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    Arriero's Mexican Food

    3.4 (78 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Closed 6:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Arriero's Mexican Food Photos

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    ARRIERO'S MEXICAN FOOD ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Nothing fancy from the outside
    Arnel D.

    I've been on a quest to find the best Carne Asada in San Diego County and I believe I've found a hidden gem. This small mom and pop taco shop isn't the fanciest when you see it from the street and same when you get inside. You're not paying for ambiance... you're paying for a damn good meal. Never judge a book by its cover or in this case a taco shop by its facade. The rectangular dining area is a mix of old and older furniture fixtures that's adequate and clean. There are a few Mexican Murals too. There isn't a salsa bar as there isn't really room for one but they offer whatever you ask for in terms of grilled chilis and hit carrots. Yes please! I decided on a Carne Asada Burrito and I was literally blown away at how good it was. I've had my share of over cooked and either bland or extremely salty meat... theirs was nothing close to any of the listed. In fact their meat was perfectly marinated and juicy. It's a good size and large enough to share... seriously I ended up eating the entire thing forcefully yet freely just because it was so damn good and it was my cheat day. The perfect combo of guacamole, cheese and light pico was again... so damn good. I believe I've found the holy grail of Carne Asada. If you've never tried this place, I suggest you do and get here before it gets super busy because it will. I'll be back soon for sure.

    Rolled tacos, so good
    Karen N.

    Nice, family-owned taco shop. Not overly fancy, but some of the dishes like the chilaquiles are fairly authentic. I mostly order the breakfast burrito with bacon. I like that it's not fries, but sliced, skin-on breakfast potatoes in the burrito. Everything in the burrito tastes fresh, which is good because it tastes gross when someone recooks the eggs. The burrito is really big, and I usually have at least a third of it leftover. I've also had the carnitas plate, and rolled tacos. Both were very good, and the carnitas plate was enough to feed 2 of us. They don't have a salsa bar, but they are happy to give you carrots, limes, salsas, whatever you need. They also have a decent selection of no bottled Mex sodas, as well as the soda taps and aguas frescas. It's not a very big place, so it can get crowded on the weekends. I'm always a to-go, so that isn't really an issue. And the staff are all very friendly, I've never had an issue at all. Parking isn't too bad, because Carl's Jr has some spots across the way.

    Carne Asada plate
    Sam M.

    This is a small place tucked away in a strip mall. The service was friendly and fast. Definitely a local spot. The menu has plenty of options (burrito, taco, enchiladas, sopas, breakfast). I think anything you get will be delicious. The pico and guac are wonderfully fresh. The carne asada was simple but very good, especially when covered with the red and green sauce they give you. There are some tables so you can eat in if you want. Most were taking food to go though.

    This place is the best!!!! So homey!
    Kari V.

    Not bad for a quick stop Mexican food place. My go to was the two cheese enchilada plate. It takes a lot to screw this plate up and you'd be surprised at the many places that have. This little hole in the wall is fantastic. Food is good, service is quick, horchata is hands down my fave drink here. Try a breakfast burrito if you stop by in the morning hours. They are ridiculously big.

    Carne Asada Burrito - Arriero's Mexican Restaurant - Escondido
    Mark D.

    This is a review of dinner at Arriero's Mexican Food. http://tinyurl.com/lzm7sw8 The ambiance is about as plain as it can get. There is the one obligatory Mexico style mural. Bu that is it. The tables are very cramped. It has a bit of a ramshackle feel to it. The tables aren't aligned. It just doesn't seem like the small things are not done to keep the feel cohesive. The staff is disengaged. They seem more interested in talking with friends than serving new customers. It felt almost as if we were interrupting. http://tinyurl.com/n8z6vjv The food was actually pretty good. Everything seemed freshly prepared. http://tinyurl.com/kf8bkzc Carne Asada Burrito - It was not rolled very tight. This made it a little difficult to eat. However, the flavour of the meat was very nice and the other ingredients melded well. I enjoyed it. http://tinyurl.com/ku42gq6 Rolled Tacos with guacamole - These were very good. Super crisp, hot, and then the mild guacamole (and lots of it) brought it all together. http://tinyurl.com/lw6uapc Chicken Taco - My brother had this. He thought it was decent but not amazing. There was also way too much lettuce. If you take it off, you lose the cheese. Plus, without the lettuce, you really aren't left with that much taco. http://tinyurl.com/mmegqfl The cost (dinner for two) was around $16. Note: The drinks are served in old-school styrofoam cups. I mean really. Who uses these anymore? Overall - The food is good. However, with there being so many great Mexican restaurants to try in Escondido, there is no reason to frequent one with poor service and a dowdy ambiance.

    Spencer H.

    This is a pretty standard taco shop. It's a rectangular space, the menu is not that extensive but it has all the usual items. Staff is alright. Prices are about average. I ordered a breakfast burrito, the potato, egg, bean, cheese one. It's a good size, not the largest burrito you'll see. The potatoes are chopped and slightly grilled. It was served hot, so that's always a plus. The red salsa is pretty good, but a tad salty. They also offer cooked peppers on the side.

    The tacos are surprisingly tasty.
    Joel A.

