Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Santana’s – San Diego
Santana's - San Diego
Photo from Santana’s
Santana's at a glance
San Diego Pacific Beach
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 68 of the guests
#604 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#88 Mexican Restaurant out of 113 in San Diego
Average
5.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
314
Reviews
53.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Specific burritos
- Friendly staff
- Pleasant interior
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Slow service
- Cleanliness concerns
The Mexican restaurant Santana’s Mexican Food in San Diego’s vibrant Pacific Beach neighborhood offers you a true taste of authentic Mexican cuisine. You can swing by for a quick bite or enjoy a leisurely meal, knowing that delicious late-night food options are always available.
This casual spot is perfect for satisfying your cravings, whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, a filling lunch, or a satisfying dinner. You’ll find it’s a convenient and welcoming place for everyone.
Overview: Introducting Santana's
Santana’s offers a mixed experience, with many patrons appreciating the friendly staff and a surprisingly beautiful interior for a casual spot. It’s a place where you might find some standout dishes that leave a lasting impression, making it a local favorite for certain cravings.
However, some diners have voiced concerns regarding high prices and occasional issues with a slow drive-thru. While there are definite upsides, these points suggest that a visit might come with a few caveats, depending on your priorities.
Average
5.9
out of 10
314
Reviews
53.5%
Satisfaction
125
negative
21
neutral
168
positive
Santana’s holds an overall Restaurant Score of 5.9, placing it squarely in the average category, supported by a mixed Customer Satisfaction rating of 53.5%. This indicates that while many find it acceptable, there’s room for improvement to truly impress a broader audience.
These insights are drawn from a substantial 314 customer observations, with 168 positive remarks against 125 negative ones. Delving deeper, Food scores an average (6.3), yet it garners the most discussion, appearing in 93.8% of reviews.
Ambience (7.5) surprisingly stands out as a strong point, though it’s mentioned less frequently. On the other hand, Service (5.2) is also average but a significant topic, while Value (4.1) is identified as a weaker area, suggesting that many feel the cost doesn’t always align with the overall experience.
What people like
- Specific burritos and salsa
- Friendly staff
- Pleasant interior
What people don't like
- High prices
- Slow service
- Cleanliness concerns
If you’re seeking specific Mexican comfort food items and appreciate a welcoming atmosphere, Santana’s might be worth a try. The Recommendation Score of 6.2 suggests it’s generally seen as an acceptable option, particularly if you know what to order and manage expectations regarding pricing and service speed.
However, be mindful of the potential for inconsistent experiences, especially concerning value and service efficiency. It’s a place that could satisfy a specific craving, but it might not be your go-to for a consistently stellar or budget-friendly meal.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Santana's
Food (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
Diving into the food, it seems theres a lot to love, with 116 positive opinions out of 197 total. Many rave about the delicious tacos, the unique La Paz burrito, and the fantastic salsa options. Customers frequently highlight the fresh and tasty ingredients, generous meal sizes, and flavorful meat, making for a satisfying experience.
However, the food experience isnt always perfect, reflected in an average score of 6.3 and a mixed customer satisfaction of 58.9%, with 71 negative opinions. Some diners encountered issues with food quality, including overcooked items, cold burritos, and even serious concerns like raw chicken. Others noted blandness, incorrect orders, or smaller portions than expected.
Food
197
Reviews
58%
Satisfaction
71
negative
10
neutral
116
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious burritos
- Excellent salsa options
- Fresh, tasty ingredients
What people don't like
- Raw chicken served
- Inconsistent food quality
- Missing ingredients
Often praised
- foodI would definitely recommend trying this establishment at least once to experience the love they put into their food. I will certainly be a returning customer, thank you for such amazing flavored food!
- FoodFood:5
- California Burritothe California Burrito is something that I would dedicate an entire vacation to
- La Paz burritoThe La Paz burrito (carne and shrimp) with double shrimp for a couple bucks extra is excellent.
