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Elote

4.3 (121 reviews)
InexpensiveMexican, Vegetarian
Closed • 12:00 pm - 8:00 PM
Updated a few days ago

Order Elote Takeout or Delivery

Elote Photos

Business Info

ELOTE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Hipster
Casual
Touristy
Moderate noise

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Recommended Reviews - Elote

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Reviews With Photos

Michelada
Stephanie S.

This place is on the street in a small corner at old town. It's right next to Fuego sushi. There was no line when I came here. The michelada was very refreshing! It has a unique taste with chamoy on the rim. It's spicy, sour, salty and sweet.

Best elote Cobb on a stick
Valerie T.

Marvin was exceptional! Craving elote he was a pro at making the best Elote! I love finding new spots especially little hidden treasures like this. I loved the variety of choices and creativity. In a small foodie hall area filled with bright and vibrant decor you feel transported. The service and food was exactly what I was craving fulfilling the hunger in my stomach.

Selena F.

Quick spot for a snack (at least on a weekday). Esquites is my favorite snack and they have pretty good portions here, and not skimpy with the toppings either. I've been here a few years ago (thanks to a Yelp Elite Experience) and it's still quick service and good quality. It's a more secluded corner of Old Town so I'm sure it's a nice place to relax away from crowds on a weekend, too. $10 for esquites and $9 for agua fresca (with the added chamoy/tajin rim).

Cat R.

Had no idea this cute little urban market was here! Came by on a tour hosted by SoDiego and enjoyed the elote cup we got to try.

Y L.

I got a cup of elote while visiting Old Town SD, and this location is convenient! The corn elote seems to be grilled beforehand and kept hot throughout the day, but you still get that toasted flavor. Definitely try your corn and mix it before you squeeze your lime in, though. Mine was much, much tangier than expected. The elote is hot and ready to eat almost immediately, and the service is fast and polite. The area is also decorated beautifully from the architecture to the stones on the floor.

Esquite with hot Cheeto crumbs
Jessica V.

This place is a MUST when coming to San Diego! They serve the best esquites! The corn is roasted which gives it a delicious taste and when you top it with hot Cheetos crumbs...BOMB! The serving size is enough to get you full as an afternoon snack! I've been here twice and will continue to come each time I'm in town! The gentleman who served us had great customer service and prepared our corn fast. There wasn't any line when we got there but I'm sure on busy days it's packed.

Yeonji S.

Went to this place around dinner. Such a cozy spot and a yummy place to eat esquites! Wish it had more mayo!!!!!

Baked potato, very good but not hot enough!
Tito R.

Pretty good! Food came out fast. Spot is tucked away in a nice little corner in Old Town. It's great street food if you don't feel like a sit down place!

Mini R.

If you're in Old Town San Diego and craving something truly delicious, you have to try the elote! The corn is perfectly grilled, giving it that smoky, slightly charred bite that pairs so well with the creamy, tangy mix of mayo, cotija cheese, and chili powder. A squeeze of lime adds the perfect citrusy kick. It's messy, flavorful, and absolutely worth every bite. Plus, the atmosphere of Old Town makes the experience even better--enjoying authentic Mexican street food while surrounded by the lively energy of the historic district is unbeatable. Definitely a must-try if you're in the area! Located inside the old town, urban market, right next to Coffee Culture,Flor's Farm To Table, Sushi, And Barrio Donuts All inside of a food hall with lots of tables. And lots of lounging areas. Great place to just chill. Great service

chicharrones
Lisa G.

I ordered the chicharrones and this is what I got. When I order chicharrones and pay a premium price, I expect real fried pork rinds, not this fake garbage. The elote cup was fine, but $9 is expensive for the cheapest food.

Corn in a cup.
Eloisa B.

Visited on a Thursday afternoon. The lady behind the counter was friendly when she took my order -Corn in Cup, light on the cheese and other toppings. She prepared my order really quick and got me on my way. The corn was yummy and a hefty amount. I took the advice of the other reviewers about taking it easy on cheese because of how salty it was. The booth is located in a cozy food court out of the way of the busy central part of Old Town -closer to the Transit Station. There is parking across the street and on the street if you can find any. Hits the spot.

Irene D.

