Casa Gabriela

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.

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!

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!

Everything was amazing and I regret not coming here sooner. The food was very tasty, fresh and authentic. Our server Hailey was friendly and made sure we had an enjoyable brunch. Loved the atmosphere, Gabriela the owner was celebrating her birthday, there was live music, it was such a great vibe. Will definitely be coming more often!

Fun place to meet and have happy hour. The food is average and prices are steep. They do give free chips and salsa.

Fresh and awesome food! Friendly service. Love it there.

I had the BEST OMELETTE I’ve ever had in my 80 years. It was huge with beans and potatoes and a bite. Totally shareable if watching your portions. Was so happy to have picked this place for our birthdays. The enchiladas suizas was also the best in town. Thank you to the cook.

I enjoyed the vibe in the place. My food was tasty but I had the spiciness in my throat for the rest of the night. Very tasty chicken but too spicy. Would go back to try something else.

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.

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!

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!

Everything was amazing and I regret not coming here sooner. The food was very tasty, fresh and authentic. Our server Hailey was friendly and made sure we had an enjoyable brunch. Loved the atmosphere, Gabriela the owner was celebrating her birthday, there was live music, it was such a great vibe. Will definitely be coming more often!

Fun place to meet and have happy hour. The food is average and prices are steep. They do give free chips and salsa.

Fresh and awesome food! Friendly service. Love it there.

I had the BEST OMELETTE I’ve ever had in my 80 years. It was huge with beans and potatoes and a bite. Totally shareable if watching your portions. Was so happy to have picked this place for our birthdays. The enchiladas suizas was also the best in town. Thank you to the cook.

I enjoyed the vibe in the place. My food was tasty but I had the spiciness in my throat for the rest of the night. Very tasty chicken but too spicy. Would go back to try something else.

Highly recommend: wonderful authentic food, friendly quick service, and the location is beautiful. They have a gorgeous spacious patio area with heating and sometimes live music

High quality, friendly service, dog friendly and has a Fri happy hour. Gotta love it! We came on a Fri around 4 and was able to get seated immediately on the patio. It was a bit of a chillier night but they had heaters outside which helped. Immediately upon seating we were given water and a basket of chips and salsa and the waiter asked if our pup wanted a bowl of water as well. We got the margaritas on happy hour for $8. A good size and super tasty. Definitely on the tarter side but I love that. Chips were of the thicker cut variety and tasted fresh. Salsa seemed homemade and had small kick to it which was great. We'd definitely come back!

Came here for brunch on a Saturday. Went at around 11am and it wasn't crowded but it did start picking up when we left. This place is located in downtown La Mesa so you'll have to find street parking. Luckily for us wasn't too much of a problem but I can see it getting busy at night or during peak hours here. We had 4 people in our party. For drinks we got the Besos de angel (basically an alcoholic horchata), the Mimosa (bottle of champagne that came with oj, strawberry, and blueberry juice) and a Paloma. All the drinks were really good and the favorite being the besos de angel. For our entrees we all got the chilaquiles and everyone seemed to enjoy them. It came as a huge portion and with a lot of chicken. I will say you do have to eat it quickly so it doesn't get soggy but it tasted good regardless. Overall great hangout spot and I'd absolutely come here again. I do want to try their dinner options so I'll come back for that.

TL;DR: Come for a chill happy hour in the back patio and enjoy the drinks and fun bites! All the food we got was off the happy hour menu. Our favorites were the cauliflower and the fundido. Love the table chips and salsa, as well! Skip the ceviche - lacking punch in flavor and not worth the value. Of course, you gotta get the michelada to go with it all! Cheers, Casa Gabriela!

Visited over the weekend after seeing friends post about it. The space is beautiful, lots of indoor/outdoor space. Beautiful colors everywhere. Large mural/ painting indoor. They have various seating options for both large and small parties. The service was prompt and our waitress attentive. I would say service is very fast, as we ordered, and food came out almost immediately. The food was subpar. Ordered the poblano omelette and the peppers were under cooked, still crunchy. The "carnitas" chilaquiles were ok. The tortilla's extra crunchy and the pork not crunchy at all. Literally belonged in pozole not chilaquiles. The texture was simply off on this combo. Their bloody Marys were very peppery, and very spicy. Def be aware. All in all a meh experience wouldn't visit for brunch again. Perhaps their dinner options are better.

We stumbled upon this location after church and oh my goodness I am so glad we did. It was absolutely amazing! I came in with my family and I got the chilaquiles they were delicious we also got the pineapple French toast and it was the best French toast I've ever had. AMAZING! Our server was good, the ambiance was it they were playing great music. I can't wait to return and try the drinks they had a great drink menu. I can't recommend this enough place enough!

