Sunday was fun day at the most recent La Mesa Octoberfest. Thank you Hanna and Yelp for the tickets bit this was a blast. I like Sunday's because they can be a bit more mellow nit still provide all the good times. Just less people. The bacon wrapped dog was legit as was the German beer. Note to self and future goers, spend the money on VIP access, it's well worth it.
Brenda D.
My first time attending this Oktoberfest. It was really fun and much more crowded than I thought it would be, but even when the lines were long, they moved pretty fast. I tried a couple of the Oktoberfest beers and were really crispy and flavorful. I loved the live band and seeing people wearing their different german folk clothing. The street food is your classic fried, junk food. Which I skipped since I am here for the german pub style food. I would have rated it higher if their bratwurst were better. I had 2 different ones from opposite tents and both were really bland with no taste, even when I added a bunch of condiments and jalapeños. So hopefully next year they improve their food.
Cara H.
Always the best time! I've been attending for almost 40 years and it is our favorite event of the year living in La Mesa. Fun events for adults and kids, yummy food, shopping, live music...so much to do!
Brian B.
This was a very good Street fair with good food and of course Spaten. It had a great crowd and fun was had. I would have appreciated some German organization to assist with parking. Very confusing and it did take away from the event. The beer was very accessible in the Biergarten. Music was not overbearing and it was a country set so that is fun. I would come back next year.Plenty for the kids to do and dogs aplenty.
Bob H.
Oktoberfest implies German Music. Not country and rock. Like both of them but not at an Oktoberfest celebration. Multiple vendors selling things not related in any way to Oktoberfest. Other than it happens in October, and there is German beer available it is not much of a traditional Oktoberfest celebration.
Rita S.
The La Mesa Octoberfest was once again pretty lame as it has been for years now. As others have commented, it is more of a street fair than an Octoberfest. There is very little German food except for some overpriced brats and pretzels. There is a lot of other food similar to that at the fair. Also a giant slide and bounce house. Tons of vendors selling junk. Really, it's like a mini version of the County Fair. Just not my thing.
Everyone was so friendly and the music was super good. The neighborhood was really nice too. Lots of good buys.
Keven Jeffery
It's a nice excuse to get out in the community and drink some beer. They close off the street and restaurants get involved. I go back every year.
Melvin Englander
Well organized and safe and the vibe was fantastic. Family oriented for sure.
Markus Klopsch
Good food on the street stands, especially the bratwurst with onions and sauerkraut (which, sadly, is the only German food there).The gated beer tent area was hardly worth the $5 entry fee if you came for some German beer because they were out of it. The beer that they still had is generally available in stores and restaurants, nothing unique Oktoberfest. Also, they had it ready in the plastic cups where it went flat before you even bought it.The 2 rockbands The Trip and Journeymen were very good and made up for the other shortcomings.
Nicole F.
I'm not sure why this event gets panned. It was quite festive and included entertainment to suit a variety of ages and genres. One area had authentic German music while another had 70s rock bands. There were pretzel eating contests and chicken dances and people of all ages. You definitely want to take public transportation or Uber/Lyft because parking is problematic. But that doesn't detract from the event. There are all sorts of food vendors and ironically because of inflation the prices don't seem crazy high. Beers were basically $10 at the tents. The bratwurst at the VIP tent was very good however an apple strudel at another tent was worse than 7-11 ;-)!! Lots of beer choices and you can even go to the local liquor store right on La Mesa Blvd and walk around with an even cheaper beer or alcoholic beverage! All of the other businesses are open during the event so we popped into Coinhaus for more beer sampling and free games between 2-6pm.
Maybe the best Oktoberfest in SD!
Massive fun! Great O'Fest bier, brats, and music.
Crowded, noisy, and fun. Worth doing again.
Sunday was fun day at the most recent La Mesa Octoberfest. Thank you Hanna and Yelp for the tickets bit this was a blast. I like Sunday's because they can be a bit more mellow nit still provide all the good times. Just less people. The bacon wrapped dog was legit as was the German beer. Note to self and future goers, spend the money on VIP access, it's well worth it.
My first time attending this Oktoberfest. It was really fun and much more crowded than I thought it would be, but even when the lines were long, they moved pretty fast. I tried a couple of the Oktoberfest beers and were really crispy and flavorful. I loved the live band and seeing people wearing their different german folk clothing. The street food is your classic fried, junk food. Which I skipped since I am here for the german pub style food. I would have rated it higher if their bratwurst were better. I had 2 different ones from opposite tents and both were really bland with no taste, even when I added a bunch of condiments and jalapeños. So hopefully next year they improve their food.
Always the best time! I've been attending for almost 40 years and it is our favorite event of the year living in La Mesa. Fun events for adults and kids, yummy food, shopping, live music...so much to do!
This was a very good Street fair with good food and of course Spaten. It had a great crowd and fun was had. I would have appreciated some German organization to assist with parking. Very confusing and it did take away from the event. The beer was very accessible in the Biergarten. Music was not overbearing and it was a country set so that is fun. I would come back next year.Plenty for the kids to do and dogs aplenty.
Oktoberfest implies German Music. Not country and rock. Like both of them but not at an Oktoberfest celebration. Multiple vendors selling things not related in any way to Oktoberfest. Other than it happens in October, and there is German beer available it is not much of a traditional Oktoberfest celebration.
The La Mesa Octoberfest was once again pretty lame as it has been for years now. As others have commented, it is more of a street fair than an Octoberfest. There is very little German food except for some overpriced brats and pretzels. There is a lot of other food similar to that at the fair. Also a giant slide and bounce house. Tons of vendors selling junk. Really, it's like a mini version of the County Fair. Just not my thing.
Great beer, great sausages and great performances
Restaurantji Recommends
Everyone was so friendly and the music was super good. The neighborhood was really nice too. Lots of good buys.
It's a nice excuse to get out in the community and drink some beer. They close off the street and restaurants get involved. I go back every year.
Well organized and safe and the vibe was fantastic. Family oriented for sure.
Good food on the street stands, especially the bratwurst with onions and sauerkraut (which, sadly, is the only German food there).The gated beer tent area was hardly worth the $5 entry fee if you came for some German beer because they were out of it. The beer that they still had is generally available in stores and restaurants, nothing unique Oktoberfest. Also, they had it ready in the plastic cups where it went flat before you even bought it.The 2 rockbands The Trip and Journeymen were very good and made up for the other shortcomings.
I'm not sure why this event gets panned. It was quite festive and included entertainment to suit a variety of ages and genres. One area had authentic German music while another had 70s rock bands. There were pretzel eating contests and chicken dances and people of all ages. You definitely want to take public transportation or Uber/Lyft because parking is problematic. But that doesn't detract from the event. There are all sorts of food vendors and ironically because of inflation the prices don't seem crazy high. Beers were basically $10 at the tents. The bratwurst at the VIP tent was very good however an apple strudel at another tent was worse than 7-11 ;-)!! Lots of beer choices and you can even go to the local liquor store right on La Mesa Blvd and walk around with an even cheaper beer or alcoholic beverage! All of the other businesses are open during the event so we popped into Coinhaus for more beer sampling and free games between 2-6pm.