Service Options
- Takeout
- Delivery
oChef » Mexicali – San Diego
Mexicali - San Diego
Photo from Mexicali
Mexicali at a glance
San Diego Normal Heights
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 3 of the guests
#376 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#44 Mexican Restaurant out of 113 in San Diego
Good
7.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
63
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious tacos
- Great value
- Friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- Poor service
- Bad salsas
- Salty burrito
The restaurant Mexicali is a vibrant Mexican Restaurant located in the heart of San Diego’s Normal Heights neighborhood. You can experience authentic flavors and a casual dining vibe, even if you’re enjoying your meal at home.
This spot is perfect for when you crave delicious Mexican cuisine without the fuss, offering convenient service options to fit your busy schedule.
Overview: Introducting Mexicali
Mexicali offers a compelling experience, particularly for those seeking flavorful Mexican fare. Many patrons rave about the delicious Al pastor and other dishes, often highlighting the excellent bang for your buck you get here.
It seems the passion for food truly shines through in their cooking. However, the experience isn’t without its inconsistencies.
While some praise the friendly staff, others have noted issues with attentive service, such as long waits or not being checked on. There are also mixed feelings about the salsas and some specific dishes.
Good
7.3
out of 10
63
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
14
negative
3
neutral
46
positive
Mexicali earns a respectable overall score of 7.3, indicating a generally good dining experience. This is supported by a solid 73% customer satisfaction rate, suggesting most diners leave content.
The restaurant’s strengths clearly lie in its Value (9.5), which customers consistently find to be excellent, and its Food (7.4), which receives good marks for its quality and flavor. However, the picture is a bit more nuanced when looking at other aspects.
While the Ambience (7.3) is considered good, the Service (6.4) falls into the average category, reflecting the mixed feedback on attentiveness. These insights are drawn from 63 customer observations, with 46 positive remarks balancing out 14 negative ones, providing a credible overview of the restaurant’s performance.
What people like
- Delicious Al pastor tacos
- Excellent value for money
- Friendly staff interactions
What people don't like
- Inattentive service
- Watery, odd salsas
- Salty burrito issues
If you’re seeking flavorful Mexican dishes and appreciate great value, Mexicali is certainly worth considering. The strong focus on quality ingredients and generous portions, reflected in a 7.2 recommendation score, makes it a solid choice for a satisfying meal, especially if you prioritize the food itself.
However, be prepared for potentially inconsistent service, which might affect your overall experience. While the food often shines, some specific items and the attentiveness of the staff could be areas for improvement.
It’s a place to visit for the food and value, perhaps with a bit of patience.
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 Mexicali
Food (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, its clear theres a lot to love, scoring a solid 7.4 with a 73.9% customer satisfaction. Guests frequently rave about the delicious tacos, particularly the shrimp and al pastor, highlighting their fantastic flavor. The standout homemade flour tortillas and superb salsa also earn high praise, with 34 positive comments celebrating the extensive selection.
However, it's not all perfect. A few diners found the food either bland or excessively salty, and some noted watery salsas with odd flavorings. There were also specific critiques about unusual ingredients like carrots on tacos and perceived cheap materials in burritos, accounting for 10 critical observations among the 46 total.
Food
46
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
10
negative
2
neutral
34
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, flavorful tacos
- Homemade flour tortillas
- Superb salsa
What people don't like
- Food can be bland/salty
- Salsas are watery
- Cheap burrito ingredients
Often praised
- tacosMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I really enjoyed the delicious tacos, mulitas, and burritos. The Al pastor was spot on, and the service was great.
- foodHer food speaks to her passion and love
- Al pastorThe Al pastor is spot on
- Al pastor tacoone Al pastor. Both were delicious and flavorful
- Mexicali style tacosMexicali style tacos, with cabbage, beans, and guacamole, are a refreshing change
- MulitasTop choice for my money is the Mulitas
- al pastoral pastor... were all super tasty too
- al pastor tacoeach was incredible!
