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El Azteca Taco Shop
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
8306 Parkway Dr(between Buckland St & Jackson Dr)
La Mesa, CA 91942
Neighbourhood: La Mesa
(619) 466-4113
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
117 reviews for El Azteca Taco Shop
Review Highlights
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"EAT CALIFORNIA AND BREAKFAST BURRITOS HERE." In 15 reviews -
"Don' t forget your hot sauce." In 17 reviews -
"carne asada is seasoned "differently." In 25 reviews
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117 reviews in English
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Review from Jared N.
Los Angeles, CA
Atmosphere- hole in the wall! Next to a shady smoke shop and a 711. But the rest of the reasons to come here greatly outway the atmosphere.
Experience- anytime I was in the area I went.
Food- famazing (f*****g amazing) burritos! Extremely filling, roughly the size of a football and delicious. Tortillas, fries, as well as the carne asada, and guacamole are all amazing. Oh and the "red sauce" is amazing!
Service- friendly and family owned.
Value- burritos are super cheap. Carne asada burrito roughly $5 and completely worth every penny. Definitely a "go to" burrito place. -
Review from Sang B.
Spring Valley, CA
The food is excellent here. . . I've had their carne asada and polla asado burrito here and they delivered with fresh amazing taste. I also tried their chicken quesadilla supreme and that too was also excellent.
They have Taco Thursday for $1.59 too.
So why the 3 stars? Well, if you don't mind being ripped off by them, this is the place for you. I have repeatedly told them to fix their sales tax on the register and they haven't corrected the problem since the new tax rate went into effect. In case you're wondering what the tax rate is in La Mesa, it's 8.5% since July 1 2011. They have been overcharging you for almost a year now. -
Review from Dan F.
This time had to try the breakfast burrito. Even though it was noon , ordered it up. It's was right around $5. So many reviewers can't be wrong. They weren't!
Big fatty stuffed with eggs, chopped ham, cheese and potatoes. ( http://www.yelp.com/bi... ) The potatoes were like a home style, like a thicker hash brown, and slightly crispy. As breakfast burritos go this thing was on point!
If I lived closer to here this would be a great place to feed my hangover ,a sobering breakfast burrito .Listed in: Burrito shops shops shops…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/21/2011
Hard to find a burrito for under 5 bucks these days and its a good sized burrito. Got a Chile… Read more »
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2/21/2011
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Review from Jack M.
Rancho San Diego, CA
I had a pollo asado burrito here. The burrito was average to large size (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) with a good amount of chicken and a lot of guacamole. (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) The chicken was thigh meat and was seasoned aggressively. Let's say, I tasted more seasoning then actual chicken. The guacamole was very good and so was the flour tortilla the burrito came with. Overall the the burrito was good and cost with tax $4.90.
The place only accepts cash and has an average amount of seating. There seemed to be regulars that kept stopping by to order food to go. That is certainly a good sign.
Hands off my burrito..... -
Review from Thomas B.
La Mesa, CA
Good news guys. They now accept debit cards. They have good beef tacos. And the pollo asada burrito are pretty good too.
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Review from Stephanie J.
Spring Valley, CA
breakfast burrito! breakfast burrito! breakfast burrito! It is all I ever get and it is WONDERFUL! The way it comes is amazing, or add bacon! If you want to get even more crazy, get bacon and carne asada inside yyyuuuuuuummmmmmmmm! The hot sauce is also delicious! Some taco shops hot sauce just isnt very good, but theres is! I eat 6 on half a burrito, eekkk. I say half a burrito because thats all I can even eat, they are huge! and cheap!
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Review from Randy B.
El Cajon, CA
I am not a 'burrito' eater when it comes to getting something to eat at a taco shop. I always go with something else other than a burrito because all the burritos I've tried in the past have been overkill on everything in it to the point where you just feel like you are eating something to consume volumes of 'stuff' without being able to appreciate anything that is actually in it. In tacos, enchiladas, tostadas, etc. I feel I can more appreciate the particular taco shop's style of flavor in their different offerings.
