Mexican Cantina La Puerta Enters Mission Hills

La Puerta arrives in Mission Hills today and will start by offering dinner service from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Replacing The Patio on Goldfinch, this new space is designed to be a more polished version of its long-standing Gaslamp counterpart that’s been humming on Fourth Avenue for the last 13 years. And for owner Merritte Powell, the 4,000-square-foot restaurant is a dream come true, as he and his wife now live in the neighborhood.

Though the Goldfinch Street location looks a bit different from the dark downtown bar — with tons of outdoor seating, living walls, and custom graphics — its menu is familiar. All the Gaslamp favorites have transferred over, from the T.J. Dawg and La Puerta Torta to its one-pound burritos and papas fritas topped with carne asada, carnitas, and more. At the newly-extended bar, there’s a large selection of agave spirits as well as specialty cocktails and its signature blended drinks.

Brogen Jessup

Brogen Jessup

Brogen Jessup

Brogen Jessup

Brogen Jessup

Brogen Jessup