Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Rodrigo’s – San Diego
Rodrigo's - San Diego
Photo from Rodrigo’s
Rodrigo's at a glance
San Diego Rancho Peñasquitos
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 34 of the guests
#492 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#60 Mexican Restaurant out of 113 in San Diego
Good
6.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
360
Reviews
66.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great food
- Family feel
- Fair prices
Frequently criticized
- Slow service
- Cleanliness issues
- Hidden fees
The restaurant Rodrigo’s, a popular Mexican Restaurant in San Diego’s Rancho Peñasquitos neighborhood, invites you to experience its casual atmosphere. You can enjoy a quick bite or a relaxed meal, perfect for any time of day.
Whether you’re looking for lunch, dinner, or even breakfast, this spot offers a welcoming environment.
Overview: Introducting Rodrigo's
Rodrigo’s offers a welcoming, cozy atmosphere, often described as a true family shop. Many appreciate the dedication of this family-owned establishment, which translates into a generally positive dining experience.
Guests often praise the quality of the food and the overall good vibes. However, some visits to Rodrigo’s can be inconsistent, with reports of long waiting times and occasional issues with customer service.
There have also been concerns regarding the cleanliness of certain areas, like the bathroom and salsa bar, which could detract from the overall experience.
Good
6.8
out of 10
360
Reviews
66.4%
Satisfaction
107
negative
14
neutral
239
positive
Looking at the numbers, Rodrigo’s holds a respectable overall score of 6.8, placing it in the average category. Customer satisfaction sits at 66.4%, indicating a mixed bag of experiences.
This assessment is drawn from a substantial 360 customer opinions, with 239 leaning positive and 107 expressing concerns. It suggests that while many find their visit satisfactory, there’s still room for improvement in certain areas.
Delving deeper, the Food (7.0) stands out as a strong point, generally well-received by patrons. Value (6.6) also performs adequately, suggesting fair pricing for what’s offered.
However, both Service (6.4) and Ambience (6.1) hover in the average range. While not poor, these areas indicate opportunities for enhancement to elevate the overall dining experience.
What people like
- Superb food quality
- Family-run atmosphere
- Fair pricing
What people don't like
- Service inconsistencies
- Cleanliness concerns
- Unexpected charges
Rodrigo’s, with a recommendation score of 6.9, presents a mixed but generally acceptable dining option. If you prioritize a welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere and appreciate well-prepared food, it could be a solid choice.
However, be prepared for potential service hiccups and some cleanliness issues. Ultimately, if you’re seeking a casual spot with good food and don’t mind occasional inconsistencies in service or upkeep, Rodrigo’s is worth considering.
It might not be a standout in every aspect, but its strengths could make it a reliable local option for certain occasions.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Rodrigo's
Food (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 93% of the guests
It seems the food here is quite a mixed bag, yet generally well-regarded! With a solid score of 7, many diners rave about the authentic Mexican food, great food, and standout items like carne asada and chicken soup. Out of 249 customer remarks, 171 were glowing, praising the quality and generous portions.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 68.7%, indicating some inconsistencies. About 69 comments pointed to issues like bland seasoning, dry meat, small burrito size, and bad salsa. Some found the food plain or the quality inconsistent, suggesting there's room for improvement in certain areas.
Food
249
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
69
negative
9
neutral
171
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Mexican food
- Carne asada delicious
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Seasoning can be bland
- Meat often dry
- Burrito size small
Often praised
- foodWe've been frequent visitors since moving nearby a few months ago. Our family and friends love the food so much that we've hired them to cater a lunch for our church. I can't wait!
- Mexican foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic. It's the best local spot for Mexican food. I particularly loved the rolled tacos, carne asada fries, and chips.
- chicken soupMy experience at this restaurant has been consistently good! I highly recommend trying their amazing chicken soup, as one order is enough to feed three people. We've been frequent visitors since moving nearby a few months ago.
- carne asada friesIt's the best local spot for Mexican food. I particularly loved the rolled tacos, carne asada fries, and chips. You really can't go wrong with any of their offerings.
- portionsMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic. Everything we tried was expertly prepared with superb flavors and generous portions. The service was also friendly.
- rice and beansThere's something for everybody. The chicken chimi is awesome, as are the rice and beans and the Carne Asada. My absolute favorite is the chicken soup!
- rolled tacos5 rolled tacos or Carne Asada Burrito with Sour Cream and Cheese are my usual go to items!!
- bean and cheese burritoMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the best bean and cheese burrito, and pairing it with their green salsa made it unbelievable. This is a family-run business that truly makes you feel like part of the family.
- carne asadaThe carne asada is Great quality and always cooked perfectly
- California burritoCalifornia burrito, it was amazing
Frequently criticized
- foodfood didn't taste too bad but minutes after eating it didn't agree with my stomach
- meatdoesn't mean the meat is moist. Literally Jerky.
- California burritoCalifornia burrito was the size of a glorified taquito.
- beansthe beans were very liquidy, making it hard to eat
- riceThe rice was on the uncooked side and had no flavor
- Cali burritothe Cali burrito using roasted potatoes instead of French fries
- Mexican foodTo make matters worse, there were unexpected charges, such as a surprise 3% credit card fee, and the prices charged differed from what was posted. Overall, it was an awful Mexican food experience, and I felt that even Chipotle, which I don't rate highly, would be better.
- burritoBurrito wasn't even wrapped properly it made a mess to eat
- carne asadadidn't really let me taste the carne asada
- carne asada burritothe salsa or guacamole had way too much onions it didn't really let me taste the carne asada
If you're looking for generally good, authentic Mexican flavors, especially carne asada or chicken soup, this spot is worth a try. Just be aware that while many find it delicious, some experiences highlight inconsistent seasoning or meat quality, so manage your expectations.
Service (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 47% of the guests
When it comes to service, it's a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.4 and customer satisfaction at 62.3%. Many guests rave about the friendly staff and amazing customer service, often highlighting the fast and accommodating nature of the team. With 43 positive remarks out of 69 total, it seems many appreciate the personal touch from this family-run business.
However, there are some clear areas for improvement, as indicated by 24 negative remarks. Several customers experienced long wait times, slow service, and issues with orders not being sent to the cook. There were also mentions of unorganized service and problems with online orders being canceled, suggesting some inconsistencies in the overall experience.
Service
69
Reviews
62%
Satisfaction
24
negative
2
neutral
43
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Amazing service
- Family-run business
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Order issues
- Unreliable hours
Often praised
- serviceMy loyalty is so strong that when I was stationed in Hawaii, I would order 20 burritos during leave, freeze them, and transport them back in a cooler! The restaurant offers great food, great service, and great prices. They are also a huge support of my MCHS Sundevils!
- ownerMy experience at Rodrigo's was exceptional. The owner treats you like family, and the food is always flawless. There's a reason this place has been here for over 15 years.
- Alfredo and JaimeAlfredo and Jaime are amazing cooks, and are super nice too
- amazing customer serviceamazing customer service
- call aheadon time when you call ahead
- cashierIt was a real disappointment, and it's sad that many taco shops in this area seem to prioritize a quick buck over quality. On the positive side, the restaurant was clean, the cashier was friendly, and the salsa bar was delicious. The salsa verde, with its nice vinegary green chili flavor, is one of the best I've tried.
- cateringhired them to cater a lunch
- cookscooks are nice
- customer servicegreat customer service these days
- family-run businessfamily-run business that truly treats you like family
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant involved a half-hour wait for our food, during which the staff seemed very lost. While the food was okay, the service sucked.
- customer serviceMy experience at the restaurant was marked by terrible customer service. The food took way too long to arrive, and it turned out my order was not sent to the cook.
- waiting timeI’ve been here 3 times and every time I come, they’re never open. They say they open at 10, but I’ve been here waiting for 20 minutes and still not opened. I guess I won’t eat on my lunch break again.
