Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Las Panchitas – San Diego
Las Panchitas - San Diego
Photo from Las Panchitas
Las Panchitas at a glance
San Diego Mesa College Area
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 20 of the guests
#464 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#49 Mexican Restaurant out of 113 in San Diego
Good
7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
298
Reviews
66.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Excellent food
- Great value
- Friendly service
Frequently criticized
- Long waits
- Inconsistent hours
- Atmosphere issues
The restaurant Las Panchitas is a welcoming Mexican Restaurant located in San Diego’s Mesa College Area. You can enjoy a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or small plates.
Whether you’re looking for a cozy dine-in experience or prefer the convenience of takeout and delivery, this spot has you covered. It’s a great choice for a relaxed meal.
Overview: Introducting Las Panchitas
Las Panchitas offers a casual dining experience where the food often shines, particularly for those seeking good value. Many appreciate the friendly staff and the option of big tables or an outside area, making it suitable for various groups.
However, diners should be prepared for potential inconsistencies. Some experiences point to significant long wait times and occasional issues with posted hours, which can impact the overall visit.
Good
7
out of 10
298
Reviews
66.8%
Satisfaction
71
negative
28
neutral
199
positive
Las Panchitas holds a respectable 7 overall score, indicating a generally good experience. However, customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 66.8%, suggesting some diners leave less impressed than others.
This assessment comes from 298 customer remarks, with 199 positive observations outweighing 71 negative ones. The Food (7.9) is clearly a standout, frequently praised and driving much of the positive feedback.
Value (7.3) also rates well, with many finding the pricing fair. On the other hand, Service (5.5) appears to be a more inconsistent area, and Ambience (4.8) receives a more modest reception, indicating room for improvement in these aspects.
What people like
- Excellent food quality
- Great value and deals
- Friendly customer service
What people don't like
- Significant wait times
- Inconsistent operating hours
- Atmosphere concerns
If you prioritize flavorful Mexican cuisine and good value, Las Panchitas is worth considering. Be prepared for a casual setting and potential delays, but the food often makes the wait worthwhile for many patrons.
With a solid recommendation score of 7.3, it’s a place that satisfies a good number of visitors. It’s best suited for those who can overlook minor service and ambience quirks for a rewarding culinary experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Las Panchitas
Food (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 92% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark, earning a solid 7.9 out of 10. Customers are quite happy, with satisfaction sitting at a strong 78.7%. Many of the 140 positive comments rave about the delicious tacos, burritos, and fresh food, often highlighting the salsa bar and authentic Mexican food as standout features. Youll find plenty of praise for the generous portion size and overall quality.
However, not every dish is a home run, as seen in 25 less enthusiastic remarks. Some diners noted issues with meat quality and food quality in certain items, describing a bland flavor or dry carne asada quesadilla. A few even mentioned concerns about heating the food' in a microwave, suggesting some inconsistencies in preparation.
Food
178
Reviews
78%
Satisfaction
25
negative
13
neutral
140
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Mexican food
- Delicious tacos, burritos
- Fresh ingredients
What people don't like
- Poor meat quality
- Bland food flavor
- Microwaved food
Often praised
- foodThe owner, who is also the cook, is truly the best. The food is amazing, and he even recognizes my wife and me by our order. We've been enjoying their deliciousness for over four years, and the quality of food is top shelf.
- California burritoHad a California burrito and a vegetarian burrito. Delicious.
- fish tacosI absolutely love this place! I'm a regular, visiting every Wednesday for the 99 cent fish tacos. You truly can't beat the price or the quality.
- Mexican foodThe cashier was incredibly friendly and always made me smile. I appreciated the decent prices and the huge option of Mexican food available.
- tacosif you want to eat excellent tacos this is the place
- salsaHe went above and beyond by accommodating my request to add fries to my kids' burritos, which was a very nice gesture. The portions are big, and the salsa tasted great! I recommend this place to anyone in the area.
