Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Rubio’s Coastal Grill – San Diego
Rubio's Coastal Grill - San Diego
Photo from Rubio’s Coastal Grill
Rubio's Coastal Grill at a glance
San Diego Mira Mesa
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 64 of the guests
#524 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#62 Mexican Restaurant out of 113 in San Diego
Good
6.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
284
Reviews
65.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Efficient service
- Value deals
- Clean atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Remote service issues
- Small portions
- Food quality
The restaurant, a vibrant Mexican Restaurant in San Diego’s Mira Mesa neighborhood, offers a refreshing take on coastal cuisine. You’ll find a welcoming atmosphere at Rubio’s Coastal Grill, known for its delicious and healthy options.
Whether you’re craving a quick bite or a leisurely meal, this spot provides a casual setting perfect for any occasion. Enjoy fresh flavors and a relaxed vibe that makes every visit a pleasant experience.
Overview: Introducting Rubio's Coastal Grill
Rubio’s Coastal Grill offers a generally pleasant dining experience, often highlighted by its efficient `service` and a clean, inviting `atmosphere`. Many appreciate the quick order fulfillment and the friendly demeanor of the `staff`, making for a smooth visit.
However, opinions suggest a mixed bag when it comes to overall `value` and food consistency. While some find the pricing fair, especially with `Taco Tuesday` deals, others feel certain items can be `overpriced` for the portion received, and food quality can occasionally be a concern.
Good
6.7
out of 10
284
Reviews
65.8%
Satisfaction
81
negative
16
neutral
187
positive
Looking at the bigger picture, Rubio’s Coastal Grill achieves an overall `Restaurant Score` of `6.7`, placing it in the average category. Customer sentiment, reflected in a `Customer Satisfaction` of `65.8%`, also falls into a mixed range.
This feedback comes from a substantial base of 284 customer opinions, with 187 positive remarks and 81 negative ones. Diving deeper, the `Ambience` (7.8) and `Service` (7.1) are clear strengths, both scoring well and contributing positively to the dining experience.
The `Food` (6.7) itself is considered average, while `Value` (4.9) is where the restaurant faces its biggest challenge, indicating that some customers feel they aren’t getting enough for their money.
What people like
- Efficient in-person service
- Good value deals
- Clean atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent remote service
- Portion sizes small
- Food quality concerns
Rubio’s Coastal Grill presents a decent option if you’re seeking a quick, clean meal with generally good service. The `Recommendation Score` of `7` suggests it’s a place worth considering, particularly if you can take advantage of their value-driven offers.
However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in food quality or portion sizes, and consider dining in rather than relying on remote ordering for the best experience. It’s a solid choice for a casual meal, but manage expectations regarding overall value.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Rubio's Coastal Grill
Food (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food, theres a lot to love, with a solid score of 6.7 indicating a generally good experience. Many customers, across 104 positive remarks, rave about the delicious variety of tacos and burritos, from flavorful fish and shrimp options to excellent chicken and steak. The fresh ingredients, generous portion sizes, and a well-stocked salsa bar with tasty options like picante and chipotle salsa often get high praise.
However, with a customer satisfaction of 67.5%, its a bit of a mixed bag, and 43 negative opinions highlight some areas for improvement. Concerns include inconsistent quality, especially regarding fish to batter ratios and sometimes small portions. Some experiences mention disappointing dishes, freshness concerns, or even issues like burritos falling apart, suggesting a need for more consistency.
Food
154
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
43
negative
7
neutral
104
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Tacos and burritos shine
- Salsa bar excellent
- Food tastes fresh
What people don't like
- Portions often small
- Quality can vary
- Freshness concerns arise
Often praised
- foodDespite a decent line, David kept everything moving very efficiently while still delivering A+ customer service. My food came out literally in 5 minutes, which was surprising for a peak lunch hour meal. The food itself was very good; the tacos were quite solid and filling.
- fish tacosloved Rubios fish tacos since I was a kid! They are the best!
- tacosMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially with the tacos. I really like the way the tacos are wrapped here – it's no muss, no fuss. They use a single sheet of wrap with a lime wedge tucked cleverly inside.
