I live very close to Old Town San Diego and like trying many different family style Mexican restaurants. In fact over the many years I've lived here, I've tried most of them. Today I found myself in Santee running an errand and stumbled across El rancho cantina and grill. Since I was hungry I figured I would give it a shot and while am I glad I did! I ordered the chicken mole with flour tortillas and it was the best mole I've ever tried. And I've tried a lot! I'm still thinking about it and I literally licked the plate clean, if you don't believe me see the pictures! I don't make it to East county very often but I'm already thinking about making the trip back for more food, I was planning to order the chicken chimichanga but decided to go with the mole instead and wow! read more

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Horrible customer service! We stood there waiting over 10 minutes. The hostess and server saw us walked by us multiple times and did not acknowledge us. They are not even that busy right now. I will never return to this restaurant. Absolutely horrible customer service. read more

I hadn't been here in years and was surprised to see the expansion of this restaurant. They have lots of open seating and a very nice bar area to sit at. It's a great place to meet up with friends & family. Parking is limited so be prepared. We had a variety of plates. I had the Birria tacos and they were good. They offer chips & salsa. read more

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I've been here a couple times this trip great food and plenty seating. The parking is small but there are places near the restaurant to park so don't worry if you can't park in front there's plenty parking near by. As far as the food goes I went and got the tampiquena it was so good, comes with beans and rice flank steak and a cheese enchilada. The service is awesome. They would pass by and see what, if anything, I needed. They have a full bar and seating for one or 20 plenty room for everyone. The menu has choices for everyone even young kids. Best thing ever is the fact that everything on the menu is affordable and their breakfast menu starts at $9.99 and is plenty of food for that price. read more

El Rancho Cantina & Grill - Tampiquena so good - Mexican Near Me - Santee, California

Recently visited last Tuesday for their Taco Tuesday special of 4 street tacos! I had the adobada and fish tacos. Perfect size and tasted amazing! The chips and salsa were delicious as well. The Modelo was ice cold and refreshing! Ask for Betsy as she was kind and we received great service! The ambience at bar was awesome while watching a Padre win! Will definitely visit again! Ben read more

This place is very hit and miss. The customer service is not so friendly in my many experiences. I always feel rushed and like I am inconveniencing the employees when I am picking up my phone order. Been coming here for years and continue to mostly because it's the closest place to where I live. I think I'll drive the extra mile down the road and see one of the 5 or more other Mexican food places that would be happy to have my business. read more

We've been to a few different mexican restaurants in San Diego and this is the one we continue to come back for. It's consistent, it's good food, and the salsa is great! The drinks specials are great and great kids menu. We have tried their 7 seas soup a few times aka sopa de 7 mares and we think it's pretty great. Service is always great, ambiance is great, they got plenty of seating and TV's to catch the game of the night. Plenty of parking as well. read more

I was with a large group for lunch yesterday. I had high hopes for this place which came highly recommended. The menu was impressive. The server was pleasant at first I ordered a diabla fish plate. What I received was a shrimp plate, which I cannot eat. The shrimp was buried in the sauce so I couldn't tell that it wasn't fish until I bit into it. The server was nowhere to be found and I was surrounded by people while in my seat to get up to find her. She finally showed up and I reordered. By the time I received the actual item that I ordered, it was time to go with the group. Upon paying, the server kept apologizing. I didn't need repeated apologies; I would have preferred a discount off the bill. If that wasn't enough, they filled the flimsy to go container and bag so full of hot food drowning in sauce, it was too hot to touch and carry properly. It leaked everywhere upon transport and when I got home to transfer the food to put it in a better container for the refrigerator, it was a nightmare. I cannot recommend this place after this experience. read more

11/29/2025 - I did a phone order for several persons. They told me it would be ready in 10-15 minutes. I arrived in 15 minutes. I was out about 5 minutes later after waiting. Little to no parking in the lot. It usually has ample parking spots. Food was excellent. Everyone loved their items. I shared a combo number 2 with a bean tostada and a beef taco with no rice, did 2 orders of beans instead. Fills you up more and less carbs. read more

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Came in to dine in on Memorial Day, about the first hour they opened. Only 2 servers and perhaps 1 kitchen staff?? There were about maybe 7 tables seated. Took some time to get seated because servers were busy bussing tables and taking to go orders. Waited about no more than 10 mins to be seated. Same with when waiting for food when it was placed. We've waited for more than 40 mins. Getting worried now because we are sitting & seeing other tables who were already seated before us also growing concerned with the wait time for the food. They gave us complimentary chips & salsa as we waited. Was also sipping on a michelada we ordered along with snacking on the side of carrots too. Very cute interior & decor! Got the Mexican music going too. There is parking available out front. 40 mins later. We left with no food. I would give this place 0 stars. read more

