Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Los Panchos – San Diego
Los Panchos - San Diego
Photo from Los Panchos
Los Panchos at a glance
San Diego Allied Gardens
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 80 of the guests
#550 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#72 Mexican Restaurant out of 113 in San Diego
Good
6.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
399
Reviews
63.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Cleanliness
- Friendly service
- Flavorful dishes
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent quality
- Poor service
- Hidden fees
The restaurant, a vibrant Mexican eatery in San Diego’s Allied Gardens neighborhood, offers you a perfect spot for a quick bite. Step into Los Panchos and discover a casual atmosphere where you can enjoy authentic flavors.
Whether you’re grabbing lunch or dinner, you’ll find delicious options served with speed and convenience. This local favorite is designed for your comfort, making it an ideal stop for a satisfying meal on the go.
Overview: Introducting Los Panchos
Los Panchos offers a casual dining experience, often praised for its `clean establishment` and generally `flavorful food`. Many appreciate the `friendly staff` who strive to provide good service, making it a reliable spot for a quick and satisfying meal.
However, the experience can be a bit of a mixed bag. While some find the `value` appealing, there are occasional reports of `inconsistent` food quality and service hiccups, which can sometimes detract from an otherwise pleasant visit.
Good
6.5
out of 10
399
Reviews
63.2%
Satisfaction
124
negative
23
neutral
252
positive
Los Panchos holds an overall Restaurant Score of 6.5, placing it in the average range, with Customer Satisfaction at a mixed 63.2%. This indicates that while many patrons leave content, a notable portion have reservations.
The restaurant garnered 399 customer opinions, with 252 positive remarks and 124 negative ones, providing a solid base for these insights. Looking closer at the specifics, Ambience (7.1) is a strong point, often noted for its cleanliness and atmosphere.
Food (6.8) also performs well, frequently highlighted for its taste. However, Service (6) and Value (5.7) hover in the average category, suggesting areas where the experience could be more consistently positive for all diners.
What people like
- Clean establishment
- Friendly staff
- Flavorful food variety
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Service attitude issues
- Hidden charges
If you’re seeking a straightforward, casual meal with generally good flavors and a clean setting, Los Panchos is a reasonable option. Its Recommendation Score of 6.7 suggests it’s worth considering, especially if you prioritize a quick, no-frills experience.
However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in both service and food quality, and keep an eye out for pricing details. It might not be the place for a special occasion, but for a convenient and often satisfying bite, it generally delivers.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Los Panchos
Food (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
Based on 240 customer remarks, the food here generally hits the spot! With a solid score of 6.8, many rave about the magnificent Mexican salsa bar, fresh warm tortillas, and hearty Caldo de Pollo. The surf n turf cali burrito also gets a lot of love, contributing to 166 positive sentiments.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 69.2%, indicating some areas for improvement. Out of 65 negative comments, some found the food overwhelmingly salty or inconsistent, with concerns about food poisoning and unwelcome sour cream in burritos. It seems quality can vary, so be mindful.
Food
240
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
65
negative
9
neutral
166
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great salsa bar
- Fresh ingredients
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent quality
- Food poisoning risk
- Overly salty food
Often praised
- foodall the food i purchased so far has been decent, fresh, and well flavored
- salsa barThey have a beautiful salsa bar with everything you could possibly want.
- salsassatisfied already with their free ... salsas
- chipsThere was plenty of meat. The rice was good, and they provided chips for the table. The service was very friendly.
- FoodFood came out hot and fast
- bean soupthe complimentary bean soup and chips you get are amazing
- carne asada burritoThe service was excellent. We enjoyed the fish tacos, carne asada burrito, and a Tijuana burrito with added French fries. The manager personally delivered our food and was incredibly helpful when I inquired about the salsas, which were AMAZING.
- meatThere was so much meat, it was incredible
- tacosTacos are also delicious and extremely juicy
- Caldo de PolloMy experience at this taco shop was fantastic! I had the BEST Caldo de Pollo 🐓 ever 🙌 😋. It's my go-to, especially when I'm feeling sick.
