Got the Red Quesadilla and it was so good!! Super large portion size, the birria was amazing and the quesadilla was packed with so much flavor. A solid 10/10, will order again. First time at this establisment and had a very pleasant experience. I really loved the vibe of the place. Casual, yet hip (the splashes of red color really pops!) Service was friendly and there is a salsa bar too with lots of options. Will definitely be back! read more

Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa - Red Quesadilla - Tacos Near Me - San Diego, California

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I was really excited to try Mike's Red Tacos. The website bragged about all of the different flavors of homemade salsa. But I didn't realize that just about every dish was based on birria. But okay. I love a good, flavorful birria taco. I guess I just didn't order right. I grabbed the Mikes Meal Special, but I was really craving some nice crunchy, cheesy and Jalapeno-hot Nachos. So I thought I would try a half-order of Mike's Nachos. Man! They were horrible. The huge pile of shredded beef tasted okay, but the red gravy got all of the chips that it came into contact with really soggy and unpleasant to eat. Maybe it would have been better if I had eaten it in the restaurant, but it should not have degraded that quickly. And to claim to be Nachos? Why? What was Nacho about this messy, uninteresting dish? The only suggestion of cheese that I got was one stray pipe of yellow processed cheese that could have been mustard for all that I know. There were NO Jalapenos whatsoever. The guacamole was just one spoonful plopped down in the middle of the order. There was really nothing red hot about the food at all. So the sour cream just made it taste incredibly bland. My advice? Always go with as authentic to real Mexican food as you can find. If you really want "Gringo Sonora," I would heartily recommend Del Taco over this restaurant. read more

Okay, I get the hype! I ordered tacos to-go, which sometimes is the best test because if a place can be good as take-out - imagine it in person! The birria is fall apart tender and the tortillas, even after sitting for about 20 minutes in the closed container, had a wonderful crunch that I appreciated. The orange salsa is an absolute must! I loved the spice it had, but the flavor combined was so delicious. I definitely recommend getting the Mike's combo (especially on a Tuesday because they do an added taco for Taco Tuesday). The combo comes with chips and salsa which is a must! The ordering method on the website is easy to use and the pricing is very affordable. I cannot wait to come back and try the birria ramen! read more

I had originally read about this place in the SD Reader when they were a food truck in Bay Park on weekends. I saw a 2nd article that they opened a brick and mortar in Clairemont. I stopped in and ordered a quesadilla. Now I was a little surprised at a $12 quesadilla but when I got my order home it was HUGE! Totally got my $ worth and it fed me for two days. The staff were wonderful people and the place was packed! Always a good sign. Definitely go check this place out! read more

The service was great, and the food came out fast, exactly how fast food should. Flavor-wise, it was decent, but nowhere near authentic Mexican food (I probably should've figured that out from the name). The menu is all birria, which is limiting if that's not what you're craving. The ratings are high, but after looking around the packed restaurant, I realized a lot of people probably haven't had birria from a small family spot or a food truck in the hood. That might explain why they rave about Mike's Red Tacos instead of Miguel's birria tacos. I still crushed the taco and half the burrito, but all the processed ingredients had my stomach waving the white flag almost immediately. read more

Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa - Decent taste but exits fast! - Tacos Near Me - San Diego, California

This is so worth it if you come on Tuesdays because they give you a free taco in the Mike's Meal for taco tuesdays!! I could only finish 2 tacos, so 3 is mega filling, and it was also SO tasty!! This was my first time trying birria tacos, and I loved them so much! Not sure if it's because we got it togo but they put the cilantro and onions on the side for us to construct by ourselves haha. I think by the end it did get a bit too salty tho, and it possibly contained a lot of msg because I was very very thirsty afterwards, but it was still soo yummy!! Would 100% get again :) They have seating inside too! read more

Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa - Mike's Meal (with extra free taco for taco tuesday) - Tacos Near Me - San Diego, California

The birria and consome is craveable! Can't wait to come back soon. I like how the birria isn't too greasy and dripping with grease. It is still on the oily side though. The meat is a bit dry and tougher than I'd like, so I highly recommend getting the consome to dip. The salsa bar is amazing! There is a great range of flavors and I love trying a bit of every salsa. The staff members are very friendly. The speed of the service is okay. The interior has been updated from a few years ago. It seems nicer and newer inside now. read more

Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa - Birria Taco - Tacos Near Me - San Diego, California

They've expanded since we last dined here! It was exciting to walk in and see what they've done with the place - updated decor, additional seating, salsa and soda bar, and checkout counter. As always, the staff are so welcoming and the overall ambiance is casual and keeping with Mike's authenticity. Today I was craving birria tacos so it made sense to make a trip to Mikes. The husband came with and we shared their Mikes Meal, which are two birria tacos with consume and chips. We added a soda and their rice and beans. This was the perfect amount to split and really scratched that itch! The food kept with the quality and flavor we remembered. Loved everything - the filling was delicious, consume was on point, chips are solid (great for dipping), and I have dreams about their salsa bar! Rice and beans were also a wonderful addition to our meal. Absolutely no notes! 10/10 It continues to be a great spot to grab a bite. Friendly staff, clean establishment, and birria tacos that are worth the trip! Highly recommend and can't wait to make it back! read more

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I didn't know what to expect coming here at this restaurant but from first thoughts it had interesting and loud looking scenery and bright colors. The food itself wasn't too bad but I did notice there is a sweet taste to some of the food. I don't know if it was the consommé they used or the cheese sauce, I just didn't enjoy it as much as I did. In my opinion I feel like sweet tastes should not really be in mexican food, it ruins the flavor for me. The service was great, the wait wasn't too long and they were very nice. This place was certainly worth the hype though, my parents wanted to come here for a while now. read more

Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa - Tacos Near Me - San Diego, California

I thought this place was OK. I'd rate it 3.5 stars if I could but I felt like the birria taco I got was just OK. The guac was also not as good as I was expecting. It may be just a difference in taste buds but it was a little on the saltier side, and I love guac normally. The star of the show was the sauces. They were all really tasty and I can see how they elevate the meal. Staff was friendly and it was quick to find seating though it was really busy and you may sometimes have to wait for a seat. read more

Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa - Birria Taco meal & Red Quesadilla - Tacos Near Me - San Diego, California

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They expanded! There's so much more seating now so it would be great for bigger parties. The food is also so good and good portions! It was very easy to order. You order at the front and choose a seat and then they'll give you a number. I got the taco meal, which comes with two tacos and chips. I like that they give you the consume and you can use it to dip your taco or even the chips. I always go to this place for good Beria tacos and the taste is always consistent. They also have a salsa bar so you can choose what you want and also a soda machine. The food does come pretty fast, which is nice. I just really love that. They finally expanded and have more seating. read more

Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa - Birria Taco - Tacos Near Me - San Diego, California

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What a great spot for getting tacos! It is tucked inside a shopping complex so the parking is easy. Customer service is top notch! I ordered the veggie tacos without the beef oil. They came out absolutely delicious!! The portion sizes are also very generous. They bring out the food relatively quickly. There's a salsa bar where one can pick their salsa based on spice tolerance/palate. Overall a 10/10. Definitely my go to spot for tacos! read more

Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa - Veggie Taco - Tacos Near Me - San Diego, California

I was here once years ago and it seems they've expanded and remodeled this location since then. Much more spacious. Clean inside and modern street art vibe. Latin pop piping through the speakers. Makes me want to get up and dance! I ordered the 2 birria and cheese taco combo plate and a fountain drink. The tacos were solid for sure. My deduction is because the soda fountain was funky. I couldn't put my finger on what was wrong like if it was too flat or the taste was off but I went in craving a good old Diet Coke and it tasted so bad I spilled it out and got a Coke Zero which tasted so bad I spilled it out and got a Jamaica which tasted too sweet so I gave up. The server was nice and I'm sure she would have refunded my drink had I asked, but I didn't give her the opportunity so that's on me. My only other wish is that there would have been spicy carrots at the salsa bar. read more

