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    Mariscos El Tio Max

    5.0 (2 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican

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    15 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    That Mexican Place

    That Mexican Place

    4.2
    (511 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    That Mexican Place has become my family's go-to spot for Mexican food in Escondido. The portions…read moreare huge, the service is always friendly and attentive, and the food comes out surprisingly fast. Two standout items you have to try are the surf and turf burrito and the carne asada fries--they're both packed with flavor and come in generous portions. We've been here many times and consistently have a great experience whether dining in or ordering to go. If you're looking for solid Mexican food with big portions and fast service in the Escondido area, this place is definitely worth a visit.

    It'd been a couple years since the sad limp rolled taco encounter. So given how often these places…read moreturn over ownership or management, I figured it time to give That Mexican Place anonymously go. I ordered a #1 combo (shredded beef taco, cheese, enchilada, beans/rice) for myself, and two shredded beef tacos à la carte for Mom, to eat at home a half mile away. Upon opening, the combo looked good, although the tiny smattering of pico on the taco and particularly the super skimpy portions of both beans and rice immediately stood out - a real bummer as I REALLY love Mexican beans and rice. So presentation was quite disappointing. Then, the second I picked up the taco, it was apparent it didn't survive the trip, having completely disintegrated on the bottom. This appeared to be from using a thinner than usual tortilla to make the taco, which was then set directly in a puddle of unusually watery enchilada sauce. So that was strike 2. As for the cheese enchilada, there was so little cheese had I not known what I was eating I wouldn't have been able to tell you. In addition, it was swimming in the same watery enchilada sauce that caused the demise of the taco. As for the à la carte beef tacos, mom reported they were good. So at least she was happy (Whew! Thank goodness!). The good news is, the food all tasted good, with the issues all relating to quantity and plating, not quality or taste. So despite the low rating, I'll be back at least once more to give them another go, if only because it's so conveniently close to home. Fingers crossed...

    Photos
    Drinks, salsa, utensils, etc are not self serve
    Drinks, salsa, utensils, etc are not self serve
    Adobada Burrito is now tiny, notice the right side is all tortilla too...
    Adobada Burrito is now tiny, notice the right side is all tortilla too...
    Carne Asada Chips

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    Carne Asada Chips
    Mi Rancho Market

    Mi Rancho Market

    4.4
    (266 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $

    I'm giving this place 3 stars for now because my first experience was genuinely great, but my…read moresecond visit was disappointing enough that I almost rated it 2 stars. The first time I visited a few weeks ago, I had a really positive experience. The location was a little hard for me to find, but once I got there, it seemed worth it. I walked in craving a breakfast burrito and was helped by a very nice, slender gentleman at the counter. I asked for a ham, bacon, and sausage breakfast burrito and also requested that it be cut in half. He was friendly, said no problem, and within minutes I had exactly what I ordered. That burrito was delicious. The salsa station was stocked and convenient with self-serve cups readily available, and the atmosphere was nice. The people around me were friendly, and one gentleman even mentioned this was the place that used to be near Peterson's Donuts. Overall, it was a great first impression and I left happy, already planning to come back. Fast forward to today, Saturday, April 25, 2026 around 10:30 AM, and unfortunately, my second experience was the complete opposite. This time there was a young woman working the register, and from the moment I approached, she didn't seem very welcoming. I told her I wanted to order a breakfast burrito but wasn't sure what kind I wanted today. She told me the only options were bacon, egg, cheese and tater tots, or egg and cheese. I politely asked if I could add ham and sausage and pay extra, since that's what I had ordered before. She immediately responded that they "didn't have that type of breakfast burrito." That response confused me because I had literally ordered one there before. I wasn't going to argue, especially because her tone and attitude made me feel like I was bothering her just by asking questions. I then asked if the burrito could be cut in half and never really got a clear response. I also noticed the salsa station no longer had the little self-serve cups available, so I had to ask for those too. The same cashier asked how many I needed, and I said two. A few minutes later, another woman called my name and handed me the burrito. I sat down and realized it wasn't cut in half like I requested. At that point, I had to go back up and ask for a plastic knife and fork just to cut it myself. Which was not a problem or issue for me. I ate half of the burrito, but honestly, it wasn't nearly as good as the first one. The taste was underwhelming, and by the time I left I was just so disappointed. I ended up throwing the other half away after I left. Consistency matters, especially when the first experience set the bar high. The food was great the first time, but the service and quality were lacking the second time around. My honest opinion: if someone is having a bad day, they probably shouldn't be the first face customers interact with at the register. I may update this review depending on how management responds, because I know this place can do better based on my first visit.