Not long ago, I had a friend offer me a carne asada burrito from El Azteca, and because I didn't want to offend my friend for his generosity I just accepted it & put it away to be 'tasted' later. When 'later' came I cut it in half & was just expecting to have a few bites & bringing the rest home to give to my wife. I finished the half & thought, "I want to eat the rest, but just half was a lot of burrito --- and I'm not sharing this with my wife". I ate the rest later that evening.
So far everything else I have had at El Azteca has been on par with the rest of the 'taco shops' I usually eat at, but on the carne asada burrito alone, it bumps it up one additional star. -
Review from Kristian T.
Spring Valley, CA
After about 10 years of eating here I am finally writing a review for this taco shop. The only saving grace for this place is the size of the burritos and the homemade salsa. I say the salsa because the food really doesn't have a lot of flavor or seasoning and you NEED the salsa to add that wow factor.
I began eating here when a breakfast and california burrito was $3.50, no they both are just under $6. I understand the economy and I actually appreciate that they decided to raise the price instead of cutting back the portion size.
El Azteca would recieve 5 stars if the price was a tad lower and the food had more seasoning. 4 stars is still not bad for a taco shop that shares a wall with a smoke shop and closes around 9pm. -
Review from Valerie L.
San Diego, CA
Service was super fast and friendly, but I didn't come here for that...
I absolutely love me a good CA burrito, but before I decide to order such a heaping portion of meat from a taco shop I've never been to before, I'm going to go with the smaller Carne Asada taco to taste the meat quality. In this case, the meat was cold which in turn made the steak pieces taste old. I had two bites and decided I could not continue eating.
My fiance is not a huge meat eater, so he ordered a cheese enchilada plate with rice and beans. Pretty hard to mess up right? Well we could have overlooked the out-of-the-can-taste of the enchilada sauce but the taste was probably the product again of the food being WAY TOO COLD. The cheese just laid in a chunk, cold and detached from the tortillas.
Chips were nothing special and pico de gallo was bland. Only thing I somewhat enjoyed and didn't feel ripped off on was the rolled tacos topped with guac, tomatoes and cheese. Again, only slightly warm, but I took the last two rolled tacos to go and stuck them in the toaster oven when I got home to finally enjoy the rest of my meal.
I really wanted to like this place and will probably give it another shot, but I was bit disappointed today. -
Review from Joshua M.
Super impressed with this place. So far I've had the classic bean and cheese, a california, and a regular carne asada burritos and they've all been great. Fast, inexpensive, and large portions.
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Review from Talon Z.
Lemon Grove, CA
Come to El Azteca if you want:
1. Homeless people asking you for change (Not in the creepy way. Usually. )
2. A smoke shop conveniently located next door (Ambiance is everything, I tell you.)
3. A 7-11 that is ALSO located right next door (past the abandoned Chinese Restaurant)? Actually, that's pretty much just a positive. Burritos and slurpees go together like orange and people from New Jersey.
4. Oh, and the most important part of this dang review...BURRITOS.
THE MEAT OF THE REVIEW:
1. California Burrito - One of the best you'll get anywhere. Period. They don't skimp on portion size, this thing is like a healthy baby. Well, not healthy. I mean, it's filled with Carne Asada, french fries, and the like...but you get my drift. They DEFINITELY don't wimp out on the meat, like some taco shops will. Plus, it doesn't just taste like BAD FOR YOU. It tastes like BAD FOR YOU and flavor.
2. Breakfast Burrito - Not my personal favorite, but a must for breakfast burrito lovers (No bacon, sorry. Only Ham!) Same size as the Cali.
3. Everything Else - I'm sure everything else is average to above average. But...why would you get anything else?
EAT CALIFORNIA AND BREAKFAST BURRITOS HERE. PERIOD.
Oh, and don't get mugged by the homeless people. Fight them off with your burrito and then eat in victory. -
Review from Sue S.
San Diego, CA
I went there for dinner after 7:30pm and I ordered beef taco, chicken taco, fish taco and shrimp burrito with a bottle of apple soda.
