Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » CastaƱeda’s – San Diego
CastaƱeda's - San Diego
Photo from CastaƱeda’s
CastaƱeda's at a glance
San Diego Kearny Mesa
- š® Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11ā$20
mentioned by 76 of the guests
#568 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#78 Mexican Restaurant out of 113 in San Diego
Good
6.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
371
Reviews
61.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality food
- Great service
- 24/7 convenience
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Poor ambience
- Order mistakes
The restaurant CastaƱeda’s is a popular Mexican Restaurant in San Diego’s Kearny Mesa neighborhood, known for its convenient late-night food options. You’ll find a casual and quiet atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
Whether you’re craving breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this spot has you covered with a variety of small plates and coffee.
Overview: Introducting CastaƱeda's
CastaƱeda’s offers a convenient spot for Mexican cuisine, where many patrons appreciate the consistent food quality and the efficient, friendly service. It’s often highlighted as a reliable choice for a quick and satisfying meal, with staff frequently receiving praise for their attentiveness.
However, the experience isn’t without its drawbacks. Some customers have noted concerns regarding the overall price point, finding it a bit high, and the general atmosphere can sometimes leave a little to be desired, despite the convenience of being open 24 hours.
Good
6.4
out of 10
371
Reviews
61.2%
Satisfaction
127
negative
17
neutral
227
positive
The overall sentiment for CastaƱeda’s reflects a somewhat mixed experience, with a Restaurant Score of 6.4 out of 10. Customer feedback further indicates a Customer Satisfaction of 61.2%, placing it squarely in the ‘mixed’ category. This suggests that while many patrons find aspects to enjoy, there’s also a notable portion with reservations.
Diving deeper into customer feedback, Food (6.4) is the most discussed aspect, with 94 positive and 12 negative remarks, often praised for its quality. Service (7.0) stands out positively, garnering 61 positive and 10 negative comments.
However, Ambience (6.9) and Value (4.4) show more varied opinions, with 31 positive and 5 negative for ambience, and 29 positive but 10 negative for value, indicating some price concerns among the 371 total customer remarks.
What people like
- Quality Mexican food
- Efficient, friendly service
- Convenient 24-hour operation
What people don't like
- Inconsistent pricing/value
- Unpleasant dining atmosphere
- Occasional order errors
CastaƱeda’s presents itself as a convenient option for Mexican fare, particularly if you prioritize quick, attentive service and generally satisfying food. With a Recommendation Score of 6.5, it suggests a decent, though not outstanding, experience for many.
However, be mindful of potential pricing issues and the sometimes-lacking dining environment. If you’re looking for a reliable, fast meal and are prepared for a casual setting, it could be a suitable choice, but it might not be for everyone.
Similar Restaurants in San Diego
- Mexican Restaurant
9.1
out of 10
out of 10
522
93.3%
- $$
- Barrio Logan
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mexican Restaurant
9
out of 10
out of 10
65
90.8%
- $$
- North Park
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mexican Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
466
89.9%
- $$
- Golden Hill
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mexican Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
498
91.8%
- $$
- Skyline
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mexican Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
545
90.6%
- $$
- Banker's Hill
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mexican Restaurant
8.6
out of 10
out of 10
555
89.4%
- $$
- Little Italy
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on CastaƱeda's
Food (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
Alright, let's dive into the food! With a score of 6.4 and customer satisfaction sitting at 61%, it looks like a mixed bag, leaning towards average. Based on 231 pieces of feedback, 141 were positive, often praising the fresh ingredients, delicious Carne Asada Fries, and a fantastic salsa bar with generous portions.
Many found the meals consistently tasty and well-prepared. On the flip side, 82 negative opinions highlight some areas for improvement. Some diners reported greasy food, a noticeable lack of flavor, or dishes that were small and dry.
There were also concerns about cold food and inconsistent quality, suggesting that while the highs are good, the lows can be a bit disappointing.
Food
231
Reviews
61%
Satisfaction
82
negative
8
neutral
141
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh ingredients
- Generous portions
- Delicious salsas
What people don't like
- Inconsistent quality
- Cold food
- Lack of flavor
Often praised
- foodThe quality of the carne asada and the shrimp were serious highlights. The wonderful chef and the amazing gal who runs the place truly make the food taste better. I find myself driving to this restaurant even when I could walk across the street for their food.
- FoodFood:5
- burritosput guac and sour cream in my burritos, they're AWESOME
- carne asada friescarne asada fries... were all huge and delicious!
- Mexican foodgood and reasonably priced Mexican food
- QuesadillaQuesadilla is so good. Full of chicken.
- beansMy experience at the restaurant was centered around their burritos. I particularly enjoyed the mix burrito, which I found to be essentially a machaca with cheese and beans. The food received a score of 4 out of 5, indicating a positive experience with the dishes.
- burritoThe burrito was really big and yummy
- carne asadaThe quality of the carne asada and the shrimp are serious
- food qualityAmazing food quality
Frequently criticized
- burritoThis burrito was not good, kinda small and dry
- foodnasty food the. cook put too much seasoning
- meatI ordered the hot Cheetos carneasada burrito with beans and rice on the side. The beans and rice were good, but the burrito was cold, and the meat was weird. The employee was even weirder, charging me multiple times without providing a receipt for the third charge.
