Restaurantji unveils Chula Vista's must-visit Mexican dining spots. From the Fish Tacos to the Tortillas, have a fantastic Mexican dining experience and enjoy some of the town's tastiest Mexican food.
“Just ate here today food was amazing service amazing and the chef came over and introduced him self honestly was the best tacos I have ever tasted I have ate tacos in tj. Tacos g and all the other ones this is way better and better priced our server was super nice and extremely helpful she was the only server doing the work of 3 this place is my go-to for tacos ? I'm in love with this place so glad it's close to the house“
“I love third avenue and Talavera really brings the community together for food that makes you feel like you're home. I brought my family here and they enjoyed everything. Even my cousin enjoyed her pancakes! The menudo was HUGE but so good and I ate myself into a fat nap. I wish the wait wasn't so long to get in, we waited about an hour but it was a busy Sunday afternoon. Families galore! At least the farmers market is Sundays across the street so we passed the time walking it. The people at Talavera are kind and quick with getting drinks to your table and orders in too. Always making sure you're taken care of. Love coming by when I can.“
“Ordered the fish tacos, huge tacos, absolutely delicious with everything on it. Also ordered the shrimp quesadilla...huge portion, also delicious great flavors. I'm giving it 4 stars because the salsas were horrible. They are placed where the sun hits and so it smelled a bit sour, not fresh or good for my liking. I asked for fresh refrigerated salsa n got the same watered-down habanero salsa. I tried it because i need the spiciness but honestly it just made my tortilla soggy n messy. Please work on your salsas and i will change from a 4 to a 5 star review. I will be back in a couple weeks.“
“I've lived in the area for almost my entire life and never knew of this place! Excellent food, drinks, and customer service. The prices are very fair. This may now be my favorite Mexican restaurant. Complimentary chips and salsa. And when we were running low on chips, the server refilled it without us even asking! WOW, I've never had that happen and it made me so happy. The margaritas and micheladas are delicious. They come with the chamoy candy rim. The margaritas have the same creamy/icy texture (so not like a slurpee) as my favorite taco spot in Tijuana. I ordered 2 apps as my meal, queso fundido and fiesta flautas. I enjoyed both and they were the perfect size. I would've liked the queso to be a bit more cheesy/melted down, but the chorizo was perfect. The actual entrees come in large portions and can be shared between 2 people. I can't wait to be back!!“
“This place came recommended, and well, it didn't disappoint, although it didn't wow me either. Perhaps I wasn't in a mood, but I rate it 7. There are 3 locations, and we went to the 2nd location on Main Street. Portions were good, tad too expensive for the quality of food. All in all, it was ok.“
“Out again with my mother for brunch on this beautiful sunny day in san diego, the cajeta latte and iced coffee called my name. Place is cute and comfy with great customer service and the server was attentive and accommodated us very well. The hot cajeta latte was delicious accompanied by a small biscuit nice and creamy with a well balanced flavor. The chavo del 8 torta was also a big hit french fries nicely seasoned and crispy. We finished it off with a cajeta banana and strawberry crepe which was also delicious not too sweet and not too overpowering which was great as a dessert I will most definitely be coming back to try more from their menu.“
“Tucked in a corner known mostly to locals, Garcia's Mexican Food is a hidden gem I discovered through social media. It's small, with limited parking, offering both cozy indoor seating and take-out. Opting for the carne asada plate, I was quickly served by the friendly staff. The food, especially the carne asada, had a great flavor to it. The flour tortillas that came with my meal were also very tasty.Owned by a welcoming family, this place adds a personal touch to the dining experience. I'm looking forward to returning for breakfast. If you're after a spot that feels exclusive and serves great food, Garcia's is it.“
“Y'all, there's a reason for these nearly 5 stars! I had lunch from there today for the first time, and it was delicious, can't wait to go back and try something else. The service was a lot slow, but it's because there's a lot of people trying to get in and out. Still, the staff was above and beyond. 10/10, would recommend.“
