They have a food truck on 38th street during weekdays. Great, fresh quality and the amount you get is very good for the price. I love the pollo y papas burrito.
Claude N.
Well, I walked by today and MexiCali is closed for good. The windows are covered with paper and the "Open" sign hangs unlit and cold. I upped my rating to 5 stars in honor of the best that MexiCali had to offer -- the pollo y papas burrito, freshly-made salsas, guacamole that tasted of avocado, and that amazing shredded beef.
Katy Knight
Mexicali is a great place to grab a sort of quick burrito. They have a variety of options (including plantains, sweet potatoes, and french fries as options to add into your burrito) and they're relatively inexpensive, considering you're getting fresh, identifiable food. You'll wait longer than you would at a local fast food burrito place because they put the burritos on the grill after rolling them up, a major +1 in my book.
Jon DeWitt
Awesome burritos, haven't really tried the other stuff but definitely recommend this place...
MEINI TJIU
Very good food and good service..
Woo K.
Best burritos in University City. Good portions and unlike many other places where half of the burrito is basically rice, they give you a healthy portion of everything. It's delicious.
Zack L.
Solid Burrito's & Enchiladas. They usually have some rotating specials & occasionally grilled jalapeños. it is usually busy. There is a $10 Credit Card Minimum. A range of burritos that include plantains, various meats or vegetables make this place stand out.
Simon T.
I've been eating at Mexicali since the late 90s when they were just a cramped food truck serving up fresh mexican goodness. It's now 2012 and the same freshness, tastiness, and uniqueness of their burritos still applies in their storefront. Whether it's the steak fajita, tofu (best tofu burrito i've ever had), spinach, or sweet potato (get sour cream with this!), it's just delicious! And the homemade whole wheat tortillas are great. Great flavors and portions for a good price. Do yourself a favor and eat here.
Erin M.
Yes, there are vegan options in University City, you just have to know where to look for them. MexiCali has a number of great options. Many options here can be made vegan by holding the cheese. I absolutely adore the marinated tofu burrito. The tofu has a wonderfully chewy texture, and along with the black beans, the meal packs a protein-filled punch that will leave you full well past dinner-time, should you choose to finish it. The sweet potato and plantain burrito is purportedly dairy-free, and it's another delicious, filling vegan option. The veggie tacos come with a spicier version of the sweet potato, the marinated tofu and some cabbage on doubled corn tortillas. The tacos are not as filling as the burritos, but they're a delicious lighter option. Finally, a fourth option for vegans: the guacamole burrito. They homemade guac is to-die-for delicious. I end up at MexiCali about once a week. I've been going since they were just a lunch truck 8 years back. There's often a line at the restaurant, but this place has been around for years and they have a great system to get you your burrito in a very timely manner.
Stacey R.
I'm reluctantly writing an update to my review, as the first one I wrote in a fit of anger. When Mexicali is good it's REALLY GOOD but unfortunately the menu, hours, and quality are still inconsistent. Two weeks ago I ordered a Cali burrito and it was aces. One week ago I ordered a Cali burrito and it was close to closing time and barely had any guac (I'm assuming they were running out) and contained way too much rice. I guess they don't care so much about consistency since most of their clientele are college kids who are too dumb to know better and have high customer turnover.
Way better than chipotle down the block. Ask for whole wheat wrap at no extra cost!
Dana B.
BEST BURRITOS IN UNIVERSITY CITY, HANDS DOWN! AND THEY'RE NOT FROM A CHAIN! As if that doesn't sum up how I feel about MexiCali, might I add that the owner, Jane, is extremely friendly, personable, and accommodating when it comes to modifying menu selections to one's preference--beans and I are not friends, and I'm not a big fan of salsa, but my standard is a chicken or tofu burrito with rice and cheese, usually in a whole wheat tortilla. Also planning to try the sweet potato and plantain burrito sometime soon. Every single time it hits the spot, and for the size of the burrito, the price is definitely worth it! How ironic that I recently reviewed both of the major Mexican restaurant chains in the neighborhood and thought I'd be returning to them often...then I tried MexiCali and that all changed...I've found my new go-to for burritos!
Jamise S.
My husband and I are trying to find solid, wholesome and authenticate places to eat in Philly. Which is why I hopped on Yelp and decided on this place. I don't know if it was because it was 7at night or what, but all the food was cold. I went in w/ a $20 and bought everything I could. It did not taste authenticate to me at all. The refried beans tasted like canned beans, the rice had abosolutely no flavor and the burritos were slopped together like dog food. I was soooo disappointed, I really wanted to love it! The SoCal burrito was ok, but that's because it was cold. If it were hot, I know it would have been good.