The bill summed up under $15, so it was super amazing and fulfilling experience!
I like everything except the beef taco. The beef didn't season at all and tasted like nothing. Luckily the restaurant has amazing green and red pepper sauce or dressing that goes well with everything.
The food was prepared fresh and served extremely hot.
TIPS for you when you go: Parking, CASH only and closes early on Sundays -
Review from Stacie N.
La Jolla, CA
They have the most amazing breakfast burritos here, if it was not for me poking around in a new neighborhood while visiting a friend. I would have never found this delicious taco shop.
The pricing is affordable like most taco shops in San Diego. The California burrito here is also scrumptious and enormous. They serve their food real fast which is a plus if your heading here before work. If I lived closer by I would come here for breakfast a lot. -
Review from Philly Phan d.
San Diego, CA
this place is great for their breakfast burritos. I always get mine with bacon instead of ham and I typically add guacamole. I am a pretty big guy and I would say I have about a 30% chance of being able to finish this thing, It is huge, like as big as my forearm huge, no joke. You could easily feed two adults with one burrito.
That being said, it seems to be the place to go for the hangover inflicted of La Mesa on weekend mornings and the seating is limited so either get their early or get it to go.
Apparently I am going to have to give their California burrito a shot as well based of the other reviews. -
Review from Danny D.
San Diego, CA
Please El Aztaca, Start accepting Credit or debit cards, no one wants to pay the $3 fee to get money from the ATM.
The Food: Average
The Price; Average
The staff ; Friendly
The location; Needs some help.
I had a carne asada burrito and it was a good size. Meat was ok but they stuffed it. -
Review from Mike H.
El Cajon, CA
Hit up El Azteca for some tacos de cabeza. These are not your average tacos. These freakin super tacos are delicious. I wish I knew how big they were going to be because I ordered a burrito and 2 tacos.
The only reason for the 4 instead of 5 stars is because I wasn't to impressed with the burrito.
Go on THURSDAY and the tacos are only $1.69 each. I didn't know this it just so happened that I went on a Thursday. -
Review from Hawt D.
Garden Grove, CA
This is place is incredible. Cheap, huge portions, and delicious!
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Review from E G.
San Diego, CA
My review is based on the California Burrito and Carne Asada Fries.
True, its quite bigger than your standard cali burrito and carne asada fries. But, I think this was hyped more than the quality.....
Carne Asada Fries: Thick cut fries, with two dollops of sour cream and a dollop of guacamole..... Nothing too impressing.
Cali burrito; same as carne asada fries, but dry.
The meat tasted dry, guess that's what the salsa is for....
Came out to $12.14
On the plus side, they ask you how much salsa you want.
Honestly, I'm not sure what the hype is over this place, but I've had better. I wouldn't drive out of the way just to go here. -
Review from Yui T.
San Diego, CA
it was an okay..
i liked the shrimp burrito.. others not so much..
come and try the shrimp.. -
Review from CLAY M.
San Diego, CA
So I stumbled upon this place yesterday and thought that I would try it out after I looked at the reviews on yelp. When I went in I order and tryed to pay with my card finding out however they only accept cash, which was fine with me seeing that there was an ATM right next door. So I went got out some cash and came back with in a matter of seconds I paid and my food was already ready for me. I liked the fact that they still made my food even though I hadn't paid yet, I was in and out.
I went home and to my surprise the burrito was of more than decent size, stuff as much as they could stuff it. I took a bite and it was really good, the hot sauce is also amazing, that was the winner for me. Anyways I will definitely be coming back here more often to come. I might even try their breakfast burritos tomorrow. -
Review from Jerry E.
San Diego, CA
This place is decent, but not that great. When I was younger I used to go here a lot for carne asada burritos, but it seems quality may have gone down hill.
I went here a week or so ago, we ordered a veggie burrito and carne asada fries. Neither were really outstanding. It seems as if for the veggie burrito they took canned beans, boxed mexican flavored rice, chopped up some tomatoes and iceberg lettuce, threw in some cheese, source cream. Which is fine and all if you don't know how to cook, but honestly I could make that myself, thats not why I go out to eat. The carne asada fries were soggy and had the same generic stuff that was in the veggie burrito.
