Came for tacos, left questioning every taco decision I've ever made in my life…read more The food was GOOD good. The taquero convinced me to get one extra asada taco, and unfortunately for my self-control, the man was absolutely right. That taco had no business being that delicious. The asada was , the tortillas were on point, and everything just tasted fresh and legit. I've had tacos from that other very famous taco spot ... and let's just say TJ Tacos had me wondering why I've been wasting my time standing in those other lines. TJ Tacos: 10/10. Taquero: 11/10 salesmanship. My stomach: 12/10 satisfied. My wallet: mildly offended by the extra taco, but understands. Would absolutely come back.

TJ Tacos was a disappointing experience. We ordered 12 tacos, and the total came out to almost $59,…read morewhich felt very expensive for what we received. The tacos had very little meat, and the portions were not satisfying. To make matters worse, our order only came with four hot sauces. When we politely asked for more hot sauce and extra napkins, the staff refused. We were also told that only one napkin was allowed per plate, which was surprising. Even other taco places, like Frida's, are much more accommodating. Overall, the food did not justify the price, and the customer service left a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, this was an unpleasant visit, and I won't be returning. I'll definitely be taking my business somewhere else in the future.

I'm giving this place 3 stars for now because my first experience was genuinely great, but my…read moresecond visit was disappointing enough that I almost rated it 2 stars. The first time I visited a few weeks ago, I had a really positive experience. The location was a little hard for me to find, but once I got there, it seemed worth it. I walked in craving a breakfast burrito and was helped by a very nice, slender gentleman at the counter. I asked for a ham, bacon, and sausage breakfast burrito and also requested that it be cut in half. He was friendly, said no problem, and within minutes I had exactly what I ordered. That burrito was delicious. The salsa station was stocked and convenient with self-serve cups readily available, and the atmosphere was nice. The people around me were friendly, and one gentleman even mentioned this was the place that used to be near Peterson's Donuts. Overall, it was a great first impression and I left happy, already planning to come back. Fast forward to today, Saturday, April 25, 2026 around 10:30 AM, and unfortunately, my second experience was the complete opposite. This time there was a young woman working the register, and from the moment I approached, she didn't seem very welcoming. I told her I wanted to order a breakfast burrito but wasn't sure what kind I wanted today. She told me the only options were bacon, egg, cheese and tater tots, or egg and cheese. I politely asked if I could add ham and sausage and pay extra, since that's what I had ordered before. She immediately responded that they "didn't have that type of breakfast burrito." That response confused me because I had literally ordered one there before. I wasn't going to argue, especially because her tone and attitude made me feel like I was bothering her just by asking questions. I then asked if the burrito could be cut in half and never really got a clear response. I also noticed the salsa station no longer had the little self-serve cups available, so I had to ask for those too. The same cashier asked how many I needed, and I said two. A few minutes later, another woman called my name and handed me the burrito. I sat down and realized it wasn't cut in half like I requested. At that point, I had to go back up and ask for a plastic knife and fork just to cut it myself. Which was not a problem or issue for me. I ate half of the burrito, but honestly, it wasn't nearly as good as the first one. The taste was underwhelming, and by the time I left I was just so disappointed. I ended up throwing the other half away after I left. Consistency matters, especially when the first experience set the bar high. The food was great the first time, but the service and quality were lacking the second time around. My honest opinion: if someone is having a bad day, they probably shouldn't be the first face customers interact with at the register. I may update this review depending on how management responds, because I know this place can do better based on my first visit.

When you walk in, you can go right, which is where you can order food and the left is a market with…read moreMexican ingredients, meats, seasonings and canned goods. There is a table of baked goods available. There is a seating area inside where you can enjoy your meal. I ordered the El Pastor tacos and they were ok. The meat could've been more flavored. And I ordered a side of guacamole for $0.85. I rate the tacos 6/10. The salsa bar was clean and had an option of mild, hot and very spicy. The heat was good on the mild. The area was clean and the server was nice and friendly.

Great local spot, that I want the world and yet no one to know about, all at once…read more I had a craving for fish tacos. Sir we ventured here. I have the El Pascado, TallGirl had the Adaboado and the Coco Loco. For good measure we also got chips and guacamole. They have stubborn cola, which is always a hit for me. The chips were fresh and crisp and perfect amount of salt. The guacamole had a lovely lime hit. It was very good (from a non guacamole lover) and I especially like it with the chipotle salsa. My tacos were so yummy! I love how each taco had some fresh fruit on it. Each bite made my mouth happy!! The service was friendly, quick and personal. I felt like we were in a place where everyone knows your name. There is outdoor seating in the front and rear patio. And about 11 tables inside. This is on the list to come back to again and again!!

