I stopped by this restaurant while waiting for a friend who had a doctor's appointment across the street. I was hungry and decided to give it a try since it had such high ratings. I ordered a simple bacon, egg, and cheese burrito. The service was prompt, and they thoughtfully included napkins and two salsas with my order. Unfortunately, the food was a major disappointment. On my very first bite, I got a mouthful of extremely hard, dry bacon. Honestly, it didn't even taste like bacon - it tasted more like old leftover meat. After opening up the burrito to take a closer look, I noticed the meat appeared grayish and anything but fresh. Because I was hungry, I tried to give it another chance and took a few more bites, but the meat was simply inedible. The chunks were tough, hard, and unpleasant to chew. The eggs, cheese, tortilla, and salsa were actually good and were the only things that saved the meal. In the end, I found myself picking out and discarding all of the meat just so I could eat the rest of the burrito. I genuinely enjoy supporting small, family-owned businesses, especially when it comes to Mexican food, which is one of my favorite cuisines. That's why this experience was particularly disappointing. Sadly, this is not a place I'll be returning to. read more

Emma's Mexican Food - Hard, dry, greyish old meat!! - Mexican Near Me - Santee, California

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The service was impeccable. The prices are very affordable. I ordered a burrito not on the menu and they were able to make it for me. The carnitas was very crispy but still tender. The red salsa was spicy and very flavorful. Love their food! Great place for flavorful Mexican food. read more

This place has such amazing flavor. I love the flavor of the enchilada sauce and their chicken is some of the best in town! We go here almost every other week it feels like. The staff is always so nice and the food is super fast and ALWAYS comes out correct! read more

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12/23/2025 - we arrived around 4pm. No one inside. Ordered Al Carte a bean tostado and a beef enchilada, then a combo 5, which was a beef taco, cheese enchilada, bean tostado and beans. All for $20. Cooked and we were eating in less than 5 minutes. read more

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In an unassuming shopping center, you will find Emma's. It is a small restaurant with a handful of tables. The gentleman who helped us was very friendly and nice. Because of the amazing service I really hate to say that the food was just OK. It was pretty basic and did not have much flavor. The nachos felt like the kind you get at a high school football game. If you are hungry and in the area, this place will do in a pinch. read more

They use real potatoes in the burritos not French fries unless it's a California style Burrito! One of the best hidden gems in East County. Highly recommended ! read more

I hadn't been here in years and decided to stop by to see how the food was, and I'm so glad I did! I ordered the rolled tacos and a bean and cheese burrito, and both were absolutely delicious and super fresh. The hot sauce was sooo good, and the beans had amazing flavor. The prices are also very reasonable, which is always a plus. I think we officially found our new go-to spot for rolled tacos and bean and cheese burritos! We'll definitely be coming back to try more items on the menu, but those are our favorites. read more

Literally the best burrito in the area! Great flavors combined together and very fairly priced.

Delicious, fast, and reasonably priced! Thank you for keeping it the same all these years.

From the looks of the outside, Emma's Mexican Food place is really a mom and pops taco shop and not a full service restaurant. Wanted to give it a try after doctor's appointment since it was right across from the hospital. Nothing fancy to note, but nice staff, clean tables, calm atmosphere, decorative and spacious areas between tables. Food prices were reasonable. Our order was cooked in no time. Fresh and hot. My rolled tacos' portioning and presentation was so-so. Avocado looked like it was spread on, barely had any. Cheese looked skimpy. Compared to rolled tacos in Southbay, the rolls are larger in size and fixings are plenty (ie avocado, lettuce, cheese, cotija cheese, and sour cream). The breakfast burrito was smaller than expected but was good. I had the other half the next day and it still tasted good. I was bummed to see an empty salsa cart but I must say, the home made hot sauce was the bomb. It not only tasted delicious, it's smelled good. Lots of parking. Recommend read more

Emma's Mexican Food - Emma's dining area, spacious - Mexican Near Me - Santee, California

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Tasty fresh affordable food. Fast and friendly service, besides always clean and busy. Limited parking. Generous portions great to share with friends and family. Fiesta ambience. Management on point. Thank you guys you are doing great. read more

I've been going to Emma's for years and the food is excellent always I like their Chile Riano and the rice and beans are always hot and nice. I also like their enchiladas tacos absolutely just the best. Their service is wonderful. They're always smiling and places always clean, neat sometimes the air conditioner isn't the best but yeah, but you know they're not in charge of that so anyway I just love it and I think the people are wonderful. I couldn't go to a nicer place. read more

Very non-conspicuous corner restaurant, nothing pretentious about it, but the food is always amazing, love taking my family there from out of town. I've never had a complaint about the food excellence. Excellent glad they extended their hours. read more

This was the best chile relleno burrito! Fresh and a good size portion. Very nice people.

