Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Don Lucio’s Taco Shop II – San Diego
Don Lucio's Taco Shop II - San Diego
Photo from Don Lucio’s Taco Shop II
Don Lucio's Taco Shop II at a glance
San Diego Scripps Ranch
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 41 of the guests
#335 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#33 Mexican Restaurant out of 113 in San Diego
Good
7.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
318
Reviews
74.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic flavors
- Generous portions
- Rapid service
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent staff
- Basic ambiance
- No restrooms
The restaurant Don Lucio’s Taco Shop II is a casual Mexican Restaurant located in the vibrant Scripps Ranch neighborhood of San Diego. You’ll find it’s a perfect spot for a quick bite, offering delicious small plates throughout the day.
Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this welcoming eatery provides a comfortable setting for you and your family.
Overview: Introducting Don Lucio's Taco Shop II
Don Lucio’s Taco Shop II delivers a straightforward experience where the focus is clearly on the plate. Many appreciate the authentic Mexican food and generous portions, finding the burritos and tacos particularly satisfying.
It’s often described as a low key spot where the food speaks for itself. However, the dining experience can be a mixed bag.
While some praise the fast service and friendly staff, others have encountered less welcoming interactions. The atmosphere is generally no-frills, with some patrons noting issues like a lack of air conditioning or basic cleanliness.
Good
7.5
out of 10
318
Reviews
74.8%
Satisfaction
63
negative
17
neutral
238
positive
Overall, Don Lucio’s Taco Shop II earns a solid 7.5 out of 10, with customer satisfaction sitting at a good 74.8%. This indicates a generally positive reception, largely driven by the culinary offerings.
These insights are drawn from over 300 customer remarks, with a clear majority of 238 positive comments outweighing 63 negative ones. The standout here is undoubtedly the Food (8.3), which customers consistently rate as excellent, making it the primary draw.
However, other aspects present a more mixed picture. Service (5.9) and Ambience (5.8) both hover in the average range, suggesting areas where the experience could be more consistent.
Value (6.3) also falls into the average category, despite some finding portions generous.
What people like
- Authentic Mexican flavors
- Generous food portions
- Rapid service speed
What people don't like
- Inconsistent staff demeanor
- Basic dining ambiance
- Limited restroom access
Don Lucio’s Taco Shop II, with a recommendation score of 7.8, is a solid choice if your priority is flavorful, substantial Mexican food without fuss. It’s a place to visit when you’re craving authentic tastes and generous portions, and less concerned with the dining environment or occasional service hiccups.
If you’re seeking a polished dining experience or consistently cheerful service, you might find it falls short. However, for a quick, satisfying meal where the food truly shines, it’s certainly worth considering.
Manage your expectations for everything beyond the plate.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Don Lucio's Taco Shop II
Food (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to the food, you're in for a treat! With a solid score of 8.3 and a fantastic customer satisfaction rate of 84.7%, diners are consistently praising the delicious and authentic Mexican options. Out of 216 remarks, a whopping 183 were positive, highlighting tasty food, generous portions, and amazing salsas, especially the carne asada burritos and pollo asado fries.
However, not every bite is perfect. While the overwhelming sentiment is positive, 25 remarks did point out some areas for improvement. A few folks mentioned issues with the salsa bar being empty, occasional inconsistencies in meat quality, or some dishes feeling overpriced.
Despite these minor hiccups, the overall impression remains very strong.
Food
216
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
25
negative
8
neutral
183
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Mexican food
- Generous portions
- Delicious salsas
What people don't like
- Inconsistent quality
- Salsa bar issues
- Some dishes overpriced
Often praised
- foodThe rolled tacos were also pretty good. Overall, the restaurant offers good prices and good food.
- burritosgood gravy were our burritos both amazing, and massive!!
- FoodFood is made to order and all handmade.
- Mexican foodbest Mexican food I can ever imagine, and it was
- tacosAs someone from out of town, I was expecting the typical palm-sized tacos that cost $4-5 elsewhere. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised by massive, delicious tacos. I was not disappointed at all.
- carne asada burritoTheir red hot sauce is absolutely bomb. I highly recommend the mini polo asada tacos and the carne asada burrito.
- portionsthe portions are crazy yo
- rolled tacosHad the Cali burrito and rolled tacos and it was so good
- salsasalways on their A game when it comes to their salsas!
- authentic Mexican foodone of the best places to eat authentic Mexican food
Frequently criticized
- foodThe prices were a bit high, with two tacos costing $10. Honestly, the food wasn't very good. This is just my opinion.
- carne asada burritoMy experience at this restaurant was that of a typical burrito joint, but it was way overpriced for an average tasting carne asada burrito. Other places nearby are much cheaper than this location.