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Came in at 9:30pm and it was busy for a Saturday night! All the tables were filled and there were a couple of people waiting to pick up their orders to go. I ordered Mike's combo #1 which is worth the price! You get two tacos, consome, and tortilla chips. I recommend signing up with your phone number to earn points and redeem a free drink when you sign up. Customer service was nice and my food was ready in a timely manner. I will definitely try again! And if you're reading this on 05/24, it is Free taco day! read more

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Another great experience at Mike's red tacos. The cashier Ana was awesome, super friendly, and even signed me for their rewards. This location has been remolded to add a bigger dinning room. The food is still top notch. I ordered Mike's meal that came with 2 quesabirria tacos, consome, and chips. The tacos were nicely sized and filled with meat and cheese. Their house made chips are great for dipping into their house made salsa as well. read more

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If you've ever been let down by foodie Internet sensations being all marketing, unmemorable food, and overpriced, then I will say I was very much delighted to find that Mike's Red Tacos is an exception! The employees were very kind and offered us tips and recommendations even with a line behind us. She walked us through the rewards system and even offered us a free meal with the completion of a survey! Just seemed like there was a lot of self-promotion going on (again, lots of marketing!). Did the survey, but failed to take a screenshot of the coupon, but at least Mike knows what TV shows and music genres I enjoy. The food came quickly. There was a lot combinations to try! Dip in the consumme? Dip in the many salsas? With some onions? Or maybe a radish? Kept it tasting fresh and exciting; I could see it getting one-toned and greasy if it weren't for all the accessories. The consumme, although delicious, was wasted for the most part. Unless you drink it, simply dipping would only use up a third of the portion given. They did a great job on the renovation: opened up the space and added lots of tables. The grafitti aesthetic made it seem like a Dave's Hot Chicken. Maybe Dave and Mike are friends. I'll definitely be back to try more items! read more

Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa - Birria Tacos, Crunchstack - Tacos Near Me - San Diego, California

Finally tried it -- lives up to the hype. Got Mike's Meal + an extra taco + beans. The birria tacos were crispy, cheesy, and packed with tender beef, and the consomé is a must -- that dip takes every bite up a level. Salsa bar is legit too, with some solid options. Portions are generous, flavors hit, and it's one of those spots you already know you're coming back to. I skipped most of the chips and went all in on tacos + consomé -- no regrets. read more

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I came here for the first time a couple weeks ago on a Saturday evening and it was packed. Huge parking lot so not hard to find parking. Only a couple people in line to order ahead of me but food took awhile since they do a lot of online orders. It seems like the food is freshly made to order since they get so many orders. I got the Mike's meal with horchata. I wish it came with 3 tacos instead of just 2. Love the huge self serve salsa bar. I like spicy food and the salsas were nice and spicy. I'm biased towards green salsa so that was my favorite as well as the creamy jalapeño one. Decent amount of seating but with how popular this place is, they could use a bigger seating area. My drink ended up being free for joining the rewards. I'd come back again! read more

Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa - Mike's Meal - Tacos Near Me - San Diego, California

My husband and I have lived in San Diego a very long time and have never been to Mikes Red Tacos. I enjoyed their beef barria loaded nachos. They were delicious! The service was great and friendly. Marcus helped us and gave me a sample of the beef. The Restraunt was quaint and the ambiance was very nice. 5 plus stars. read more

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When I first found this place, I immediately thought the crunchstack was a Taco Bell crunchwrap dupe. It actually tastes better as it includes queso, guac, and beef birria. I could probably have done without the beans. You will notice almost every item includes beef birria, and I think it's nice for a business that lets you know exactly what their specialty is. I also got the churros which I thought were great at first, until my partner and I noticed a faint meaty aftertaste.. I assume this is because they keep their churros frozen in the same freezer as their meat. Love the unlimited salsa bar. This seems like a popular spot - the downside is that we came around 6pm on a Saturday and thus had to keep scouting for indoor seating as it was full. At least the staff was nice enough to wipe down the table we took over from someone else before our food was ready. read more

Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa - Loaded Fries, Mini Churros, Crunchstack - Tacos Near Me - San Diego, California