I stopped in Casa Gabriela during happy hour and sat at the bar. I ordered the TJ Dogs at $8.95, the Caesar Salad at $8.95, and the Queso Fundido at $10.95. All the items arrived at the same time. I started on the salad first. It was good and came with "toasted chile de arbol croutons, roasted tomatoes, basil, shaved cotija enchilado, spiced pepitas" (Casa Gabriela, 2024). I enjoyed the shaved cotija enchilado and spiced pepitas. They were very tasty. The salad definitely needed more of the chile de arbol croutons however, and although tasty, the dressing for a Caesar was on the thicker side. A few crispy garnished on top of the salad would have been nice, too. The TJ Dogs were tasty, too. The hot dogs were of good quality and the bacon was terrific. I enjoyed the cilantro aioli. I did not like that they were so small. I was expecting two regular sized hot dogs. They should change the title on the menu to "Two Mini TJ Dogs" for better accuracy. The Queso Fundido sounded great on the menu but its execution was sub par. For example, traditional fundido comes with gooey and stretchy cheese or that wonderful melted goodness, this cheese was over baked hard and on the dry side. There was a little bit of cheese that did not get over cooked inside but most of it was done for the count. I felt the Oaxaca & Asadero cheese deserved more respect. Honestly, they dish was more a casserole if anything. I did like the roasted poblanos inside the fundido, but they should have been swimming in the melted cheese, not set inside the container as a separate component. Also, the pinto beans were the whole beans but refried beans. With a few tweaks here and this queso fundido could have been a winner, but that over cooked cheese made it lose that traditional feeling. Service at the bar was hit and miss. The bar that kept making the beverages was not much of a conversationalist, even though I was sitting right in front of him. I tried to ask him a few questions about the libations he was working on and/or make comments on how well he was doing, but he would not respond. Finally, towards the end of my visit, I raised my voice as he stood right in front of me and said, "hey bar keep, you are doing a great job!" To which he finally responded, "oh, thank you." The other gent who took my order and asked how my food was was on it. In the end, I was not up set, just intrigued. Casa Gabriela is a beautiful restaurant, inside and outside.

I've been to this place multiple times and have had such a different experience each time! It's very pricey, but their portions are big. I've been here on a weekday, and they offer chips and salsa during the week. This is a huge perk! Because of this, I wanted to take some friends during the weekend for brunch, but to my surprise, they don't offer chips! That was a bummer to learn and makes me not want to visit on the weekends (you gotta have chips when going to a Mexican restaurant!). On my last visit, the service was okay. We had to track down our server a couple of times, which I would understand if it was busy, but we were the only party there. They do offer unique cocktails, so this place is worth checking out if you haven't been. It's located in the heart of downtown La Mesa, so it's street parking only. Their outside patio is shaded and super cute.

It was busy, but had some good bites here. Service was great, chips and salsa were provided. I ordered the seafood enchiladas, they were good. More on the heavier side, but the flavors were good. I didn't care so much for the rice and beans. I would definitely come back to try more of the menu.

You guys... I'm not too sure why it took me so long to try this place. It's been on my list since it opened and I've finally had the time to go and let me tell you girl I wasn't disappointed. Came in on the Saturday of Oktoberfest weekend and was seated pretty quickly. Our server was super attentive and quick with our food and drinks even though they were pretty busy with the crowd. Food was delicious, drinks for yummy and service was quick. What more could you ask for in a restaurant. Already trying to make a trip back. Keep up the good work!

The service is great here! I had the espresso Martini and it was delicious!!! They added the right amount of liquor and was not diluted! The trio ceviche was too sour ( more limón and no lasts) and I didn't enjoyed it . The complimentary salsa and chips were so young because the salsa was nice and warm. The outdoor seating is very cozy with nice fire pits at some areas.

I'll start off by saying I love the decor and the music they play inside. The servers are also very nice. The food, in my opinion, is not great and terribly priced. We stopped in yesterday without knowing that Oktoberfest was going on. I typically love coming here for their happy hour drinks but I was a little disappointed to find out they didn't offer it because of Oktoberfest. We ordered the tablita, the carne asada tacos, and a pitcher of margaritas. From the tablita we really enjoyed the potato tacos, the sweet potato ones not so much but everyone has their own preferences. The empanadas weren't that great, they were dry, and having tried their usual queso fundido, the mini size really was just beans and cheese. The carne asada tacos lacked meat, especially at its price point, and the fries that it was topped with were really dry and almost old, seemed like they just threw them back into the fryer just to reheat. Overall, very disappointed in the quality especially since my fiancé and I are such foodies.

