I've been coming here for breakfast burritos for 20 years! I've never been disappointed, no matter what I ordered. The red sauce is excellent! read more

I'm always on the hunt for the best California burrito in San Diego and this was the next place to try on my list! We came on a Friday night and the place wasn't too busy. Everyone there seemed to be a regular though and was greeted very warmly by the workers. We ended up getting a California burrito and a shrimp burrito. California burrito: pretty solid, though a tad underwhelming after reading all the great reviews about it. I wish the carne asada had more flavor. However, this was made up for with their red and green hot sauces. Shrimp burrito: piping hot and full of flavor! They don't skimp you on how much shrimp is on the burrito. It's cooked in a tomato based sauce with onions and rice. The homemade tortillas were also next level. Super authentic - I'd honestly come back just for the tortillas again. Both burritos were a good size and we left feeling like we got our money's worth. read more

One of the best taco shops in San Diego and the best in La Mesa period! The food is always fresh, flavorful and huge portions. Beans and rice are off the chain. Salsa is spicy and has a great taste to it. Horchatas are perfectly flavored. Last but not least amazing customer service every time I've been here. Go here for the delicious food served quickly and with a smile! read more

Love coming here. I always get the pollo asada plate and my other half gets either the half order of carne asada fries or a burrito. These guys always make us happy. They get our order right. Especially with my bf being lactose intolerant so he can't have cheese. Definitely recommend coming here. Prices are reasonable and food is delicious read more

Best food ever best Mexican food ever best burritos ever. I have seen people cry tears of joy when eating their food.

Very rude employees. Called in to place an order and they answered the phone, "whaaaat?!!" Ewww who does that? Needless to say, i didn't order anything. Turned me off read more

Amazing food and friendly service. Always good food served quickly. Large portions for the price

Simply the best in San Diego. I don't care what anyone else says. The burritos are undefeated.

BEST TACO SHOP IN SAN DIEGO ! Been coming for years and the prices are amazing, the staff is very friendly and the food is very fresh and good. read more

El Azteca Taco Shop - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

Love this taco shop... they have authentic food and the prices are very reasonable. I come here at least once a week.

I want to love this place and I do eat here maybe once a month or so but the food is very basic. The breakfast burritos are uneventful and the eggs are always burned. Dry and brown eggs, that's lazy. It's food you eat just because you need to eat, it's nothing to crave. I hate to say that because they're nice people I just wish they'd step it up a bit. read more

Love the food, but when they forgot one of our items in a to-go order I called, left messages, and sent an email in order to get a refund for the missing item. They never responded. No call back. No response from emails. Terrible service when something goes wrong. I'll update this review if they respond. read more

We've been eating Mexican food since the 70s in the Imperial Valley, and since the 80s in San Diego. El Azteca is our favorite taco shop, really fresh, quality ingredients (real avocado!), and flavorful meats. Prices are reasonable, and lunch plate specials come with free drink. Great family owned and operated business! read more

My husband and I have been coming here for over 10 years. Found it while we were in high school, and it is STILL one of my favorite taco shops in all of San Diego. Best hangover cure ever: Teca breakfast burrito with Carne Asada and sour cream. I haven't ever ordered something here I didnt like. The same guy is always at the front, he's a super chill dude. Everyone is friendly. The food is served in HUGE portions. Prices are good. ($6 something for a breakfast burrito that lasts me EASILY 3 meals!) If it's a busy time, call ahead. (Even though we went on a Saturday at 1, and they had our food done in a little over 7 minutes!) Through the years, they have been consistent! Something that's rare, when a business goes from a hole in the wall to a favorite of many, and they keep the fair prices and amazing quality. I love you guys! If you ever close, I'll loose my sht! read more

El Azteca Taco Shop - With one bite taken (and that's a big bite)! - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

This is a great restaurant to go to if you want authentic Mexican food there food is great and cheap Amazing place read more

Quick service and great food. The chicken burrito was yummy, although not in love with their tortilla chips.

Time for me to update the review on this place. El Azteca has very consistent food quality and their ability to provide quick delicious food is great. They have no qualms about adding whatever you'd like to your burrito, which ensures you get the exact burrito you want. The burritos here are massive, quite literally some of the biggest you will find in San Diego, and they taste delicious. The carne asada is flavorful, full of great cuts and cooked to perfection. Even though the fries they add to your California aren't the shoe string ones, they are still crispy. El Azteca in my opinion has one of the best California burritos in San Diego, like I said before its great every time you get it. After all, they have the legit golden burrito award hanging up (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/el-azteca-taco-shop-la-mesa#4tgCB5UB-lEwoKb3sz3vxQ) Now I haven't ventured much outside the burrito realm at Azteca, but their Big Plate special (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/el-azteca-taco-shop-la-mesa#i4zgjigwIPeqSmg7-m4lpA) is remarkably a great deal, tons of delicious food for the cheap. Also, perhaps one of the best things here, they aren't cheap with their hot sauce, the guy always ask you how many you want with your order and provides. I just wish perhaps they were open later and served longer hours on Sunday, but hey everyone needs time off. Also did I mention no silly credit card fees? read more

