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oChef » Tj Tortas & Tacos – San Diego
Tj Tortas & Tacos - San Diego
Photo from Tj Tortas & Tacos
Tj Tortas & Tacos at a glance
San Diego Egger Highlands
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 24 of the guests
#117 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#8 Mexican Restaurant out of 113 in San Diego
Excellent
8.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
269
Reviews
88.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Flavorful food
- Great service
- Clean atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent quality
- Hidden charges
- Rude staff
The restaurant Tj Tortas & Tacos invites you to experience authentic Mexican flavors right in San Diego’s vibrant Egger Highlands neighborhood. This casual Mexican Restaurant is a local favorite, offering a delightful array of small plates perfect for sharing or enjoying on your own.
You’ll find a welcoming atmosphere whether you’re dining in, grabbing a quick bite, or enjoying the outdoor seating. It’s a fantastic spot to savor delicious food in a relaxed setting.
Overview: Introducting Tj Tortas & Tacos
Tj Tortas & Tacos generally offers a satisfying experience, particularly noted for its flavorful tortas and tacos . Many appreciate the friendly staff who contribute to a welcoming atmosphere.
While the casual atmosphere is often a plus, some patrons have noted inconsistent dishes and occasional concerns about salsa charges . It’s a spot with clear strengths, but also a few points to consider.
Excellent
8.4
out of 10
269
Reviews
88.5%
Satisfaction
29
negative
2
neutral
238
positive
Tj Tortas & Tacos earns a solid overall Restaurant Score of 8.4 , reflecting a generally positive dining experience. Customer Satisfaction stands strong at 88.5% , indicating that most visitors leave content.
This positive sentiment is drawn from 238 positive remarks out of 269 total customer comments. Digging deeper, Food and Service both achieve high marks at 8.5 , suggesting these are consistent strengths.
The Ambience also scores well at 8.3 , offering a pleasant setting. Value comes in at 7 , which is good, though some negative comments suggest it’s not universally perceived as a bargain.
What people like
- Flavorful tortas/tacos
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Clean, casual setting
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Salsa charges
- Rude service
If you’re seeking a spot with genuinely flavorful tortas and tacos served by a friendly staff , Tj Tortas & Tacos is certainly worth considering. The overall experience leans positive, especially for those who appreciate a clean, casual environment.
With a strong Recommendation Score of 8.5 , this establishment generally delivers. Just be mindful of potential inconsistent dishes and salsa charges .
It’s a good choice for a satisfying meal, provided you manage expectations on certain items.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Tj Tortas & Tacos
Food (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
The food here generally hits the mark, boasting a good to excellent score of 8.5 and a strong customer satisfaction of 88.4%. With 167 positive remarks out of 189 total, many rave about the fresh ingredients, authentic taste, and delicious dishes. The homemade tortillas are also a frequently celebrated highlight, promising a truly satisfying experience.
However, not every culinary adventure was perfect. A smaller number of 20 comments indicated some room for improvement, with mentions of certain items that lacked seasoning or had a horrible taste. A few diners also felt some dishes were not authentic or bland, suggesting occasional inconsistencies in flavor and preparation.
Food
189
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
20
negative
2
neutral
167
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh ingredients
- Authentic taste
- Homemade tortillas
What people don't like
- Lacked seasoning
- Bland/tasteless
- Not authentic
Often praised
- foodhappily drive 30 minutes for the food here
- tortasTheir burritos and tortas are super good and flavorful
- TortasBest Tortas and honestly Mexican food I’ve had
- portionsEstán suuuuuuupeer reportados de carne y guacamole
- tacosthe tacos are always bursting with delicious ingredients
- FoodFood:5
- Mexican foodThe food was so great and the service was amazing. If you’re craving Mexican food and looking for a spot to go to, I highly recommend them! The quality is great and I would 100% come back.
- amazing foodamazing food, the tortas are amazing
- breadThe cheese, bread, and avocado were all fresh
- burritoHad the burrito, so much flavor
Frequently criticized
- Torta CubanaI ordered a Torta Cubana, but what I received was not authentic. A torta cubana is not made with carne asada, and this dish did not resemble what a torta cubana should look like. I also found it to be too pricey for what was essentially a simple carne asada torta.
- foodWhen I asked if I could put salsa on my burrito without being charged for the cups, I was told I'd have to eat there. I would not go back, and again, the food wasn't that good.