Frequently criticized
- food qualityI've lived down the street for years and used to eat here very often. Unfortunately, the restaurant has become very inconsistent, and it seems the cooks/management don't care about making edible food. They also make you wait forever before answering the drive-through.
- guacamole$2 charge for guacamole felt pathetic
- burritoworst burrito I have ever eaten
- coffeeThe horchata drink was pure sugar. My Tampiqueña steak had a frozen enchilada, and the coffee was disgusting. While the music was okay, the volume was exaggerated.
- foodThe food was a 5/10 beans need more flavor
- rolled tacossaddest excuse for rolled tacos I’ve ever seen
- ants inside my fountain drinkMy experience at this restaurant has been disappointing, primarily due to a recurring issue with insects in my drinks. This is the third time I've encountered ants inside my fountain drink. I only noticed this time when I started feeling them in my mouth while drinking the soda.
- beansbeans need more flavor
- beans in my breakfast burritoshe tried to tell me that she can’t take them out of the burrito
- beef roll tacosI ask for beef roll tacos and they gave Carne molida
If youre looking for a place with generally good food and a fantastic salsa bar, its worth a try. Just be aware that some experiences point to inconsistency and potential quality issues, so choose your dishes wisely.
Service (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 76% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot presents a bit of a mixed bag, with customer satisfaction hovering around 51.4%. Many guests, however, have highlighted the friendly staff and excellent service, noting that employees are often accommodating and quick. With 55 positive remarks out of 107 total, there's definitely a bright side to the customer experience.
On the flip side, the service score sits at an average 6, reflecting some significant concerns. Many of the 44 negative comments point to issues with order accuracy, frustratingly long waits, and inconsistent operating hours. Some even mentioned rude staff attitudes, especially in the drive-thru, making for a less-than-stellar visit.
Service
107
Reviews
51%
Satisfaction
44
negative
8
neutral
55
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Excellent customer service
- Accommodating requests
What people don't like
- Frequent order errors
- Long wait times
- Rude staff attitudes
Often praised
- serviceThe only issue for me is they do not clean their shrimp correctly! They were nice and understanding enough to change our order to something else and refund the difference.
- staffI had the most delicious caldo de res. A big thank you to the cooks and staff for their excellent work. The salsas and carrots were also the best.
- ServiceService:5
- customer serviceShe took my order correctly and was so educated. She provided excellent customer service and is a perfect person to manage a drive-through. I really recommend this place at this time for its no mistakes and delicious food with excellent service.
- drive-thrudrive through for late night runs
- friendly staffI recently had one of the tastiest burritos I’ve experienced in a long time. The restaurant boasts fresh ingredients and a clean establishment, complemented by a friendly staff. Arlene, in particular, greeted me with a smile and was very helpful in guiding me through the many delicious menu options.
- workersthe workers was perfect
- ArleneArlene greeted me with a smile and helped me
- Lady was niceLady was nice too
- StaffStaff was friendly
Frequently criticized
- serviceI had the worst burrito I have ever eaten there yesterday. The issues stemmed from both poor cooking and poor service. It's too bad, as I will never go back again.
- orderThey doubled my order and I told them to fix it
- drive thruOrdered a three amigos from the drive thru and asked for no onions.
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was marked by significant issues with their operating hours and service. The staff arbitrarily closes the restaurant, often more than an hour before the posted closing time. On my recent visit, I arrived 15 minutes before closing, only to find the kitchen already shut down.
- Lilyher name was Lily, if you encounter her in the drive-through, pull out and go home!
- answering the drive throughfinally answering the drive through
- apologiesI ordered menudo twice, and both times they forgot to include the onions and cilantro, which is unforgivable for menudo. When I pointed this out, there were no apologies. To make matters worse, I wanted a chili verde burrito but received a chili relleno burrito instead, and it was terrible!
- cashiercashier, with a bitter face, told me they didn't have any
- cashier competence2 stars for cashier competence
- cashiers' attitudesThe cashiers have the worst attitude.
If youre looking for friendly faces and potentially quick service, you might find it here. However, be prepared for possible order mix-ups or longer waits, especially if youre using the drive-thru. It's a bit of a gamble, but the good experiences are genuinely positive.
