The way I can tell if a taqueria is good or just mediocre is by the clientele - if there is a mix of day laborers, families, surfers and "others", chances are the place is a good one. I used to come to El Nopalito all the time, but I stopped going to a gym nearby so it has been a couple years. I was recently reminded to revisit El Nopalito and my meal was excellent. I had the carne asada dinner, which I ordered with flour tortillas. Unfortunately, when I arrived home I realized the takeout bag didn't contain the flour tortillas. The salsa bar was also almost completely depleted - must've been a busy day at El Nopalito! My meat of choice at El Nopalito has historically been the carintas, so I'll order those next time. Good place. Very busy at peak times. Worth the wait. read more

I've had the chili rellenos and fish burritos. In both cases the quality was among the best I have eaten. Very highly recommended!

We enjoy this casual dining and the market. FRESH tortillas, tasty carnitas and carne asada. This is our favorite in Encinitas for take out Mexican food, or eat in. We love the market too read more

This market is hands down the best in selection, taste and price! They have the best salsa verde! It takes taco night to to a whole other level! The staff is always friendly. I never leave disappointed! read more

I love me some El Nap, especially when it is 90 degrees in November and you're not feeling like cooking Sunday dinner! I brought home takeaway carne asada, with nice fresh corn and flour tortillas, my favorite salsa verde and the roasted salsa requested by my son. It was the perfect meal for an unseasonably warm night and I enjoyed not having to use any heat source in my kitchen! The restaurant carries a variety of ala carte, dinner plates, family meals or catering pans of all your Mexican favorites. If you do want to make it yourself, there is also an El Napolito grocery store just steps away from the restaurant. Long may it reign as part of the 7-11 parking lot in the big square shopping center on Santa Fe Drive off the I-5! read more

Love this place and it's authenticity. The smell of fresh corn and flour tortillas being made and super delicious. Tried their burrito here as well and it was smaaaackn!! Try them out, trust! You won't be disappointed. PS and grab their a bag of their tortilla chips and homemade salsas. read more

Good food previously however, the worker (who was handling money) was wearing a flimsy mask that wasn't at all covering her nose . Scary and dangerous read more

So delicious! I stayed in the area for business travel and ended up ordering dinner there both nights. The food is so flavorful and fresh! The staff is very friendly and they were constantly cleaning and practicing social distancing. I love this food and will stop there anytime I go to San Diego! LOVE IT. read more

What has happened to El Nopalito? They closed for a couple weeks for a remodel and the place has been chaos ever since. Today, an hour to get 4-Enchiladas. They have run out of rice. No one seems to know what they are doing. This is not the first time this has happened to me since the remodel (of which the only thing visibly different it their new electric menu sign. Did they lose all their experiences help during the remodel? Wow!!!! read more

Stumbled upon this place on the way home from SD. Needed a Mexican food fix and this place popped up on Yelp. Stopped and grabbed a carne asada burrito and a carnitas burrito and while reading Yelp, figured out I needed to take home some of their fire roasted salsa as well. The carne asada burrito was super flavorful. The carnitas was not. It was super bland. The salsa made up for that. It has a kick but is excellent. I was randomly talking about it to a buddy and he said his friends love their salsa and they always try to pick some up when driving through. I highly recommend grabbing a carne asada burrito and a fire roasted salsa when you drive by. (Pro tip - they have a market and a restaurant in the same center - the restaurant sells the salsa too.) read more

My previous review stated my dissatisfaction with the restaurant. However, since this was 2 years ago and not during the peak time of the day, I decided to come back a few days ago for lunch. This time, I ordered a Breakfast Burrito with Guacamole and aside of Rice and Beans. Let me tell you, the Breakfast Burrito was AMAZING. The bacon was crispy and not too oily, the cheese was perfectly melted, and the tortilla was crispy and hot, and each flavor complemented one another. The guacamole was also amazing and very flavorful, perfectly complimenting the hot chips they give you. Now I am coming back. read more

This is one of fav small, family run feel, small Mexican restaurant in North County, San Diego. I ordered a chorizo and egg burrito. The chorizo was perfect with a nice spice cooked together with egg and cheese in a nice, fresh flour tortilla. One nice little tasty Mexican breakfast package. I would return to get another one on another day. read more

Excellent tortillas and tortilla chips! They taste very fresh! I also like that you can buy fresh salsa and guacamole at this store. They also have a butcher on site who can do custom orders, such as I ordered thinly sliced chicken breasts to make Milanesas. El Nopalito also sells a few groceries (mostly Mexican brands) and they have a frideg section with Mexican cheeses, sour cream, etc. read more

