I've driven by this place so many times and my husband and I rode our E bikes and stopped by to eat here. It was so good. It was excellent. We've always wanted to come here to eat and I'm so glad we stopped by today. I had a bean tostada my husband had a beef crunchy taco and three beef rolled tacos. It was excellent! read more

Caliente Mexican Food - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

I had a good first experience here. There is patio seating on both sides of the duel business venue. I got the 5 chicken rolled tacos and a pollo asada burrito. Each entree or order here is made to go. You can eat there on the deck or the patio table section and/or conveniently head out to eat elsewhere. I imagine this take out design venue is very busy at breakfast and lunchtime hours as it's very close to the local transit and many local businesses. I came after the corner business was already closed so there was plenty of parking. Many locals come here as regular/repeat customers. I'd consider coming back here again too. read more

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Outside dinning only, food was not that good, old beachy looking place. I would not come back to this joint.

In Torrey Pines all week from out of town and wanted some authentic Mexican food, landed at this place and the food was amazing, everything tasted Great. The service was very friendly and laid back, nice little patio nothing fancy, just real food. read more

Caliente Mexican Food - Patio - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Very solid place to get a breakfast burrito. I ordered the steak and egg and my partner got the chorizo breakfast burrito before a flight. Had good portions of steak and the salsas tasted great as well, no complaints on the food. Free parking available in front. read more

Caliente Mexican Food - Steak and Eggs Burrito Breakfast - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

I've been coming here for a few years since it's close to work and has a decent menu. The other day, my coworkers wanted to get some burritos so I asked if they could pick up a fish taco for me. They picked up and drove it back so we could eat at work. After 2 bites of my taco, I saw some mold on the tortilla and I had already bit into some of it. It was pretty off-putting and suffice to say, I didn't finish my taco. This was my first bad experience at this place so I'm hoping this review will help correct for quality control of ingredients. It's unacceptable that this was handed off to a customer and I probably won't be back for a while. read more

Caliente Mexican Food - Small specs of mold on multiple parts of tortilla from Fish Taco - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

The tacos are phenomenal. While they seem kind off pricey, the sheer amount of meat they provide is unlike any other taco place I've eaten at. So, it's actually pretty well priced. Not to mention, it's absolutely delicious. The service isn't great, but that's fine. It doesn't need to be great because it's not a sit down restaurant. The cashier was more than nice enough. Ambience is somewhat conflicting. The inside is unclean and the outside is slanted weirdly in some spots, but there's also a nice view of the mountains depending on where you sit. read more

I was a bit concerned that I could order an açaí bowl, a turkey sandwich, pizza and burritos from the same shack-like building. Not a great location either, near a highway and humdrum office park. As expected, food was just ok. California Burrito: Kinda felt like they were just going through the motions. The fries were a bit limp. The carne asada had a weird wetness too it, instead of having the fresh-off-the-grill taste. And overall, just tasted kinda bland. Granted, they did offer some salsa on the side, but it's hard to properly integrate that evenly inside your burrito since it's already wrapped. Big portion though. Still way better than Chipotle, but as far as California Burritos go, many better options in San Diego. read more

Caliente Mexican Food - California Burrito - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Tons of food for cheap. Cheese quesadilla combo was only like $9. The guy working was nice and helpful. Food came out quickly, nice and hot and yummy. Relaxed outdoor seating. Just an easy place to grab lunch. read more

Caliente Mexican Food - Cheese quesadilla combo - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

dry ahhh beef, shit aint tender and chewy asf, coke is good but might be too good for this shitty ass spot. They dont know if they use nuts and 5 dollar fucking tacos read more

My sister had been raving about this for the past few years and so I was excited to try out the food. I ordered the veggie burrito with no sour cream. Portion size was large but I was very disappointed with the burrito. My filling was layered so my first 1/3 was just guac and salsa and cabbage and then eventually I got down to the rice and beans. The cheese was pretty tasteless and even though they gave us salsa to go with the burrito, there wasn't much flavor in the burrito on its own, much less with the salsa (didn't have much zing either). Food came out super fast. We didn't order anything with meat. We also ordered chips and guac. Chips didn't taste like much and the guac was also a bit tasteless. Overall, disappointing. I saw the reviews here were all over the place. And I will agree with the lower starred reviews. However, my sister still said this was the best burrito that she's ever had. So there's that! read more

Caliente Mexican Food - Vegetarian Burrito - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

This place is awesome! The staff are so friendly! The breakfast burrito and California burrito are so good. I'll be stopping by whenever I work over here. read more

Service was friendly and it's on a nice area on the corner..Food was okay. Don't know if the prices matches the quality but I will try again and order something different read more

Caliente Mexican restaurant is a typical San Diego taco restaurant at the end of Carmel Mountain road and intersection with Sorrento Valley Road. They have a great patio area to relax and eat your food. I had a carnitas taco which was excellent and the rolled tacos which were just ok. Staff was friendly and service was very quick with reasonable prices. read more

