Ok you have to drive through sketchy Spring Valley to get here but we'll worth it! Marlene was making potato tacos when we ordered our carnitas plate. She was making these tacos with the same love and care that your grandma would make, not like a fast food setup. The carnitas did NOT disappoint! The were so flavorful, moist and soft. The beans and rice seriously competed with my abuelita's (grandmas) which is rare. Food came quickly and she took the time to go out of her way to make sure that I had lime with my order. Not a slice but and actual lime that she cut in half. Where do you get that kind grassiness now a days? You don't. Visit this place it is worth the trip, the food is like one BIG hug of loving! Excellent food! I've had many kinds of Mexican food. Enjoy! read more

It was not busy when I walked (one person eating in a booth, 3 people in the kitchen area) but I was left standing at the register while they finished their conversation. I put in my order ($63.76) and gave them a 15% tip because they are a mom and pop shop. Should have held off on the tip. We were given overcooked, dry meats, the rolled tacos were burned, the tortas were on stale bread, and we were missing two items. When I tried to call them, the phone sent me to VM and my call was not returned in a hour, so I called back, left a second message, in Spanish this time (by a native speaker)...still no response. They didn't deserve the tip and we will never go back. I encourage you to think hard about going elsewhere. At least you may be treated with respect, and I'm sure the food will be just as good, if not better. read more

I've been looking for a local taco shop for months, ever since gas prices spiked I think I've found one! Tried this location several times this last month and I can honestly say I'm yet to be be dissatisfied with my food. Friendly staff ! Food portion are large and food was delicious. Found another hidden gem in spring valley ! read more

One of the BEST hidden gem taco shops in San Diego imho. I'm on the endless search for the best buritto and this place does not disappoint. My favorites are the surf and turf burritos and quesadillas. Make sure you ask for their white sauce for those! I go here anytime I'm in the area read more

Best taco shop around, I always had a great experience. I have a few taco shops near me but Marlen's is worth the drive. Great customer service and amazing food! Definitely try the carne asada fries or the California burrito, you will not be disappointed! Once you finish make sure to try out the deserts, the homemade flan is my personal favorite. read more

Marlen's Taco Shop - California burrito - Mexican Near Me - Spring Valley, California

Good food, hard to find, they have a sign on the curb, bits small. friendly service. A bit pricey....$10 for a breakfast burrito.

The best breakfast burrito ever. Tacos de cabeza were bomb! I always base the review off the meat and it was delicious.

They are so lazy they can't cut there meat on the carne asada fries RIDICULOUS everything was also cold read more

Marlen's Taco Shop - They are so lazy that they can't cut the meat for the carne asada RIDICULOUS! - Mexican Near Me - Spring Valley, California

This place is excellent and the owner is awesome. She goes out of her way to get your order right. My caldo de res was just like my mom makes it. Full of vegetables and really tender meat. Will come back. read more

Marlen's Taco Shop - Mexican Near Me - Spring Valley, California

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We ordered a bacon breakfast burrito! Was really good! The strawberry water was really good too! I'd want too heavy! Perfect !

This place is a gem! Great place to go to while your cars getting worked on across the street! Definitely try them out! The lady working was nice as advertised!! Lucy for the win! read more

This place was just horrible, this was so disgusting. I do not know how ppl can eat here, the rice and beans were horrible. I have never been to a taco shop were beans have tasted like actual expired milk. They were sour and tasteless, what you order does not come out as pictured in the menu. Oh and the flys sit with you and give you company. Do not come here save yourself. read more

Seriously, their food is the meaning of orgasm. Though this place is hidden, it's probably the BEST one in town. Fheir staff are very welcoming and friendly to their customers! I love it! When I say the Best, THE BEST! Ive tried so many other taco shops around SD but their food is beyond AWESOME. THIS IS PROBABLY THE BEST ONE IN TOWN. I like how thin and really good their fries. Damn, whoever doesnt know this place is hella missing alot. Check this out!!! read more

Marlen's Taco Shop - Mexican Near Me - Spring Valley, California

Came in early morning craving carne asada nachos. Disappointed. Lots of chips covered in cold cheese, but was lacking good quality meat and a larger scoop of guacamole. I did like their red salsa. The salsa was good. Nachos- below average. Meat was too chewy and 4-5 pieces of fatty meat that I could not eat. Almost $17 for nachos and a Sangria Senioral. Not worth it. read more

Prices have been going up but portions seem to be getting smaller, doesn't make any sense. This place used to be a gem, not so much anymore.

Oh my little ghetto taco shop, how I love you. Did you ever date a girl that would wear stupid tee-shirts with wolfs on them, and not comb her hair, and possibly walk around with barbeque sauce on her face?? But when you looked past the barbeque sauce, and the unkempt hair, and took that damn wolf shirt off you realized that this girl had an amazing body, I mean a body that said "ahhhhhhhh" like you were looking up at the sky through the pearly gates of Heaven! Well this taco shop is a lot like that girl, except way different. Beyond the rusty steel door entrance, and the three broken- ass arcade games from before The Who were singing about Pinball Wizards, and the three kids outside throwing dice and dealing drugs, is a place that has great food for a cheap price. Seriously I got this mammoth taco, it was like the size of Shaq's baby leg, and I looked that taco square in the face (cue wild western showdown theme) and I said "taco, today you met your maker", more like eater really. I pounded that taco harder than the corner dwelling prostitute in Bangkok gets pounded by ugly businessmen with hairplugs......oh and here's the thing They both cost five dolla!! haha read more

