Went in today to try something different than my usual spots and decided to come here since I always see they cook their meat outside and always wondered why there isn't more people. Today I found out. Unfortunately I got the California burrito which was priced decently around $12 but that should have told me a lot already. The burrito is tiny and had probably about 10 small pieces of meat and about 10 fries in the burrito. I never tell the cook anything but I had to this time only to be told " pues ese burrito no tiene mucha carne" that burrito doesn't have much meat in it.... He did go ahead and add a small scoop of meat which honestly was still not enough for a California burrito but it is what it is. Won't go back again read more

El Ranchero Taco Shop - Half of a California burrito which - Mexican Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Not my first time having it but it is my first time having it fresh. Long story short I had a homie who visited SD and came back to OV and dropped off a carne asada burrito and even though it wasn't fresh I tripped out on how good it was. So I made the trip. I ordered the carne asada burrito with everything. There's no rice and beans in this bad boy just carne asada, cilantro, onions, guacamole and red hot sauce wrapped in a fresh tortilla. I love the vibe it's no frill but still chill! Came in thinking it was gonna be cash only but they were ready with apply pay. Dude took my order and bim bap boom had my food was ready in a few minutes. First two bites are always baked as usual without any lemon or hot sauce And it was flavor packed. The soft chewy tortilla with the perfectly seasoned carne asada their freshness stood out not over seasoned hiding any thing or under seasoned. Next bites I was ready for some acidity and spice. There's no sauce bar they have these chilled bottles of sauce that are placed on every order tray for those that love to drown their burritos or tacos and I won't blame them here cuz both the green and red sauces were 4/5. I feel like the sauces might've carried the burrito. I took turns going red and green with every bite. At the end the green sauce won cuz it was hotter. I did notice after I was done one of the guys eating near me had a different lighter sauce I have a feeling it was an habanero based hot sauce. Burrito 3.5/5 I washed it all down with a nice ice cold horchata 3/5 half way drinking it I looked at the ice and almost freaked out cuz I didn't want montezumas revenge but I remembered I'm still in SD. That's how legit this place is. I'm torn with the rating cuz I feel this is a solid 3.5 so I can't really give it a 4. I'll definitely have to make the trip back to try it again and if it's as good as this time I'll change it to a 4. Can't wait to try it again and try the respados( I already have my heart set on the mango and chamoy) so people legit just came in for the respados. read more

See all

We were in the area and stopped by to grab some tacos and raspados. There's some seating inside and they have a small table outside. We ordered: 3 carne asada tacos - The tacos were served with a heavy portion of meat, that was nicely marinated, guacamole, onions, cilantro, and limes. The salsas were delish, not super spicy either. barbacoa plate - the barbacoa was served hot and it had good flavor. It was served with rice, beans, corn tortillas, onions, cilantro and limes. The beans were very flavorful. Pineapple raspado- I love the fresh pieces of fruit. Minus 1 star because their parking is horrible. There's like 3 spaces and they are always taken. They need more parking if they would remove the catering truck parked in the back. read more

See all

I came on a hot day for a raspado- So refreshing and tasty! I got the coconut/strawberry/pineapple mix at the recommendation of the woman taking my order and would definitely get it again. Carne asada tacos are great too. I'm excited to try some other menu items next time. There are a couple parking spots behind the restaurant that fill up, but I didn't have to wait long since it's a fast casual spot. Definitely will return. read more

El Ranchero Taco Shop - Mexican Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Super quick and friendly service! The tacos were amazing and well served. I recommend their tacos de cabeza. Authentic as it gets and for a great price! Definitely coming back. read more

Finally, GinaBee and I got to try this place today. We had the combo Pescado Tacos combination plate and two carne asada tacos. Washed it down with a refreshing cup of Pineapple Raspados. The tacos were prepared in maize (corn) tortillas. The pescados included refried beans and Spanish rice. Delish! GibaBee lived her Carne Asadas were freshly BbQ's. We really w joyed the iced pineapple Raspados. It had bits of shaved ice and chopped up pineapple pulp. Yummy! Gotta come back again. read more

