. 🍹
You're paying for a cool atmosphere, a great view, fun times with friends, and a tasty meal. With that in mind, El Prez is so worth it! 💸
Pros and Cons of El Prez
I really enjoyed El Prez and it's difficult to give a list of pros and cons for a restaurant! We all have different experiences. Here's my list.
Pros
✅ Absolutely amazing signature drinks at the bar! I loved my spicy margarita
✅ Reasonable prices for a delicious meal
✅ Taco Tuesday offers tacos for low prices
✅ Good hours so you can always find time to eat!
✅ Absolutely stunning view 🏖
✅ Very cool vintage glam aesthetic ✨
✅ Pet-friendly outside 🐶
Cons
🚫 N/A
How Does El Prez Compare to Other Similar Restaurants?
So if you're in San Diego and you have a craving for Mexican-style food, is El Prez the right place to go? How does it stack up against the competition? 🕵️♀️
I've investigated a few other local restaurants to see if there is anywhere else I would go aside from El Prez.
I'll give you a brief overview and then a few quick details about prices, outdoor seating, and whether or not the spot is pet-friendly. 🐶
Place | Prices | Outdoor Seating | Pet Friendly | Pros | Cons | Overall Rating |
---|
El Prez | 🤑🤑 | Yes! | Yes! | ✅ signature drinks ✅ delicious meals ✅ Taco Tuesday! ✅ Good hours ✅ stunning view 🏖 ✅ vintage glam aesthetic ✨ ✅ Pet-friendly outside 🐶 | 🚫 none | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Lola 55 Tacos & Cocktails | 🤑 | Yes | No | ✅ Plenty of outdoor seating ✅ Good prices for an affordable meal | 🚫 None | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
El Zarape Mexican Cantina | 🤑🤑 | Yes | Yes! | ✅ Outdoor space to sit with friends ✅ Absolutely wild specials | 🚫 Loud indoor space | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Las Hadas Bar and Grill | 🤑🤑 | Yes | Not really | ✅ Outdoor space to sit with friends ✅ Decent prices and great specials for taco Tuesday | 🚫 The outdoor space is small | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Now onto the rest! 💁
🌮 Lola 55 Tacos & Cocktails
Lola 55 is a modern take on Mexican-style cuisine in San Diego. The vibe inside is sleek and fresh and it seems like a good place to hang out with friends.
There's plenty of outdoor seating and you don't need reservations to visit. As a matter of fact, it seems like they don't even accept reservations!
The prices are slightly below El Prez's prices and the food is definitely more geared toward modern Mexican cuisine.
I think this seems like a great place to go for a casual lunch! This place is on par with El Prez; it's just different. ✨
🌮 El Zarape Mexican Cantina
El Zarape is a Mexican-style cantina in San Diego. The interior is a loud bar vibe but they also have a nice patio area outdoors if you prefer outdoor dining.
It's definitely more casual than El Prez.✨
The food seems like what you'd find at a more conventional Mexican restaurant. Definitely "homestyle" instead of high-end, but that can be a good thing!
The food prices are on-par with the other restaurants on the list, but the specials are amazing. You can get bottomless food for $30 on some days. 😨
I'd pick El Prez if I want a fancy vibe, but for something casual, El Zarape might hit the spot.
🌮 Las Hadas Bar and Grill
Las Hadas is another great place for Mexican food in San Diego.
It's located downtown. The atmosphere of Las Hadas Bar and Grill definitely feels more casual than El Prez, but that doesn't mean it's worse.
The prices at Las Hadas are actually surprising. ✨
I'd expect the food to be cheaper, but it's actually around the same price point with some items being even more expensive (like the guac, for example 🥑).
They do have good bar specials, however. I'd totally go here if I was looking for a less "glam" vibe.
My Overall Thoughts on El Prez 🌮
I really enjoyed El Prez! The food was to die for, the drinks were strong (and tasty), and my friends and I had a great time.
It's a glamorous place but it's not nearly as expensive as you'd think it would be, so it gets a thumbs-up from me. ❤️🔥
I'd totally recommend El Prez to anyone looking for a good spot in Pacific Beach San Diego. 🏖 It also seems like it would be a cool place to host a party.
Why Trust Me?
Why would you trust anyone's restaurant review? I'm not a professional restaurant critic, but I know good food and drink when I taste them, and I love trying out local eateries. ✨
I paid for my own food and brought my friends somewhere I thought would be fun and tasty. I just wanted to share my experience.
Do You Have Questions? I'll Answer Them
So what else do curious readers want to know about El Prez? I hope I can answer some of your
burning questions! Q&A time.💁
❤️🔥 Does El Prez Have Outdoor Seating?
Yes. El Prez has an outdoor rooftop area. 🌴
❤️🔥 Can You Rent El Prez Exclusively?
You can rent El Prez for private events, but I'm not sure about the details. Check with the business for more info!
❤️🔥 When Is El Prez Open?
On Sunday, El Prez is open at 10 am (or 9:30 for Green Bay Packers games).
Monday through Thursday they're open from noon to 1 am. Friday and Saturday they're open from 11 am to 2 am!
There's plenty of time for you to go and enjoy El Prez. ⏰
❤️🔥 Does El Prez Offer Delivery or Takeout?
Yes! You can order for takeout or have your food delivered to your doorstep if you're not feeling social. 💁
❤️🔥 Does El Prez Take Party Reservations?
Yes. El Prez does take reservations, but there is a "minimum spend required." You can choose the dining area or the rooftop.
❤️🔥 Is El Prez 21 and Up?
Yes. Unfortunately, El Prez is only for people at or over the age of 21. This is true even if you
only want a meal and even if you arrive early.
Parents cannot bring their adult children here if they are under 21. 😟 Sorry.
❤️🔥 Have You Been to El Prez?
So I love El Prez and I've returned a few times already! Do you think you'll give it a try? I'd love to know what you think!
Be sure to come back and tell me what you ordered. In the meantime, check out other fun reviews on Prismpop!
#rooftopbar #sandiego #elprez #Drinks&Cocktails #restaurant
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