Came on a Sunday evening around 5:30pm and it wasn't as crowded as reviews say. Got the Mike's Meal and Cali Burrito to try. Mike's meal was favorable and full of fillings (pickled onions, cilantro, lime, onions, birria soup etc) topped with the creamy jalapeño sauce. Perfection. However, the combo feels like a 12.99 meal because only two birria tacos. I think 14.99 would be the cost of everything with THREE tacos. Our thoughts lol. Cali Burrito was another fan favorite. We didn't feel full with two Mike's tacos so the burrito made everything worth. May be a bit too much fries inside, but we had leftover birria soup to drip into. Enjoyed this birria shop. Will come again. read more

Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa - Mike's Meal - Tacos Near Me - San Diego, California

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Tasty Birria tacos, we arrived with 3 customers in the restaurant and this place was pretty full by the time we left. Great staff, friendly, attentive and the restaurant is clean! Every seating area was awaiting a customer. No tables with drips or signs of prior customers. The place is artfully decorated. Colorful and loud enough to stand out! Check out the walls of the restrooms! Talk about bold!! Great concept, and so easy to keep clean. Onto the tacos! The Birria tacos are delicious. Full of tender meat, and not at all dry, the evil of shredded beef. The tortillas were strong enough to hold the Birria and as much of the fresh cilantro, red onion and radish you choose to fill your taco. I couldn't find anything wrong with this delicious taco! We both enjoyed it! The tortilla chips are also made in house and are really great. The crisp is perfect and they are seasoned perfectly. Be sure to visit the salsa bar. So many choices from mild to habanero hot. This is a favorite among the locals. Everyone enjoying their tacos and waiting patiently for freshly prepared food. Well worth the wait! read more

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A few people recommended I try Mike's Red Tacos while in San Diego so I made it a point to stop by. I arrived on a Thursday for lunch just before noon and the restaurant was already packed. I ordered Mike's Meal which includes two birria tacos with cheese served with house-made chips and consome. While waiting for my order, I patiently waited for a table to open up and fortunately I was able to snag a seat before my order was ready. Mike's Meal looked good upon first glance since the plastic container was full, though I quickly noticed a majority of the container was composed of the chips and consome; it would've been nice if the consome was not provided in the same container to leave room for more of the cilantro, onions, limes, radishes, pickled onions, or even chips. The tacos had a nice crunch to them and were not too overly oily. The chips tasted very fresh and I couldn't stop myself from eating the chips. Although the flavor of the consome was good, it seemed extremely watery and diluted down and was not like consome I was used to from other restaurants; when dipping the tacos into the consome it felt like I was soaking the tacos rather than scooping up the contents, if that makes sense. My experience at Mike's Red Tacos was just okay and it did not live up to the hype in my opinion. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing and should've gotten something other than Mike's Meal as my introduction to Mike's, but hopefully I'll be able to return to give them a second chance. read more

Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa - Mike's Meal - Tacos Near Me - San Diego, California

It's been a minute that I have been here and wow, didn't realized they reno the place. My child loves to come here so I had to give it a try and boy, the birria hits. We ordered the loaded fries, birria ramen, and the combo (2 tacos and chips), and churros. I love that the toppings were laid out on the tray and they were very generous with the amount. The consomé was rich and flavorful. The churros were a little doughy and dense for me. I probably would skip it next time. I can see why my child loves coming here. read more

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Visiting Point Loma area in SD and found this place on Yelp. Pros: The Birria tacos were pretty tasty. Love it with the pickled radish, onion and cilantro. The consome is the best part. Packed with the flavor! My son got the bean, rice and cheese burrito because he doesn't like any tacos except ground beef. I know, I know. The burrito was meh. Not great. No flavor in rice or beans. I guess it's a lesson I always forget- just order what a place is known for! We also got a cheese quesadilla and it was also not that great. BUT... The house made chips are bomb. So good! We paired them with Guac which was tasty. All of their salsas are too spicy for my palate. Had to skip salsa. This place was SUPER busy. It took about 25 minutes to get our food. Be prepared. My son was bouncing off the walls he was so hungry. read more

