love this place. Grandma is in the kitchen cooking and preparing every time I go. I have only had and only will ever get three things: 1. Large spicy chicken soup. Has that oodness you only get from slow cooking whole cuts including bones. Silky texture, lots of flavor while still brothy. They add a bunch of avocado. Do yourself a favor and ask for extra cilantro. 2. Chile Verde burrito. They know how to cook this correctly and it shows. The pork is always spiced appropriately and is soft and juicy. Ever get chile verde and the pork is dry? not here you won't 3. Chile relleno burrito. Flavorful pepper, hand stuffed with a healthy serving of cheese. The batter is tasty, and even moreso when fried and stuffed in a burrito! The beans are delicious, esp considering I never order beans from Mexican joints. They have the right mix of cumin, cayenne and cinnamon to make them a great co-star to the dish. Are other items good? Probably, but as you read my reviews you'll see I pick the thing I like and stick with it. As long as you don't go every day they'll remain as tasty as the first time. Old guy owner? If you're nice he's nice. Yes, he is particular when it comes to handing out extras, but if you eat all the salsa in the ramekins he'll gladly give you more. Some of my friends have been denied extra salsa b/c they leave half of it in the container. I agree with old guy! waste not want not. read more

I wanted soup one day because I was sick with running nose. I turned to Yelp for help since I am still new to the area and needed guidance. I search for soup and Jorge's Mexicatessen came up. I thought why not, it is conveniently located right off the freeway, and it is on my way home from work. They have two locations, one off El Camino Real and the other off Santa Fe. My co-worker suggested the SF location because it has a bigger parking lot. I decided to call in my order for pickup. The phone just kept ringing and ringing, at both locations. I got there right before 5 pm, and I was already the 5th person in line. Do people here eat early or what?! In any case, I ordered the yelp-winning chicken soup, carne asada quesadilla, and two fish tacos. I turned around after paying and there were about 10 more people in line! This chicken soup is no joke! I later realized there might've been more people that day because they have their soup special on Wednesdays. I ripped open the bag and opened up the soup as soon as I got home. I even burnt my tongue in the process of downing this delightful soup. There were large chunks of chicken AND avocado . The quesadilla was really good and not greasy at all. I went back the following week to get another order of soup, this time spicy. It was flavorful and had a nice kick in the end. I highly recommend going there especially for soup and everything else for that matter. I also recommend going there on a Wednesday to take advantage of the soup special. read more

The portions have always been a bit small IMO. But, I stopped over today and got a burrito with 6 rolled tacos & guacamole. The cheese portion was decent but almost no guacamole, pretty sad. Was thinking of going back to show them but I'm just kinda over it. I live very close to this location. Sadly, I don't think I will return. read more

NEVER AGAIN!!! Am I going to this restaurant, went in for the first time and it was a horrible experience! So not satisfied with the owner. He happen to be in the shop when I went in for lunch, he told me that I was holding up the line and that he was losing money by my holding up his so called "long line". No customer should be humiliated & treated like that. So unprofessional..especially to be an owner(leader) I don't recommend it at all! If I could I wouldn't even give this place a Star. read more

If you are driving on the 5 freeway on a long trip, don't stop for fast food, get off on Santa Fe, go toward the water and turn left into the first mall. Go to the Mexicatessen and order the soup. It's fantastic. I wish they had limes though. I might bring my own next time. read more

We found the beef taquitos & quesadilla to be average BUT the soup is DELICIOUS. It's the perfect "Chicken Soup for the Soul"! read more

Food was good, good portions but i felt like they nickle and dime you- they charge you extra for salsa?! Really? at a Mexican restaurant? I ordered a carnitas quesadilla thinking it came with sour cream or guacamole ( I live in orange county and the places over here always comes with at least one or both) the man told me nope it's extra- so had to order salsa, sourcream and salsa. Not to happy- but like I said food was good. read more

Five stars for the soup. So good when you are feeling under the weather or when at cold outside. I haven't really tried much of anything else so maybe this review is skewed, but this place is always hopping during lunch and that probably means that a lot of other things are delicious, unless everyone just comes for soup. ;) read more

i used to be skittish of hot sauce/salsa until I had the kind here. Now I eat it by the truckload. Their carnitas is the best. Staff is super nice too. read more

Worst Mexican food I've ever had. I tried the chicken burrito, and it was the most depressing thing I've had in a very long time. It was filled with rice and tasteless shredded white chicken. I asked them for green salsa. They gave me red, and told me to use my imagination, which kinda made me laugh. I Also tried the adobada taco. Really weird tasting. read more

If I am sick, I go here first. I get the soup, and it is amazing! Just thinking about it makes me feel better all ready