- Mexican foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I consider it the best Mexican food North of the border. Every time I visit this area, I make it a point to enjoy their delicious food.
- menuthe menu is pretty big so you probably can find most of your local flavors
- salsaHowever, I finally visited not too long ago and it was 100% better than I imagined. The good salsa and good beans were well put together. I've actually visited twice now and it's definitely been added to my list of go-to's.
- La Paz Burritothe best burrito 🌯 is la paz burrito it has meat and shrimp 🦐 very delicious 😋
- carne asada friesTheir carne asada fries and chips are the best
- guacamoleguacamole was a large serving and was some of the best I've had
Frequently criticized
- California burritoIt’s been years since I’ve had a California burrito from Santana’s, but it seemed much smaller from what I remember. Also, I went through the drive-thru and saw one of the cooks making food without wearing gloves…just picking up the different ingredients with his hands (shredded cheese, etc.) and cooking.
- foodThis was particularly alarming as I am allergic to it. It's fortunate that I tipped the staff beforehand, but I was unable to eat my food because of this mistake.
- burritoI had a frustrating experience with my drive-thru order. After getting home, I discovered my $16 burrito was incorrectly priced, with charges for items that should have been included and missing add-ons I paid for. When I tried to get a partial refund, the staff member insisted I bring the burrito back, which was inconvenient as I was already home and didn't want to waste time and gas.
- friesThe Californian burritos were cold, and the meat was grizzly. To top it off, they forgot our fries. I will never be going back again.
- cheesepounds of cheese mixed in as a vegan they were awful
- food qualityMy order was over seasoned and was way over cooked. The staff there is nice and they have a drive-through, but the food is why you go, and it’s bad.
- meatThe quesomush we had was just plain, with no sauce. The Californian burritos were cold, and the meat was grizzly. To top it off, they forgot our fries.
- Californian burritosCalifornian burritos were cold
- Mexican fast foodMy experience at Santana's was disappointing. I remember when Santana's used to be the bomb, but it's just below average Mexican fast food now. Nothing special, and definitely not the old Santana's.
- add onspaid for add ons that I didn't get
So, is the food worth it? Its a bit of a mixed bag. While many find delicious and fresh options, especially the burritos and salsas, be aware that consistency can be an issue.
If youre willing to take a chance on their popular items, you might be pleasantly surprised, but there's a risk of disappointment.
Service (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 64% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot has some good points! Many customers appreciated the convenience of the drive-thru and found the service to be fast and the staff friendly, with some even praising the excellent customer service. Out of 74 total remarks, 32 were positive, contributing to an average score of 5.2.
However, its not all smooth sailing. There were quite a few complaints about long waiting times and issues with customer service, including messed-up orders and difficulties reaching a manager. With customer satisfaction at a mixed 43.2% and 36 negative remarks, its clear there's room for improvement in consistency.
Service
74
Reviews
43%
Satisfaction
36
negative
6
neutral
32
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast drive-thru
- Friendly staff
- Order customization
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Order inaccuracies
- Poor customer service
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was absolutely delicious and quick! I used the drive-thru and was very thankful that the host gave me tons of salsas.
- ServiceService:5
- drive-thruthe size of their drive through is pretty big it fit our large work truck so it's very convenient
- staffMy order was over seasoned and was way over cooked. The staff there is nice and they have a drive-through, but the food is why you go, and it’s bad.
- Dude at the windowDude at the window was super friendly
- counter staffhappy, friendly counter staff
- customer servicetheir customer service is second to none
- customize ordercustomize to your preferences when ordering
- drive throughthey have a drive through
- drive-throughThey have a drive through
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service was problematic for me
- customer serviceprincipal of customer service
- hoursMy experience at the restaurant was disappointing as they closed over 15 minutes early tonight. I suggest changing your hours on Google to reflect that you close at 10: 40 PM and not 11 PM. Thanks guys 👎
- ordersignificant error with my order. I specifically requested no pico
- wait timeI waited 25 minutes before I had to reverse and choose another place to eat.