- credit cardpaid with credit card last Sunday...by Monday evening I had fraudulent charges
- employeeI ordered two waters and never received them. Another day, I visited to eat, and an employee was very drunk. It was a disappointing experience.
- get your foodTakes a bit to get your food
- napkinsPlus didn't have any napkins
- online orderplaced an online order here arrived before closing and the just canceled my order
- opening hoursI’ve been here 3 times and every time I come, they’re never open. They say they open at 10, but I’ve been here waiting for 20 minutes and still not opened.
- orderOrder was not sent to cook
If youre looking for a place with a friendly, family-run vibe and dont mind potentially waiting a bit, it could be worth a try. Just be prepared for the possibility of slower service or order hiccups, especially during busy times.
Ambience (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 14% of the guests
Many folks really dig the cozy, family-owned vibe here, with 9 positive remarks out of 17 total. Guests often praise the great vibes and atmosphere, noting it feels like a true family shop and appreciating the restaurant cleanliness. Its seen as a local PQ staple by many.
However, the ambience gets a bit of a mixed bag, with a customer satisfaction of 52.9% and an average score of 6.1. Some of the 6 negative comments point to issues with the bathroom needing a good clean, and the salsa bar also being neglected. A few even felt the overall restaurant wasnt clean.
Ambience
17
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
6
negative
2
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy family vibe
- Clean dining area
What people don't like
- Dirty restrooms
- Unclean salsa bar
Often praised
- atmosphereThey have been a staple for a long time, and the quality has consistently been great. It truly feels like a family shop, and the atmosphere is cozy. The burritos are great, and they offer fair prices for everything on the menu.
- PQ stapleIt's a PQ staple
- family shopFeels like a family shop
- family-ownedIt's a family-owned establishment
- family-owned neighborhood taco shopThis is a real family owned neighborhood taco shop
- placethis place is great!!
- restaurant cleanlinessI did like how the restaurant is clean
- vibesThe vibes were the best
Frequently criticized
- bathroomThere is no soap in the bathroom which looks like it hasn't been cleaned in a while.
- atmosphereAtmosphere:2
- hoursThe hours are just not great
- restaurantthe restaurant is not clean
- salsa barthe salsa bar really need to be clean
If youre looking for a casual, family-friendly spot with good vibes, youll likely enjoy the main dining area. However, be prepared that the cleanliness of the restrooms and salsa bar might be a letdown. Its a solid choice for a quick, cozy meal, but dont expect pristine facilities.
Value (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to value, this place lands squarely in the middle, with an average score of 6.6 and a mixed customer satisfaction of 64%. Many customers (16 out of 25 total opinions) were pleased, praising the reasonable prices, good prices, and well priced food. They often highlighted getting delicious meals that felt like a great price and wouldn't hurt the wallet.
On the flip side, 8 opinions raised concerns. Some found certain items, like the burrito price, to be expensive, especially with shrinkflation or an unexpected credit card fee. There were also frustrations about being charged different prices than what was posted, which can definitely be a deal-breaker for some.
Value
25
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
8
negative
1
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Good value
- Wallet-friendly options
What people don't like
- Unexpected fees
- Expensive items
- Inconsistent pricing
Often praised
- pricesMy loyalty is so strong that when I was stationed in Hawaii, I would order 20 burritos during leave, freeze them, and transport them back in a cooler! The restaurant offers great food, great service, and great prices. They are also a huge support of my MCHS Sundevils!
- priceat the right price
- good pricesMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a family-owned establishment with good prices. The customer service was amazing, and they were incredibly fast.
- great priceat great price
- price per personprice per person:$1–10
- reasonable pricesdelicious food at reasonable prices
- walletMy experience at this restaurant was positive, especially for burritos. It's a good place for burritos that won't hurt the wallet as much as other places.
- well pricedFood is well priced
Frequently criticized
- pricepaying that kind of money for a skinny Jerky burrito
- pricestold me different prices then when I got there
- burrito priceNot a great deal for a $6+ burrito.