“Hands down one of the best menudearías and birrerias I’ve been to since moving to San Diego!!!! I have to say the food was phenomenal ? I ordered the menudo rojo and 3 quesabirria tacos and man they were so good ? I definitely recommend this spot to anyone looking for quality food I swear I am not exaggerating you will fall in love with the food 10000000% guaranteed“
“"Hands down the best Birrieria and Menuderia in San Diego, California! Martin and George provided top-notch service that truly elevates the dining experience. The authentic flavors and cozy atmosphere make this spot a must-visit for any food lover. 5 stars all the way!"Kid-friendliness: Very kind to allWheelchair accessibility: Helpful staff“
“Thank you everyone for doing your part to make this store a great one to be around. I love the vibes here everyone is hard workers and enjoy helping anyone with any questions and help them to find what they are looking for.Lots of Mexican traditions here from home made tortillas to sushi, Philly cheesesteak, pizza pies you can find a hot bar with Tamale’s and different kinds of soups to find a Mexican tradition called fresa is also available and many more Drinks one of my very favorite is called Champurado is drank hot!They have a special at 8:00pm every nite buy one drink get one free! Until they run out.“
“Superb fish tacos with consomé broth. Fish was breaded but I could still taste the fish freshness. The chipotle sauce with red pickled onions complemented the taco flavor exquisitely. The restvof my party had birria and shrimp tacos and they were as pleased as me. I didn't get pictures of those though. Size wise, the tacos are good decent size. A bit bigger than average“
“I just finished enjoying the classic chilaquiles with green sauce, eggs over easy, and machaca. It just doesn't get any better. This is a hearty meal that satisfies down to your boots. The food was so great that I didn't take the time to shoot a photo. You'll just have to come try it. You won't be sorry.“
“The service was good, but the carne asada Tortas were terrible. Very little meat a lot of refried beans. Rolled tacos Dairy creamy and sake my experience was I threw all of it in the trash we could need it. A waste of $40 I would not recommend that restaurant to anybody. It it wasn't like that before. Horrible experience.“
“Taquizas Los Crunches catered my birthday party on Saturday. The communication was great, they showed up on time, and the food was absolutely delicious. They have extra touches that many taco caterers. don't have like radishes a wonderful, cactus salad, fresh fruit drinks and the beans weren't refried. Everything was so fresh. Definitely hiring them again!“
“Very well seasoned fish and shrimp in the tacos. Super crunchy and golden brown. Prices are very reasonable too. Stuffed with just the right amount of cabbage and finely chopped tomato/cilantro. Tons of hot sauce to choose from. Casual but friendly. Parking was tight.“
“Besides getting my order wrong, the food was actually pretty amazing and tasty. From the name, I take, is a blend of Fillipino and Mexican cuisine. What can go wrong? The restaurant was cozy and music to my taste. I dug it. I would definitely eat here again. They got an extra star for datability. I would take my date here. It wasn't overcrowded or overpricey.“
“Going to a new restaurant, I always judge the place by having a few go-to's in mind to check out. For Mexican food, it's their beans. Right? If they can't make good beans, then I know "they aren't worth beans." This place serves good beans. Not refried here, just simple tasty beans. To me, that's getting their foot in my door. The chicken is outstanding. Always. I've been coming here for many years, they never disappoint. Yes, a little hole in the wall, you haven't maybe heard of them, and it's best as a takeaway (find some place and sit by the water at the bay)... Try it, tho. Really good food and good service. Parking's tight but alright.“
