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    El Puerto Taco Shop

    4.2 (419 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Open 8:00 am - 4:00 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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    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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Now I take my whole family here whenever we are in town[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    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..

    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.

    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...

    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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    1 month 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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    6 months ago

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    8 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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    10 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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    5 years ago

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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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    11 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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    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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    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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    Page 1 of 11

    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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    Fruity Loco

    Fruity Loco

    4.0
    (129 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    In San Diego good tacos are everywhere but this is my go to spot. Not expected from a place w…read morefruity in the name but they have Surprisingly amazing tacos. Some of the best pollo I've had ever -- good seasoning, chunks of chicken thighs, not shredded, and not dry at all. Good pico and guac on them too. The Birria is really good too-- the consomme soaked tortillas have amazing flavor. Adobada flavor will knock your socks off.

    Came here for an afternoon snack and left at 4:19 PM on August 14th. I ordered tostilocos but I…read moreasked for them without the peanuts. When they first served them to me they had peanuts so I returned to the front to let them know that I am allergic and I asked for them without peanuts. They took the old box in the back and closed the door. When she brought it back out, I asked to see the old box because I didn't see them put a new one together. She said she threw the old one away but I saw her the whole time and didn't hear anything go in the trash. It is a heavy box. She swore that she threw it away and handed me the box and assured me that she heard that I was allergic to peanuts. While sitting to eat I got a little ways through the box when I noticed there were peanuts in the new box under some stuff. I believe they just picked the peanuts off the top and gave it back to me like I wouldn't notice. I do not recommend this place. I could have ended up in the hospital.

    Photos
    Fruity Loco
    Fruity Loco
    Fruity Loco

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    La Posta De Acapulco

    La Posta De Acapulco

    4.4
    (289 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $

    Saw an instagram review and wanted to check out this place. I had the California burrito and it was…read morereally good, one of my favorites so far. The service was quick and friendly. The ambience is your typical home-in-the-wall kind of place...clean, comfortable, but minimalist. I'd rather go to a place like this where the primary focus is the food.

    I've always come to this restaurant because the food is good…read more However, on certain nights they say they only accept cash, and I had a concerning experience: I was charged $60 in cash, but when I asked for a receipt, the total showed $48. Tonight, the same employee again said it was cash only and that the machine was down when I asked why this happens on certain nights. However, he later proceeded to let me pay with a card, which made the situation feel inconsistent and unclear. I recommend being cautious and double-checking your total, especially if paying in cash. Siempre he venido a este restaurante porque la comida es buena. Sin embargo, en ciertas noches dicen que solo aceptan efectivo, y tuve una experiencia preocupante: me cobraron $60 en efectivo, pero cuando pedí el recibo, el total era $48. Hoy, el mismo empleado volvió a decir que solo aceptaban efectivo y que la máquina no funcionaba cuando le pregunté por qué en algunas noches es así. Sin embargo, después me permitió pagar con tarjeta, lo cual hizo que la situación se sintiera inconsistente y poco clara. Recomiendo tener precaución y revisar bien su cuenta, especialmente si pagan en efectivo.

    Photos
    Menu
    Menu
    #10
    #10
    Sore front

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    Sore front
    J & J Mexican Food

    J & J Mexican Food

    4.1
    (50 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    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.

    Called in the machaca burrito on Tuesday morning expecting another delicious breakfast burrito from…read moreJ&J, and was disappointed. Hot and fresh, but overall under seasoned meat, eggs, onions, and bell peppers. Excellent ratio of meat and eggs, but flavor was lacking. Salsas were delicious and saved my breakfast. The orange, probably habanero, was spicy and flavorful.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Ground beef Rolled tacos 
 Guacamole , lettuce, cheese and pico de gallo
    Ground beef Rolled tacos Guacamole , lettuce, cheese and pico de gallo
    Habanero salsa cup

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    Habanero salsa cup

    El Puerto Taco Shop - mexican - Updated August 2026

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