- CarnitasCarnitas: My favorite of the bunch
- carne asadaThe carne asada in the burrito tasted great
- everything elseThis is my favorite burrito spot in Clairemont. The mar y tierra deal is great, as is everything else I've tried there. Dollar fish taco Wednesdays are great!
- guacamoleStreet sized tacos filled with meat guacamole and onions
Frequently criticized
- foodThis place is a true hole in the wall, so much so that you can barely see it from the street. While they offer a good mix of salsas, the food itself is pretty bland.
- CA burritos2 CA burritos weren’t prepared until I paid $32
- CabezaCabeza: a little on the overly oily tasting side
- Pollo AsadaPollo Asada: I just found it ordinary
- carne asada quesadillaMy wife got a carne asada quesadilla and it was literally just meat between a tortilla with cheese, very dry.
- chickena few scraps of chicken
- fajitasmy fajitas were chewy grizzle with lacking flavor
- fish tacosmediocre fish tacos
- flavorLess meat and flavor than previous owner
- food qualityfood quality has declined since the hiring of a new cook
If youre craving authentic Mexican flavors, especially tacos and burritos, this place is definitely worth a try. While there might be occasional inconsistencies in certain dishes or preparation methods, the high customer satisfaction suggests youll likely leave happy. Just be mindful of what you order, and you should have a good meal.
Service (5.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 61% of the guests
Many guests appreciate the personal touch, with 37 positive comments praising the friendly staff, owner, and cook for their great customer service. While the overall service score sits at an average 5.5, and customer satisfaction is a mixed 46.3% based on 80 total opinions, many feel the wait is often worth it for the quality. On the flip side, 35 negative remarks highlight significant frustrations, primarily around long wait times and inconsistent posted hours.
Some customers also experienced slow service and issues with staff, including reports of rudeness and even refused service, indicating clear areas for improvement.
Service
80
Reviews
46%
Satisfaction
35
negative
8
neutral
37
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, dedicated staff
- Great customer service
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Inconsistent hours
- Rude staff
Often praised
- serviceQuality and service is great
- staffMy experience at the restaurant was a mix of great food and friendly staff, but it was significantly impacted by a long wait time to receive our meals. If you can tolerate the wait, the food is definitely worth it.
- waitthe wait is always worth it
- customer serviceI've been here 3 times now, and each visit has been better than the last. The genuine great customer service and excellent food are outstanding. The Carne asada burrito is truly the best in town.
- peoplethe people seemed nice though
- Nice peopleNice people too
- ServiceService:5
- Wait timeWait time:Up to 10 min
- call ahead or orderIt's my go-to spot for burritos, and the food is consistently good every time. I appreciate that the food is ready in 12-15 minutes when I call ahead or order. The people are friendly and the food is good.
- cashierVery nice cashier always makes me smile
Frequently criticized
- waiting timeMy experience at the restaurant was that everything takes twice as long. If they say 15 minutes, they actually mean 30.
- posted hoursIt was good enough that I've made it a point to return whenever I'm in town. However, they do not seem particularly interested in opening according to their posted hours. Last time I was in town, I waited outside on a Saturday morning at 9: 30 AM for them to open and finally gave up around 9: 45-9: 50 AM.
- servicetheir service get worse with time
- wait timeYou will wait forever and a day for even the simplest of orders
- ordermy order ready on the table but they didn't care to hand me the order
- Google hoursGoogle says 8 PM
- Taco Tuesdayonly 1 person on duty on taco Tuesday
- customer understandingthey are not very understanding for the customer
- delivery speedIn my opinion, they should deliver the food a bit faster because it's a fast-food place, not a restaurant. Even when ordering by phone, they take too long.
- door is lockedIt is now 10: 45 AM on a Sunday morning. The sign reads that they open at 10: 30 AM, but the door is locked and nobody is inside. There is a handwritten note stating they closed early last night (11/8) but will be open for regular hours today (11/9).