Ambience (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
The vibe here is generally quite good, with many customers appreciating the overall atmosphere and a strong emphasis on cleanliness. With 20 positive remarks out of 29 total, guests often describe it as a welcoming space that keeps them coming back. The score of 7.1 reflects a good experience, though customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 69%.
However, not everything is perfect. Some guests have noted issues with the music volume being too high, and a few have even mentioned a persistent weird smell inside. There were also concerns about hygiene, specifically regarding a chef mask not being worn properly, which some felt bordered on a health code violation, slightly dampening the overall atmosphere.
Ambience
29
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
6
negative
3
neutral
20
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Spotlessly clean
- Welcoming space
What people don't like
- Loud music volume
- Lingering weird smell
- Hygiene concerns
Often praised
- atmosphereThe quality of the product was excellent, and the service was great. The atmosphere had a good, tidy, taco shape vibe. What really stood out was the convenience of a drive-thru for late-night runs.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- placeThis place is very good and well kept; we come every time we are in town. The only issue for me is they do not clean their shrimp correctly!
- ambienceLatin music playing adds to the ambience nicely.
- cleanand clean with good customer service
- clean establishmentI recently had one of the tastiest burritos I’ve experienced in a long time. The restaurant boasts fresh ingredients and a clean establishment, complemented by a friendly staff. Arlene, in particular, greeted me with a smile and was very helpful in guiding me through the many delicious menu options.
- cleanlinessThe place is humble and clean as a whistle.
- convenient locationConvenient location
- late hoursLate hours
- musiceven the music was perfect
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereAtmosphere:2
- chef maskI love ordering food from Los Ponchos, but I noticed something concerning in the second picture posted. The chef was not wearing his mask properly. I believe this could be a health code violation, especially during this pandemic.
- health code violationthis should be a health code violation
- musicI don like the music that they play sometimes
- music volumeexaggerate in the volume
- smellthere is a weird smell that always lingers around inside and outside
If you're looking for a generally clean and welcoming spot with a good vibe, this place is worth checking out. Just be aware that the music might be a bit loud for some, and there have been occasional mentions of a strange smell or hygiene concerns that could affect your experience.
Value (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 22% of the guests
When it comes to value, many customers find the prices here quite appealing, often describing them as offering great value and fair pricing. With 11 positive remarks, patrons appreciate that their food provides good value for what they paid, and the prices often match the quality. The overall score for value sits at an average 5.7, suggesting its generally acceptable, but not outstanding.
However, its not all smooth sailing. There are 9 negative comments about being overcharged or facing unexpected credit card fees. Some customers also noted that menu prices didnt always match the receipt, and they werent thrilled about being charged for every little thing, even simple salsa substitutions.
Customer satisfaction for value is a mixed 47.8%, indicating there's definitely room for improvement in this area.
Value
23
Reviews
47%
Satisfaction
9
negative
3
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great value for money
- Reasonable prices
- Good food, good prices
What people don't like
- Hidden charges
- Overcharging issues
- Price discrepancies
Often praised
- pricesThe prices matched the quality of the food
- PricePrice is great!!!
- great valuemy food was great value for what I paid
- priceI've been coming here since 1997, and this place is incredibly consistent and reasonably priced. If you're looking for an upscale dining experience, this isn't it.
- price of this burritoAnd the price of this burrito is amazing, especially for the size of it.
- pricingpricing is fair
Frequently criticized
- chargeAnd charge me double.
- charge for everythingThey charge for every little thing.
- charging for missing itemscharged me for them
- credit card feesdon’t like how they charge credit card fees.
- menu pricesmenu prices do not match the prices on receipt
- overchargedim overcharged
- pricealmost $9, IT WAS A JOKE the Quesadilla was like a mini Quesadilla
- receiptprices on receipt
- salsa substitutionsEven when asking for substitutions, like instead of this salsa, this other salsa. They'll charge for that.
If you're seeking generally reasonable prices and good portions, you might find some solid deals here. However, be mindful of potential extra charges and always double-check your bill, as inconsistencies can be a real frustration.
How are the prices at Los Panchos?
