Love! I am such a fan. I have been frequenting El Nopalito for years now. I have so many favorites there. Everything is very authentically made and exquisite. They have caldo de res pretty much everyday. The caldo de res makes me such a happy girl with its large pieces of beef mixed in with carrots, potatoes, and cabbage. It is my ultimate comfort food. They have other soups too but I've been told by the staff that it's a good idea to call and see if they have them/you can order it like with catering. The carnitas here make me so happy. As a huge carnitas fan I know that it's hard to find really good, authentic carnitas. The carnitas at El Nopalito do not disappoint. They are scrumptious, large, perfectly salty pieces of shredded pork that. The cane asada is amazing. The bean and cheese burritos are amazing. I could go on and on. They also have a case full of hot food so you can go and order out of the case if you'd like as well. Lastly, they have salsas, guacamole, chips, tamales, and other various items from their market there so of course when you go in your can't pass them up. Really, the DH and I love their salsa and chips. The tamales are very good as well. read more

I would have given them one star if i could. It was my first visit to this highly recommended place. I ordered my food and sat down at the table only table available, it was a mess so i ask to have it wiped off. A young girl gave me a gross towel to wipe it off myself. Since she was a young lady, I gave her a break and used wipes that I had and wiped it off myself. Minutes after I ordered they called me up to give me my food in a to go bag. I thought that was odd but i took it. When i sat at the table I opened it up and it looked nothing like the order and was just a boring tostada, no cheese or sour cream. I asked for a side of sour cream and she wanted to charge me, in shock I walked away. After a few minutes they told me I had to leave that they were closing. I asked if there was seating outside and they so no and started putting the chairs up around me and my friend. They also chased a family out with kids who also just sat down to eat and were annoyed. Frustrated, I politely told the girl that it would have been nice if someone told me when I ordered that they were closing and that I would not be able eat the food at the restaurant. She got angry, defensive, and disrespectful. I told her I was only trying to help her out and left. I will never go in there again, first and last visit. It's to bad because I hear the food is suppose to be the best. I got the girls name but the only reason I am writing this is because my hope is that the owner will read this and do some customer service training. As a business owner, I understand that a couple employees don't make the whole business but can make or break it for a first time visitor. read more

The best! About a month ago we purchased the pre-marinated/uncooked carne asada and the other fixin's for my mom's retirement party. Barbequed the meat at home to rave reviews! A frequent comment I heard throughout the night was that it was the best carne asada they had ever had. Would highly recommend pre-ordering for parties, they hook you up with a great assortment of salsas as well. I actually don't eat meat, but the other items (beans, rice, guac) were great as well and more than enough to fill me up! read more

Always have purchased their roasted salsa, guacamole, and chips and they are always delicious. I hosted a dinner party for 12 this past weekend, and had El Nopalito cater. We had pollo asada and carne asada and both were absolutely delicious. If you are hosting a party and want some really great food - call Lucy! It was great! read more

Horrible customer service! Closing time is 8pm, pulling up at 7:35pm on the weekend and the closed sign lit up. Tried my luck and the door was unlocked, went inside to ask about ordering and the workers were all sitting chatting refusing me service , seemed to me like management might not be fully aware of how this place is being ran. read more

right down the street from my house. my dad and i picked up some one day to sit back and watch a couple of soccer games on TV. the menu was a bit different than most other spots i have been to. place seemed really authentic. i really enjoyed my plate of some type of pork, though my father was not especially excited about his(he likes a bit more Americanized meal) inexpensive. read more

great carneceria. their carne asada preparada and al pastor is on point. they have great sausage too. my favorite is the salvadorean chirizo. they make salsa and guacamole there that is great too. I get everything from produce to fresh tortillas and my grilling meats. still want to try their restaurant next door read more

Favorite place for a burrito in north county. Their food is well priced, filling, and tastes amazing. Glad they almost always have plenty of fresh cilantro. Service is great. Sometimes I wish they stayed open later. read more

very good place decent prices and pretty clean! love the nachos and the roasted salsa is the best!

Based on all the reviews and the fact it's a few blocks from our house, we may the trip and triedd out El Nopalito. Don't get me wrong, the food is not bad. But the value, quality/quantity/price is just not there. For example, we ordered the "super nachos" among a couple of other items. Well, it was ok, definitely not super in size or taste (carne was dry). Since there are numerous quality Mexi places in Encinitas, I just assume go elsewhere. My favorite is Jorge's in the von's shopping center down the street but I have a few others the I would place in front of this spot...... read more

The food here is alright. The service leaves something to be desired, but it's as much a culture thing as a indifference. Why people go here is the fire roasted salsa ! I have friends that come from all over California, and they always make sure they go home with 5or6 quarts of the stuff. I beggining to think they only come to visit for the salsa. Yes, it is that good ! read more

If you want to eat real Mexican food, this is the place to go. Be prepared that it is just a hole in the wall kinda place and promised delicious food. We ordered fish tacos and chicken tamales. It had a great balance of flavors. The salsa bar is fantastic. We purchased some to bring home with us. Service was fantastic as well read more

excellent street tacos, had the cabeza y lengua, excellent, as good as it gets, only $1.50 each

