Established in 1982 as a Latino-owned restaurant in La Mesa Village, Mario's De La Mesa Restaurant serves Sonoran and Sinaloan family recipes from a converted residential structure at 8425 La Mesa Boulevard. Scratch-made sauces and dressings drawn from Sonora and Sinaloa regional traditions anchor the menu, a from-scratch commitment shared on the La Mesa Boulevard corridor with Limoncello Modern Italian and its house-made pasta program. Burritos omit rice filler to maximize the protein-to-tortilla ratio, a construction detail that concentrates the flavor of the carnitas and carne asada preparations. The ensalada de casa builds a crisp tortilla bowl around beans, lettuce, cheese, and choice of carne asada or carnitas, a dish that has anchored the regular menu since the 1982 opening. Breakfast service includes chilaquiles and huevos rancheros alongside patio seating on La Mesa Boulevard, adding a morning option to a La Mesa Village block that already hosts Lunch Box Cafe & Deli for the early-morning bakery and sandwich crowd. The kitchen specializes in Sinaloan-style chile rellenos using fresh poblano peppers roasted, peeled, and stuffed with queso fresco before being dipped in egg batter and fried to a golden exterior.