- Cali BurritoI donāt recommend . I just ordered this and halfway thru, I realized there was NO CHEESE.
- carne asada friesthe food was not properly cooked the fries looked like they were barely warmed up
- friesthe fries looked like they were barely warmed up in the oil. Basically raw potatoes strips
- guacbarely a splash their was nothing in it
- tacostacos had too. Much seaing tasted like salt
- 2 beef tacos$17.00 for 2 beef tacos
- Carne Asada spoondrop the Carne Asada spoon to the floor
If youre in the mood for Mexican, this place offers some delicious options, especially their Carne Asada Fries and salsas. However, be prepared for a potentially inconsistent experience, as some dishes might fall short on flavor or temperature. Its worth a try, but keep your expectations balanced.
Service (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 62% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark with a 7 score, leaning towards good. Many customers rave about the staff, praising their service speed and overall customer service. With 54 positive remarks out of 79 total, it seems many appreciate the professional service and friendly faces.
However, its not always a smooth ride, as customer satisfaction sits at a 68.4% ā a bit of a mixed bag. Some experiences highlight issues with wait time and a servers lack of attention, leading to frustration. About 21 negative comments point to occasional problems with order accuracy and slow drive-thru service.
Service
79
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
21
negative
4
neutral
54
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Fast service speed
- Excellent customer service
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Order inaccuracies
- Lack of attention
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was great, with very fast service. They offer free chips if you dine in, and there's a good variety of salsas and salads in the salsa bar.
- staffThe nice young man who took our order was super patient and friendly
- ServiceService:4
- customer servicecustomer service is beyond grade A quality
- HectorHector was the best fast-food employee
- Nice employeesNice employees
- SergioSergio that works drive thru at night is AMAZING!!
- Wait timeWait time:No wait
- amazing personSo lucky to have such an amazing person apart of your team!
- businessalways will have my business
Frequently criticized
- employeeThe employee was HORRIBLE! He kept speaking Spanish
- orderI was very upset with the customer service. The cashier couldn't even take an order correctly. After I was waiting for Carne asada fries, they brought an A side of fries.
- waiting timeI waited probably approximately 10 minutes
- cashierCashier can't even take an order correctly
- customer servicevery upset with customer service
- drive-thrupulled into the drive-thru mid-evening...sat there for at least 10 minutes waiting
- drive-thru windowdecide to go to the window nobody there
- listendoesnāt listen to u
- loyal customercosted you a loyal customer.
- money backthey refused to give me my money back
Overall, you can expect a generally good service experience, often marked by friendly and efficient staff. However, be prepared for the occasional hiccup with wait times or order accuracy, especially during busy periods. If you value speed and a warm welcome, it's worth a try, but keep an eye out for potential delays.
Ambience (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 31% of the guests
Ambience
32
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
7
negative
3
neutral
22
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was also rated a 5
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- placeThe jamaica and tamarindo aguas frescas were also very good because they weren't as sweet as they are usually made in other restaurants. The place is clean and the service from the young men who attend is excellent.
- 24 hoursappreciate a business that is 24 hours
- Clean tableClean table
- TV showsLol! Oh yeah, the place is clean all the time, never dirty like other places, and they ALWAYS have good TV shows on. Thanks to the owner and everyone that works there, we appreciate your unmatched level of service and unparalleled food options.
- decent placeOverall a decent place
- free parking lotFree parking lot
- noise levelbeing very quiet
- parking lotThere's a very small, free parking lot
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was also a letdown
- fliesflies were in restaurant
- heatWhile the cashier was helpful, the overall atmosphere was unpleasant. It was night and the restaurant was suffering from the heat, with their doors open, leading to flies in the restaurant š¤¦āāļø.
- late-night vibeslate-night vibes were also a bit weird
- public restroomsno public restrooms
Value (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 30% of the guests
When it comes to value, some diners really hit the jackpot, finding their meals to be money well spent with huge portions at a reasonable price. Based on 10 positive remarks, many felt they got a good deal, especially for a quick, inexpensive loaded meal. However, the overall sentiment, reflected in an average score of 4.4 and a poor customer satisfaction of 34.5%, suggests a different story.
With 17 negative comments out of 29 total, many found the experience expensive and a waste of money, often citing outrageous prices and even an annoying credit card charge.
Value
29
Reviews
34%
Satisfaction
17
negative
2
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Generous portions
- Reasonable price
- Money well spent
What people don't like
- High prices
- Credit card surcharge
- Waste of money
Often praised
- priceIf you're looking for good and reasonably priced Mexican food, then CasteƱeda's is the place for you. The food was excellent, and the service was top-notch, both receiving a perfect 5/5.
- mealan inexpensive loaded meal
- money well spentit is money well spent
- price per personprice per person is only $1ā10
- pricesgreat prices
- reasonable priceMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. It's a very good place for a quick bite, offering authentic food at a reasonable price. The service was very good, and there are plenty of vegetarian options.
