Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Valerie’s – San Diego
Valerie's - San Diego
Photo from Valerie’s
Valerie's at a glance
San Diego Pacific Beach
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 74 of the guests
#554 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#74 Mexican Restaurant out of 113 in San Diego
Good
6.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
312
Reviews
61.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Budget-friendly
- Quick service
- Large servings
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent food
- Poor ambiance
- Rude staff
The restaurant, Valerie’s, is a popular Mexican Restaurant located in the vibrant Pacific Beach neighborhood of San Diego. You can expect a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
Whether you’re craving authentic flavors for lunch, dinner, or even a late-night snack, this spot has you covered. With convenient service options like drive-through and outdoor seating, it’s designed for your comfort and ease.
Overview: Introducting Valerie's
Valerie’s offers a generally convenient experience, often praised for its affordability and generous portions. Many appreciate the friendly staff and the ease of access, making it a reliable stop for a quick meal.
However, some experiences suggest inconsistencies in the overall dining environment. While many find the food satisfying, there are reports of occasional issues with quality and taste, with some finding certain items bland or improperly prepared.
Service, though often good, has also seen some less positive feedback, indicating room for improvement in consistency.
Good
6.5
out of 10
312
Reviews
61.2%
Satisfaction
103
negative
18
neutral
191
positive
Valerie’s holds an overall score of 6.5, placing it squarely in the average category. Customer satisfaction sits at 61.2%, indicating a mixed reception among patrons.
This assessment is drawn from a substantial 312 customer remarks, with 191 positive observations against 103 negative ones, suggesting a generally acceptable, though not outstanding, experience for many. Diving deeper, Food (6.3) is the most frequently discussed aspect, yet its score is just below average, with some finding it inconsistent.
Service (7.2) stands out as a stronger point, often noted for its efficiency. Both Ambience (6.5) and Value (6.7) hover around the average mark, suggesting they meet expectations without particularly impressing or disappointing.
What people like
- Affordable pricing
- Efficient service
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Subpar dining environment
- Occasional rude service
Valerie’s earns a recommendation score of 6.7, suggesting it’s a place with some clear strengths but also areas for improvement. If you prioritize quick, affordable meals with generous portions, it could be a suitable option, especially for a convenient grab-and-go experience.
However, be mindful that the dining environment and food consistency can be a mixed bag. While service is often efficient, occasional lapses are noted.
It’s worth trying if your expectations are aligned with a casual, value-focused eatery rather than a polished dining destination.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Valerie's
Food (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, it seems like a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.3 and customer satisfaction sitting at 58%. Many of the 112 positive opinions praise the great food flavor, generous portions, and delicious options like tacos and burritos, especially the California burritos. It often hits the spot, offering satisfying late-night grub.
However, there are 69 negative opinions that point to some significant issues. Concerns include declining quality, a general lack of flavor, and skimpy meat portions. Some experiences mention soggy tortillas, cold ingredients, and even a severe food poisoning incident, suggesting inconsistency in the food quality.
Food
193
Reviews
58%
Satisfaction
69
negative
12
neutral
112
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious food
- Generous portions
- Excellent Cali burritos
What people don't like
- Food poisoning risk
- Inconsistent quality
- Lackluster flavor
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was very clean, with nice employees and great food. I visited twice and had a great experience both times.
- Cali burritoCali burrito is $10. Very yummy.
- Mexican foodIt reminds me of the great Mexican food spots I used to go to near SDSU. The food tastes great, it's affordable, and it's open whenever I'm out and about. Plus, they have tables for dine-in.
- SD burritoThe SD burrito is to die for.
- burritosLarge burritos with good portions
- hot sauceAnd of course, hot sauce
- portionsMy experience at this restaurant was primarily as a drive-thru location, though they do offer a few tables for seating. I found the burritos to be large with good portions. It's one of my favorite places in the area for both California and Breakfast burritos.
- shrimpjusy how much shrimp is in there holy guacamole
- tacosFantastic tacos.
- Breakfast burritosfavorite places in the area for Breakfast burritos
Frequently criticized
- foodI expected everything to be cooked to order at that hour, but it seemed they just put hot carne asada on cold fries, topped with cold guacamole and cold cheese. As you can imagine, everything was cold.
