I go to this place all the time, I love there food, however this is my first first time experience this situation I was a bit disappointed with the lady in the kitchen making my burrito. She was excessively coughing all over my burritos while making them and didn't even attempt to walk away prior to sneezing. She then went to wash her hands without drying them with a napkin instead she shook them off 1 time and started rolling my burrito with her hands still wet, without gloves just wet hands. This is soooooo nasty . I told the guy I can not eat those burritos and he was nice enough to provide a refund. I appreciate him for not getting aggressive about the situation . He did mention the lady has asthma that's why she was coughing and sneezing in which is understandable and sometimes this is uncontrollable, however you must have better protocol to be more careful when serving food to customers. Btw I've never seen the workers before today, and I usually go when their other crew is working. They are pretty good with satisfying there customers. But gloves should be enforced please ! read more

When I gotta have buches! Love love love those pig stomachs, cooked in broth and lard then fried. Ridiculously good. They have affordable prices for tacos and burritos, and friendly service! My go to snack stop! read more

The best rolled tacos! My brother-in-law moved to Reno many years ago from San Diego, and the FIRST thing he does when he visits us is -- not see us --but go and get the fish rolled tacos here! being a native San Diegan, I have my favorite taco shops but El Cotixan has been the MOST consistent with their high quality while others have gone a little downhill. My weekly addiction is the special fish rolled tacos. They're perfect! read more

Easily one of the best Mexican food joints in San Diego. Easily. Their American guac is to die for as is their #15 special (carne burro and 3 roll tacos). I drive 20+ mins out of my way just to get my food from here read more

San Diego is a city located near the Mexico border. And you know San Diego has good taquerias on American-soil. Let's see... shall we? After fighting the El Cajon heat and walking around Parkway Plaza Mall, I landed across to the street to Johnson Plaza to this taqueria for; wanna guess? I can't leave San Diego without eating a burrito. Looking at the restaurant's menu posted above the cashier and kitchen, the prices are much cheaper than back home with Super Burritoes prices from $5.25. Unfortunately my craving for a burrito will have to wait another time, when I saw a unique dish I don't see anywhere in the Bay Area: Carne Asada over Fries. For $6.00, the disgusting (unhealthy), but unique and tasty dish is very similiar to super nachos you find from any taqueria. The same ingredients with Carne Asada (Grilled Steak), choice of beans, gooey shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, and avocado, but the French Fries are added instead of the Tortilla chips. I also got a can of Diet Coke with my meal. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/SgU3ANFe6VuaOZpiO9IEgA?select=MC8ItcMeOKmKi2lm8rCL2A This taqueria accepts only cash, but there is an in-house ATM machine in front of the taqueria. Carne Asada over French Fries has got to be a San Diego thing. I passed by many taqueria in San Diego and the dish is on every taqueria's menu. I'm glad I got my first taste of the unhealthy San Diego dish. (This is my only taqueria meal). read more

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Came here for a quick lunch with some coworkers. The windows of this place have tons of specials signs, they have a lot of great deals here, tons of food for cheap. Their salsa bar has two different red sauces, a green sauce, onions, pico de gallo, clinatro and hot carrots. Their two red sauces are awesome, very spicy. The hot carrots were great as well. Decided on a shredded chicken torta (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/el-cotixan-mexican-el-cajon#-rlif1XTmQ2inGiTMsglyw) which came with bread, chicken, cheese, guac, beans and lettuce. The bread was toasted, but very soggy inside the sandwich. Despite this, the sandwich tasted great. Meat was moist, guac was good, everything went together great. Because the bread was soggy though, I had to eat this thing with a knife a fork. Pretty big sandwich for $4.60. My buddy ordered a big plate of carne asada fries (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/el-cotixan-mexican-el-cajon#OiqHs0R5y-bUZ-VT1266eQ), these things were loaded up with everything. Top that off, the plate was massive, he wasn't even able to finish half of it. Overall a great taco shop, very convenient as its across the way from the mall, way cheaper to eat here than anywhere inside the shopping center. read more

El Cotixan Mexican - Shredded chicken torta. - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

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This place is hit or miss. Some days I will be happy with my meal so I will want to come back a few days later. But when I return a few days later they are off their game and the food is disappointing. I wish they were consistently good. read more

