San Diego has a new obsession, and it smells like fried plantains, grilled steak, and simmering homestyle soups.
Tucked along Imperial Avenue just east of downtown, Antojitos Colombianos Restaurant has become the spot locals whisper about, rave-review, and then drag their friends to for huge portions of deeply comforting Colombian classics that taste straight out of someone’s Bogotá family kitchen. 🤤
Colombian Cuisine That’s Making Locals And Tourists Into Fanatics
There is a reason food lovers keep zooming in on photos of overflowing platters across online review pages for Antojitos Colombianos and plotting their next visit before they even finish the leftovers.
This family-owned spot serves 100% traditional Colombian food with recipes rooted in home cooking, from rich stews to grilled meats, and plates so generous that more than one reviewer admits the meal fed them again the next day. 🍽️
Many diners find this place by accident—maybe scrolling through San Diego Colombian restaurant recommendations, or stumbling upon the bright storefront on Imperial Ave during a day exploring downtown San Diego attractions like the Gaslamp Quarter and Barrio Logan.
Regulars gush that dishes like bandeja paisa and ajiaco taste just like home, while first-timers get hooked on the combo of friendly service, ultra-hearty plates, and prices that feel like a steal for how much food arrives at the table. 💸
Word of mouth has done the heavy lifting here.
Happy customers share photos of glistening grilled meats, golden empanadas, and steaming bowls of sancocho in local Latin American food groups and on review platforms, pushing curious eaters toward this Imperial Avenue gem.
The restaurant’s own official website and online ordering page make it easy to preview the feast ahead—but many reviewers insist the food tastes even better than it looks on screen. 📸
If you are planning a San Diego food crawl, this spot pairs perfectly with a day hitting Barrio Logan’s colorful murals and breweries or a night out in the nearby Gaslamp Quarter dining scene.
It has quietly become the Colombian answer to those in-the-know “must-eat” stops that show up on every local’s list of San Diego hidden gem restaurants. ✨🇨🇴
Food Highlights
- Empanadas: Deep-fried corn empanadas stuffed with seasoned beef and potatoes headline the Appetizers (Antojitos) section on Uber Eats and show up in more photos and reviews than almost anything else.
Diners describe them as crunchy on the outside, soft and savory inside, and call them an essential starter that “disappears in seconds.” 🥟
- Bandeja Paisa (Colombian Platter): This Antioquian feast appears on the restaurant’s online menu and in multiple detailed reviews as a massive platter with white rice, beans, grilled steak, chicharrón, Colombian sausage, fried egg, sweet plantains, arepa, and avocado.
Both locals and tourists praise it as a “huge plate” and “super flavorful,” often big enough for two but so good most people keep going. 🥩🍳
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Ajiaco: Highlighted in reviews as one of the stars of the soup lineup, ajiaco is a traditional chicken and potato soup, typically served with rice, avocado, capers, and cream on the side.
Diners online call it “perfectly seasoned” and “super authentic,” making it a dream bowl for anyone who loves cozy, all-in-one soups. 🥣
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Sancocho (Beef Stew): A delectably hearty beef stew with tender meat, yuca, and potatoes, served alongside rice and avocado.
Guests rave about how comforting and “super homey” it is, the kind of dish that feels slow-simmered and makes you forget you are just a few minutes from downtown San Diego.
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Carne Asada: The carne asada entrée is one of the most frequently mentioned plates, with reviewers calling it “bomb” and marveling at how much food arrives on a single platter.
Thinly sliced, well-seasoned steak arrives with classic sides like rice, beans, and plantains, making it the go-to pick for diners who want something simple, meaty, and extremely satisfying. 🥩🔥
- Fried Whole Redfish (Pescado Frito): The online ordering site lists a fried whole redfish served with rice, fries, salad, and lemon, and at least one detailed review talks about demolishing a perfectly seasoned fried fish.
It is a must-order for seafood lovers craving something dramatic and shareable, especially fans of coastal Colombian flavors who want to relive those beachside plates in the middle of San Diego. 🐟
If you’re a first-timer looking for a nice meal game plan, I’ve seen recommendations that often start with empanadas, then share a picada platter, and finish by splitting either bandeja paisa or a big bowl of ajiaco or sancocho for the table.
Several regulars suggest coming hungry and fully expecting leftovers, turning one visit into a two-day Colombian feast that keeps the craving going. 😋
Atmosphere
Step inside and you get a relaxed, family-style vibe that feels more like a neighborhood gathering spot than a polished downtown hotspot.
Reviews consistently describe friendly, welcoming staff, with servers patiently explaining menu items to people who are brand-new to Colombian food and steering them toward favorites like bandeja paisa or ajiaco.
The space is clean, casual, and comfortable, sometimes featuring a small store area with Colombian snacks and drinks, reinforcing that “little slice of home” feeling for homesick Colombians and curious locals alike.
It is the kind of place where you can arrive in jeans, linger over strong Colombian coffee, and walk out with a full belly and a new comfort-food obsession. ✨
Bottom Line
Looking to whet your appetite?
Then Antojitos Colombianos Restaurant is the perfect place for you, thanks to huge portions, deeply authentic Colombian flavors, friendly service, fair prices, and comforting plates that make you feel like family.
Come hungry, bring friends, and expect leftovers.🔥
Address:
2040 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA 92102
📞 (619) 237-0396
🕔 Open daily, Mon-Sun, 11 AM–7 PM