Ridiculously delicious food and incredible service!! Everyone that works there is so friendly. Everything we ate was amazing. Great salsa too! Highly recommend!! read more

Let me start by saying the service was amazing! Our waitress was nice and took the time to get to know us. She went above and beyond to make sure our order was correct and made sure our drinks were always full. The chips and salsa were okay, but the mole was some of the best mole I've ever had. My mom and I shared the combination plate with 6 tacos and an enchilada. Overall I had a positive experience and would definitely come back! read more

Cenote Grill - Pollo asada tacos and chicken mole enchilada - Mexican Near Me - Escondido, California

I used to love it here but service has gone down. I don't know what lady it was working today and another man but they were very rude, I called 7 times and was hung up on each time. Trying to place an order for food and they were just rude. The food is not that good to call 7 times. It's very small inside the restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. They can get pretty busy but no restaurant should ever hang up on a customer just because they are busy. It was my go to since I live in the apartments right next to it, but unfortunately I won't be back anymore. read more

Last time my husband gets resto choosing privileges! When in San Diego you have to eat Mexican food. Saw the 4.3 stars and reviews, not all great but it said 4.3! We should've walked out the moment I saw Teriyaki burrito ( I mean it could've been good but really?) but we were hungry and we were already there. I really don't like leaving bad reviews so I'll start with what's good. The lady at the counter was friendly ( I think she's the owner?) and the poblano soup. Reminds me of a potato leek soup but spicier. We didn't like the process of waiting to get a seat, then after you're seated, you go back up to the counter to order your food, and sit back down and wait for your food. Not entirely bad, but just not our style. We got pretty burnt chips in a plastic basket with no liner. Hope they wash those things or... put a liner. We waited quite a while for the food but if it's good, I am willing to wait. Soups came first and the nice lady at the counter who handles the money and the cards, had her thumb in one of the soups when she was bringing it to us and served it. The whole night we called it "thumb soup"! Maybe put it on a tray? I thought my chile relleno burrito had promise but I was so disappointed to find that the chile relleno didn't even have cheese inside and it was a whole burrito of beans, a few really small pieces of carne asada and more beans! Maybe she's trying to tell me I don't need the rice? Hmmm.... She may be right. The rest of the food we ordered was bland, chewy, and again, the thumb soup. Stick with the poblano soup which actually could've been served with some tortillas so maybe ask for some if you still decide to give this place a try. read more

Great food. TO GO ONLY....... Never eat there just waited 50 minutes for cold food and onions on everything when I ordered NO ONIONS...... Very disappointed. read more

Love love love Cenote Grill. I've been a frequent customer here for years. The service is 5 stars. From the chefs to the cashiers -amazing. I highly recommend their Chipotle Chicken Cesar & the chicken enchiladas! Had this yesterday when my bestie and I were craving Cenote! The service is amazing, super friendly & locally owned. As for the ambience, it's very sit down friendly. More of a casual vibe! You can sit inside or outside. Don't let me forget- THE SANGRIA! The best sangria in town. read more

I got the Cilantro Lime Chicken (half) and it was delish and plenty big enough for dinner. The dressing had great flavor. The salad had a lot of chicken - I even pulled some off as I'm not a huge meat person. I'll be back for this! My mom had the enchilada bowl and said it was also very good. We will be back very soon for more. We went on a Friday night around 5:00pm and they were very busy! It took about 45 to get the food. I don't dock stars for this as it's a good place and super busy. You can tell it's a popular place and not a huge restaurant. They had a lot of take out orders as well. The staff had great customer service and was honest about the wait. read more

Cenote Grill - Enchilada bowl - Mexican Near Me - Escondido, California

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My mom and I absolutely love it here. We live like a minute away so we always call in the order for pick-up. There is generally about a 40 minute wait time for our orders so we usually order right when they open or an hour before we know we'll want to eat. I will say, there have been quite a few times when the line rings busy but we just keep trying and eventually get through :). I've tried a few things on their menu, the Carnitas Plate is amazing, their A La Carte Taquitos are great, I just got the Burrito Fresca with carne asada (California Style) last night which was also amazing. I could go on and on. I literally CRAVE their Poblano Soup. It's so good! I always make sure to get a side of it when I come here. They always throw in chips and salsa as well. The restaurant is very small but it's so cute and cozy. I've only actually eaten here a couple of times but service was good and we enjoyed our time. Because it is small, though, it definitely feels a bit congested inside when they're in the middle of a rush. But I do love the atmosphere of this place and don't mind the crowd - I'd much rather come here than a chain restaurant. Eating here is definitely a treat for us and we'll keep coming back! I highly recommend. read more