- salsa barMy experience at this restaurant was largely positive, centered around an amazing shrimp burrito and a great salsa bar. The service was exceptionally fast and friendly, and I was completely satisfied during my lunch/dinner break.
- mealDespite it being very busy, I felt like a priority. We really enjoyed our meal and the overall experience.
- shrimp tacosTried shrimp tacos! It's nice.
- Ancho citrus shrimp burritosAncho citrus shrimp burritos have been my favorite
- Baja-style Mexican foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed their delicious Baja-style Mexican food, which was served hot and made to order. The great salsa bar allowed me to customize the spice level of my meal perfectly.
- Blackened Mahi MahiThe mango salsa was lovely, and there was a good amount of lettuce in the bowl. The Mahi Mahi was also very flavorful. My only complaint is that the cauliflower rice portion was incredibly small.
- Burritos + seafoodBurritos + seafood. Yum!
Frequently criticized
- burritoMy experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. The food was overpriced and frankly lousy, with a burrito costing $14. The customer service was horrendous and non-existent.
- foodthe food was alittle undercooked
- qualitycompanies lose quality over quanity
- refried beans/chipsthe side of refried beans/chips that came with the plate was microscopic
- tacostheir tacos tasted like slop
- FoodFood:2
- Salmon California BowlMy experience at the restaurant was quite disappointing. I felt it was a rip off as I paid $16 for a Salmon California Bowl. The bowl was mostly white rice, with only a little bit of sauce, a tiny scoop of guacamole, and black beans.
- authentic Mexican fish tacosso many authentic Mexican fish tacos places around here
- avocado slicesthe avocado slices (that comes with the bowl)
- bloatingI used to enjoy getting tacos here a couple of times a month. After trying the burritos (which include their chips) a couple of times, for the past week, I've been experiencing a mild form of diarrhea and constant bloating. Gentlemen, we say goodbye to you.
If you're craving flavorful tacos or burritos and a great salsa bar, this spot is often a good bet. Just be aware that some experiences point to inconsistent quality and portion sizes, so manage your expectations for certain dishes.
Service (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 71% of the guests
Service here generally hits a good note, scoring a solid 7.1. Many customers experienced a warm welcome and appreciated the excellent customer service, with orders often delivered in a timely manner. With 48 positive remarks out of 70 total, it seems the friendly employees are making a real difference.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 68.6%, indicating some areas for improvement. A number of guests reported issues like forgotten items in their orders, and some even felt disrespected or encountered rude employees. There were also instances of missing items like guacamole, which can definitely sour an experience.
Service
70
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
20
negative
2
neutral
48
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Fast, efficient service
- Great customer service
What people don't like
- Incorrect orders
- Rude staff
- Missing items
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. The place has many features, it is clean, with good service and friendly employees. They serve beer if you like beer, and the food is tasty.
- staffMy experience at Rubio's has unfortunately worsened. While this specific location was clean and the staff was friendly and timely, the overall quality of the food has significantly declined, and the prices have increased. They also changed the vanilla coke to cherry vanilla, which was an unwelcome change.
- customer serviceMy experience at this restaurant was superb, largely due to the gentleman named David who took my order. Despite a decent line, David kept everything moving very efficiently while still delivering A+ customer service. My food came out literally in 5 minutes, which was surprising for a peak lunch hour meal.
- DavidDavid I think, was superb
- Good job guysGood job guys
- Ordering onlineOrdering online and picking up at curbside is quick and efficient
- Wait timeWait time:No wait
- coming backWILL DEFINITELY BE COMING BACK TO THIS RUBIO'S AGAIN
- delivering our orderto delivering our order
- dine-in serviceThe dine-in service for lunch was great
Frequently criticized
- DoorDash ordersDoorDash orders they always do something wrong
- called 3 timesCalled 3 times about an issue
- customer instructionsHow hard it is to ready customers instructions
- customer servicehorrendous non-existent customer service
- disappointedVERY disappointed cause they didn't give me what I ordered
- disrespectful ghostingI must admit I have never been so disrespectfully ghosted in my entire life. Rubios didn't answer my call.
