Location: La Mesa
Top Restaurants in La Mesa
Top 10 American food in La Mesa, California, United States
Find out what American restaurants to try in La Mesa. La Mesa is a city in Southern California, located 9 miles (14 km) east of Downtown San Diego in San Diego County. The population was 57,065 at the 2010 census, up from 54,749 at the 2000 census. Its civic motto is "the Jewel of the Hills."
Things to do in La Mesa
10. BO-beau kitchen + garden
Overall Ratings
4 based on 122 reviews
Located in the downtown Village of La Mesa where bohemian-chic meets industrial elegance in this casual and intimate eatery.
Reviewed By James B
The menu has some interesting offerings and those offerings were generous and well prepared. The bar is okay if you are ordering beer, but they proved inept with traditional cocktails. The server didn't seem to be able to figure out that not everyone in our party of six had a table setting. We were forced to "borrow" form another table. Not a very good show for a place that charges $16 for a hamburger.
9. Truckstop
Overall Ratings
4 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By Bay_Arean2
This location is in San Diego's Pacific Beach neighborhood, in a strip mall. I don't know why TripAdvisor maps it in a different location.Anyhow, I had a great breakfast of Hippie Hash (a 3-egg skillet scramble with spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, and goat cheese, topped with some hollandaise, and served over rosemary potatoes). They only offer a sugar-spiced bacon rather than regular bacon, so I had to settle with a side of their homemade pork patty. Both dishes were tasty and satisfying and I didn't miss not having bacon.After ordering, the wait was longish considering there were maybe four other tables occupied, but it was worth the wait. While rock music wouldn't exactly by my first choice in music, their selection of classic rock (think Pink Floyd, the Who, the Rolling Stones . . .) was a blast from the past and I enjoyed listening to every number. I'd come back for more breakfasts whenever I'm in the neighborhood.FYI, they have a sister eatery called "Woody's" which has a beachfront location almost a stone's throw away.
8. The Vine Cottage
Overall Ratings
4 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By Sandra D
Met up with two other couples as a first time dining experience. We dined outside and Sam was our waiter. We enjoyed the $15 for 3-course lunch. The food was fabulous capped off with homemade ice cream and home made chocolate sauce. We will be back.
7. The Hills
Overall Ratings
4 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By Walker S
Best neighborhood pub for food and drink. Excellent service and wonderful community spirit with periodic evening of percentage gifts for local charities. Relax and kick back with this relaxed family friendly pub. Bring you kids along for the food if you would like. Highly recommended.
6. Swami's Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 87 reviews
Basic healthful fare prepared from responsibly-grown produce & locally-sourced ingredients.
Reviewed By Jan W
The menu is diverse and there is a lot to choose from including options for vegetarians or vegans. One of my favorite dishes is the spinach tofu which includes fresh spinach, potatoes, and onions.It is served on a mound of brown rice and hearty toast. The portions are large and I always leave with enough food for another meal.
5. Anthony's Fish Grotto
Overall Ratings
4 based on 241 reviews
East County San Diego's premier seafood restaurant offering a vast array of fresh catches. Nestled over a large private pond, Anthony's has a setting and ambiance like no other in the area. Anthony's has been voted best seafood, best ambiance, best outdoo
Reviewed By Adriene B
The magnificence of the undersea world of Anthony's Fish Grotto cannot be overstated! I have the happiest memories here! For stunning architecture, charming atmosphere, delicious food and gracious service, Anthony's is simply the best.Scroll to see Anthony's 1959 menu and read about Mama Ghio: "An uncommon early menu from Anthony's Fish Grotto, with b/w photographic vignettes of Catherine "Mama" Ghio, her two sons, Anthony and Tod, and her son-in-law, Roy Weber to the front. Catherine opened the restaurant in 1946, when she was in her fifties and a widowed mother of three. It soon became a landmark of the city's cuisine, opening several other locations and moving to its most well-known location on waterfront in the 1960s. After over 70 years of business, the San Diego restaurant closed in 2017 when its lease with the city expired." The La Mesa location survives. Menu courtesy abaa.org.Dear Adrienne: Thank you for the kind words and the retelling of the Anthonyâs history. Our remaining La mesa location is truly a gem; an oasis in East County. The pond, the ducks, the dog friendly dining, the serene patio and lush landscaping create a relaxed and rejuvenating atmosphere. And of course one of the cities largest selections of fresh seafood and Mama Ghioâs original recipes keep guest coming back for over 73 years. Thank you again for the kind words; I canât wait to share them with our wonderful staff.Regards, Craig Ghio
4. La Mesa Bistro and Bakery
Overall Ratings
4 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By Bart R
Big selection of breakfast and lunch items. On my last visit I had a veggie burger with soy bacon that was surprisingly good. Not a lot of atmosphere (it's in a strip mall), but the good food and nice staff make up for the lack of decor.
3. Brigantine La Mesa
Overall Ratings
4 based on 260 reviews
Reviewed By Chelsea G
I hadn't eaten here in many years because the last time I ate there it tasted very commercial-ly, get-your-meals-out-fast. I had a hard time understanding what people liked about it. I am happy to say that the food tastes much better now!
2. D.Z. Akin's Delicatessen
Overall Ratings
4 based on 377 reviews
Established in 1980 D. Z. Akin's has been a San Diego institution since they first opened their doors back in 1980 and is still a family run business spanning 3 generations. From the Menu: "D.Z. stands for the two of us, Debi and Zvika Akin. Having lived
Reviewed By noteatinghere
Although lunch was good the check out clerk was horrible. I don't know if was age or just plain old inattention but the misplacement of the decimal point made my bill of $37 & change into $370 & change. Check out clerk was very nonchalant about the big money error is what was very irritating. Also about a year ago we bought snacks in the bakery & forgot to line out the tip line as there was no services provided other than handing the baked goods to us. Without our permission someone elected to give themselves a $5.00 tip. Never returning to this place.
What to do and see in La Mesa, United States: The Best Places and Tips
1. Anthony's Fish Grotto
Overall Ratings
4 based on 241 reviews
East County San Diego's premier seafood restaurant offering a vast array of fresh catches. Nestled over a large private pond, Anthony's has a setting and ambiance like no other in the area. Anthony's has been voted best seafood, best ambiance, best outdoo
Reviewed By Adriene B
The magnificence of the undersea world of Anthony's Fish Grotto cannot be overstated! I have the happiest memories here! For stunning architecture, charming atmosphere, delicious food and gracious service, Anthony's is simply the best.Scroll to see Anthony's 1959 menu and read about Mama Ghio: "An uncommon early menu from Anthony's Fish Grotto, with b/w photographic vignettes of Catherine "Mama" Ghio, her two sons, Anthony and Tod, and her son-in-law, Roy Weber to the front. Catherine opened the restaurant in 1946, when she was in her fifties and a widowed mother of three. It soon became a landmark of the city's cuisine, opening several other locations and moving to its most well-known location on waterfront in the 1960s. After over 70 years of business, the San Diego restaurant closed in 2017 when its lease with the city expired." The La Mesa location survives. Menu courtesy abaa.org.Dear Adrienne: Thank you for the kind words and the retelling of the Anthonyâs history. Our remaining La mesa location is truly a gem; an oasis in East County. The pond, the ducks, the dog friendly dining, the serene patio and lush landscaping create a relaxed and rejuvenating atmosphere. And of course one of the cities largest selections of fresh seafood and Mama Ghioâs original recipes keep guest coming back for over 73 years. Thank you again for the kind words; I canât wait to share them with our wonderful staff.Regards, Craig Ghio
La Mesa Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in La Mesa
