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MATADOR - San Diego
Photo from MATADOR
MATADOR at a glance
San Diego Old Town
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 44 of the guests
#457 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#54 Mexican Restaurant out of 113 in San Diego
Good
7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
366
Reviews
66.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality food
- Friendly service
- Clean decor
Frequently criticized
- Difficult parking
- No restrooms
- Inconsistent value
The restaurant MATADOR is a vibrant Mexican Restaurant nestled in the historic Old Town neighborhood of San Diego. You’ll find it’s a fantastic spot to catch a game, as sports are a key highlight here.
Whether you’re looking for a casual lunch, a lively dinner, or even a quick bite, this spot offers a welcoming atmosphere. It’s a great place to gather with friends or family, providing a comfortable setting for everyone.
Overview: Introducting MATADOR
MATADOR offers a casual dining experience where the food often shines, drawing praise for its flavor and fresh salsas. Many appreciate the generally friendly staff who aim to provide quick service, making it a convenient stop for a meal.
However, some guests have noted concerns regarding the value of certain items, finding portions small for the price. Practical aspects like parking and the lack of public restrooms also occasionally detract from the overall visit.
Good
7
out of 10
366
Reviews
66.7%
Satisfaction
96
negative
26
neutral
244
positive
MATADOR earns a solid 7 out of 10 for its overall performance, indicating a generally positive experience for many. However, customer satisfaction sits at a more moderate 66.7%, suggesting a mixed reception where some aspects clearly delight while others leave room for improvement.
This blend of strong points and areas needing attention is reflected across various guest observations. The Food (7.4) stands out as a clear strength, frequently mentioned for its quality and taste, supported by 244 positive remarks out of 366 total.
Service (6.7) also performs well, with staff often described as quick and accommodating. While the Ambience (6.4) is generally seen as clean and pleasant, Value (6) receives more divided opinions, with some finding it affordable and others feeling certain items are overpriced.
What people like
- Delicious, quality food
- Friendly, quick service
- Clean, pleasant decor
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- No public restrooms
- Inconsistent item value
If you’re seeking a spot with genuinely good Mexican food, especially tacos and fresh salsas, MATADOR is worth considering. The generally positive Recommendation Score of 7.1 suggests many find it a satisfying choice for a casual meal.
However, be mindful of potential parking challenges and the lack of public restrooms. While some items offer great value, others might feel a bit pricey for the portion size.
It’s a solid option for a quick, tasty bite, but perhaps not for a leisurely, full-service dining experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on MATADOR
Food (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.4 and customer satisfaction at 70.6%, many diners rave about the delicious carne asada burritos, excellent salsa bar, and flavorful tacos. Based on 163 positive remarks out of 231 total, the generous portions also get a lot of love, making for a satisfying meal.
However, not everyone leaves completely satisfied. About 48 negative comments point to concerns about inconsistent portion sizes, a lack of flavor in some dishes, and burritos that felt too small. Some also found the salsa disappointing, suggesting there's room for improvement in consistency and quality.
Food
231
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
48
negative
20
neutral
163
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious Mexican food
- Excellent salsa bar
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent portion sizes
- Lacking flavor
- Dry meat
Often praised
- foodThis place has quickly become my go-to spot for Mexican food. You can tell the owners put a lot of care into the restaurant because the premises are always spotless and the food is great without being too greasy. Everything I’ve tried has been really great.
- tacosThe people are so nice, and the food is very good. The tacos are delicious, and the fresh salsas are fantastic. I loved it!
- Mexican foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, offering amazing Mexican food. I say this with 30 years of experience eating Mexican food in San Diego, which speaks volumes about the quality and authenticity of the cuisine served here.
- Taco TuesdayTaco Tuesday is where it's at here
- salsa barthe salsa bar tops off the experience
- breakfast burritosbreakfast burritos (sausage, potato,egg cheese gauc)
- fish tacosMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found the best deal on fish tacos here. It's my go-to spot for my lunch break because I can't bear it – the food is immaculate!
- portionsOn a positive note, the carne asada, breakfast burrito, and mahi mahi tacos were all excellent. The restaurant provides a clean, Americanized Mexican experience with better portions than Rubio's.
- qualityI was also impressed by the clean and beautiful decor, which contributed to a wonderful ambiance. It's clear they put a lot of effort into delivering quality and a great overall experience.
- salsasfresh salsa's the food is fantastic
Frequently criticized
- burritoalmost $1.60 for one burrito is getting too expensive
- foodwhat I did get was very bland chewy and lackluster
- food qualityfood quality isn’t as good as it was
- barbacoaThere were good menu options, but not what I was anticipating due to the old menu pic online. I had my heart set on barbacoa or menudo, and neither of them were on the new menu. I ordered the carne asada street taco combo, which comes with rice and beans.
- beansMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The potatoes were undercooked and the beans tasted like they were from a can. It was a waste of $60, and I felt it was not authentic Mexican food.
- salsathe salsa supposedly is habanero, it’s more like tomatillo purée with no flavor
- California Burritoit was so small for the 11+ dollars??
