About Cocina 35

Cocina 35 serves some of the best chilaquiles in San Diego. Chilaquiles is one of those dishes that is perennially fresh and new, while being older than most people know. Some say the dish goes back to the Aztecs (the word seems to derive from Nahuatl), but it’s unlikely the Aztecs topped theirs with carnitas and cilantro and all the other trappings of the current Mexican staple. The basics are fried tortilla cooked in salsa of your choice, typically with a fried egg on top. Beyond that, the world is your oyster.

At Cocina 35 they make old school Mexican food, which means they stick to the traditions of Mexican cooking that is their heritage. But while the dishes are classic Mexican cuisine, the food feels fresh and modern. At Cocina 35 they make everything from scratch daily and the result is evident. Cocina 35 has a few options for their own chilaquiles recipes, but the best part is you can customize the dish to your liking. Choose a salsa, choose some toppings, choose a drink, choose life.

Cocina 35 has five locations – the original in Otay Mesa, as well as ones in Liberty Station, Barrio Logan, Coronado, and downtown. All are sit down.

Best Parts

• Famous chilaquiles
• Kid friendly options

Behind The Counter

Cocina 35 started from humble beginnings as a self serve cafeteria-style spot in the warehouse district of Otay Mesa called La Loteria. This spot was opened by Cesar Chaidez, an immigrant from Sinaloa Mexico who had run restaurants in that region before the increasing violence forced him to come to San Diego. The restaurants are now run by his children – Paulina and Cesar.