- first visitsince this was my first visit, I question if I'd be willing to spend my money here again
- forget some itemsThey might forget some of your items
- hold timeleft me on hold for 30 minutes total
- managersSo called managers are just as rude
Overall, the service here is a bit of a mixed bag. While many enjoy friendly and efficient interactions, theres a noticeable chance of encountering issues like forgotten items or less-than-stellar attitudes. If youre willing to take a slight gamble, you might have a great experience, but be prepared for potential hiccups.
Ambience (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 37% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this place generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.8 and customer satisfaction at 74.2%, its clear most folks enjoy their surroundings. Many of the 23 positive comments praise the clean and enjoyable atmosphere, often highlighting the good location and convenient parking, plus the bonus of outdoor seating.
However, not everything is perfect. A few of the 4 negative remarks point to some parking space challenges and occasional issues with the inside restaurant appearance. There were also a couple of comments about the smell and staff cleaning tables' too close to diners, which can be a bit off-putting.
Ambience
31
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
4
negative
4
neutral
23
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Enjoyable atmosphere
- Very clean
- Outdoor seating
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- Messy interior
- Cleaning odors
Often praised
- atmosphereLol. Although the staff was friendly enough and the atmosphere was pleasant, the food was a little undercooked. It was quite pricey for just okay food.
- cleanlinessit is clean
- parkingFree parking lot
- Noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- cleanvery nice and clean
- experienceenjoyed our meal and experience
- good locationGood location
- locationWe especially like this location because it is centralized in the county. They offer some outdoor seats, which is a nice touch.
- outdoor seatingI will definitely be back and will bring friends! The food was good, reasonably priced, and they offer outdoor seating. I gave it 5 stars.
- outdoor seatsThey have some outdoor seats
Frequently criticized
- Parking spaceParking space:Somewhat difficult to find parking
- cleaning tablesspray and clean the tables around us as we were eating
- inside restaurantInside restaurant looked a bit messy
- smellJust what everyone wants to smell as you are about to eat
Overall, if you're looking for a spot with a generally pleasant atmosphere, good location, and outdoor seating, this place is worth checking out. Just be mindful that parking might be a slight hassle, and there could be minor cleanliness or odor issues inside.
Value (4.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 35% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot has some interesting dynamics. Many customers appreciate the various ways to save, with 12 positive opinions highlighting great deals, Taco Tuesday specials, and reasonable prices. They also mention good deals through the app and affordably priced options, especially considering current inflation.
The overall score for value is an average 4.9, suggesting theres potential here if you know how to find the bargains. However, the value proposition isnt always clear-cut, with 14 negative opinions out of 29 total. Some feel it's not value for money, describing items as overpriced or finding the prices too high for the portions received.
Concerns about the price of individual items and the overall cost for a family meal indicate that while deals exist, the standard pricing might leave some feeling disappointed. Customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 41.4%, reflecting this split.
Value
29
Reviews
41%
Satisfaction
14
negative
3
neutral
12
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great deals available
- Reasonable prices found
- Taco Tuesday is a deal
What people don't like
- Not value for money
- Portions small for price
- Can be overpriced
Often praised
- pricefor the price paid it was all a good deal
- Parking optionsParking options:Free parking lot
- Taco TuesdayTaco Tuesday deal, which I found to be a very good deal
- affordably pricedaffordably priced, especially when considering high current inflation
- coupons and rewardsapp for coupons and rewards
- dealSeems to be after 2:30pm to close is when the deal happens.
- good dealsthey offer good deals through their app
- price per personthe price per person was between $10–20
- priced okthey are priced ok
- reasonable pricesplaces left with reasonable prices
Frequently criticized
- priceThe quality of food was great, earning a 4 out of 5. However, the portions were pretty small for the price, which was a bit disappointing. I just wish it was a little cheaper.
- pricesprices are not impressive
- average orderAverage order for 2 adults and 2 kids was $63
- commercial businessThey are a commercial business
- large amount of cashfor a large amount of cash
- overpricedOverpriced lousy food
- shrimp taco à la cartA shrimp taco à la cart for $5 seems a bit steep
- tipsleaving tips everytime to those stupid workers
- valuePretty low value
- value for moneyit was not value for money here.
If youre savvy and seek out their specials like Taco Tuesday or use their app for "good deals, " you can find some real value here. Otherwise, be prepared that standard menu items might feel a bit "overpriced" for what you get. Its worth trying if youre looking for a bargain, but might disappoint if youre not careful.