Its been a couple of years since I was last at Mikes. I was in the area trying a local egg tart place and remembered Mikes was close by. My guest and I walked in and it was packed, no seats available and people waiting for their orders. Smelled very good inside. My guest and I went non traditional and ordered Birria Nachos and Crunchstack. The Crunchstack was delicious, kinda like a crunchy quesadilla. The nachos were huge and the cheese used was silky smooth and kinda like a béchamel. Loaded w birria. After a few minutes I realized Mikes interior was twice as big as the last time I was there. They took over a neighboring business space and opened it up. The dining area is probably twice the size and kitchen is in a different area. It looks great and makes eating inside easier! If in the area give Mikes a try. They offer very good birria in the Claremont area! read more

Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa - #2 Plate on Taco Tues - Tacos Near Me - San Diego, California

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My friend local to SD took us here, and it was a great dinner after a long sightseeing day. I got the crunchstack and it was amazing, filling, and that queso inside was the cherry on top. Also can't go wrong with carne aside fries tk share, and will definitely come by again next time I'm in SD. Can order on kiosks or at cashier desk, and lots of complementary salsas to choose from. A bit narrow inside but there's tables outside as well, though it can be difficult to get a seat when it's busy. So good! read more

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I've been wanting to try Mike's Red Tacos for a while and it did not disappoint! Our group ordered a variety of items so I got to sample a few different entrees. Standouts were the Mike's Meal ($13.99), which comes with two birria tacos + chips + consome and the Crunch Stack ($13.99). Both were flavorful and satisfying. The Cali Burrito ($14.99) and Breakfast Burrito ($14.99) were also solid - generous in size and filling. In addition, ordered the cheese quesadilla ($7.99) for a toddler and there were four huge pieces - definitely had lots of leftovers. There's a self-serve sauce bar with about six different options ranging in heat levels. I enjoyed the mild salsa and the jalapeño salsa. The restaurant is located on the corner of a plaza with plenty of parking. read more

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Overview: Great birria place, creative menu, delicious food, fast and friendly service ---- Crunchstack $13.99: - beef birria, beans, guacamole, queso, cilantro, onions, tostadas - the flavors were so yummy - it's like an elevated Crunchwrap supreme from Taco Bell - we ordered to-go so the tostadas weren't crunchy when we ate it but it was still so good - I'd recommend eating their food right when it's ready Cali Burrito $14.99: - beef birria, fries, rice, beans, guacamole, cilantro, onions, sour cream, cheese - it was good but I liked the Crunchstack a lot better - in general I'm not a big fan of Cali burritos, so take my words with a grain of salt - the food is really filling - there was just too many fries for my liking (if you compare the cross section pictures, there's a majority of fries compared to the other additions) ---- Notes: - food comes with pickled red onions, sliced radish, and limes which balances out the meal perfectly, the acid cuts thru the rich food nicely - there are 6 different salsas available, our favorite was the jalapeño salsa which was spicy but wasn't an unbearable level - shared parking in the plaza - inside seating available - the decor was pretty cool with graffiti art on the walls - service was nice, shout out Nelly for being patient and asked if we wanted our food cut in half - quick to get our food, it took only 8 minutes from ordering to the food being ready ---- Overall: I can't wait to be back, the price to portion to flavor ratios are worth making a trip for this food, must try if you come to San Diego read more

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Super proud of Mike and his red tacos! Tried this out years ago when it was a food truck... now not only do they have a Clairemont and Point Loma location, but they've expanded the Clairemont one to a much bigger shop next door and are opening up in Mira Mesa! I frequent Mike's a few times a year and everything I've tried here has been amazing in my opinion and I've brought multiple different friends to try and they all agree. The Birria tacos with consommé are promising, I recommend that for sure. Recently tried the Birria quesadilla and it's pretty good as well. My partner always gets the burritos and loves it. The meat and consommé always hits the spot. They also have other birria items as well New shop has so much more tables and a restroom now! So much more space. Love it! Service is always nice, never an issue. read more