“Visited 3/11/2024 A Long Time Coming. I've been wanting to try this wonderful Family owned Mexican Authentic Lamb BBQ out for a long time. There is History behind the menu here. (Check out the last Menu Photo to see what I mean.) Lots of parking and super clean inside with loads of seating. Lots of great homemade choices from a place that specializes in bbq lamb dishes. First I must say that the lamb had no gamingness in the flavor department. The meat was cooked and seasoned perfectly with a fantastic flavor profile. I started with The Lamb Rib Meat Flautas. Three 10in stuffed rib meat rolled tacos. Nice and crispy outside and tender and juicy inside. Next I had to try The Lamb Rib Meat Queso Taco. My favorite of the day. It's a real fried cheese shell taco stuffed with loads of lamb and more melted cheese. After the first bite I was in love. It comes with a fantastic flavored Consume for dipping. I dipped everything I ordered in it than drank the rest. Next I ordered a single Grilled Quail. They come Three to an order or you can order just one. The flavor was very tasty but the bird was a tad dried out for me liking. Glad I only ordered one. Lastly I ordered The Plato de Barbacoa / Lamb Barbecue Plate. 1/2 Order. Includes a small lamb Consume, Corn Tortillas, Onions, Cilantro, Salsa, and Limes. A 1/2 order makes about 6 tacos. Excellent way to go. To finish off my experience i tried The House Made Flan. I liked it as it wasn't overly sweet. This place did not disappoint and I definitely want to come back to try more of the delicious menu. Worth the drive and it's the only Place I've found in SD that specializes in BBQ Lamb. I recommend it even for those that "Think" they don't Like Lamb.“
“This place is my fave spot for take out. I called five times to place an order as I’m already driving there and 3 of the 5 times they answered and hung up!. Are you guys not taking orders over the phone anymore? Cause that’s just rude to answer and hang up when people drive the distance to grab food from “
“NEW REVIEW 12/3/2023 - Remains at 5 stars.My wife and I love to go out and eat at different restaurants. This has become an expensive tradition now that everything costs so much. We are currently visiting restaurants that have great food, good service and probably most important of all a good price. That is the criteria trifecta that we now go by. La Sinaloense has been good to use for a few years but now has become one of the few that we know so far that meet our criteria of a good restaurant. Service is excellent. The ladies that take care of us are so friendly and eager to help you that you can feel it. Sometimes the owner is our server, and you get to talk to her for a little bit. How nice is that. Food is plentiful, well-seasoned and overall delicious. My mom and I visited for breakfast today and told me that the food was great. I agree 100%. Prices are much better than other places. We get so much food and great service for a price that could be 50% to 100% more at other places. We appreciate La Sinaloense has kept prices as low as possible allowing us to visit more often.NEW REVIEW:Early today my wife and I decided to go get some food for breakfast and decided to visit La Sinaloense once again. Currently, you can dine-in or order to go. For us we decided to order to go by placing an order at the outside entrance of the restaurant. I had the steak and eggs and my wife had huevos rancheros plus a couple of coffees. After waiting outside the restaurant our server was nice to deliver our food directly to our vehicle. The food was excellent and the portions were generous. We will be back.This restaurant moves up from 3 stars to 5 stars.“
“Tacos are delicious here. We catered from them for our reception and the guests said wonderful things about their tacos. Very fresh and good quality. The owner is responsive and the workers were friendly as well. I’m so happy that I found them. I’ll definitely cater from them again.“
“This is a cute little café in Southwest Chula Vista. I learned about it via Groupon. The reviews & photos were very good, so we tried it. The area it's located in is a little sketchy, and from the outside you can't see its charm. It's very small and there were no sit-down customers when we arrived, so I was worried. The menus need to be remade; the pages are starting to peel and need to be wiped down. But the descriptions of the dishes were well-worded and everything sounded delicious. I ordered the D'Amour Avocado Toast and hubby ordered Chicken Enchiladas w/Molé & 2 eggs on the side. Hubby got the Mexican Mocha & I ordered a Latte w/oat milk. The place was nearly filled by the time our meals arrived, so my worries were gone. Everything was delicious! I loved the basil vinaigrette that is drizzled over the avocado toast (as well as many of their dishes) & the arugula salad. Hubby was very pleasantly surprised at how good his Mexican Mocha was, and I loved my latte as well. When leaving, I asked hubby if he would want to return to Rose D'Amour. He immediately said yes, so I bought two more Groupons. I would go without a Groupon, but since I was able to purchase two more, it was a bonus!“