- authentic Mexican foodNot authentic Mexican food
- breakfast burritopaid nearly $10 for a burrito no bigger than Taco Bell
- burrito sizeburrito no bigger than Taco Bell
If youre looking for a place with generally good Mexican food, especially their burritos and tacos, its definitely worth a try. Just be aware that some experiences mention inconsistent portion sizes or flavor, so manage your expectations on every dish.
Service (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 47% of the guests
It looks like the service here is a bit of a mixed bag, but leans positive! With a score of 6.7, its generally considered good, and about 64.5% of customers were satisfied. Many folks raved about the "lady who took my order, " the "friendly staff, " and "excellent customer service, " often highlighting how "accommodating" and "fast" the service was.
These positive experiences account for 40 out of 62 total opinions. However, not everyone had a smooth experience. Some diners pointed out issues with "staff" consistency and "cashiers, " noting instances of "bad customer service" or even "rude" interactions.
There were 20 negative opinions, suggesting that while many found the service great, theres definitely room for improvement in consistency and ensuring every customer feels valued.
Service
62
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
20
negative
2
neutral
40
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, quick staff
- Excellent customer service
- Very accommodating
What people don't like
- Inconsistent staff
- Rude service
- Poor customer service
Often praised
- serviceThe service was quick and friendly
- staffThe remodel is nice and the staff was very friendly. There were good menu options, but not what I was anticipating due to the old menu pic online.
- customer serviceKarla has awesome customer service she is really nice.
- peoplethe people are so nice
- LorraineAppreciate it Lorraine!
- accommodatingvery accommodating to my my puppy
- call aheadCall ahead by 5 min and it will be ready
- convenienceGood for a quick bite if you need convenience
- craftsmanThis person is a craftsman
- food preparationfood didn't take long to be prepared
Frequently criticized
- servicethe cashiers and service are horrible
- bad customer serviceridiculous bad costumer service
- bottled waterthey no water except bottled
- bring your own cupyou have to bring your own cup for water
- cashiersthe cashiers and service are horrible
- charged meshe said she never charged me
- confused and hungryConfused and hungry
- cup of waterThey said they no water except bottled
- cups for waterthey will never get cups for water again.
- dine inthey weren't allowing dine in
If you're looking for generally friendly and quick service, this spot is often a hit, as many customers have had great experiences. However, be aware that service quality can be inconsistent, so you might occasionally encounter some less-than-stellar interactions.
Ambience (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 27% of the guests
Many guests rave about the spotlessly clean premises, beautiful decor, and pleasant atmosphere, especially after recent renovations. It's even been called a hidden gem by some, with 19 positive remarks out of 33 total comments. While customer satisfaction sits at a 57.6% (mixed), the ambience score is an average 6.4.
However, not everything is picture-perfect. Some diners noted issues like the lack of public restrooms, challenging parking, and a less-than-inviting exterior that makes it hard to spot. A few even mentioned an unpleasant smell upon entering, and some felt the interior decoration was a bit goofy, making it not ideal for a date night place, according to 11 negative observations.
Ambience
33
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
11
negative
3
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean premises
- Beautiful decor
- Great atmosphere
What people don't like
- No public restrooms
- Difficult parking
- Unpleasant smell
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was great and very quiet
- placeThe place is cute, clean and well decorated
- beautiful decorVery clean and beautiful decor.
- cleanClean Americanized Mexican
- clean decorVery clean and beautiful decor.
- dining areathe dining area is clean and open
- eating areaThe eating area has plenty of seating
- great ambiancegreat ambiance.
- hidden gem89. This restaurant is a hidden gem for Mexican food lovers, and with all the new changes, I can definitely see it becoming super popular.
- locationEasy to get to, close to trolley & bus
Frequently criticized
- Parking spaceDifficult to find parking
- cleaningM. She stated she wanted to clean. Consequently, I canceled my order and left.
- closed downit's been closed down for so long
- date night placenot a date night place
- exteriorYou can not really tell it's a restaurant from the outside.
- hygieneconcerns about food preparation and hygiene
- interior decorationinterior decoration is goofy tbh
- parkingI also enjoyed the excellent salsa bar. However, there are a couple of things to be aware of: there are no public restrooms, and parking can be tight. Additionally, the fish and shrimp tacos had a lot of cabbage, making it difficult to taste the seafood; I'd recommend pulling some cabbage off and making a salad with the rest.
- restaurantnow it is terrible
- restroomsNo restrooms at this restaurant
If you prioritize a clean, well-decorated space with a good vibe and don't mind potential parking challenges or the absence of public restrooms, this spot could be a pleasant surprise. However, if exterior appeal, easy parking, and full facilities are crucial for your dining experience, you might want to consider other options.
Value (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 36% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot presents a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6 (which is average) and customer satisfaction sitting at 55%, indicating a mixed reception. Many folks appreciate the affordability, often mentioning bang for your buck, deal, and how cheaper some options are, especially for generous portions or specific promotions like Taco Tuesday. Out of 40 comments, 22 leaned positive, highlighting good prices and great deals.
