Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Taco Fiesta – San Diego
Taco Fiesta - San Diego
Photo from Taco Fiesta
Taco Fiesta at a glance
San Diego Mid-City
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 15 of the guests
#667 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#99 Mexican Restaurant out of 113 in San Diego
Average
5.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
144
Reviews
47.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious Food
- Good Value
Frequently criticized
- Poor Service
- Uncleanliness
- Price Inconsistencies
The restaurant, a vibrant Mexican Restaurant in San Diego’s Mid-City neighborhood, invites you to experience its casual atmosphere. At Taco Fiesta, you’ll discover a perfect spot for a quick bite or to enjoy small plates with friends and family.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxed lunch or a lively dinner, this welcoming eatery offers a taste of authentic flavors in a comfortable setting. You’ll find it’s a great place to unwind and savor delicious Mexican cuisine.
Overview: Introducting Taco Fiesta
Taco Fiesta offers a mixed experience, where the culinary offerings often hit the mark. Many diners appreciate the delicious food and generous portions, finding it a satisfying option for their cravings.
However, some experiences are marred by issues with customer service and staff attitudes. While the restaurant is often praised for its good price and overall value, there are concerns regarding transparency with pricing and potential upcharges.
This can lead to an inconsistent perception of what you’re paying for, despite the generally affordable offerings.
Average
5.3
out of 10
144
Reviews
47.2%
Satisfaction
66
negative
10
neutral
68
positive
Taco Fiesta registers an average Restaurant Score of 5.3 out of 10, with Customer Satisfaction sitting at a mixed 47.2%. This indicates a somewhat divided customer base, suggesting that experiences can vary significantly from one visit to the next, based on 144 customer remarks.
The Food (6.2) is clearly the standout, receiving the highest score and being a major talking point in reviews, with 68 positive comments. Value (5.2) also performs adequately, though it faces some criticism.
However, Ambience (4.4) and particularly Service (3.8) are areas needing considerable attention, with 66 negative comments overall highlighting these shortcomings.
What people like
- Delicious, generous food
- Good price, value
What people don't like
- Poor customer service
- Unclean restaurant conditions
- Inconsistent pricing
Taco Fiesta presents a classic dilemma: it delivers on flavorful, well-portioned meals at a reasonable cost, but with notable inconsistencies in other critical areas. If your priority is simply good food and you’re willing to overlook potential service hiccups, it might be worth a try.
However, be prepared for possible frustrations with customer interactions and pricing clarity. With a Recommendation Score of 5.3, it’s a place that could satisfy a craving but might not become a consistent favorite for everyone seeking a well-rounded dining experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Taco Fiesta
Food (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, it seems like a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.2 putting it squarely in the average range, and customer satisfaction sitting at a 57.1% mixed level. Many folks rave about the carne asada fries, shredded beef tacos, and the good taste overall, often praising the generous portion sizes that can even feed a small group. With 44 positive remarks out of 77 total comments, theres definitely some love for the menu.
However, not everyone leaves happy. Some experiences mention "salty food, " dishes being "cold, " or even "greasy" and "uncooked" items like quesadillas and fries. With 26 negative comments, its clear there are inconsistencies, and some customers have faced issues like being told they were out of meat for popular items.
Food
77
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
26
negative
7
neutral
44
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great flavor profile
- Generous portion sizes
- Excellent burrito options
What people don't like
- Food often cold
- Salty or "off" taste
- Greasy, uncooked items
Often praised
- foodThe food was delicious and the portion sizes were incredibly generous
- California BurritoFor those who are very hungry, they offer a "Steak King" burrito, which is essentially a California burrito enhanced with bacon and pico de gallo. Personally, I highly recommend their tacos with Pollo Asado or Carne Asada, the California Burrito, and their Horchata.
- FoodFood:5
- HorchataFor those who are very hungry, they offer a "Steak King" burrito, which is essentially a California burrito enhanced with bacon and pico de gallo. Personally, I highly recommend their tacos with Pollo Asado or Carne Asada, the California Burrito, and their Horchata.
- Mexican foodthey do have good Mexican food
- Pollo Asada Friesso simple and so unforgettably delicious
- always goodbut always good
- basicsEverything they make is excellent. They focus on the basics done really really well, without being fancy or over the top. For those who are very hungry, they offer a "Steak King" burrito, which is essentially a California burrito enhanced with bacon and pico de gallo.
- breakfast burritosBomb breakfast burritos
- burritoDecent size for 10$ pollo asado California burrito.
Frequently criticized
- foodI ordered 10 roll tacos and they were good, but unfortunately, there was something hard inside that cracked my tooth. I will NOT eat the food anymore 🙏💀. My experience with the food was rated a 1, and the service and atmosphere were rated a 2.
- beansserving beans out of a 5 gallon home depot bucket
- California burritosCalifornia burritos are over priced for how small it is
- Carne AsadaCarne Asada is made out of lamb
- Carne Asada Friesall my frys got bitter and nasty
- French friesDriven by hunger, I then purchased a cheese quesadilla and a basket of French fries. The quesadilla was excessively greasy, and the French fries were uncooked. Both were discarded after a few bites.