A nicely decorated restaurant with awesome staff but horribly priced food and a sad.. sad brunch menu. We came thinking that we could partake in the lunch menu on Saturday at 12:30pm. They said no. When we asked if we could have chips, they said not for brunch. What the heck! My party got the chilaquiles, waffles, chorizo burrito, birria tacos, huevos rancheros, enchiladas and the crispy carnitas. Absolutely nothing to write home about. The food was... decent but I can't justify paying $29 for carnitas, 3 tortillas, rice and beans. To say I was flabbergasted was an understatement. The staff was super friendly and that's why they get a star.

I love checking out restaurants in La Mesa and I had never been here and it is so cute! We last minute decided to check out this spot for dinner on a Saturday night and we were pleasantly surprised. The chips and salsa to start were awesome. My boyfriend did the michelada which was great and honestly lasted awhile. I ended up ordering the shrimp quesadillas which was massive but was super good, I loved how seasoned the shrimp was and we had lots to take home for leftovers. We just recently saw they do a brunch in the weekends so we will definitely be back to try that soon!

Staff is fabulous. We had a large birthday party. We had a set menu which makes it great for large parties. First time at this restaurant. The appetizer empanada was tasty and delicious. The shrimp enchiladas were amazing. The drinks were off the chart so yummy. Give this place a chance. So delicious. This place can accommodate large parties.

Casa Gabriela is a total gem! I came here for my birthday and it couldn't have been a better pick. The food is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully made--the enchiladas and ceviche were amazing, and the homemade tortillas are a game-changer. The service was friendly and attentive, and the elegant, inviting atmosphere made the whole experience even better. It's a great place for birthdays or special occasions - the outdoor seating is beautiful.

I love this place. It was my friend who lives I Carlsbad first time. I raved about the skinny margaritas and the food is delicious. Why the one star??? The African American bartender must have been having a really bad day, he was so rude and unprofessional. The young man was so dismissive and not friendly at all. When we were ordering, I showed him what I want as I pointed to the cesar salad, he asked me "What did you want"? While I was pointing it on the menu with my finger. I was embarrassed about the kind of customer service we were getting. To top it all off my skinny margarita glass was full to the top with ice, I took 3 sips and it was gone He didn't ask us any questions or how was everything? Not even a Thank you, just set the paying machine on our table and left. Sorry but there no reason for an employee to be so rude??? The other bartender was being so nice to his customers. Honestly, this was the last straw. I will not be spending my hard earned money here. Do better and maybe remind your employees to be nicer.

Overall a great meal. Pretty sizable portions and options. I loved the cocktails and the outdoor patio ambiance was very nice. Tacos were delicious and plenty of variety!

I had some time to kill while I was in the area and decided to finally check out Casa Gabriela after walking past them for the past few years lol-- here's how it went ! Casa Gabriela is decorated so beautifully; inside and out . I really enjoy their outdoor patio dining area and bar; bonus points for making it a comfortable experience during this summer heat by adding mist fans and a tarp for shade . Upon entering, the hostess could've been more inviting, but the male host who showed us to our seat out on the patio was super sweet and saved that interaction . We were greeted by our waitress right away, who was super amazing ! Like I mentioned earlier, I visited Casa Gabriela on a time-crunch so I didn't get to eat/drink too much, but let me tell you about what we did have ! I was about to order some type of chips and dip because my son lovesss it, but then a waiter stopped by and gave us complimentary chips and dip ---- SCORE ! They don't skimp on this and the chips/salsa were actually really fresh and tasty . (Thank you to our waitress who gave us a brand new set of chips/salsa because a Junebug decided to make a grand entrance into our chip bowl LOL) . I had no idea it was happy hour so that made me excited; I ordered The Cantarito off that menu and it was very refreshing ! I love the fact that it really did have a nice fresh grapefruit taste; The only thing is that I didn't taste any alcohol, so that was a bummer . This drink would be great for someone who is just starting off with cocktails or likes super fruity drinks ! Birra Empanadas were sooo delicious ! They were generously filled with birria and cheese-- and they were sooo luxurious . I highly recommend trying these ! The only thing that would make these a 10/10 is if it was served with a side of consume for dipping-- YUM . Overall, we had a great experience . Casa Gabriela is definitely a more Americanized Mexican restaurant, but I still would totally come back and try out the rest of their menu and other cocktails . I wonder how their taco Tuesdays are like ?!

