San Diego · Est. 1995
A family-run market and restaurant on National Avenue, where abuelas' recipes meet the freshest ingredients from across the border.
Our Story
La Central Market opened its doors in 1995 with a simple conviction: that the best food comes from real ingredients, real patience, and real love. What started as a small corner market has grown into one of San Diego's most beloved Mexican food destinations.
Every morning before dawn, our team selects the freshest produce, hand-picks chiles from Jalisco, and grinds masa from nixtamal corn imported directly from Michoacán. Our mole isn't made in a rush — it simmers for hours, layered with over twenty ingredients passed down through generations.
Today, three generations of the same family still stand behind the counter. The recipes haven't changed. The standards haven't softened. And the warmth with which you're welcomed hasn't dimmed one bit.
30+
Years of tradition
The Market
Hand-selected chiles tomatos, cilantro, nopales, and heirloom corn — sourced daily from local and cross-border farms.
Corn and flour tortillas pressed to order. Soft, warm, and unlike anything you'll find pre-packaged anywhere else.
An extensive selection of dried chiles, moles, spices, and pantry staples imported directly from every region of Mexico.
Queso fresco, panela, Oaxaca string cheese, and crema — all sourced from trusted dairies in northern Mexico.
Tacos, quesadillas, sopes, and tlacoyos made fresh throughout the day. Grab a lunch that tastes like home.
Horchata, Jamaica, Agua de Tamarindo, and a curated selection of Mexican beers, mezcals, and tequilas.
The Restaurant
Our full-service restaurant serves lunch and dinner seven days a week. Every dish is prepared from scratch using the same recipes our family has relied on for three decades.
Our black mole is slow-cooked for eight hours with over twenty ingredients — a recipe unchanged since 1995.
Pork shoulder braised in lard until fork-tender, seasoned with orange and spices from the heart of Mexico.
Corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken, smothered in a vibrant tomatillo-salsa verde cream sauce.
Fresh catch marinated each morning in lime juice with onion, cilantro, and the day's choicest chiles.
Gallery
Visit Us
Address
2001 National Ave
San Diego, CA 92113-2205
Phone
(619) 232-0293Hours
Monday – Saturday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
