Cantina Mayahuel

We were told about this place by another Mexican restaurant and it was supposedly great… And it was. Food was excellent but service was a little slow, restaurant is small and one server for the place so hard to speak to that which is why I gave it 4 stars. The steak and chicken tacos were really good. OMG to the carnitas torta, it was soooooo good. Really must try!

Cantina Mayahuel is an awesome place near my house just across the street from Polite Provisions. I’ve been there once when it wasn’t happy hour (back before I knew that Monday’s are all-​day happy hour days). I got the tortas ahogadas that time which, for under $ 10, is an impressive amount of delicious food. When they brought out the plate my first thought was «where do I start» then quickly followed with «how do I start» — giant French roll that was so full of carnitas that I couldn’t close the sandwich. I wound up eating the entire roll (in two separate meals) and still had enough carnitas leftover to make a third meal with it. Then, as I mentioned, Monday’s are all-​day happy hour days. They have $ 5 tequila drinks (you can get them as palomas, margaritas, or straight) and $ 7 street tacos with my favorites being the steak (yum!) and the carnitas. They also have ono (fish) and chicken. Their grill is right behind the bar so you can literally see them stand there and make all your food. This does mean (unsurprisingly) that their menu is not super vegetarian friendly. And on their HH Monday’s, the menu is pretty much restricted to apps and street tacos. My vegetarian friend was able to get the guac and the chips and salsa. Other than that, think sides… and lots of margaritas to fill up the empty belly.
The place has a pretty tiny interior — some seats at the bar, 3 – 4 tables indoors, and then a larger patio area with more seats and places to stand when the weather is better. The first time I came, it was pretty chill and my roommate and I were able to find seats inside relatively easily, but on Monday’s it gets decently packed very quickly with people vulturing over your table (I can be shameless when good margaritas are involved). Service is a pretty regular crew who work hard to keep up with the high demand. I see there are a few reviews here who complain that it’s slow or inconsistent. It is slow only because there is usually a huge crowd both already ordering and waiting to order, and their stove behind the bar can only fit so many taco orders. But these people are working their butts off. There is an eclectic mix of regular patrons both young and old that they will greet by name or face. I hope to be one someday (!) so I can appreciate that they do take time to know their revisiting clientele. I spend way too much time wishing I had the time to go instead of just going, so someone reading this review should go and drink a margarita for me!

Great place for Taco tuesday! I love the music and quaint ambiance. Has that cozy tavern feel.
The tacos were really good, I just wish you could have mixed them up instead of getting 3 of the same tacos. Luckily my friend and I were able to share!
I’ll be back for sure!

This is one of my favorite places to eat! The people there are great and the food is delicious! It can be busy, bringing a large group is probably going to take you outside but their patio is really nice. I really enjoy all their food and whatever the special is for the day is always great.

Went to Cantina Mayahuel tonight. 45 minute wait and you have to hover people to get a table because there is no list. The house margaritas were $ 9 each and barely had any tequila in them (I watched the bartender make them). Bar service was rude. Paid an extra $ 1.50 for guacamole and I kid you not there wasn’t even half a shot glass worth on my shrimp taco, which was large but mediocre at best. The only reason I give 2 stars is because the Michelada was very tasty and our server was extremely sweet. The steak on the taco was chewy and the corn tortilla fell apart.

Omg! The food is delicious! Excellent and friendly staff makes the ambiance amazing!!! Try the torta ahogadas and the kings ruby margarita!

One of my favorite places to come! It’s a little busy most of the time, but it’s because it’s such a great place! The Friday special (mole con pollo) is amazing, but my go to is the shrimp tacos. One of the few places I actually trust the sea food, but I’m just picky about that. The margaritas are great too. Everyone is super knowledgeable about the tequila too! You have to try it at least once, but I promise you’ll go back.

Great Tequila bar, bartender was great, he even gave us a history lesson on the Paloma.

We live right around the corner from this gem. Been there several times now. Despite the «small salsa portion» complaint from the person below (go back to El Torito!) the food is great and the portions are quite large for their price! I am 6’5″ 240lbs+ and I did not finish 3 tacos. They are legit, and big. These are not those scrawny little street tacos people push for a couple bucks. These are serious, filled, flavorful tacos. I ventured out last time and tried the grilled shrimp Torta… so good. It will be hard to go back to the tacos! Great grilled spices no the shrimp layers with cool guac and the bread… perfection. Crispy edge but soft inside. They got it right.
Oh… and it has supposedly the top 5 tequila selections on the West coast… which clearly doesn’t hurt!
Don’t be like the review a few down and go just to get chips and salsa with 3 refills (even though they are topped with tajin and delicious)… branch out and get some real food and you will not be disappointed.

Quaint little place. Clean and inviting. More of a bar that decided to add quality Mexican food on a small menu
Four of us shared our food of tacos, a carnitas torte, posole, and an awesome Yucatan stew. Washed up with a few beers and a margarita. The style is a bit more Caribbean style Mexican food and so tasty,
I’ll be back

Tacos, tequila, and a great atmosphere make this cantina a wonderful place. The service was great and the food/​drinks were delicious and worth the price.
My wife was raving about this gem before we even left… but that may have been the two margaritas talking…

Food review: Expensive even during «happy hour». The tacos are good, but not amazing enough to justify the cost. And I really am not okay with paying $ 2.50 for the smallest bowl of salsa, and then being asked to pay another dollar for a refill.
Oh, and heads up: if you get guac on your taco it will cost you $ 1.50.