This place has it all. Authentic Mexican. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Not super fast because they make it to order, so have some time to spend and enjoy their fresh salsa bar. Each meal comes with about 10 crispy chips served on top - just enough! read more

For the uninitiated, do not confuse the two (2) El Noplitos. While affiliated, they are not litterally attached as each are in their own buildings that are next to each other. One is the local Mexican market; the other is the restaurant. I've always embraced El Nopalito, the restaurant, and then quietly, they taco rolled out of my lunch rotation. I'd drive by and tell myself, Oh yeah! I need to go back even though - I went to other places a block away. Since the plaza's remodeling, I've escaped work like others to have lunch in a local joint and watch ESPN during lunch. HA. My preferred taco of choice (wait for it....) - carnitas. I prefer my carnitas to not be stringy or shredded or dry - akin to a piece of forgotten turkey meat texturely (is that a word?). EN's carnitas are everything else and beyond what I don't like. On the other hand, El Nopalito is known for their tamales - cheese, chicken, pork, or beef. They do brisk business during Christmas - which I still don't understand the connection of tamales and Christmas - short of googgling. Regardless I am not averse to their tamales at all either! Don't dismiss El Nopalito because of its obvious location in a small corner stripmall in the northeast corner of I-5 and Santa Fe Avenue. It's not a sexy local shopping venue, but it has everything for the local neighborhood. read more

They took for ever to give me my nachos. Waited 30 minutes to get my food. This is the last time i come to this place

I've been shopping here for over 20 years. Went in for their delicious tortillas, fresh pollo asada and guacamole. While in line I decide to pick up a signature hat. The cashier was extremely friendly and helpful. I felt a bit awkward since there were a few people behind me waiting so I didn't want to be "that guy" holding up the line. She assured me not to worry and find what I wanted. After about a minute of trying on a couple the lady behind me became rude and told me "are you kidding me?!?" The cashier kept it cool and told me not to worry and find what I liked. The whole interaction was maybe 2 1/2 minutes but I so impressed with the customer service and how she handled the other customer. I didn't get her name but either way I know that regardless the service is always above and beyond. Thanks again read more

Wow, my first review motivated by disgust... to the point: found a dead roach in the carnitas (about the size of a fingernail). I was pumped because this place is close to my house and has a great rating. Bought the family carnitas meal, got home opened it up, made one taco, went to make a second, and there it was... a dead roach... wow... still turning my stomach. read more

I am a regular at this small grocery. Their in house tortilla factory makes the best tortillas I've found in the area. Finding good tortillas was a top priority after my move from Texas and these helped me settle into my new hometown. The also make excellent salsas and guacamole. The roasted salsa is my favorite and I end up putting it on everything... I've also bought tamales here and they were fresh and good. Pretty much any grocery I would hope to find from south of the border I have found here. The strip center they are located in doesn't look like much but don't be put off. The staff is friendly and looks can be deceiving. It's worth a stop. read more

Was I eating at the same place as all the other reviewers?! I was, but I must have just caught them on their worst day ever. The worst part was that I had people with me visiting from New York and had bragged about how great Mexican food is here. We were in the Encinitas area (which I don't know well) so I Yelped and found this place and was expecting some cheap & tasty Mexican food. First of all, the chips that came with the meal were really bad. They were the hardest tortilla chips I've ever had. All 4 of us agreed they were not good at all. SO hard!! I got a meal with rice, beans, a chicken enchilada and a beef tamale. The tamale was flavorless; I didn't even finish it. The red sauce that was all over the tamale and enchilada wasn't very good. The worst part? Some of my rice was HARD. How difficult is it to make soft rice! It must have been sitting around for a really long time or something. But that's no excuse. The best part of my meal were the beans. My companions' meals weren't great either. The fish tacos and the chile rellena (relleno?) were just okay. Like I said, maybe I caught them on a bad day... but now my people from NY think Mexican food in the San Diego area is crap. :( read more

At 3:p.m., between lunch and dinner time, I had only an ala carte chili relano. It was excellent. Large size, very filing, and with delicious sauce. Came with fresh warm tortillas and chips. Many choices at the salsa bar. Woman who took my order was cheerful and welcoming. Price was just right by my standards, $5.00. It is a very casual strip mall kind of no frills restaurant. Plain and simple atmosphere. I will return. read more