So overall, not that great and probably won't go back. Typical hole in the wall, nothing special here. -
Review from Steven L.
San Diego, CA
This place is amazing!!! I love the food here, and normally come here about once or twice a week. Only problem is that they dont take cash which too big of a deal because when I am not carrying cash, I just run next door and buy a drink and pull out cash and i get a bomb ass burrito and a cheap drink.
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Review from Lauren B.
San Diego, CA
I thought I should write an update after my most recent visit. I was always concerned about this place being sanitary and after finding a black hair embedded in my food I am done with this place. Eat at your own risk.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/4/2011
I have come here a couple times for breakfast and once for dinner. The breakfast burritos are really… Read more »
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1/4/2011
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Review from Sean M.
La Mesa, CA
This is a great place to go if your looking for good Mexamerican food! They have a wide variety of dishes, local favorites, cali burritos and frys, as well as things you would find further south; Cabeza for sure but maybe even Lengua.
I usually rate Mexican eateries by their Carne Asada, beans, rice and cheese burritos. This place makes an outstanding one!
The only down side which is easily remedied; you must ask for the fry's EXTRA CRISPY! I find that the burritos are too mushy if not asked.
Very friendly owners, if you get to know them they definitely hook it up. Most important, they do not skimp out on hot sauce, I can not stress that enough! Give it a try if your in the area, you wont be disappointed. -
Review from Laura M.
Absolutely the best breakfast burrito in San Diego County.
(See? I can write a short review!) -
Review from Rachel L.
San Diego, CA
My friends took me here before going out to see a movie at Grossmont Center. It is a small hole in the wall just a mile from the mall. The I ordered a carne asada burrito, and it was DELICIOUS!!! I could only eat half of it.
I am not in La Mesa often but when I am I will try to stop by this place! -
Review from nick p.
La Mesa, CA
This place is an amazing little hole in the wall.
The breakfast burrito with carne asada instead of ham is my absolute favorite.
The staff is friendly and professional.
The food is always made to order and the their salsa is the best mixture of spice and flavor.
Large portion size and well priced. -
Review from Kimberly T.
San Diego, CA
I HAVE TO GIVE THIS PLACE A 5, IT IS BOMB.COM!
Everytime I want a HUGE california burrito or a HUGE portion of california fries I think of El Azteca and their excellent prices. I love their salsa and everything is always super fresh and made to order.
Some people think El Azteca lacks flavor and could use more salt but I love they way everything tastes with their salsa plus they offer little salt and pepper packets so you can add however much you want.
Tips: they only accept cash but don't sweat it if you don't have any because 711 right next door is the perfect place to get a drink and get cash back. El Azteca only offers mexican drinks like orange bang and horchata on the fountain and soda cans for a dollar. -
Review from Jason B.
San Diego, CA
Word on the street has it that El Azteca (not to be confused with that poop stain that goes by the name Azteca in East Village) has a mighty fine breakfast burrito. Are the rumors true? Or are they the ramblings of the insane waiting for empty beds at the local mental institution? Yeah, I know - who cares?
El Azteca (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) is located in a kinda run-down looking area with trash scattered around the parking lot as if some homeless guy was marking his territory. Once inside, I scanned the menu and then asked my usual line of insipid questions about their breakfast burrito. "Do you have ham or bacon? Are they fries or potatoes? Where's your crapper?"
I ordered the bacon burrito with potatoes which turned out to be another thick-ass burrito (breakfast burrito # 20 - http://www.yelp.com/bi...). This thing was practically the size of a newborn child minus all of the slime and glop. It was more potato-heavy than bacon with scattered amounts of egg here and there. Again, this was another example of a burrito that two people could definitely share.
In the end, it's not mighty fine like Salma Hayek in From Dusk Till Dawn but then again, what really is?
*Updated June 19, 2010: Despite the carne asada being pre-made, it was damn good and much better than some other places that have made it on the spot.
