A humble Escondido taqueria has landed on one of the country’s most prestigious dining lists.
Mesa Agrícola, a family-run restaurant in Escondido, was named one of The New York Times’ “50 favorite restaurants in the United States,” earning a spot on the newspaper’s annual list of the nation’s standout dining destinations. The honor makes the North County eatery one of just three California restaurants recognized this year.
Located at 707 S. Escondido Blvd., Mesa Agrícola opened in August 2025 and is owned by chef Juan González and farmer Megan Strom. The restaurant is known for its farm-to-table approach, with much of its produce grown on the couple’s Valley Center farm about 12 miles away. The pair also mills the corn used in the restaurant’s house-made tortillas.
The taqueria specializes in taqueria de guisados, a style of Mexican cooking centered on slow-cooked stews and braises, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Customers can choose from a rotating selection of 10 to 12 guisados made with meats, seafood and vegetables, served in tacos and burritos. The menu also features house-made aguas frescas and Basque-style cheesecake.
The couple first learned something might be in the works when The New York Times contacted them for photos and information, according to the outlet. They later learned food scout Eleanore Park had visited the restaurant several times anonymously before its addition to the list.
Park described the restaurant as having “only six tables inside and out, and a single dangling cactus as decoration,” while praising food that delivers an outsized impact despite its modest setting.
Strom told the Union-Tribune that the recognition validates years of dedication to farming and cooking.
“The thing about Juan and I is before we met each other, we devoted our lives to our craft,” Strom said. “So when we met each other six years ago and started this business, it was important to us to stay authentic to who we are and the creative process.”
Mesa Agrícola joined an elite group of restaurants from across the country and was one of only three California eateries to earn a spot on the list.
Dining and Cooking