Elena's Mexican Food

It has a lot of space to sit and eat: inside and outdoor patio area. It is clean and quick to order. The food was prepared quickly, but still was fresh! The food is affordable and delicious. My partner and I got 2 burritos (1 California & 1 Surf and Turf) with 1 Large Jamaica for under $30. It is rare now in days! It might be our breakfast spot when leaving San Diego area to head home (Los Angeles).

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food is good but they need to better offer their deals because I didn't know what I wanted after I went with co workers and after I went they offered my co worker a daily deal which I totally would of gotten

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Excellent home cooked Mexican food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Hole in the wall spot. Didn’t seem very kept up inside.

The asada breakfast burrito was decent at best.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 4

Fantastic burritos!

I’ll be back 🎯

Can’t understand the 2 star reviews?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Fantastic burritos!

I’ll be back 🎯

Can’t understand the 2 star reviews?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ordered the #11 combo which is the Fajita Taco Combo. The food was really good and the taco shells were fresh.
It’s a small place but there is plenty of seating inside and outside. Parking is good too so no worries there.
Definitely recommend

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Not a fancy place but for sure you get your money worth it. Great portions and good prices.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: 2 Taco Combination

The food and salsa were good. My order however was all wrong. I asked for the pico on the side instead of in the burrito and they charged me extra pico instead. I asked for fries and they charged me for them, but didn’t add them to the burrito. When I told the cashier I didn’t want extra tomato/pico, she just gave me attitude and shrugged and said “well that’s what I heard”.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 1

The caldo de res is really good. I've had caldo de res at many other restaurants- and Elena's is top rated. Everything was fresh - from the meat to the veggies. If you want a side of rice, you have to order it (not included) - less carbs for Summer of 2025. I strongly recommend the soup de res.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I don’t think this of how my food is supposed to look

This is an authentic no frills Mexican food spot in the La Jolla/Sorrento Valley area. I was craving some Tacos after class at UCSD, but being so far from home I decided to try out this spot despite bad reviews. The lady that atttended me was sweet and I ended up ordering 2 tacos and a diet coke. I got one adobada and one asada taco and both normally come with guacamole and pico. I however, told her to skip on the pico and add cebolla and cilantro to make the flavors a bit more authentic. The price was like 4.5+4.5+1.5 plus tax and a service fee for using card since I payed with apple pay so like basically 12 bucks which is not bad for food up in this area. When I received the tacos, I realized just how humongous they were and I kid you not I don’t think I’d ever seen a taco that well served at any other Mexican spot I’ve ever been too, but I go to mainly Tijuana taco spots so that makes sense. If i’m going to be honest with you guys, these tacos honestly were not thaatt good. You could tell it was just some store corn tortillas and some ok asada and adobada just plopped into the tacos, and the cilantro and cebolla weren’t the most freshest in the world. But honestly, not every place has to have the best food you’ve ever tried for it to be good and they were alright tacos, that lived up to what they are for the price I payed for them. I think I’d be more keen on ordering the mini tacos, or some carne asada fries for the next time I go and I can see how those might be more varied and flavorful. Overall, this place won me over with its authentic charm, and the prices are soo humble and realistic. This is a place for some authentic mexican food that ur mama was making in the kitchen, and any place that sells me a canned soda for less than 1.50 in 2024 has my vote so I can confidently say this is a recommended spot for sure. I’m gonna keep trying different menu items and if I find the holy grail at this place, y’all will be the first to know so keep this place in your updates, and be inspired to try it out yourselves and see if y’all are vibing with the food here, especially if you’re from UCSD. Very quiet and open environment too with little people so if y’all are feeling study vibes at the taco shop, feel free to try the change of space🤣

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Carne Asada Fries

Food is good and the price is right. Service was quick. Great spot for a lunch break or if you are in a rush. Probably stop through once every 10 days or so.

Recommended dishes: California Burrito

My favorite lunch taco joint. Nothing too fancy, but the prices are good and the food is on point

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Breakfast Burrito, California Burrito

My favorite lunch taco joint. Nothing too fancy, but the prices are good and the food is on point

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Breakfast Burrito, California Burrito