I got a little nervous because of the several recent poor reviews so I came here on a Tuesday with no expectations. Located in adorable DT La Mesa with plenty of street parking. We had a reservation for 5 pm but it wasn't needed. The restaurant had a bright and inviting ambiance, and was clean. Our server Chris was friendly, personable, and very attentive. Chris' service really contributed to our enjoyable dining experience. Our waters were constantly being refilled by staff. Comp chips & salsa, the chips were dusted with a light seasoning which was delicious. The HH michelada was a great deal for $10 and came with "snacks." I don't even like cauliflower but the pickled cauliflower they used was great. I don't like celery either but it was so gigantic, I had to eat it. The HH campechana was like a fancy shrimp cocktail. It was flavorful but very small and only contained 4 shrimps. They were a decent size and cooked well, but the dish overall was tiny and I sure hope that isn't the size of it for the regular menu. My friend received a comp birthday dessert with a lit candle that was vanilla ice cream with caramel, blueberries and strawberries. The ice cream was unique and so good, I almost contemplated paying for another one for myself. My friend also enjoyed her $5 taco Tuesday special margarita and HH taquitos. Unfortunately no taco Tuesday specials and the only Tuesday special is the $5 margarita, which I'll be back for next time! Chris let us know that it's made fresh and not just the pre-made mix kind. The prices of the regular food menu are steep so I will likely only be back for HH. I definitely plan to try the HH chicken nachos next!

I'm a fan! My friends and I went here for a girls night and the couples deal was a GREAT bang for our buck! I enjoyed my margarita and would gladly go back anytime. Hefty portions :)

The ambiance of the restaurant was great. I love how everything is decorated and there is a ton of outdoor and indoor seating. We sat in the open bar area and the service was great and speedy. The food was good and had a lot of flavor. The only issue I had was with my order which was the sopes Benedict. There was a huge piece of egg shell that was attached to the poached egg. I don't know how that could have been missed and honestly really grossed me out and I lost my appetite. My husband got a steak and eggs dish and enjoyed his. My husband tried the horchata which was great and I tried the virgin watermelon margarita that was delicious as well.

Good food and portions. Good prices. Service definitely needs improvement. Great atmosphere especially during the summer in the patio.

If you are looking for a great outdoor venue with a beautiful atmosphere and amazing food, this is your place!!! The wait staff provided some great suggestions and we took advantage of them all since we had a larger group to share. We went for brunch and I cannot wait to go back to try their lunch/dinner menu.

Good ambiance. The food was good. We had enchiladas with guacamole chicharrón as appetizers. It was very good. Service was also great. A few of the employees seemed as if they were tired and were complaining amongst each other but I'm sure they were tired. We ordered a pitcher of mango margarita and as I sat at the bar, I noticed that the drinks were being watered down by ice. So they fill half of cup and then just add a bunch of ice to top it off. The pitcher was pricey for the amount of alcohol and margarita mix in there. For such a nice place, I would have thought they would be a bit generous with the drinks but naaaa, it's watered down drinks. Same with the house marg I ordered, I saw as the bartenders made it and it was literally less than half of cup and filled with ice. Think twice before spending so much on a drink there.

I had high hopes for this place. I'm okay with the fusion of mixing ingredients but this was not it unfortunately. The spices were off on the carnitas plate and disappointed in the rubbery shrimp enchiladas. My mother and sister shared the "La Jefa Asado" which comes in a molcajete for 2. It was very spicy, would suggest only for those with spicy tolerance. Increasing the rating for the presentation, along with friendly server and drinks were tasty.

WENT TO "THE TABLE" FOR SOME MEXICAN (4.25 stars) - FOOD: good - PRICE: kind of pricy - SERVICE: excellent - AMBIANCE: spacious and nice I barely travel east - especially when it's close to 100 degrees and humid , it's just hotter out there. Haven't been to downtown La Mesa in years (since I first moved here) and forgot how cute and pretty the area is. The restaurant is in the heart of downtown La Mesa on La Mesa Blvd. It reminds of restaurants in Old Town but ripped out and placed in downtown La Mesa and takes up the corner with a gorgeous big outdoor patio. An indoor bar area with open window concept to the patio area, and decent and narrow space for indoor dining. Menu has a variety of meals, drinks, and yes there is Happy Hour and Brunch. :: ORDER :: COMPLIMENTARY CHIPS & SALSA - portion is plenty! The chips were fresh and not greasy. The salsa was very well blended with the balance of each ingredient, it came out thick, smooth, and good flavor. NINO'S DELIGHT ($7 - Happy Hour) - coconut cream, prickly pear syrup, and lime juice. Went for a NON-alcoholic beverage because it was so hot and humid I craved for something fruity to quench my palate. The price indeed was not justified for a drink with zero alcohol and the size glass it came with and the amount of ice taking up volume. But the flavor was delightful. Light creamy and light fruity. They do have a drink similar to this with alcohol but it didn't sound enticing to order. RECOMMEND CRISPY CARNITAS ($29.95) - guacamole, molcajete & cruda salsa, flour tortillas, and rice and beans. The plate itself was a nice touch and the portion was plenty. Eat all if hungry or shareable for two. Oh my, that crispy carnitas hit the spot! It was garnished with chopped onions and cilantro. It was well seasoned, shredded finely, and the good kind of crispy you want on carnitas. All the other items on the plate were good yet average. Rice was nice and fluffy with a hint of salty, beans were beans, pico del Galla was just that, guacamole was super bright green and fresh, the verde sauce was a little way to spicy for my liking, and and the flour tortillas seemed store bought and not hand and fresh made. One thing I wish was included were some slices of lime - that would have paired well with the carnitas, needs that hint of citrus. For a carnitas plate I thought the price was a bit overpriced. Overall, it was a filling and good meal. HIGHLY RECOMMEND :: SERVICE :: The servers were very welcoming and friendly. Perfect timing with check-ins... not overly dripping by and not totally ignoring any party. Tip them well! WILL I BE BACK? There are many other wonderful things on the menu to come back and try. Until the next bite....