“Food was very delicious. Tacos de luenga 10/10. Many food options, cafe de olla the best I have ever had. The service was not welcoming, a long time to give us the menus until I ask for them. One of the waitresses was nice and took care of us. The first impression is the one that makes a difference however I’m glad we stayed because food was delicious. There’s always room for improvement. Maybe they can work on a better greeting customers, and welcome them in.“
“Best in that region. Great price. Plenty of parking. Welcome to Mexico. Enjoy!!!Vegetarian options: Professional cooks. Who cook it , the way you like it. Beans and rice dishes are extremely good.Kid-friendliness: YesWheelchair accessibility: ADA Approved“
“Today we had an unpleasant experience with a waiter, this was the first time I saw this employee in the place, my companions asked him to provide us with more pickled onions, to which, he, very annoyed and rude, responded to us, I 'm going to bring things as they are, I'm not going to be choosing what you want, it was very uncomfortable, but we decided to try to forget the incident, 5 minutes later we asked him to bring us 2 tortillas to which he answered, I can only bring you an order of tortillas to which we did NOT oppose, he gave us a dozen tortillas and rudely emphasized that it has an extra cost, at this moment this became a situation similar to eating at a street stand and informal, (which is not the case, we were in a formal establishment) I got up and spoke with the person in charge of the place and made her aware of the situation, the place is good but if this situation is not resolved with this waiter, we We will not go to this place againToday we had an unpleasant experience with a waiter, this was the first time I saw this employee in the place, my companions asked him to provide us with more pickled onions, to which, he, very annoyed and rude, responded to us , I'm going to bring things as they are, I'm not going to be choosing what you want, it was very uncomfortable, but we decided to try to forget the incident, 5 minutes later we asked him to bring us 2 tortillas to which he answered , I can only bring you an order of tortillas to which we did NOT oppose, he gave us a dozen tortillas and rudely emphasized that it has an extra cost, at this moment this became a situation similar to eating at a street stand and informal, (which is not the case, we were in a formal establishment) I got up and spoke to the person in charge of the place and made her aware of the situation, the place is good but if this situation is not resolved with this waiter, we We will not go to this place again“
“Used to be a food truck, now a restaurant. Their sandwiches consist of pulled pork drowned in what appears to be modified costco tomato soup, with the option of "special" sauce... Mayonnaise. Aside from that, the tortas are pretty darn tasty and cheap. Most people love the tortas here and say they are the best tortas ahogadas, perhaps. Not everything has to be a homerun. You get what you pay for and this is no exception to that saying, not my first choice but would definitely satisfy a craving for a torta ahogada.“
“Grab and go burritos for $2?! Yes, please. I'm always on a rush and being able to just go in and choose a delicious burrito without waiting is amazing. The burritos are small, but they remind me the home style burritos my mom used to make me. These burritos are flavorful and filling. It looks like they have a drive up section and a cooler . Probably for early risers! They also have taco Tuesday $2 tacos! I'll be coming back to try those for sure!“
“This place has been my favorite restaurant in ALL of San Diego for years. Whenever I get to pick where to eat by family members, this is where I ask to go/order from. They already know what i’ll ask so idk why they keep asking me.Anyway, absolutely BEST chicken you can get on this side of the border. No place even comes close. El Pollo Loco has absolutely NOTHING on this place. You honestly can’t even compare.But the quality of the food doesn’t stop on the chicken. All of the sides are amazing as well. I always hate mexican rice as a side, I always opt to leave it out and substitute it for something else at any other place. But here? Have to stop myself from eating the whole large container. Same with the refried beans.The quesadillas are so incredibly delicious too. Even just the plain jack cheese quesadilla.I honestly have never ventured further into their other menu items, since the ones I have tried so far are so good, I can’t stop myself from always getting the same thing. They have SO MANY other options. Maybe one day i’ll be able summon enough will power to skip my usual go-to’s and give the rest of the menu a try.“
