Came to San Diego from Las Vegas for my son’s soccer game had seen this place on TikTok and decided to try it and let me tell you it did not disappoint. We got two large asada fries, the California burrito, a bean and cheese burrito, Jamaica & horchata. The portions were big the food had great flavor the sauces were so good. We then decided to get desert to go according to my son and husband the flan was chefs kiss. I bought a bag of buñuelos and I wish had bought like 5 bags! Over all it was worth the slight detour on our trip.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Francisco Mayoral
Best taco shop in San Diego which makes it the best in California which makes it the best in the country
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gi Gi
We have had issues in the past but wanted to give them another try.
I ordered breakfast this morning (breakfast burrito special) the potatoes were black and some not even cooked. They were still raw.
A few months an ago we had an issue when we called to ask if we could still order 40 minutes before closing. The girl stated on the phone they were not doing phone orders anymore and how we needed to go in. So we went in and it was 30 minutes to closing to be told that they were not taking orders anymore because the guys in the back had just cleaned the grills.
I feel like this says a lot about their customer service. The food and service used to be really good a few years ago but not anymore. Armando’s is just up the street…you will get better service and better food!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Edward and Jewel Delosreyes
We ordered here via Uber Eats on 06/15/2025. We completely got the wrong order. We noticed it right away and called the Taco shop. We spoke to a lady and she completely took 100% accountability. The lady we spoke with said there is nothing she can do about having our order delivered since they personally do not deliver. She did offer for us to come in and pick up the correct order however we declined at the time. The lady then told us that she will give us credit for the next time we came in. We just called and wanted to order take out and spoke with a different “lady” and she said too bad we should have reported it to UberEats at the time and that the lady we spoke with probably didn’t know what she was doing. VERY DISAPPOINTED that we took there “word” for it. These are the types of businesses with questionable business practices, lack of customer service and just out to make a buck. Stay clear. There are so many different taco shops in the area and no need to deal with a business that has no integrity.
Service: 1
detroit proper
Gigantic tasty burritos. Can’t wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrito
Aunty Esther
For authentic Mexican tacos and more, stop on in and try something for yourself. Great food can be found in small, quaint, fast food places such as El Patron Taco Shop. From mini tacos to rolled tacos and more... you will surely have a smile on your face and a happy full tummy...Aunty Esther is a satisfied loyal customer..
It's in the hole in the wall that's why only three stars for atmosphere put the staff was great and the food was wonderful
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Giovanni Castro
Good food.bought the carne asada fries and 1 horchata ,good price and quick service
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Samantha McCoy
One of my go-to taco shops. The food is really good, well packed, and just good value for the price. I’ve only seen one lady at the cash register and she is so sweet. She’s bilingual and just lovely. The place is a little small and has a narrow setup, but it is always very clean, especially their salsa table.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fries
Sarah Marie
A true treasure of south side San Diego! Let me tell you: carne asada fries (CAF) just hits different the more closer to the border you go and I don’t care what anyone says CAF south of Chula Vista is simply tastier - it tastes like the ORIGINAL GANGSTA OF CARNE ASADA FRIES LOL like for reals! El Patron used to be El AGUILA Taco shop more than 15 years ago and they had the best wet chimichanga! Ooo weee my mom would get that every Friday night! Then, in the last 5ish years, they changed to Cotija’s which was not as good but now that El Patron has taken over, I have observed nothing but improvement. So, I hope that if El Patron is reading this that they’ll take my next-steps to the next level so more people will come and dine in and order for take-out! I love that El Patron uses EXCELLENT QUALITY ingredients! Thank you for using Door Dash because that’s how I tried your food and decided to visit! Keep up the great work with your marinated meat! Your meat is so juicy and tastes like you took time to make it so tasty! Also, I love the way you cook your fries! All the fries are even and not too crispy or burnt! They’re JUST PERFECT! The fries tastes like from fresh potatoes! Some reviewers mentioned a “smell” when they walk into the restaurant! Figure out what that is - bleach? Sometimes too much cleaner is off putting when going in to dine in - you want customers to smell the meat sizzling and tortillas warming up! I love your salsa verde! Thank you for keeping all the salsas fresh! Reviewers have also said they feel welcomed and that servers are friendly! That is awesome! Also, maybe paint the bench in front of the shop something colorful that will match El Patron in the inside! I hope you have more El Patron Taco Shops all over San Diego more than Lolita’s! I mean I love Lolita’s also (their decor is more fresh) but I am telling you, your CAF are UNIQUELY delicious! Like more homemade!