Cenote Grill - Burrito Fresca with Carne Asada (California Style) and a side of Creamy Poblano Soup. Amazing! - Mexican Near Me - Escondido, California

Honestly the best Mexican restaurant ever!!! Not Taqueria but fresh ingredients and just all dishes are delicious! Need to wait for foods but I guarantee you! Worth the wait!! read more

Absolutely the best food and service. Every time we visit California this is one of our hotspots. Can't say enough great things about Cenote. Stop in and have the same amazing experience. read more

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Been here many times and the food has always been great. Came today for lunch with family visiting from MI...and it was bomb. Tried their homemade hot sauce and loved it...had that backend heat. Side of guacamole is a must. read more

The quality of the chicken used was very poor and tasted peculiar. I did not complain at the time, which I should have. I will not go back there. read more

Great food! Do not understand ratings that say good food and "will go back" and not give a five star. The fish tacos are fried or grilled. Taste fresh with super guacamole and toppings. Very picky about fish tacos. These are really great. Black or pinto beans are very good. Teriyaki Chicken Bowl is one of their best. Burritos are huge and flavorful. This place is not a "typical" americanized mexican food. The owner puts international flair to it with fusions of everywhere. You dont expect that! Bread pudding? Teriyaki bowls? Tiaramisu? Fish Tacos, Papusas, Spring Rolls, Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad, and the Soups. Wow!All with the generous portions and FRESH. Try the Chicken Tortilla Dumpling soup mixed half and half with the Cream of Poblano. Outstanding! You just cant get a bad meal. Five star? Oh heck yes! read more

Called ahead of time to order. The food was good and exceptional customer service. The carne asada was tender and flavorful. The shrimp burrito was an excellent recommendation from Pam. The chile con queso was okay but the chips were good. Will come again to try more of their food. read more

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Great food and I would given them 5 starts but it's a bit pricey. I will return as often as I can to eat here because the food is certainly worth it. read more

My wife and I love the place and have been eating there for at least ten years. Cenote Grill is not your typical Mexican restaurant; This sit-down restaurant serves Mexican cuisine with a California twist. Everything on the menu is a hit, with very fresh ingredients and cooked to perfection. I almost usually get a fried shrimp burrito or their outstanding fajitas. My wife loves their salads and sometimes orders a dish with their rich mole sauce. If you're into guacamole and salsa, Cenote Grill will become a favorite. One note: Although we usually eat there for lunch, if we go for dinner, we try to get there early to beat the rush. Otherwise, there can be a long wait for a table. read more

The Best Chili Relleno shredded pork, pinto beans, cheese and a surprise hominy. I'm in heaven. It's large, so enjoy please. read more

We can not say enough great things about this place but I've never reviewed it. Tonight I had my usual The famous Cilantro Lime chicken salad and my husband had the trio plate of enchilada, Chile Relleno and 3 Street tacos. Everything was excellent. The people there are always super friendly with great service. Yes the meal might take a bit longer to come out but it's beyond worth it. You can enjoy the complimentary chips with their excellent salsa while you wait. Also their sangria is top notch. Highly recommend. Best Mexican food in all of Escondido! read more

Finally made it to Cenote Grill....I've heard for a long time that this place is very good. Went on Saturday night and it was everything I'd been hearing....good service and very good food. Restaurant is clean and organized (with TV's)....I ordered the Sonoran Enchiladas and the citrus salad and they were both very tasty . We ordered margaritas and they were great! Good beer selections and a nice number of food offerings make this a wonderful new spot in the neighborhood. I will definitely be back!! Parking lot had plenty of space as well. read more

Rather than waste your time going into every single detail regarding how great Cenote Grill is, let me just say this-- you will not find tastier, better prepared and presented Mexican food in North County San Diego. Period. Dine with confidence. That said, the location is not fancy. You currently have it to order at the counter and there may be a sporting game playing on the TV mounted on the wall. So, that is said for the people who think 5 Stars means dress-up fancy. Cenote's food is, but the atmosphere is relaxed. The service prompt and perfect and the queso dip will have you coming back week after week. read more

In a strip mall in escondido lives my favorite restaurant. Talk about a gem. The staff are lovely, the food is beyond delicious and the setting is comfy. I recommend the chili relleno its baked not fried ...sooo good. Aguave lime shrimp and then the 1/2 pablano soup and 1/2 chicken tortilla in the same bowl spicy creamy and full of chicken. All the items on the menu are beyond delicious read more

We love Cenote Grill! Great spot for date night! Delicious food. Great atmosphere. Chips and salsa are the best!