If youre patient and value friendly interactions, you might find the service acceptable, especially for the food. However, be prepared for potential long waits and inconsistent hours, which could be a dealbreaker if youre in a hurry or expect strict adherence to schedules.
Ambience (4.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 16% of the guests
Regarding the ambience, there are some pleasant aspects to note. Guests frequently mention the quiet noise level, making it easy to converse, and appreciate its convenient location. The presence of big tables and a nice outside area also receives positive feedback, especially for those dining with family.
These points contribute to 5 positive remarks out of 17 total, yet the overall score for ambience is an average 4.8. However, the picture isn't entirely rosy. With 6 negative remarks, some serious concerns emerge, leading to a poor customer satisfaction of just 29.4%.
Several patrons reported issues with bugs, and the music competing with the TV creates a chaotic environment. Others describe the restaurant as rundown and lacking any real atmosphere, which clearly detracts from the dining experience.
Ambience
17
Reviews
29%
Satisfaction
6
negative
6
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Quiet conversations
- Convenient location
- Outdoor dining
What people don't like
- Pest issues
- Loud conflicting noise
- Rundown appearance
Often praised
- big tablesI recommend this place to anyone in the area. The customer service was very good, they have big tables, and even an outside area to eat, which is great for when the kids get messy eating burritos.
- family owned businessSmall family owned business
- locationClose to the hotel
- noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- outside areahas an outside area to eat
Frequently criticized
- atmospherewith no atmosphere
- bugsI HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE, AND MY NEIGHBORS TOLD ME HOW NASTY THIS PLACE IS. WAY OVERPRICED FOR THE CRAP THEY SERVE AND RUDE STAFF, AND NOW I FOUND OUT FULL OF BUGS!
- health and safety inspectionFurthermore, I observed that no gloves were being used in the kitchen, which raises serious health and safety questions. I recommend a health and safety inspection, including a review of their cameras, to address these issues.
- music competing with TVmusic competing with with the TV on full blast
- no glovesHaving worked in the food industry, I know a professional kitchen could have prepared such a small order in about 10 minutes, especially with no other tickets. Furthermore, I observed that no gloves were being used in the kitchen, which raises serious health and safety questions. I recommend a health and safety inspection, including a review of their cameras, to address these issues.
- restaurantthe restaurant is rundown
If youre looking for a quiet spot with an outdoor option and dont mind a potentially rundown interior, this place might work. However, be aware of significant concerns regarding cleanliness and a chaotic atmosphere that could disappoint.
Value (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot scores a solid 7.3, with customer satisfaction at a good 73.9%. Based on 17 positive remarks out of 23 total, many diners rave about the value and deals available, especially affordable and reasonable prices. Folks love finding great pricing for portion sizes and fantastic specials like Taco Tuesday.
However, a few of the 5 negative comments point to some overpriced items and a pesky credit card fee. Some guests also noted that the price was higher than what was initially shown on the website price, which can be a bit of a surprise.
Value
23
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
5
negative
1
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great deals available
- Affordable, reasonable prices
- Good value for money
What people don't like
- Credit card fee
- Some items overpriced
- Website price discrepancies
Often praised
- priceThe location is incredibly convenient, being close to my hotel. What really impressed me was the awesomely priced menu, offering great value for money.
- pricesIf you're craving tacos with real flavor, this is definitely the place to go. It's well worth your time to check it out, and the prices are not bad at all; they have some really good deals.
- Taco TuesdayGo here for taco Tuesday as they have street tacos for $1.99
- Taco Tuesday specialsTaco Tuesday specials at $1.15 each
- ValueValue and taste is excellent
- affordableMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. The food is really good and very affordable. I usually get fish or other tacos, and my boyfriend always orders the surf and turf burrito.
- dealsthey got some really good deals
- decent pricesDecent prices
- expensivethey're not expensive
- pricingI actually wanted to go back for another right after buying one. The pricing is great for the portion size! The place is within the same plaza as Carnival and hidden on the side.
