Welcome to La Doña
La Doña, nestled in the vibrant community of Ocean Beach, San Diego, is a captivating cocktail bar that marries the rich flavors of Mexican cuisine with a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere. From its cozy indoor-outdoor seating to its accessible features, La Doña is designed for everyone. Guests rave about the tantalizing margaritas and signature dishes like the quesabirria tacos and delicious tampequeña plate. With an emphasis on quality ingredients and impeccable service, the restaurant has earned a loyal following. Whether you're enjoying a casual dinner with friends or savoring a romantic evening under the stars, La Doña delivers an unforgettable dining experience.
-
1852 Bacon St San Diego, CA 92107 United States Hotline: (619) 269-6144
Welcome to La Doña, a vibrant cocktail bar nestled in the heart of San Diego, where the spirit of Mexican culture comes alive in every sip and bite. Located at 1852 Bacon St, this trendy establishment has gained a reputation for its delicious offerings and inviting ambiance, making it a go-to destination for both locals and visitors alike.
At La Doña, you'll find a perfect blend of casual and classy vibes, ideal for any occasion—whether it's a casual dinner with friends, a romantic date night, or a cheerful gathering for happy hour specials. The space seamlessly merges indoor comfort with outdoor charm, featuring heated seating options that are dog-friendly, allowing you to enjoy your meal alongside your four-legged companion. With a dedication to accessibility, the restaurant is wheelchair-friendly and equipped with gender-neutral restrooms, ensuring that everyone can indulge in its offerings.
The menu at La Doña is a true testament to the rich flavors of Mexico. Diners rave about the signature cocktails, especially the margaritas, which are crafted to perfection. The standout dishes are the quesobirria tacos and the famed tampequeña plate, each bursting with rich, authentic flavors that leave patrons longing for more. The fajita special combines a savory blend of steak and shrimp, served piping hot and accompanied by the best beans you'll ever taste. The empanaditas and carnitas tacos have also garnered a loyal following, praising the careful attention to detail in every dish.
- Happy Hour Specials: Enjoy great deals on drinks and small bites!
- Outdoor Seating: Bask in the sun while you dine with friends or bring your dog.
- Vegan and Vegetarian Options: A selection of plant-based choices to cater to diverse palates.
- Community Feel: Welcoming staff who ensure every visit feels like a special occasion.
La Doña is celebrated not just for its food but also for its exceptional service. Customers have described their experiences as warm and friendly, with staff consistently going above and beyond to make your visit unforgettable. Patrons have reported that the bar seats are particularly comfortable, making it easy to sit back, relax, and indulge in the picturesque surroundings.
From rich flavors to a welcoming atmosphere, La Doña encapsulates the spirit of Mexican cuisine and hospitality. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick bite or an evening out with friends, you can expect nothing less than excellent quality and delightful flavors. Drop in soon—you might find that La Doña becomes your new favorite spot in San Diego.
I love this spot. Service is always great. The ambiance is cozy while still being indoor-outdoor. Cocktails are fabulous and plentiful. The beans are too delicious! I adore the TJ Dog appetizer. The bar seats are super comfortable. I've tried almost everything on the menu and haven't had a bad choice yet. The tampequeña plate is my fave. See you at La Doña soon.
Went into La Dona for national margarita day. It was super busy, but luckily the bar was open seating and got a spot. Josh the bartender was great. Had the quesobirria tacos he recommended and the margaritas were on point. Will defiantly come back!
Food was great! We ordered the fajita special-- steak & shrimp. Flavorful. Plentiful. Hot! Ambiance great! Cozy. Colorful. Comfortable. Margarita: what I hate most is an expensive drink that is all ice and no booze. Ordered 2 and no buzz!! Not good.
Wonderful margaritas!! Salsa and (hidden hot & spicy salsa) + chips were great! Josh was amazing!
While some parts of the nation are freezing, San Diego has some of the best weather during the winter months, and sunshine on a cool day is pretty cool! Looking for a restaurant with outdoor seating and dog friendly is getting easier because lots of people love eating out with their dogs. Me included! I had never heard of La Dona, so why not go and check them out. They were quite busy on the patio which was a good sign. The friendly hostess gave us a great round table. There was one other dog on the patio. There was only one server working but she was great! As she was taking orders, she'd glance around the patio to see where each table was at during their meal. But she also still engaged with the customers she was waiting on. We ordered two of the signature cocktails and they were delicious! We also started with the empanaditas...these were soooooo good! I had the birria tacos. This was a good test and they did not disappoint! The consomme that came with was just love!!! Daveed had the chicken enchiladas, and instead of the standard ones you get elsewhere, there were three rather large enchiladas and an amazing green sauce! Next time no started, because we had no room for dessert. I would've liked to try their coffee as well, but those will have to wait until next time. It was a great first experience and it's now in my rotation. As we were getting ready to leave, more dogs came in which was cool! Cako Approves!
Enjoyed my tacos though I expected a bit more flavor. Service was good, decent outdoor space.
Back to La Doña, our favorite spot in OB. J.C. is still kickin' ass behind the bar. Kevin, the G.M. is a super cool dude too. A year or so ago I tried the mussels and they were the best mussels that I had ever had. They still are! They're 4 bucks cheaper than a year ago! Mejillones a la Mexicana ($20.25) 1lb of mussels steamed in a Mexican-style salsa with shallot-garlic butter, pork chorizo, white wine, and guajillo cream. Topped with green onions and lemon. Served with toasted bread. Pro Tip: Order extra bread up front. You're going to need it. Pro Tip #2: Order a side of rice (or steal your wife's as I did) and mix it into the remaining broth after you've polished off the mussels. You can thank me later. Becky wanted a Carnitas Taco. La Doña delivers with a single taco plate option. Uno Taco Plate ($13.00) One taco served with Elote rice and refried pinto beans. Choice of Beef Quesabirria, Chicken Tinga, Carne Asada, Pollo, Carnitas, Pescado, Camaron, or A la Plancha. She loved the perfectly cooked carnitas. La Doña's beans are the best in the business. I stole her rice as noted above. LOL! You really can't go wrong with anything from the menu. The restaurant opens up to the patio for a great OB outdoor vibe. Service from J.C. at the bar is always exceptional. If you opt for dining room or patio seating, you'll be well taken care of there too. The staff are all great. Love La Doña!
I used to think this place was okay. However now I think it's really good. I'm not sure if there is a new chef etc. There menu options have grown. The beans are amazing, perhaps the best I've ever had. Oh & Adrianna the manager is the best! I live literally 600 FEET from La Dona, I'm super local.... I stopped coming in for a long time but I'm back now. You have impressed me.
Great food, friendly service. Hand some quick appetizers, delish! We popped in on a whim- we were not disappointed!