Delicious and healthy Mexican cuisine!! Our go to favorite place to eat. Great staff, friendly and welcoming.

We just moved to my parents house and they live off country club lane. This little restaurant was in the neighborhood. My mom Just passed away and dealing with that loss and it was my daughters birthday. I wanted to do something special for her. We went for dinner and the food was amazing. They sang Happy Birthday to her and gave her sopas. We will be back. read more

Carne asada was everyone's favorite, followed by the Pablano Soup...both were exceptional. Guac was plentiful on the entrees so probably ordered too much by getting the bowl appetizer. You order at register, but food quality makes it worth it. Chips & salsa were just average. Overall, the food is flavorful and fresh...will definitely go back! read more

New to the area, so didnt know where to eat good mexican food! But found this gem instead! Being a vegeterian some mexican food places doesnt do much justice, but this place handsdown is the best place, ordered their veg burrito enchilada stlye, and every bite was a blessing in its true form! Veggies were perfectly sauted, and when i say veggies they made sure burrito was fully loaded with beautifully julliened cut fresh veggies Sauces gave the perfect amount of spice kick with rice and beans making it a perfect dish! Must visit place! Picture missing since we couldnt wait devouring our food :) read more

Great food and service. Everything is freshly made including the chicken broth for their chicken tortilla soup with dumplings. I had a Carne Asada Burrito with the sauce on the side and this was my surprise. It's big enough for two! read more

Cenote Grill - Mexican Near Me - Escondido, California

Great food! We've only gotten take out but both times was tasty. It's not quick, but it's good.

This restaurant is in a strip mall and not hard to find. We were greeted when we walked in and were told that they do not have table service & would have to order at the counter. No big deal as we headed to a table. I domt know if this restaurant as been around a LONG time or not but a lot of the chairs were very worn. Ordered our food at the counter and they brought our drinks to us. They also brought our food and silverware. All 4 of us thought the food was great. I've included pictures but I don't remember what each item was called. All of us would recommend this place to eat at. read more

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I'm relatively new to town. While I've got my taco shops, I've been looking for a go-to sit down Mexican place. Considering the innovation, quality and value, Cenote is probably it for me! Everyone in San Diego knows that we have a deep and diverse Mexican food scene, but Mexican restaurants here need to take a chance and do something in order to stand out. Cenote's angle is gourmet innovation and a bit of "fusion," I guess. Not comfortable with that concept? Stick to your favorites and enjoy how they are superbly executed here. I have had this place bookmarked for months, but only visited for the first time when I was passing through E-town heading south on the 15. The exterior is unassuming strip mall, but keep pressing forward. The setting has a traditional "to go" counter. Ignore it and wait to be seated. We got there early enough on Saturday night (6:15?) to be seated immediately, and the place loaded up fairly quickly after that. To be honest, the chips are pretty bad and tasted pre-made off site. But try the salsas...you're almost there! Super friendly service from the busboy to our server Emily. Good selection of craft beer on tap in addition to traditional Mexican beers. Know now that it's impossible to taste all of their signature dishes on a single visit...but we tried! Cream of Poblano Soup? Amazing. Fried Fish Taco? Best ever. Mine had about 1/3 cup of guacamole on it...I'm not complainin'! Maybe grilled next time? Chicken Mole enchilada? Huge and maybe the best ever. Rice and beans are normally boring plate filler, but they're quite good here. If you're thinking a la carte, go for the combo! Generous portions. Definitely missed the Chile Relleno, Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad, Sopes and curious about the Buffalo Chicken burrito...next time(s)! My biggest bout of food envy happened when a few Ranchero Burritos got paraded by, topped with ranchero sauce, cheese, and a heaping amount of romaine lettuce, red cabbage, guacamole, sour cream and olives. So all of this amazingness comes with a huge price tag, right? Nope. For the quality, we thought it was all very reasonable. Definitely looking forward to my next visit, and the one after that, and bringing friends and family! :) read more