Cantina Mayahuel, a bit difficult to pronounce but really simple to enjoy.
A rad San Diego gem that could easily be referred to as «Tequila heaven,» and is a spot well-​known to locals, but off the radar to the tourists in search of «authentic Mexican food» when vacationing in our beautiful city. Oh yeah, speaking of great grub, how ’bout those carnitas tacos? Kind of mind blowing. Throw some of that extra, extra, extra bottled spicy sauce on them and you’ll instantly transform into Guy Fierri blurting out cliché bro-​tastic compliments. «I’d eat that off of a flip flop!»
I’ve also heard delicious legends of the Saturday seafood stew but have yet to try it — silly me.

Started working in Mission Valley about a year ago, going out for lunch is a challenge… everyone gets in their car and goes to all the «joints in the valley» (read: fast food). I have taken to turning the other way from Camino Del Rio and going up to Adams Ave… better food, better choices and support the locals.
Cantina Mayahuel «Happy Hour» starts at lunch and I’m not just talking drinks! They are still serving up great food. Better & tastier than ever. My co-​workers agree and have also found a new haunt.
If I recollect correctly, Cantina Mayahuel was the first «good» place to open at the corner of 30^th & Adams and the rest followed… way to trailblaze and still going strong.

Want to escape the heat? Take a break and get a michelada at Cantina Mayahuel. They may not have the best AC but if u get a seat at the tables you are going to be cool. The patio has a great breeze where you can enjoy the best tacos in town. On Sundays, you will get a surprise special, one of my favorites is the meat plate that has steak, longaniza, and the best carnitas in town. Also the plate comes with black or pinto beans, rice, salsa, guacamole, and maybe nopales. Every day, there is a special and they are all good: the Mole, Chile Colorado, and seafood stew.
Enjoy!

What kind I say, when you use the good crack in your food, sht becomes addicting. Sunday especial was thru the roof! The torta was so like orgasmic in my mouth. The michelada was different. On Sunday’s the owner swings thru and they decide what to make for the special on the spot. I’m definitely coming back. Bit on the pricey side, but Daym Gina it was worth it. This is not your typical hole in the wall spot. Next time I’ll have some tequila.

As a tequila lover, it’s difficult to get a good mixed tequila drink in most restaurants and bars but this place… takes the cake for selection. They have walls of tequila from different makes and styles (styles as in different ways a tequila is made for the flavor). I asked the bartender for a random drink and surprise and he sure did. I don’t recall what he made it with but it was exquisite. I then ordered a taco and O… M…G. After that my tastebuds and I agree to come back and explore more tasteful options. It’s tequila/​food heaven! If you second think about coming here you made a bad decision. Go! It’ll be one of the best decisions haha. The music was alive (merengue) and added life to the place and the food and the drinks.
The place is mostly wood but it sets the mood for a good time. Decorated with mezcal tools throughout the place and other Mexican antiques it’s a unique and well put together grill/​bar.

If spicy becomes spicy enough for you when you are walking around the restaurant with your toungue hanging-​out panting like a dog…
If good tequila is not defined as patron and your crave options…
If Mezcal is a smokey version of heavan that you’d like the world never to discover so that you can keep buying it at affordable prices…
If you love a good carnitas taco crammed with meat that satisfying enough as a meal in itself…
If your mouth waters at the idea of ceviche…
And if you can forgive a great Mexican place for not having flan…
Catinina Mayahuel is the place for you!
Try their habanero salsa (but don’t say I didn’t warn you). Try Clase Azul reposado or Forteleza (used in their $ 7 HOUSE margarita made from scratch without a drop of processed sweet and sour), or ask for a Mezcal recommendation if you dare.
But on antique row or anywhere in or around Hillcrest, University Heights, or even downtown, try to get yourself here. It’s affordable, laid back, and a great local favorite for my friends who live walking distance away. The people are friendly. I’d love to go back again and again.
(And to my newest follower– Thank you! I hope you like this review!)

I’ve lived down the street from Cantina Mayahuel for nearly six years and had no idea it existed. Boy, have I been missing out!
After reading the reviews, we stopped in right after work to make it for their Happy Hour specials. I read a few things about slow service and bad attitudes but I did not experience any of that. At all. In fact, they were exceptionally nice.
We sat at the bar and Miles took care of us. We each ordered a margarita ($ 5 during HH) and it was so damn good. Strong, flavorful, delicious. We let them choose the tequila but you have a few options for the HH margarita.
For an appetizer we ordered the chips with guacamole, salsa, and serrano peppers. The guacamole was delicious, perfectly prepared, and the chips were fresh and seasoned tastefully.
During happy hour they do 3 street tacos for $ 7. I have never had street tacos this big. They double up on the tortillas and Miles suggested we «stretch» the taco out to a mega taco so we don’t lose too much meat. Brilliant. I ordered 3 sirloin and my boyfriend ordered 3 carnitas. I liked the sirloin better. They come topped with salsa fresca, sour cream, and cheese.
Our total for 6 tacos, 2 margaritas, and chips with guac was $ 35. Totally doable for a night out! Arriving before 5pm was perfect, too. The customers started flooding in around 5:30/6. I wouldn’t think it’s a good place for kids, just because the stools are high at the bar and tables inside, but there are tables in the patio that kids can sit at (or if your child is comfortable on a stool, that’s fine too!)

Good food, great tequila, friendly staff… simplicity at its best. I found this place when someone recommended I try Don Lorenzo tequila. After a few minutes of searching for this particular tequila, I found this place which happens to carry it as their house brand. I tried the tequila and it immediately became my favorite.
Best seats are at the bar watching all the great dishes being prepared and getting the best drink recommendations from the bartenders.

Modelo Especial (cans) = $ 2
3 Carne Asada tacos = $ 6
Hand made margaritas = $ 5
Me coming out content = Priceless