What I order: Carne Asada Fries with only meat, cheese, guacamole and sour cream
5 Rolled tacos with only cheese and sour cream or only guacamole (depends on my mood)
The food is good and not expensive the workers are nice the only thing is that smell that hit u soon as u walk in it’s bad the first time im like okay the second third fourth time im like wooooo..as far as for the hot sauce hhmmmm I had better..not a fan it taste too burnt it doesn’t do the food any justice
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrito, Breakfast
Patrick Montano
Best damn Menudo I’ve had in San Diego. Tried 3 places in imperial beach, been to Los Panchos, El Indio and a few other spots. This is the spot
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carlos Rodriguez
Best prices and bang for your buck in the South Bay . Hash brown burrito is a must
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jack Moreno
I had a very good breakfast burrito called the "Crunch Breakfast Chipotle," with crunchy tortilla strips, scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese, and a mild yet tasty chipotle cream sauce for about $8 after tax. It's a well priced burrito.
The burrito was really good and was of a good size. I especially liked that the tortilla strips were crunchy throughout the burrito. The scrambled eggs were plentiful and well scrambled, the bacon was good, and the burrito came with a really good amount. The burrito was great eating with the red and avocado salsa. Oh yes, they mix the chipotle cream with the scrambled eggs. If you don't like that, I was asked for it on the side.
The lady at the counter was nice. The salsa bar was well stocked, and everything was really good there. There's plenty of parking and inside seating at this location.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Burrito
Samuel Silva
Tasty food, good portions, and at a very good price!! Delicious food, good portions, and great price!!
Came to San Diego from Las Vegas for my son’s soccer game had seen this place on TikTok and decided to try it and let me tell you it did not disappoint. We got two large asada fries, the California burrito, a bean and cheese burrito, Jamaica & horchata. The portions were big the food had great flavor the sauces were so good. We then decided to get desert to go according to my son and husband the flan was chefs kiss. I bought a bag of buñuelos and I wish had bought like 5 bags! Over all it was worth the slight detour on our trip.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best taco shop in San Diego which makes it the best in California which makes it the best in the country
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We have had issues in the past but wanted to give them another try.
I ordered breakfast this morning (breakfast burrito special) the potatoes were black and some not even cooked. They were still raw.
A few months an ago we had an issue when we called to ask if we could still order 40 minutes before closing. The girl stated on the phone they were not doing phone orders anymore and how we needed to go in. So we went in and it was 30 minutes to closing to be told that they were not taking orders anymore because the guys in the back had just cleaned the grills.
I feel like this says a lot about their customer service. The food and service used to be really good a few years ago but not anymore. Armando’s is just up the street…you will get better service and better food!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We ordered here via Uber Eats on 06/15/2025. We completely got the wrong order. We noticed it right away and called the Taco shop. We spoke to a lady and she completely took 100% accountability. The lady we spoke with said there is nothing she can do about having our order delivered since they personally do not deliver. She did offer for us to come in and pick up the correct order however we declined at the time. The lady then told us that she will give us credit for the next time we came in. We just called and wanted to order take out and spoke with a different “lady” and she said too bad we should have reported it to UberEats at the time and that the lady we spoke with probably didn’t know what she was doing. VERY DISAPPOINTED that we took there “word” for it. These are the types of businesses with questionable business practices, lack of customer service and just out to make a buck. Stay clear. There are so many different taco shops in the area and no need to deal with a business that has no integrity.