Came here for thinking I was getting fire roasted corn but unfortunately it was not fire roasted. It appeared boiled and then topped off with toppings. But regardless I still enjoyed it especially with the spicy touch of hot Cheetos crumbs! Service was good and the ambiance was everything! Come during October and the town is decorated to perfection!

Nora V.

I ordered corn in a cup, I believe it's called esquite. It has mayo, lemon, tajin and chile... yummm They also had corn on the cob, loaded baked potatoes, and a few other snacks. The lady who took my order was polite and since I was the only one in line it was a fast process. I would return to this cute small food court in old town San Diego.

Tostielote

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Reviews are largely positive. Many highlight the flavorful elote and esquites, creative snack options, and a vibrant, cozy atmosphere.

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1 day ago

Food was pretty good. He opened 30 minutes past opening time. Me and my friend got food poisoning.

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Elote Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Elote

Can you tell me if you offer plain corn NO butter? Thank you

Hi! Yes, we do (with or without butter)

I was trying to find any ingredients but couldn't see details. Are there any gluten free options? What is in the toppings shown in the pictures? Would love to try if there are some gluten free finds here!

corn, mayonnaise, butter, cheetos i think. it's customizable and you can hold any ingredients (or ask for extra)

Do you guys cater parties?

Hi! Yes we do cater 😊 Send us a private message here (or on Instagram @eloterestaurants) with more details and your information and we will get back to you promptly.

Did the time change I have been here 2 times this week both in the evening once at 4:45 waited until 5:05 thinking someone would be back and then today at 6 and the lights are on but no one's there? 😩 8 1/2 months pregnant and my only craving lol

Hi! So sorry we missed you! We indeed changed our hours for December / January but will be back to regular hours in February. We hope to see you soon!

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Quixote - Chocolate cake

Quixote

4.0(739 reviews)
3.2 mi
•$$$

The Positives: The food was excellent and we loved the…read moreatmosphere! The Negatives: It's pretty loud in the main dining area. If you prefer a quieter experience, I'd recommend requesting a table away from the main area. We called ahead of time and the host confirmed that we'd be seated in the "Hell" room, which is the quieter area of the restaurant. However when we arrived, we were told they couldn't accommodate our request because it was never guaranteed. If that was the case, why not set that expectation upfront? What We Ordered: Fondue -- 0/5: This was a major letdown. It turned into a congealed blob after just a few minutes, and I wasn't a fan of it being served with tortillas instead of chips. Fondue needs that crispy crunch to balance out the texture. Memelita -- 5/5: The best thing we ate! It was packed with rich, delicious flavors and was easily our favorite dish of the night. Beets -- 4/5: Very tasty and worth ordering since there's lots of fried items on the menu. Crab Corn Donut -- 3.5/5: The crab meat was delicious, but the donut itself was a little too dense for my liking.

To say this place is a vibe would be an understatement... it's such an immersive dining experience…read morethat once you enter the doors, you feel like you've been transported to another place in time. We attempted to make reservations but had trouble with OpenTable, so we opted to just go and tempt fate. The hostess suggested sitting at the bar because it would be a few hours wait if we made a reservation. Our group sat at the bar and the bartending staff was friendly and helpful in not only making recommendations for our food but for where we could go out after. Because the venue was very busy, I anticipated the food to take a while, but it came out incredibly fast which was much appreciated after a full day of sightseeing. I ordered the masa fried chicken tacos and a drink and it did not disappoint. Can't wait to return to this gem of a place the next time I'm in San Diego.

Photos
Quixote - Dramatic dining space!

Dramatic dining space!

Quixote - Chamoyada dessert, the mango sorbet was the highlight!

Chamoyada dessert, the mango sorbet was the highlight!

Quixote - Sangre Santa. Taste like a sangria. It was delicious.

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Sangre Santa. Taste like a sangria. It was delicious.

Cocina de Barrio

Cocina de Barrio

4.5(1.2k reviews)
2.2 mi•Hillcrest
•$$
Happy hour specials
Full bar

My sister recommend this location when a friend of mine and I were looking for a place to have…read morebrunch on a Saturday and I am so happy she did! We got there early and got a good spot in the Patio. The service was amazing Jose and Karen provided what felt like white glove service in a fun atmosphere. I saw Jose take a glass of Milk with a Paleta Payaso to a kid as a surprise and the look on the child's face was worth his efforts! Bottomless mimosas were good! We had the Mango Habanero Aguachiles and the Breakfast Tlayuda as well and both were superb. For me the Aguachiles needed a bit more spice so Karen recommended their matcha salsa and that went well with everything! Will definitely be coming back! Thank you all for a great experience!

