Shrimp Soup is bom . Com! Service is excellent never had an issue and I am new to the area and the staff has always welcomed us and is very friendly. Overall great place.. everything we have tried so far such as soups, tacos and carne asada fries have been delicious. I have also taken photos of the menu since I noticed the menus here are from 3 years ago. They now have Birria tacos and Birria Soup! read more

Panchos Mexican Grill - Menu 07/20/2026 - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

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Really great food. My husband has been coming here for years! We came around 3-4pm on a Saturday and it wasn't very busy at all. But the employees were working hard prepping, cleaning, and stocking things. They were all working hard! I had a pollo asado torta and it was really good! Everyone else enjoyed their food as well. The bean burrito is huge! My son has a cheese quesadilla and a side of rice which was also good and felt like plenty of food. The bathroom was also clean. read more

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Food is absolutely delicious! Service is great! Food is very high-priced. Will likely cost nearly as much as a sit-down restaurant. read more

Panchos Mexican Grill - Huevos Rancheros. Delicious! - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

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We are quite happy to be regulars at this restaurant - everything they make has been delicious! The staff is always so friendly and professional, and the food is quite worth the price. Try anything - you won't regret it! read more

Best taco shop in east county. Menu is extensive. And usually when that happnes the food quality will go a little down. But not here. Cashiers service is always friendly. And the outside patio and layout inside is inviting as well. Keep it up! read more

I came in because I wanted a Chile Verde burrito. I had never been here before, so I was excited to see how it would taste. Well, it wasn't all that. It was actually prepared as a wet burrito and had sauce and meat on the outside of the burrito, something that I was really not expecting. IT wasn't bad, but it was definitely very soggy. I will go back here to try something else from the menu, but will probably not order a chile verde burrito again. read more

Panchos Mexican Grill - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

Amazing Mexican food in East County! We always call ahead to get in front of their constant flow of customers. And our go to order - the best on the menu IMO - is the Angus Chipotle Burrito and we add sour cream. The way they cook their bacon for this burrito is SO GOOD! Cuts are large, cooked crispy to perfection. The burritos are large!! Chipotle sauce isn't too spicy. All the flavors put together are just a glorious combination of San Diego's best Mexican. We love it! read more

LOVE this spot. El Cajon has a Mexican restaurants and taco shops on seemingly every street corner but this Panchos stands out. Their food is always fresh, tortillas warm, soft and melt in your mouth. Their salsa bar is fantastic with pickled onions and carrots. My go-to are the fish tacos. Perfectly portioned and heaped with finely shredded cabbage and pico, it melts in your mouth. The Angus Chipotle burrito is a force of flavor. Delicious meat, cheese and guac with their chipotle sauce is a dream. read more

Panchos Mexican Grill - Angus Chipotle burrito - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

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This Mexican restaurant has always been a go-to and the service from Jeannie tonight was wonderful! She was kind and patient with my kids and I, and I will definitely come back for the amazing food, but also for her amazing service. read more

I have been coming here for 25+ years and my family friends and I have spent over $50k throughout the years. This place was my families go to spot but has recently gone downhill. The atmosphere in the expansion is beautiful however, the food and the price are horrendous. If my burrito somehow comes out the way I ordered it. It is not as good as it once was American guacamole is always their best selling point here, but besides that the taste and the price have gotten out of hand, my family and I have since gone to a new Mexican restaurant in one day, hope to return. But until our order is correct the food taste good and the prices come down we will not be returning the atmosphere in staff are great, but unfortunately, they've lost a few customers. read more

best tacos de cabeza I've had in all of San Diego along with their burritos. awesome service and clean establishment

Ordered a California burrito, and I think it was one of the best California burritos I've had.

Fast friendly service! Had the pollo asada burrito and 3 rolled tacos. Both the burrito and tacos were delicious. I liked the assortment of sauces. They limit u to two sauces, unless u want to pay for more. They give u free salsas with ur order so no need for extra at the salsa bar. They have a drive thru only Fri to Sunday? Should be every day! read more

I ordered a California burrito and they ask me for Mexican or American guacamole and I said Mexican guacamole and when I got home while I eating it it was not guacamole it was some kind of green sour cream that tasted bad and I called them and they said we'll charge you just to remake it and if I was you don't ever come to this location they are bad at everything. read more

Food is out of this world. Best chips at a Mexican restaurant, they accommodated a special request for a Chile Verde Chimichanga (to die for). The woman at the cashier was very nice and all around pleasurable experience. Was really shocked to see 3.5 star rating. I live in LA and I would make the drive to come back here. Ended up getting some flan and I'm equally as impressed. Perfect texture, home run. read more