Frequently criticized
- price$12 Carne asada burrito was overpriced
- credit card fee3.25% fee added on credit card
- website priceprice is substantially higher than what was shown on their website
If you're looking for good deals and reasonable prices, especially on specials, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful of potential credit card fees and double-check prices, as some items might feel a bit steep.
How are the prices at Las Panchitas?
You’re looking at roughly 15 per person – reported by 20 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 the price distribution, it’s clear most diners are spending within that $11–$20 sweet spot, with just one person dipping into the cheaper $1–$10 range. So, prices definitely cluster around the average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 20 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing here is pretty spot-on for a Mexican spot in San Diego, offering good value for a casual meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Las Panchitas
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Go-to spot for consistent burritos!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's my go-to spot for burritos, and the food is consistently good every time. I appreciate that the food is ready in 12-15 minutes when I call ahead or order.
The people are friendly and the food is good. I definitely recommend this place!
- burritos9
- food9
- call ahead or order9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Taco Tuesday!
My experience on Tuesday was fantastic! I tried one of each meat choice for taco Tuesday, and everything was great. The street-sized tacos were generously filled with meat, guacamole, and onions.
I would definitely come back.
- meat choice9
- street sized tacos9
- tacos9
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
7
Great Food, Inconsistent Hours
I've visited this restaurant a couple of times while traveling from out of town, and the food was very good on both occasions. It was good enough that I've made it a point to return whenever I'm in town. However, they do not seem particularly interested in opening according to their posted hours.
Last time I was in town, I waited outside on a Saturday morning at 9: 30 AM for them to open and finally gave up around 9: 45-9: 50 AM. It is now 10: 45 AM on a Sunday morning. The sign reads that they open at 10: 30 AM, but the door is locked and nobody is inside.
There is a handwritten note stating they closed early last night (11/8) but will be open for regular hours today (11/9). Regular hours are listed as 10: 30 AM on Google and on the window. It’s 10: 47 AM now, so I will find somewhere else to go.
If you don’t plan on being open, at least change your posted hours so you’re not wasting people’s time.
- food9
- handwritten note6
- regular hours6
- posted hours2
- waiting outside2
- door is locked2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Authentic Chilaquiles and Carnitas!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The mother making authentic Green Chilaquiles was a highlight, and the Carnitas were delicious. It's a must stop and eat, and I'd definitely go back.
- Green Chilaquiles10
- Carnitas9
- Food5
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Raspado Lacking Tamarind Flavor
I would like you to please add more tamarind honey to my raspado. This time it wasn't good, thank you.
- tamarind honey3
- raspado3
What Las Panchitas 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
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Coffee
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options does Las Panchitas Mexican Grill provide?
At Las Panchitas Mexican Grill, you can enjoy a variety of dining options throughout the day. They offer delicious choices for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Additionally, if you’re planning an event, catering services are available, and ample seating is provided for your comfort.
Is Las Panchitas Mexican Grill accessible for everyone?
Yes, Las Panchitas Mexican Grill is committed to accessibility. You will find a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring easy access into the restaurant. There is also a dedicated wheelchair accessible parking lot and comfortable wheelchair accessible seating options available for your convenience.
How does Las Panchitas generally rate with customers?
Las Panchitas has an overall score of 7. Its Food (7.9) and Value (7.3) are highly regarded, while Service (5.5) and Ambience (4.8) are areas with mixed feedback.
What are the main draws for diners at Las Panchitas?
Customers frequently praise the delicious and authentic Mexican food, especially the tacos and burritos. The restaurant is also noted for its excellent value, with many appreciating the affordable prices and special deals like Taco Tuesday.
Are there any common issues visitors should be aware of?
Some diners have reported significant wait times for orders and inconsistencies with the restaurant’s posted operating hours. There have also been occasional comments regarding the casual atmosphere and cleanliness.