However, 17 comments expressed concerns, with some finding the price or prices to be too high, describing items as expensive or even a waste of $60. There are mentions of prices going up, small portions for the cost, and feeling like some basic items are overpriced. It seems while some find great deals, others feel the cost doesn't always match the offering.
Value
40
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
17
negative
1
neutral
22
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Great deals
- Good portions
What people don't like
- Too expensive
- Small portions
- Prices increased
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was unbeatable for the price, earning it a full five stars. The salsa bar truly tops off the experience, allowing you to pick your own heat level.
- affordableI tried this place today and was shocked at how affordable and large the portions were. I had the Carne Asada taco & the shrimp taco.
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was hands down the best Mexican food I have ever had. The food is so good, and the prices are low. It is very necessary to let your taste buds experience this kind of love!
- 6 tacos for $12We got 6 tacos for $12!
- AffordableAffordable and excellent food
- Taco Tuesdayawesome deal on Taco Tuesday
- bang for your buckDown the street more bang for your buck
- cheapera lot CHEAPER
- dealBest deal on fish tacos
- extra ten minutesthis is worth the extra ten minutes.
Frequently criticized
- pricepaid nearly $10 for a burrito no bigger than Taco Bell
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. I absolutely love the food, but the prices are too much now. It's getting expensive, with almost $1.
- basicsplease spend the extra money in investing the basics.
- buy a bottle of wateror buy a bottle of water.
- charge me the itemscharge me the items I bought for extra charge
- cups for waterbeing too cheap to offer cups for water is a little too much.
- expensiveExpensive and little portions
- expensive pricetoo expensive for the tiny portion
- moneydo not waste your money
- price tagNot worth the $14 price tag
If you're looking for a deal, especially on specific days like Taco Tuesday, you might find some real gems here. However, be mindful that regular prices or certain items might feel a bit steep for the portion sizes, so choose wisely to get the best bang for your buck.
How are the prices at MATADOR?
You’re looking at roughly $14 per person – reported by 44 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 actually spend, most of the prices (32 out of 44) fall squarely within that $11–$20 sweet spot. There are a few who spend less, and a couple who splurge a bit more, but it’s pretty consistent around the average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 44 reviews.
How does this restaurant stack up against similar spots in San Diego when it comes to value for money?
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Mexican Restaurant. It hits that sweet spot of good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about MATADOR
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Visit for Shrimp Cocktail
I drove out here specifically for the shrimp cocktails, only to find out they don't sell them anymore. It was a wasted trip, and I should have called to confirm first. Finding parking space was also difficult.
- shrimp cocktails1
- Parking space2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Water Policy
My experience at this restaurant was marked by a peculiar policy regarding water. I asked for a cup of water with my meal, but was told that they only serve bottled water. This was surprising, especially since there was a soda fountain, which in any other establishment would typically offer a water option.
This lack of a basic water service was a significant drawback to my visit.
- soda fountain5
- cup of water2
- bottled water2
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Disappointing End to Regular Visits
I've been a regular customer, eating here about three times a week for the past six months since moving into the neighborhood. While the food is decent, it's not great. The normal lady who works the counter is really nice.
However, tonight, I went in and placed an order for dine-in. The lady at the counter informed me they weren't allowing dine-in, even though it was only 8: 06 p. M.
And they close at 9: 00 p. M. She stated she wanted to clean.
Consequently, I canceled my order and left. You can be sure I will never be back.
- food6
- normal lady8
- dine in2
- cleaning3
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Excellent Mexican Food Spot!
This is my new go-to spot for Mexican food. I was thoroughly impressed with the tacos, which were excellent, and the carne asada fries were incredibly good. The quality of the food is superb, and it's especially noteworthy considering the price.
I highly recommend this restaurant.
- tacos9
- carne asada fries9
- quality of the food10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
8
Great Carne Asada Tacos & Habanero Sauce
My experience at the restaurant was centered around their carne asada street tacos. I ordered three, and they were good. The habanero sauce was a standout, offering both great flavor and an enjoyable spice level.
- carne asada street tacos8
- habanero sauce9
What MATADOR offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Coffee
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Service Options
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Pets
- Dogs allowed inside
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What are the parking options available at MATADOR Mexican Grill?
When you visit MATADOR Mexican Grill, you’ll find several parking options. While finding a space can sometimes be a bit difficult, there is free street parking available. Additionally, you can utilize the free parking lot, making your visit more convenient.
Does MATADOR Mexican Grill offer accessible facilities and what dining times are available?
Yes, MATADOR Mexican Grill is committed to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, and seating. You can enjoy a meal here throughout the day, with dining options available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Seating is provided for your comfort.
What is the overall rating for MATADOR?
MATADOR holds an overall score of **7** out of 10. Its **Food** (7.4) is a strong point, with **Service** (6.7) also performing well. **Ambience** (6.4) and **Value** (6) receive more mixed feedback.
What are the main drawbacks customers mention about MATADOR?
Customers frequently mention difficulties finding parking and the absence of public restrooms. Some also find certain menu items to be expensive for their portion size.
What kind of food can I expect at MATADOR?
You can expect generally good Mexican food, with many praising the delicious tacos, fresh salsas, and the quality of dishes like fish tacos.