El Cotixan Mexican - 10 rolled tacos and carrots from the salsa bar - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

We visited this place craving some hearty mexican food. The menu is quite extensive and can be overwhelming if you don't go in there with a particular craving in mind. The portions are hearty! the burritos must weigh at least a pound. I order the chile relleno burrito (special #1) and the good part was that the chile extended the entire length of the burrito and wasn't just bunched up in one end of it. A bit heavy handed on the sour cream, but I like sour cream so I didn't mind. My husband ordered the carne asada burrito. The meat was a little chewy but well seasoned. The beans served on the side are velvety and creamy. I didn't care much for the rice as it was on the bland side. We also ordered the guacamole and chips, which comes served like nachos with the guacamole already topped on the chips with a light sprinkling of cheese. I prefer having the guacamole served on the side so the chips stay crunchy. read more

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Stopped by here yesterday for lunch, first time. Ordered 2 tacos combo with rice and beans and it was unbelievably good. Wish I had tried it sooner. The prices here are very reasonable. I spent less than $8 for a combo and no atm fee, very cool. hot sauce was real good too. Definitely coming back. read more

El Cotixan Mexican - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

Moving to the east coast in just a few days and chose this spot (from Yelp reviews) to have my last authentic California Burrito from, I was not disappointed! The burrito was HUGE and absolutely delicious -- one of the best ones I've had here in San Diego. The only thing I would note is that it was a bit on the greasy side, but not overbearingly so. Salsas were decent, but I preferred the red over the green when it's usually vice versa. Wish I would have found this place sooner! read more

Holy Cow! This place was a huge surprise!!!! I came here as a friend who use to live here suggested it and I almost skipped it! I was so thankful I didn't skip it. Got the Carne Asada burrito combo... when I got the box... I almost dropped it because of the weight. I was not expecting it to be so heavy!!! This place is a must!!!! read more

El Cotixan Mexican - Carne Asada burrito combo... get ready to catch it... it will surprise you how heavy it is!!! - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

I thoroughly enjoyed this place the first time I came. We ordered the carne asada fries and these fries came LOADED! The fries were soft, but crispy and weren't soggy from all of the toppings! This is my 2nd most favorite mexican restaurant. However, the reason why this place didn't get 5-stars from me is because the young lady working the register at the time was super rude and gave us rude looks the entire time we were eating. She would clean tables and counters but rudely eyed us down while doing it. We weren't loud or rude. We were just eating. My date feels as though it's cause we were an interracial couple and he doesn't feel welcome there. He doesn't want to come back and I'm unsure if I do either. read more

The few times I've been to this taco shop the customer service hasn't been that great. I really wish I can go in there and see happy people working. But anyways I keep going for their awesome chilaquiles, their by far the best in the east county!! read more

El Cotixan Mexican - Best chilaquiles! - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

When I am craving tacos this is my spot! I love their carne asada tacos but everything here is good. The burritos are HUGE. They have some of the best salsa I have ever had. read more

I have yet to be disappointed. Very friendly. I had to wait awhile. But they cook it fresh. The way they season the carne asada is so good. IMO if the meats right you shouldn't have to dress it up. I'm allergic to onions but I LOVE Mexican food. So I had them put the creamy guac inside the carne asada burrito. The rolled tacos are always delicious. Never soggy. Despite all the toppings. Especially the guacamole, which usually is the main culprit. But nope perfect. I have a sweet spot for tamales. They are hard to find. Unless you know somebody's mom (remember I'm white, some things you leave to those w/the capability) or where to go. This place makes them by hand DAILY. They are so delicious! read more

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Everything here is good, fresh and hot off the grill. I have never received anything that was not fresh. They are also always nice and professional one of the best Mexican restaurants in El Cajon ! read more

I ordered a Carne Asada Plate and an Iced Tea. I requested no pico de gallo, no lettuce, and no tortillas. I had to tell the guy 3 times and the cook twice. I still got lettuce. The Carne Asada was ok. Kind of bland until I add green got sauce. The refried beans were not home made. They tasted like out of a can. The rice is very plain. The worse part was the iced tea. It tasted terrible. Then I smelled it. It stunk like something rotten. I had the cashier smell it. I asked for Dr Pepper. I got 3/4 of the cup, because it ran out. I got a refill of coke. All in all, not a good meal. I won't be back! read more