“I am not going to lie but those Birria quesa-tacos and the consomé uff hit on the spot ???????????????? best birria!!! The service is perfect, they treat you really well, This my new to go spot when I am craving birria 10/10.Parking: Is next to a store so. He has a lot a parking. You will not struggle for parking“
“I’m not one to write reviews , but this place definitely deserved one . first taco place I go to where they actually give you pieces of fish in the consome (which is free you can ask for one upon arrival while you wait for your food) also found out they cook with purified water and not straight tap water . food was absolutely delicious will definitely be changing my old go to place to this one .“
“Tucked away in some unassuming strip mall near a busy freeway exit, you will find this little gem of a fruteria. Handsomely-sized chamangos that seem to last forever can be accompanied by some of the tastiest tortas you'll ever have. The prices are absolutely sensible, too. Pro tip: If you ever find yourself dreading the lines and costliness at the nearby amphitheater, roll by Chango Mango beforehand. Stock up. Munch during the crawl to the venue. Enjoy the show afterwards.“
“Love this place, I always come here for breakfast on my days off. Chilaquiles de Mole are my go to. Staff is very friendly and always greet you with a Buenos días. And the food is great. The beans are almost as good as Mom's. I had to put almost cause well Mom.“
“Bomb food! Small menu options but really good. I recommend the tacos dorados and the pozole (only available Saturday and Sunday). The service was 10/10. The worker who took my order was extremely nice and answered any questions that I had. I give this spot 5 stars because of the quality/ taste of their food and because of their amazing customer service. I will definitely be coming back to this place?“
“Came into town for a concert looking for Sinaloa style mariscos and ended up here after a local recommendation.It was Thanksgiving day so, it was pretty full and there was only one server and bartender.But, let me tell you them boys knocked it out the park!The server literally serviced the whole restaurant with such quickness, great attitude and composure! (This man deserves a raise and promotion!!!)The ceviche was great, the micheladas were just right and they had nothing but música estilo alegres y canelos on the aux! ??Definitely will be coming back next time we’re in town!“
“Very cute spot. No drive through so I walked in. Glad I did. The seating was spread out and clean. The team there was very nice. Food was quick and delicious. I was on a short lunch break and sure happy I dined with them that day. I had a Carne asada burrito plate. The beans were so good. The rice, you can't go wrong. The meat in the huritto was cooked perfectly and not over filled with Pico. I recommend checking this location out soon. Yum.“
“Service is quick and food is delicious! Only reason why they don't get five starts is because their green salsa tasted off when I got some yesterday. It was very watery and tasted weird. Other than that, the classic shrimp burrito was delicious.“
“Everything is always fresh and delicious.I recommend parking at the mall and walk across since the parking is very tiny .It’s worth the short walk lolThey offer endless options and you can definitely build your own smoothie/fruit salad etc.. agua de pepino is really good .Vegetarian options: Tons“
“Taco Lounge is our favorite local taco shop! They serve high quality ingredients each and every time! The staff is kind, consistent & super efficient. My favorite is the grilled shrimp taco. They use fresh avocados & the best chipotle sauce! My daughter's favorite is the carne asada tacos (& occasionally carne asada fries). We also love the Birria taco (pictured) & consommé. We dine-in often and do take-out as well. Both dining options are great. Taco Lounge is clean & inviting. The staff sets you up with all of the necessary condiments. We appreciate everyone at Taco Lounge! Both locations! (Photo from Escaya location)“
“My favorite local spot The Happy Hour is such a steal. You just don't get $10 margaritas anywhere and they discount $2 on their margaritas during HH. Their octopus and shrimp taco IS THE BEST, but I wouldn't recommend it for people who have low tolerance to spicy food. The ambiance is always amazing. They always have great music in Spanish playing. Service is always amazing too! Favorite local spot in Chula Vista.“