- guacamoleI ordered four of the same tacos, but the staff member taking my order was very rude and misunderstood me. He then stated that the taco would not come with guacamole, despite me mentioning it was included last time and it being listed on the menu. The restaurant needs to improve its customer service.
- cheeseMy experience at this taco shop was by far the worst I've had the displeasure of experiencing. I ordered carne asada fries with extra cheese and received barely any cheese at all, which is crazy considering they charged me $4 for it. I also ordered the TJ style hotdog and received a wet hotdog with lettuce and tomatoes on it.
- food qualityThe tortilla was soggy, and the guacamole was runny. Given the price range of $10–20 per person, I expected better food quality.
- qualityI was so disappointed that I ended up throwing out my burrito, even though it was smaller. I used to love this place and visited twice a week, but the quality has been slowly declining. That horrible chorizo burrito was the last straw, and I will never again return.
- FoodFood:1
- burritoI used to love this place and visited twice a week, but the quality has been slowly declining. That horrible chorizo burrito was the last straw, and I will never again return. : (
- carne asada friesMy experience at this taco shop was by far the worst I've had the displeasure of experiencing. I ordered carne asada fries with extra cheese and received barely any cheese at all, which is crazy considering they charged me $4 for it. I also ordered the TJ style hotdog and received a wet hotdog with lettuce and tomatoes on it.
- friesThe fries had an off taste due to the oil
- salsawhen we asked if we could have some more salsa he said there was already some in the bag
If you're looking for a quick, satisfying bite, especially a California burrito, you might find something delicious here. However, be aware that the quality can be inconsistent, and some experiences have been quite negative, so it might be a hit-or-miss situation.
Service (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 52% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark, earning a good score of 7.2 and satisfying a solid 71.4% of customers. Many appreciate the incredibly fast service, with food often coming out quickly, and highlight the friendly staff and attentive employees. The convenient drive-through and 24-hour availability also get a lot of love, making it a reliable choice for a quick bite.
However, not every experience is perfect, as indicated by 14 negative comments among the 56 total. Some customers have encountered rude staff or poor customer service, with instances of wrong orders or issues not being fixed. There are also mentions of a decline in service quality, suggesting inconsistencies in the overall experience.
Service
56
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
14
negative
2
neutral
40
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast service
- Friendly staff
- Convenient drive-through
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Poor customer service
- Wrong orders
Often praised
- serviceservice and atmosphere are rated a perfect 5/5
- staffthe staff is friendly
- ServiceThe atmosphere is also very enjoyable, rated at 4/5. Service was top-notch, receiving a 5/5. Overall, it's my go-to place for crispy chicken tacos.
- reliabilityAlways reliable any time day or night
- 4 minutesgot our food within 4 minutes
- Drive throughDrive through makes things easy.
- FAST AF BOIPlus they are FAST AF BOI!
- attentionLa atencion muy buena
- attentive staffmuy atentos
- availabilityit’s open whenever im out and about
Frequently criticized
- customer serviceNeed to work on your customer service
- servicehorrible rude service
- ServiceService:1
- experienceThey don't have the experience
- fix itthey wouldn't fix it
- man washing disheshands still dripping wet soaking the bag
- phone order policyDisappointment they didn't tell me that on the phone
- receiptI asked for a receipt and I was told there was no shredded chicken and rice burrito
- reviewsThe good reviews must be fake
- staffthe staff changed and went down hill
If youre looking for speed and convenience, especially with the drive-through, youll likely find the service here quite good. Just be aware that some visitors have reported less-than-stellar interactions, so your experience might vary.
Ambience (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 32% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, many customers have good things to say, with 19 positive remarks out of 32 total opinions. Folks often highlight the cleanliness, the pleasant neighborhood feel, and convenient parking options. The availability of outdoor seating also gets a nod, contributing to an average score of 6.5.
However, the ambience isn't without its drawbacks, with 12 negative comments. Some found it uncomfortably hot inside, and the limited indoor seating or lack of a proper dining room was a common point of contention. Customer satisfaction sits at a 59.4%, indicating a mixed experience for the overall atmosphere.
