Mexican restaurants have always flourished in San Diego but nowhere else has ever offered quite the same experience as Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop. Bright colors, eccentric decorations and Mexican wrestling paraphernalia adorn this eatery as it takes a “funky, delicious” twist on typical dishes at a fair price.
Upon walking into Lucha Libre, you are transported into a fantastic, theatrical world. It feels like a Luchador could walk in at any moment and it would be completely normal. They would probably take a seat at the roped-off Champion’s Booth, decorated with candles, incense, stickers, and glitter and glitz, extravagant for someone worthy enough or someone willing to pay for the reservation.
The walls reverberate hot pink, neon blue and wrestling masks; the gold trim adds an accent representative of a first place fighter. Everything centers around the iconic lucha libre films of Mexican wrestlers that owners and brothers, Jose Luis, Maurilio, and Diego Rojano, grew up on in Mexico City.
This relatively new restaurant, which opened in Jan. 2008, offers a varied menu of burritos, tacos and quesadillas made from fresh ingredients and top-quality meat.
You can’t go wrong with the best-selling Surf & Turf Burrito. Marinated steak, shrimp and avocado slices are smothered in special sauce make up the most popular dish ordered at Lucha Libre.
The Vegetarian Quesadilla is a must-have for anyone skipping the meat. It is stuffed with grilled mushrooms, zuchinni, onions, bell peppers, black beans, and cheese and topped with guacamole.
If you’re looking for a San Diego classic, the California Burrito is always reliable; packed with marinated steak, pollo asado or adobado (spicy pork), french fries, cheese, pico de gallo and sour cream.
Another Lucha Libre special is the TJ Hotdog-wrapped in bacon and topped with all the fixings, this Tijuana dog is only $1.50.
For $2.50 more, you can add beans, rice, and a drink. Although, the only way this is actually worth it is if the meal does not already have beans or rice in it. The small scoops of rice and pinto beans sprinkled with cheese are nothing special. It is recommended to spare the disappointment (and money) and just enjoy your main dish (unless you’re really that hungry).
Each entrée is served with fresh tortilla chips and salsa from the self-serve bar, with about eight types ranging from salsa fresca to green sauce and spicy red pico de gallo.
If you are still hungry after dinner, Lucha has two dessert options: Flan, an oven-baked Mexican custard, or the Pineapple Queso Taco, a crispy cheese shell filled with pineapple and drizzled with raspberry sauce and topped with almonds.
Overall, this restaurant is reasonably priced for good food, eye-catching décor and a fun atmosphere (Michael Jackson hits blasted from the stereo all night long).
Lucha Libre also offers catering for events and parties. They are located at 1810 W. Washington Street in Mission Hills and have indoor and outdoor seating options, but the entire menu is also available for take out. Open Sunday through Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., check out the full menu at www.tacosmackdown.com before you head in.