Ponce's Mexican Restaurant

Ponce's Mexican Restaurant Ponce's is a favorite, family-owned restaurant serving Mexican comfort food and the best margaritas in San Diego since 1969. and 9 to 10 p.m.)
(2148)

A favorite among San Diego diners since opening in September of 1969, the Ponce’s familia believes in much more than selling tacos and margaritas; we proudly hold the rare and special distinction of being a family-owned restaurant that places the importance of community involvement on par with the quality of our Mexican comfort food and award-winning margaritas. Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant was founded at its existing Kensington location by Ponciano Meza Sr., who brought his family’s recipes and warm, welcoming attitude to the business. Ponciano also made two key commitments to his community and team: consistent quality and an inclusive atmosphere for everyone. Today, the beloved restaurant is run by Ponce Meza Jr. and continues to serve a menu that remains virtually unchanged in 50 years. Our guests—who have shared such milestones with us as graduations, holidays, and marriage proposals—continue to enjoy favorites like Enchiladas Suizas, Carne Asada Street Tacos, California Burritos and more (and rumor has it, we make a mean margarita). Our Kensington location is also popular for twice-daily happy hour (Monday through Saturday, 4 to 6 p.m. featuring $6 house margaritas and $1 off all beers, plus daily margarita specials, seasonal comida and bebida menus, a comfy dining room with cozy booths, and a large patio ideal for people watching. Interested in catering? We’re happy to help with that, too! Of course, the Meza family is not just here to make money. We aim to enrich the lives of everyone who walks through Ponce’s doors – through supporting our employees, sharing special moments with guests, and providing a place to enjoy an affordable meal at the end of the day. It is through these commitments—as well as excellent food, friendly service, and welcoming atmosphere—that we measure our success. We hope to see you at Ponce’s soon. Salud!

- La Ponce’s Familia
www.poncesrestaurant.com

*Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant proudly supports organizations including AIDS Walk, Dine Out for Life, YMCA, Mid-City Little League, Business For Good and the Haiti Relief Fund as well as churches, schools, libraries, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, musicians, poets, artists and many more.

It’s American Business Women’s Day and we’re giving a shoutout to two women doing incredible work in our community — Kat...
09/22/2026

It’s American Business Women’s Day and we’re giving a shoutout to two women doing incredible work in our community — Katie and Mirna of The Heroic Tail Dog Rescue.

Join us tomorrow - Wednesday, 9/23 - for our Dine-Out & Adoption Pop-up:
🍽️ All day: Ponce’s donates 20% of dine-in & take-out sales — just mention “The Heroic Tail” in person or use code HERO at checkout on poncesrestaurant.com
🐶 5–7 PM: Meet adoptable pups outside by our mural (next to the parking lot)

Come for the tacos, stay for the tail wags. 🌮🐕

Same as it ever was.
09/21/2026

Same as it ever was.

Pop-up at Fall Brewing today! Walk the Adams Ave Street Fair and come down 30th for a bite & fresh Fall beer!Fall Brewin...
09/20/2026

Pop-up at Fall Brewing today! Walk the Adams Ave Street Fair and come down 30th for a bite & fresh Fall beer!

Fall Brewing Company

09/16/2026

Grab yours before we’re out…

POV: you’re a young man straight outta Jalisco with a big dream. 🌮Happy Hispanic Heritage Month to the man who started i...
09/15/2026

POV: you’re a young man straight outta Jalisco with a big dream. 🌮
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month to the man who started it all. He didn’t know it when this ID photo was taken, but this is the beginning of everything... the restaurant, the recipes, Ponce’s family legacy. Fast forward 70-something years from this pic, and that dream is alive and thriving, now in the hands of his kids.

It’s what’s on the inside that counts...So what’s inside YOUR desert island dream burrito? Tell us in the comments 👇    ...
09/14/2026

It’s what’s on the inside that counts...
So what’s inside YOUR desert island dream burrito? Tell us in the comments 👇

🚨 New Merch Drop: Margarita Tee!Designed by our own Devlin and brought to life by Strangers & Co. , our new tee and kooz...
09/11/2026

🚨 New Merch Drop: Margarita Tee!

Designed by our own Devlin and brought to life by Strangers & Co. , our new tee and koozie are on sale starting today. Limited supply and sizing so don’t wait!