El Azteca Taco Shop - Big plate combo, $5.80 - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

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Word on the street has it that El Azteca (not to be confused with that poop stain that goes by the name Azteca in East Village) has a mighty fine breakfast burrito. Are the rumors true? Or are they the ramblings of the insane waiting for empty beds at the local mental institution? Yeah, I know - who cares? El Azteca (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/CYbb3y_X_MwmHp8P8dQRIg?select=xTkQ3t8rkTf45Gnjxn6tcw) is located in a kinda run-down looking area with trash scattered around the parking lot as if some homeless guy was marking his territory. Once inside, I scanned the menu and then asked my usual line of insipid questions about their breakfast burrito. "Do you have ham or bacon? Are they fries or potatoes? Where's your crapper?" I ordered the bacon burrito with potatoes which turned out to be another thick-ass burrito (breakfast burrito # 20 - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/CYbb3y_X_MwmHp8P8dQRIg?select=wZ4gsyfKm82lekn8dXIyEg). This thing was practically the size of a newborn child minus all of the slime and glop. It was more potato-heavy than bacon with scattered amounts of egg here and there. Again, this was another example of a burrito that two people could definitely share. In the end, it's not mighty fine like Salma Hayek in From Dusk Till Dawn but then again, what really is? *Updated June 19, 2010: Despite the carne asada being pre-made, it was damn good and much better than some other places that have made it on the spot. Carne asada burrito (with beans and cheese only) # 100 - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/CYbb3y_X_MwmHp8P8dQRIg?select=8VUmufNONOoklxDvrrWQyQ 4 stars.* read more

El Azteca Taco Shop - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

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This time had to try the breakfast burrito. Even though it was noon , ordered it up. It's was right around $5. So many reviewers can't be wrong. They weren't! Big fatty stuffed with eggs, chopped ham, cheese and potatoes. ( http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/CYbb3y_X_MwmHp8P8dQRIg?select=BCfH7o3QyZzA6TtBo25T9w ) The potatoes were like a home style, like a thicker hash brown, and slightly crispy. As breakfast burritos go this thing was on point! If I lived closer to here this would be a great place to feed my hangover ,a sobering breakfast burrito . read more

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A hole in the hall, but small and clean, which is exactly what you want when you find a hole. Err. The burritos are enormous and tasty. Our total bill was $7.10 and we didn't have change but the cashier spotted me the ten cents and also called me "amigo." Now, that is better service than I've gotten at some sit-down restaurants. This place is a good hole and you don't even need to partake of the head/smoke shop directly next door to enjoy it. read more

Great breakfast burritos here!!!!! They are super accommodating and the salsas are so good (yes- both of them!)! There are multiple types of breakfast burritos and all seem to be delectable. We brought a bunch to the office and everyone loved them! read more

El Azteca Taco Shop - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

This little shop in a strip mall with 7-11 and is cash only and very cheap. You order at a counter. The food was completely unimpressive. The rolled tacos for $3.50 are exactly like Kmart taquitos ( anyone remember those?) complete with slimy green guacamole sauce. The chorizo and egg plate for $6 was nothing special, edible I guess but didn't get me sick either. The hot sauce is horrible and tastes like mild Taco Bell packets but put in a squeeze bottle. In San Diego there are so many better Mexican food options. Maybe this is the best La Mesa has to offer, which is pretty sad yet common according to my friends that live there. They all say there is no good food there. read more

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El Azteca has been a family favorite at my house for 25 years! Their food is so good, affordable, and the quality has never changed. Thank you, El Azteca!! read more

My go to place for Mexican food in San Diego, equal to Adalberto's in Point Loma. I always get to Carne Asada burritos with the works.

I love it here I am local sd person and my go to place Keri up the good work and I tell everyone to go here

This is the place you go for legit taco shop food. I haven't really tried anything else other than some burittos or carne asada fries, but this satisfies all sorts of taco shop cravings. The california burritos and carne asada burittos are my go to's. This place used to have HUGE burittos, where it would be fore arm length, but it seems like it has gotten smaller over the years, but no doubt, still delicious. This place is in the corner of a small center, next to a 7-11, but there is always parking. No big deal. read more

Meh. I've been here dozens of time, but mostly because I got outvoted. Ah-Jijo is much better. Tako Factory is light years beyond. This place tastes like compromise. A good rolled taco is fried so that the tortilla is light and airy, but packs a nice crunch. Not here, homie. Rolled tacos here taste like soggy puzzle pieces. And the guacamole turns brown faster than Super Mario getting hit with a falling leaf. Suspicious. Carnitas burrito is either rubbery pieces with too much fat, or overly fried pork crunch-blocks that feel like clusters of burnt witch hair in your mouth. They use the microwave to reheat their carnitas, so sometimes the meat is scolding hot. The beef taco is always soggy at the bottom and falls apart if you look at it. Carne asada isn't bad. Salsa is decent. Breakfast burritos are the size of your forearm, but they will make you a ham one by default if you don't specify. Most people come here for the breakfast burritos. read more

