Casa Del Sol

I have been to this place several times since the 90’s. It still looks the same. Parking is great because they are never busy. Their prices are decent. I often wonder a few things about this place. Are their beans out of a can? Is most of the food served here frozen and than microwaved? I do enjoy their chips and salsa from here, but I think the chips are from a smart and final bag. Their carrots are amazing! I love the Mexican Beef Stew and their chili rellenos. My man usually orders the two carne asada burrito plates. The service here is great and am pretty sure that it is run by the owners. I would love for #RobertIrvine to do a #RestaurantImpossible make over for them. It would not only benefit the owners but the community would love it even more.

OK, what’s with San Diego Unilocal reviews being way too high? Casa Del Sol was the second Mexican restaurant in SD I ate at in the past week. I’m 0 – 2. Both had ratings of 4+ stars and my whole party was disappointed each time.
The service was fine.
First impression: We were instructed not to use the corner booth as the seats were «uncomfortable.» My seat in another booth was so worn that I had to sit on the wood under the upholstery. Dated or minimal décor is OK. Discomfort is not. Also, the outside of the building is in bad shape.
The menu: As soon I get the feeling I’m getting nickeled and dimed, I’m irritated. The menu was extra for this and extra for that. Different meats add different amounts, etc. I can see fish costing more, but why a difference between chicken, beef and pork? Then, soda is sold by the can, no refills. Salsa was basically El Pato. You know, the canned tomato sauce with jalapeño? Not impressed.
The food: To be fair, my mom’s shredded beef was good. My chile verde burrito was sub-​par. The beans were just plain bad. My son’s bean and cheese burrito had very little cheese. The burritos looked under-​filled, deflated. I finished my burrito only because I was starving. I felt corners were cut at every step. Canned sauces and salsa, etc. No love here.
The Mexican food at home in Riverside is much better. I like trying new places and have never been disappointed twice in a row. Stupid that this place is rated 4+ Get pickier, San Diego!

Never judge a book by its cover. When I was a kid, my father and I would come here at least once a week and now with my own family they know our order. The best chips and salsa (ask for the chunky salsa also) !! We love the atmosphere and the staff knows their customers. Spend most anniversaries at this restaurant. Homemade Mexican food is what you get.

Hidden gem in east county San Diego lemon grove — amazing service and delicious food with a u our Mexican home style twist– try the buenuelo or my fav Neuvo Mexico Enchiladas it’s a stacked three layer queso fresco enchilada! So good! Also great chips and hot sauce salsa plus re atmosphere is quaint and reminds me of Abuela! Love this place and so glad it’s still in business since 1979 — they must be doing something right!

the best family owned mexican restaurant in San Diego. My family has been coming here since it opened.

I don’t mind hole-​in-​the-​wall restaurants at all, and I don’t need fancy décor or high quality tables in a good Mexican restaurant. But I do have reasonable expectations for customer service and a degree of cleanliness. My experience at Casa Del Sol on Cinco de Mayo was beyond disappointing.
Being residents of Lemon Grove, we decided to support a local neighborhood business instead of heading to Old Town for Cinco de Mayo dinner. I walked in around 7:00pm and found pure chaos. There were only 2 employees working the entire restaurant and there were dirty plates and dishes stacked on EVERY TABLE. The few customers that were there looked annoyed as their chip baskets were empty and drinks were empty. I was told that they were not seating anyone (but the restaurant was less than half full?) and if I wanted to order food to go it would take more than an hour. Also, waiting at the bar wasn’t an option because there was no bartender!
I was surprised to find a Mexican restaurant unprepared for business on a Mexican holiday/​celebration day. We’ll be heading elsewhere the next time we are in the mood for Mexican food.

It is an old restaurant. In a perfect world it could probably stand to be updated on the interior. The food is pretty good. Their enchilada sauce is not a typical red sauce, and I think it’s not just out of a can, if it is, I’d like to know where to buy it, it’s pretty tasty. The best item is probably the «authentic Mexican Guacamole». You have to ask for it, not on the menu. Chopped avocado, not mashed. That and a pound of chips and salsa and I’m good to go.

This is a small unassuming place which you would miss if you weren’t looking for it. We were introduced to it many years ago. We like the mom & Pop atmosphere and enjoy the friendly staff. My favorite dinner is the Shrimp cocktail with a Bunuelo/​ice cream desert. We are never disappointed with the food even if the fixtures are a little worn. We have taken our scout troop there for a fun meeting and had a great time.

I just recently was introduced to this restaurant. Their chili relleno with shrimp sauce is amazing. I’ve also had the stacked enchiladas & liked it. The owner/​chef, Norberto, & his wife, Margarita, are very friendly & welcoming. Their marinated carrots are the some of the best I’ve had sice Julio’s closed some years ago. I will be coming back often.

Gross. Oily. Everything is old and dirty. I’m pretty sure they re-​use the chip bowls and leftover for the next person. Nothing is fresh. Waste of space, time and money. Someone who cares should buy it since we need a good Mexican food place in Lemon Grove other than Carnitas del Botenero.
Nothing is authentic here. Keep driving.