    When you walk in, you can go right, which is where you can order food and the left is a market with…read moreMexican ingredients, meats, seasonings and canned goods. There is a table of baked goods available. There is a seating area inside where you can enjoy your meal. I ordered the El Pastor tacos and they were ok. The meat could've been more flavored. And I ordered a side of guacamole for $0.85. I rate the tacos 6/10. The salsa bar was clean and had an option of mild, hot and very spicy. The heat was good on the mild. The area was clean and the server was nice and friendly.

    Photos
    Mi Rancho Market
    Carnitas with creamy mild green salsa, Adobado in the middle with no salsa needed, and Asasda with hot chile, which it needed.
    Carnitas with creamy mild green salsa, Adobado in the middle with no salsa needed, and Asasda with hot chile, which it needed.
    Ordering counter

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    Ordering counter
    Mi Guadalajara

    Mi Guadalajara

    3.6
    (723 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    I've been to Mi Guadalajara in Escondido a handful of times now, and my wife and I keep coming back…read morebecause, overall, it's a solid spot for Mexican food in North County San Diego. It's got that classic, welcoming family-owned vibe that's been around since the '80s, and we always leave feeling satisfied--even if it's not always perfect. The interior is pretty cool and distinctive. Think big, spacious dining areas with vibrant traditional Mexican decor: colorful murals on the walls (some really elaborate ones that give it almost a resort-like feel), solid wood furniture, chandeliers, and that open, multi-level layout that makes it feel grand without being stuffy. It's large enough that even on busier nights, you rarely have to wait long for a table, which is a huge plus. Service is one of the consistent highlights here. The staff is friendly, quick, and chatty in the best way--they remember little things, keep the chips and salsa flowing, and make you feel like regulars even if it's just your third or fourth visit. No complaints there; it's fast, accurate, and genuinely warm. Now, the food: it's always fresh, which I really appreciate--no skimping on ingredients or anything that tastes like it's been sitting around. Portions are generous, and when it's on point, it's really good. We've had some great meals here that make us think, "Yep, this is why we come back." But I'll be honest--there's some inconsistency from visit to visit. The flavors don't always match what I remember from previous times. Sometimes the seasoning is spot-on and bold; other times, it's dialed way back. Our most recent dinner was a perfect example of that. I ordered the chicken enchiladas, hoping for that rich, comforting flavor, but they came out pretty mild--almost under-seasoned, lacking that punch I was craving. The rice on the side was a bit tough and dry, like it had overcooked or sat too long, which made it harder to enjoy. It wasn't terrible by any means (nothing was inedible, and the rest of the plate was fine), but it just didn't hit the high notes we've gotten before. It's frustrating because we've had better enchiladas and fluffier rice here on other trips. That said, the inconsistency hasn't been bad enough to turn us off. The highs are high enough, the atmosphere is enjoyable, the service is great, and it's a reliable option when we're in the mood for Mexican without venturing too far. My wife and I still enjoy it and will definitely be back--we're hoping the next visit brings back that memorable flavor we love. If you're in the Escondido area and want a big, festive Mexican spot with friendly people and usually tasty food, give Mi Guadalajara a try. It's worth checking out!

    Gave this place a second try during happy hour and didn't change my mind…read more Service was decent. We were at the bar area this time. Again liked the decor, they need to curate it down a little. Music and better lighting would elevate it so much. We got two different menus and got confused but apparently one was the old menu. Drinks... 6/10. My mangoneada needed more mango and tajin, it needed more flavor. My friends thought their drinks were also just ok as well. One had to ask for more hot sauce for her michelada, they only had tapatío. She said it was bland. Foods also just ok. The birria tacos were the best part, def would order again. Tortilla didn't split, good portion and the consomé was good. Cheese dip tasted like velveta. Nachos with beef were decent. Fried ice cream was not good. I've had this dish many times and it was stale and didn't taste fried. Idk if the cereal was stale or the ice cream was so frozen but it was not good. The salsa that comes with the chips is more of a tomato based and we weren't offered other salsas. We asked and got two others but the flavor was just not there. Paid about 60 bucks with tip for two happy hour items, a mangonada and dessert. Again, if the flavors were there, it would be worth and I would be back. It's such a unique space, easy to get to, plenty of parking, beautiful art in the center portion, they are so close to getting it right.

    Photos
    Main circular dining area above.
    Main circular dining area above.
    Sunday Brunch Buffet
    Sunday Brunch Buffet
    Shrimp dish

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    Shrimp dish

    Mariscos El Tio Max - mexican - Updated August 2026

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