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I have high standards....i grew up in Encinitas. I moved to what I call "East Del Mar"...but my wife calls Carmel Valley ...this is the best place in the area that has tons of transplants and new Americans..an area that frankly doesnt have many family run businesses...I usually get the carnitas plate and it never disappoints. the machaca burrito is quality as well. I would warn the owner that family members working the register can mess up the vibe sometimes....ask El Nopalito...those 2nd and 3rd gen owner operators killed that place. 4.7 stars. read more

Food: Great for the price and volume, also taste was great too. Ordered the daily special #4 - carne asada burrito and 3 rolled tacos for $12.95!! Can't beat that!! Service: quick, nice, and helpful Ambiance: loved the outdoor patio! There is also a açaí and sandwich shop on the other side. read more

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Convenient if you're in the area. Private parking area, patio seating, and fresh tasting food. A steak and egg breakfast burrito was about ~$10 and extremely filling. Flavorful enough to have without relying on salsa - although their salsas pair so well! Service was friendly and only took a few minutes. read more

Caliente Mexican Food - Patio Seating - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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Nice outdoor seating. Menu prices refreshingly affordable. I ordered the shrimp burrito and it was made quickly. I was here on a Thursday lunch and not super busy. My only suggestion for them is to offer whole beans (they only had refried) for the health conscious. Burrito was simple, medium sized, and shrimp succulent. read more

Caliente Mexican Food - Shrimp Burrito (subbed rice instead of refried beans) - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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Solid place. Right around the corner. Fast and delicious. Their rice and beans are good as well. read more

Caliente Mexican Food - Carnes asada tacos - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

Smash Burger Taco? This place came out with a Smash Burger Taco, but it's way more than that. OMG, was that good! Imagine In-N-Out and a Chef named Jose came up with an idea to put a WELL SEASONED Hamburger Patty on a soft Flour Tortilla, he then came up with a Sauce that I would eat on a Shoe. He then proceeded to put lettuce and Chopped Tomatoes on there and then proudly put it on a Plate, and was 100% confident that you would like it because if you don't, that's on you. It's a shame that this will probably get Colozised by some large Burger Chain in San Diego as the word gets out. The Chilaquiles special was good also. Didn't get to really get into because that damn Taco had me distracted. I'll be in town a few more days in Business but I promise you that Taco is Breakfast for the next several days. I don't know the area that well but it's not in a spot that you would think it would be. All I know is, I'm glad they are. I'm going back. Y'allhollaatchaboy! read more

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Great little hole in the wall. Nice and clean shrimp and fish tacos were off the hook. Mexican music playing in the background takes you to Baja. Double tortillas like it's supposed to be. read more

Caliente Mexican Food - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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bomb ass mexican food up north !!! Always looking for a taco shop when i'm working in La Jolla & this is your best bet out there :)

So delicious, the carne asada burrito has no fillers, just meat, pico and guac. Yay!!! The carnitas tacos were so good too, they don't skimp on meat. Love their red and green salsas, wish they sell them in a tub. Everything is reasonably priced. read more

Caliente Mexican Food - Carne Asada burrito - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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Edgar greeted me with a smile and his service was excellent!!! Absolutely love coming to grab food here as I live up the hill. Absolutely recommend for anyone. read more

I've been eating regularly here for years and its never been a disappointment, its my go to Mexican restaurant. They always have quick service, they always have delicious food. read more

Great food and great people! Burritos, tacos and quesadillas are all delicious. The portion sizes are huge and the prices are very reasonable. If you're in the area, be sure to stop by and support a small family business. You won't be disappointed! read more

Unassuming, very popular and good prices bring clientale here from all walks of life. I came on a Saturday at noon. There were construction workers, a guy in a suit, teenagers, families, couples, etc. The bad: the inch long hair on my carne asada fries. The fries were also undercooked (which was weird cuz they were so short and thin) so they weren't that good to begin with. I only had two bites before spotting the hair. Chicken taquitos on the other hand were left in the fryer too long....I think the cook might have mixed up the fry basket and the taquito basket. The good: best and biggest chicken quesadilla I've ever had....it was stuffed with pollo asado, beans, guacamole, Pico de Gallo. It was basically an extra large burrito but flattened to resemble a quesadilla. Honestly my entire family of 4 could have shared this it was so huge. Only weird thing, they only cut it into 2 pieces when it was so massive it probably could have been cut into 6 pieces. read more

The food was delicious. I had the fish taco and Al Pastor soft tacos. The service was pretty quick. The Ambiance for my brothedgfr was good. read more

Caliente Mexican Food - Fish and Al Pastor Soft Tacos - Mexican Near Me - San Diego, California