See all

Such a scam. We ordered an adobada burrito cashier entered it as a miscellaneous item for $16 the menu states $11.25 for an adobada burrito. I told the cashier the menu has a different price and she immediately says no it's wrong. Such a scam will not go back here. Skip this place if you don't want to be scammed. read more

Left our food on the table to take my grandson to the restroom and they took our food away, thinking we were done. We even left a stuffed animal on the table so they could see we were coming back. When we came out of the RR we told them we were not done with our food, they said they thought we had left. And one employee yelled out to the cook in bad mood to re make out food. They never apologized and we told them we didn't want it anymore. Not if they're going to be rude.We spent $30 for a carne asada quesadilla, 3 tacos and 2 drinks! Too much money! Never going back! Very unprofessional! read more

The staff is so nice. The place is so clean. The kitchen staff mucho corazon. This is a place worth stopping at. read more

El Ranchero Taco Shop - Tacos al vapor on the right. Carne asada taco on the left. - Mexican Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Stopped by at 7:30pm to get a raspado and the lady behind the counter said they were closed now even though there posted hours are till 8:00pm. A couple came in right before me and they did take their order...super disappointed in their lack of service. read more

Hands down! My absolute favorite taco place for shrimp tacos! My dad and I visited this place before I left home and I am always in awe with how the food is absolute delicious. My parents and I have been visiting this place for the past 10 years and we're never disappointed (ok maybe when they run out of their delicious seafood caldos). I enjoyed my shrimp tacos while my dad order birria tacos. Always good. Highly recommend! They're doing take out/ carry out, but have a table or two to dine outside, if available. read more

See all

Food is delicious staff is welcoming and friendly. Cabesa delicious, car e asada great flavor and quality. Highly recommended.

Their huevos rancheros, served with Spanish rice and frijoles, and tortillas, are the best ever. They are made from scratch and include a rich, flavorful sauce that is loaded with onions and chiles. The price is right, too. read more

If you want a legit Cali burrito , this is the spot to visit !! Our new favorite is the birria fries, a must try . Great customer service and quality food ... I just wish they were open a little later for this late night cravings read more

Love this place. I think they may have a couple locations but I only go to the Main st. The barbacoa tacos are excellent. Not many people sell them. The lomo torta is good also. Menu has been updated. Very friendly, tasty food, prices are pretty reasonable and they give you a good amount of food. read more

See all

Came here while in the neighborhood and was craving some tacos al vapor that I haven't had since a day trip to Tijuana pre-covid. They were delicious, melt in your mouth, and so were the cabeza and barbacoa tacos -- I want to come back and try the seafood ones already. I love how the tortillas are lightly fried in the consomme of the meat for the barbacoa and al vapor tacos, it gives a bit of crunch to contrast the buttery softness of the meat. The family meal (1 or 2 lb of meat, tortillas, and sides for $30 or $40) looks like a good deal too. Rice and beans were also delicious and better than the standard taco shop offerings. Got jamaica and piña raspados, which were a bit chunky on the ice but delicious with the fresh fruit. read more

See all

Love the tacos and birria here. It's so delicious! They are so authentic! I tried their raspados (shaved ice treat) they are the real thing. The syrup that they used is 100% homemade. You can taste the difference! Love it! A young man offered that works there offered to help my mom out of the car! The place has plenty of seating. They even have outside seating under the shade of a tree and a canopy! Prices are very reasonable! read more

El Ranchero Taco Shop - Sharing a delicious tamarind raspado with mom! - Mexican Near Me - Chula Vista, California

The owner let's his friends or whoever licks his bu*t go first. Who cares if we were there waiting. Now they don't take cards, their meat is gross and tastes like the dirty grill hasn't been cleaned probably ever! The raspado flavors are AMAZING, but they're always out of like half the flavors. After seeing the way they chose who they help first, I decided not to be back. read more