Came for their happy hour and they did not disappoint! We came on a really hot day and were seated inside by a big window so we were able to feel a breeze and the mist showers outside. They have lots of drinks and appetizers to choose from their happy hour menu! You have to get their margaritas!Our server was super attentive and always checked up on us.

Haley our sever was amazing. Wife and I came with dogs (2 forty plus pounders) they brought a water bowl out to the patio and shared dog photos. Had multiple drinks (beer, greyhound, aperol spritz with a cherry) beautiful November Saturday. Brunch food was delicious shared the benedict and chilies chiliques, 100% hit the spot. Highly recommend getting sauce on the side for dipping. Definitely coming back as we like the Cohen brand and this patio,... Cohen please take care of your dedicated employees. Customers, bring quarters for meter parking.

I would rather give this 4 1/2 stars, but I can't. Truly, I enjoyed my time, food was filling, but the 1/2 star decline is really because the menu was a bit away from the heart of Mexican cuisine. Even the Tuesday special menu features lasagna Chips & salsa were good. I love a seasoned chip. Salsa was straightforward, perhaps basic. Tempura cauliflower appetizer was my favorite part, despite tempura being a Japanese aspect. I would say it's a California type of dish & I'm still a California girl. My boyfriend got the carnitas & although a bit chewy, sometimes oddly crispy, the flavor was better than my entrée. I got the seafood enchiladas. I'm not gunna lie... I wasn't really thinking about what I wanted & just picked this of the 3 featured entrées. I love seafood. I love enchiladas. I did Not love this. Every bite made me wish it was a chicken enchilada instead. I liked it enough to finish it, but I would never buy it again. Just being honest. I saw photos of other foods that I should've gotten (like the fish tacos). The special comes with house margaritas & they were pretty good. I asked for my salt rim to be 50/50 tajin + salt. The Date Night Tuesday Special was about $54 before tax, upcharge, & tip. Better than buying a la carte, moneywise. But, perhaps not better than just getting what you really want. The restaurant is beautiful. The server we had was polite. The food was very filling. The drinks were nice. The food was eccentric more than authentic. That's all :) Final Thoughts: I would enjoy cocktails here I would try a different plate

Becky met with some of her friends for dinner and cocktails at Casa Gabriela. I was the lucky recipient of leftovers and take out. For dinner Bex enjoyed the Crispy Carnitas: guacamole, molcajete & cruda salsa, flour tortillas, rice & beans. She loved it, but in no way could finish it. Lucky leftovers! Fantastic. The carnitas, true to its name, had that perfect crispy edge. The meat was tender and juicy, even after reheating. It was so flavorful, really good! The flour tortillas were incredibly good. They must be made in-house. They were clearly not mass-produced grocery store trash. Buttery and delicious. Nicely griddled. Excellent. Becky didn't save any rice or beans for me... She did get a to-go container of Pozole Verde (chicken, tomatillos, shaved cabbage, radish, avocado, lime, red onion) for me to have for breakfast. That, my friends, is true love. :-) It was enough that we got four breakfasts out of it. Three for me! Delicious chicken verde pozole with all the desired toppings in a separate container. Great flavor with a nice zing of spice. I received lemon wedges with mine rather than lime which was odd. It still provided that citrusy "pop" when I squeezed some in. 10/10 for Casa Gabriela

Service was excellent here. Our server was so kind and patient. The restaurant was decorated beautifully for the holidays and the food was flavorful, just as expected. Great place to relax and enjoy.

