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The answer to this question is multifaceted since San Diegans' reasons to recommend Mexican restaurants are based on a number of factors.

This category includes old-time Mexican restaurants that have withstood the test of time. Many San Diegans were taken to some of these places as kids and love to bring back that experience time and time again.

Here are some of the locals' all-time favorites.

El Indio

El Indio (3695 India Street, Middletown) - is mainly known for its flour and corn tortillas, thick and spicy tortilla chips, and fat tamales. This restaurant prides itself on making these items fresh every day. A number of San Diegans make a special effort to stop in and purchase bags of El Indio chips and tortillas. Many other customers prefer to dine in and enjoy El Indio's extensive menu featuring carnitas, enchiladas, burritos, taquitos, carne asada, and even Mexican breakfast items. A convenient salsa bar is located next to the napkins and utensils so you can fill up on salsa before your number is called. If you want to go to one of the local's favorite Mexican restaurants, look no further than El Indio. The walk-up counter service is usually busiest at lunch time and seating is available outdoors and indoors.

Casa De Pico

Casa de Pico (5500 Grossmont Center Drive)- It has been close to 3-4 years now that Casa de Pico relocated to the East County from Old Town. Many of the familiar outdoor furnishings and brightly colored patio umbrellas made the move as did the very large Margarita glasses! Casa de Pico took over what was once an El Torrito restaurant and made it their own. Some would say that the new location has many advantages over the old, including new fixtures, a larger space, and much more parking. Casa de Pico has always excelled at making good Mexican food with many different types of spice levels. Casa de Pico has always been known for its friendly service and colorful costumes and the tradition continues. If you want to go to a Mexican restaurant with all the pizzazz, then Casa de Pico is the place for you.

Old Town Mexican Cafe (2489 San Diego Avenue, Old Town)- Located in Old Town, Old Town Mex as it's known by the locals, this busy restaurant bar attracts a steady flow of loyal locals and curious tourists every day of the week. The locals are drawn in by the good drinks and even better carnitas and the tourists are drawn in by the spectacle of the Mexican ladies who make the corn and flour tortillas by hand. A nice big window to the tortilla 'factory' of sorts allows young and old to see how this ancient tradition is done. Remember that when you order your tortillas with your dish, you are getting some of the freshest ones in town! Old Town Mex has indoor and covered patio seating. They also have their own parking lot which is so narrow is some places that it is best to park the SUV on the street!

Nati's (1852 Bacon Street, Ocean Beach)- Another locals' favorite, Nati's in Ocean Beach has attracted a faithful following for decades. Nati's has indoor and outdoor seating and an extensive menu of Tex-Mex type Mexican food. This is not a fancy place by any means but the food is always good and the beers are always cold. There is something down home about this place that sets it apart from the other Mexican restaurants in town. Unlike the other restaurants in Ocean Beach, Nati's has an ample parking lot.

Ortega's (4993 Niagara Avenue, Ocean Beach)- Also located in Ocean Beach, Ortega's is one of the smaller Mexican restaurants in San Diego but boy do they make up for the lack of space with really good Mexican food. Tamales are their specialty and they even sell them in front of their restaurant during the Wednesday afternoon Farmer's Market. Ortega's is not to be confused with the 'other' Ortega's in Hillcrest - they are quite different! This Ortega's is quaint and cozy. This restaurant is also much more affordable. Again, the quality of the food and the authenticity are what makes Ortega's one of the better Mexican restaurants in San Diego.

Fidel's Norte

Fidel's Norte (3003 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad) & Fidel's (749 Genevieve Street, Solana Beach)- These two North County favoritas have dominated the Mexican restaurant scene in Del Mar/Solana Beach and Carlsbad for decades. Each of the restaurants has attractive indoor and outdoor seating. The food is consistently good at both restaurants and people always have a good time. The Carlsbad Fidel's is conveniently located close to the main drag in downtown Carlsbad and even closer to the steps that lead down to the Pacific Ocean. The other Fidel's is located in an area of town called Eden Gardens. This Latino enclave is basically the barrio of Solana Beach/Del Mar. Unlike Barrio Logan in San Diego, Eden Gardens always maintained more of a little village feel which adds to the charm of Fidel's and the other little Mexican cafe's in the village. The Fidel's in Solana Beach is especially popular during the Del Mar Racing season (late summer). You are forewarned.

