Had to revisit my favorite Mexican spot, Chico's Restaurant, and I'm happy to say the taste and experience haven't changed at all. We started with a bowl of menudo, which comes with your choice of flour or corn tortillas. We also ordered the al pastor torta, made with freshly baked bread from their bakery next door. The al pastor was packed with flavor, and you could really taste that perfect char. The whole experience reminded me of being back home with a home cooked meal. Service was great, and the staff was super friendly and attentive. Always a solid choice. read more

Chico's Restaurant - Al Pastor Torta - Mexican Near Me - San Marcos, California

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Is not worth it coming here and paying $13.99 for some carne asada fries they give you half of the plate and not only that all their dishes are the same to be honest I won't come back here, you pay full plate and they give you half. This place is a "No" read more

The food was gross. We didn't finish our meal. The restaurant was hot 85 plus degrees. We will never return.

The hospitality is top notch. Friendly servers. Knows their menu well. They repeat back order for clarification. Chilaquiles was delicious with carne asada and really good size too. Agua frescas very fresh and big sizes too. Restaurant is quaint but very clean. A bit Pricey but it was delicious. read more

Chico's Restaurant - Chilaquiles with carne asada. Added egg well done. Agua fresca pineapple with orange. 10/10 - Mexican Near Me - San Marcos, California

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A friend recommended this bakery when we needed dessert for a Cinco de Mayo party. The service was great, friendly staff and the Chico's pastries were the first ones chosen! Delicious! read more

We had an amazing lunch at Chico's!!! It was my and my coworkers first time, and we all loved the food and service was great! Can't wait to come back. read more

Chico's Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - San Marcos, California

El mejor lugar para comer chilaquiles! La atención muy buena es uno de mis lugares favoritos para desayunar.. read more

We drove from los angeles and let me say I'm very surprised the food was amazing had asada tacos and Chile relleno was so tasty the lady was very friendly thank you read more

I got a California burrito. It was good and made just like I like them. I would give 5 stars for the service because it was outstanding.

A "hole in the wall" atmosphere w/ average food. I ordered two taco combo plate w rice and beans. This is how i usually judge the food based on tacos rice n beans. I usually get 3 tacos (steak, chick, and pastor) to set the bar but just went w steak and chick as server said those were the "most fresh being cooked right now". Steak was average. Chick was a little rubbery. Rice was good. Beans were avg. flavor was ok. Price was as expected but should be more of a "taco shop" instead of a sit down read more

Chico's Restaurant - Steak n chik taco combo - Mexican Near Me - San Marcos, California

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Food was amazing. Had Carne asada plate and 6 tacos, 2 carnitas,2 asada,1pastor and 1adobada. Tacos were nice and juicy!! Carne asada plate with beans and rice and salsa was delicious.Highly recommend the tacos. Staff was nice and helpful. All our food came steaming and Fast. Have delicious aguas to pair with your tacos! Even has a panderia next store Highly recommended stopping here to grab a bite. read more

Chico's Restaurant - Chicos restaurant entrance - Mexican Near Me - San Marcos, California

Doesn't look like much from the outside especially being next to the hotel and across the street from Home Depot-- it's easy to see why you may think it's not much. But this is my ABSOLUTE fav Mexican food restaurant. From simple "taco shop" foods, like burritos, quesadillas, rolled tacos alll are delicious To the more restaurant style entres a few of my top fav are the fajitas, molcajetes which come with so so so much food. Carne asada, pollo asado, shrimp, nopales, onion, jalapeños, queso fresco, salsa, avocado. It's TOP NOTCH. They have an extensive menu- from some seafood, soups, even authentic Mexican appetizers like huaraches. Everything is so so good. Can't forget to mention the chips and salsa! Which you have to ask for it is not a standard thing for every table. The aguas frescas are quite honestly the best around, better than any other place I've had aguas frescas from. The service is nice, definitely a mom and pop restaurant so be patient in terms of speed of food coming out. You can also call the restaurant and take the food to go-- but personally I enjoy sitting and eating there. They also have a variety of beers-- they don't offer liquor which I think margaritas would set this place off the charts lol but otherwise this place is so so good. Give it a try- this hole in the wall will not disappoint. And the bakery next door is also amazing- if you like pan dulce you will be in for a treat. read more

Chico's Restaurant - Molcajete and Pan Dulce - Mexican Near Me - San Marcos, California

they've changed the floor so it looks better, hopefully they keep remodeling and change the colors and tables. Last time I went the place lacked A/C but now they have installed it so now we can go at any time of the year yeah... read more

!!! WARNING!!! PLACE HAS mice / rats Food 5 stars, location 5 stars, first time at this place, food was so delicious, 30 minutes later I saw a small mice and then another one by the counter, I was so excited to rate this place with 4 star , specially the food because it was good, love it, but when I saw the rats, OMG I was upset to my stomach, yes Two rats not one but two. Now I'm not complaining about the food, but I Do Not recommend Chico's restaurant. I will hate to see anyone get sick. I'm so upset everything was so good until I saw the rats running around the floor. read more