We decided to have brunch here today since it was a new spot in La Mesa & it's part of the COHN RESTAURANT GROUP but I was disappointed in the food . I probably won't ever go back . I'm a fan of the COHN RESTAURANT GROUP but this spot is a NO for me . I'm giving 3 stars because it is cute inside & it has plenty of seating inside & outside .

I wanted to love this place because it's close to home and has some real potential. The decor is nice and service is great. The drinks are fine but the food itself is mediocre. I have given this place a couple of tries but this is my last time. I had the carne tacos and it the meat was so dry and tasteless. Mind you, there is no way to actually pick up the taco bc the bread will rip open. Eating it with a fork made me realize how dull the meat itself was. Anyways... the rice arrive cold but might have been decent if warm.

We were sat right away which is always a bonus. The ambiance of this restaurant gives out Old Town but BETTER. The food was good and so was the alcohol. You have to order the Shrimp, Scallops and Lobster Enchiladas...... my new fave (on their Brunch menu). The service was great but those Enchiladas were DELICIOUS and worth going to this restaurant for.

Good food, located downtown La Mesa. Modern Mexican food with an American fusion. Overall, average experience. Rice was a little dry, beans slightly watery, Enchiladas Marisco Suiza were mostly tortillas less seafood filling yet delicious sauce. Horchata is $9 a glass... yikes. We sat upstairs in their loft which is an amazing, uncrowned area however you get forgotten up there. Staff is less frequent and inattentive when you sit up there. Reasonable portions and moderately priced. Family friendly environment. Very clean, well organized restaurant. Plenty of street and meter parking.

I was looking forward to have a drink and eat here. The restaurant was very well decorated and ambience is great. So we got seated right away...but we didn't get waters or the kids menu we asked for, for about 10min. They were somewhat busy so I understood. We finally ordered our drinks and food, which came out pretty quick. The drinks were really good! The food (guacamole, chile relleno, and tacos de tinga) unfortunately was bland with little to no flavor. While I am disappointed in the food, I would go back to have a drink.

My friend and I stopped by Casa Gabriela for Sunday brunch. This was my second time here since it switched over from Bo Beau's. The atmosphere is really pleasant--sitting outside and enjoying the breeze was a highlight. Our waiter was friendly, but the food... well, it was pretty "meh." If you're looking for a nice spot to relax and chat with friends, this place has a nice vibe. But if you're after some seriously good Mexican food, you might be better off checking out a few other spots just down the road.

I thought I finished this review last week... my bad! Anyway we went here last week for my girlfriends bday dinner. This was my first time here since the transformation. The restaurant is very nice. The food was actually really good. I was impressed. Service was good and everyone was really nice. We even met Gabriela! I removed a star because service is slow. Other than that I like the place and I will be back.

Came here on a Wednesday after work for happy hour. I usually find parking on the street pretty quick here. This location is in downtown La Mesa. Walking into this restaurant is eye candy to the eyes. The restaurant is beautiful with stunning art work all over the restaurant. There also is inside and outside seating. We were greeted by the hostess once we walked in and were sat at a gorgeous table in the outside patio. Our waitress came immediately and asked for our drink order. They have happy hour daily from 3:30 to 5:30 which includes discounted appetizers and drinks. Chips and salsa are free. The chips were freshly fried and seasoned. We ordered jalapeño cilantro tempura cauliflower, TJ hot dogs, chicken barbacoa cazuela which is banana leafed braised chicken with onions and cilantro and cane with rice, beans and flour tortillas. We also got Chicken barbacoa nachos and they were huge and bursting with flavor from the juicy barbacoa chicken. We ordered a couple ceaser salads which were also yummy and came with roasted tomatoes basil and spiced pepitas. My sangria was also refreshing and strong. I am definitely coming back and bringing more family and friends! Highly recommended!

The restaurant is an elevated or upscale Mexican cuisine. The decor is stunning, fun and interesting especially the artwork and sculptures. The food is as great if not better.!!! We shared Molahate which is a large lava cauldron, filled with seafood, chicken, sausage, and a big hunk of gooey cheese and a little veggie accompanied by delicious beans and rice and freshly made tortillas. We shared it, and it was a real feast for the eyes and the stomach. I drank a pumpkin spice espresso martini, which was also special and delicious. I really wanted dessert, but I was so full I couldn't but they were eating dessert at the table next to us and looked fantastic. We are Cohn restaurant groupies and love this place. They really know how to do it right and Chef Lopez does a phenomenal job. Can't wait to go back again with my family.! There is a lively bar scene, and the outdoor dining area is really awesome with lots of heaters, fabulous artwork, and lots of comfortable comfortable spaces to dine. We loved our experience at Café Gabriella.!

