Veronica&#x27;s Kitchen

Off the beaten path! It is so worth the stop. Everything is homemade! Everything is incredible!…read more The soup to a burger! It was awesome! Service is excellent! Hometown feel! Nice people!

We started coming here because our family photographer (XO Kim -- check out my review!) highly…read morerecommended it, and it has become our tradition after every photo session for about five years. Enticing our kids with the animals at XO Ranch and then grabbing food at Descanso Junction has been our routine that just works. It has made taking family pictures a better experience. We always bring our dogs to the photo shoot and sit outside on the patio at Descano Junction Restaurant. We have enjoyed sitting outside. There is a wooden chair that my kids love squishing themselves into. At night they have garland lights. Unfortunately the laat time we came the heater did not have gas and we were freezing. My two younger kids still opted to eat with us because they wanted to eat with our dogs and sit in the chair. Portions here are generous and priced well. Honestly, I could probably share with my youngest, but since it's a bit of a drive for us, we each get our own dish and take home leftovers. Some menu items are served only at certain times and days, so plan around that. Service has always been consistently good -- friendly and attentive, even when we're seated on the patio with the dogs. They sell dog friendly burger patties for $5.99. Our Favorite Items Smaller Bites These come with two sliders and one side. We've tried all the options and have zero complaints. Burgers My kids love the burgers here. They're a great size and always come out juicy. We order them Medium to Medium-Well. For sides, you can pick fries, potato salad, or coleslaw, or pay extra for battered onion rings, soup, or a salad (I usually upgrade). Favorites for my family: * Traditional * Bacon Cheeseburger * Ultimate Burger My favorite burger is the Mushroom Burger I'm a mushroom lover, and this one is always cooked perfectly. Taco Salad Huge. I order it with Carne Asada and it's delicious every time. BBQ Combo: You can create your own combo. Options: Jack Daniel's Tri Tip Saint Louis Style Pork Ribs Smoked Pulled Pork Desserts I'm a dessert person. I don't have a must eat here but its a good way to end the meal. We have tried the brownie, cheesecake and apple pie. If you're in the area, definitely check this place out. Great portions, fair prices, tasty food, and consistently good service. And don't forget to walk around the shops on the same lot afterward.

1/2 Sweet Jalapeno Burger, 1/2 Grilled Chicken Ranch Melt, fresh cut fries. This is the part that's coming g home with us...

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Cookout and Tiki bar!

Quecho Elevated Mexican Eatery

4.4(348 reviews)

15.6 mi

Great eatery, we weren't sure what to expect. We wanted to do takeout and bring it back to our…read morecampsite. We ordered the 12 street tacos with three different meats. They came nicely prepared with limes. We bought the pinto beans and rice separately. We got chips and salsa and guacamole. Everything was delicious, but for four people there wasn't quite enough rice and beans. Wish we would've gotten two orders but we didn't know how big they were. At the end, we were all satisfied with the amount of food there was and the deliciousness of the takeout meal. Highly recommend.

Disgusting!!! When I touched the table, my hand stuck to…read moreit, as if it were glue. (Unclean) This might be the reason I saw roaches running out. When my fish taco finally did arrive, it was about the size of a sardine laying underneath a bed of indistinguishable material similar in appearance to the stuff in a compost bin! (See photo) Finally, I refused to pay $4 for the COMPLIMENTARY chips. Definitely wouldn't feed that to my worst enemy. Eat there at your own risk!!!!!

Carley

Quesadilla - pollo (chicken)

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Burrito bowl (chicken)

Tapatios Mexican Grill

4.4(329 reviews)

8.7 mi

Food is good here, little advice to the dragonball tattoo guy behind the counter. After you address…read morethe customers waiting in front of you, dont answer the phone two more times before helping them. The phone can wait. Business was lost today thanks to this unprofessionalism.