Now this is what Mexican food is suppose to taste like! Granted this place doesn't beat carnitas (pork) from Rosarito, Mexico; however, it was very close! It was probably the best carnitas I've had in San Diego county. I didn't really like the ambience there so next time I'd get it to go... read more

I ended up at this place while looking for food on the way to Orange County and lucked out because this place is great! I got the chile relleno burrito. I don't even normally like burritos but this one was amazing! Would definitely recommend this place. I hope to stop here again next time I'm driving north. :) read more

The market is a North County Institution. The carne asada and pork adobada are legendary staples for those "in the know" maning the grill during BBQ season. Couple that with chips and tortillas made on site, house made salsas and guacamole (made fresh there too), it's your one stop shopping destination for BBQ essentials. You wanna look like a Hero..... pick up a couple of pounds of the marinanded carne asada on your way to your next cook out and get ready to hear this often "WOW.... that's so good! Where did you buy that?" read more

You know the place is good when there are more Latinos eating there than gringos. The food is top notch and salsas and homemade tortillas, chips and salsa is to die for. Wish it was open late night. read more

I was disappointed. Ordered a chicken burrito and asked to add a couple things. I paid for the extras only to get home and find it was a plain chicken burrito. I of course still ate it but was not satisfied. I'll have to try it again and update my review if I have a better experience. read more

So at first I thought it was an alright spot to my 3rd visit is what made me hate this place I got info from a person that works at the market becuase I told him about my problem that I had a bean and cheese burrito and to the bottom of the paper there was literally puddle of yellow grease which was disgusting I had thrown it all up in the parking lot and what I heard that most of the food is all frozen and I believe him becuase I had boughten a Chile relleno (stuffed Chile pepper) and a tamal that we're still frozen on the inside and don't let me get you started on that nasty salsa I've seen them make it at the market and most of those people don't wear gloves and don't even wanna wash their hands this place is literally disgusting...no lie TACO BELL is 100% better unless you like frozen food and from a buissness that honestly lie about their quality this place is for you but for me this is horrible. read more

Love this place! The teachers at Ocean Knoll should be happy today!

Best Mexican market in the west. Best chips and salsa fresca to go. Just got an el Nopalito hat too.

I hate having to write this review because I did very much like this restaurant but my last visit changed my fondness for the restaurant. My order took a fairly long time for a basic burrito (carne asada) and it turned out it was sitting for a sizeable time period on the kitchen counter while the cashier just pretty much ignored it. Consequently, the burrito was cold and not to par. Perhaps it was because I didn't give a tip when buying directly at the counter but the place needs to improve on service. read more

Not as good as it used to be. Higher prices and less food now. No onions, no cilantro, no tomatoes, and watery salsa. Bad salsa bar. Manager is not professional. No soap to wash your hand and no toilet seat covers. read more

Casual setting for good, old fashioned mexican food. This is the place to go when delicious tacos, burritos and rice are on your mind. Not fancy, but really good! read more

The salsas are fantastic--best roasted salsa I have ever had. Love the guacamole as well. They are very fresh and last a long time. Worth the drive to get them. read more

Do Not pass up their Tomato Roasted Salsa. You will want to drink it with a straw. And their fresh made tortillas and top of the line marinated chicken. My son helped organize a Tail Gate party with El Nop's food and everyone was over the moon. When company comes who I know will love good Mexican food their market is where I drive to and load up on all our favorites. Add them to your fav list. A must! read more

The real deal..totally authenic..best mole in town.

The RESTAURANT was very bland food! The best was the Super Nachos since it tasted like fair food with the nacho cheese sauce. REALLY good carne asada meat on top. Wish I had that instead of my fish burrito, rice and beans. The salsa bar was nice though. Now the MARKET in the same strip mall had great looking meat. The store was fun to walk around. The pan (sweet bread) was amazing also. read more

I live nearby, which can be dangerous...My latest addiction is the Ruben Tacos...I don't think they are on the menu, but now you know! Excelente! read more

This place is the Bomb!! The food is muy bueno and the service is great. You cannot go worng if you make a pit stop at El Nop : )

I have been coming here for as long as I can remember and the marinated carne asada is the best I have ever had. Their chips, salsa and guac are second to none as well! Thank you El Nop for providing us with some of the best Mexican food ever! read more

As a true bean-and-cheese-aholic, I've tried every Mexican joint within a 5 mile radius from my house, and this place happens to be the closest. This place is the most "authentic" of the bunch and I sometimes feel like I'm entering Mexico when I walk in the door. I LOVE their fresh guacamole and salsas that you can buy in big containers to take home. They have a great salsa bar with a good variety of salsas. All are excellent! The b&c here is really good, but a little too big for me to eat without getting beans and oil all over my hands. I usually end up pulling out a fork and knife. The burritos come with a side of chips which taste great with the salsas you pack in those little cups to take home. It's a little pricey ($3.75 for the b&c), but you get a lot of food. The workers here are also nice and friendly. I enjoy this little cactus place when I'm really feeling like being a pig, but since I eat b&cs so often, I try to go for places that serve smaller portions to keep the calorie count lower. read more

good food, good service, great roasted salsa! definitely better than some of the other chain taco places in area. i will be back!