Queso dip perfection This gem is a cool little neighborhood mexican grill. Great service. Good food! Small in size but mighty in flavors! read more

We arrived on a Wednesday night and were told there would be a 40 minute wait. They had such good reviews that we decided to wait it out. It ended up being an hour wait. They aren't really set up to have parties bigger than 4. The service was very slow. From getting/refilling drinks, taking order, receiving food, getting boxes/check, everything was SLOW, friendly but slow. However, the food was really yummy so the night wasn't a waste. We had: chile con queso - my hubby and son were fighting over this! Enchilada bowl with carne asada - nice size portion, very tasty and well balanced flavors Shrimp Fajitas - probably the only bad dish. It wasn't very well prepared, the white rice was undercooked, the guacamole had some skin in it, some of the onions and peppers in the fajita blend were burned. Cod - Best dish ever! The fish was perfectly cooked, the sauce was perfect, and the entire dish was a joy to eat. 2 cheese enchiladas - hubby said there enchilada sauce is on point shrimp burrito - huge portion, well cooked shrimp read more

Everything is great! Have had almost everything on the enemy and I am Never disappointed read more

Today was the First time I've sat in a restaurant in over a year! It didn't disappoint! The quality and friendliness has always been there but today it was really appreciated. Everyone working wearing masks, every customer wore one to the table. All food served in takeout containers with plastic utensils except for chips, salsa, and drinks were served in regular containers. Thank you Cenote! read more

the food was excellent but..... the service was too notch!!! everybody was friendly and helpful!! i had the two it combo and ate every last bit!! awesome group of guys working hard and making awesome food while providing excellent service!! visited during a work trip.... with there was a cenote grill in my neighborhood! read more

Cenote Grill - Dining area was nice, clean and quiet! - Mexican Near Me - Escondido, California

Great service. Food was above average. Generous portion size, expect leftovers or a stomachache.

I've been on a quest to find THE BEST fish taco in San Diego county.... honestly, it's here at the Cenote Grill in Escondido. Absolutely EPIC fish taco. Bursting with flavor. I love the chipotle based sauce on the fish with a heap of cilantro and guac. They are huge. Two filled me up and I'm a big guy. These are even better than ones ive had in Ensenada. So far, the best I've ever had. Worth the drive, indeed. Ok, came back 2 days later for another fish taco and now, a chile rellano. Unreal. The chile rellano was cooked to perfection with carne asada, cheese, cilantro, and a green sauce that filled the plate. The green sauce was sooooo good. Wow. The flavor of that sauce was amazing. Along with the best fish taco, this hands down was the best chile rellano I've eaten. The REAL DEAL. read more

Rather shocked that I haven't eaten here before, I have gone by it for 20 years, actually don't know how long its been here, but a friend from Poway drives over to enjoy their food! Carne asada tostada, piled with black beans (my choice) or pinto, Spanish rice, or white rice I chose Spanish. Roman, not iceberg lettuce, lots of tomatoes, cotija cheese and real avocado, not mix! Salsa, mild and caliente. The only odd issue about the dish was tortilla "Pieces" instead of a full corn tortilla as a base. But, it all goes down the same way, and it was great. I ordered a half and that was enough for two meals, I'm not a truck driver. I will be back. read more

Very confused by all the positive reviews...you wait in line for a seat. Then once seated you wait back in line to order your food. Bizarre but not the end of the world if the food is worth it. It's not. Everyone is really friendly but we will not go back. read more

I test drove the grilled fish tacos and a margarita, I'll be back! I got one taco on a flour tortilla and one on a corn tortilla. Both were great but the flavor of the corn tortilla wins for future visits. The sauce in the tacos is good and they put a solid amount of guac on top. I'd go with less guac in the future to let the fish shine more. I'd also recommend a side of chopped serrano chiles for heat if you like something a bit spicier. Spanish rice and black beans were flavored nicely with a sprinkle of cotija. The margarita is YUMMY and will soften the rough edges of your week with just a few sips. The chips and salsa were not the normal and addicting. I prefer the salsa roja, it's flavorful but not very spicy. Service was IMPECCABLE. We sat on the cozy patio and my pup even got his own water. All in all a lovely experience. read more