So I'm from the Bay Area visiting family down in San Diego. Up north there's relatively decent…read moreMexican food, but nothing on the level of Tapatio's. The only thing I can think that compares is Cholo's in LA. Where I'm from burritos are 20 bucks, and like I said they're decent, but you can tell level of care and competence at Tapatio's is on another strata. The tortillas are fried to a perfect crisp. The cheese is melted perfectly. The chili rellanos exquisitely dipped in just the right batter... the salsas are smoky sweet. Don't miss Tapatio's!

Over the moon

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Marieta’s

4.0(88 reviews)

8.8 mi

This place is a hidden gem band highly recommended. Cozy space and great Mexican food. Great drinks…read moreand service too.

First time trying this place and it was a very nice and cozy environment with super strong drinks…read moreand friendly staff. I didn't care for the shrimps ceviche so much there was lack of flavor. But their garlic butter shrimp was to die for!!! Their steak fajita was a bit on the dry side with more veggies then meat ratio.

Dining area

Sopa de Albondigas

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Carmelita's Mexican Grill and Cantina

3.7(375 reviews)

30.9 mi

This is some of the best Mexican Food I've had in a long time. And this is coming from someone…read morewho's lived in San Diego all of his life (and is now in LA!) Service was amazing, so quick to come out with fresh chips and salsa (FRESH! as in they made the chips in-house... rare trait to come by these days IMO). Quantity of food was incredible. I can't speak for the menudo (dad got this) or for the 3 egg platter (not really sure why my mom got this) but $16 for a carne asada burrito as well as the beans, rice, and veggies on the side was such a steal. Especially in Anza Borrego. I would've thought it would maybe be more expensive since it probably costs a lot to bring out the best ingredients in the desert but somehow they have it all figured out. The carne asada burrito meat was top tier. Smoky flavor, soft with charred edges, so flavorful and overall the quantity of the burrito was way more than I was expecting. Lastly, I'm just so happy my dog got to sit outside with us. They have a shaded patio with a couple tables. I think other pet parents followed suit, as this seems to be a hit for dog-friendly spots here in Anza Borrego. I'd highly recommend. What a great find by me. Go me!! This is truly a hole in the wall that needs more recognition. You won't be let down!

My family and I have been eating here for 20+ years and the food is consistently delicious. It is…read moremore of an authentic Mexican style, which sets it apart from other restaurants in Borrego Springs. The owners and staff are just a joy to see when we're there. You definitely feel like family.

Dining room. Bar up front

Crispy tacos ~ delish!

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Pink coyote

Mariscos Mar De Cortez

3.8(305 reviews)

19.7 mi

The service here was great! As soon as you sit down, you're greeted with fresh chips and salsa,…read morewhich is always the perfect start! The menu has a huge variety of options, but my favorite by far were the carne asada tacos. They were loaded with flavor, big portions, and came with rice and beans that completed the meal perfectly. The atmosphere is always welcoming & cozy, they had a couple TVs on with the game showing! Overall, a great experience -- tasty food, good service, and definitely a spot I'll keep coming back to!

Easy pick up, with fast service. The California Burrito was actually phenomenal, with tons of…read moreflavor. It was a little pricey for the amount however.

Inside

Burrito Bowl

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Chips & Salsa

La Carreta Mexican Restaurant

3.5(222 reviews)

9.5 mi

If you're looking for authentic Mexican food with incredible service, this place is an absolute…read moremust-visit. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with a smile and treated like family. The service is consistently amazing: attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming. You can tell they truly care about their customers. The food? Out of this world. Everything is fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with love. The cheese enchiladas, rice, and beans are hands down some of the best I've had...perfectly seasoned and so satisfying. And don't even get me started on the margaritas (try watermelon!) - delicious, refreshing, and the perfect complement to the meal. A special shoutout to the owner, Chelsea, who is absolutely wonderful. Her passion for what she does shines through in every detail, from the food to the overall experience. Tucked away in the shopping center off Tavern Road, this spot is a hidden gem that you don't want to miss. Once you try it, you'll definitely be back!

