I am glad we found this hidden gem in El Cajon. It has an authentic, welcoming vibe and it feels…read morelike you're eating at someone's home. The food tasted like a true home cooked meal. I had the birriaquiles and my wife ordered the chile relleno plate, and both were full of flavor. It tastes like everything was made with care. It was so good that I came back a second time and brought the whole family during the second trip. This is going to be one of our go-to spots anytime we're craving authentic Mexican food. The service was great and it felt like we were family.

Amazing! Really cool little spot you can sit down or take it to go. We had tacos dorados and…read moreQuesabesa! We also had the shrimp cocktail, we will 100% be back. The staff there is also great, very friendly and gave us some great recommendations!

Great Mexican food. Friendly service , I will be returning to order more food.the inside was ok.read more

A couple of friends lured us here. And thank goodness for it. I have driven by a dozen of times and…read moredidn't consider stopping in. Walking into Panchos, you are immediately greeted by a bright, colorful and welcoming scene. It gives you the feeling of walking into your tía's favorite old school restaurant. The tables and benches are dark wood. And there is papel picado hanging. It's charming. You get the feeling that Panchos has been around for decades. Apparently, the restaurant has been open here since 2004. And the real star? Our server, whose name I cannot recall. He was equal parts waiter and comedian, a very kind man who was highly attentive and extremely helpful. If you like spicy salsa, be sure to tell him to bring you the good stuff from the back (after he offers you bland Tapatio). The menu is absolutely massive. They have breakfast burritos, breakfast plates, chips and fries, shrimp plates, soups (check with the team about offerings, like caldo de res), tortas, quesadillas and a kid's menu and more. I highly recommend the cheese enchiladas and the chile relleno. The chile relleno is especially good. It isn't your soggy, cafeteria-style relleno drowned in red sauce and regret. It is the best comfort food, and Panchos does it well. There is a generous melt of Oaxacan cheese, the batter is very light without being greasy. And then there was the ranchero sauce! Tangy tomatoes, a hint of garlic, and a tiny bit of chili. So very good. Also popular on the menu is a pitcher of margaritas, which you should plan on sharing with three others. The mango margarita is also quite nice. And they also have a Baileys & Coffee. And you can easily get a delicious, filling meal for $20 or less. All around, a great place.

Food is always good the service is always great the ambience is always good people are really niceread more

Consistently great food and service. Decor is festive and…read moretasteful, and holidays are celebrated even more. This is our "we can't decide where to go" place. We leave full and happy.

Love getting breakfast burritos here. So fresh and filling. Great salsa bar. Friendly staff and…read morethey just recently expanded seating into a larger suite.

I stopped by after work around 9:00 pm, absolutely starving, and was relieved to see they were…read morestill open. The restaurant sits in the Vons shopping center, so parking was easy. As soon as I walked in, the modern Mexa-inspired vibe stood out--the place was spotless, including the salsa bar. The cashier on duty was genuinely friendly and helpful, which made the experience even better. I ordered the Surf and Turf Burrito and a large Jamaican drink, which came out to $22.72. The burrito was incredibly moist and flavorful, with shrimp cooked perfectly. We paired it with the green avocado salsa and the habanero pineapple salsa fresca--both delicious, with just the right amount of heat. The Jamaican drink was refreshing and not overly sweet, which I appreciated. The only letdown was the zanahorias; they were bland and tasted mostly like vinegar. Aside from that, I'd definitely come back.

Squeezed into a small shopping center on the corner of Washington and Magnolia sits Chuy's Taqueria…read morey Burritos. Needed a quick bite to eat so to Yelp i went ... saw Chuys had some good looking food and reviews so we took the 9 minute drive from Parkway Plaza after some holiday shopping. Upon walking in there is about nine bar stools aligned the L shaped bar table for sitting along the left wall/window. Place was spotless, super clean with pretty dope street art to your right! The woman at the register was very nice and the cook seemed to carry a great attitude as well. I noticed many customer coming were returning customers which is something I always like to see. California burrito was packed with meat and cooked to absolute perfection. I could actually taste the carne asada over everything which is honesty rare for me. The guacamole was not oozing out nor was it overpowering the taste of the whole burrito. The size of this thing was as about the size of my forearm! Filled me up for sure!! 6 rolled tacos with guacamole, sour cream and cheese was also perfectly cooked. Perfect amount of crunch on the ends and not too soft in the middles. Plenty of meat in the rolled tacos as well, which you could also taste well through all the toppings! We'll definitely be seeing you again soon Chuy's!!!