Loved this place! Super friendly staff, beautiful decor and the food was delish. A little on the spicy side but not complaints. I came in for happy hour and was seated right away. I asked for outdoor seating in the patio area. It was perfect for a warm summer evening. They give you complimentary salsa and chips! I thought the days of free salsa and chips at Mexican restaurants were a thing of the past but not here! Chips were warm and freshly made. Salsa had a kick but not overwhelming. They had a nice selection of cocktails. I had the michelada. It was a little too spicy for me so I'll make sure next time I'll ask them to ease on the tabasco sauce. I had the ceviche, bacon wrapped hot dogs and tacos. They were small bites but hit the spot. You have to try the churros! They were sooooooooo goood!!!!!!! I want to try all the desserts!

This is my 2nd time at Casa Gabriela. The first experience was Ok and I voiced my opinion on yelp and management was quick to reach out . They sent me a gift card to come back and after a year I finally made it back. Let me say the food was a much better experience. Service and ambiance is 10/10 this restaurant is perfect for date night , GNO or really any occasion. The restaurant is decorated so beautifully and the service was excellent. My husband and I got the guacamole a la casa , the crispy carnitas & La Jefa Asado (enough for two). I'm pregnant and had to have the steak cooked fully and I was worried it might not taste good but I was wrong. Even being fully cooked the steak was tender and absolutely delicious. The salsa was the perfect spice and full of flavor. Carnitas had a lot of flavor and we definitely ordered too much food but we are excited to eat the leftovers. My biggest complaint last time was that they had the Cesar salad listed as "TJ style Cesar salad " and it was American style. I did noticed that they removed TJ style from the menu and have it listed as Cesar salad. I would like to thank Management for the gift certificate and for the opportunity to come back. I would highly recommend this place. My husband and I will definitely be back.

Had a delightful dinner with Alma helping us. We started with drinks (mango margarita, horchata, and something Alma recommended as a substitute for something they were out of). They were all delicious! We also got the queso fundido, carnitas, seafood enchiladas, and kids chicken tenders. We could have had enough with just one entree between the adults, but we instead took some home. The tortillas were one of my favorite parts of the meal as they were delightfully chewy and hot. While we liked the queso, I see why one reviewer said they were bland. I think the beans diluted the flavor a bit from what other places have, but it was still delicious. I realize one reason we didn't try this place sooner was because I wasn't sure about the spice level in a lot of things (and I didn't see a kids menu posted) so I was worried about taking our kid here. She can't handle any spice, but she was fine with the queso. The salsa and guac were too hot for her, but I loved them. The seafood enchiladas were a generous portion and very rich and creamy, so when my husband and I started with these after the queso we got surprisingly full. The carnitas were pretty well crisped, and they had wonderful flavor. Some bites seemed much more flavorful and one in particular I had was pure bliss. I can't wait to eat the leftovers. They gave us more tortillas to take home, thank goodness. The rice and beans were good too. We usually don't bother going to nicer Mexican places because too often we feel the increased price isn't worth what you actually get, but we felt the experience here was truly elevated and we were very satisfied with everything. We specifically saved room for dessert and my goodness, it was well worth it. The tres leches was delicious and had a nice crumble on the side. The churros were even better. The caramel was elevated by the hint of orange, and the churros were fresh, tender, and well sugared. I am not normally a big fan of ice cream but this ice cream was so good! Vanilla flecked and with a slightly rougher ice crystal texture that had me going back for more, we wanted to ask if it was made in house or a brand we could get the name of, but we forgot. Altogether the bill was somewhere around $150 or so, I think, including drinks, appetizers, entrees, desserts, and another coffee. Nice ambience, not too different than the old setup from Bo beau, but definitely an overall improvement having Casa Gabriela there instead. Would definitely recommend and want to go back and bring family to enjoy. Thank you for a wonderful night!

The ambience and service are marvelous, especially sitting outside during one of those amazing La Mesa summer evenings. It really is quite charming. I was, however, disappointed with dish I had, styled as "TJ-style birria tacos. The tacos were large flour shells that were very greasy, and although the meat and cheese inside were ok, they (and the dipping sauce) did not seem to have any heat whatsoever. My wife was a bit underwhelmed by the Chile Relleno, but our hosts were scarfing down the carnitas and guacamole with gusto. The small grandchild found the place cheerful. I just can't find a fourth star in me because the prices are so high. It's probably a five if you just have drinks and appetizers with friends and enjoy the surroundings.