Panchos Mexican Grill - Chile Verde Chimichanga - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

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I live in the area I ordered Carna Sada fries, but there was no meat when I was ordering the girl behind the register she was using her phone. I paid $21 and this is what I get never come back here again. read more

Panchos Mexican Grill - Food - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

First the price on menu doesn't match the price you pay. It's like $3 more. Girl at counter is RUDE and busy talking to any men that come in. I hadn't been here in many years and I won't be back! read more

Came here once before the food was OK I ordered the same exact thing Carne Asada fries. I think I ordered a Chewy's way so I didn't realize there was no meat but now that I think of it it was the same as no meat I literally picked through this order this morning. I ordered two and spent about $39. It was barely had a half a cup of meat on each box unacceptable for the price bunch of fries. They were good they were crispy, but I didn't want almost $40 for fries. read more

Panchos Mexican Grill - Carne asada fries - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

My order was a carne asada fries 18$ current price so pretty pricy. I know that's around a little bit above average price. So I was expecting a pact plate. What I received was disappointing for that price all it had was piles of sour cream and cheese. This is not my biggest concern it is that they use not a flat plate but the plates you get from panda separated sections to limit the amount of food. Overall 5/10 on food quality. 5/10 quantity of the food. It says theirs guac, but I did not taste any at all it just taste like sour cream. Service was great fast and ready. Beautiful interior. read more

Panchos Mexican Grill - California Fries - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

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I believe this place used to be called Los Panchos years and years ago. All I remembered was that we used to come all the way from Oceanside just to get the Chile Verde. Maybe it's still good. We happened to be in the area and stopped by to check it out. Customer service was good. The portion was huge. Sometimes that means more food then flavor. That definitely was not the case here. The Chile Verde was just as good as I remembered. I'm sure it's not the same cook, probably not even the same exact recipe. But either way it was pretty damn delicious! Highly recommended. Nicely cooked pork with that delicious salsa verde. The picture I took looks like red salsa. But that's only because I put some of the house red salsa on them for extra heat. Probably should have waited until after the picture. The yelp checkin gets you a free bag of bunuelos. It's crispy flour tortillas fried and covered in cinnamon and brown sugar. These one was a little too heavy for me. Probably left them in the oil too long on this batch. read more

Panchos Mexican Grill - Chile Verde! - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

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A very down-home place with tons of options, lots of character, and lots of seating. The cashiers were prompt, the food was hot, and everything came out quickly. I got the chorizo breakfast burrito, which has great spices and was really flavorful. It'd have been nice if the potatoes were more done but it didn't take away from the food. A good local taco shop. read more

Amazing food and customer service. Always come back for the rolled tacos and carne asada burrito!

I really like it here. A lot of taco spots in El Cajon, even those highly recommended, have proved... hmm. But this place feels and tastes like a taco shop down in the south bay. Cali burritos are my quick indicator of a taco shop the way mac and cheese is for AYCE buffets, and theirs is pretty damn good. The decor is wonderfully kitsch. The hot sauces are at a salsa bar and the employees clean it often; I haven't seen sauce left on it for long. The employees here are prompt and friendly. I'll admit I've never gotten a fountain drink here because the weird corner soda fountain sketches me out, but I guess that's part of its charm. LMAO read more

Had the Cali surf is a very good burrito. Has shrimp carne asada fries. Yes I recommend trying it. Staff was friendly polite and was there for all your needs. I had a coke from Mexico to best wit cane sugar. Will I be back yes it's in El Cajon California off Green Filed Blvd You should stop and try them It's was amazing and fix just how I like it . Thank you to the cooks and staff. I highly recommend read more

Panchos Mexican Grill - Cali surf - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

I bought carne asada and it was bad test and the price was too expensive and the meat was not much . For me I never eat there again. read more

Waaay too expensive now and quality suffers. Employees act stuck up. Come on now you're cashiers at a taco shop. Don't lose your loyal customers. read more

Great, authentic, Mexican food. The place was clean, the workers polite and helpful, and the prices were not unreasonable. If you're in town, check it out. read more

Drove by this place during lunch and saw the full parking lot so that was good enough for me. When I walked in the restaurant to place an order I could see the kitchen in the back where they were slicing and cutting fresh veggies for salsa. The cashier was really cool and explained in detail about some of the foods I saw on the menu that are new to me. Ordered the chile relleno combo with cheese enchilada and a carne asada taco with Americanized guacamole (didn't know this was a thing) LOL. The salsa bar was excellent and so fresh, hardly see these anymore due to COVID. For sure will be back! read more

