Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Botanas Locas – San Diego
Botanas Locas - San Diego
Photo from Botanas Locas
Botanas Locas at a glance
San Diego Otay Mesa West
- š Fast-Food-Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11ā$20
mentioned by 23 of the guests
#165 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#2 Fast-Food-Restaurant out of 18 in San Diego
Excellent
8.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
198
Reviews
83.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Friendly staff
- Great value
Frequently criticized
- Service inconsistency
- Food quality
- Operational issues
The fast food restaurant Botanas Locas in San Diego’s Otay Mesa West neighborhood is your go-to spot when you’re craving a quick bite. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a relaxed meal, whether you’re dining in, grabbing takeout, or opting for delivery.
It’s a great choice for families too, offering a convenient and tasty experience for everyone.
Overview: Introducting Botanas Locas
Botanas Locas offers a delightful array of treats, with many customers praising the mega delicious food, especially items like chamango and fresas con crema. The friendly staff often goes the extra mile, even offering complimentary water, contributing to a pleasant experience.
However, some visits have been marred by inconsistent customer service, with reports of a rude cashier and issues regarding closing time. While the culinary offerings are generally well-received, these service hiccups can occasionally detract from an otherwise enjoyable outing.
Excellent
8.2
out of 10
198
Reviews
83.8%
Satisfaction
29
negative
3
neutral
166
positive
Botanas Locas earns a solid 8.2 overall, reflecting a generally positive customer experience. With 83.8% customer satisfaction, it’s clear that most patrons leave content.
This assessment is drawn from 198 customer remarks, showing a strong lean towards positive feedback with 166 positive observations against 29 negative ones. The Food truly stands out, scoring an impressive (8.8), frequently described as fresh and delicious.
Ambience also contributes positively with an (8.2), often noted for its cleanliness. While Value is considered good at (7.9), the Service score of (7) indicates some room for improvement, suggesting occasional inconsistencies in customer interactions.
What people like
- Delicious fresh food
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Excellent value
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Food quality concerns
- Operational transparency issues
If you’re seeking tasty, fresh treats at a good price, Botanas Locas is certainly worth considering. The food is a clear highlight, and many appreciate the friendly interactions with the team.
It’s a place that often delivers on its promise of delicious offerings. However, be mindful that service can be a mixed bag, and some operational details have raised concerns.
With a recommendation score of 8.3, it generally earns a nod, but managing expectations regarding service consistency could lead to a more satisfying visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Botanas Locas
Food (8.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, youre in for a treat! With an excellent score of 8.8 and an impressive customer satisfaction of 91.5%, its clear most folks are loving what's on offer. Out of 117 remarks, a whopping 107 rave about the delicious shakes, quality, freshness, and especially the Chamango and customizable tostilocos bar.
Expect fresh, authentic, and tasty options! However, a few of the 8 negative comments point to some areas for improvement. Concerns arose regarding canned corn, watery drinks, and even a mention of hair in food.
While these are isolated incidents, they suggest a need for consistent quality control and perhaps more flavor options for some items.
Food
117
Reviews
91%
Satisfaction
8
negative
2
neutral
107
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh ingredients
- Delicious Chamangos
- Customizable Tostilocos
What people don't like
- Canned ingredients
- Watery drinks
- Hair in food
Often praised
- chamangoI tried the fresas con crema and my man had a chamango. They were the best Iāve EVER had! Iāve been craving them ever since!
- tostilocosmood for some tostilocos and found this niche place
- foodAlways fresh food!
- everythingeverything mega delicious
- raspadosOur frequent purchases the raspados
- smoothiesThe smoothies were delicious
- ChamangoThe Chamango was AMAZING! It tasted wonderful
- TostilocosTostilocos to your exact liking. You pick your toppings.
- chamangoschamangos and tostilocos, which are delicious
- fresas con cremaI tried the fresas con crema and my man had a chamango. They were the best Iāve EVER had! Iāve been craving them ever since!
Frequently criticized
- chamangoit was super watery and no flavor
- condimentslack of condiments to use
- corntasted it was horrible it tasted like it was bad
- corn from the canthey used corn from the can !!
- cueritoit was spicy hot !! I donāt eat Chile.
- flavorsMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing because there was no way to try the flavors before buying. We were there with kids, and they need to be able to try things to know if they like them.