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Called in a cali burrito paid picked it up went back to the jobsite to eat it only to find out they gave me a carnitas burrito, had to drive back to get my order that I called in and the cashier was being rude did nothing to accommodate the inconvenience of me having to drive all the way back and the food isn't good don't come here read more

Caliente is a hidden gem!! Their food, service and team make you feel like home! It's a must if visiting the San Diego area and if you're fortunate enough to live close by, add to your favorites!! read more

When reviewed based on the proper standards, a hole-in-the-wall Mexican food eatery, this comes on top: low-price (about $10 for a burrito), filling (inevitably greasy), good-tasting, with superb ambience for its category. The restaurant is operating from this building since 1989 (and in San Diego since 1950s), so the formula works. If you have been here before (as I had 25 years ago), main changes: a much larger and nicer seating area (I still remember times when it was primarily a takeout place). If you come for a really late lunch on weekday (say, 4PM), you will have a wide choice of seats, all rustic, but charming, all outside. The prominent one is a bar-like arrangement right at the entrance, don't settle for it, walk around. There is now another face of the establishment that shares the seating area, and offering the Hawaiian-style bowl, the "Corner House", will review it next time. Parking is limited (again, no problem at 4PM). Service is quick and efficient. When asked if you like the "hot sauce", take it (it is a reasonably mild habanero that is packaged separately). What not to expect: reservations, sit-down dining, plates or glasses, linen, silverware, protection form elements, healthy food (I did not try the bowls yet). Overall: best for a late lunch if you have no dieting restrictions. Very popular for lunches among the local (Sorrento Valley Road) crowd. read more

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This taco shop is absolutely delicious! Their carne asada is especially delicious! We have ordered here numerous times and every time the food is consistently good. The tacos are huge. Also, one of our favorite things, is that they are very diligent at getting your order correct. They repeat it back to you and you can also read it on the order screen. They are also very accommodating with any customization for your order. read more

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Caliente Mexican Food is very nice comfort food in a relaxing location along Hwy 5 near the Ocean breeze. I ate here & walked my dog in the nice open area that also has a nice paved trail toward the Ocean. read more

Great food. However- there was one bald very unstable male worker at Caliente Mexican food who approached me while I was eating, asking me - again, as I'm eating- if I had just "pooped" in the bathroom. (No. I had not. And have never used the restroom here). He was very strange and very unstable. I had just seen him behind the counter of the place only minutes before, and he may even be the manager. I was sitting outside with my dog, enjoying my lunch, when he asked me that weird and rude question. I told him I had not used the restroom, that he was rude, and to leave us alone. He then started saying - in Spanish (blank-blank your mother). I speak Spanish. I love Mexicans and Mexican food. Especially at this place. My wife and I come here all the time. I went next door and told the daughter of the owner of the building who leases out the space to the Mexican place that they need to be aware of this individual. He is not well. read more

Let's talk about the food! I ordered a Carne Asada Burrito and I must say it was the BEST I've ever had. The flour tortilla was perfect (homemade), the meat was flavorful and so tender, and the seasoning and guacamole was A+. Small location with walk-up ordering and tables outside to eat. Dog-friendly Authentic Mexican food this good is hard to find. I highly recommend. read more

very tasty food, I was shocked how delicious it was, and the staff was friendly, they recommended what was better to choose and I was surprised read more

Walk up order the special smash burger taco combo and enjoy with a Pacifico It is worth it Very happy!!!! read more

One of the best California burritos I've ever had. Amazing spot, quick service, perfect

A staple of my childhood. Get those carne asada quesadillas and fish burritos after violin lessons. Great memory of a friend from high school and his brother going to town on the carne asada fries in all their crispy, flavorsome, juicy glory ("Can't you guys just divide the box so you can savor the food more slowly?" "...No. It's a man's world. You eat what you get.") After moving away we took a trip back and I insisted on coming by. We got all the old favorites. Portions were as huge and tasty as I remembered. The carne asada was smokey and tender, they put a generous smear of guacamole in the quesadilla and also with the asada fries. Eat the fish burritos while they are fresh so the fish is still crispy. Plenty of fresh salsa and pico, sour cream, melty cheese, and a beautiful tortilla grilled to golden-brown perfection with a base of beans. I put the leftovers in a tupperware in the cooler and lugged them back home where I finished off every last bite. Definitely gives a hole-in-the-wall and family-owned ambience. A treasure tucked away in Sorrento Valley! read more

Came here on a Thursday night to grab a quick bite, it's very close to UCSD so I figured I would check it out. There's not much to say but the place is clean, sanitary, and staff were all wearing masks. There's a wide selection of Mexican dishes ranging from your run of the mill tacos to quesadillas. I ordered the shrimp Quesadilla which set me back around $10 but it was absolutely huge and delicious. TLDR; Cheap Mexican food with large portions, pretty decent as well! read more