Ive been coming here for the better part of ten years and its pretty much always consistently good. Chips and salsa are the absolute best and its those and their jack enchiladas I come back so often for. Seriously, its all I get now. Buut, I have tried quite a bit of the menu over the years and its all good for the price you’re paying. Come early to avoid what seems to be a lazy night shift. Tables are always a mess and service suffers. Service can be really good sometimes though. Just as long as there’s no more than a couple tables and Margarita is your server.

Wish I would have read Brooke’s review, but alas I didn’t and went by the pictures instead. I took my aunt out who was staying at my cousins house in Lemon Grove, I found this place because of Unilocal.
The inside is a mom and pop Mexican owned restaurant, we stood on the threshold not knowing what to so because there was no staff to direct us, in other establishment they usually have a «seat yourself» sign posted… Finally the old waitress emerged and told us that was to be done. While she brought us chips and salsa, she didn’t get a drink order so I was left with a hot mouth.
My aunt ordered a combination plate that surprising came with only a choice of rice OR beans. The tamale that came on her plate was smothered in enchilada salsa and her guacamole tostada was just shredded lettuce with canned guacamole on top.
My carne asada plate had the thinnest slice of meat I’d ever recieved. It had the same thickness as bologna! It was so thin it was very disappointing, especially at 12.50 for the plate it didn’t even come with tortillas. There was also a teaspoon of the fake guacamole atop a mound of lettuce.
My aunt ordered water and I should have done the same because my coke came in a can & cost $ 2.50!
I spent $ 31 with tip and truly felt bamboozle and that I should have taken my aunt to cotijas or something with better food and a lower cost.

After reading the reviews we decided to give this place a try. One of our first impressions was that it interior looked rather dingy; I thought the Mexican glossy plastic placemats hanging on a cord stretched across the room were particularly unattractive. The first thing we noticed was that the AC wasn’t working, my Daughter later noticed that the people in a nearby booth moved to the back of the restaurant where there was a ceiling fan, but by then we had already been served and we decided that we’d stay were we where even though it was uncomfortably warm.
The ubiquitous chips were pretty good but the so called salsa was nothing more than thick hot sauce; I much prefer and expect something fresh — a chunky salsa or pico de gallo. My Daughter ordered a bean burrito and there isn’t much to review there other to say that she didn’t eat very much of it. My Wife and I ordered the beef enchiladas, mine with guacamole, and while we both thought the enchiladas tasted good I thought they were rather small and overpriced; I can get an order of enchiladas at any of the local fast food Mexican restaurants that are larger, about as good and a whole lot cheaper. I know that a sit down restaurant has more overhead but I expect something more for my money than just a table and a chair.
Our quest for a really good Mexican Restaurant continues.

Good food. Atmosphere is not that great, staff waitress is friendly ;)

The curb appeal for Casa de Sol is not very nice but the food is really good. They bring out homemade chips and salsa which was good. I ordered the shrimp quesadilla and that came with rice and beans, it was excellent. I will definitely be going back.

Pretty Goooood! :) Chips great, Gucamole… YUUUUUUUMMY!!! I couldn’t stop eating it. I got this burrito called sumn sumn diego burrito… must try. both waiters recommended it.

Found this place nearby on Unilocal when searching for mexican food for dinner tonite. It was conveniently located right on the main drag and we were able to park directly in front of the restaurant.
We walked in and were greeted immediately and could seat ourselves where ever we wanted. I didnt pay too much attention to the décor but i remember feeling it was comfortable and inviting enough.
The chips & salsa they start you off with was really good. Loved the thick crispy homemade chips and salsa!
We both ordered the 3 taco combo. It came with a carne asada, shredded beef, and fish taco with a side of beans. All were so good and the tacos were so big and stuffed that i was full before finishing my last taco. Those plates were only $ 11 and well worth it. My husband ordered a side of rice with his meal. He liked it and wish it was a bigger portion.
All in all, we had a pretty good meal in a pretty comfortable setting with good customer service. Try it, you might like it.

Just like all of the review say, their chips and salsa are awesome.
Plain and simple: really good homemade Mexican food.
They don’t have a liquor license, so no real margaritas.
I had the chimychanga with chicken and it was delicious. They actually had no problem substituting the beef out, despite the menu stating no substitutions. So that was cool. The misses had the chili rellenos and an enchilada. Both were tasty and fresh.
This place may look run down from the outside, but the food and the service were great.

We lived in Lemon Grove for 15 years and never ate here; we moved east to Rancho San Diego, discovered Casa del Sol and have been eating there a couple of times a month for the past decade. Good solid Mexican food with an incredibly wide-​ranging menu. The tlalpeno soup is to die for, and the tortilla soup is also very good. Good combination plates as well! Great homemade chips and salsa (ask for the chunky tomato one in addition to the regular) and great service.

Good Mexican joint.
I’m a little nostalgic about the place because it’s been here forever, since the 40s I think. It’s also my dad’s favorite.
The food is solid, traditional Mexican fare and very typical of San Diego stye Mexican. Everything is good.
The building is a bit run down but the service is good the prices are reasonable.