- asada tacoone asada taco... Both were delicious and flavorful
- burritosdelicious burritos
Frequently criticized
- foodThe salsas were watery with odd flavorings. I would never recommend spending money here for this less than mediocre food.
- Mexicali Style tacosMexicali Style" tacos have nothing to do with tacos
- carrotscarrot on the taco? is this real?
- drinkstook forever to bring two drinks
- el pastor burritoI ordered an el pastor burrito through Uber Eats and unfortunately, I couldn't even eat more than two bites because it was so salty. The materials inside just seemed cheap; you could find a better tasting burrito in a public school lunch.
- materials insideI ordered an el pastor burrito through Uber Eats and unfortunately, I couldn't even eat more than two bites because it was so salty. The materials inside just seemed cheap; you could find a better tasting burrito in a public school lunch.
- real Mexicali stylewhat is the real style from there
- salsassalsas have odd flavorings and are mostly water
Overall, the food here seems to be a good bet, especially if you're into flavorful tacos and homemade tortillas. While there are some minor issues with seasoning and salsas, the positives clearly outweigh the negatives, making it worth a try for a tasty meal.
Service (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 62% of the guests
When it comes to service, theres definitely a bright side! Many folks (8 out of 12 comments) raved about the friendly owner, the helpful staff, and even a specific girl working the drive-thru. Guests often mentioned the service was great, with some even getting their food out quick, leading to a respectable customer satisfaction of 66.7%.
However, its not all sunshine and rainbows, as the overall score for service sits at an average 6.4. A few guests (4 comments) experienced some hiccups, noting the service as terrible and highlighting issues like a long wait for food. Others felt neglected, mentioning they never received a refill or had staff check on us during their meal.
Service
12
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly owner
- Friendly staff
- Great service
What people don't like
- Terrible service
- Long food waits
- Lack of attention
Often praised
- ownerHad a chat with the owner... She's an incredible gal
- servicethe service is great
- girl workingthe girl working the drive in was friendly
- staffVery friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- check on usThey never even came back to check on us at all
- refillThey never offered a refill
- servicethe service is terrible!!
- wait for foodthe first person to order their food was the last person to get their food
So, whats the verdict? While you might encounter some truly friendly faces and quick service, theres a chance you could also face frustrating waits or feel overlooked. If you're willing to roll the dice for potentially great interactions, give it a shot, but be prepared for a mixed experience.
Ambience (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 15% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot is definitely hitting some sweet notes! Many find the restaurant quite cute, describing it as a true family style eatery. The ambience scores a solid 7.3, which is pretty good, though customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 66.7%.
Based on 3 comments, with 2 leaning positive, terms like cute and eatery really stand out. Interestingly, there arent any negative comments or terms about the atmosphere to report from the 3 observations. This suggests that while not everyone is blown away, theres nothing overtly off-putting about the setting.
It seems the overall feel is generally pleasant, with no major deal-breakers mentioned.
Ambience
3
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
0
negative
1
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cute atmosphere
- Family style
What people don't like
Often praised
- cuteThe restaurant is cute
- eateryA true family style eatery
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a generally pleasant and cute spot with a family-style feel, this place is worth checking out. While not everyone is raving, there are no major red flags regarding the atmosphere, making it a safe bet for a comfortable experience.
Value (9.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 15% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! Customers are absolutely thrilled, giving it an excellent score of 9.5 and a perfect 100% customer satisfaction. Based on 2 glowing remarks, patrons consistently praise it as a top choice for their money, highlighting the excellent bang for your buck you get here.
Whats even more impressive is the complete absence of any negative feedback regarding pricing or portion sizes. With zero negative comments out of 2 total remarks, its clear that guests feel they're getting exceptional value without a single complaint.
Value
2
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent bang
- Top choice
What people don't like
Often praised
- excellent bang for your buckMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The homemade flour tortillas and flame-grilled meats were amazing and offered an excellent bang for your buck. I particularly enjoyed the Mexicali style tacos, which came with cabbage, beans, and guacamole.