I have been going back and forth on Jorge's. I have gone from not really like this place very much from liking it quite a bit. I concede, I'm a fan. There are a lot of Mexican restaurants in Encinitas. Jorge's has some incredible daily specials at very low prices. Their beans and rice are very tasty. The thing that hooked is their chile rellenos. The chicken mole plate is also very good. Jorge's just has a lot of QUALITY food for a LOW price. The food also seems to be a bit more healthy (and fresh) than some of the neighboring places. This is really the best joint in town. read more

This is the ultimate spot for chicken soup. If you have a loved one in the hospital across the street, bring them a big bowl of their (mild) chicken soup. It comes with veggies and plenty of avocado. The service was fantastic. This is the best authentic Mexican cooking in the area. I end up at the Encinitas hospital a lot so this place is my go to for soup for sick patients. Don't forget to tip! read more

I am convinced that the soup helped cured my horrible sickness. Definitely get the spicy version if you have any sinus problems and they will magically disappear. Also, I recommend buying an extra bowl because everyone around you will want some of your soup! read more

This was my first time and These guys did not disappoint. It is important to note that they only take cash, but if you don't have any (as I did not) there is an ATM two doors down. I got two crispy tacos, a chicken and a carnitas, and the soup, Texcoco style. The tacos were perfectly crispy and the soup was my absolute favorite. It was filled with chicken, rice, veggies and topped with a few pieces of fresh avocado. The crew was super friendly and easy. This was a really nice and welcomed meal after being at the hospital across the street for a few days (my wife just gave birth to our first child - woot woot!!!). I will remember this place when in the mood for Mexican and in Encinitas. read more

Jorge's Mexicatessen - Chicken soup, texcoco style - Mexican Near Me - Encinitas, California

I was so stoked when they finally opened a savory burrito place down the street from me. Another option besides Rico's. When I first tried it I thought it was fantstic. And then something happened...the second and third time tasted not so good. Bummer...just another hit or miss mexican joint. I will be eating here again but only out of convenience or if Im sick and want chicken soup. Oh, and the owner is very nice as well. read more

Excellent soup! Make sure you call the right number if you are picking food up. They do not accept phone orders at the Santa Fe location only El Camino Real. I learned this the hard way! =( read more

I went here with some friends for lunch. Long line out the door, but no trouble getting a table. The soup was excellent. I had the combo of cheese enchilada with rice and beans. The food was good/okay. I have had a better enchilada at wahoo's and several other places though. 3/5 stars because the soup was great but the rest was okay. I'll have to try something else next time. read more

The Mexican chicken soup at Jorge's = satisfaction embodied. Full of flavor, chicken, veggies and rice, and they are generous with the avocado. A little pricey and gets busy but they move pretty quickly. Recommended! read more

worst experiance ever ... order my roll tacos with everything on it ... and mr fernado verified my order before paying and they still mess up on my order!!!!! i'm very upset i had to walk to get them on this hot weather and on top of it im pregnant ..... so ppl make u check ur order before you leave..... read more

Jorge's Mexicatessen - Mexican Near Me - Encinitas, California

I absolutely love eating here on my break. I work right next door and the guys there always treat us like family! Their spicy chicken soup is one of my favorites, if you feel a sickness coming this soup will kick it right out of your system. I also recommend the carne asada tacos & cheese quesadilla! read more

OMG!!! I went here b/c of the other yelp reviews and was not let down. The crunchy tacos were AMAZING, I suggest the carnitas. The lovely man behind the counter was really friendly. Be prepared, this is a CASH ONLY place and the seating is no frills. I cannot wait to go back. read more

This is hands down the best "taco joint" in encinitas, actually within atleast a 10 mile radius.

So this place is by far my favorite place to eat when I go visit my mom in Encinitas. I even bug my mom to take me there right when I get in the car when she picks me up at the airport so I could eat their amazing chicken soup and see Jorge the very friendly owner. So that you all know how big of a fan I am of this place I made a fansite on facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=200897013413&ref=ts ADD IT! read more

On my way south to san Diego I stopped at this random exit because I was hungry. My original plan was to go to the subway next door but then I noticed this place and was curious so went inside. It was a great descsion! I got 2 beef crispy tacos. They tasted so fresh. Great place. Will stop on my way back home. read more

Great little place to come too. There is a reason there is a line of people going out the door. Soup was the best id ever had.

