This is a neighborhood Mexican eatery in the 4S Ranch area. We tried a couple of different margaritas and they were fine, but I have had better. Chips + red and green salsas were quite good. Our main course consisted of a carne asada burrito and a steak and chicken fajita. These were also just fine, though the steak could be more tender. So overall this was a fine neighborhood place which I would go back to for a quick bite. However, service was just lacking. The 2nd margarita took at least 20 minutes to arrive, we also received and were charged for extra tortillas never ordered. Ponce's has definite potential to be a fine eatery, but some work is in order to get there.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Hema Subhash
Yummy food, nice ceviche and delicious fish tacos. Also quick and friendly service!
paul Nasland
Been going to Ponces for 55 years. Was great as a small child, and this second store is just as great!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
LESLIE DALE
Kensington location is really good. The food here is not good. Wont come back to this location.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
M Smith
Some of the best authentic food in San Diego since their original opening in the late ‘60s! Great family and service!?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chile Verde Plate
Élı'ane
Absolutely finest, most authentic delicious Mexican meal I have experienced, wonderful atmosphere, excellent
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kishore Srirambhatla
Sub par service and food was not fresh, went with high expectations but disappointed. Vegetarian changes that were requested weren't honored.Vegetarian options: Not good
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Tortillas, Tacos
K E
Great sit-down neighborhood Mexican restaurant. Best margaritas in north county. Warning: They're strong!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Mike Sebeckis
Love Ponce's. We used to live close to the Kensington location and would go weekly. After moving up north, we were thrilled to find a location near us. Best Mexican place in the area by far, best margaritas in
Had their tacos at Happy Hour. Painfully average. Went again another day to try their dinner. It was ~6:30pm and they were not busy. Nobody is at the host stand, and a waiter comes up to say he'll help in a moment. No worries. Another person walks up a minute later, presumably the manager by the way he was dressed. He says he'll get a table wiped down for us right away. Great. He then walks to the bar and starts chatting up a woman sitting at the bar for a solid 5 minutes before we decided to leave. This place appears mismanaged and has sub-par food. Go to Primos down the road for much better Mexican food and service.
I ordered a few take out dishes for my family. Food was good but not amazing. I’d give a 3.5 rating. Generous portions. I used the Groupon offer and it was easy to redeem.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Constantine S.
I came here for the first time by myself. When I walked in there was a few people waiting to be seated. The worker said 9 people ahead. They take a cell number and text you when a table is ready. They tried to seat me outside. They said 45 minutes wait inside or 30 minutes outside (“we have heaters on the patio”).So, I said I’ll wait to sit inside.They text me within 5-10 minutes. Table inside is ready.I get great service once I’m seated. The food was average. Average-Higher prices. I had a cheese enchilada which was bland. I had a chile relleno that was okay. The bean burrito was the best part. Even the nachos with cheese were better looking than tasting.The Ice cream scoop will satisfy a moderate sweet tooth craving.I’ve been blessed with authentic Mexican cuisine, and I would not say you will find that here. I’m just being honest. Average food. Great service. Good for a group / birthday party/ get together.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Angelica Castro
12/15/23. Balls of hair on the floor next to our table. The entire floor in the restroom was dirty. Food sucked! Both salsas were gross. I couldn’t eat them at all. I ordered Surf & Turf burrito. The shrimp was cold ?. I substituted the chipotle sauce for the “white salsa” which was a salty runny mayonnaise. ? It was disgusting. I was so hungry, I opened the burrito to try to salvage it, but I had to force myself to eat it. I am Mexican and that is not Mexican food. I will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Aaron Pipkin
Great place for group events, outside patio can be reserved.
A great Mexican restaurant tucked away in the corner. Very inviting atmosphere and delicious food. The guacamole appetizer is one of the very best around north county.Parking: Lots of parking, but the lot is often busy.
This is a neighborhood Mexican eatery in the 4S Ranch area. We tried a couple of different margaritas and they were fine, but I have had better. Chips + red and green salsas were quite good. Our main course consisted of a carne asada burrito and a steak and chicken fajita. These were also just fine, though the steak could be more tender. So overall this was a fine neighborhood place which I would go back to for a quick bite. However, service was just lacking. The 2nd margarita took at least 20 minutes to arrive, we also received and were charged for extra tortillas never ordered. Ponce's has definite potential to be a fine eatery, but some work is in order to get there.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Yummy food, nice ceviche and delicious fish tacos. Also quick and friendly service!
Been going to Ponces for 55 years. Was great as a small child, and this second store is just as great!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kensington location is really good. The food here is not good. Wont come back to this location.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Some of the best authentic food in San Diego since their original opening in the late ‘60s! Great family and service!?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chile Verde Plate
Absolutely finest, most authentic delicious Mexican meal I have experienced, wonderful atmosphere, excellent
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sub par service and food was not fresh, went with high expectations but disappointed. Vegetarian changes that were requested weren't honored.Vegetarian options: Not good
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Tortillas, Tacos
Great sit-down neighborhood Mexican restaurant. Best margaritas in north county. Warning: They're strong!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Love Ponce's. We used to live close to the Kensington location and would go weekly. After moving up north, we were thrilled to find a location near us. Best Mexican place in the area by far, best margaritas in
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Surf & Turf Burrito, Enchiladas Suizas, Tacos, Guacamole Appetizer
Had their tacos at Happy Hour. Painfully average. Went again another day to try their dinner. It was ~6:30pm and they were not busy. Nobody is at the host stand, and a waiter comes up to say he'll help in a moment. No worries. Another person walks up a minute later, presumably the manager by the way he was dressed. He says he'll get a table wiped down for us right away. Great. He then walks to the bar and starts chatting up a woman sitting at the bar for a solid 5 minutes before we decided to leave. This place appears mismanaged and has sub-par food. Go to Primos down the road for much better Mexican food and service.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
I ordered a few take out dishes for my family. Food was good but not amazing. I’d give a 3.5 rating. Generous portions. I used the Groupon offer and it was easy to redeem.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
I came here for the first time by myself. When I walked in there was a few people waiting to be seated. The worker said 9 people ahead. They take a cell number and text you when a table is ready. They tried to seat me outside. They said 45 minutes wait inside or 30 minutes outside (“we have heaters on the patio”).So, I said I’ll wait to sit inside.They text me within 5-10 minutes. Table inside is ready.I get great service once I’m seated. The food was average. Average-Higher prices. I had a cheese enchilada which was bland. I had a chile relleno that was okay. The bean burrito was the best part. Even the nachos with cheese were better looking than tasting.The Ice cream scoop will satisfy a moderate sweet tooth craving.I’ve been blessed with authentic Mexican cuisine, and I would not say you will find that here. I’m just being honest. Average food. Great service. Good for a group / birthday party/ get together.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
12/15/23. Balls of hair on the floor next to our table. The entire floor in the restroom was dirty. Food sucked! Both salsas were gross. I couldn’t eat them at all. I ordered Surf & Turf burrito. The shrimp was cold ?. I substituted the chipotle sauce for the “white salsa” which was a salty runny mayonnaise. ? It was disgusting. I was so hungry, I opened the burrito to try to salvage it, but I had to force myself to eat it. I am Mexican and that is not Mexican food. I will not be returning.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Great place for group events, outside patio can be reserved.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Carnitas, Queso Dip Aka Velvet Cheese Melted, Tacos
A great Mexican restaurant tucked away in the corner. Very inviting atmosphere and delicious food. The guacamole appetizer is one of the very best around north county.Parking: Lots of parking, but the lot is often busy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Tortilla Soup