This is more of an update, since I've been to El Cotixan Mexican Food before. Like many places, prices have gone astronomically through the roof. I will say, yes--the prices have crept up a bit, but the food quality and consistency have stayed solid, which is why I'm still giving this four stars. I came in specifically craving a queso birria taco. I had just left another establishment where what I thought I ordered was absolutely not it. I left hungry and with a lighter pocket, which is never the vibe. If I'm going to pay these prices, I want to actually enjoy what I'm eating. So here I am--still hungry and trying to redeem myself after dragging my family all around town searching for good birria tacos. We were greeted by the owner, who was really nice and welcoming. The place was very clean, which is always a plus. Now let's talk numbers. One taco is a little over $8, and I definitely said "ouch" in my head. But I remembered how good it was before and thought, okay... if it's still hitting, it might be worth it. So what did I do? I handed over them coins. About 10 minutes later, my taco came out piping hot and fresh, and he even threw in a free side of consommé--and at that point, I already knew. These tacos didn't even make it home. We busted them down immediately, dipping them into that hot consommé, and let me tell you... it did not disappoint. It was giving "I'll be back" energy. Like, you can have my money anytime--just please don't hit $10 a taco, sir, because then I'll have to start making my own. I'm just saying. Would I come back? Absolutely. Would it need to be payday? Absolutely. Was it worth it in the end? Absolutely. Solid 4 to 5 stars--and I'm sticking with four for now. read more

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Decided to stop and try this restaurant even though there's a few in the area. This one seemed to be the cleanest so I gave it a try and boy was I impressed. First the customer service is friendly and personal. But the food was the star. I got fish tacos with rice and beans. Everything was delicious even the beans and rice had flavor. They have a small salsa bar but, the red sauce with diced onions was so good. The fish tacos were huge with a large piece of fish in each one. This is definitely a must if you're in area. read more

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I went here a few weeks ago with my mom. The food was good and the service was nice. They were playing soccer on the tv so if you like that then it's there for you. They have a wide selection of drinks. read more

Not related to the chain of San Diego Cotixan taco shops. I was looking for a quick dinner before watching a high school football game at El Cajon Valley High School. This place was close, and the menu looked appetizing. Picked up a California Burrito and Enchiladas. Both were good. I'd come back if we ever end up playing here again. - The restaurant was clean. read more

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We frequently go here and the owner is always nice and quick with his service. Great value!

Breakfast Burritos were big and tasty. Cheese could be melted more but that is just preference. Will come back again and try Tacos.

Excellent food, and great service! Friendly people, working on making fresh meals! Prices are very reasonable for great quality of food! read more

Do not order adobada anything, I got food poisoning . Going to the hospital and getting a lawyer because that torta place was the last thing I ate before I started feeling very sick read more

Nice! Service was spectacular. All workers were happy and outgoing very eager to help. The food was awesome. I definitely miss Southern California Mexican food. Clean tables inside, clean place inside to eat, and it was quiet. read more

This place is hidden gem!!! The food is amazing. Good chilaquiles and beans are HARD to find nowadays, and these are IT. The place itself is super clean and their staff is very nice. Service was super fast too and there are a lot of sitting options to hang around! read more

El Cotixan Mexican Food - Breakfast Chilaquiles Red Salsa NO EGG 10/10 AMAZING - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

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This place is hidden in the plaza but has amazing food! There is one guy taking orders and cooking all the food while still providing great service. I got the surf and turf fries and it was so good with the crispy fries. I loved the chipotle sauce that goes on it! read more

El Cotixan Mexican Food - Surf & Turf Fries - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

The older gentleman is always so nice and warmly welcomes you! Food portions are good and reasonably priced. Place is always clean.

Great people and good food. It's a park and a walk-in dinner. Don't let that stop you. Try it, and I believe you will like El Cotixan. I've never steered you wrong before. read more

The breakfast burritos was 25% filling and 75% tortilla. The flavor was good. I'm a quantity type of person.

Ordered for the first time and it disappointed. The meat was hard as if it was reheated and the tortillas were definitely reheated because they were hard.. green salsa was good though read more

El Cotixan Mexican Food - Corn tortilla turned to a hard shell - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

Great costumer service and great food every time I've been there! Place is always clean and my order is always on point. Best taco shop in El Cajon! read more

Juan is incredible! Very humble and his service is honest and genuine. The ambiance is also great, I love that the sauce is available on the side and the sauce tastes AMAZING! If you like spicy and flavorful, that's what these sauces do with a nice kick! I absolutely love the food made by the chef Poncho. I've been to many Mexican restaurants, this one by far makes the best Carne Asada fries in my opinion. read more

El Cotixan Mexican Food - Birria Tacos - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

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I was just trying a different taco shop. I was so exciter coz they have biria ramen. But So disappointed i ordered birria ramen and menudo. There is no freaking taste its too bland. The noodles for the ramen was too soft. And the menudo taste like just an open can. Never again on this place i have to fix it myself to taste better read more

I'm from Los Angeles, and every time I'm in town, this is my spot!!!!. Me and the employees watched El Classico here. Cool dudes. And I get the Surf and Turf burrito. ‍ Shrimp, steak, fries, Chipotle, guacamole, and cheese . The ambiance is a cool, open concept. read more

Honestly the best spot I have been in a while. Found it on accident but ended up being my new go to. Tacos are my personal favorite but everything there is worth a try. The owner is super friendly and welcoming with such a nice atmosphere to stay there for a while and enjoy the amazing food. Highly recommend trying this place at least once and get the green salsa. read more

Clean place, good food, friendly staff. Can't get better than that:) I got me a burrito, it was pretty delicious.