Our September Ponce’s Cares cocktail honors Students Without Limits, a local nonprofit helping underserved, immigrant st...
09/10/2026

Our September Ponce’s Cares cocktail honors Students Without Limits, a local nonprofit helping underserved, immigrant students stay in school and reach for a brighter future. El Cielo means “the sky” — a nod to the belief that for these students, the sky’s the limit. This tasty margarita pours Maestro Dobel Tahona Blanco tequila, peach puree, coconut cream, Cointreau, and lime, finished with a Tajin rim. •Available without alcohol and for takeout•

A portion of every El Cielo sold goes straight to Students Without Limits.

Ponce’s Suggested Pairing: Carnitas tacos 🌮
The natural sweetness of the peach plays off the richness of the slow-braised pork, while coconut cream adds a smooth, tropical finish that balances every bite.

Come sip with purpose this month. 💙

Students Without Limits Maestro Tequilero

9 lunches + 1 for free. It’s simple math.
09/08/2026

9 lunches + 1 for free. It’s simple math.

Dip in.
09/02/2026

Dip in.

Can you believe this was 6 years ago?! 🤯Eating outside because we had to was wild. Eating outside because we can? That’s...
08/31/2026

Can you believe this was 6 years ago?! 🤯
Eating outside because we had to was wild. Eating outside because we can? That’s just so… San Diego.

We’re obviously not serving in the parking lot anymore, but our lil’ patio still does the trick!
(A/C is on for those of us who need it! 😅🪭)

99 problems but tacos ain’t one…
08/28/2026

99 problems but tacos ain’t one…

Save the date, familia! On Sunday, September 27, Ponce’s turns 57 and we’re throwing a party to celebrate every single o...
08/26/2026

Save the date, familia! On Sunday, September 27, Ponce’s turns 57 and we’re throwing a party to celebrate every single one of you. Mark your calendars now! More details coming soon…. you won’t want to miss this one. ❤️

Happy birthday to our kind-hearted, concert-loving, baseball-fiending, community-building, number-one dad, loving husban...
08/25/2026

Happy birthday to our kind-hearted, concert-loving, baseball-fiending, community-building, number-one dad, loving husband, parade-leading, hardworking son, supportive brother, number-crunching, part-time model, discount plumber and handyman… and our boss. 🎉 Ponce Jr., thank you for all you do for our staff, our familia, and our community. Cheers to another year of you and all your many hats! 🥳

Senior? Yes. Dead? Absolutely not! 🥃Happy National Senior Citizens Day to the folks who’ve been keeping our tables full ...
08/21/2026

Senior? Yes. Dead? Absolutely not! 🥃

Happy National Senior Citizens Day to the folks who’ve been keeping our tables full for generations! You’ve earned the right to a drink before noon, to take your time and savor every sip.

Ponce’s 10% senior discount isn’t just for today — it’s year-round! Bring the abuelos, bring the neighbors, and let us treat the ones who’ve always treated us right.

Enchiladas Suizas. That’s it. That’s the post.
08/19/2026

Enchiladas Suizas. That’s it. That’s the post.

San Diego argues about authentic vs. Tex-Mex like it’s a sport. But on National Fajita Day (and every day, really) we sa...
08/18/2026

San Diego argues about authentic vs. Tex-Mex like it’s a sport. But on National Fajita Day (and every day, really) we say: “¿Por qué no los dos?” Fajitas are delicious.

Try it with whole pinto beans for a heart-healthy option. 🫘

Ponce’s has been serving SDSU students for over 55 years, including Ponce Jr. (a proud SDSU alum himself).Move-in week i...
08/17/2026

Ponce’s has been serving SDSU students for over 55 years, including Ponce Jr. (a proud SDSU alum himself).

Move-in week is here and after a long day of hauling boxes, come sit down, relax, and let us feed you.

Tag a parent and tell them to grab their new Aztec a gift card (e-delivery available on our website!) — pro tip: come during Happy Hour and stretch that card (and your kid’s stomach) even further. 😉

Welcome home, Aztecs. We’ll see you soon. 🌯❤️🖤

SDSU Alumni SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY SDSU AMBASSADORS Experience SDSU

Meet your new obsession: Cochinita Pibil. Pork slow-cooked in a vibrant chile sauce, served with Ponce’s classic rice an...
08/14/2026

Meet your new obsession: Cochinita Pibil. Pork slow-cooked in a vibrant chile sauce, served with Ponce’s classic rice and beans, and topped with pickled onion, lemon, cilantro, and queso fresco. Gluten-free, wildly good, and only here for a limited time. Corn or flour — you choose. Don’t wait too long on this one.

Address

4050 Adams Avenue
San Diego, CA
92116

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 9pm
Tuesday 11am - 9pm
Wednesday 11am - 10pm
Thursday 11am - 9pm
Friday 11am - 9pm
Saturday 11am - 9pm

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