El Rancho Cantina & Grill - Bar area - Mexican Near Me - Santee, California

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Major kudos to whoever decorated this place!! It is a super cute and very well thought out, definitely a vibe. At arrival, we were quickly greated and served and everyone working was friendly and super attentive throughout the meal. I got a Cadillac margarita which was perfect! the Margarita wasn't too sweet and the Cadillac shot was served on the side (the way it should be), which made me love this place from the start. I ordered a cheese enchilada and crunchy beef taco combination plate which was hot, fresh from the kitchen, and a very generous portion! They offered to bring more salsas to the table like home made tomatillo.. make you you don't sleep on these salsas, they are really good! The beef taco was amazing, lots of tender shredded beef stuffed into the crunchy shell; a perfect vessel to hold the aforementioned salsas! The cheese enchilada was fantastic! I don't know what type of cheese was in there, but each bite had a good flavor of cheese and that mouth-watering sauce made it hard to devour this thing in an unlady-like manner. I'm a weird with my beans and rice and stir them all together with any leftover cheese, enchilada sauce, or other goodies left on the plate so that each bite is perfect.. so based on how amazing everything was individually, this bean-rice concoction was epic! Overall this was a solid place and I'll definitely be back for Happy hour sometime! read more

El Rancho Cantina & Grill - Cadillac Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Santee, California

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I have been looking for a good Mexican restaurant for a long time. They catered a party for some friends and the food was amazing so we decided to have lunch there today. It didn't disappoint us, it is our go to place for Mexican food from now on. The inside was very festive and inviting. read more

A favorite local spot. Started out as a taco shop and has been remodeled into a cozy restaurant with full bar. They redid the menu around April 2025. The house salsa is very tasty. Fave dishes - Tampiquena Carnitas plate Crispy taco and cheese enchilada Taco Tuesday (street taco size) fish tacos are good Fave apps Queso fundido Costa Azul Shrimp (mango habanero sauce is delish!) Drinks Prickly pear margarita Kentucky buck They do tend to get busy on weekend mornings and evenings - service can be a bit slower but worth the wait Cons / they charge for the avocado salsa and the to-go salsa is not great read more

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We visited for Father's Day brunch and unfortunately had a disappointing experience overall, though I do want to mention that the restaurant itself is very cute. We really liked the decor, and I appreciated how roomy the restaurant felt, which was especially nice when dining with family and a baby. We completely understand that holidays are busy and that longer wait times can come with that, so the wait itself was not necessarily the issue. What was frustrating was standing at the front for 15-20 minutes with multiple open tables visible and no one greeting us, acknowledging us, or giving us any estimate of the wait time. This was especially inconvenient since we were standing there with a baby in a car seat. Once seated, the service unfortunately did not improve. We were never brought chips and salsa and had to ask for them. Our waiter was largely absent throughout the meal and did not check on the table. The food also took a long time to arrive, and my plate came approximately 6-7 minutes after the rest of my party had already been served. Unfortunately, my meal was also disappointing. The eggs were bland, the potatoes were greasy and lacked flavor, and the bacon was served in chopped pieces rather than actual strips. My father was also disappointed with his omelet, which he found overly salty. To be fair, my boyfriend and mother both enjoyed their meals, so not every dish was an issue, but the inconsistency was noticeable. The most frustrating part of the experience was at the end of the meal. After we finished eating, our waiter never returned to ask how everything was or bring the check. We waited approximately 25 minutes before finally getting up and going to the front ourselves to request it. I'm sharing this feedback because this was supposed to be a Father's Day meal with family, and the lack of attentiveness and overall service really took away from the experience. The restaurant has a lot of potential because the space itself is inviting and comfortable, but the service and food consistency unfortunately did not match that on our visit. read more

El Rancho Cantina & Grill - Mexican Near Me - Santee, California

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One of the best parts of living in San Diego is all the great Mexican Food. I heard rumblings of El Rancho, was super excited to try this place out. Had a celebration here for my Dad's birthday. The outside of the restaurant was wonderfully decorated. Meanwhile indoors is incredible - the chairs have this beautiful flower design and just a really inviting atmosphere. The food though ZOMG. The menu was filled with tons of Burrito options. I ended up going with a California Burrito and it was exquisite. The tortilla was soft, beans tasted homemade and the carne asada was perfectly cooked. Everything was next to perfect. The regular Salsa was really good but the habanero salsa was just the right amount of spice. Service was also solid - everyone was super friendly. Handled a rather large party with ease. Overall a fantastic experience and look forward to making this a regular stop. read more