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So disappointed what is this ? Pollo al chipotle!!! Where's is the pollo everything taste the same I had to give some flavor by adding the salsa verde so lame !!!! Maybe por que mi gringo no sé read more

Chico's Restaurant - Pollo al chipotle - Mexican Near Me - San Marcos, California

Best service I've had at any Mexican food place food came out so fast and it was piping hot and so damn good i highly recommend Chicos Best sit down Mexican restaurant in San Marcos !!" read more

Great tasting, authentic Mexican food joint! This is but your typical "____bertos" where it's about how much food you get and whether it's a California "insert mexican food name here" dish. This is truly Mexican food, prepared for you by Mexican people, that provide prompt, polite service in a humble but well maintained place. Now, let me be honest here; the restaurant is not decorated well nor does it have updated booths, tables and chairs...I did say it was a humble setting:-) My wife and I have been searching for a spot in san marcos that has great tasting food and finally found it. We came here for a Sunday morning breakfast. I had the Chilaquiles with carne asada and she had three tacos. Chilaquiles are in green sauce, for those not in the know the green sauce is made with tomatillos and is more acidic in tasty, but extremely delicious if you know what to expect! Steak was great also but was a bit overdone for my taste and made it a bit tough. Her tacos were of: adobada, asada, and pollo. All three were delicious and were on a fresh corn tortillas (full size tortillas not teenie taco size). They all came with cilantro and onion on the tacos, so if you're not into that ask for it on the side. For a bonus, the place is collocated next to a bakery and carniceria/market where they have all sorts of delicious Mexican treats. See you next time chicos...btw if the place had nicer digs and better parking situation I would have bumped it to a 5 star review. read more

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In the evenings, if you see some guy outside the front door tending a grill and cutting meat off a rotating skewer (like a gyros), run, don't walk, to get there and immediately buy some! It is the best meat ever. Wish I could say the same for other menu items, but I can't, they are ordinary at best. And the little Mexican bakery next door is awesum. Parking is definitely a challenge. Not a real draw to coming here. But that skewered meat sure is. read more

Comido esta bien servicio no muy bien fuimos a comer con mi nieta y no nos atendian como otras mesas alrededor les ofrecian cajas para llevar recojian sus platos y anosotros no , la mesera nos dio la carta y nunca regreso ni ofrecer bebidas hasta que un mesero se hacerco a tomar la orden read more

This place serves delicious street tacos! The restaurant is clean and all ingredients are so fresh... Service is great but parking is lacking, since it shares with the Ramada. Tacos! read more

Here exclusively for the adobada tacos and they were not only fresh, huge, fat with meat, the corn tortilla is fresh hand made. These tacos are only available here weekends only... read more

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Mexican. Good. Salsa+. Machaca. Beans. Tortillas+. Ice tea. Coffee. Clean. Split a macha breakfast $9. Service+. I would come back. Lots of To Go orders from here. read more

Chico's Restaurant - the interior of the restaurant - Mexican Near Me - San Marcos, California

My father got food poisoning from this restaurant. I completely do not recommend this restaurant that's been serving food for years.

Awesome hole in the wall next to cheezy hotel!! Not much of a description but the BF and I LOVED it. Pluses: Very fast polite service. BIG portions. Had the "Molcajete" its a version of the Rockin Baja Lobster Bucket but only $20. More than enough for 2. Served in a mexican grinding bowl..totally cool. Negatives: Kinda small, old and dirty diner style. Tables were a lil sticky. Im not a stuffy, picky individual so it didnt bother me. Food was authentic and delicious..will definitely return. read more

Chico's Restaurant - Molcajete...so delicioso! Version of Rockin Baja Bucket - Mexican Near Me - San Marcos, California

Took forever to get my food and my order was all wrong I will never go back to this restaurant

If I could give them a negative star I would! Worst service ever!! I order shrimp cocktail and it was more like a tomato cocktail the shrimps were cut in half. The server had nastiest look biggest mistake was tipping before hand. Don't come here!! read more

Ordered chicken fajita covered in a chipotle creme sauce. Was pretty good, had me surprised. The only thing is I wish the sauce tasted a little bit more of a chipotle flavor. They add sour cream to it so it kind of lightens the flavor of the sauce. Also had a carne asada burrito and it was good, the meat was well seasoned and had good flavor. Would come here again to try something new read more

Chico's Restaurant - Chicken in a chipotle creme sauce - Mexican Near Me - San Marcos, California

If you're looking for delicious authentic Mexican food with no frills this is your place. My meal came with soup to start and the soup reminded me of my grandmas, so good and so healthy. The flour tortillas were homemade and everything else was tasty. read more