You’re looking at roughly $16 per person – reported by 80 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 folks are spending, most guests are happily dining within that $11–$20 sweet spot, showing a pretty consistent pricing experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 80 reviews.
Comparing value for money at this restaurant against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Mexican Restaurant. It hits that sweet spot for a good meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Los Panchos
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Best Mexican in San Diego!
My experience at Los Pancho's was exceptional. I consider it the best Mexican place in San Diego and I make sure to return every time I'm back home. The food was outstanding, earning a perfect 5/5, and the service also received a top score of 5/5.
The atmosphere was great, rated at 4/5, and there was no wait time, which was a pleasant surprise.
- food10
- service10
- atmosphere8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
Best Mexican Food in San Diego!
I've visited this place a dozen times or more, and each time, the staff has been super nice and the food is always fresh. My favorite dishes from them are fish tacos or the shrimp ceviche. It's the best Mexican food spot in San Diego.
- staff10
- food10
- fish tacos10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Good Variety, But Cheese Melts Differently
My experience at this restaurant was generally positive, with a few specific observations about the food. The food is always good, and I consistently order the rolled tacos. However, I've noticed that the cheese on my tacos never melts, remaining in individual strands regardless of how long it takes me to eat them.
I'm unsure if this is due to the temperature of the tacos or the type of cheese used. Despite this, the restaurant offers a really good selection of garnishes and condiments, which I appreciate as I'm not one for spicy add-ons. The menu has a lot of variety, which is a definite plus.
I also love the Coca-Cola soda machine with its huge variety of different drinks. The drive-thru is fairly fast. If you choose to eat inside, you can enjoy a free little chips and beans as an appetizer.
Overall, we love it here.
- food8
- rolled tacos5
- garnishes and condiments8
- cheese on tacos3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
1
Chile Relleno Burrito Disaster
I went through the drive-thru and the lady seemed nice enough. I ordered the chile relleno burrito with no beans, just cheese sauce and the chile relleno. When I got back to my place and opened it, I was disappointed.
The burrito was filled with sour cream halfway down, then shredded lettuce and tomato, which doesn't even belong in a chile relleno burrito. To make matters worse, I took a bite of the hard stem of the chile relleno, a piece that should have been removed. To top it all off, it turned out to be a jalapeno, not an Anaheim pepper or a poblano, making it unexpectedly spicy.
I'm not from the area but I like to try different foods wherever I travel, and this is a place I will never come to again. Who leaves the stem in their chili relleno burrito?
- lady7
- chile relleno burrito1
- sour cream1
- shredded lettuce and tomato1
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Menu Prices Don't Match Receipt!
Beware! My experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to discrepancies in pricing. The menu prices did not match the prices on the receipt.
When I brought this to their attention, they were unwilling to do anything about it. I strongly advise boycotting this place.
- menu prices2
- receipt2
- unwilling to do anything1
What Los Panchos offers
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Small plates
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Breakfast
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 service options and accessibility features does Los Panchos Taco Shop offer?
At Los Panchos Taco Shop, you have several convenient service options including drive-through, takeout, outdoor seating, dine-in, and delivery. The restaurant is also fully accessible, offering a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, and seating for your comfort.
When can you dine at Los Panchos Taco Shop, and is it suitable for families?
You can enjoy meals at Los Panchos Taco Shop for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s also a great spot for families, as it’s good for kids and provides high chairs. You’ll usually find plenty of free street parking and a free parking lot for your convenience.
What are the main strengths and weaknesses of Los Panchos?
Los Panchos is often praised for its `clean establishment`, `friendly staff`, and `flavorful food`. However, some customers have noted `inconsistent food quality`, issues with `service attitude`, and concerns about `hidden charges`.
How does Los Panchos score overall and in specific areas?
Los Panchos holds an overall Restaurant Score of 6.5, with Customer Satisfaction at 63.2%. Its stronger points are Ambience (7.1) and Food (6.8), while Service (6) and Value (5.7) are perceived as average.
Is Los Panchos a good option for a quick, casual meal?
Yes, Los Panchos is generally considered a good option for a quick and casual meal, especially given its `convenient location` and `late hours`. Many appreciate the speed of service and the overall `value` for the portions received.