- worth a tryWorth a try 1000%
Frequently criticized
- price$21 dollars on uber eats for Super fries.... that is just disgusting
- pricesI really like the food here, but their prices seem extremely high compared to other Mexican restaurants. For example, $17.
- pricingI called the restaurant to order the same thing... $14.XX.
- burrito price$13.79 for a burrito
- costTotal cost $17.66. Absolutely wild.
- credit card chargeTHEY CHARGE YOU TO USE A CREDIT CARD.
- dishcharged me twice for dish I never ordered
- expensivepayed like 26$ for what a burrito rice beans and drink smh expensive
- moneyDonāt waste your money here
- pay the differencethey want me to pay the difference
If you're on the hunt for a good deal, you might find some dishes offer generous portions for the price. However, be wary of potentially high costs and extra fees, as many customers felt the pricing was a significant drawback.
How are the prices at CastaƱeda's?
Youāre looking at roughly $15 per person ā reported by 76 diners. That puts it in the $11ā$20 category. For a Mexican Restaurant, itās comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at the spread, most diners (52 out of 76) land squarely in the $11ā$20 bracket, showing a clear sweet spot. While a few spend less and a handful venture higher, the pricing definitely clusters around that comfortable mid-range.
Hereās a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 76 reviews.
How this Mexican Restaurant stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, for a Mexican Restaurant in San Diego, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers good value without breaking the bank, making it a solid choice for a casual meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about CastaƱeda's
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Best Mexican Food Ever!
My experience at this restaurant has been consistently amazing. I've been a loyal customer since my freshman year of high school, and even now as a college student, I happily indulge in their delicious Chile Rellenos, burritos, JalapeƱo poppers (which are better than any fast food restaurant's), and enchiladas! The food quality is outstanding, the customer service is always impeccable regardless of the time of day, and the portions are huge for the price!
:)
- Chile Rellenos10
- burritos10
- JalapeƱo poppers10
Price per Person
- $11ā$20
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Great Mexican Food, Reasonable Prices
If you're looking for good and reasonably priced Mexican food, then CasteƱeda's is the place for you. The food was excellent, and the service was top-notch, both receiving a perfect 5/5. The atmosphere was also rated a 5, and it was noted as being very quiet.
- Mexican food10
- food10
- service10
Price per Person
- $11ā$20
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Wait Time
- Immediate (0ā5 min.)
9
Great food, late night spot!
My experience at this restaurant has been consistently positive. I often visit around 2 am and am always impressed by the good food that is always fresh. The staff is attentive and genuinely cares about ensuring your order is correct.
I highly recommend trying it; you will love it.
- good food9
- fresh food9
- staff8
Price per Person
- $11ā$20
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0ā5 min.)
2
Disappointing Tacos, Bloating Experience
My experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. I ordered two tacos, rice, and beans, and unfortunately, the food was greasy and caused significant bloating. I'm unsure what other loyal customers are ordering that leads to such a positive perception, especially since I was surprised to learn about their extensive presence with 40 or 50 locations across Riverside and Orange Counties.
After four years of hoping for improvement, both this location and the Chula Vista one have failed to impress me. The atmosphere was also a letdown, scoring a 2 out of 5.
- tacos2
- rice and beans2
- greasy1
Price per Person
- $11ā$20
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Disappointing Chile Verde Burrito
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing, primarily due to the food quality. I ordered a chile verde burrito and was surprised to find only six pieces of meat. It felt like I essentially paid $13 for a rice and bean burrito.
Based on this experience, I do not recommend this place.
- chile verde burrito2
- rice and bean burrito2
- place2
What CastaƱeda's offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- 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
- Breakfast
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Drive-through
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Outdoor seating
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Quiet
FAQs
What dining and service options are available at CastaƱeda's Mexican Food?
At CastaƱeda’s Mexican Food, you have a wide array of service options to choose from. You can enjoy the convenience of their drive-through, opt for delivery or takeout, or even use curbside pickup. If you prefer to dine on-site, both indoor seating and outdoor seating are available for you.
Is CastaƱeda's Mexican Food suitable for families and easily accessible?
Absolutely! CastaƱeda’s Mexican Food is good for kids, offering a dedicated kids’ menu and high chairs for your little ones. For accessibility, you’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, a wheelchair accessible parking lot, and wheelchair accessible seating, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone.
What is the overall customer sentiment for CastaƱeda's?
CastaƱeda’s has a **Restaurant Score** of **6.4** and a **Customer Satisfaction** of **61.2%**, indicating a mixed but generally acceptable experience. **Food** (6.4) and **Service** (7.0) are often praised, while **Ambience** (6.9) and **Value** (4.4) receive more varied feedback.
Is CastaƱeda's a good value for money?
Opinions on value are quite divided. While some customers find the prices reasonable for the meal size, others express concerns about high costs, especially for certain items or when using credit cards.
What is the dining experience like at CastaƱeda's?
The restaurant is noted for its convenient **24 hours** operation and often clean premises. However, some patrons have reported issues with the **atmosphere**, such as heat or flies, and a lack of public restrooms.