Came here yesterday and got some street tacos bc a lot of places were closed due to the storm. Tacos were amazing so I decided to come back again today and try the roja birria tacos and they're amazing as well. Owner is very nice and respectful. Idk if it's the area or that this place is still new but ITS WORTH IT. My new taco shop spot for sure. read more

El Cotixan Mexican Food - BIRRIA TACOS - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

Fire food good service real and lean al pastor good art work and overall great experience 10/10 for sure recommend

I come all the time Get the Quesa birria you won't regret believe me this number one my friend!!!

A couple of us went for the first time today (3-29-24). The first thing that caught our eye when we walked in is how clean it was. Ordered two shredded beef tacos with rice & beans, and, two carne asada tacos with rice and beans. $25 Food was good . This will be our new go to place. read more

AMAZING... The only word that can describe this place. I tried several of the Taco varieties and none of them disappointed. The Quesa Birria is unmatched. While eating, the owner came over and brought me his homemade salsa he developed specifically for the birria. It was incredible, the flavor was on point with just enough kick to make me respect it. TWO THUMBS UP, 10 STARS!! This place will not leave you with anything but taco happiness! read more

I had two fish tacos that were advertised as the daily special, oh man it was delicious. Congratulations guys, I'll be back when ever I'm in town. Keep up the good work. read more

Great !! I enjoyed the tacos !! I completely recommend. Very friendly, clean, I also recommend the cabeza tacos ' read more

El Cotixan Mexican Food - Street asada tacos !! Are great I recommend - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

Finally found our go to Mexican takeout place! Great breakfast and dinner. Owner is such a nice guy and is there everyday!

The beans were good, rice was ok but don't get the beef Chimichanga (unless you're mostly a vegetarian). I was very disappointed with it because it was nothing but filler. Cooked tomatoes, onions and peppers. I was digging around to try to find any meat but there was very little. The tortilla was soggy-not crisp. My husband said his carne asada plate was ok. read more

Got the chilaquiles this morning, with red sauce. Very good. I ate every bit of it. Owner was very nice and was prompt. Def recommend this place. Will be back. read more

Delicious food!!!!! Amazing service! And pretty well maintained place! Amazing ambiance!!! read more

El Cotixan Mexican Food - Al Pastor TJ Style - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

I had a pair of great shredded beef tacos with rice and beans and a handful of tortilla chips for $6.85. I was impress right of the bat with the amount of food I received. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/VXcAGcnEe0S3ymuINSOl3A?select=uVdscRmQFg9p-ehm8evFvA#oya65oz88-a6zLBppg3aGQ) The beef tacos were very good. The corn tortilla shell was perfectly cooked and the beef was very flavorful and juicy. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/VXcAGcnEe0S3ymuINSOl3A?select=uVdscRmQFg9p-ehm8evFvA#RnBzmr2JF5v7RJJi0M_YAQ) The tacos had very fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and grated cheese. The tacos were very good. Got to have more... The rice and beans were also great. The rice was not your typical orange Mexican rice. It was more on the lighter side and just as tasty. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/VXcAGcnEe0S3ymuINSOl3A?select=uVdscRmQFg9p-ehm8evFvA#hK5ggV85KsYcpkXYs4pUow) The rice was well cooked and seasoned. The beans had that nice robust flavor or slightly charred flavor. I liked that and they went well with my chips. The beans came in a little conch shell made of a corn tortilla. The place was clean for the most part, except for a couple of tables that needed to be wiped. The salsa bar was clean and well stocked. The service was good and welcoming. Got to have my beef taco kick...... read more

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First time visiting any El Cotixan location. I happened to be at the Petco next door, so decided to give them a try. A few customers eating inside and no one waiting to order. Despite making eye contact with me twice, the gentleman in the back didn't come to help, didn't acknowledge me, nothing. He even took a phone order, and helped another person with a pick up order while I waited by the counter. Even saying "I'll be right with you" would have been fine with me. I considered leaving, but I was tired and hungry so decided to stick it out because I didn't feel like going anywhere else. I was finally able to order carne asada fries, but was really disappointed. Fries were okay, but they skimped on the carne asada and there was hardly any flavor. I'll skip this place in the future. read more

This place sucks. Don't ever come here. The food is horrible. Service sucks too. Avoid this place. Ground beef for most of the food. Wish I could give a zero stars. read more

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

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This place was awful I ordered Aldoblada fries and a chipotle burrito let me just say this place is the old place that was here just updated the new updates made you $22 bucks today cuz your food awful my "Aldobada" fries was hamburger meat and the avocado was brown chipotle burrito was dry as hell honestly was so disappointed with the food we threw it out I wouldn't even give them a one star just STAY AWAY awful food waste of money go get El cilantro instead across the way that place is fire and worth your money read more

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

This is a regular taco shop, it's not fancy, but it's okay. I got the cheese enchilada combo, which is not bad. There is a good amount of cheese, but it's not warmed enough to be melted. The rice is rather plain, and the beans have some sort of smell to them -- mostly a burnt oil smell and taste. The salsa is good. read more

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We have ordered take out food from them quite a few times and have not been disappointed. Cali burritos and Carne fries are delicious. Chile Rellenos have the chunky sauce that I love! Flavors are very good and their beans are wonderful! We just keep going back. read more

Best bean and cheese burritos hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great customer service too!!

Love this place. We've been coming here for years. Great food and friendly family that runs the restaurant. They've completely remodeled and it looks great. They have great salsas. Be sure to ask them for a few. Normally they have a self-serving salsa bar, but it is closed because of pandemic. But you can still get their wonderful salsa by asking. Enjoy!! read more

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