    Not fancy at all and to be honest probably not a great spot to bring family to dine in. Walked in with wife tonight to get some take out and all I noticed was a bunch of guys eating by themselves and they were all staring at her. Not cool but they didn't get out of line so I didn't have to regulate. The service is pretty great. The couple of times ive been here the employees are really nice. I didnt expect that from a place that looks so runned down but its nice. The food. The food is excellent here. Weve had the Mebudo here on sunday and it is one of the best around. It is spicy and savory. The portions are great. Tonight my wife got Cabeza and adobada tacos and surprisingly they were terrific. The tortilla and the meat were nice and warm. The meat was nice and juicy but wasn't squirting juices from the sides. The green salsa was a little watery but was still tasty. Not as spicy as I like it tho. I will be coming soon again.

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    2 months ago

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    1 year ago

    I've been coming here for years. The food is always great it's always speedy pick up. And the cashiers are always nice

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    5 years ago

    I come here to satisfy my rolled taco cravings whenever I visit from the bay area (where there are none).

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    5 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Great Carne Asada, this is my go to place for some Carne asada nachos. Portions are more than fair!

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    Cenote Grill

    Cenote Grill

    4.3
    (951 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$

    I've been coming to lunch here for a few years now. I get a craving for their poblano soup, and I…read morehave to, have to, have to order it. Usually a cup, sometimes a bowl. I honestly haven't tried too much on their menu because I can't finish their generously portioned entrees after a cup of the poblano. I usually go for one of their salads, the Asian chicken or the spinach salad. Or I'll get a la carte street tacos, the chicken or pork. I like the salsas that come with their complimentary chips. To this day I can't decide between them. The salsa verde has more of a kick but not too much heat. The salsa rojo is milder and thicker with nice flavor. Lots of retirees in the area coming to dine. It can get busy, especially Thursday and Friday lunchtime, and then you have to be patient for your food. Lisa in the front always has a sparkle and a kind word, and Guillermo remembers my drink order.

    Cenote Grill is a casual Mexican grill decorated with stack-stone pillars and lighted topiary. It…read morehas a busy take-out counter, regular table service and ample complimentary parking. The menu was varied and the food was really good. The Thai chicken burrito was large and very tasty. My husband had a combination plate and said it was the best enchilada he's ever had! Complimentary chips-n-salsa was provided with not one, but two different salsas! The service was slightly slow, but friendly. The menus were a little sticky and there was food splashed on the wall at the table and a used napkin under one table. They seem to have a loyal local following of regulars, particularly an older crowd. We drove 15 miles to exclusively visit this restaurant as it had been on our list for a while. We would return if we were in the area. If their service was a little quicker and the cleaning was a little more sparkling, they'd get the extra star. (April 2026). Helpful?

    Photos
    Counter
    Counter
    Shrimp Burrito in Spicy Sauce
    Shrimp Burrito in Spicy Sauce
    Chicken teriyaki bowl

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    Chicken teriyaki bowl
    Sayulitas Mexican Food

    Sayulitas Mexican Food

    3.9
    (384 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    On Thursday (6/18/2026), I ordered a burrito without cheese and was told it doesn't contain any…read morecheese. Unfortunately, when I got home, I found that it did. As someone who is lactose intolerant, that's something I have to be careful about. I called the restaurant, and the employee I spoke with said they would remake it for me the next time I came in. When I returned on Monday, Alexis helped me. It turned out my name hadn't been taken when I originally called, so there wasn't a way to verify the order. Even so, Alexis listened to my situation, trusted my word, and honored the remake. She handled everything professionally and made the situation right. Mistakes happen, but great customer service is how they're resolved. Thank you, Alexis, for taking care of it and making things right.

    This place when I moved to San Marcos would have been 5 stars a couple years ago. Was my go to…read moreprobably weekly for a long time. Customer service to this day is great, nice people. I'm not sure what changed in the kitchen but I pretty bummed on the last 5 times I've gone. I get the California every time I go and add guac for reference, I'm a simple guy. Under-seasoned meat or not enough meat, soggy or dry/stale fries, light on guacamole when added sometimes, missing cheese. The consistency has been really off unfortunately for a pretty simple burrito. My last time I went I ordered the usual California burrito no sour cream add guac, got the burrito and it had sour cream and guac.... But no meat???? It was a big tortilla with sour cream and guacamole only in it lol. I laughed at the mix up and the customer service was great getting a refund (didn't request it they just gave it to me) and replacement burrito. Still decided it was my last time going there after that as even the replacement tasted like the meat had no seasoning on it. Writing this review to hope they turn things around some time in the future, I miss coming here but can't justify spending that much $ for a burrito I'm worried to be bummed about....again.

    Photos
    Big burrito!!
    Big burrito!!
    A peek inside the CONGA (refried beans, rice, and carne asada) burrito
    A peek inside the CONGA (refried beans, rice, and carne asada) burrito
    Menu

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    Menu
    Mi Rancho Market

    Mi Rancho Market

    4.4
    (266 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $

    The food is great and at a great price as well. Love the rice that comes in the burritos.read more

    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.

    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)
    0.8 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

    Arriero's Mexican Food - mexican - Updated July 2026

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