ABOUT US
San Diego locals & longtime restaurant veterans 
Owners Pepe and Deborah Stepensky are longtime veterans of the restaurant industry and own four restaurants throughout San Diego County; now, after more than twenty years in the business, Margarita’s Kitchen has become one of San Diego’s local favorites, and continues to serve up fresh, authentic Mexican food in beautiful Seaport Village.
After moving from Mexico City to San Diego in 1986, Pepe and Deborah Stepensky happened upon a Mexican restaurant next door to their recently-purchased San Diego Burger Company in Seaport Village. Soon afterwards, the owners asked them if they wanted to take it over; they bought it, changed the name, and the rest is history!
Since taking over Margarita’s Kitchen, the Stepenskys have become owners of Porkyland Mexican Grill, a fast-casual concept offering homestyle Mexican cuisine in the Carmel Valley area.
Pepe’s Success as a Producer & Playwright
Although running these eateries requires plenty of time and attention, it doesn’t stop Pepe from working on his other passions and artistic endeavors – he has produced a number of Emmy nominated documentaries, including “The Land of Milk and Honey” and “One More Time.”
And in the world of theater, Stepensky has written and directed over 30 plays. He is also the co-founder of Teatro Punto y Coma, which has joined local Latino and Jewish talent on stage for more than 30 years.
San Diego locals & longtime restaurant veterans
Owners Pepe and Deborah Stepensky are longtime veterans of the restaurant industry and own four restaurants throughout San Diego County; now, after more than twenty years in the business, Margarita’s Kitchen has become one of San Diego’s local favorites, and continues to serve up fresh, authentic Mexican food in beautiful Seaport Village.
After moving from Mexico City to San Diego in 1986, Pepe and Deborah Stepensky happened upon a Mexican restaurant next door to their recently-purchased San Diego Burger Company in Seaport Village. Soon afterwards, the owners asked them if they wanted to take it over; they bought it, changed the name, and the rest is history!
Since taking over Margarita’s Kitchen, the Stepenskys have become owners of Porkyland Mexican Grill, a fast-casual concept offering homestyle Mexican cuisine in the Carmel Valley area.
Pepe’s Success as a Producer & Playwright
Although running these eateries requires plenty of time and attention, it doesn’t stop Pepe from working on his other passions and artistic endeavors – he has produced a number of Emmy nominated documentaries, including “The Land of Milk and Honey” and “One More Time.”
And in the world of theater, Stepensky has written and directed over 30 plays. He is also the co-founder of Teatro Punto y Coma, which has joined local Latino and Jewish talent on stage for more than 30 years.
OUR HISTORY
Since its opening in the early 1990s, Margarita’s Kitchen has been serving up fresh, locally sourced Mexican food based on authentic Oaxaca and Michoacan recipes. Our chefs prepare each dish daily from scratch, always using the freshest ingredients, finest spices, and healthy substitutions such as canola oil rather than traditional lard.
Today, Margarita’s Kitchen serves up fresh, locally sourced Mexican food. Many of their sauces are made in-house (including their salsas), and the menu is always changing to feature what’s in-season.
Margarita’s Kitchen uses only the freshest ingredients, and offers a wide variety of delicious traditional dishes from Mexico; including chimichangas, burritos, tacos, carne asada, and more. Place an order for our fresh, authentic Mexican food today!