- California burritoI ordered the California burrito and the french fries tasted like french fries
- MenudoReheated,, the tripe was 'slimy'
- carne asadaThe carne asada wasn't that great
- chicken burritochicken burrito, which was filled with endless chicken stripes and was not tasty
- chorizo burritoI got a chorizo burrito here and regretted it.
- consistencyTheir consistency clashed with the rest of the ingredients in an off-putting way
- dankest Mexican foodsearch for the dankest Mexican food, you won't find it here
- fish burritoThe fish burrito was mediocre
If youre craving authentic Mexican flavors and generous portions, this place is definitely worth a try. While a few minor inconsistencies might pop up, the high satisfaction and score suggest youll likely leave happy and full.
Service (5.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 38% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot has a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.9 and customer satisfaction sitting at 56.5%. Many customers rave about the friendly staff, fast service, and the personal touch from the owner, especially for regulars. With 26 positive remarks out of 46 total, it seems many appreciate the quick bite experience and the helpful servers.
However, not everyone has had a smooth experience. There are 19 negative comments highlighting issues like bad service, rude cashiers, and long wait times, particularly during busy periods. Some have also noted problems with opening hours and a lack of basic greetings, suggesting there's room for improvement in consistent customer service.
Service
46
Reviews
56%
Satisfaction
19
negative
1
neutral
26
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, fast service
- Family-owned business
- Owner is very nice
What people don't like
- Rude cashier attitude
- Bad customer service
- Long wait times
Often praised
- serviceThe service is regularly rapid
- ownerThe person working who I presume is the owner was very nice
- staffFriendly staff
- Call aheadCall ahead with your order
- ServiceService:5
- cook/cashierthe cook/cashier still allowed us to not only order our food but to eat inside as well!
- customer servicegreat customer service
- family-owned and operatedFamily owned and operated.
- fast servicefast service
- gentleman making foodThe gentleman making the food was very patient
Frequently criticized
- servicethey were rude and wouldn't give me a straight answer
- cashierThe food was good, but the service was unfortunately bad. Specifically, the cashier had a 'damn ugly attitude' that significantly detracted from the overall experience. I suggest firing the cashier or advising her to change her attitude.
- customer serviceMy experience at this restaurant was marred by horrible customer service. The cashier had an angry face and should not be in a customer-facing role.
- employeesemployees here are really rude
- good serviceIf you value good service
- greetingNot as much as a hello when you walk in
- hoursSays open till 4 on Sunday. Fix your hours!
- lady servingthe lady serving was very grumpy
- opening hoursit's not open as stated on Google
- regular meal timesThey get really busy at regular meal times
If you're a regular or looking for a quick, friendly takeout experience, you might find the service quite good. But be prepared for potentially longer waits or less-than-stellar interactions if you visit during peak times or encounter certain staff members.
Ambience (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 37% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot gets an average 5.8 on the score, and customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 47.2%. Despite these mid-range numbers, many folks appreciate the family run establishment and casual atmosphere, often noting the cleanliness and that its a "small owned and operated" place, based on 17 positive remarks. However, some opinions, from 12 negative remarks, suggest its not a sit down restaurant and that the atmosphere isnt for everyone.
Concerns include a "lack of air conditioning" making it uncomfortably hot, and a feeling that it "needs a deep cleaning. " The "parking lot" also received some criticism, indicating theres definitely room for improvement.
Ambience
36
Reviews
47%
Satisfaction
12
negative
7
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Family-run vibe
- Casual atmosphere
- Clean seating area
What people don't like
- Not a sit-down spot
- Lack of AC
- Needs deep cleaning
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere was also a 5/5
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Mexican low key spotAbsolutely the greatest Mexican low key spot
- casual atmospherecasual atmosphere.
- cleanlinessit's clean
- family run establishmentI really like that it is family run establishment.
- good to spotDefinitely a good to spot
- great mapgreat map they have on the wall
- interiorInterior looks like a regular taco shop
- no frillsNo frills, just good food
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereatmosphere this place is not for you
- AtmoAtmo:Bad
- air conditioninguncomfortably hot due to a lack of air conditioning
- ambiancenot great ambiance
- deep cleaningit could use a deep cleaning too
- insidenothing much to look at from inside
- outsidenothing much to look at from outside
- parking lotParking lot is pretty small
- permanently closedmay be lerpermanen closed
- restroomslack of available restrooms for customers
If youre looking for a no-frills, casual, family-run spot with good food, you might find its charm. But if a comfortable, traditional sit-down dining experience with perfect ambiance and AC is what youre after, you might want to look elsewhere.
Value (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot seems to offer a bit of a mixed bag, but leans positive! Many customers appreciate the prices, often finding them to be great and offering amazing value. With 12 positive remarks out of 20 total comments, its clear that many feel the affordable prices are a real win, contributing to an average score of 6.3.