- cooks making foodIt’s been years since I’ve had a California burrito from Santana’s, but it seemed much smaller from what I remember. Also, I went through the drive-thru and saw one of the cooks making food without wearing gloves…just picking up the different ingredients with his hands (shredded cheese, etc.) and cooking.
- customer attentioncustomer in line wasn't paying attention
- description on DoorDashdescription on DoorDash said crispy rolled tortillas
- drive throughThe drive through despite only being 3 cars max not including myself, doesn’t move at all.
- drive-thru orderCheck your receipt and your order before you drive away with a drive through order
If you're looking for a quick drive-thru experience, you might get lucky with fast and friendly service. But be prepared for potential inconsistencies in order accuracy and longer waits, especially if you need specific customer attention.
Ambience (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.5, the ambience is rated as good, and customer satisfaction sits at a strong 78.9%. Many folks, 15 positive remarks out of 19 total, rave about the Atmosphere, calling it a great hole in the wall and even a little slice of home.
The interior is often described as beautiful, making it a San Diego staple for many. However, its not entirely without its quirks. A couple of voices, 2 negative remarks, did bring up some concerns.
Specifically, the mask policy was noted as an issue, with one person observing a lack of mask-wearing. There were also comments about the smell and cleanliness' inside the restaurant, suggesting it might not always be up to par for everyone.
Ambience
19
Reviews
78%
Satisfaction
2
negative
2
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Beautiful interior
- Good for parties
What people don't like
- Mask policy concerns
- Cleanliness issues
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- atmosphereAtmosphere:4
- San Diego stapleA San Diego staple
- dine inDine in is beautiful
- hole in the wallgreat hole in the wall
- interiorplace is honestly beautiful inside
- large partiesgood for large parties
- parkingamplio estacionamiento
- placeLugar muy limpio
- slice of homeit’s a little slice of home
Frequently criticized
- mask policynone of them, not a single person in this restaurant, is wearing a masks
- smell and cleanlinessnot a fan of the smell and cleanliness of the inside restaurant
If youre looking for a place with a generally good vibe and a slice of home' feel, this spot is likely worth a visit. Just be aware that a few guests have noted concerns regarding mask-wearing and the overall cleanliness, so manage your expectations on those fronts.
Value (4.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 22% of the guests
When it comes to value, it's a bit of a mixed picture, with an average score of 4.1 and customer satisfaction sitting at a rather poor 20.8%. Still, out of 24 comments, 5 positive remarks highlight moments of affordability. Some found items like the $7.39 option or affordable Mexican to be fairly priced, suggesting that good deals can be found if you know what to look for.
However, the overwhelming sentiment from 16 negative comments points to significant concerns. Many feel the price has dramatically increased, leading to overpriced food and frustration over being charged for extras. The general feeling is that the experience has become quite expensive, especially when portions are also perceived to have shrunk.
Value
24
Reviews
20%
Satisfaction
16
negative
3
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable Mexican
- Fairly priced items
What people don't like
- Overpriced food
- Charge for extras
- Rising prices
Often praised
- pricePrice / presentation / taste is good
- $7.39for $7.39
- affordable Mexicanfast affordable Mexican
- pricesgood prices
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The price has gone up and the quality has gone down. The carnitas were way overcooked, and the tortilla looked like it had mold on it.
- pricesI used to enjoy going here, though they were always expensive. But suddenly, I just went there with family and friends and was shocked – not kidding – that they had raised their prices substantially, AND cut the portions waaaaay down. We couldn't believe it.
- Price per personPaid $70 for 5 dishes
- better optionsmany better options for your money
- burritoThe fries were not just soggy, but entirely undercooked, retaining a raw-potato crisp in the middle. There was also no guacamole, meaning they charge extra for it on top of the $12 burrito. Overall, it's a pretty good place, but I'd suggest avoiding the Cali Burrito.