Carne asada burrito (with beans and cheese only) # 100 -
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
4 stars.*Listed in: 318 Burritos
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Review from Lauren W.
Lemon Grove, CA
deeeeeeelicious!
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Review from Michael R.
Louisville, KY
I lived down the street from this place for a year with out ever knowing it existed. Then a friend living in the area recommended it. My response was, "There's a Mexican food place by the 7-Eleven?" I didn't believe her until I went and looked. I'm glad I did.
Now I know I can go here and get plenty of decent food for very little money. I tend to order bean and cheese burritos everywhere I go, because it's cheap and reliable. Theirs is good, but I've tried other stuff and have enjoyed it as well.
The only thing I didn't like is their carnitas. I like it when it's moist and shredded into tiny bits. At El Azteca it's in fried strips and it's really crispy. Apparently this is a popular way of cooking carnitas, but I've never had it that way before. It's not for me.
But otherwise everything has been great. Soft tortillas, solid rice, good beans. Their guacamole is decent. I'm a wimp when it comes to sauce, so I don't often use theirs, but it does have a good flavor.
I have to admit that it's not the pinnacle of cleanliness--or comfort for that matter--but I it's not really dirty. It's more just . . . a tad run-down. But what do you want for a hole in the wall Mexican food place? Overall, above average.Listed in: La Mesa
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Review from Craig W.
A hole in the hall, but small and clean, which is exactly what you want when you find a hole.
Err.
The burritos are enormous and tasty. Our total bill was $7.10 and we didn't have change but the cashier spotted me the ten cents and also called me "amigo." Now, that is better service than I've gotten at some sit-down restaurants.
This place is a good hole and you don't even need to partake of the head/smoke shop directly next door to enjoy it.Listed in: Mexican Dives
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Review from Naomi A.
Tumwater, WA
I love El Azteca.
As a native San Diegan, I have to commend them for their consistently awesome, supercheap food; and for not giving in to fads like 'lots of light and seating and decorations.' No frills here, just good food.
This is your authentic hole-in-the-wall. Delicious. Probably very bad for your health. But did I mention delicious?
I am sadly moving away from my beloved SD, and to mark my last week here Michael R (prior reviewer) and I went here for the *classic San Diego experience* of dive Mexican food (and some Mexican beer for good measure, though not purchased at Azteca).
She had two tacos with rice/beans - enough for two meals. I had the Adobado burrito, which was a joy to eat. Tender pork in chili sauce precisely layered around a core of guacamole, cilantro and onions. Gi-normous burrito bliss! (Seriously, huge.) Good times, great memories.
They have a fairly standard menu, plus occasional specials.
Other highlights would be their cinnamon-sugar coated tortilla crispie thingies. Buy a bag to share, you won't regret it.
A worthy stop. -
Review from Suzanne F.
San Diego, CA
Friends, Romans, Countrymen...the search for wonderous carne asada in these environs continueth.
It continueth long and long.
Whilst the meat was plentiful in my burrito yesternoon, the taste was naught to writeth home about, and verily I must say the extra guacamole was entirely absent. The serving wench was of a cheerful disposition, the tortilla tasty and the hot sauce fiery. Alas, the temperature within the establishment was fiery also.
Sadly disappointed was I, and moved to say MEH to El Azteca. -
Review from Jason M.
El Cajon, CA
Best taco shop around for my money.
I used to say they had burritos the size of your forearm. I'd like to update that, because your forearm may vary. They have burritos the size of MY forearm. And that phrase was coined when I was 330 pounds and didn't have a girlfriend (figure it out). I'd love to say that everything they have here is good, but I've never been able to try anything other than my cali. While driving here, I occasionally lose my mind and decide to get something else. Then I get in line, and it's like that scene in RoboCop where he tries to arrest Dick Jones and directive 4 kicks in and Robo starts to malfunction. I start foaming at the mouth and stuttering and I end up ordering the california, after all.