- Jamaica drinkDespite the previous severe illness, I made the poor judgment to dine there again, alone, several months later. I initially purchased a bean and cheese burrito and a large Jamaica drink. Upon returning home, I found the beans to be cold and unsalted, with an "off" flavor.
- carne asada friesjust wanted a carne asada fries
- cheese quesadillaThe quesadilla was dripping with grease
- diet sodaMy experience at this restaurant was marked by poor customer service skills. The man taking my order was rude from the start and even refused to substitute a diet soda for a regular one. Having lived in the area for 10 years, I've seen the quality decline with each owner.
If you're looking for a quick bite with potentially generous portions and some tasty burrito options, it might be worth a try. However, be prepared for a bit of a gamble, as consistency seems to be an issue, with some dishes arriving cold or having flavor problems.
Service (3.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 78% of the guests
For some, the service here shines with fast service and efficient take out service, especially for pickup orders that are ready in less than 5 minutes. With 14 positive remarks, customers appreciate the quick turnaround and the convenience of getting their food promptly from the staff. However, the overall service experience is quite poor, reflected in a score of 3.8 and a low customer satisfaction of 31.8%.
A substantial 29 negative comments point to rude employees and horrible attitudes, with many experiencing poor customer service skills and even incorrect orders. It seems staff often appear preoccupied and uncaring.
Service
44
Reviews
31%
Satisfaction
29
negative
1
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast service
- Efficient take-out
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Poor customer service
- Wrong orders
Often praised
- serviceFast service called for pick up 5 mins out.
- ServiceService:5
- convenientits close and convinient
- employeesthe employs are fast
- gentleman hereThe gentleman here always greet me
- less than 5 minutesless than 5 minutes ready to go
- man who took my orderLol, I laugh because just today my professor said a Mexican food place isn't any good if they speak English. Well, her opinion was true here today because the man who took my order spoke English but he related the message to the cook in Spanish and boy oh boy the outcome was excellent! 👌
- ordermakes your order exactly how you want it
- pickuporders for pickup
- staffthe staff is very friendly
Frequently criticized
- customer servicecustomer service is not existent
- serviceservice there is terrible
- English speakingbarely speaks any English
- attitudeshorrible attitudes
- caring about customersThis happened on many occasions; the food was often not cooked right and was cold. The owners were very rude, always preoccupied with themselves and not caring about customers.
- closing timethey close early for a taco shop
- complimentary waterno complimentary water.. without explanation
- customer etiquetteThe guy taking the orders has no customer etiquette.
- customer service skillsPoor customer service skills.
- employeesThe employees have extremely bad attitudes
If youre looking for a quick take-out experience, you might get your food fast, but be prepared for potentially rude staff and inconsistent customer service. Its a mixed bag, so manage your expectations regarding interactions.
Ambience (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 19% of the guests
On the bright side, this place gets some love for being a long-standing neighborhood fixture and conveniently located for many. Out of 7 total comments, 3 positive remarks highlight its familiar presence and accessible spot, with some even giving the general Atmosphere a decent nod. It seems its local roots are a definite plus for some.
However, the picture isn't entirely rosy. With 3 negative remarks, some customers have raised serious concerns about the restaurant being filthy and even infested with cockroaches and ants. This starkly contrasts with the idea of a pleasant family place.
The overall score for ambience sits at an average 4.4, and customer satisfaction is a mixed 42.9%, reflecting these significant issues.
Ambience
7
Reviews
42%
Satisfaction
3
negative
1
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Familiar neighborhood spot
- Conveniently located
What people don't like
- Pest infestation
- Filthy environment
- Not family-friendly
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- conveniently locatedconveniently located near my house
- neighborhoodits been in the neighborhood quite a while
Frequently criticized
- cockroaches and antsinfested with cockroaches and ants
- family placeNot a family place whatsoever
- restaurantI do not recommend this place; they are trash. Furthermore, the restaurant is filthy and they don't clean up. I also suspect you might be taken advantage of if you pay with a card; I believe it's cash only.
If you're looking for a conveniently located, familiar neighborhood spot, it might have some appeal. However, be warned that significant concerns about cleanliness and pests could make for a disappointing experience.
Value (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 34% of the guests
Lets talk about value! Many diners found some real gems here, with 7 positive remarks out of 16 total. Folks often praised the good price and mentioned its not too expensive, especially when considering the value for money with included extras like cream.
This contributes to the feeling that the price per person is quite affordable, even though the overall score for value is 5.2, placing it in the average range. However, its not all sunshine and savings. With 8 negative remarks, some customers felt it was not worth the amount of money, citing bogus prices and unexpected upcharge for items.
There are concerns about posted prices not being honored and feeling over priced' for what you get. This explains why customer satisfaction is a mixed 43.8%, despite the average score of 5.2.
Value
16
Reviews
43%
Satisfaction
8
negative
1
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good prices
- Included extras
- Value for money
What people don't like
- Inconsistent pricing
- Unexpected upcharges
- Misleading prices
Often praised
- cheap their foodWhile the food is cheap, the owner's horrible attitude and aggressive behavior made the experience very unpleasant. I don't care how cheap their food is 🖕, they can keep that attitude to themselves.
