Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant
4050 Adams Avenue, Kensington, San Diego. Phone: (619) 282-4413.
We had heard great things about Ponce's Mexican Restaurant - and it came highly recommended. There were long lines when we were there, indicating that it's a very popular restaurant. We arrived at 5:30 and immediately got a table, but by the time we left at 6:45 a long line had formed. So it was very busy. The ambiance is casual with most people were wearing jeans and t-shirts and the service was quick and very friendly. The decor is an eclectic mix of spanish medieval gothic (two suits of armor in the corner - very cool) with a few sombreros also hanging on the wall, as well as old Mexican record covers. With all the recommendations we had been expecting extraordinary food, but we thought the quality of the food was simply good. We think this may have been a case of ordering the wrong thing. Beverley had the steak picato, and I had the chili verde. Beverley thought hers was a little watery, and all she could taste was the pepper - no other seasonings seemed to be involved. Mine was better than Beverley's (but it wasn't the best chili verde I've ever had). Looking at what other people were ordering, we thought some of their food looked better. So we're definitely planning on going back and trying other things on the menu. The margaritas were good. It's a great place for families: a cheap, casual night out at the local hangout. The cost of our meal here was $40 total. This included a cheese quesadilla as an appetizer, two entrees, two margaritas, and the tip.