- chargecharge way way too much
- charge you for extrasthey'll charge you for extras
- combo plateThe food was good, but nothing particularly special. My main issue is the charge, which was way too much for their combo plate. It cost $13.
- expensiveCheapppppp
- overpriced foodreceipts for your overpriced food!
If you're on a tight budget, you might find a few fairly priced options, but be prepared for potential sticker shock. Many customers feel the value has declined due to rising prices and extra charges. It might be worth exploring other options if cost is your main concern.
How are the prices at Santana's?
On average, you’ll spend around $18 per person – from 68 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $11–$20 category. For a Mexican Restaurant, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Looking at what people usually spend, most diners (a whopping 48 out of 68!) find themselves in the $11–$20 bracket, which means prices cluster pretty tightly around that mid-range sweet spot.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 68 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a mid-range Mexican spot. It offers good value without breaking the bank, fitting right into that comfortable sweet spot.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Santana's
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Best Burrito in Years!
My experience at this restaurant was genuinely fantastic. The burrito was the best I've had in years, and the chef made it hot hot hot, exactly how I like it. I will definitely be back!
- burrito10
- hot hot hot10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
San Diego Mexican Food Staple
My experience at this place was fantastic! I always go for the chile relleno burrito and rolled tacos. They offer a massive selection salsa bar, and I love loading up my food with all the yummy salsa.
It's a true San Diego staple. I'm a big fan because it hits the spot for fast and affordable Mexican food.
- chile relleno burrito9
- rolled tacos9
- massive selection salsa bar10
Price per Person
- $81–$90
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
3
Disappointing Authentic Food Experience
This was my first time ordering from this restaurant. My experience was neither terrible nor good. I was looking for authentic food and was ultimately disappointed.
Additionally, the chips were so stale.
- authentic food3
- chips2
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Breakfast
8
Solid Mexican Spot with Drive-Thru
My experience at this restaurant was positive. It's a solid and convenient Mexican spot. While San Diego has many options, I find myself returning here often because their menu is the best all-around option in PB, especially with the added convenience of a drive-thru.
I particularly love the La Paz Burrito and the Buenos Dias breakfast burrito.
- menu9
- La Paz Burrito9
- Buenos Dias breakfast burrito9
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
7
Great Food, Poor Service Experience
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The food was great, but the service was disappointing. The girl behind the counter seemed angry, and there were only two salsas available for two burritos.
It felt like she was intentionally withholding salsa. If you don't speak Spanish, be prepared to be belittled. While the food itself is excellent and would be even better with more salsa options, the negative service experience with the angry staff member significantly detracted from the overall meal.
- food9
- salsas3
- girl behind the counter2
- speak Spanish2
What Santana's offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Coffee
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Drive-through
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What parking options are available at Santana's Mexican Food?
You’ll find parking is convenient at Santana’s Mexican Food. There’s usually plenty of parking available, including free street parking and a free parking lot. This makes it easy for you to stop by for your favorite Mexican dishes without hassle.
Is Santana's Mexican Food accessible for everyone?
Yes, Santana’s Mexican Food is designed with accessibility in mind. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and even a wheelchair accessible restroom, ensuring a comfortable experience for all guests.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Santana's?
Santana’s receives an average **Restaurant Score** of **5.9** and a mixed **Customer Satisfaction** of **53.5%**. While **Food** (6.3) and **Ambience** (7.5) show some strengths, **Service** (5.2) and particularly **Value** (4.1) are areas where customers express more concerns.
What do customers appreciate most about Santana's?
Customers frequently praise specific menu items like the California Burrito and La Paz burrito, along with the quality of their salsa and guacamole. The **staff** are often highlighted for being friendly, and the **interior** is noted for providing a pleasant atmosphere.
What are the main drawbacks reported by diners at Santana's?
Common complaints include rising **prices** and a perception of poor **value**. Diners also report issues with slow **service**, particularly at the drive-thru, and occasional concerns regarding the restaurant’s **cleanliness**.