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    El Tapatio Restaurant

    3.4 (372 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Open 7:00 am - 8:30 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    EL TAPATIO RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - El Tapatio Restaurant

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    I barra chocolate caliente. Perfect for the weather.
    Azteca L.

    We were going to chow down at Aranda's and noticed they didnt have mimosas. The nice gal Lucero told us go next door to El Tapatio where they offer that. We thanked and departed to make our way over there. When we arrived there was a lovely lady named Elena who was waiteressing the patio and interior. She greeted us as she saw us. We opted for indoors as it had been raining. We had our heart set on a California burrito since hubs hasn't never had one. I was surprised they have cheese crisp as you only find it in Arizona. I ordered hot chocolate Ibarra and loved they also have cafe de la olla. A plus is mimosa and micheladas. Hoping we can move down here and def will be my to go spot.

    Chips salsa
    Jackie P.

    Off Palm avenue in Imperial Beach. Just drove in and so glad we did. Seriously the best food we've eaten in San Diego area. Had no idea it was more than a taco "shop" prices reasonable. The picture included is what's left of my combo platter. Meal for another day too!! My better half had fajita burrito and it was to die for as well. Came with small salad. Bueno. Muy Bueno!!

    No food yet

    Been sitting here an hour. Four other tables have also been waiting a very long time for food. When we asked if they were short-handed tonight they gave us some excuse about a large crowd. As if 5 people at one table is a large crowd? The other tables have pairs of two. This is the slowest service ever! We're thinking about leaving cause this is just too long. I hate having my time wasted. We did wind up leaving. We told them it was just too slow. I couldnhave gone to Denny's and finished a meal by now.

    Huevos rancheros (over easy eggs)

    The taste of the food was very close to authentic Mexican cuisine -- NO Tex-Mex here at all! The portion sizes were excellent, and the prices are absolutely awesome. Unlike most restaurants, you won't find inflated, high costs here. Service was EXCELLENT, very kind and very attentive to our needs. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, with both indoor and outdoor seating available. It's also very close to the beach, making it perfect for a relaxing walk after your meal.

    Really nice front and side patio with nice decor and thoughtful design touches.
    Sandy A.

    I love this place and the people who work here. This is a family restaurant and the staff is very friendly and helpful. I've been here twice while biking the strand to Imperial beach. You need to explore this menu and look at items other than tacos. The tacos are ok (fish was the best) but the ceviche and tamales are excellent! If you get a taco be sure to get the fish taco as that is the best protein. There are a lot of choices on the menu and I look forward to coming back to try more. My advice is to try items beyond what you are used to ordering as I think there are hidden gems of menu items that are family recipes- and those are always the best! I've had two great experiences here now and the staff shines here. Such a nice experience and good food. Oh the horchata is excellent too so don't forget that. I look forward to coming back. Be sure to ask the staff what to get as they give great suggestions! It's a cute place with nice decor and primarily outdoor seating- but all covered so you won't roast in the sun while eating. I recommend coming here !

    tamal plate
    R L.

    I have been here several times before and always enjoyed the food. i have been craving a tamale for the past month, so I finally stopped here to have a meal with a tamale. They serve a plate that normally includes two tamales but I only wanted one with rice and beans. they only had a pork tamale , so I ordered that and I have to say it was delicious. it was nice and hot and it was covered with a cheesy sauce. The rice was perfect for my liking.Probably some of the best rice i've had in a while. The beans looked very good, but their taste was a little bit off., like maybe it was leftover or mixed with some leftover beans. Overall it was very satisfying. I we'll continue to eat here often as I think it is very good and the prices are very reasonable.

    #6 Two Enchiladas Combinacion
    Asilem C.

    Very good place. The food was very delicious. Thank you for the very good service. The restaurant was very clean and welcoming.

    Patio Dining
    Jason F.

    The food here is good and I love stopping in for a bite to eat with family and friends. Unfortunately, today the service was a little off and the food wasn't as good as it usually is. We all had a really good time, walked away full, and the prices are better than you'll get at any beach restaurant. El Tapatio is a local favorite to enjoy good Mexican food and cold beer on a sunlit patio in a quiet, laid back beach setting.

    Nove R.

    Great food Excellent service Nice environment Sure we are coming back Great experience

    #2 Enchilada and Chile Relleno Combinacion
    Tori M.