My family and I have been enjoying El Ranchero Taco shop for years and years We drive in from Temecula. Our family business was in National City this is how we found this amazing restaurant The Raspados are the best. They haven't changed. The "Especial 3-Tacos de Barbacoa also haven't changed in great flavored Birria style tacos The service is good. Daniel the employee that took my order today is friendly & efficient Nice, Clean and well kept up restaurant. Comfortable ambiance!! Thank you for your continued Consistent Great service and food it's all great!! read more

Hours are wrong. Was here Monday after 8 and it was not open. Doors do not have hours either

The carne asada it's so fresh and good Birria taco it's good too Suadero 0 to 5 I give it a 4 But I enjoy the food definitely coming back sad that it's so far away from home read more

This place has the best raspados I've ever had but only when the older gentleman is making them, there's a girl working the register that can't make them to save her life. If she's there politely ask for some one else to make it because if not its going to be a waist of money read more

El Ranchero Taco Shop - I asked for a mango raspado and I got a chamoy and lemon flavored drink. The girl working dose not know how to make them to save her life. - Mexican Near Me - Chula Vista, California

One word..... place is discussing. We sat down to wait for our food & there was a dead fly on the window. I looked up to the kitchen ceiling & the ventilation was full of black grease. I was so grossed out. The food came out pipping hot but after a bite I couldn't eat it. I didn't want to take a chance on getting sick. We got up & left our food on the table. read more

At first I was skeptical about coming into this place because it's not the nicest looking restaurant, however since I was with my cousin I gave it a try....and man was this place delicious!! I ordered the Avapor Tacos and those by far are the best tacos ever!! I will definitely come back, it's worth the drive coming from north San Diego. Can't wait to bring my family here. I highly recommend this place. read more

El Ranchero Taco Shop - Mexican Near Me - Chula Vista, California

BomB'!!! Got the Standard Carne' BurritO. Under 10 Bucks! Unheard of these days... Carne Asada off the Coals. The way it's supposed to be. Came with a lil side of Creamy bursting with Flavor BEANS'!!! Whoever came up with this Idea Deserves a New Car' of their choice. Green Salsa n 3 of em'. Plenty to go thru the Whole BurritO. Another car deserved. Just don't like running outta Salsa when u got Burrito left -. 2. Lime wedges rounded out the order which added just a hint of Citrus to make the oh So Perfected cooked Carne'. PoP ! What a FanTaSTiC Spot. Will be going back for the Birria' and Potatoes Tacos Al Vapor. -. Sounds Delicious!!! Good Job RancherO ! read more

I went here while my truck was getting tires next door at the recommendation of the tire shop. I got the barbacoa burrito. It was delicious. The meat was nice and juicy, not like the dry stuff that places normally serve. I highly recommend them read more

El Ranchero Taco Shop - Barbacoa burrito - Mexican Near Me - Chula Vista, California

See all

Great place food and value !! I will be back weekly you should too, your missing out if you don't give it a try

We enjoyed the tacos al pastor, surf and turf burrito. The tacos we're nice and soft and had a little bit of red chili sauce on the tortilla. The surf and turf burrito was delicious with plump shrimp and sauteed bell peppers. The rice and the beans are the best beans I've had since my mom's beans. We also had a mango raspado which was delicious with some homemade real chamoy sauce, not the fake bright red stuff other places use and sell. We love this place for fresh delicious Mexican food. read more

See all

This is a hole in the wall joint that has the best burritos in San Diego. Always good and fresh. Staff is funny and fairly friendly.

Love this place. It's a little hard to find since it's on the main road and doesn't really stand out. Anyways, we got carne asada fries, rolled tacos and a mango raspado. Stop by and grab you some Mexican food. read more