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Once again, closed an hour before online hours list. Either stay open for your scheduled hours, or updated them online. It's unprofessional to advertise as open when in reality you're closed. Will stop coming here. read more

Service is quick , ambiance is festive inside . Food was great . I wouldn't recommend their rolled tacos though. Wasn't a fan of those . Their chicken fajitas and breakfast burritos are delicious ! They have a salsa bar, no drive thru . read more

Tried this place while visiting lake jennings. really good food and so many perfect combinations of burritos to try. I got the santa fe and it was amazing and i never leave reviews. the prices are a bit high but honestly not surprising because everything is expensive now. everyone was nice and prompt, and you get chips if you eat in. 10/10 read more

Very clean . The food was amazing . I couldn't even finish my plate . Prices are great as well read more

Panchos Mexican Grill - Baja Shrimp Burrito - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

EVERY-TIME we are in the area this is a must! We don't leave without running here or taking it " to go"! Always impressed with the generous portions, the flavor of the food, the courtesy of the staff & additional offerings at the salsa bar. The Carne Asada burritos are "to die for" makes my mouth water just thinking about it! I always get it "Christmas Style" with the green & red sauce which are delicious. In my opinion and growing up as a So. Cal girl-there is nothing like that style of Spanish culture & flare. Ponchos is a chain located in the east county, but by far this location is the BEST! Highly recommend! read more

Panchos Mexican Grill - Carne Asada Burrito Christmas Style. Amazing! - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

This is that good good. Really good homemade Mexican food! Not the kind of taco shop food that gives you a stomachache. Service was fast and friendly. And the decor is Mexico all the way. I got the beef chimichanga and my boyfriend got the burrito with the rolled tacos in it (Xolo burrito) . Beans and rice were bomb, just like grandma used to make. I highly recommend trying this spot! Would definitely come back for more. read more

Panchos Mexican Grill - Chimichanga and Burrito with rolled tacos in it. - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

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Just ordered online through DoorDash. I ordered a chapo burrito and kids bean and cheese burrito with fries and a side of beans. They forgot my side of beans for the kids meals and gave me a chunkis burrito instead with fries and no guac, creama or anything. read more

There was a review from Thomas R below. He reviewed the wrong Panchos. The food he received was not from this one. If you've been here before you know their hot sauce is and don't come in those little containers. Ha! Moving on...this place has not served me one bad meal. My go to is a California with creamy guacamole but everything is good. Ask Jimmie Johnson if you're at Panchos and they don't have picture of him everywhere, you went to the wrong spot. read more

Panchos Mexican Grill - Wrong spot bro - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California

We moved to alpine a year ago from CHULA vista. Which is where some of the best taco shops can be found. After moving to alpine we tried to find our favorite taco shop. After about 8 places that were no good we came across los panchos. They serve hot fresh fried chips while you wait for your food. We have tried nearly everything on the menu. My favorite is their legit from scratch menudo. The shrimp cocktails are perfect. Burritos are huge. Food is made and comes out pretty fast. Always enjoyed with a model michilada read more

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STEPH JUDGEMENT: Great giant burritos, friendly service and Yelp check-in deal! The hubby and I were on our way to Anza Borrego and wanted to grab some breakfast and this place just happened to be very conveniently located off the freeway and were open! It's a pretty typical homey Mexican joint, with all the usual suspects. I got their Sunrise Burrito (eggs, cheese, potatoes) and a black coffee and the hubby got the Veggie Burrito (beans, rice, guac, cheese). It was still pretty early so wasn't crowded at all. While we were waiting for our order I decided to check in and found that they had a deal for either bunuelos (fried tortillas dusted with cinnamon and sugar) or hot carrots--we opted for the bunuelos, which were really delicious. Once we got our burritos, we were impressed by how ENORMOUS they were! We'd requested their mild and spicy salsas and agreed that the spicy was better. The coffee was watery--bad diner coffee--but really, what more could I expect. It was fine as accompaniment for the burrito and bunuelos, so it did the job. We could only eat half of the burritos, which was fine as we were able to pack them up and have them for lunch later. We were very pleased by our visit, and would definitely hit them up again the next time we're in the area! read more

Nice variety of dishes freshly prepared. Service is very good and prices reasonable. Good variety of salsa available at the salsa bar as well as radishes and onions with little containers. I do miss the spicy carrots though. They're available for purchase in a larger quantity than I need. Nice remodel of the enclosed patio with attractive lighting. read more

Got the beef flautas #12. Super big portion stuffed full of really yummy shredded beef (just beef not beef stew with fillers like onions and bell peppers) read more

Panchos Mexican Grill - #12 beef flautas with american quac. - Mexican Near Me - El Cajon, California