Katy H.
I hope I can update this review soon with better news, burrito lovers. What fellow Yelper Claude very accurately refers to as the "mercurial" nature of the owner of MexiCali has always been a bit of a challenge for MexiCali supporters like me, a die-hard since 2006. I thought the haters who complained about the odd hours, unexplained closings, weird menu strategies and so forth were just less interested in a great burrito than I was. I love a great burrito, and will put up with a lot to get it! However, my most recent experience last week was just depressing. I was hoping for my old standby, a black bean burrito with plantains and guacamole. No more plain old black bean burrito on the menu, so I had to get a combination. No problem! Guacamole burrito it is. I even remember to say "to stay" before ordering to forestall that inevitable question. I get the bathroom key (locked to prevent non-paying customers from using it -- sort of understandable!) and read the proliferating signs about the salsa limits (take only a few! that means 2!). So far, only slightly annoying. Now, I knew we probably wouldn't be in for homemade tortillas. I've lived through several flip-flops in this policy -- once it was explained to me near the beginning of the school year that there are "too many customers" so they had to stop using homemade tortillas. Ok. No matter. But the burrito I got was nothing short of a travesty. Put together lumpily so that I started out with three or four bites of straight up rice, this was my first UN-toasted MexiCali burrito. Why oh why? The toasting was the best part! The cheese was cold, I tell you. Cold. Worst, the salsas were strange and watery -- the hot salsa's one attribute was wetness. I guess even with the strict two-salsa-per-customer limit the price of tomatoes and peppers is too high to make them taste like anything? I can't say I won't be back, because MexiCali is like that dreadful friend who nonetheless is incredibly fun two or three times a year. But I do wonder how in the world this place survives with such an attitude: The Customer Is A Major Inconvenience.
Marli S.
Okay so first off the food here is amazing, just saying. BUT the owner is a jacka**. Completely. All I wanted was a quesadilla with beans on it, and the owner said "no we can't do that here," and when I asked him why I could not get beans on my quesadilla he replied "I could explain that to you but I don't want to... we don't have waitresses taking your customized order here." He said this in an extremely condescending tone and was extremely rude as well. I ended up canceling my order and will never go there again while he is there. I hope a better and nicer individual buys MexiCali from him. Sincerely, Disappointed Customer.
They have a food truck on 38th street during weekdays. Great, fresh quality and the amount you get is very good for the price. I love the pollo y papas burrito.
Well, I walked by today and MexiCali is closed for good. The windows are covered with paper and the "Open" sign hangs unlit and cold. I upped my rating to 5 stars in honor of the best that MexiCali had to offer -- the pollo y papas burrito, freshly-made salsas, guacamole that tasted of avocado, and that amazing shredded beef.
Mexicali is a great place to grab a sort of quick burrito. They have a variety of options (including plantains, sweet potatoes, and french fries as options to add into your burrito) and they're relatively inexpensive, considering you're getting fresh, identifiable food. You'll wait longer than you would at a local fast food burrito place because they put the burritos on the grill after rolling them up, a major +1 in my book.
Awesome burritos, haven't really tried the other stuff but definitely recommend this place...
Very good food and good service..
Best burritos in University City. Good portions and unlike many other places where half of the burrito is basically rice, they give you a healthy portion of everything. It's delicious.
Solid Burrito's & Enchiladas. They usually have some rotating specials & occasionally grilled jalapeños. it is usually busy. There is a $10 Credit Card Minimum. A range of burritos that include plantains, various meats or vegetables make this place stand out.
I've been eating at Mexicali since the late 90s when they were just a cramped food truck serving up fresh mexican goodness. It's now 2012 and the same freshness, tastiness, and uniqueness of their burritos still applies in their storefront. Whether it's the steak fajita, tofu (best tofu burrito i've ever had), spinach, or sweet potato (get sour cream with this!), it's just delicious! And the homemade whole wheat tortillas are great. Great flavors and portions for a good price. Do yourself a favor and eat here.
Yes, there are vegan options in University City, you just have to know where to look for them. MexiCali has a number of great options. Many options here can be made vegan by holding the cheese. I absolutely adore the marinated tofu burrito. The tofu has a wonderfully chewy texture, and along with the black beans, the meal packs a protein-filled punch that will leave you full well past dinner-time, should you choose to finish it. The sweet potato and plantain burrito is purportedly dairy-free, and it's another delicious, filling vegan option. The veggie tacos come with a spicier version of the sweet potato, the marinated tofu and some cabbage on doubled corn tortillas. The tacos are not as filling as the burritos, but they're a delicious lighter option. Finally, a fourth option for vegans: the guacamole burrito. They homemade guac is to-die-for delicious. I end up at MexiCali about once a week. I've been going since they were just a lunch truck 8 years back. There's often a line at the restaurant, but this place has been around for years and they have a great system to get you your burrito in a very timely manner.