Chuy's doesn't bother with theatrics. It's a straight shot of San Diego comfort: a counter, a warm…read moregriddle, and a crew that treats your custom order like it's the most natural thing in the world. I ordered a California burrito and asked to swap in adobado pork. No hesitation, no side‑eye, just a nod and a "you got it." That alone puts them ahead of half the shops in the county. The burrito itself delivered. The adobado came through with that deep red glow and smoky tang, the kind of flavor that feels like it's been tended to, not rushed. Fold that into fries, cheese, and a tortilla doing quiet, reliable work, and you get a bite that hits all the right notes. Rich, bright, salty, satisfying. It's a simple thing done well, which is exactly what you want from a neighborhood taco shop. Chuy's isn't trying to reinvent the wheel. They're just making a damn good burrito and treating you right while they do it.

I met several family members here to reconnect as we live out of state. I had been here once before…read morewith my sister and her husband. The food and service is top notch. Better than 5 stars. You didn't have to ask for anything. They were on top of it. Chips, salsa and drinks at the ready. Some of my family like to eat at Por Favor's in El Cajon which is good. But they all said this place was better. Everyone enjoyed their meals. I and my brother-in-law had the crispy fish tacos with rice and beans. Excellent. My wife had the shredded beef flautas with rice and beans. Best she ever had. It definitely had a Mexican restaurant vibe. It has a bar with TVs for sports and on Thursday, live music in the evening. You won't be disappointed.

I love chicken tortilla soup and I have ordered it from them twice now. It was really good too…read more They give an ample amount of the tasty broth with just the right amount of avocado in it and some tortilla chip strips on the side. It is so good that I had to order it to be delivered again.

Someone bought me a Cali burrito and I had to know where it came from. I got the name and address…read moreand went the next day. The salsa was insane-red salsa was perfection. Can't wait to walk the menu!

Ordered the papas lokas and was NOT disappointed at all. The service was great, ambiance was great…read moreas well. The food was absolutely delicious and if I could give a higher rating than 5 stars, I absolutely would. Authentic cozy spot for some very well made mexican food. Highly highly highly recommend.

End of Feb 2026 update:…read more The drinks here are made with love and taste exquisite! Each barista I've experienced has been nice as well. The coconut cloud matcha is delicious! Can't get enough of those double chocolate muffins, so if they are all gone just know I ate them all

Made another quick little stop at this cute spot. Every time I go I'm blown away by how much…read morecozier this cute little spot gets! Trying out the mocha raspberry or raspberry mocha latte. They have a $4 special for a medium size after 3pm on Saturday (and during the week). Check out the picture - it's s as pretty drink! There's always some form of TLC put into anything you get here! Thanks for bringing a quick smile to my face on an otherwise chaotic Saturday! Ps they also have a punch card to add up to a free drink!

Nom nom nom!!! One…read moreof the first things I do when trying a new Mexican restaurant is to try the rice and beans. If they're good, the rest of the menu seems to be too. Well, Yesenia's has magical beans and rice! And guess what? Everything else is delicious too! I especially like that their refried beans have some whole beans left in. The rice is moist and flavorful. I would be a happy camper if all I had for dinner was the rice and beans but... My hubby and I are slowly going through their menu! So far, it's all fantastic! The food is very fresh, portions generous, and just tastes soooooo good! I can't wait to try the pozole next. A lady near our table had an enormous bowl of it the last time we were there and it looked delicious One of everything please! They also have a salsa bar with about 5 choices along with hot carrots/peppers, pickled onions, and limes. They have many tables and ample parking (strip mall). Everything has been clean and has a nice mix of dine-in and takeout orders. They do a great job - thank you! V & K

This Yesenia's Mexican restaurant is associated with one in Claremont Mesa called harvest, a place…read moreI used to go to when I worked in the area. So glad I found them now in East County. Today I walked in and saw a breakfast burrito special on the board, including mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, eggs, and cheese. Delicious! The mushrooms were sautéed perfectly and blended well with the other sautéed vegetables, egg and cheese. The salsa bar is legit offering mild to spicy red and green. A word of caution, the jalapeño salsa is fire! But it taste so good. I kept going back for more punishment ha ha ha. Come in and see for yourself, the food is good, quality ingredients, and super nice people. You won't be disappointed. The restaurant was clean and tastefully decorated and the restrooms were clean and cared for. Definitely adding this to my go to quick Serve Mexican restaurant.

One of the best authentic and undercover spots you will visit. Quality yet least talked about. A…read moregem until exposed. Definitely come here for good quality food. All the taco shop favorites available here! This is a taco shop the ambience is apporiate grab and go. Don't be a Karen. Service: wait if you want quality and ask for more salsa. Who cares if there B about it. This place is family owned.

This is my GO TO taco shop. I've lived in this area for years and have always drove past it without…read moreeven a second look. After a recommendation by a friend, I will never go back to my former shop again.