I've been coming here since I was a teenager in the late 90s. This place is so nostalgic for me and even the quality of their food has stayed consistent over their nearly 30 years of business. (Which speaks for itself) My family and I used to eat here once a week when we lived locally but now sadly I'm only able to eat here when I'm in San Diego. This is a must stop for me EVERY SINGLE TIME. Not only is the food delicious but the owners are so kind and down to earth people. I absolutely love this place. A true gem! read more

San Diego is in NO short supply of Mexican Food Shops, and an overlooked gem of East County resides in Emma's. What stands out about them is their affordable prices while maintaining solid and consistent quality. read more

Emma's Mexican Food - Steak, Egg, Potato, and Cheese Breakfast Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Santee, California

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Food 5/5 Atmosphere 4/5 Cleanliness 5/5 Customer service 5/5 Speed 5/5 Price 5/5 Outdoor seating? No Wheelchair access? Yes This place is perfect for a quick bite to eat. Super affordable with huge portions. Great customer service and plenty of seating indoors. Highly recommend. read more

Solid Mexican taco shop located in Santee..good size portions and overall good food.. this time went with chicken tacos ..perfectly cooked and great taste ..friendly and quick service ..have had the burritos before and they are good size ..:they are not open as late as most places ...recommend read more

Emma's Mexican Food - Mexican Near Me - Santee, California

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Stopped in for a quick bite. Located in Santee in a small shopping center so parking is available. I was greeted by the nicest gentlemen who took my order. I ordered the 3 rolled tacos with guacamole. He offered to add lettuce and tomato at no extra charge, so I agreed. Glad I did cause their salsas are freakin delicious!!! So much flavor and good amount of heat. Especially the green sauce! Usually the red is hotter than the green but not at this spot. I will definitely be returning to Emma's whenever I am in the area to try more of their dishes. read more

Wow. I can not believe these people had to close due to employee shortage! No one wants to work anymore! This is the best Mexican food in town and this awesome family had to shut down important hours for their business. This makes me so sad. If you can, make sure to stop by for lunch or even breakfast. Family owned, family ran. Best Mexican food around! read more

Emma's Mexican Food - the front of the restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Santee, California

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Nice family run Mexican food place. Great crunchy beef tacos . Great place for a quick meal. Service was great . A hidden gem and you can tell that its frequented by locals. read more

It's been 13 years since I was in Santee for a school clinical. I ate a California burrito 2-3 times per week from there. 13 years later and I still dream about them!! read more

Emma's Mexican food is some of my favorite Mexican food in all of San Diego California. They have the best tasting refried beans anywhere. I just had a burrito and a shredded beef tacos with guacamole read more

Great Mexican food and good service. The people are friendly and good cooks. A small place with lots of tables. Order and sit down and they serve you. read more

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Since they were closed yesterday decided to give the a shot for lunch. When I walked in they were PACKED which is a good sign. I got helped pretty quickly, I ordered flautas and Carne asada fries. I've never had such a roller-coaster of emotions over food before. The flautas were huge (or at least bigger than what I'm used to) and was super excited over then because I LOVE flautas but then eating them there was too much tortilla and not enough meat. Such a shame. Over all they were still good and filling. They came with guacamole, sour cream, cheese, lettuce, and tomato. The Carne asada fries were just meh. I heard a lot about their salsa and was excited to try it but the turned the salsa bar into a Christmas nativity scene. Oh well maybe next time read more

Las mejores flautas de San Diego !! Usan carne de la buena y siempre están frescas y crujientes!!! 10/10! siempre vengo en mi lonche y todos son muy amables Best rolled tacos ever!! They use real shredded beef and are very tasty and crunchy!!! 10/10 read more

This is a cute taco shop located in a small shopping center . I've eaten here many times over the years . The food is average and the portions are on the small side . The thing that's above average to me is their salsa . I'm such a fan of their salsa . It's bomb . You won't be wowed here or disappointed. read more

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The Best Mexican Food around in my humble opinion. We are vegetarian and eat here frequently. read more

Emma's Mexican Food - a pickup truck parked on the side of the road - Mexican Near Me - Santee, California

Great taco shop one of my favorites in santee. The rolled tacos and carne asada burritos are awesome ! Clean and friendly !