- fast-food purchasesFor example, at other places, I'm charged extra for cream and guacamole, but here, the cream is included. I think I'll switch to this place for my fast-food purchases.
- good pricegood price not like other taco shop
- not too expensiveMy experience was great! The food has a good taste and it's not too expensive compared to other fast-food options. For example, at other places, I'm charged extra for cream and guacamole, but here, the cream is included.
- price per personthe price per person was very affordable
- pricesGood prices
- value for moneyThis highlights the exceptional value for money
Frequently criticized
- amount of moneynot worth the amount of money
- bogus pricesthe posted Prices are bogus.
- cardExpect to be taking advantage of if u hand them a card
- drinktold me the drink is no longer included but upcharged me 3 dollars
- over pricedover priced for how small it is
- posted pricesDon't pay attention to the posted Prices, because they don't mean anything here.
- pricesthey change the prices
- upchargeThey upcharge about $2 - $3 per. item.
So, when it comes to value, its a bit of a mixed bag. While many appreciate the affordable prices and included extras, others have faced issues with unexpected upcharges and inconsistent pricing. If you decide to go, its wise to double-check the final cost to ensure you're getting the deal you expect.
How are the prices at Taco Fiesta?
You’re looking at roughly 12 per person – reported by 15 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 ranges, most of the spending falls within the $11–$20 bracket, with a good number of options also available in the more budget-friendly $1–$10 range. This means you’ll find a nice mix of affordable and mid-priced dishes, rather than a wide spread of super cheap and very premium options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 15 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Mexican spot in San Diego. It offers good value without breaking the bank, making it accessible for many.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Taco Fiesta
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Experience, No Meat Served
My experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. I had wanted to try this place for a while and visited three times, hoping to order carne asada fries. Unfortunately, each time I was told they were out of meat.
Because they couldn't serve me what I wanted, I won't be returning.
- meat1
- carne asada fries1
- serve me1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Food Quality and Service Decline
My experience at this restaurant has unfortunately declined significantly. The food used to be good, but now it's mostly cold and old. The service is hit or miss, and they frequently change prices and menu items.
I used to enjoy the number 3, a supreme 5 rolled taco that came with a drink. However, the price has increased from $9 to $10, and then to $11 over my last few visits. Sometimes they give me a hard time about my drink order, and other times they don't.
On one occasion, the Sunkist had dirt on top, as if it had been handled carelessly. This time, I was told the drink was no longer included and was charged an extra $3. I do not recommend this place; they are trash.
Furthermore, the restaurant is filthy and they don't clean up. I also suspect you might be taken advantage of if you pay with a card; I believe it's cash only. Food quality has worsened, and the service is inconsistent.
The cleanliness of the restaurant is a major concern.
- food2
- service3
- prices3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Service Lacking, Food Just Okay
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the poor customer etiquette of the staff member taking orders. While the food was okay, it wasn't exceptional enough to warrant a return visit.
- food5
- customer etiquette2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Good Tacos, Bogus Prices
My experience at this taco shop was a mixed bag. While the food itself was good, the pricing was a major issue. The posted prices were misleading, as they upcharged about $2-$3 per item.
When I brought this to the attention of the staff, the response was dismissive, essentially saying "whatever. " Despite the good tacos, the bogus prices and poor handling of the situation made for a frustrating experience.
- food7
- posted prices2
- upcharge2
- guy2
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Great Crispy Burrito, Lacks Flavor Enhancers
I really liked the crispy fish burrito 🌯 and the good price, unlike other taco shops that charge $9 or more. The only issue was the lack of jalapeños and carrots, which would have added more flavor to the burrito.
- crispy fish burrito9
- good price8
- jalapeños, zanahoria4
What Taco Fiesta offers
Crowd
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What parking and accessibility options are available at Taco Fiesta?
When you visit Taco Fiesta, you’ll find convenient free street parking and a free parking lot, usually with plenty of spaces. The restaurant is also fully wheelchair accessible, offering an accessible entrance, parking lot, and seating to ensure a comfortable experience for all guests.
Is Taco Fiesta suitable for families and what dining options do they offer?
Yes, Taco Fiesta is known to be good for kids, making it a great family-friendly dining destination. You can enjoy various dining options including lunch and dinner, with comfortable seating available. They also offer quick bites and takeout services for your convenience.
How does Taco Fiesta score overall?
Taco Fiesta has an overall Restaurant Score of 5.3 out of 10. Its strongest area is **Food** (6.2), followed by **Value** (5.2). However, **Ambience** (4.4) and particularly **Service** (3.8) are areas needing attention.
What do customers appreciate most about the food at Taco Fiesta?
Customers frequently praise the delicious taste and generous portion sizes of the food, highlighting that everything they make is excellent and focuses on the basics done really well.
Are there any common complaints about the service at Taco Fiesta?
Yes, several customers have reported issues with customer service, citing poor attitudes, lack of customer etiquette, and a general feeling that staff are not caring about customers.