“Anytime I travel and return to Southern California I'm seized by the desire to go to every random taco shop I can find, convinced that greatness and a lunch under 20 dollars can be found literally anywhere in socal. This week I found myself driving to the Otay Mesa Detention facility to visit clients and checked Google maps for a Chula Vista taco shops, and picked Hermano's bc it had a 4.5, which, in my mind is the cut off for any well reviewed (100 plus) casual restaurant. 4.2, 4.3 is the average score, 4.4 is close, and it is rare to see anyplace with over 100 reviews clock a 4.6 or above. I think that's because for many people on Google Maps, four stars is their normal rating, the default.This was a Tijuana style burrito i.e. the filling you get in a tj style taco (meat plus a guadamole/salsa Fresca mixture), placed into a burrito. That means no beans, certainly no rice. Here, the meat was outstanding, Carne asada and you could tell bc the asada burrito cost four dollars more than pork or chicken. The guac/Fresca mix was the normal stuff you get all over San Diego, but there was lots of it. Needless to say, I scarfed it down. Pretty rare that I'm the mood for a mid day Carne asada burrito, but Hermano's hit that spot.Vegetarian options: No.Dietary restrictions: Meat.Parking: Shopping center lot.Kid-friendliness: Sure.Wheelchair accessibility: Yes.“
“It was definitely a different style of mexican cuisine I was not accustomed to. Very delicious. Service was excellent, very attentive, despite a minor language barrier on my part.We will definitely return.Parking: Plenty of parking within the shopping center.“
“The service was great the food was better than other places but not the best I will say everything was cooked to perfection but just doesn't satisfy my flavor satisfaction I will rate it a five star because like I said it's better than other places but they could do better I know for a fact because I've heard a lot about this place and every time I hear about it they tell me is bomb so hopefully next time I go it changes my mind“
“This place was tucked away and unassuming. Not knowing what to expect, I tried it yesterday. I ordered three rolled tacos. Boy, was I blown away!! Their rolled tacos only included lettuce, guac, and sour cream as a dressing. All the flavor was in the rolled tacos. So good. It was so good that I came in the next day to try the chilaquiles. I ordered the green kind. Oh man, I couldn't stop eating it. The tortilla chips' texture was on point, and the rice was so flavorful. This is my new favorite lunch spot. I can't wait to try their other dishes. I highly recommend this place. Also, the staff was very accommodating and super friendly. I love the customer service!“
“I got the carnitas plate and my husband got a combo including 3 rolled tacos and a tostada. All were incredibly delicious and fresh! The menu included alot of unique options and I'm sure everything would be tasty. Our server was really nice and the whole experience was great.“
“This place is always with a nice atmosphere the food is delicious the drinks and the staff very helpful and always receives you with a smile a little bit confusing at first as far as ordering the food but once you go once or twice you'll get the hang of “
“Mannn the most underrated Birria spot! Their tacos are huge and amazing ! The gentleman at the window helped me and explained the menu to me. My wife got stuffed carne asada potato and she loved it. They have available seating which is rare for a food truck. Definitely coming back “
“TACOS AL VAPOR is my absolute favorite. Many people have no clue what they are missing. This spot had the most delicious tacos filled with shredded beef and soft potatoes. The salsas are hot and mild red. I tried both and loved each one the same. Each taco is $3.00 you can't beat that for a taco that tasted just like it's from Tijuana. Customer service was just as great. Very friendly you can tell he loves what he does. Please come by and support he deserves to be recognized.“
“Tamales to go! Best tamale spot in San Diego!The place is usually busy; so go early so you get the tamales you want. Be prepared to spend anywhere from 10 - 60 minutes waiting in line; depending on what time you go. It don’t matter tho; the tamales are worth the wait!“
“Tacos El Gordo isn't just a taco joint for us--it's practically our second home. We've made so many trips there that the staff probably have our taco preferences memorized by now. It's like our version of Cheers, where everyone knows our taco order. All the locations I've been to have the same ambiance, and set up. Red seats with white table and a security guard in case the Cartels try to come and steal some meat. Wifey and I will keep showing up like clockwork, here ready to dive into our beloved carne tacos and trippa delights at Tacos El Gordo!“