- hairthe hair I found on it
- tostilocosONE cuerito and it was spicy hot !!
If youre craving fresh, customizable, and authentic Mexican snacks, this place is definitely worth a visit. While there are minor concerns about consistency in some items, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests youll likely leave satisfied and planning your next treat.
Service (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 72% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place generally shines, pulling in a solid 7 for a good overall score! Many patrons consistently praise the friendly staff and excellent customer service, often singling out the owner for their warmth and the impressive speed of service. With 41 positive remarks among 59 total, itās clear most guests feel genuinely welcomed.
Yet, customer satisfaction hovers at a 69.5%, landing it in the mixed category, suggesting some bumps in the road. A handful of experiences point to issues with the cashier being less than polite, occasional longer wait times, and even serious concerns regarding service animals. These 18 negative comments, while not the majority, highlight areas where consistency could be improved.
Service
59
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
18
negative
0
neutral
41
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Great customer service
- Quick order ready
What people don't like
- Rude cashier
- Service animal refusal
- Unreliable closing hours
Often praised
- servicethe nice gentlemen working there even gave us conplimentry ice cold water
- customer serviceOur frequent purchases include the raspados, tostilocos, chamango, aƧaĆ bowl, and salads. In short, everything is mega delicious with excellent customer service!
- staffThey helped to me assemble it without making me feel dumb AF lmao
- peoplepeople there are the greatest of folks
- cashier girlThe cashier girl was very nice
- free waterMy experience at the restaurant was wonderful! The staff member was very nice and even gave me a free water. Everything tasted so fresh and yummy.
- free water bottlegave my mother and I a free water bottle
- friendlinesspleasantly surprised at the friendliness
- friendlyvery friendly customer service
- friendly staffFriendly, and food is nutritious!
Frequently criticized
- closing timeMy experience at this restaurant was frustrating because the sign is a lie. They do not close at 8 on Tuesday; they close at whatever time they want. I went at 7 PM and nobody was there.
- customer serviceMy family and I visited this restaurant for the second time today. Our first experience was marred by horrible customer service, with the cashier acting like a grinch. We hoped the service would improve on our second visit, but unfortunately, it was even worse.
- servicenope !!! Freaking worse !!
- HIPAA lawviolation of HIPPA law
- cashierthe cashier is such a grinch
- discriminationsuits concerning discrimination
- exchangeI only added chamoy. When I called, the staff member refused to exchange it. He was extremely rude and blamed me for not asking about ingredients, stating I was at fault.
- liabilityFurthermore, upon leaving, I noticed the business was not displaying the proper California licenses and permits required to operate. All interactions were recorded on video for potential legal action concerning discrimination and liability. If you feel you have been wronged by this business and wish to seek monetary compensation, please contact us.
- polite peopleneed to get polite people in the front
- service animalsrefuses service animals
If friendly and efficient service is high on your list, this spot is generally a solid bet. While most experiences are positive, be mindful that a few guests have encountered less-than-stellar interactions, so your mileage might vary slightly.
Ambience (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot really shines! With a solid score of 8.2 and customer satisfaction at a strong 85.7%, its clear most folks are loving the atmosphere. Many of the 12 positive comments highlight the cleanliness and great place feel, often mentioning it as a family run business that offers a wonderful overall experience.
It sounds like a welcoming and well-kept environment. However, its not entirely without a hitch. Out of 14 total comments, 2 did bring up some concerns.
These focused specifically on the establishment not displaying proper California licenses and issues with permits required to conduct business. While these are important operational details, they seem to be isolated points rather than widespread complaints about the general ambiance itself.
Ambience
14
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
12
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean and simple
- Family-run business
- Great atmosphere
What people don't like
- Missing proper licenses
- Permits not displayed
Often praised
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- placethe place was clean and simple.
- Best place everBest place ever!!
- cleanlinessThey also have ice cream šØ. The place was really clean. I definitely give it a 10 of 10.
- family owned jointGreat family owned joint
- family run businessI believe it's a family run business
- great placeGreat place will definetly be coming here again.
- overall experienceThis place is super good
Frequently criticized
- California licensesnot displaying proper California licenses
- permitspermits required to conduct business
If youre looking for a clean, family-friendly spot with a great vibe, this place seems like a solid bet. While a couple of operational details about licenses were noted, the overwhelming sentiment points to a welcoming atmosphere. Its definitely worth checking out for a pleasant experience.