- credit card feeThe burritos were excessively greasy. To make matters worse, there were unexpected charges, such as a surprise 3% credit card fee, and the prices charged differed from what was posted. Overall, it was an awful Mexican food experience, and I felt that even Chipotle, which I don't rate highly, would be better.
- shrinkflationbetween shrinkflation and the Cali burrito using roasted potatoes
Overall, if youre seeking generally fair prices and dont mind double-checking for potential extra charges, this place offers decent value. However, be mindful that some items might feel a bit pricey, and keep an eye out for any unexpected fees or price inconsistencies.
How are the prices at Rodrigo's?
You’re looking at roughly 15 per person – reported by 34 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 people actually spend, most guests (26 out of 34) are right in that $11–$20 sweet spot. A few folks spend less, and a couple venture into higher price points, but it’s clear where the action is.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 34 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, for a Mexican spot in San Diego, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. It’s a good value for a casual meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Rodrigo's
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
3
Food upset stomach, nice service
My experience at this restaurant was mixed. While the service was nice, the food did not agree with my stomach minutes after eating. Despite the pleasant service, I won't be visiting again due to the negative reaction to the food.
- service8
- food2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Slow Service, Small Burrito
My experience at this restaurant was marked by incredibly slow service. I was the first in line but the last to receive my food. The California burrito was disappointingly small, comparable to a glorified taquito.
I believe any other establishment in the shopping plaza would offer a better dining experience.
- service1
- California burrito2
- portion size2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
1
Terrible Service: Order Canceled at Door
My experience at this restaurant was incredibly frustrating. I placed an online order and arrived before closing, only to have my order canceled while I was standing right in front of the door. This terrible service ruined my evening.
- service1
- online order1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Poor Quality Carne Asada Fries
My experience at the restaurant involved ordering the carne asada fries. Unfortunately, the carne asada was of really poor quality. It was not tasty at all, had a terrible texture, and lacked any flavor.
The food score was a 2 out of 5, and the atmosphere score was also a 2.
- carne asada2
- texture1
- flavor1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Iconic Establishment with Delicious Eats
I've been a loyal customer at this iconic establishment in Rancho Penasquitos for decades. The experience is consistently positive, with delicious food served at reasonable prices and always accompanied by a smile. My go-to order is the carne asada chips, though I occasionally switch it up with fries.
Their sauces are exceptional, striking the perfect balance of flavor and heat, whether green or red. Despite moving further away, I always make the effort to drive here for their delicious eats. It's reassuring to see Rodrigo's thrive and provide the neighborhood with a reliable place to relax and enjoy a well-prepared meal, especially as many other taco shops have come and gone.
- delicious food10
- reasonable prices9
- served with a smile9
What Rodrigo's offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Quiet
FAQs
What parking options are available at Rodrigo's Taco Shop?
When you visit Rodrigo’s in Rancho Peñasquitos, San Diego, you’ll find convenient parking. They offer free street parking and a free parking lot, ensuring you usually have plenty of parking available for your quick bite or casual meal.
Is Rodrigo's Taco Shop accessible and suitable for families?
Yes, Rodrigo’s is designed for accessibility, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, and seating. It’s also a great spot for kids, making it an ideal choice for families looking for a casual Mexican dining experience in San Diego.
What is the overall rating for Rodrigo's?
Rodrigo’s holds an overall score of **6.8** with a customer satisfaction of **66.4%**. The **Food** (7.0) is its strongest aspect, followed by **Value** (6.6), **Service** (6.4), and **Ambience** (6.1), all landing in the average range.
What do customers appreciate most about Rodrigo's?
Customers frequently appreciate Rodrigo’s for its **cozy**, **family-owned** atmosphere and its **superb flavors** and **generous portions** of food. Many describe it as a welcoming **family shop**.
Are there any common issues or drawbacks at Rodrigo's?
Some patrons have noted **waiting times** and occasional **customer service** inconsistencies. There have also been mentions of cleanliness concerns, particularly regarding the bathroom and salsa bar, and unexpected charges.