Cocina de Barrio was a fantastic dining experience! We started with the guacamole oaxaqueño and…read morechips, which were fresh, flavorful, and the perfect way to kick off the meal. The tacos de birria were delicious, packed with rich flavor and tender meat. The mango habanero aguachile was a standout, offering a refreshing balance of sweet mango and spicy habanero. To top it all off, we enjoyed a bottle of Santo Tomás Cabernet, which paired beautifully with the bold, vibrant flavors of the food. Overall, a great spot for delicious Mexican cuisine, creative flavors, and a wonderful dining experience. Definitely worth a visit!

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Cocina de Barrio
Cocina de Barrio
Cocina de Barrio - Mango-Tajin Popsicle Margarita

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Mango-Tajin Popsicle Margarita

California Burritos

California Burritos

4.3(1.4k reviews)
3.7 mi
•$$

This is my first time dining inside this California Burrito Restaurant…read more I was driving around in this area and I saw this California Burrito Restaurant and I wanted to give this place a try. I enjoy eating authentic Mexican cuisine. I parked my car in their parking lot then I walked inside their front door. I talked to the owner Caesar and asked him How long has he been in business at this Starling Drive location in San Diego, CA? Caesar said he's been operating his California Burrito Restaurant business for 20 years now. Caesar also said to me that he works with his wife and grown children at his Mexican restaurant every day. My order was placed by Caesar today for my lunch time meal at 12:30 PM. I ordered one Beans and Cheese Burrito. The price is $7.50. Then I had to pay a tip of 20 percent that came up to $1.25. The tax was $1.50. My total purchase today was $9.25. I had to wait at least 30 minutes later until my order number 109 was called to the front counter today. There was non stop walk in customers coming into this California Burrito Restaurant at the lunch hour between 12:30 AM to 2:30 PM today. Their majority of their customers were of Mexican descent and I saw only 3 Black People placing their orders with Caesar today. I was the only Asian person ordering from this California Burrito Restaurant this afternoon. I also noticed 2 Nurses picking up their orders today who work for Sharp Memorial Hospital today. This man and woman nurse were of Caucasian descent. It's interesting for me to get to know the population of people who are living nearby this Starling Drive location. Caesar called my order number 109 today. Then I was served a really HUGE Beans and Cheese Burrito. I also drank cold ice water today. It was a beautiful day today because the weather conditions were very cool and cloudy. I sat down at this window seat so I could see the outside. The Beans and Cheese Burrito was very tasty the beans were refried and thete was a very generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese. The Tortilla was heated up and slightly toasted. This Beans and Cheese Burrito was a HUGE Size. I wasn't sure that I had an appetite to finish eating this Beans and Cheese Burrito but the flavor was amazing! I kept taking small bites on this Beans and Cheese Burrito for my lunch time meal this afternoon. I also received excellent customer service from Caesar and the rest of his family I saw was working very hard in the back kitchen area preparing and making their very popular Carne Asada Burritos. I also saw Caesar and an older lady sweeping up the floor and also mopping up the floor inside their front entrance to their California Burrito Restaurant Caesar told me to come in again soon to try their Steak Carne Asada Burrito. This item is the most popular food in their California Burrito Menu. I told Cesar the owner 3 I will dine inside his restaurant again soon. I love Carne Asada Burritos.

When i saw that there was an actually spot called California Burrito, you bet that I had to try a…read moreCalifornia burrito at California burrito lol Got the California burrito, carne asada taco, chicken taco and menudo. Portions were massive but unfortunately there was not much flavor, and im not too keen on hot salsa since i cannot handle spicy. It was ok but unsure if this would be a go to spot. The staff here are friendly and at the time i came, a Wednesday night around 5pm, there was a steady stream of people ordering to go and also eating there The place itself isnt that big. Theres counter space with about 5 stools inside and 4 tables outside. This is more of a take out spot. Parking may be limited depending on the time of day/night you go.

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California Burritos
California Burritos - Sausage, Eggs, Cheese, and Potatoes Burrito

Sausage, Eggs, Cheese, and Potatoes Burrito

California Burritos

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Elote - mexican - Updated October 2026

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