Ambience
32
Reviews
59%
Satisfaction
12
negative
1
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good parking options
- Enjoy outdoor seating
- Safe neighborhood spot
What people don't like
- Limited indoor seating
- Uncomfortably hot inside
- Cleanliness concerns
Often praised
- atmosphereservice and atmosphere are rated a perfect 5/5
- cleanlinessMy experience at this restaurant was very clean, with nice employees and great food. I visited twice and had a great experience both times.
- A ratingLove to see their A rating from the dept of health!
- Parking optionsParking options:Free parking lot
- Parking spacePlenty of parking
- convenient spotour quick, late night trip to this convenient spot
- dine-in tablesthey got tables for dine in
- happy faceshappy faces from my family.
- neighborhoodtaco shop in a safe neighborhood
- outdoor seatingIf you're looking for an amazing place, this is it. I can't believe there isn't a bigger line, but there was a constant flow of customers coming in while I enjoyed my food at the outdoor seating. Keep up the great work and amazing food; I hope you have many more successful years to come!
Frequently criticized
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:1
- area to eatMy experience at this restaurant was centered around their great food, available 24 hours. I would definitely recommend taking your order to go, as there isn't much of an area to eat on site. The food itself was excellent, earning a perfect score, though the atmosphere was just average.
- atmosphereit was very hot in there
- cleanlinesscleanliness not so much i found 2 different hairs in my food!!
- dining areapero no hay comedor
- dining roomI had the shrimp burrito and chicken rolled tacos, and they were absolutely Muy delicioso! While the restaurant may not have a fancy dining room or much space to order, the food makes you forget all about that. The food is the best I've ever had hands down.
- drive throughnot pay the state of repair of the drive through
- equipmentnot pay the state of repair of the equipment
- indoor seatingLimited indoor seating
- late night spotsearching for a new late night spot
If youre looking for a casual spot with good outdoor options and dont mind potentially limited indoor space, this place could work for you. Just be prepared that the indoor atmosphere might be a bit of a mixed bag, so consider taking your order to go if that's a concern.
Value (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 34% of the guests
When it comes to getting your moneys worth, this spot often hits the mark! Many customers rave about the affordability and generous portions, frequently mentioning the cheap prices and feeling they get a real bargain. With 20 positive remarks out of 31 total, its clear that for many, the value here is a definite highlight, offering amazing prices for satisfying meals.
However, the picture isnt entirely rosy. While the overall score for value sits at a respectable 6.7, customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 64.5%. Some patrons have voiced concerns about recent price increases and feeling overcharged, noting that the value and quality sometimes dont quite match up, leading to disappointment in their experience, based on 8 negative mentions.
Value
31
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
8
negative
3
neutral
20
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable, cheap prices
- Generous portion sizes
- Excellent money's worth
What people don't like
- Recent price hikes
- Potential overcharging
- Questionable quality-value
Often praised
- priceI found the place to be reliable and the food consistently delicious. Everything I tried was good, and importantly, it was not too expensive.
- pricesThe food is amazing and delicious, no matter what you order. They offer reasonable prices and great portions, so I always leave feeling stuffed and satisfied. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.
- Cali burritoThe San Diego Burrito, pictured, was very yummy. The Cali burrito is $10.
- Price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- affordabilityit’s affordable
- affordableThe only challenge is deciding from their extensive menu. Valerie's earns 5 stars for being convenient, affordable, and absolutely delicious.
- amazing pricesencapsulated by its amazing prices
- bargainMy experience was filling late night grub that is a bargain for its good nutritional value. Their surf and turf quesadilla (at like $12 I think) is not fancy but so incredibly good for a late night meal from their convenient drive through window when every place else close by is closed.
- cheapno frills spot for a cheap, quick lunch
- cheapestSince I’ve arrived in San Diego, I’ve tried 10+ different Cali burritos, and this one was the best. It was also the cheapest.
Frequently criticized
- pricesThe tacos lacked any real flavor, and I found everything to be bland. To make matters worse, the prices were overpriced for the quality. The salsa was also watery, which I'd describe as watered down.
- priceMy experience at this taco shop was by far the worst I've had the displeasure of experiencing. I ordered carne asada fries with extra cheese and received barely any cheese at all, which is crazy considering they charged me $4 for it. I also ordered the TJ style hotdog and received a wet hotdog with lettuce and tomatoes on it.
- drive thru menudrive thru menu states the price is $8
- overchargedI was overcharged about $4
- value and qualityThe value and quality were unbeatable.