My favorite taco shop in San Diego. Have yet to find any taco shop to top this place! Delicious/spicy salsa and great tasting food. I used to live in El Cajon, but now I'm 15 mins away and will still drive to get food from here even though there are tons of taco shops around me. read more

Best burritos in East County. Period. Carne asada perfection. Always great hot carrots, green salsas and their Pico is pretty much perfect every time we go. It's our go-to for Mexican food every time. My entire family is in agreement. read more

Finally found a place in this area there has delicious carne asada fries. They add beans to them which I think is more of an LA thing so I ask for beans on the side instead. Fries are crispy, flavor is delicious. We tried it a second time and it was the same. Their tacos are big, could be split into two pretty much read more

You know a Mexican shop is doing something right you come in and there is a line out the door. Ordered carne Asada fries and it was delicious. Plenty of fries the Asada is cooked perfectly. Not to add the hot sauce is the best in town. Live about 5 miles away but well worth the drive. read more

El Cotixan Mexican - Carne asada fries. On point - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

It's alright I went and Paid $8 for 2 adobada tacos & it wasn't so good the meat was very dry I couldn't even finish it. I was very disappointed. No avacado no nothing just tortilla and meat I mean for 8 buck you guys could do better just saying. read more

Seeing as I'm married to a man that could eat mexican food all day, every day, for the rest of his life, I was pretty excited to eat at what he considered to be the "best mexican food EVER!" (keep in mind, he and his friends had only ever eaten here after long nights of drinking...) I wasn't about to be surprised if the place really wasn't all that great at 1 in the afternoon and completely sober. But, holy moly, he was right! This place is crazy good. When I think about the pro's of moving to San Diego, Cotixan is definitely one of them. No joke! The chips and salsa. I've never had chips and salsa like that anywhere. It's literally a party platter of warm, crunchy chips with huge scoops of fresh salsa spread out on top of it. Way more than two people could eat. I wish we could've taken it back to the hotel with us. We both had burritos. I had a vegetarian, he had a chicken. I'm pretty sure we didn't speak to each other for about 10 minutes as we devoured them. No surprise that I couldn't finish mine, that thing was massive! Good stuff! read more

Best quickie spot for me. Their salsa is a hit for me. Service is fast and friendly. The food is flavorful n spicy!

Tried the Cali Burrito. It was one of the better ones I've tried lately. Totally legit. It's big, tasty, and all the flavors blend well. The tortilla is big and cooked properly. The ratio and size of the French fries is perfect. The salsa is good and the salsa bar has good selection but is awkward to access. I have issues with the consistency of service here. But 3.5 oversized sombreros up. This Cali Burrito is a contender for best in SD. Will have to compare it to Colimas. read more

El Cotixan Mexican - Cali Burro - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

All right I'M BACK!! The carne asada was super tasty and tender, we had cali burritos and carne asada burritos and everyonw agreed that is some good carne. read more

Fish Tacos!!! Need I say more? The food is great and you get more than what you pay for. I am new to San Diego and just happened to stumble on this restaurant. The facility isn't that great I would have given it 2 stars if I was an interior designer but I did not come here for a romantic dinner, only for some very good food. The service was quick and painless. I always get the Special #10 ( 2 fish tacos, rice and beans) for $6. and some change. Pros. -quick, cheap, amazing food except the shrimp burrito (other yelpers input), good portions, satisfaction. Cons. -No AC, not a place you'd want to propose in. read more

Quick turnaround. Came here for a quick lunch and Yelp gave them the best rating in the area. I had a craving for rolled tacos and they succeeded at making my taste buds dance. Lots of filling and a lot of guac on top. Definitely coming back here if I'm in the area. read more

Oh how I miss San Diego.......with wonderful friends and fabulous food!! I always ask myself why we don't have places like this in Tacoma. The food here is so tasty and the staff very friendly. As I sit writing this review I can almost taste the succulent shrimp burrito that I enjoyed a couple of days ago. I recommend it highly with it's plump, fresh shrimp and some of their homemade salsas from the salsa bar. Yummy!! The prices are very reasonable, on the border of too cheap if that is possible. The service is quick and everything comes out hot and fresh. Gone are my days in sunny San Diego.....at least for a while! Tip: My friends say that they have really good rolled tacos. read more