El Rancho Cantina & Grill - El Rancho - Mexican Near Me - Santee, California

Really delicious Mexican food! The inside of this place is very nice and they have a nice outdoor patio. The chips and salsa were good, the chips tasted home made. The salsa was spicy but very flavorful. The enchilada was delicious, the crispy taco was perfectly crispy. Food was all around really great, the enchilada sauce had great flavor as well. The only downside was I felt like the portions were on the smaller side. The basket of chips was tiny and I was able to finish my whole meal with no problem. Overall great spot for some sit down Mexican food. read more

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Wow $20.00 and all I get is half a cup of birra. Waste of money and frustration. DONT waste your money on this. Lame. Why why why why another $20. Bucks of crap why whyyyyyy. This is not fish this is a mess of crap poblano fish whyyy read more

El Rancho Cantina & Grill - $20.00 bucks for this crap. Wow - Mexican Near Me - Santee, California

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Nice family owned restaurant with plenty of seating and tvs for gameday. Service has always been very attentive eating in, and takeout orders are best by calling ahead. Love the chilaquiles and rolled tacos! read more

My family and I tried el rancho for the first time. We really liked the food a lot! They do give a small bowl of chips and salsa, but I do wish it were more. The salsa was delicious. The restaurant is nice and clean. We got seated pretty quickly and a server came to greet us right away. read more

El Rancho Cantina & Grill - Chicken enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Santee, California

Oh boy! Were these yummy. The staff were friendly and attentive. The food was delicious. Great atmosphere. read more

El Rancho Cantina & Grill - A wet California burrito. - Mexican Near Me - Santee, California

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After a long morning hike we stopped at El Rancho and it absolutely delivered. We ordered two breakfast burritos and they were incredible. These burritos are HUGE, about $12 each, the value is great for the size and quality. Everything inside was well seasoned and packed with flavor. Nothing bland, nothing skimpy. The homemade tortillas really set them apart. Soft, fresh, hot, etc. On top of that, the people were genuinely nice and the service was great. Friendly, welcoming, and efficient. Exactly what you want when you're hungry after a hike. Very quick. Five stars all the way. read more

Food was excellent service was good considering we were there as a family on Valentines Day Outside actually was abit noisey with traffic on Mission Gorge! Would recommend eating inside but we had the grandchildren and dog with us! All that being said, I would recommend this establishment. read more

Took 45 min to get seated. Once seated, took 30 min to get a server to order drinks. I've been here 1 1/2 hrs and still no food. Also to note, it wasn't busy. Completely unsatisfactory. read more

Food is good, prices can be a bit high. Taco Tuesday, they always have a deal going on.

Why is it not FIVE STARS!!!! So good!!! Chicken crispy taco!! Potatoe taco!! Beans and rice and cinnamon crisps!! Beautiful bar, present and kind servers and hosts. Yummy hot sauce!! I heard a group leaving say, "Thank you! That was the best food ever!" Yes! The people who gave 1-2 stars have to be angry sad people where no amount of great food could please them, Pray for them. And get your tacos!! read more

El Rancho Cantina & Grill - Mexican Near Me - Santee, California

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Stopped at El Rancho Cantina and Grill for lunch. The food and the service are always stellar. The food and drinks can get a bit pricey. Beers not terribly expensive at $6.50 per pint, but a house margarita will set you back $12. We walked in and grabbed two seats at the bar. Ally was our bartender, she was great. A Pacifico for me and a house marg for Becky. Ally made a superb margarita. She happily put the Aztecs basketball game on for me. For food I ordered the #15 combo plate: One Chile Relleno and one Cheese Enchilada (I added beef for a $1.99 upcharge) served with rice and beans. The chile relleno was recommended to me by a friend. The chile relleno was on point, but I learned something. I'm not a huge fan of chile rellenos. I'd had one once before, but it was stuffed inside of a carne asada burrito. This one was cooked perfectly and stuffed with delicious cheese. I just need to stick to foods with a protein. Which brings me to the shredded beef enchilada. It was excellent. The beef was well seasoned and the sauce had a nice bite to it. Really good rice and beans too. It was served with a pile of shredded lettuce too, which i didn't really understand, but whatever. Becky had the Carnitas plate and loved it. El Rancho makes a really good carnitas. Tender with nicely crisped edges. Served with rice, beans and tortillas (she chose flour). It was a lot of food and there was plenty leftover. The food, the service, the drinks, are all great at El Rancho. They really need to add a Happy Hour! read more

Food was left over from night before and unable to eat it. Taco shell was hard and curled on edges with a clump of beef in middle. Some lettuce was added near the top outside. Rice was dry and clearly not fresh. Entire plate was swimming in grease. Our visit last year was amazing. This year it is not recommended. read more

