623357 Thu May 28 15:48:14 -0700 2009 12 3 California 0 4723193 My family is visiting San Diego from overseas soon. I want to take them to a sit down mexican restaurant which serves really good mole. I, myself, don't really know what is best yet. Help! Thu May 28 15:48:14 -0700 2009 165366 mayuchico 1 4723271 Cantina Mayahuel probably has my favorite mole. Not the cliché Mexican place, though. Thu May 28 16:19:02 -0700 2009 4723193 44523 Fake Name 2 4723339 Cantina Mayahuel is a great recommendation. Their margaritas, made with fresh queezed lime juice, are dangerously delicious. Thu May 28 16:46:27 -0700 2009 4723271 199931 ginael 2 4725141 Doesn't Cantina Mayahuel only have the Mole on Tuesday and Friday? Fri May 29 09:35:48 -0700 2009 4723271 57971 mikec 3 4725185 Yes, here's the link to their web page where you can see the menu - http://www.cantinamayahuel.com/frontpage.html It's a very good mole, great floral undertones. It is served as it would traditionally be served in Mexico, meaning a piece of meat and lots of sauce because the star of the show is the sauce, not the meat. Love the Del Maguey and Los Danzantes mezcals that they offer. Both are premium brands and the prices Mayahuel charges for them is very fair. The Del Maguey Tobala is outstanding and if you want the edge taken off your mezcal try the Crema, which has no cream in it, but a higer sugar content. Fri May 29 09:50:26 -0700 2009 4725141 10506 DiningDiva 1 4723276 The many moles at El Tejate are very tasty, if you're going to be within driving distance of Escondido. Thu May 28 16:19:52 -0700 2009 4723193 272034 The Office Goat 1 4723383 There was an interview with the chef from the just opened "El Vitral" on the U-T website yesterday where he mentions their mole. I haven't dined there, but it looks like an interesting restaurant when I've walked by - it's right next to Petco Park. http://www.signonsandiego.com/entertainment/street/2009/05/post_65.html Also, I can't remember what people are saying about Chilango's in Hillcrest these days, but I'm pretty sure they've got mole. Thu May 28 17:03:56 -0700 2009 4723193 15037 srk 2 4728452 The mole at El Vitral is the best I have ever had. Unbelievable layers of flavor. THeir pepita sauce served with pork tenderloin is really delicious, too. Also great is the Cochinita Pibil, which you rarely see in the US. I would highly recommend El Vitral. Really nice owners, excelllent service and beautiful attention to detail everywhere (ladies room is beautiful!). Sat May 30 15:25:41 -0700 2009 4723383 97990 sbgirl 1 4723487 I really enjoy Hacienda de Vega in Escondido..wonderful outside patio with waterfall and music.. Pollo con Mole is very good.. www.haciendadevega.com Thu May 28 17:44:38 -0700 2009 4723193 97452 Beach Chick 1 4723582 Although it isn't the "best sit down" mexican restaurant in San Diego, for mole I think you'd be best to go to El Agave in Old Town. They have no less than six moles on their menu, in addition to the rest of the food. The restaurant is on the edge of Old Town, so you get that bit of tourist sightseeing experience too, since you mention that your family is from overseas. And the tequila bottles all over the place adds to that. It may not be everyone's agreed upon favorite for mexican food in San Diego, but that's because we all have different tastes and favorites and there are so many mexican places around. But for what you're looking for I think it would do the trick nicely. That being said, it is pricey, and if you read some reviews on yelp it seems that they have been having service issues lately. However, it seems that the food itself is still in good standing. I haven't been to Chilango's since it's re-opened, but I would suggest looking into going there as well. Also, you could check out Frida's in Otay. It's connected to that very nice mall (which has some shops out-of-towners would especially like, I think), and is a very beautifully built restaurant. Trouble is that it can be very pricey there as well. I wouldn't recommend Cantina Mayahuel, even though they make very good mole. For two reasons: it's very very small, and the menu is extremely limited. They only serve their mole on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the standard menu only has tacos, rice bowls, and salad. That's it. It's got a great tequila selection, and the food is very tasty. But it leans more towards style (bordering on gimmick) rather than functionality. For taking a family there of any larger than 5 people on a Friday, I think you'd be looking at a long wait, and a crowded restaurant. And you'd be telling your family that they'd all each be having to eat pretty much the same exact dish for the whole group (since the only difference between the tacos and the bowls is that the bowls have rice). Super Cocina makes good mole as well, and is fantastic for local mexican food, but it's not a place to go expecting a fine dining sit down dinner, since it's about as much an opposite as you can get, and is essentially a neighborhood cafeteria. Thu May 28 18:14:42 -0700 2009 4723193 189270 cookieshoes 1 4723963 OK a few places for you... Ortega's in Hillcrest has nice food. El Camino in Southpark also great it is on the small side but really great. For a bigger tourist hotspot Guadalajara in Old Town is pretty tasty. Miguel's over in Coronado or Shelter Island has a great ambiance the food is good, not my favorite but most people I know really love it. Hope that helps. Buen Provecho! Thu May 28 21:07:07 -0700 2009 4723193 323873 BRCarrie 1 4725172 One more that hasn't been mentioned: El Comal on Illinois near University Fri May 29 09:44:58 -0700 2009 4723193 57971 mikec 2 4730504 Rana's in Spring Valley just off highway 94 at Kenwood has good regional food. Not touristy but plenty tasty. Same stripmall as Fresh and Easy market. Sun May 31 14:30:00 -0700 2009 4725172 294680 plantman