How are the prices at Rubio's Coastal Grill?
You’re looking at roughly $16 per person – reported by 64 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 stick to this $11–$20 sweet spot, with a good number also finding options under $10. There are a few slightly pricier choices, but overall, the pricing is quite focused around the average.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 64 most recent reviews.
Heres how this restaurants value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
We think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Mexican Restaurant in San Diego. It offers good value for a mid-range experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Rubio's Coastal Grill
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
MM Store Outperforms Scripps Ranch
My experience at the MM store was significantly better than the Scripps Ranch store. This difference is the reason I have switched my patronage to the MM store. The atmosphere was rated a 5, and the service was also a 5.
The food quality was excellent, also receiving a 5. Parking was somewhat difficult to find, but the parking lot itself is free. The wait time was non-existent, and the noise level was quiet, making it easy to talk.
The price per person was in the $10–$20 range.
- atmosphere10
- service10
- food10
- Parking space4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Awesome Free Tacos Thanks to David!
My recent visit to the Mira Mesa Rubios was a very positive experience. The staff was incredibly nice and helpful. David specifically checked my account and informed me about my free tacos 🌮, which was a pleasant surprise.
This made for an awesome lunch that was completely free!
- staff10
- free tacos10
- awesome lunch10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
2
Disappointing Experience, Overpriced and Small Portions
With so many authentic Mexican fish tacos places around here, why go to this restaurant? They are a commercial business that provides small amounts of food for a large amount of cash. Their time is done.
Thank you!
- authentic Mexican fish tacos1
- commercial business1
- small amounts of food1
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
6
Undercooked Food, Pleasant Atmosphere
It’s my first time eating at this location, though I usually eat at the La Mesa location. Lol. Although the staff was friendly enough and the atmosphere was pleasant, the food was a little undercooked.
It was quite pricey for just okay food.
- staff7
- atmosphere9
- food3
- price4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Best Rubio's in San Diego!
My experience at this Rubio's was fantastic! It's the best Rubio's in San Diego. The staff is friendly and thoughtful, and the food is well made.
I also appreciated that the salsa bar is always stocked. For those with dietary needs, it's pretty decent for lactose intolerant folks, and the sweet potato option is very tasty. Vegetarian dishes are clearly labeled, and I highly recommend the sweet potato option for vegetarians.
The atmosphere and service were rated a 5, and the food was also rated a 5. We had lunch, and there was no wait time. Parking was easy with a free parking lot that had plenty of space.
The price per person was between $10–20.
- staff10
- food10
- salsa bar9
What Rubio's Coastal Grill offers
Crowd
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Happy hour drinks
- Quick bite
- Beer
- Small plates
- Happy hour food
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining and service options can you expect at Rubio's Coastal Grill?
At Rubio’s Coastal Grill, you can enjoy diverse dining options including no-contact delivery, takeout, and dine-in. Outdoor seating is available for a fresh air experience. Whether you’re looking for a quick counter service lunch, dinner, or catering for an event, you’ll find flexible choices to suit your needs.
Does Rubio's Coastal Grill cater to specific dietary needs or families?
Yes, Rubio’s Coastal Grill offers healthy options and a variety of vegetarian dishes to accommodate different dietary preferences. Families will find it very accommodating with a dedicated kids’ menu, high chairs, and an overall kid-friendly atmosphere, making it a great spot for all ages.
What is the overall rating for Rubio's Coastal Grill?
Rubio’s Coastal Grill holds an overall score of 6.7, indicating an average experience. While Ambience (7.8) and Service (7.1) are rated well, Food (6.7) is average, and Value (4.9) is a weaker point.
What do customers appreciate most about Rubio's Coastal Grill?
Many customers appreciate the efficient in-person service, especially during peak hours, and the clean, pleasant atmosphere. The restaurant also offers good value through deals like Taco Tuesday and app coupons.
Are there any common complaints about Rubio's Coastal Grill?
Some customers have noted issues with inconsistent remote service, particularly with DoorDash orders and phone inquiries. Concerns also arise regarding portion sizes for the price and occasional inconsistencies in food quality.