If you're seeking an affordable, filling meal with generous portions, this place could be a solid choice. Just be aware that some recent price adjustments might affect the overall value perception for certain items.
How are the prices at Valerie's?
You’re looking at roughly $14 per person – reported by 74 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 guests stick to the $1–$20 range, showing prices really cluster around that sweet spot, keeping things quite affordable.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 74 reviews.
Curious how this spot stacks up against other restaurants in San Diego? This chart shows you the value for your money!
Considering its a Mexican spot in San Diego, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. Its a good value for a casual meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Valerie's
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Takeout
9
Favorite Drive-Thru Tacos with a Kick!
My experience at this drive-thru taco shop in Pacific Beach was fantastic. I found it to be my favorite spot for tacos and burritos. What I particularly appreciated was the red hot sauce, which actually has a kick to it.
- tacos and burritos9
- red hot sauce9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Awesome Mexican Food Anytime!
If you're craving good Mexican food any time of the day or night, look no further! This place is awesome. The food is rated 5/5, the service is 5/5, and the atmosphere is also 5/5.
They offer free parking in a lot with plenty of space, and reservations are not required. The price per person is between $10–$20, and it was a dinner meal.
- Mexican food10
- food10
- service10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
4
Hit or Miss Carne Asada Burrito
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. I ordered a carne asada burrito for dinner, and unfortunately, the carne was barely cooked enough. The tortilla was soggy, and the guacamole was runny.
Given the price range of $10–20 per person, I expected better food quality.
- carne asada burrito2
- carne1
- tortilla2
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Pleasantly Surprised by Quick & Tasty Mexican!
We were pleasantly surprised by our quick, late night trip to this convenient spot. The food came out quickly and the gentleman at the window was kind, courteous and answered some questions without being put out! To make things even better, the food was beyond our expectations!
My daughter was battling some nausea so she stuck with a plain quesadilla but we ordered sides of guacamole, pico, and sour cream. I personally love pico by the heaps in my tacos/burritos (anything really!). Theirs was heavy on the onions, which I fully enjoy, but also appreciate some balance with equal parts tomato.
Could’ve used a bit more cilantro as well but that’s just not picking. It was super tasty and made my surf and turf burrito complete! I probably could’ve inhaled the whole burrito but having a second meal later on sounded like a better idea 😋 Definitely a solid place for some quick Mexican and genuine/friendly service.
Would’ve loved to try more from the menu. There will be a next time! Go check it out!
- convenient spot8
- food came out quickly9
- gentleman at the window9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Valarie's: Best Veggie Tacos Ever!
My experience at Valarie's has been exceptional, especially with their veggie tacos, which I consider the best I've ever had – truly, like, ever ever. I find myself eating here once a week. I honestly feel like I couldn’t live without Valarie’s.
While I technically could live without it, I question if it would be a life worth living. The food is outstanding, and the service and atmosphere are rated a perfect 5/5.
- veggie tacos10
- food10
- service10
What Valerie's offers
Crowd
- Tourists
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Late-night food
- Beer
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Service Options
- Drive-through
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Quiet
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Valerie's?
At Valerie’s, you’ll find a casual and quiet atmosphere perfect for any meal. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner with comfortable seating options. It’s also a great spot for a quick bite or late-night food, offering a relaxed setting for you and your companions.
Are there convenient parking and accessibility options at Valerie's Taco Shop - Pacific Beach?
Yes, Valerie’s Taco Shop – Pacific Beach offers excellent convenience. You’ll usually find plenty of parking, including free street parking and a free parking lot. The restaurant is also fully accessible, with a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, and seating to ensure a comfortable visit for everyone.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Valerie's?
Valerie’s has a mixed customer satisfaction of **61.2%**, with an overall score of **6.5**. While many appreciate its offerings, some experiences indicate areas for improvement.
How do customers rate the food and value at Valerie's?
The **Food** score is 6.3, often noted for generous portions but sometimes criticized for inconsistency. **Value** scores 6.7, with many finding prices reasonable and portions satisfying.
What are the main strengths and weaknesses of Valerie's service and ambience?
**Service** scores well at 7.2, frequently praised for being fast and friendly. However, **Ambience** scores 6.5, with some finding the dining environment less appealing or lacking in space.