After having a huge Mexican meal in Old Town that failed to impress we asked a Mexican guy who worked at our hotel where he eats. He directed us here. He raved about it. He is from Mexico and says it is authentic, he would know! It was more authentic than Old Town but maybe we went on an off day. We had enchiladas and tamales. My husband had their chips and salsa he said they were good. It was good not great. I actually enjoyed the Mexican food I had in LA better. I expected it to be better in San Diego. But that is based on the few restaurants I have been to in both cities. If I am in San Diego again (we stay sometimes on our way to Hawaii) I would like to give it another try. read more

If you don't give El Napalito a 5 star, you must think Taco Bell is Mexican. Chips, salsa, guac!!! Oh my! I don't want to start a rumor, but I think they invented the California burrito, and it's awesome. Only thing they could do better is deliver when I'm hungover. read more

Este restaurante es magnífico ! Remember that trip you took to San Felipe or Ensenada? You couldn't get the taste of REAL Mexican food off of your tongue, while you sat in the border entry. Did you swear that you'd never torment yourself with Americanized versions again? You're in luck if you live in North County; read on. I strongly recommend El Nopalito if you love authentic Mexican cuisine. This isn't a "chic, Mexican experience", fugazi restauarant. This is for fans of traditional, Northern Mexican food. The servings are generous, the prices are very reasonable, and the staff is pleasant and helpful. No need to dress up for El Nopalito. Come as you are and come hungry. You'll probably wrap up the leftovers and buy some home-made salsa and chips to take home. read more

I like getting off Santa Fe Drive to go to the gas station there. I've seen this little restaurant hanging out near the 7-11 for years. Usually, though, I'm by that way late in the evening. So late I don't think they were even open. Finally, today, I got my chance and boy I'm glad I did. Apparently it's a popular spot as there were a number of people enjoying dinner and a number of people waiting in line to get to order dinner. Mixed crowd, mixed ethnicities -- definitely a good sign. I ordered a simple Vegetarian Burrito for $5.30 I waited a bit over 5 minutes and while I waited I got some salsa - they had at least 5 different kinds and I tried to. Okay, one would probably be better defined as a pico de gallo and the other was some sort of chipolte salsa. While I waited I got to watch an American Football game on TV and browse their jukebox machine - filled mostly with Mexican and Spanish music. I wasn't going to eat there so I didn't pop in $1 to enjoy 3 songs of my choosing. Eventually my food came and the burrito was delicious and BIG. The burrito appeared to contain refried beans, rice, cheese, pico de gallo, and guacamole. I was also stoked to get a small side of chunky, thick chips. Both were SO satisfying. I didn't really dig the pico de gallo as it was a little to watery for me - but that might have been my own fault when digging it up in the first place. And, I'm not much of a chipolte fan, but if you are, it had some nice heat. I was ready to pop by the time I had a 1/4 of a burrito left and a number of chips left -- but they were so good I ate the rest of the burrito. Can't wait to try 'em again and satisfying my urge for an awesome veggie burrito and just as awesome chips. read more

Looking for some true authentic Mexican food, this is the place to go. They have great prices as well. I have only been a couple of times but every time the food has been great. However I have had friends bring their food over to different events, and have always enjoyed it. I like their Carnitas, and you can order it by the pound already cooked. They offer a family combo that includes tortillas and a couple of different salsas along with the carnitas. It is item to take to parties. Their tortilla chips and salsas are great too! It is in a small strip mall that has a 7/11, and parking can be a little tight at times. read more

BEST SALSA EVER. Perfectly roasted tomatoes, not too thin, not too thick, not too spicy or mild. You can tell a lot by a mexican joint by their salsa. Everything lives up to their high standards of their salsa. I love this place! read more

I love salsas! I discovered this place because i bought the salsa at vons. I love buying local items so i had to try the place. I bought: 1. Carne Asada prepared 2. Al pastor, prepared 3. Beans, already made 4. Tortillas 5. Salsas 6. Fresh. Tamales!! ALL ***** 5 star. Im from Mexicali MX, raised in E LA and now live in North county. I have been living here for 3 years now and have been unsatisfied with all the mexican food here except for the Taco Bar in San MArcos. Now this discovery has satisfied my cravings. I will be trying their restaurant next. I LOVE THIS MARKET!! read more

I love El Nap. El Nap has, hands down, the best Carne Asada I have ever tasted! And, when you get it uncooked to bring home for w BBQ it like $4 a pound, which works out great when trying to feed a crowd and not break the bank. The Carnitas is also very good. My favorite part about El Nap has to be the freshness of everything. If you've only been to the restaurant and never been over to the store, you gotta go and check out the monster tortilla making machine. A good tortilla can seriously make or break a burrito for me and El Nap knows what they are doing when it comes to tortillas. The chips are always fresh and never stale also. The salsa selection, also extremely fresh, is amazing. You have to try the Roasted Red! My parents live in Seattle and are constantly trying to get me to ship it up to them. I also really like the Salsa Fresca and the Guacamole is delicious. If you've ever had ceviche, and enjoyed it, you gotta try it here. Again, it's super fresh and the seafood mix is great. I also really like that El Nap isn't afraid to serve some truly authentic, and often not offered, selections. The Lengua, cow's tongue, is amazing and I really like the tripe in the Menudo. I've never been disappointed by El Nap and plan to continue going there as often as possible. read more