Absolutely amazing service! Great food and atmosphere. The owners treat everyone like family and…read morefriends. You will not be disappointed.

Watching the Pad game

Enchilada and taco place. The enchilada sauce is the best ever!!

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MUST order! A Carreta-Rita rimmed with tajin

Alamo Restaurant

4.1(107 reviews)

47.9 mi

The food was delicious. Tiny restaurant in the middle of nowhere. Quaint Mexican food which was…read moreaccompanied with traditional music that reminded me of my grandparents. Service was ok and quick. Dance of flavors!

Ordered fajita combo had pretty good flavor but over cooked. They shrimp was tiny and the portion…read morewas small. Also rice and bean portions was very small as well. Service was great and the Mango Margarita was fantastic, that's the reason for a 4 star. I would recommend this place for Mango Margarita and an appetizer if you just want to stop in for a drink.

Painting in restaurant

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Exteriir

El Huevo Estrellado 2

3.7(14 reviews)

8.2 mi

This restaurant is unforgettable. The food is spectacular, flavorful and delicious. The micheladas…read moreare perfect and worthy of glorification. The main lady is very friendly and loved to talk, the cook makes the food. On the other hand the decoration is very cultural and delightful.

3rd time here and it doesn't disappoint The food is…read moreexcellent and the customer service is top notch Give this place a try and it may just become your favorite Mexican food place in Alpine

Menu

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Machaca and eggs

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7 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Allison O.

0

3

0

14 years ago

$7 for a lousy carne asada burrito. Why not just use the quality tender carne asada? Use the, thin carne like they sell in TJ.. Why cant they just get out the mesquite charcoal out and cook up some good carne??? You know, the kind that marinates in orange juice and spices. They just pour out of a big bag of chopped meat on a flat grill, that is tough, and has zero flavor. Only using salt and pepper just does not work for me. What a shame. I love real authentic TJ street tacos, Their carne asada would be laughed at in Mexico. Very tough, and also has a weird flavor. Maybe they are using horse meat. I think wood tastes better. It totally sucks. I would rather eat at .Del Taco. I hope they read this and decide to go higher quality and get it over with. I just don't understand why they would take the low road on their carne asada burrito. It is garbage! I have a few words of advice for that place; USE MESQUITE! Cook up the carne like a five star steak house restaurant! How much harder would it be to cook on an open flame?? Make a better burrito that has real authentic carne asada flavor. Too many lousy Mexican restaurants now. They must think we don't know the difference. read more

Stepha T.

1

4

0

6 years ago

This place is awesome! Mexican food served in a cozy setting in Descanso. Small bar in the back serving beer, wine and of course, margaritas! The carne asada is perfection, the carnitas plate is amazing but the chile relleno & enchiladas are probably my favorite. The chips are made fresh only when you order them. read more

Julian H.

0

3

0

12 years ago

One was the Topolobampo classics, one was the old world cuisine with ingredients that were available centuries ago, and the last one is the beach themed with emphasis on seafood. Everything was fantastic and a great service from the sommelier as well. read more

Brittaney Rodriguz F B.

3

0

11 years ago

One of the best breakfast spots in Descanso, CA. There are several items to choose from on the menu. They do things to eggs that are incredible. The service is great and the staff does everything they can do to make your experience a good one. read more

Jesus V.

0

2

0

11 years ago

Whenever I visit a great food city, I never go back to the same restaurant, except for eronica's Kitchen.It is so great.

Amy B.

0

4

0

6 years ago

Food is always great here, they are unique as far as Mexican restaurants go with their special flavor

Sarah Q.