The meat is good, and the tortilla (approximately the size of a twin pillowcase) has none of that waxy, supermarket tortilla taste -- just pure floury lardy goodness. The hot sauce is perfect. Every time i consider stealing a bottle. When a friend and I eat here we split a quirt bottle of hot sauce and just about finish it off. I eat my burrito about twice as spicy here as anywhere else because the sauce is that tasty. Bonus: the 7-11 next door means you can have just about anything you want to drink (How about a nice Hawaiian Punch?). Also, I don't like guacamole, but I do see dudes cutting avocados by hand and tossing them in a bucket, so it's definitely fresh.
Under 6 bucks for a meal and a drink that no human should be able to finish -- that's so good you finish it anyway. Can't go wrong. Except when your breathing gets labored because the upward pressure of your stomach stops your lungs from expanding. -
Review from kristen R.
San Diego, CA
This is the best place on earth to get a breakfast burrito! It also cures hangovers. I just had one smuggled in on a plane from San Diego to Arizona! I miss this place so much! Definitely a hole in the wall.
I could drink there hot sauce I always wanted to steal the bottles of hot sauce and take them home but, I loved this burrito shop too much to steal from them. I will not eat a breakfast burrito from other taco shops despite moving away, nothing matches up and it just breaks my heart. Teca I love you! I miss you so much and I will see you next time I am in SD! -
Review from Bev M.
So i gave the bfast burrito a try since its clearly its signature...i stand by my original review- this place is ALL HYPE. there is litterally zero flavor to anything and the hot sauce sucks.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/20/2011
Just, and I mean JUST went to el azteca. I've wanted to try it for a while and after seeing all the… Read more »
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1/20/2011
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Review from Anna Veronica V.
San Diego, CA
I was craving a California Burrito from Sombrero, when my boyfriend says "I've got something much better."
So we park in front of this non pretentious place named Azteca situated right beside a 711. Such a hole in the wall place. I likey! BF informs me that when he was an EMT, they would always eat here.
I look at the menu and wonder, "buche? tacos de cabeza?" wtf? I guess mexicans are not much different from Filipinos. We don't waste ANY animal part. We eat em all. Ha!
I order my Burrito and say "no pico, no salsa, just sour cream please." The senor looks at me and shakes his head, "taste like paper if you don't add nothin!"
He was lying. It tasted like heaven wrapped in a tortilla.
Let's just say that after that California Burrito from Azteca, I won't be going back to Sombrero if I can help it.
I am craving one right now. Mmmmm. -
Review from Cabby C.
San Diego, CA
In my opinion this is NOT the best place for burritos in SD. Work brought me to the lovely city of La Mesa the other day and I hit up this place for lunch. I had the carne asada burrito and was a bit disappointed. It was lacking in the flavor/seasoning department and was a bit dry. I like my burritos a bit "runnier" with carne juices squirting out with each bite, but that's just me. 3/5 for food. Worth noting is the tortilla used.....very tasty.
Why 4 stars? They gave me a handful of napkins and I didn't even have to ask for them. What a concept. These weren't the thin coffee napkins either, they were nice and thick. So many places are so stingy with napkins these days. I know times are tough, but c'mon people! We need napkins to actually wipe our grummy faces so we can go back to work and look respectable. Apparantly El Azteca grasps this concept.
ps. there is a bong shop next door if you're into that kind of stuff -
Review from Eric T.
El Cajon, CA
HUGE BURRITOS. really i could probably end my yelp right there. this place has some big fucking burritos, they still don't have anything on JV's but i've got to give it props as it is really the first taco shop i ate a pollo asado burrito at when i was 18, and i loved it. seriously these burritos are huge and they for the most part fall all over the place before you get halfway through them.
I went the other day and got a breakfast burrito, which was good, lots of ham, which really wasn't a problem and my friend got a cali, which is always golden. he and i both probably ate about 2/3's of our burritos and we were both starving. Price is pretty relative to most taco shops and i haven't really had anything outside of their burritos so i can't comment on anything other than those.
i'd recommend it if you are in la mesa and you want a badass burrito, go hit up el azteca.
oh by the way, the 4 stars are because they close early as shit, which is quite annoying. still much love.