Very legit! Had the chilaquiles and was impressed with the quality of the plate. Fresh ingredients, traditional style, and LOTS of food. iAye huey! Will definitely be going back. read more

Great place to order a bunch of food for a dinner with family and friends, salsa, guacamole, all that is good

Do not be tricked by their supermarket, the restaurant has a smaller sign on the other building very close by. The supermarket does have a tasty creamy "arroz con leche paleta de crema" in their popsicle freezer. They also sell the same awesome cerviche and salsa the restaurant does. The cerviche is very tomato heavy, like a salsa with shrimp and fish in it. The carne asada plate I ordered was good and came with a good amount of guacamole. MY lunch companion told me the fish taco was good. read more

The roasted salsa is legit. I've been coming here for years just for the good chips and salsas also get the rajas tamales. These tamales are so good and cheesy inside and not to much meza. All around good place to stop. Explore their menu but stick with the goods roasted salsa and the fresh homemade tamales. read more

El Nopalito - Mexican Near Me - Encinitas, California

AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FOOD made for the masses! Good food should be experienced and shared which I feel is a strong component of Mexican food. Affordable, authentic, and made with care like mom makes! This place is SUPER authentic. You have local migrant workers coming here for lunch because it is the closest deal to home. This is not a place to get dressed up to come and dine. This is super casual. Lots of physical labor workers come here. Girls, you might get stares but remember you are there for the food. Pick up their roasted chipolte salsa to take home with a bag of tortilla chips and you will not be disappointed. I've had their tacos, their enchiladas and they "kick ass". I have yet to try their authentic dishes, but everything I have had has flavor and you can tell that the cooks put time into it. A test for me is the rice and the bean test and they passed that as well. They have many things for sale, so pick them up and take them home and SHARE! Adios Amigos! read more

Everything is fresh here. Dining here is something not to be missed. When I make fish tacos at home, I always skip over here to buy a stack of fresh tortillas for $1.75. read more

That was tasty! I was already well versed on the salsa, Encinitas Crack, but the food, mmmmmm. We had a carnitas dinner plate as well as a Carne asada plate. Very moist, seasoned perfectly, not greasy at all. Yes, it is a hole in the wall, but if you had the local high school in your establishment Mon-Fri @ lunch time, how nice would it remain & for how long? Really? That's the complaint? Good lord people. I swear, some people use this as a forum to strictly bitch about anything. The food is very good. The salsa, rocks! Tamales too. The staff, very helpful & polite. No, you will not be sitting in luxury, get over it. read more

The wifey is a huge fan of Mexican food and I always cringe when she gets a taste for it. It is usually one of the last ethnic foods I want to eat...and now I can't say that after having the pork ribs with cactus in green sauce today at El Nopalito. Hands down the best Mexican dish I have ever tasted and I will jump at the opportunity to go again! The staff was really nice and helpful and the prices at lunch were just right. read more

Despite the slow service, hands down the best Carne Asada burrito I've ever had so far. Their salsa bar is really good and their tortilla chips are super fresh. They also have their market right around the corner. As always, NEVER get fish burritos. They suck EVERYWHERE including here. Just a note to anyone trying to get a burrito with fish. Fish tacos are WAY better. read more

Only been here once. This is a legit Mexican joint. Menu is in Spanish and they have the good traditional Mexican dishes including Lengua and others. Everything we saw come out of the kitchen was HUGE. I posted a pic of a fish taco, which is honestly more fillings than you'd get in a Rubios fish burrito. They also have a salsa bar that can only be described as bangin' and all of their salsas and guacamole are excellent (you can find them pre-packed at Seaside Market). With Jorge's right down the street, I'm tempted to name this corridor a beacon of amazing Mexican food. read more

El Nopalito - This is just ONE Fish Taco - Mexican Near Me - Encinitas, California

Best chips and salsa around... Roasted salsa is amazing, chips made daily, and I can go on and on about this local spot. Our usual go tos: breakfast burrito, carne asada burrito and chicken tacos (soft shell). If you're in the hood and need some good food, check out this place, you won't be disappointed. Also, employees are friendly and approachable. read more