We started off pretty rocky. The lady does not speak good English or she just didn't care about what we ordered. So we actually ordered one Carne Asada burrito and Chile Relleno with Carne Asada burrito. We got two of the Chile Relleno with Carne Asada burritos. We were not happy that after ordering twice she still got it wrong. And she had to run our card twice. However, Let me tell you~ This burrito was amazing! If you have never had one and are not afraid of a little spicy you need to go here and try it. Just based on the fact of how good that was I would seriously be back again to get another. Try it out... Trust me! The place was clean, there is an A in the window. I just was not happy with the service or I would have given this place another star. She was nice and all but not an English speaker. read more

El Azteca Taco Shop - Chili burrito - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

I love tacos, and love salsa and hot sauce just as much, or more. I came here after seeing reviews on both, and was hoping for some deliciousness. Reviews said carne asada was really good, i agree... my carne asada taco had seasoning, actual flavor. It was really good. Carnitas taco had nice thick chunks of meat, not bad. My beef taco, was a gang of lettuce, a scrap of beef and maybe some cheese idk... i was too bummed out over their hot sauce. Red liquid with no flavor. The green was a little better. Disappointing, i would go back for the carne asada if i brought someone elses hot sauce/salsa with me. read more

This place rocks! Any burrito you order is large and full of yummy ingredients! I like the California, or the breakfast burrito! The hidden gem at this place is the Big Plate! It is 5.80+ tax (6.32 after tax) and WOW it is a ton of food! 2 rolled tacos, a cheese enchilada, a big beef taco, rice and beans! It's one huge mean with a little bit of everything! read more

El Azteca Taco Shop - Mmmm the big plate! - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

Two words: Breakfast Burrito! No seriously, Breakfast Burrito! They're as big as your forearm and so delish, plus their hot sauce that you get on the side makes for a fantastic day! I have also indulged in a pollo asado burrito as well and am never disappointed! The only negative is having decide which one to get, cause you certainly can't eat both, my husband and I have to share one as it is! read more

Hard to spot, harder to resist, family run Mexican food in La Mesa, just a block up from Costco, behind On Cue Billiards. I make it part of my weekly routine. Excellent food. I am partial to their Pollo Asado. read more

The California burrito at El Azteca (or "teca" as the hip locals call it) has changed my life. Many times. From the warm homemade tortilla to the perfect carne asada, this burrito instantly transports me to a happier place. Top it off with just the right amount of Pico, cheese, guac and fries, and you've got a game-changing work of art. The only remaining question is HOW IS THERE A SINGLE CHIPOTLE FRANCHISE STILL IN BUSINESS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY??? read more

This place has the best salsa EVER, which to me, is the most important factor of Mexican food, other than the meat of course. I have yet to find another place with salsa as good as this (except for Taco Fiesta - which is 1st runner up, but El Azteca takes the cake). Its not watered down like other places. It has a nice flavor and kick to it. I will occasionally opt to "dine-in" due to the fact you get your very own refrigerated squirt bottle of salsa. Anyway, moving on from the salsa, they also have HUGE California burritos and awesome carne asada fries. The tortilla for the burrito is soft and delicious. They serve the carne asada fries just the way I like them: fries, carne asada, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, and cheese (no beans). Be warned, they close early on Sundays, so show up before 4pm so you aren't disappointed they are closed. read more

El Azteca Taco Shop - salsa and california burrito - Mexican Near Me - La Mesa, California

This place is very underrated and very delicious! Do not miss your opportunity to get food from here!

San Diego is full of taco shops... not all are great. This place is Always friendly. Always good food. They have fair prices and great tortillas read more

I've been eating here for over a decade and it has always been quick, delicious, and affordable. Best California burrito and carne asada fries around! La Mesa is spoiled for choice when it comes to taco shops, but this is my go-to out of all other options. read more

I stumbled on this place by accident. Cali burrito is delicious and came up fast, even during the lunch rush. Hopefully I will be back in this area again soon. Taking American Express would get them 5 stars! And don't believe the CASH ONLY pics. I used my Visa! read more

Sausage breakfast burrito is really oversized i had already taken a couple bites. The burrito is alright it just needs a bit of sauce, its a little dry. read more

Wonderful little place in La Mesa that's friendly and has the standard accouterments of the Mexican fare of SD. That being said they are more than happy to modify orders and have the meanest breakfast burritos around. You can replace the bacon with ham as example, but that's just the start. Being able to call in your order makes it easier and the 7-11 is next door if you want variety for liquid refreshment. No worries about the small parking lot - drive one more driveway and there's plenty of parking in the strip mall next door. read more