I'm reluctantly writing an update to my review, as the first one I wrote in a fit of anger. When Mexicali is good it's REALLY GOOD but unfortunately the menu, hours, and quality are still inconsistent. Two weeks ago I ordered a Cali burrito and it was aces. One week ago I ordered a Cali burrito and it was close to closing time and barely had any guac (I'm assuming they were running out) and contained way too much rice. I guess they don't care so much about consistency since most of their clientele are college kids who are too dumb to know better and have high customer turnover.
Restaurantji Recommends
Way better than chipotle down the block. Ask for whole wheat wrap at no extra cost!
BEST BURRITOS IN UNIVERSITY CITY, HANDS DOWN! AND THEY'RE NOT FROM A CHAIN! As if that doesn't sum up how I feel about MexiCali, might I add that the owner, Jane, is extremely friendly, personable, and accommodating when it comes to modifying menu selections to one's preference--beans and I are not friends, and I'm not a big fan of salsa, but my standard is a chicken or tofu burrito with rice and cheese, usually in a whole wheat tortilla. Also planning to try the sweet potato and plantain burrito sometime soon. Every single time it hits the spot, and for the size of the burrito, the price is definitely worth it! How ironic that I recently reviewed both of the major Mexican restaurant chains in the neighborhood and thought I'd be returning to them often...then I tried MexiCali and that all changed...I've found my new go-to for burritos!
My husband and I are trying to find solid, wholesome and authenticate places to eat in Philly. Which is why I hopped on Yelp and decided on this place. I don't know if it was because it was 7at night or what, but all the food was cold. I went in w/ a $20 and bought everything I could. It did not taste authenticate to me at all. The refried beans tasted like canned beans, the rice had abosolutely no flavor and the burritos were slopped together like dog food. I was soooo disappointed, I really wanted to love it! The SoCal burrito was ok, but that's because it was cold. If it were hot, I know it would have been good.
I hope I can update this review soon with better news, burrito lovers. What fellow Yelper Claude very accurately refers to as the "mercurial" nature of the owner of MexiCali has always been a bit of a challenge for MexiCali supporters like me, a die-hard since 2006. I thought the haters who complained about the odd hours, unexplained closings, weird menu strategies and so forth were just less interested in a great burrito than I was. I love a great burrito, and will put up with a lot to get it! However, my most recent experience last week was just depressing. I was hoping for my old standby, a black bean burrito with plantains and guacamole. No more plain old black bean burrito on the menu, so I had to get a combination. No problem! Guacamole burrito it is. I even remember to say "to stay" before ordering to forestall that inevitable question. I get the bathroom key (locked to prevent non-paying customers from using it -- sort of understandable!) and read the proliferating signs about the salsa limits (take only a few! that means 2!). So far, only slightly annoying. Now, I knew we probably wouldn't be in for homemade tortillas. I've lived through several flip-flops in this policy -- once it was explained to me near the beginning of the school year that there are "too many customers" so they had to stop using homemade tortillas. Ok. No matter. But the burrito I got was nothing short of a travesty. Put together lumpily so that I started out with three or four bites of straight up rice, this was my first UN-toasted MexiCali burrito. Why oh why? The toasting was the best part! The cheese was cold, I tell you. Cold. Worst, the salsas were strange and watery -- the hot salsa's one attribute was wetness. I guess even with the strict two-salsa-per-customer limit the price of tomatoes and peppers is too high to make them taste like anything? I can't say I won't be back, because MexiCali is like that dreadful friend who nonetheless is incredibly fun two or three times a year. But I do wonder how in the world this place survives with such an attitude: The Customer Is A Major Inconvenience.
Okay so first off the food here is amazing, just saying. BUT the owner is a jacka**. Completely. All I wanted was a quesadilla with beans on it, and the owner said "no we can't do that here," and when I asked him why I could not get beans on my quesadilla he replied "I could explain that to you but I don't want to... we don't have waitresses taking your customized order here." He said this in an extremely condescending tone and was extremely rude as well. I ended up canceling my order and will never go there again while he is there. I hope a better and nicer individual buys MexiCali from him. Sincerely, Disappointed Customer.