Absolutely DELICIOUS! We came here on a recommendation from a colleague. It was also comforting to know that they are a part of the Cohn Restaurant Group (CRG). We had a reservation at 4:45p. We arrived at 4:40p. The hostess was busy so she told us to go to the Mijenta Tequila Tasting Station behind her. Mijenta was great. The brand rep explained the options for tasting, gave background on the product, and was very nice. They had Mijenta Blanco and Reposado, plus two signature cocktails in pitchers to taste. One was Tequila Mockingbird, and the other was a name that I cannot remember but it had Hibiscus in it and it was tasty. We couldn't help but notice, 10+ minutes later, that 4 different parties had been seated while we were at the Mijenta Tequila Tasting Station...not cool. We were on a schedule, that's why we made a reservation and showed up on time... Finally, at about 5p, we went back to the new hostess and explained that we had a reservation at 4:45p, and she looked at the time and said, "Okay, we can seat you." We were taken to a nice table in the middle of the indoor dining room on the left of the front entrance, VERY NICE SPOT. The table was set very nicely. The chairs were BEAUTIFUL, and very comfortable. About 3mins in, a server asked if we would like chips and salsa, we agreed and thanked him. The CHIPS WERE WARM AND SEASONED AND DELICIOUS! Perfectly paired with red salsa. I went to the restroom to wash my hands and it was very stylishly designed and clean...impressive. While I was back there, a REALLY NICE server in a pink shirt was also getting another order of warm seasoned chips and salsa...pretty cool chips & salsa station with a chips oven!!! Okay Casa Gabriella, I am feeling you at this point. The ART, decor, design elements, were all a VIBE. Your large, cherrywood, tall, and vastly stocked tequila tower in the dining room is IMPRESSIVE. YESSS!!! Okay so back to our food. I get back to the table and realize that it is HAPPY HOUR 3:30-6p! The HH Menu looks delicious. The Mijenta Tequila cocktails are not on the HH Menu, but it doesn't matter to me because I want that Tequila Mockingbird cocktail, $16 of deliciousness. We ordered: Caesar Salad, Chicken Nachos, 4 Rolled Taquitos, and a Campechana (Spicy Shrimp Cocktail). EVERYTHING Chef Gabriella made was AMAZING and DELICIOUS. The food was warm, textures were all on point, the flavors were ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. The rolled taquitos had the perfect crispness and delicious creamy sauce and crunchy lettuce and pickled red onions. The chicken nachos had the perfect amount of chicken, cheese, and deliciousness all over it. We also ordered a side of guacamole and it was fresh and perfect. Caesar salad was very fresh, crispy, flavorful, and popped. The Campechana was so good, spicy with the serrano in it, and STACKED with 4 good sized, plump, and fresh shrimp. The cocktail sauce was ¡AUTENTICO! and is an experience in itself. Our server was Jeremy and he was training a lady named Lani (I believe that was her name). They checked on us often and made sure that we were enjoying our meal. The server who originally brought us chips also came by to refill our chips, and they were delicious again! The whole experience was awesome. I love that there is a beautiful painting of Chef Gabriella or Chef "Gabby" as the staff kept saying as they worked, at the far end of the left indoor dining room. The painting has beautiful wings of an Angel draped on each side of it. Stunning!

Food was tasty. We had the Lobster & Black Bean Chipotle Flautas, Enchiladas da la suize and Chile Relleno. Everything was so yummy! I'd definitely would come back when in town. Parking might be difficult. We went on a Saturday night and we were lucky and got a spot right across the street. This place was still busy at almost 9pm. The place was a little chilly so if you get cold bring a sweater. The decorations and picture of a chef was nice.

I teeter-tottered between 3 and 4 here. This spot has a convenient location with plenty of street parking and lot parking nearby. It is situated right on the main drag in downtown La Mesa. Pros: The ambience is wonderful--inside, patio, and open air concepts allow for a comfortable dining experience and plenty of room for groups. Their drinks were phenomenal. Tons of tequilas to choose from and every drink we had was top notch. Would definitely return for the drinks. The service was also great--we felt appropriately attended to without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. Very well paced meal. Cons: The food was just ok given the price point. If I'm paying $25 for enchiladas, I'm expecting them to knock my socks off and these just didn't. I'd come back for HH to give it another shot but I wouldn't want to spend $50 on a drink and enchiladas for Mexican food. TLDR; Great Drinks, okay food.

My coworkers and I have been here for happy hour and it's a 10/10. The service is AMAZING! Everyone is friendly! The back patio ambiance is perfect for a cool night. And don't let me get started on the FOOODD! 100000/10 You have to try the cauliflower, TJ dogs and the barbacoa nachos. All are DEEEEEEELICIOUS !!