36

3

0

4 years ago

Amazing service. The staff are very friendly. Good food. Good price. Great location. read more

Veronica's Kitchen - tradamerican - Updated August 2026

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Service was amazing. We showed up on Thursday night..it was awesome. Cute small restaurant we found…read moreaccidently. The menu is good lots of choices and our server was happy to explain dishes. One of the best chimichangs ever. I had 2 meals from it. Friends had carne Asad plate. Taco salad and enchiladas..all were good size portions and very flavorful..we will go back

service good but the food was less than good. had a bean and cheese burrito, was asked if I wanted…read moreit wet, said yes and please add onions. was the worst burrito ever. I should have sent it back. the sauce was slightly sweet and was way overloaded on onions. beans lukewarm warm and cheese on inside no even melted. The bill shocked me at $14.71 which included tax. very very disappointed.

La Carreta Mexican Restaurant

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If you're looking for authentic Mexican food with incredible service, this place is an absolute…read moremust-visit. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with a smile and treated like family. The service is consistently amazing: attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming. You can tell they truly care about their customers. The food? Out of this world. Everything is fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with love. The cheese enchiladas, rice, and beans are hands down some of the best I've had...perfectly seasoned and so satisfying. And don't even get me started on the margaritas (try watermelon!) - delicious, refreshing, and the perfect complement to the meal. A special shoutout to the owner, Chelsea, who is absolutely wonderful. Her passion for what she does shines through in every detail, from the food to the overall experience. Tucked away in the shopping center off Tavern Road, this spot is a hidden gem that you don't want to miss. Once you try it, you'll definitely be back!

Absolutely amazing service! Great food and atmosphere. The owners treat everyone like family and…read morefriends. You will not be disappointed.

Descanso Junction Restaurant

4.4

(411 reviews)

Off the beaten path! It is so worth the stop. Everything is homemade! Everything is incredible!…read more The soup to a burger! It was awesome! Service is excellent! Hometown feel! Nice people!

We started coming here because our family photographer (XO Kim -- check out my review!) highly…read morerecommended it, and it has become our tradition after every photo session for about five years. Enticing our kids with the animals at XO Ranch and then grabbing food at Descanso Junction has been our routine that just works. It has made taking family pictures a better experience. We always bring our dogs to the photo shoot and sit outside on the patio at Descano Junction Restaurant. We have enjoyed sitting outside. There is a wooden chair that my kids love squishing themselves into. At night they have garland lights. Unfortunately the laat time we came the heater did not have gas and we were freezing. My two younger kids still opted to eat with us because they wanted to eat with our dogs and sit in the chair. Portions here are generous and priced well. Honestly, I could probably share with my youngest, but since it's a bit of a drive for us, we each get our own dish and take home leftovers. Some menu items are served only at certain times and days, so plan around that. Service has always been consistently good -- friendly and attentive, even when we're seated on the patio with the dogs. They sell dog friendly burger patties for $5.99. Our Favorite Items Smaller Bites These come with two sliders and one side. We've tried all the options and have zero complaints. Burgers My kids love the burgers here. They're a great size and always come out juicy. We order them Medium to Medium-Well. For sides, you can pick fries, potato salad, or coleslaw, or pay extra for battered onion rings, soup, or a salad (I usually upgrade). Favorites for my family: * Traditional * Bacon Cheeseburger * Ultimate Burger My favorite burger is the Mushroom Burger I'm a mushroom lover, and this one is always cooked perfectly. Taco Salad Huge. I order it with Carne Asada and it's delicious every time. BBQ Combo: You can create your own combo. Options: Jack Daniel's Tri Tip Saint Louis Style Pork Ribs Smoked Pulled Pork Desserts I'm a dessert person. I don't have a must eat here but its a good way to end the meal. We have tried the brownie, cheesecake and apple pie. If you're in the area, definitely check this place out. Great portions, fair prices, tasty food, and consistently good service. And don't forget to walk around the shops on the same lot afterward.

Tapatios Mexican Grill

4.4

(329 reviews)

Food is good here, little advice to the dragonball tattoo guy behind the counter. After you address…read morethe customers waiting in front of you, dont answer the phone two more times before helping them. The phone can wait. Business was lost today thanks to this unprofessionalism.

