Cantina Mayahuel

Normal Heights, San Diego · Mexican · $$

Mayahuel is the Aztec goddess of the maguey, and this Adams Avenue cantina keeps her honestly: shelves of mezcal, sotol, raicilla and bacanora from across the interior, poured by people who can explain the difference. The food is homestyle and regional rather than bar snacks, with a mole negro over chicken and a Yucatan seafood stew that rotate through the weekday specials. Sit at the bar, let them pick the pour, order the carnitas.