Value (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 15% of the guests
Many diners rave about the fantastic value here, frequently mentioning the great price and fair prices, with terms like cheap and pay by the ounce often highlighted. The overall sentiment for value is quite strong, reflected in a good score of 7.9 and a solid customer satisfaction of 75%, based on 6 positive remarks out of 8 total. However, it's not entirely without its quirks.
One customer expressed concern over a notable price increase, feeling that what once cost $4 now costs $12. This single negative comment, out of 8 total, indicates that while generally positive, there might be occasional pricing adjustments that could surprise some.
Value
8
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great, fair prices
- Pay by ounce
- Really cheap
What people don't like
- Unexpected price increase
Often praised
- pricesamazing prices
- cheapreally cheap compared to other places
- pay by the ouncepay by the ounce
- pricegreat price
Frequently criticized
- discountHe would charge $4. So now it costing me $12.
If youre looking for a place where your money goes far, this spot seems to deliver with its generally great price and cheap options. While there might be an occasional price adjustment, the overwhelming sentiment suggests youll find good value here.
How are the prices at Botanas Locas?
Youāre looking at roughly 12 per person ā reported by 23 diners. That puts it in the $11ā$20 category. For a Fast Food Restaurant, itās comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average is 12, a good chunk of guests actually spend less, often finding budget-friendly options. So, you’ve got choices!
Hereās a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 23 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar places in San Diego.
Overall, we feel the pricing offers good value for a Fast Food Restaurant. Its a spot where you can enjoy a quick, satisfying meal without feeling like youve overspent.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Botanas Locas
Price per Person
- $1ā$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0ā5 min.)
10
Excellent Food, Service, and Cleanliness!
My experience at this restaurant was super good. The service was super good, and the food was super good. They also have ice cream šØ.
The place was really clean. I definitely give it a 10 of 10.
- service10
- food10
- ice cream10
Price per Person
- $11ā$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6ā15 min.)
10
Delicious Mexican Snacks and Friendly Staff
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I've bought aƧaĆ bowls here, and it's my favorite place for them. I've also tried their chamangos and tostilocos, which were delicious and tasted very authentic Mexican.
I love this place; the staff is super friendly and kind.
- aƧaĆ bowls10
- chamangos9
- tostilocos9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Chamangos and Service!
My experience at the restaurant was great! The service was friendly, and Adrian prepared my chamango perfectly, not too sweet. I haven't tried their food yet, but the chamangos were fantastic.
The atmosphere was also a 5-star experience.
- service10
- chamango9
- atmosphere10
Price per Person
- $1ā$10
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0ā5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Pleasantly Surprised by ChaMango!
I happened to find this place while visiting family in town and was pleasantly surprised by the friendliness, quality, and preparation and freshness of their ChaMango. It was two thumbs up!
- friendliness9
- quality9
- preparation9
Price per Person
- $1ā$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Best Fruteria and Botanas!
My experience at this restaurant was outstanding. I found it to be the best fruteria and botanas in town hands down. The people working there are truly the greatest of folks, and the service is A1.
The product is superior to any other fruteria spots I've visited.
- fruteria and botanas10
- people10
- service10
What Botanas Locas offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Lunch
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What parking and accessibility options are available at Botanas Locas?
When you visit Botanas Locas, you’ll find convenient parking with free street parking and a free parking lot, usually with plenty of space. The restaurant is also fully accessible, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, and restroom for your comfort.
Is Botanas Locas suitable for families and what kind of atmosphere can I expect?
Botanas Locas is definitely good for kids, making it a family-friendly destination. You can expect a casual atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed meal. While primarily a fast food spot for a quick bite, you can also enjoy dessert options here.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Botanas Locas?
Botanas Locas holds a good overall score of **8.2** with **83.8%** customer satisfaction. Customers particularly praise the **Food** (8.8) and **Ambience** (8.2), while **Value** (7.9) and **Service** (7) are also rated well.
What are some popular food items at Botanas Locas?
Customers frequently enjoy the **chamango**, **fresas con crema**, and **tostilocos**, often describing them as fresh and delicious. Many find “everything mega delicious” on the menu.
Are there any common issues reported regarding service at Botanas Locas?
Some customers have reported inconsistent service, including instances of a rude cashier, refusal to exchange items, and issues with unpredictable closing times.