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Just another average taco place. Mike's Red Tacos is not worth the hype compared to other taco places with much more flavor and better quality in their food. I ordered a Birria taco combo with chips and the loaded fries. The birria taco shell was very crispy and the appearance of the food looked very promising, but when I took the first bite, it fell very flat. I could taste the marinade and chilis in the beef, but it felt very diluted and not as flavorful as I would expect for a marinade that takes hours to make. The consome was also the same as there was not much flavor and it didn't add much to the taco. The flavor felt very one-dimensional; I tasted the spices for one second and right after there was no flavor. The loaded fries are not something you should order. The fries were very soggy and the cheese was lukewarm and clumped into one piece. Overall, I feel as though Mike's Red Tacos has much better marketing and hype compared to other restaurants that have deeper and more soulful flavors in their food and have higher quality beef. The hype did not match the food. read more

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We decided to try this place out when we were in the area. We tried the birria fries and the crunchstack. I really enjoyed the crunchstack!! It comes with a lot of filling and I like that it has generous portions of meat and the other fillings. The birria fries were also good and I'm glad the guac came with everything without it having to be an add on. There is also a salsa bar with a bunch of different options. I didn't think any of them were super spicy but they have a good variety. The food also came out very quickly and service was friendly. There is a parking lot outside. It's probably a better place to go with smaller groups because there were limited larger tables. read more

Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa - Tacos Near Me - San Diego, California

Their horchata is really great and taste so authentic and sweet. tacos were nothing special but they look amazing and appetizing.

Birria officianados! The California birria burrito was incredible and the tacos were excellent. The staff were so friendly and the restaurant was immaculate and comfortable. Highly recommend! read more

Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa - Birria Taco and Cali Burrito COMBO with the jalapeño sauce - Tacos Near Me - San Diego, California

Had to stop by "Mike's RED Tacos" to check the tender, slow-cooked birra meat. Opted for the "Cali burrito". Service was good, parking was not a problem. Portions are decent, next time will have to get the loaded Nachos. read more

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Great Service, Delicious food, and clean dining room. Parking lot is a little tight. I had a Birria Taco and Cali Burrito -- only complaint was I asked for crispy well done fries but got the regular soggy ones. I ate there... sooo no they didn't get soggy on the ride home. Still tasted great. read more

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I haven't been here in a while but would love to update my review. They did change their interior which looks a lot better and more spacious than before. They have a salsa bar and an area where you can get your own fountain drinks. The food is delicious as always and my absolute favorite Birria tacos in San Diego. The service was excellent and they were friendly. You order first and then they'll call out your number. It does get packed inside quickly so if there's two of you, then 1 person will order while the other one secures a table. You can also order to go. There's parking available out in the parking lot. This place is a must! read more

Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa - Inside - Tacos Near Me - San Diego, California

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This is our second time coming here. The service was excellent, the restaurant was very clean. The food was so delicious, you get a lot of food. It's well worth the prices. I like how they separate the noodles in the Birria Ramen from the consome so it does not get soggy. read more

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AWARENESS: My son and I stayed in Miramar last month and I saw on Yelp Mike's Red Tacos (the OG location) was not too far away. And since my son had never tried it before, I thought Mike's would be a good and cheaper option for a late night dinner. NARRATIVE: We arrived just before 10 pm and at first glance, I noticed this location appeared smaller than the new location in Point Loma. The menus are the same and staff and the staff, just as friendly. My son ordered both their Birria Ramen and Quesadilla. I ordered the Ramen and two tacos. The wait for our to go food was about 15 minutes and we headed back to base to consume our meals. My son didn't care for Ramen and I told him, I beleive the Point Loma location added more meat and had a better presentation. On the other hand, the tacos and quesadilla were good. SCENE: This Mike's location is located in the city of Clairemont, in a strip mall off of Genesee Avenue. RECOMMENDATION(S): Not a bad place for late night dinning but, I truly think the Point Loma location does it a bit better. read more

Mike's Red Tacos - Clairemont Mesa - The other Mikes. - Tacos Near Me - San Diego, California

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Tried this spot for the first time, here are some thoughts. Not much seating if you're planning on eating there, so keep that in mind. Not great for large groups for eating in, but I saw a couple that made it work (group of 5). Ordered the 2 birria tacos with cheese, flavor was delicious! I was pleasantly surprised that the tortilla for my first taco was crispy and not soggy. Unfortunately, they went really light on the meat, lol. I wouldn't rank it as my #1 birria spot in San Diego, but I would go again if I were in the area and in the mood. read more

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