So I'm from the Bay Area visiting family down in San Diego. Up north there's relatively decent…read moreMexican food, but nothing on the level of Tapatio's. The only thing I can think that compares is Cholo's in LA. Where I'm from burritos are 20 bucks, and like I said they're decent, but you can tell level of care and competence at Tapatio's is on another strata. The tortillas are fried to a perfect crisp. The cheese is melted perfectly. The chili rellanos exquisitely dipped in just the right batter... the salsas are smoky sweet. Don't miss Tapatio's!

Wings & Mix Restaurant

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We love this small taco shop . They make giant delicious burritos that are priced fair…read more The customer service is excellent. The staff here truly care about their customers. Another stand out here is their delicious salsa bar . They even have hot carrots in their salsa bar . I'm obsessed with their salsa .

Perfect unassuming small taco shop. Checked all my boxes with price, friendly family-run service,…read morefresh and delicious food, great hot sauces from an unlimited salsa bar, and both the rolled tacos and Cali Burrito had a good balance of ingredients. Exactly what I want out of a "classic San Diego taco shop"!

Tres Hermanos

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I've been here at least six times and really enjoy their food and service…read more I always get the Chilaquiles and eggs--the red ones are my favorite. The Carne Asada burrito and Carne Asada fries are also fantastic. And the Phantom salsa? It's super spicy but packed with flavor! Best in town

The tacos here are always really good and they make the food quick. I don't mind eating inside…read moreeither because the place is always clean.

Mananas

3.1

(193 reviews)

Just update to add current menu and prices. Prices shown online are outrageous, so call the shop to…read moreorder.

I was in the parking lot looking around to see what was nearby and saw this place had Mexican food…read moreso I decided to check it out. I expected it to be a small hole-in-the-wall type of spot but I was surprised by how spacious it was. I really liked the decor because it felt like I was stepping into a place you would find in Mexico. They had a salsa bar and I liked that they also had pickled onions which was a nice touch. The prices were good and I tried their special 3 rolled tacos. The ingredients were fresh and the tacos were really good. I enjoyed my visit and would come back again.

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I love this place. If you're looking for the best crispy potato tacos, this is it! Also I love…read moretheir habanero salsa! So good! The people are nice and they've given the place a facelift. The only downfall to this place is the parking. But overall, everything I've ordered from there was good! Now, if they made an avocado salsa, they'd really be all set!

lol wut Ordered a…read moresteak & egg burrito at 9:47. Finally received my food at 10:08 when I went to ask what was going on since several other people ordered after me and left with their food before me. Now I am home with a cold burrito and IT'S NOT THE RIGHT ONE. Ordered Steak & Egg, received Chorizo. To add insult to injury, young boy that needs a belt busted my balls for asking for more than the allowed tiny hot sauce cups. I also asked for carrots and didn't get those either. What happened to Ferny's? Used to love this place for Taco Tuesday. It's all bright inside now since they remodeled. Maybe owner change? At least the Orange Bong is good Major bummer. Wish I would have spent the extra to order via Doordash. At least I could report the errors and recoup a little.

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Tavo's has recently taken over "Pinchas Tortas." They offer as their namesake goes a variety of…read moretacos and beers, but also mix of Mexican fair such as tortas, quesadillas, burritos, rolled tacos, combination plates, and breakfast! For my fist visit, I had a trio of taco de adobada or marinated pork and a side of rice. The tacos were good, and I appreciated the fact that they included guacamole, and also came with chopped white onion and cilantro. The pork meat was tasty but could of been a little more tender. Also, I would suggest they put on a finer chop to the white onions so that one does not get a strong sense of onions. They put a very good amount of meat and guacamole which is always a very good thing. The rice was very good. It offered that good Mexican rice flavor and a loose consistency. They offer a salsa bar, but with only two salsas at the moment. I hoping they add that ever so delicious avocado salsa soon! Service was friendly and welcoming.

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