    This food was Amazing! Our favorite was the Surf and Turf Nachos.! Also the queso was so fresh! Stayed warm the whole time! Service was great!

    Scrambled eggs and bacon which were scorched

    I don't know what happened to this place , but I've been going to over 20 years and we just had the worst meal we've ever experienced anywhere. Breakfast scramble of eggs and bacon which was burnt, potatoes which were ice cold and the tiniest cup of beans I've ever seen. One bite and they were really bad anyways. We spoke to employee - Betty on way out who was very kind and wanted to hear about our experience. We explained everything and she offered to take care of our bill but we had already paid $50 for food we could not even eat. A shame because we really like the ambiance and close location to us.

    Flan
    Vanessa P.

    What a great last minute find! We had the cheese enchilada, 3 rolled beef tacos, a carne asada taco, suiza enchilada, flan, horchata and cafe de olla. Everything was delicious! I definitely loved the cheese enchilada sauce, cafe de olla and well cooked tasty carne asada taco had no fat and the guacamole sauce was perfect! Taquitos had amazing tasting Mexican cheese! Yum! Sorry for the half eaten food on the pics but was not thinking of posting but the food was so delicious I had to share!

    Taco flight,guacamole Mexicano,Homemade Tamales
    Jeremy R.

    The food is very authentic and tasty! The atmosphere is nice with outside dining and the staff treats you with kindness and are very respectful I will definitely be back here.

    California burrito

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    Great relaxed ambiance ! Outdoor & indoor seating , felt like I was in Cancun . Great well priced food with friendly service

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    2 years ago

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    10 months ago

    The food is very poor quality (think fake guacamole), the kitchen is slow, and the service is inattentive.

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    2 years ago

    El Tapatio is the best! I have been going here for as long as I can remember and love everything I have tried!

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    Taqueria El Cino

    Taqueria El Cino

    4.1(283 reviews)
    1.8 miNestor
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    Tacos El Cino - A Must-Try for Adobada Vampiros…read more One of my favorite taco spots, hands down. I've tried a million places, but the adobada vampiros here keep me coming back. Think of it as a tostada sandwich with cheese on both sides, onions, cilantro, guacamole, and perfectly seasoned adobada meat. Unlike other spots where the tortilla is overcooked or turns chewy, here it's always crispy--adding a satisfying crunch to every bite. The salsa is a standout, too. There's a unique spice in it, maybe cumin, that I can't quite place, but it's delicious. They also offer a green salsa and a habanero salsa, which I'll have to try next time. The slightly sweet adobada pairs really well with the savory salsa, making every bite flavorful and balanced. I also tried the adobada keto taco--just in case I ever decide to do healthier Yelp reviews. It has all the same ingredients but swaps the tortilla for a cheese shell. Surprisingly, the shell held up well with all the toppings and had a great taste, just slightly less filling. If you're thinking about going keto but don't want to give up tacos, this is a solid option.

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    De Cabeza el único

    De Cabeza el único

    4.7(1k reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    Parking 3/5 -parking lot in front of the restaurant has…read moreabout 20 spots that are shared with other shops in the plaza so you most likely have to park across the street in the residential area during busy hours Service 4/5 -server is friendly and accommodating however feels understaffed during busy times, the owner is always present and very helpful and enthusiastic/passionate with customers, honestly great service! Just be more patient and mindful that they're doing the best they can Food 5/5 -mixed(surtido) and cheek(cachete) tacos, meat is TENDER. I honestly can't taste the difference between the two, I just knew I wanted to keep eating them(even after eating 3). Sturdy tortillas so the tacos weren't falling apart as I was eating, I also really liked that each table had two squeeze bottles of salsa, so convenient -orden/order, if you come here, you have to order this soup with the head meat. It's the essence that sums up the restaurant, it's a little peppery with the sweetness from the diced onions and meaty goodness. It comes with about 4 tortillas and there's a lot of meat in the soup to be made into more tacos Ambiance 5/5 -restaurant was full of people eating food happily(obviously the food was delicious) and there was a guy that sang for donations and vendors that came through selling trinkets, just a mixing pot of life and happy place to eat

    Pretty good asada. pastor decent…read more cabeza is not my preference but it was okay here. not too stinky. flavor in chilaquiles was cool. not best.

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    Michelada

    El Tapatio Restaurant - mexican - Updated May 2026

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