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El Puerto Taco Shop

4.2 (416 reviews)
InexpensiveMexican
Open 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

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.

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.

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...

"Birria de chivo"
Joselin R.

Maybe I just came in a bad day . This is there birria de chivo 1 big bone & 3 "meat" chunks . Tasteless & mediocre ... Cash only.. and it took a while to get my food even thoe i was the only one inside

Ceviche tostada two beef  tacos
PriPri E.

Food was awesome. The shrimp ceviche was as it's supposed taste like limón. The beef tacos hit the spot and the salsa was perfectly spicy. My son had the pollo asado burrito and he devoured it. The two downsides are that the parking was limited and they only accept cash. The guy at the register was friendly and attentive with our order. The atmosphere was as expected some music from the radio station no remark about it. Overall my experience was a solid 4

Carne asada burrito

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25 days ago

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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9 months ago

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5 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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5 months ago

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10 months ago

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1 year ago

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6 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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2 years ago

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4 years ago

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7 months 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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9 months 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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9 months 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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4 years ago

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1 year 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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10 months ago

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

Been coming here for years! Specifically for the shrimp burrito! Seriously the best!!!

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2 years ago

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4 years ago

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7 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 - Chile Relleno Over Whole Beans

Cocinita Express

4.8(9 reviews)
2.7 miLomita

The mole is one of the best moles i personally think i had . Home flavor , sweet flavor with a kick…read moreof spice, the beans and rice also taste like my grandmothers home cook meals , the service from the owner was amazing also very attentive, this will be my favorite place in Sd, truly authentic home cooked meals .

I stopped in this new Mexican eatery for an early breakfast. I initially had the bowl with the…read morechile relleno server over whole pinto beans or frijoles de la olla, but the cheese inside was burnt, rubbery, and inedible. The only thing I can consider to make it so was that they microwaved the chile relleno before putting it into the tray with the others. I could not eat it so I asked them if I could exchange it for the bistec ranchero quisado served over the same whole pinto beans, which they did. The bistec ranchero was okay. There definitely needed to be more of it. Some of the pieces were tender, as it should be, and other pieces were kinda chewy. They need to make sure they clean out, as best they can, the connected tissues and fats off the meat. The sauce the meat came in was pretty good. The pinto beans were fair. They were tender and properly cooked, but were onthe bland side and could of benefited from some seasoning, garlic, onions, etc. They give you corn tortillas when you order a guisado, which were perfect for making tacos and dipping them in the sauce. They corn tortillas were good. The service was friendly and offered good conversation. They offer a variety of guisados, including beef with potatoes in a green sauce, queso panela with nopales, chicharron en salsa verde, mole, albondigas, and the chile rellenos.

Photos
Cocinita Express
Cocinita Express - Bistec Ranchero ove Whole Beans

Bistec Ranchero ove Whole Beans

Cocinita Express

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

Ramberto’s Mexican Food

1.9(310 reviews)
1.6 miLomita
$

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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Ramberto’s Mexican Food - Ramberto's Mexican food building

Ramberto's Mexican food building

Ramberto’s Mexican Food - Carne asada burrito, cheese quesadilla & agua de Jamaica

Carne asada burrito, cheese quesadilla & agua de Jamaica

Ramberto’s Mexican Food - Menu prices 2024

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Menu prices 2024

J & J Mexican Food - Carne Asada Fajitas 
 Choice of flour or corn tortillas

J & J Mexican Food

4.1(49 reviews)
2.1 mi

Was in the area and stopped in for lunch. At first the menu…read moreprices looked to be in the high side of Mexican food, but my opinion was changed when the plates came out! Every plate was loaded with enough food for 2 people. And the quality of the food was amazing! Thank you for the great experience and clean dining room to relax and enjoy our lunch.

This place is pretty solid for Mexican food in Spring Valley. I found it on Yelp and had my husband…read morego grab food most of the time but I finally went in with him a few days ago so it's safe to say I've had them more than a few times to know the food's pretty legit. When we went in there was a man working the counter and it was no frills service. They accept card so that's helpful. To top it off they offer a salsa bar which is getting more rare nowadays since a lot of places are getting so cheap and greedy with their hot sauce or even limits you. Their habanero salsa is really good it has a good kick and is actually pretty spicy. The avocado salsa is usually pretty good but this last time it was sooo salty it was inedible. The roasted salsa was good and spicy as well. Lately the last few times their salsas have made my stomach hurt really bad but that won't stop me. We've ordered the California burrito, carne asada, supreme burrito, fish burrito, hard shell shredded beef tacos and they were all pretty good. Decent sizes and meats were always juicy and flavorful.

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J & J Mexican Food - Inside

Inside

J & J Mexican Food - Ground beef Rolled tacos 
 Guacamole , lettuce, cheese and pico de gallo

Ground beef Rolled tacos Guacamole , lettuce, cheese and pico de gallo

J & J Mexican Food - Habanero salsa cup

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Habanero salsa cup

El Puerto Taco Shop - mexican - Updated May 2026

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