Hey, you want a California burrito? Well, Jorge's has hands down the best in Encinitas. Slightly crispy and flaky tortilla, tender cubed carne asada, cheese, sour cream, and unique to Jorge's: crispy home fries. All the components are seasoned nicely, and the house salsa (tomato forward, sometimes very spicy) seals the deal. Combo burrito is tender shredded beef in a spicy red sauce (for me, no extra salsa topping needed here), stick to your ribs refried beans and melted cheese. Delicious. You probably shouldn't have a chimichanga every day, but this one is bad ass. The chicken soup is a well known staple to many within a five mile radius. Home made broth. Years ago, when I first got into making my own broth I would add veggies like carrot, celery and the like. On a trip to the taco shop, I brought up broth making with Jorge, and I mentioned my veggie additions. "Maybe at home, but not here." His is a clean, simple stock that takes well to the rice, diced onion/tomato, chopped cilantro and shredded chicken that make the stuff so tasty. Order it "regular" or "spicy", with your choice of corn/flour tortillas. Spicy has a pop. Small is a single serving, large is 2-3 portions. Weds special is a small soup, quesadilla and a drink for $6ish. Breakfast burritos are great, again home fries and spot on seasoning. Daily specials are often a good bet for the $. Jorge is a really cool dude that my family and friends have known for many many years. La Especial Norte was epic when he started it, I still remember the indoor water feature and distinct decor. My niece has been hearing him call out order numbers at this locale since she was a babe, and we are grateful to have such tasty and affordable food close by. Sometimes the place gets busy and understandably intense, but they always keep up. No phone orders makes for a very effective first come first serve setup. read more

Soup is as good as it gets...Jorge is always nice to everyone at the register and is always on it when your food is in the window no matter how busy he is...The food of course the soup is awesome but california burritos with real pieces of a potatoe much more fresh and the sour cream is perfect...always a good experience there. read more

Freshest, most cost-effective & authentic Mexican in town. Cash only & no ATM, but no problem--you could use the change in your couch to buy their fresh & enormous burritos. read more

Ilovethesoup(likeeveryoneelse)andIthinkthecrispychickentacosareamazing!Ihaven'thadmuchelseonthemenuandthatiswhyIonlygaveit4stars-becauseI'mbasingmyratingoffoftwoitems.Thepeoplethatworkthereareveryfriendly,too! read more

Love the food. Love the chicken soup. LOVE Jorge!! Jorge will tell you himself, "My chicken soup is the beeeest!"

I've been going to both Jorge's for a long time, and always loved their food and service. Last Friday they really came through for me in an amazing way. I was getting food for my wife who was admitted to Scripps on Wednesday night to have labor induced for our first child. I talked to Alex at the register a bit about how we had been at the hospital for over 40 hours and still no baby. Just as I sat down to wait for our order, I got the call from my wife, it was time! Alex told me to come back the next day to get my order. When I came by the next day, everybody working there knew of my situation and started my order when I came in. It was a really nice of them to be so accommodating and it really made a difference to us at an exciting time in our lives. Thanks Jorge's! read more

This review is for their spicy soup and plain quesadillas only! Everything else I have ever ordered there was not so great. The soup is the star here and for some reason, I just really love their plain cheese quesadilla (I think it goes well with the soup). The man behind the counter is really sweet too. read more

The best Chicken Soup ever! Service is great, quick & easy.

Everything I've ever eaten here has been excellent. Staff is always friendly, especially the owner. Chicken soup is a legend. People say it cures all ailments!! read more

I went here for the first time upon a friend's recommendation for their chicken soup and was not only impressed with the flavorful soup, but the fact that it was paired with a drink and quesadilla for only $6.70! It was the deal of the day. I could tell it was going to be good when I saw the long line at lunch time, but the service was quick and friendly and the food was great. I will definitely return here soon! read more

It's good but not my favorite. They do have decent burritos and their chicken soup (their claim to fame) IS good, but there are better options. I must admit that their carnitas are a bit mushy, like cat food I suppose. Anyway, I'll hit Jorge's if I'm nearby and if it's convenient, but I won't make a special trip to go there. read more

The place is a typical hole in the wall, I have gone to this place ever since it opened. It use to be a wonderful place with delicious food and huge portions. But, ever since the day it opened, all it has done is gotten worse and more worse. Now, my last 2 visits were extremely regretful, and i'm usually not an extremely picky buyer. But, the first time of these two, I got sick because of the beef that i believe. The carne asada was extremely grey and seemed to have been sitting around for days. Then the last visit I had, I received a california burrito with Carne asada, cheese, and potatoes. Last time i had a california burrito, i'm pretty sure there was either sour cream or guac,,, This was definitely the worst thing i've ever eaten in my life. I greasy gut dry bomb... Sorry Jorge's i'll continue going other places. They do still have the best chicken soup and some of the best hot sauce around. But, they also skimp you on the hot sauce, So... I also rarely eat things like soup, so... In that case, Jorge's sucks. read more

I love this place! I drive 15 minutes just to get their soup. I think I'm addicted. I also always pay for a side of salsa because I always want more. read more

Great food - tacos , enchiladas, and tortilla soup. Taco stand flavor (ie, great!) - where u can sit down to eat in a clean, not fancy, dining area. read more