However, not everyone is convinced, as the mixed customer satisfaction of 60% suggests. Some folks found items notably overpriced, with concerns about inconsistent prices for the same order. There were 7 negative comments indicating that for some, the portions didnt justify the price, especially when compared to other places.
Value
20
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
7
negative
1
neutral
12
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great, affordable prices
- Amazing value
What people don't like
- Notably overpriced
- Inconsistent pricing
Often praised
- pricesthe prices seem more reasonable
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The burritos were huge and offered a great price. I was especially impressed with the $10 breakfast burrito, which is a steal in this economy.
- affordable pricesaffordable prices
- valuewhat amazing value
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was that of a typical burrito joint, but it was way overpriced for an average tasting carne asada burrito. Other places nearby are much cheaper than this location.
- pricesThe lady serving was very grumpy and had a scowl on her face. The prices were a bit high, with two tacos costing $10. Honestly, the food wasn't very good.
- other placesMy experience at this restaurant was that of a typical burrito joint, but it was way overpriced for an average tasting carne asada burrito. Other places nearby are much cheaper than this location.
- overpricedwas notably overpriced
- same orderthe same order was always a different price
If youre looking for good deals on certain items, you might find some real gems here, especially with their breakfast burritos. However, be mindful that some dishes might feel a bit steep for what you get, so its worth checking the menu carefully before you order.
How are the prices at Don Lucio's Taco Shop II?
You’re looking at roughly 15 per person – reported by 41 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Mexican Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners keep it in the 1 – 20 $ range, with a good number even opting for the cheaper $1–$10 options. So, while the average is 15, there are plenty of budget-friendly choices too!
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 41 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a Mexican spot, especially with those budget-friendly options available. It’s a good value!
Customer Reviews: what people think about Don Lucio's Taco Shop II
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
9
Huge Burritos, Fire Sauce, Friendly Service!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The burritos were huge and offered a great price. I was especially impressed with the $10 breakfast burrito, which is a steal in this economy.
The sauce was FIRE and bomb. Additionally, the servers were friendly and helpful.
- burritos9
- price10
- breakfast burrito10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Takeout
2
Bad Meat in Carne Asada Burrito
I'm sorry, but the meat in my carne asada burrito tasted bad. I purchased a carne asada burrito and a coke, which came to $18. Unfortunately, I couldn't eat the burrito because the meat was gross.
- coke5
- price5
- meat1
- carne asada burrito1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious Cali Burrito and Rolled Tacos!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I had the Cali burrito and rolled tacos, and they were so good. It's definitely a good to spot.
- Cali burrito9
- rolled tacos9
- good to spot8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
Arturo's Food is the Best!
My experience at Arturo's was fantastic! I absolutely love Arturo's food, considering it the best in all of Mira Mesa. I'm particularly fond of his carnitas, which I adore.
It's impressive that he even hand makes his own horchata! I'm confident that pick anything on his menu and you will love it.
- Arturo's food10
- carnitas10
- horchata9
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Authentic Mexican Gem with Amazing Salsas
I found this small Mexican joint tucked away at the back of the Trader Joe's area on Mira Mesa Blvd. , near Scripps Ranch. You can't enter directly from the Trader Joe's mall; access is after the Trader Joe's entry.
The food was really good. We tried the bean and cheese burrito and the Al pastor tacos with chips. The salsas were amazing.
Definitely worth a try.
- food9
- bean and cheese burrito8
- Al pastor tacos8
What Don Lucio's Taco Shop II offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What parking options are available at Don Lucio's Taco Shop II?
You’ll find convenient parking at Don Lucio’s Taco Shop II in Scripps Ranch. There is free street parking available, along with a free parking lot. You can usually expect to find plenty of parking spaces when you visit.
Is Don Lucio's Taco Shop II accessible for wheelchairs?
Yes, Don Lucio’s Taco Shop II is designed to be wheelchair accessible. You will find a wheelchair accessible entrance, a dedicated wheelchair accessible parking lot, and comfortable wheelchair accessible seating for your convenience.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Don Lucio's Taco Shop II?
Don Lucio’s Taco Shop II holds a good overall score of 7.5, with customer satisfaction at 74.8%. The Food (8.3) is highly praised, while Service (5.9), Ambience (5.8), and Value (6.3) are rated as average.
What kind of food can I expect at Don Lucio's Taco Shop II?
Customers frequently praise the authentic Mexican food, highlighting massive and delicious tacos and burritos with generous portions. The salsas are also noted as a strong point.
Is the dining atmosphere at Don Lucio's Taco Shop II comfortable?
The ambiance is generally described as basic and no-frills, with some customers noting issues like a lack of air conditioning and no available restrooms. It’s considered a low-key spot rather than a place for a polished dining experience.