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El Puerto Taco Shop

4.2 (420 reviews)
InexpensiveMexican
Closed • 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

El Puerto Taco Shop Photos

Business Info

EL PUERTO TACO SHOP ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for kids
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - El Puerto Taco Shop

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Reviews With Photos

Rolled tacos, fish tacos and fries. Got the shrimp burrito to go.
Elizabeth T.

Been coming here for over 20 years now. Favorite spot for shrimp burritos. Now I take my whole family here whenever we are in town

Bacon hash brown egg burrito
Rich M.

First visit was a early Saturday morning a couple years back around 800am, and once I knew my surroundings I was torn between getting a morning Bloody Mary at Cali Comfort or, having breakfast at the nearby taco shop. I chose the healthier? option by getting a breakfast burrito here at this taco shop. One of the few places that includes hash browns in these. I'm sure I saved some dough too since I was already shelling out $175 for work on my clunker of a truck at La Mesa Tire. Seemed like a smart call. Yes I was definitely hungry while waiting for my front end work and alignment and... what do you know, Yelp came in handy to try a new spot! Very good! Quality and taste here were above average. I've heard about this place from a guy at work 'cuz his cousin lives a block away. He gets the Carnitas burrito and says it's glorious. I have been back to try a California burrito and a tostada and it's been consistently tasty. One of the better taco shops I've been to in the Spring Valley area for sure. I haven't ordered anything with guacamole, but some say it's that glowing green sour cream version. Maybe just avoid those types of items. We have a great problem here don't we? So many taco shops, so little time..

Menu August 2024
Josh C.

Machaca breakfast burrito made gist the way I like it, shredded beef mixed with egg, onions, and peppers. Delicious! Red salsa has thicker consistency and cooked tomato flavor stands out. Green salsa has tartness from tomatillos that blends well. Both not overly spicy.

Inside of the California Burrito. *Tip* Open it up and drizzle your salsa into it. Mixes in real good.
Mayra C.

The BEST California Burrito in town. Love that they give you the option of fries or hash browns in your burrito. Perfectly balanced if you go with the hash browns. Their Carne Asada fries are stacked. They also have these spicy/pickled onions that are a must with your food every time. Service is always friendly and the wait never seems too long even when they're busy. If you find yourself in or around the area and need some good Mexican food, this is the place to go.

P H.

Today, we ordered 3 extra crispy beef roll tacos with Mexican guacamole, and 5 roll tacos with American guacamole. Both were excellent. This place never disappoints. Remember it's cash only!

Combination #3 with Carne Asada Burro, rice and beans

So, I've heard many people hype up this place for a while, so I decided to give it a try, because I already have my go-to places and wanted to see how it compared. I gotta say some people have very different standards to what is considered "great", or haven't ventured out much on San Diego County... El Puerto is just "ok", average, I wasn't wowed and it didn't live up to the hype I was hearing. I went last weekend and first off, it's a cash-only establishment, so I got my hopes high (most cash-only places are usually awesome). I ordered a Combination #3, which is a Carne Asada Burro, with "Guacamole Mexicano", and a side of rice and beans, which had the basics for me to review. This is my honest take: - Tortilla: They seem to use the same "Santa Fe" brand that most SD taco shops use, no complaint there - Carne asada: A little underseasoned and not as charred as in other places - "Guacamole Mexicano": Comes pre-mixed with onions and tomato. There is no option for "pure" guacamole paste. Their only other option is the creamy "guacamole" they use on rolled tacos, but that would taste weird in a burro...This is bad for those that don't rock with onions/tomato or pico de gallo for that matter - Beans: The star of the combo. Incredible refried beans, second only to those from Señor Pancho in southwest Chula Vista. Only knock is they sprinkle shredded cheddar on top instead of some cotija, minor knit pick on my part - Rice: Very disappointed. Tastes like pre-cooked store-bought boiled rice that is colored orange. Zero flavor, just filler - Red salsa: Very strong tomato and oregano flavors, off-putting and almost no spice at all. Maybe a good sauce for "flautas", not a burro or carne asada fries/nachos. I was expecting a hotter sauce with more chile de arbol like El Pollo Grill's or Senor Pancho's Service was fast and good, but judging just on the food, which is what matters, 3 stars. I really wanted to like this place more...

Carne asada burrito
LINA M.

My 2nd visit here and both times have been pretty good! The 1st visit was well over 2-3 years ago but I definitely need to make more stops here instead of settling for the ones nearby my place. I've read many reviews about their burritos and infamous rolled tacos and they are the truth! I had their carne asada burrito which was just ok to me it was actually kinda too salty for me, but not bad. Now the rolled tacos! Those are the star of the show! Believe all the reviews you've read about them because they're true! I'm not sure if they were chicken or beef but I've never had rolled tacos that good! They were fried to perfection with the perfect crunch! It was not oily, not salty, not too crispy and LET ME TELL YOU! It did not get soggy not once with all the condiments on top! I've eaten a lot of rolled tacos in my life to tell you there were bomb! They do use American guac which I know is controversial to a lot of people but I'm not complaining since I love sour cream. They do only accept cash so be prepared, but there also is a 711 right next door. I would only hope they can extend their hours because most taco shops in the Valley close at 9-10pm when I'm used to 24/7 in City Heights and SE.