The first time I came here (few months ago) I ordered the Vegan Avocado taco and the Vegan Al…read morePastor taco. Both were amazing! I enjoyed the avocado the best. When ordering my food customer service was great. I sat own and received chips and salsa. These were great as well, the chips were amazing! Today I ordered the Vegan Avocado, Vegan Al Pastor and the Vegan Zucchini tacos. I was really looking forward to the chips and salsa but I didn't receive anything :/. Since I was the only one that just ordered in the restaurant I just figured maybe they don't offer them anymore. My food came out quickly but it was nice last time to have the chips to scope up my fallen fillings. Another customer came in and ordered and within minutes they received chips and salsa. Not sure why I didn't receive anything. I was disappointed I didn't receive any because I really enjoyed them my last time here. Atmosphere is great and a nice quiet place to enjoy your food.

This taqueria is GENEROUS!!! Chips and beans to munch on while you wait for your food, salsa bar…read morewith endless spicy carrots, and generous portion sizes. A great spot in the heart of Escondido. Can't wait to come back and bring people with to also enjoy! Will also keep them in mind for catering

Family has been coming here for a while. Today was my first time and it did not disappoint…read more Breakfast all day yes please. Carnitas breakfast burrito with hash mas fuego. Service was quick and friendly. Small little hole in the wall that has really food.

That Mexican Place has become my family's go-to spot for Mexican food in Escondido. The portions…read moreare huge, the service is always friendly and attentive, and the food comes out surprisingly fast. Two standout items you have to try are the surf and turf burrito and the carne asada fries--they're both packed with flavor and come in generous portions. We've been here many times and consistently have a great experience whether dining in or ordering to go. If you're looking for solid Mexican food with big portions and fast service in the Escondido area, this place is definitely worth a visit.

It'd been a couple years since the sad limp rolled taco encounter. So given how often these places…read moreturn over ownership or management, I figured it time to give That Mexican Place anonymously go. I ordered a #1 combo (shredded beef taco, cheese, enchilada, beans/rice) for myself, and two shredded beef tacos à la carte for Mom, to eat at home a half mile away. Upon opening, the combo looked good, although the tiny smattering of pico on the taco and particularly the super skimpy portions of both beans and rice immediately stood out - a real bummer as I REALLY love Mexican beans and rice. So presentation was quite disappointing. Then, the second I picked up the taco, it was apparent it didn't survive the trip, having completely disintegrated on the bottom. This appeared to be from using a thinner than usual tortilla to make the taco, which was then set directly in a puddle of unusually watery enchilada sauce. So that was strike 2. As for the cheese enchilada, there was so little cheese had I not known what I was eating I wouldn't have been able to tell you. In addition, it was swimming in the same watery enchilada sauce that caused the demise of the taco. As for the à la carte beef tacos, mom reported they were good. So at least she was happy (Whew! Thank goodness!). The good news is, the food all tasted good, with the issues all relating to quantity and plating, not quality or taste. So despite the low rating, I'll be back at least once more to give them another go, if only because it's so conveniently close to home. Fingers crossed...

I reviewed the other location but they're both excellent so I figured I should leave a review on…read morethis one too. The lobster tacos here are FANTASTIC!!!!!! Everything else I've tried here has been A+ 10/10. Wonderful seafood spot. Highly recommend. The only bummer is that if you sit on the patio you have to listen to the annoying music that the Walgreens across the street blasts 24/7. Last time I was there, I had to hear the same short clip of Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee" looped about fifty times. Next time I visit here I'll probably ask to sit indoors for that reason alone.