BEWARE TO ASK FOR DETAILED BILL. UNEXPECTED CHARGED MIGHT SHOW UP WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE. Cute, clean spacious and colorful deco Mexican sit down dining venue that serves full Mexican meals. Service is normal slow but relax and efficient. Water and complimentary chips and spicy salsa are served readily. Menu is clean and has plenty of choice for everyone. Drinks, beers and tequilas are plenty. We ordered chile relleno combo chile relleno and enchilada combo and fajitas plate combo. They are all really good, especially the fajitas. Unfortunately, only complaint is the $3.99 for carne asada under combo fajitas plate that we didn't see or know off or disclosed in the menu or at the order. If they responded to this review satisfactorily, I can change the rating. read more

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Food is solid, plenty of parking, lots of seatings, delicious food, and drinks are amazing. Burritos are great, as well as their tamales. Fast and friendly service. read more

Yummy margaritas! I enjoyed the chicken enchiladas with green salsa and my daughter really liked the shrimp tacos. Very nice staff. We'll be back! read more

Great service, vibes, and complimentary chips and salsa. Got their flautas and nachos and both were huge. You can use my pics with my hand for reference for the size of the plates. The server was accommodating to my toddler who also loved the decor. We were here with a party of 10 on a weekday for lunch and service was quick. Food was good. read more

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This was the best Mexican restaurant I've had in a long time. I love good authentic Mexican cuisine. The enchiladas are amazing - both red and green! The rice is delicious and fluffy and the beans are so good. 10/10! read more

Literally one of my favorite spots for dine in or carry out. Anything with their chicken in it is the best!

So I got a California burrito plate with a side of rice and beans on Sunday and I had a Hair in my rice and I may of gotten food poisoning from the burrito.. my body is in so much pain, The service wasn't the best and I'm just not happy. read more

Perfectly cooked carne asada burrito with tasty fillings. Absolutely would come again! read more

El Rancho Cantina & Grill - Carne asada breakfast burrito - Mexican Near Me - Santee, California

First impressions are crucial, both outdoor and indoor. I always look for cleanliness, and the decor here was impressive. The service was well-presented and friendly, which added to the positive experience. The food tied everything together beautifully--it was delicious! I ordered the carne asada breakfast burrito, and it did not disappoint. To top it off, I always check the restrooms, and I'm happy to report they were clean. I highly recommend this place. Even though I visited for breakfast, the ambiance is perfect for lunch, dinner, or game nights, with a bar and big screens. Come and check it out! read more

My new little hidden gem. I wanna give a boost to the Amazing gals that run this place, by I also don't want anyone to know it exist. Best place in San Diego, East County county's hidden gem. The food the the freshest and the drinks are well poured with the Padres games on every TV. read more

Just left El Rancho with a very full belly and a smile! We were in the area, and I woke up craving chilaquiles, and hubby searched Yelp and found this place. So glad he did. The chilaquiles were FANTASTIC! The sauce was fresh and flavorful, without being overly spicy. The eggs were scrambled into the dish, which is how I like them (some places just drop the eggs on top) Hubby got the beef rolled tacos and a potato taco, and loved both. The chips and salsa were good too! Fresh chips, and two choices of salsa (both good, but I liked the chunkier one best) We sat outside on the cute little patio since we had our pup with us. Service was quick, friendly, and attentive. I'm not in this area often, but if I might just have to come back to get some more chilaquiles! read more

El Rancho Cantina & Grill - Chilaquiles Rojos, rolled tacos, potato taco - Mexican Near Me - Santee, California

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Good food good service will be back. Add the crispy tacos with beans and rice. Reminded me of what my mother used to make us.

Extremely disappointing service.I called at 8:00 to place an order, but no one was picking up, and I wasn't able to do so until around 8:10. My order was for five Carne Asada burritos, all cut in half and individually wrapped, which came out to $81. I arrived at the restaurant about ten minutes past the pickup time they provided, yet my food still wasn't ready. This alone made it a disappointing experience; however, it only got worse when I started sharing the burritos with my friends. I noticed that out of the ten halves I ordered, only four looked like normal-sized burritos. The rest were so small that I felt embarrassed to give each friend such a tiny portion. For reference, the smaller ones I received had fillings (meat, pico, and avocado) that, at best, equated to two small street tacos, like the ones made with mini tortillas. Furthermore, they were stingy with both the avocado and pico portions. Overall, it was an extremely disappointing experience for an $80 purchase. Honestly, I would have been better off buying beef burritos from Taco Bell at $1.60 a piece. read more