"Birria de chivo"

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3 months ago

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2 years ago

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3 months ago

I love the food, their bean and cheese burrito is amazing! Service is very friendly, however parking can be a little tight!

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1 year ago

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8 months ago

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10 months ago

Waited 1/2 hour for 3 burritos ! Ridiculous just hope the guys enjoyed the food! Too long for a taco shop

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1 year ago

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4 years ago

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5 years ago

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11 months ago

Ordered two fish tacos, first time from here. Absolutely AWESOME!! Was definitely worth the price. I'll be back!!

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1 year ago

Best taco shop in my area, everything else is metiocre... Only thing is it's cash only, they need to do card... :)

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1 year ago

Amazing! In my hometown on vacation, I've been here 7 times in 4 days! I will be back soon..

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

This place has the best prices and best red hot sauce in San Diego. Rolled tacos, carnesada fries, and carnesada burrito are fantastic here.

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2 years ago

Great customer service, quick turn around. Food is amazing! My new favorite spot whenever I'm hungry and in the area!

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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El Puerto Taco Shop Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - El Puerto Taco Shop

Does anyone know if its cash only?

The answer is yes. However there just so happens to be a 7Eleven next door, which conveniently has an ATM

Is this the best place for a Shrimp burrito in San Diego? Certainly the best I've found!!

I'd dare to say their shrimp burritos are the best in Southern California. I drive from riverside for them!

How is the menudo?

One of the best in East County. People flock to El Puerto on Sundays and dine-in for the menudo.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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Cocinita Express - Carne en salsa verde con nopales

Cocinita Express

4.9(17 reviews)
2.7 mi•Lomita

I decided to try this place as it was my lunch time and Taco Bell and Jack in the box were full…read more I didn't really expect much since all the taco shops around here are poor to mid in quality. But to my great surprise this was different waaay different. I had the Aporreado which is like machaca con huevo with beans and Mexican rice. It was EXCELLENT. Very tasty although just a tad bit salty. The beans were delicious and you could tell the were not canned. Real refried beans. Yummy! And the tortillas!! They were not those flimsy cornmeal tortillas, they were authentic tortillas de maize. Handmaid while I waited for the order. Delicious. While I was waiting for my order the gentleman I talked to said they had taken over the restaurant 5 months ago. So new owners. If you're in the area of Paradise Valley Road or Spring Valley area you should definitely give this little place a try. I will definitely be back and next time with friends.

The gentleman in the front was so accommodating and welcoming, he let me try the mole and the…read morealbondigas. I got the mole with beans and rice, the chicken was so tender and the mole was so rich flavorful and perfectly spicy. But the beans somehow became the best thing I ate in a long time, best refried beans I've ever had in my life!!!! And the agua de piña was so good. This restaurant and the chef's cooking is incredibly special I highly recommend!!

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Cocinita Express - Fresh made tortillas

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Ramberto’s Mexican Food - My soft taco that supposed to be hard...ahh!

Ramberto’s Mexican Food

1.9(314 reviews)
1.6 mi•Lomita
•$

I have said this before. Being in Southern San Diego we are just spoiled when it comes to Mexican…read morecuisine. We have so many taco shops in the area. So many that they even outnumber 7-11's. So we have a lot of options. Rambertos is a taco shop that has been in the Spring Valley area very early on. It has lasted the test of time. Since then years later, a Jack In The Box was built next to it and after that just recently a Yoshinoya on the other side. One of the reasons Rambertos has lasted so long is the consistent tasting food. The quality control is very good. Right now it's my family's go to taco shop. With a large menu, there are a lot of choices to pick from. Burritos, tacos, enchiladas, tostadas, sopas and carne asada nachos are among the things you can order. Early morning to late night; you don't even have to leave your car. Just use the drive thru window. With so many taco shops around. What makes Rambertos so special? Well first they have been here for years. So they have to be doing something right. With so many changes all around. Rambertos still remains a constant. Secondly, the taco shop serves some of the best Mexican cuisine in the Valley. Thirdly, with everything from gas to groceries. Everything is expensive. Rambertos is affordable and won't break the bank. So support local businesses especially the good ones. Rambertos is exceptional.

I've had the food here before it's OK. It's nothing great. But it's OK. However, this evening was…read morequite surprising to me. A carne asada burrito and a cheese quesadilla cost me $30. That is expensive. I usually pay about $30 when I do Delivery. But this was a big disappointment. Not sure that I'll frequent this Taco shop in the future. In addition, they charged me for using my debit card. I don't think that's legal. I know they charge you for credit, but not debit. The lady at the window was kind and courteous. But I can't see myself spending $30 for a Casa burrito.

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Menu prices 2024

El Puerto Taco Shop - mexican - Updated October 2026

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