Came here after visiting some friends in San Marcos for a late 7:30 PM dinner. A few parties were…read moredining inside and out on the patio; we opted to dine outside. We ordered a standard fish taco, as well as octopus, marlin, and smoked tuna tacos, along with a sampler of the aguachile. We ordered the verde, mango, and tres chiles. Pros: - Friendly service; our waitress gave us some great recommendations as we were overwhelmed by the huge menu. - The tacos were fantastic. The tortillas were lightly griddled and not too thick. The octopus and fish tacos were very well-seasoned and flavorful. The marlin taco was a standout--it was lightly spicy, smoky, and well balanced with minced carrots and celery. - Decent portions, especially the aguachile. Each sampler dish had ~4-6 shrimps. My favorites were the verde (spicy salsa verde) and tres chiles (tasted like a limey, spicy chipotle salsa) Cons: - I was not a fan of the mango aguachile and would not order it again. I thought it would be a standard aguachile sauce with some fresh mango chunks, but it turned out to be shrimp marinated in this overly sweet, gloopy mango sauce that tasted like a melted mango popsicle. If you are sensitive to spice, I would make sure to check in with your waiter before ordering anything. I thought I had a medium spice tolerance but found myself huffing and puffing like a chud after eating the aguachile, lol. All in all, would visit again if I was in the neighborhood!

This place in San Marcos is CRAFTed and curated to perfection. We used to come here when it was…read moreRip Current. Even though that closed this place was a nice surprise in its venue takeover. You order at the Bar counter for your Brew & for the tacos. The food is made at their permanent fixture food truck outside. The tacos are amazing and generously portioned. The Birria was my favorite! Carne asada was good too. The staffers are nice and ready to serve. There is high communal and individual table top seating inside and sports playing on the TV. Picnic Bench tables out on the front patio are & close to the food truck. It's pretty busy but worth the little wait for your tacos to be done. So sip sip while you wait for the buzzer to go off! Looking forward to our next visits here.

Terrible, terrible, terrible. Waited over an hour for tacos. At this point is doesn't even matter…read moreif they are good or not. Save your time and grab food somewhere else if you really want their beer. Oh and then by the time they finally gave us our food, they forgot three items we ordered and proceeded to say "you didn't order those" So on top of being slow, it's sh*t service, and crappy people.

My daughter's boyfriend brought this back for us when he came over for lunch. WOW! The Caldo de…read morePolla was absolutely delightful, with generous chunks of avocado, flavorful rice, and bits of onion, all blending beautifully with tender chicken, in a richly flavored broth that's simply amazing. It's all that I can think about. The perfect balance of spice and flavor has left me feeling uplifted and eager for more - this soup is truly transformative. Highly recommend! Didn't have time to take pictures

Lourdes is truly a gem. Their chicken soup is absolutely divine--rich, flavorful, and consistently…read moreamazing every single time. It's the ultimate comfort food, especially on a chilly day or when you're not feeling well. Truly a 10/10. We often order through DoorDash, and they always do an excellent job packaging everything so it arrives hot, fresh, and spill-free, which I really appreciate. Beyond the soup, we've also ordered the taquitos, burritos, and quesadillas, and all of them are delicious--but the chicken soup is hands-down the star of the show. I cannot recommend Lourdes enough. If you're looking for comforting, high-quality food that never disappoints, this is the place.

Came here for our first time and we will definitely be coming back again. The service and staff was…read moregreat and they continued to check up on us during our stay. The food was amazing and super filling. I got the Birria ramen and my bf got a Birria quesadilla and they were both filled and stuffed. Left super happy and satisfied.

This is our go to spot for chilaquiles with green sauce. Today we also purchased fresh corn and…read moreflour tortillas to take home. The service has always been exemplary.

Damn this food is delicious with large portions. This meat is cooked over wood coals & you can…read moretaste the difference! I love their red salsa they put on their tacos but woo wee! it is spicy!! One last thing, they make all their tortillas and they toast some of the corn tortillas. I love a good carne asada tostada! Try this, order your carne asada tacos but when you get to the window where they prep your food, ask them to make 1 like a tostada. Thank me later!

Still the best Pastor among the 20+ taquerias I've tried in Escondido. My ongoing complaint is that…read moreI like a few chips on the side, but you have to pay $6.00 for a big pile, dwarfing the cost of the taco. Since my last visit, they've changed their salsa policy and there are no cups available at the salsa bar; they give you only two tiny cups when you order amid what I consider to be a bad attitude by the order taker. The salsa bar has three mediocre salsas, plus limes, cucumbers, and radishes. If you want anything more than two salsas, there is no place to put them until your get your order, requiring juggling with your plates at the salsa bar. It's also a bit weird that you have to take your receipt to a prep station to get your order. Have they never heard of a remote printer?