People that work here are great! The food is always on point, great salsa bar as well. read more

El Cotixan Mexican - Inside - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

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This is one of my favorited mexican food joints next to super salsa. By far some of the yummiest rolled tacos i've had. their guac/sour cream blend of sauce is really good. My husband likes the tacos al pastor and the carne asada plate is also a good pick. The tortillas that come with it are gigantic! I believe they take credit card now which is good cause they didn't for quite a few years. Yummy, yummy in my tummy! read more

The Chilaquiles is excellent and a little spicy. Service is always friendly. Prices are good. Currently my favorite taco shop in El Cajon.

Disgusting and expensive Mexican food here. It's not worth it to eat junk food here. I had their shrimp burrito it comes with grilled onion only and it was ugh read more

Reminds me of Texas!!!! Amazing food, fast and most importantly delicious!!! Totally recommend!

I've had the rolled tacos here a few times, and i'm definitely a fan of their guacamole ( even though its not your typical guacamole). Also i think they make their rolled tacos with rice, which makes them taste amazing. My bf has had the tacos el pastor , and he loves them, gets them probably at least once a week. Service is quick, and they have free refills which is nice. The dining area does get a little warm in the afternoon , but they keep the door open and there is always a nice breeze. I'll be returning here often for cheap amazing mexican food! read more

I'd give a ZERO if I could. Apparently my cousins witnessed these bozos take a old burrito they had sitting there and wrap it in a new tortilla. Now my cousins didnt tell me this because they weren't sure. As a result of this I have been in bed for the last 3 hours with a fever and I have been vomiting constantly. I can say with all my heart that I will never eat at this place EVER again!! What kind of place does that to its customers!! I have never written a Yelp review but this place messed me up so bad that I downloaded the app just to write this review. read more

My partner and I decided that we have been long overdue for Mexican food. After being dissatisfied with our usual taco shop up the street, we tried this place on a whim This place is very filthy, most the tables were visibly unclean and sticky. Dust collecting in the corners of the ceiling. Decor was outdated. They don't have a soda fountain, only bottled water and cans. If you can get past all of this then the food is pretty good. Got a cali burrito and rolled tacos to share. The fries and meat in the burrito were fresh and tasty. My only complaint is that the burrito was poorly wrapped. Next time I will ask for double wrapped. The rolled tacos were also great, they are very generous with the toppings. My partner said the salsa is good also. Will probably come back but take out only. The guy at the cash register is nice. read more

12/1/15 update: love this place! The hot sauce is fire hot today. Got another bean and cheese burrito and Jamaica. The cooks are singing along with music in the kitchen today!! Parking is limited at lunch time. I am so glad I stopped in for a quick lunch. I have been wanting a bean and cheese burrito I was not sure where to find a good one in El Cajon. My coworker recommended this place for tacos. I ordered the bean and cheese burrito with a large Jamaica drink. They have fresh hot salsas and air conditioning. My burrito was hot and made with fresh beans. Thick and chewy toasted flour tortilla and plenty of cheese. The refried beans has nice flavor and consistency, fresh not from a can. The others place that I recommend for bean and cheese burritos, is "Nico's" in Ocean Beach. Jamaica is cold and refreshing. I got the large so I can take it back to work. I know I will be a regular here. 10/27. 2:30pm stopped in to get lunch to go. Beef taco for my coworker who " Loved It!" I got two beef tamales as an extra, very flavorful and topped with sauce and cheese. Beef was delicious in the tamales but there was not much meat inside. My coworkers loved the food. They all want to go to get lunch at this place. read more

Still have been coming back here since I first accidentally discovered this place while dropping off a package nearby. I recommend the Carnitas Burrito and a Large Horchata to go with their great hot sauce. read more

There are a few of these restaurants, amirite? Anyway, we tend to go to this location the most and it never disappoints. They have sopes, which we haven't come across too often. The employees are really nice and they serve quickly. My only complaint is that it gets really hot in there. They don't have air conditioning and I'm not even sure if they have ceiling fans. I prefer to take the food to go because I hate being hot. read more