Las Olas & Las Olas Carlsbad (2655 Highway 101, Cardiff by the Sea & 2939 Carlsbad Boulevard)- is definitely a local's place. The Cardiff Las Olas, or "the waves" in Spanish refers to that big patch of blue ocean just across the street-Highway 101. Indoor and outdoor seating is available although sitting outside won't guarantee you a full view of the ocean. The Carlsbad location is newer and is located on the pedestrian friendly Carlsbad Boulevard. Covered patio seating is available and from what we can tell, they are already a popular hangout. Both restaurants are the sorts of places that makes you just relax, take in the scent of ocean air, eat good (and even healthy) food, and enjoy ice cold beer and margaritas.

Hernandez Hideway (19320 Lake Drive, just off Del Dios Highway) - Another very popular place with the locals in the North County is the intriguing Hernandez Hideway. The original owners recently passed away but their legacy lives on. The name of the restaurant is apropos since this Mexican restaurant is tucked away off the Del Dios Highway and looks out over San Dieguito Reservoir. This is the kind of place that attracts folks who want to take a road trip or folks who live in nearby Rancho Santa Fe or Escondido. The decor is kitschy but cute. The food is quite good and everyone seems to order the margaritas by the pitcher. So, do what the locals do, and order yourselves a pitcher of margaritas! And yes, these are the real margaritas.

Cuatro Milpas (1857 Logan Avenue, Barrio Logan) - When people ask us which Mexican restaurant is the most unique and the most authentic, we say, "Cuatro Milpas!" This hole in the wall lunch counter has a line out its door every day of the week. The line of people outside tells you that it is very good and that people from all walks of life come here for the food. Like Old Town Mex and El Indio, corn and flour tortillas are made on the premises. But there is a big difference in the flour tortillas, these are the thickest in town! They are delicious and filling. These are the same tortillas that are used in their burritos so you can count on one big burrito if you order one. Cuatro Milpas (translated as four small plots of agricultural land) has a limited menu which consists of freshly fried chicken or beef taquitos, burritos, large tamales, and rice and beans. All servings are plentiful and very affordable. Generations of Latinos have eaten here and many swear that Cuatro Milpas' menudo is the best in town. Keep in mind that this hangover cure is only available on Saturdays.

El Cuervo (110 W Washington Street, Mission Hills) - This small eatery between Mission Hills and Hillcrest attracts loyal customers who come from near and far who have a jones for El Cuervo's Mexican food. It truly is a phenomenon. El Cuervo is open all day every day of the week and features good food at even better prices.

Ponce's (4050 Adams Avenue, Kensington) - Ponce's is located in the charming hamlet of Kensington. Ponce's has been the place to go in Kensington for decades. It is the only Mexican restaurant for miles but people love it for its old time feel even though it has modernized. Maybe it's the ground beef they use in their crunchy tacos and tostadas? Thankfully, their margaritas have switched from wine to tequila and their beer list has expanded. When you go to Ponce's, you know you are going to the neighborhood place and a place that helps support Ponce's family member who are always working in the restaurant.

La Nena (975 Broadway, Chula Vista) - You would think that with its proximity to Mexico, Chula Vista would have more locals' favorites in the list but they do not. The local's favorite in Chula Vista is La Nena. Located off busy Broadway, you'd never know it once you step in to the den-like restaurant. La Nena has very good enchiladas and has that kind of homey feel that Nati's has in Ocean Beach. If you find yourself in Chula Vista, head over to La Nena.
ALERT! La Nena had a fire in early 2009 and has not re-opened yet.