I had a very nice breakfast for a very good price here. I had the Huevos Mexicanos with rice and beans with four corn tortilla for $4.96 including tax. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/emmas-mexican-food-santee?select=4fAdIrXZWnJEBDw6lIf4ow#sK8IOZKL1EzG4SatpaMpsQ) The scrambled eggs came with tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions. The scrambled eggs were great. All the ingredients were fresh and well seasoned. I used the very good corn tortillas, (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/emmas-mexican-food-santee?select=4fAdIrXZWnJEBDw6lIf4ow#LTPW1CpvcrquvHE_OO0ThQ) to make breakfast tacos, some with the red sauce and others with the green. The red was my favorite because it had better flavor, and had a better kick. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/emmas-mexican-food-santee?select=4fAdIrXZWnJEBDw6lIf4ow#V7FaevklLNJcENfeJqxgcw) Great breakfast tacos. The re-fried beans were great. They well very well seasoned and had dynamite flavor. The rice was good, but it was a little bland. It could of used some salt. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/emmas-mexican-food-santee?select=4fAdIrXZWnJEBDw6lIf4ow#Z9G1gaVvrrKjcnSa2aDZ9Q) The people who work here are very friendly and polite. They were very happy that I enjoyed the meal. I can't believe that the meal was only under $5. Great price and some very good food is a winner in my book! read more

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Ordered rolled tacos and carne asada fries for the kids lunch today. The rolled tacos were super greasy with no flavor. The carne asada fries were bland, their food used to be pretty good with best prices in town. However they closed for awhile and prices went up and food isn't good. read more

Emma's Mexican Food - Outside - Mexican Near Me - Santee, California

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Do not order from this place. Came with two friends. We ordered separately, I ordered first and got my food last. Then when it came time to eat. HAIR was in the burrito. Not just one or two. Stay away read more

Today I ordered 3 rolled tacos with everything, pico and extra cheese, this is the second time I paid for extra cheese and was not given extra cheese, in addition there was no pico, and maybe a teaspoon of guacamole. When I called the gentleman was apologetic and some what helpful however at one point decided to hang up on me. On another occasion a co worker had some tacos and found a worm in his taco, when he showed the owner they simply pointed out that the worm was dead, as if that justified a worm being in his food. read more

Everything. Good food, good service, owners are so nice. I relax here with my daughter here at lunchtime. Ambiance is perfect. Love it here. I'll be back when I'm in Santee again. See ya soon... read more

Ordered a beef torta. It was more a bean and lettuce torta not much beef for a $10 torta. Won't be returning.

I spent sometime in Santee recently and this restaurant was suggested to me by a close friend. Situated in a small strip mall on Buena vista drive right off the 52, was a hidden treasure !!! My friend and I went thru there about 11. It was quiet and lunch rush wasn't far away. We were met by Emma no less. Having run thr restaurant for 26 years, they had this place called in for sure !!! The kitchen crew were non stop !! She quickly took our order and passed it on to the cook. Our two orders came out and as we sat in the dining area, a non -flow line of take out orders came thru the front door. The food is amazing although I never ate chorizo with a side salad ( I think that's what a pile of lettuce with a slice of tomato is ) That aside, the beans were just like Moms ! Chorizo was cooked just right. I was just passing thru Santee and found a gem. Great food, great ambiance, great service !! 'll visit this next time I'm here. Tony Valenzuela 760-497-1217 read more

Great homestyle Mexican food. Everyone working there is great and always very nice. I love the green sauce. My go to order is either a veggie burrito or a quesadilla with rice. If you are looking for good mexican food for lunch, this is a go to. read more

Came over to get food while waiting for my car to be smogged and it was delicious! Me and my son shared a bean & cheese burrito, beef taco, & 2 rolled tacos for $10. Great price, yummy food, will be back for sure! read more

Always good. We love the rolled tacos and enchiladas. Staff is friendly and parking is easy read more

Really glad I tried this place recently. Love the tortillas and large tostada salad. Plan to get takeout there again very soon.