Holy sheep shit! I've lived next to Marlen's for almost a year now, and every time I go to that taco place next to Jack in the Box, my roommates ask me why I didn't go to Marlen's. After finally going there the other day...I have no fucking idea why I ever went to that other place, Marlen's is to die for good. Now, honestly, the only thing I ever eat at Taco stands is Carne Asada, but Marlen's is juicy; spicy; and looks like it is chock full of fresh ingredients. Further, at a ton of Mexican joints I end up pealing off the tortilla and eating the innards...because damn it, I'm picky. Marlen's tortilla s however are soft; warm; and taste homemade. Yum!!! Also, they recently let some family open a smoothie joint in some spare space they had...Speaking as a barista who knows my smoothies...Those smoothies are A++. Dude who made them even had me drink it down some so he could give me all the extra bits. For a suburb with a dearth of good eateries, Marlen's is a gem. read more

First of all; the shop is kinda like hidden. Probably the only hidden taco shop in the valley and if you're eyes not wide open you'll probably miss it. Food is good. Carne asada chips are great. It's a nice little spot to dig on some good food and get yo Mexican on. Yolo read more

Marlen's Taco Shop - Carne Assada chips crispytty-bombdigg - Mexican Near Me - Spring Valley, California

Me and my wife Been going to this taco shop for over 10+ years. Carne asada fries and California burritos are Magical. Owners are awesome.

Ok what can I say little hole in wall spot to tell you the truth we past it up trying to look for it keep your eyes peeled we got beef taco bean and cheese burrito and a order of rolled tacos Bean and cheese was bomb cheese was melted all the way through beans where great Rolled tacos where agh so so tiny I liked that they mixed there guacamole with sour cream lettuce and cheese Beef tacos the wifey said they could use more seasoning. read more

I always order through Door Dash and they are, by far, my favorite taco shop in the area. The food is always freash and my order is always correct. Anything with their carne asada is delicious. The meat is well seasoned, slightly charred, but so tender. Oh, and their red hot sauce. BOMBA! Love the flavor! I'm definitely a customer for life :-) read more

Judgmental Hospitality Student Quick Analysis: I used to go to this spot back in middle school. It has not lost its touch. Not the best, but not bad at all. read more

Prices are fair. Had carne asada burrito. Good amount of meat, mexican quac was good. Taste is fair, nothing spectacular. No salsa bar, and the salsa was unimpressive. Not the cleanest looking and in a pretty dilapidated area. Def hole in the wall. Better than that Alibertos next to Jack in the Box, but that bar is set low. My quest for great Mex in Spring Valley continues. read more

Sent my son here to try it out and he was the first one in the door with no other customers in the restaurant. He ordered 1 order of fish tacos, 1 order of rolled tacos and 1 taco plate to go. Took close to 40 minutes to get the food and while waiting 3 other customers came in ordered, got there food and left. Another customer came in after, ordered and was already eating before they gave him his order. We were not impressed with any of our orders and honestly given the wait time will not go back. read more

I like the food, the taste. My son enjoys the chimichangas (shreded beef or carne asada).

I've tried many places in search of good caldo de rez (beef soup) and I have never been satisfied till I found Marlene's taco shop. It has a lot of flavor the vegetables were fully cooked and evenly . The salsa is one of the best salsas I've tried in any Mexican taco shop . And the dried chili gave it an extra kick . I was helped by Marlene , she made me feel like I was eating at a family members house . Will definitely come back . read more

Been coming here for almost nine years now food has always been very delicious service is the best. If you are in Spring Valley I recommend this place honestly the best. read more

Charged me 2 dollars for taking a ingredient out of a burrito.. not even worth money spent at that.. weirdos!

This is a mom and pops taco shop. The food is made to order and has great flavor. The prices are great and the food is always on point. The pollo asado and carne asada are amazing. Their caldo de res is also good for a cold day. The place is hidden and needs a little remodel but don't be fooled by the taste and value of their food. read more

Undoubtedly the best California burrito I've had. Reasonably priced and excellent food!

Bomb.com lol I've tried there fish and carne asada tacos. Haven't been let down ever been going almost everyday for the last 2 weeks. Kinda pricey that's forsure read more

Ordered carne asada fries, the fries were hard and cold. Ordered a california burrito and was cold as well. Meat portion for both items are not worth it. read more

I've been coming to this taco shop since I was 13 it is absolutely amazing!!!!!! My favorite is the California Burrito with there homemade salsa is delicious !!!! Come to Marlens you won't regret it, best taco shop in Spring Vally !!!! read more

Good service, good food, and very good prices! Had a ham and bacon breakfast burrito and it was awesome

ordered off door dash, and it wouldn't let me rate but oh my gosh this is the best mexican food i've had in a while definitely ordering again read more

Got the carne asada burrito from reading the other reviews. It was very good. Hole in wall place but good!

Food is ok. But the last time i ordered from this place there was a disgusting long hair in my food. Didnt bother requesting a refund. I was so digusted. Never again read more

First time coming here which was tonight. I ordered a carne asada burrito. It was delicious! The meat was fresh and the guac! I know for a fact that I'll be stopping here more often! Plus the cashier woman was sweet and polite!!! :) read more

The location is pretty ghetto and so is the shop, but the food is A1, I asked for a carne asada burrito but the meat a little more well cooked read more

I'm new to spring valley so I went on yelp to find a good taco shop nearby. I read the reviews on this taco shop, there was good reviews on this place so I decide to head over there. I order 5 role tacos and carne asada fries, I was very disappointed on the role tacos. The role tacos did not have any meat in side them, it was only tortilla. The guacamole was water down and the cheese was in thick peace's. The carne asada fries was alright, I might order them again if I have no other choice but nothing else. I will not recommend this taco shop to any of my friends and family. And a tip for this restaurant please do some upgrading to your place, it seems like your still stuck in 1995. read more