Service: 1
Gigantic tasty burritos. Can’t wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrito
For authentic Mexican tacos and more, stop on in and try something for yourself. Great food can be found in small, quaint, fast food places such as El Patron Taco Shop. From mini tacos to rolled tacos and more... you will surely have a smile on your face and a happy full tummy...Aunty Esther is a satisfied loyal customer..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrito, Rolled Tacos, Guacamole, Pollo, Carne Asada Burrito, Quesadilla, Chile Verde
It's in the hole in the wall that's why only three stars for atmosphere put the staff was great and the food was wonderful
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good food.bought the carne asada fries and 1 horchata ,good price and quick service
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
One of my go-to taco shops. The food is really good, well packed, and just good value for the price. I’ve only seen one lady at the cash register and she is so sweet. She’s bilingual and just lovely. The place is a little small and has a narrow setup, but it is always very clean, especially their salsa table.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fries
A true treasure of south side San Diego! Let me tell you: carne asada fries (CAF) just hits different the more closer to the border you go and I don’t care what anyone says CAF south of Chula Vista is simply tastier - it tastes like the ORIGINAL GANGSTA OF CARNE ASADA FRIES LOL like for reals! El Patron used to be El AGUILA Taco shop more than 15 years ago and they had the best wet chimichanga! Ooo weee my mom would get that every Friday night! Then, in the last 5ish years, they changed to Cotija’s which was not as good but now that El Patron has taken over, I have observed nothing but improvement. So, I hope that if El Patron is reading this that they’ll take my next-steps to the next level so more people will come and dine in and order for take-out! I love that El Patron uses EXCELLENT QUALITY ingredients! Thank you for using Door Dash because that’s how I tried your food and decided to visit! Keep up the great work with your marinated meat! Your meat is so juicy and tastes like you took time to make it so tasty! Also, I love the way you cook your fries! All the fries are even and not too crispy or burnt! They’re JUST PERFECT! The fries tastes like from fresh potatoes! Some reviewers mentioned a “smell” when they walk into the restaurant! Figure out what that is - bleach? Sometimes too much cleaner is off putting when going in to dine in - you want customers to smell the meat sizzling and tortillas warming up! I love your salsa verde! Thank you for keeping all the salsas fresh! Reviewers have also said they feel welcomed and that servers are friendly! That is awesome! Also, maybe paint the bench in front of the shop something colorful that will match El Patron in the inside! I hope you have more El Patron Taco Shops all over San Diego more than Lolita’s! I mean I love Lolita’s also (their decor is more fresh) but I am telling you, your CAF are UNIQUELY delicious! Like more homemade!
What I order:
Carne Asada Fries with only meat, cheese, guacamole and sour cream
5 Rolled tacos with only cheese and sour cream or only guacamole (depends on my mood)
What I am going to try next:
El Patron Burrito!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
The food is good and not expensive the workers are nice the only thing is that smell that hit u soon as u walk in it’s bad the first time im like okay the second third fourth time im like wooooo..as far as for the hot sauce hhmmmm I had better..not a fan it taste too burnt it doesn’t do the food any justice
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrito, Breakfast
Best damn Menudo I’ve had in San Diego. Tried 3 places in imperial beach, been to Los Panchos, El Indio and a few other spots. This is the spot
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best prices and bang for your buck in the South Bay . Hash brown burrito is a must
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had a very good breakfast burrito called the "Crunch Breakfast Chipotle," with crunchy tortilla strips, scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese, and a mild yet tasty chipotle cream sauce for about $8 after tax. It's a well priced burrito.
The burrito was really good and was of a good size. I especially liked that the tortilla strips were crunchy throughout the burrito. The scrambled eggs were plentiful and well scrambled, the bacon was good, and the burrito came with a really good amount. The burrito was great eating with the red and avocado salsa. Oh yes, they mix the chipotle cream with the scrambled eggs. If you don't like that, I was asked for it on the side.
The lady at the counter was nice. The salsa bar was well stocked, and everything was really good there. There's plenty of parking and inside seating at this location.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Burrito
Tasty food, good portions, and at a very good price!! Delicious food, good portions, and great price!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Breakfast, Rolled Tacos, Burrito
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