“East Village spot where the margaritas outshine the mole — come for the tequila shelf and drag brunch, not the entrées.”
One reviewer mentions 'their drag show was so fun' as part of the experience.
Served with Jamaica and tamarindo juice — reviewers highlight the brunch deal.
Reviewer specifically returned two days later just for the drinks, calling the Mezcal margarita 'delicious.'
One reviewer calls the tequila selection 'unmatched' and worth keeping secret.
“Casa Octavio treats tequila like a serious spirit collection and brunch like a drag show—two missions that somehow coexist perfectly under one East Village roof.”
**What makes this different:** While The Blind Burro orbits Petco Park and Punch Bowl Social asks you to bowl between bites, Casa Octavio commits to two very specific moments—Sunday brunch with drag queens and any night you want to explore mezcal beyond the basics. The tequila and mezcal section draws consistent praise for depth, not just variety. The drag brunch isn't a gimmick tacked onto a restaurant; it's a full production with endless mimosas spiked with jamaica or tamarindo juice, homemade chips, and heated salsa that reviewers remember days later.
The mole shows up in multiple reviews as the anchor dish—rich, complex, the kind of thing you order when you want to know if a kitchen can actually cook. Pair it with a mezcal margarita and you're in the zone. The margaritas in general land hard: reviewers who rarely call out drinks specifically mention them here, which tells you something about execution. Service swings wide—some servers treat you like family (Alex behind the bar gets called out by name), others vanish mid-shift for breaks that leave tables stranded. It's inconsistent enough to notice, but the highs are high enough that regulars keep coming back.
The outdoor seating works for groups, dates, or bringing the dog. Food ranges from excellent (that mole) to forgettable (dinner plates skew "meh" according to one honest review). Come for the tequila, stay for the spectacle, and if you're here on a Sunday, lean into the brunch chaos. This is one of those spots where the vibe carries as much weight as what's on the plate—sometimes more.
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935 J St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
2 years ago