3.5 stars This place is just so random and somewhat hidden. You enter where the al pastor sits on the spit. Gotta love it when they cook it outdoors with a propane tank! For a 1.50/taco, isn't too bad, the meat was tender which i really appreciated. I didn't get a chance to sample the rest of the menu but its fairly straight up, you pay at the cash register for the amount of tacos you want. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the copious amounts of onion and cilantro. I felt that it was masking the true flavor of the meat itself. Plus the corn tortilla wasn't bad, just didn't feel fresh. As for the location, there isn't much parking but it is situated next to a bakery (see my review about "bakery"). The restaurant appeared clean and there was a moderate amount of people there. Next time, when I have a bit more time, I'll come back to see whether the rest of the food is up to par! But for now, 3.5 stars! read more

went there again today and looks like customer service is improving. I tried the steak, shrimp and chicken molcajete today and it was amazing, I ate it with my mother in law and we could not finish it it was too much food. probably good for 3 people read more

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This place is far above average in all kinds of important ways, with exceptional service and genuine food, but ohhhh man, that first impression... Chico's literally has everything going against it in terms of street appeal: a dull, corporate- esque looking neon sign, no visible parking, a location 10 ft from a cheap motel, which is in turn perched directly next to the highway, and overall just a ubiquitous sense of unease that all these things combined tend to invoke within me. Which is really why you need to just hear about it, like from a stranger on the internet, because the service and food make that initial hump well worth the trouble. Service: I ate Chico's a couple times a week for 3 months while working nearby, and the employees were always extremely accommodating to my time- specific, pastor- loving needs. I'd call in at ~10am most days and request to have my food ready by 4pm to fit my short, strictly regulated lunch break and it was always ready, hot, and delicious right on time. Food: As others have mentioned, if you go between like 11 and 4 on weekdays you can usually catch the pastor skewer man, and that stuff is the business. Get it in taco or burrito form- they'll throw in cilantro, onions, and whatever else taco shops always put in tacos- but it's cheap and noticeably authentic, even to my pasty gringo palate. Burritos were like 5.50, tacos 1.50. Just try this place, I promise you Norman Bates isn't in there. Though I'm pretty sure he's next door... read more

Really good Menudo which my husband likes to have every Sunday. They have great salsas ..... all a little different than what your probably used to. Go just to try the salsas and a burrito to go with it. The coffee was good as was the service. The Panaderia (bakery) next door was packed. I would have liked to have stopped in.....next time. Way to busy this time. So, you know it's good. read more

Great place, got 3 fish, and 3 chicken tacos, more than enough for 2 people, excellent tacos !!! Their salsa 's are good too. read more

The only reason I can't give this place 5 stars is because of the upkeep of the furniture/carpet. This place is truly a "hole in the wall", with some rips in the booths, outdated decor, etc - it looks like an old coffee shop from the 70's that has never been updated. However, like most "hole in the wall" type places, they have really awesome authentic Mexican food! The salsa is nice and spicy with a wonderful flavor. One of my favorites dishes is the "Molcajete Azteca" - one order is enough for two people to share. The Mocajete is this hot stone bowl (looks like lava rock) that is served with sizzling pieces of chicken, shrimp, and beef... with onions, grilled cactus, chilies, and avocados - with a side of rice & beans, and warm corn tortillas. Very good! On busy nights, there is a guy grilling meat on an outdoor BBQ grill adjacent to the entrance, and you can order the "tacos from outside" if you want also. These are wonderful! You can't get food like this at any of the fake Mexican chain restaurants in town! read more

Really bad service, the waitress just sat us down and never took our order. Other customers walked in and got served right away. Food might be good but their service is bad. read more

Restaurant has baby rats, I decided to turn around, as I'm walking in the restaurant had a small mice , it was in the main entrance and another one by the counter. No I will not eat here. read more

So we get in to town from Az, stayed at the ramada next to chicos never again I ate the tacos el pastor and carne they were good. My husband had a enchilada and taco that enchilada was nasty tasted like the cheese was old and spoiled no joke he loves to eat enchiladas but this was not something he could eat he took the one bite and left it alone after I tried it and told him its rotten cheese. He complained to the waitress but she did nothing didn't have a care in the world. Go to the bakery next to it super good and fresh and cheap. read more

Food was decent or so I thought until I returned to my workshop after lunch and ended spending the afternoon in the restroom. It didn't affect my husband until later that evening. Can't say for sure that it was the food. As for the service...I'd rate in mediocre. Wouldnt go back. read more

The portions are good at this place but who cares everything else is no good here. The service was no good I had to get up to get chips, there is only one waitress for over 10 customers, the red sauce was hot like as if it was sitting outside for a long time, the tacos had no favor & I'm never going back. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE ! read more

Found a hair in my fried fish combo soon as it was opened. Helpings where kind of small.