- moneyTop choice for my money
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If youre looking for a place where your dollar goes far, this restaurant is a definite winner. With outstanding value and zero complaints, you can expect a fantastic meal that wont break the bank. It's absolutely worth trying for a budget-friendly, high-quality experience.
How are the prices at Mexicali?
On average, youll spend about 39 per person, based on 3 guests. That puts this spot in the $31–$40 range. For a Mexican Restaurant, thats leaning towards the higher-end!
What’s interesting is that the actual prices reported are quite spread out – from very budget-friendly to a more premium experience, not clustered around the average. While we only have a few data points (3 customers), it still gives us a good indication of what to expect.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 3 reviews. It’s a small sample, but it gives us a good indication of the price spread!
A look at how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Diego.
An average of 39 per person is quite high for a Mexican Restaurant. However, with such a wide spread in individual prices, we think it offers flexibility. It feels fair if you’re looking for a diverse experience, from quick, affordable bites to something more premium.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Mexicali
Price per Person
- $100+
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Cute place, terrible service
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the terrible service. Although the establishment is cute, the service significantly detracted from the meal. Our group of four experienced a lengthy wait for our food, with the first person to order being the last to receive their meal.
It took an excessive amount of time to receive just two drinks, and we were never offered a refill. Furthermore, the staff never returned to check on us at all. I would definitely not recommend this establishment.
- cute7
- service1
- wait for food2
- drinks2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
10
Best Street Tacos Ever!
My experience at this restaurant was amazing! I had the best ever street taco. The owner is real friendly.
I hope she is open today. 🙏🙏🙏❤
- street taco10
- owner9
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
6
Quick Service, Okay Burrito
My experience with the California burrito was just okay; I've had better. However, it did come out quick, and the girl working the drive-in was friendly.
- California burrito5
- service8
- girl working8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Confusing "Mexicali Style" Tacos
My experience with the "Mexicali Style" tacos was quite surprising. I found that these tacos had nothing to do with the tacos I've tasted before. The inclusion of carrots in the taco was particularly unexpected; I questioned if it was real.
I've tried tacos from various places, and none of them have ever included carrots. I believe the owners should investigate what the real Mexicali style of tacos entails.
- Mexicali Style tacos2
- carrots1
- real Mexicali style2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Flavorful Tacos, Cozy Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was a delightful surprise! I stopped here on a whim after work and was immediately impressed by the incredible flavor and selection, which more than made up for the limited space. I had a wonderful chat with the owner, an incredible gal whose passion for regional Sonoran cuisine truly shines through in her food.
The two tacos I ordered, an asada and an al pastor, were demolished in minutes. The hand-made flour tortillas were a standout, perfectly complementing the delicious and flavorful fillings. They were topped with shredded cabbage, chopped cilantro and onions, and the accompanying salsa was superbly good.
The place is cozy and small, but the food selection is extensive. It truly felt like a family-style eatery, like stopping at a friend's house for a quick bite.
- flavor10
- selection9
- owner10
What Mexicali offers
FAQs
What service options does Mexicali Street Tacos offer?
Mexicali Street Tacos provides convenient service options for you. You can easily place an order for takeout to pick up your favorite Mexican dishes, or opt for delivery to enjoy them right at your doorstep in San Diego.
Where is Mexicali Street Tacos located?
You can find Mexicali Street Tacos at 3383 El Cajon Blvd, 92104, in San Diego, United States. It is specifically situated in the lively Normal Heights neighborhood, making it a local favorite.
How does Mexicali rate overall?
Mexicali holds a good overall score of 7.3 with 73% customer satisfaction. Its strengths lie in excellent Value (9.5) and good Food (7.4) and Ambience (7.3), though Service (6.4) is considered average.
What are the food highlights at Mexicali?
Customers frequently praise the delicious Al pastor, mulitas, and burritos. The homemade flour tortillas and flame-grilled meats are also noted for their quality, offering a refreshing take on Mexicali style tacos.
Is the service reliable and is it good value?
While some staff are described as friendly, service can be inconsistent, with reports of long waits or lack of attentiveness. However, the restaurant consistently offers excellent value, providing an excellent bang for your buck.