Went here tonight with my 2 buddies...one of which lives right down the road and has said how good this place was. Some parts were good, some were just ok. I ordered 2 barbacoa tacos, 1 fish taco, 1 carne asada taco and a Coke. Here is how they stacked up......... Barbacoa- Best barbacoa taco that Ive ever had. These things were massive! Double corn tortilla which was slightly crisp and it was stuffed with tender meat, salsa and cilantro. Easily the best taco out of the bunch and I would definitely get them again. Fish Taco- I ordered it without white sauce...even said so on the receipt. Guess what? It came with white sauce. I grabbed it and just ate it. The fish was good. It would have been a good taco except for the sauce. Carne Asada- Meh....I didnt even finish it. It was gristly, and tasted like plain beef. No flavor/seasoning whatsoever. It was one of the worst carne asada tacos I can remember ever eating. Overall this place was just alright. The tacos are gigantic. They aren't the small street that Im used to. The Coke was $1.40 and it was just a can of Coke...not even the Mexican Coke in a bottle. $11.50 for my food which was alright, but the white sauce mixup, and the crappy carne asada make this dinner just average at best. If I was at my buddies house, I would come here again and stick to the barbacoa only...that my friends is good eats. I wouldnt drive down here though to eat here again. Especially when TJ is only another 4 exits down the road. My buddies seemed to enjoy their food though (fish tacos, birria tacos, adobada tacos) and it was good times hanging out with them so the trip wasn't a total lost cause. read more

Nothing screams authentic Mexican food like enjoying delicious tacos with a raspado by your side. From the variety of tacos to choose from I would recommend getting either birria, carne asase, or vapor. The food is being cooked out front. So you will get to see what's being grilled and also feel like you were invited to someone's carne asada. I would go as far to say that this place is a hidden gem to non locals of the area. I would even go as far to say that this place is greatly underrated when compared to overrated places like Lolita's. read more

El Ranchero Taco Shop - Taco de Birria, carne asada taco, and taco de vapor combo. - Mexican Near Me - Chula Vista, California

See all

Raspados here are great reason for 3 stars because I always have to make sure person at the register washes their hands before prepping my raspado!! Taking money and then going write into it... just keep an eye out for that... especially now covid plus money is filthy... never had food here just rAspados... read more

TACOS ARE STUFFED WITH MEAT! I could make 2 out of 1 since it comes with dual tortilla that they cook in juices! Super yummy hole in wall place. They grill outside on weekends. They were out of Jamaica and hit made me a fresh batch. They have passion for food and customers! Definitely be back! read more

See all

This place serves tasty, inexpensive, authentic mexican food. Had the carne asada plate which had a lot of meat, with 4 corn tortillas. The cook grilled the beef outside. Bueno. $6.99 I think. A friendly guy from Chiapas behind the counter (Chiapas abuts the border with Guatamala, so deep south). The salsas are caliente. Worth a stop if you are in the Chula Vista. read more

See all

Restaurant hours says they close at 8. We got there at 740 and they refused to take our order.

I like this place, they have some really good tacos al vapor , the tacos de cabeza are the bomb , service is very good . read more

See all

I've been coming to this location for quite a while now and I've always ordered their delicious raspados. Today, I happened to stop by and I noticed a deal going on for a torta de lomo and I had to get it. Man, I definitely don't regret that decision. Their raspados are so good and now that I actually know their food is up to par then this will be a more frequent spot I stop at. Food & drinks? A+ read more

El Ranchero Taco Shop - Mexican Near Me - Chula Vista, California

I liked this place, I had the Fish, Shrimp, Barbacoa Tacos, and a Mango/Chamoy Raspado.... bomb! I wanted to try the shrimp cocktail but I was already full, salsa's were pretty good here to, few people from work came and most of them like the food here too! I would recommend trying it! read more

El Ranchero Taco Shop - Barbacoa, shrimp & fish taco's - Mexican Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Was in the area and decided to stop by Ordered a Carne asada burrito and a bean/cheese/rice burrito with a tamarindo raspados My Carne Asada burrito was good not great, would like to have had more meat but once gain it was good My wife's burrito was pretty good decent size and topped green salsa made it even better Great customer service, kinda dirty Inside with a couple of flies, and the tamarindo was a bit too syrup'ee Quick, friendly service with good not great burritos, at decent prices... just didn't have the "WOW" factor were looking for... read more

El Ranchero Taco Shop - Mexican Near Me - Chula Vista, California

See all