You almost wouldn’t recognize the historic building at 755 5th Avenue in the Gaslamp district, which now hosts the vibrant, modern, Mexican restaurant, Tocaya Organica. In this beautiful converted 6,000 square foot space, Chef Guifre Mora brings a favorite among vegan-seeking foodies from Venice Beach to downtown San Diego. Tocaya Organica serves a plant-based menu, focused on tacos wrapped in fluffy, handmade, vegan (yes, vegan!) tortillas, refreshing seasonal margaritas (try the strawberry, delectably smoky to your liking!), and mouthwatering bowls filled to the brim with perfectly-seasoned vegetables. The menu is centered around fresh, vegan ingredients, with the option of organic meat products on the side. It’s the perfect place to bring your plant-based friends, when you want the option of a tender side of meat, a smoky mezcal-based drink, or both!
Madera Group, the masterminds behind Toca Madera and the boutique chain of vegan-Mexican restaurants Tocaya Organica, bent over backwards to preserve as much as the historic building as possible. The lofty ceilings deliver a clean, open aesthetic, with the preservation of the original brick overlaid by a polish of fresh white paint, bright terrazzo floors, artisanal wall tiles and sea-blue hues.
On the walk through this casual Mexican eatery, you may also find the most adorable 5-pound puppy weaving in between the hand-planted succulents. Panda, the Tocaya resident darling, will cheerily wag his little tail while you sip on your housemade horchata or chow down on the best street corn (not so street, only amazingness here) you’ll ever shovel in your mouth! For those staunch meat-eaters that are wary of vegan food, I dare you to not love Chef Mora’s plant-based menu. The tacos rival any that you will find in San Diego, and hey, you can even add some sea-bass or beef picadillo to that better-than-lard-based vegan tortilla!
And to finish off your delicious plant-based meal, try the waffle-ice cream sandwich or Mexican chocolate covered strawberry. You won’t be sorry. And neither will Panda. Viva los veganos!