- meatthe meat had a horrible taste
- TJ Special TortaDon't get the TJ Special Torta. Completely bland, unflavored and tasteless.
- Taco Bellcould have gotten better from Taco Bell
- carne asadathe carne asada and ham was honestly not good at all
- carne asada friesthe carne asada fries were no bueno
- carnitas lardThis was my first time eating here, and the tacos were horrible. They lacked seasoning, and all of them, even the chicken taco, tasted like carnitas lard. The only thing I can give 5 stars to are the crepes.
- chicken tacoThis was my first time eating here, and the tacos were horrible. They lacked seasoning, and all of them, even the chicken taco, tasted like carnitas lard. The only thing I can give 5 stars to are the crepes.
- chips and cheeseMy experience with the nachos was disappointing. They were essentially just chips and cheese, and I felt I didn't get what I paid for, especially since I didn't opt for meat. I believe I could have gotten a better quality from Taco Bell.
If you're craving fresh, authentic Mexican flavors and appreciate homemade tortillas, this spot is definitely worth a visit. While a few dishes might occasionally miss the mark on seasoning or authenticity, the overall consensus points to a delicious and satisfying meal.
Service (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 54% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place truly shines! With a fantastic score of 8.5 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 90.2%, guests consistently praise the friendly and efficient staff. Many of the 46 positive remarks highlight the excellent service, with special shout-outs to the kind couple who run the place and the attentive staff who happily fulfill special requests, making every visit a pleasant one.
However, its worth noting a few areas for improvement, as seen in the 5 negative comments. Some guests mentioned that while the food is great, it takes a lil while. A couple of experiences pointed to issues with a rude cashier and horrible service, ' where one felt their request for a food substitute was met with an unhelpful attitude.
These instances, though few, suggest occasional inconsistencies.
Service
51
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
5
negative
0
neutral
46
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, efficient staff
- Excellent, attentive service
- Lovely, kind owners
What people don't like
- Rude cashier
- Occasional slow service
- Unhelpful attitude
Often praised
- serviceThe service and atmosphere were also top-notch
- staffthe staff is very friendly
- customer servicethe customer service was great
- ServiceService:5
- employeesthe employees are Super nice
- friendlyare friendly
- peopleVery friendly people
- Friendly peopleFriendly people and good food
- StaffStaff was very friendly
- attentive staffmuy atentos
Frequently criticized
- cashierThe cashier was rude.
- customer serviceCustomer service was so terrible
- food substituteI asked for a food substitute and she acted like I was asking her to change the entire menu.
- food takes a lil whileFood takes a lil while
- serviceHorrible service. The cashier was rude.
Overall, the service here is a major draw, making it a great spot if you value a friendly and attentive experience. While there might be an occasional hiccup or a wait for your food, the overwhelmingly positive interactions suggest you'll likely leave feeling well-cared for.
Ambience (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 29% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot really shines! With an impressive score of 8.3, indicating a good experience, and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 90.9%, its clear guests love the vibe. Many of the 20 positive remarks out of 22 total praise the atmosphere, highlighting it as a clean and friendly family atmosphere, often described as a charming pop and mom spot.
Reviewers consistently mention the top-notch and very clean environment. However, there are a couple of minor points to consider. The 2 negative comments primarily focus on the place itself, specifically its outside appearance.
Some found the place is so small on an odd corner, and a few noted that from the outside place looked like it was closed, ' which might not give the best first impression.
Ambience
22
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
20
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Top-notch atmosphere
- Very clean place
- Friendly family vibe
What people don't like
- Small, odd corner
- Unappealing outside
Often praised
- atmospherethe casual, no-frills atmosphere makes it perfect
- placePlace is small but worth every penny
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- cleanVery clean
- clean placeclean and tasty place
- cleanlinessthis place was really clean
- environmentPleasant environment
- family atmosphereFamily atmosphere , amazing food
- kitchenvery clean kitchen
- lunch spotDefinitely a great lunch spot
Frequently criticized
- outside appearancefrom the outside place looked like it was closed
- placeplace is so small on a odd corner
Overall, if youre looking for a clean, friendly, and welcoming atmosphere, this place is definitely worth checking out. While its exterior might not immediately catch your eye, the interior experience and family vibe more than make up for it. Dont let the outside deter you from a great time inside!
Value (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 10% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark! Many folks found the prices to be quite fair, often describing their experience as well priced and feeling that everything was worth every penny. With a solid score of 7 and customer satisfaction at 71.4%, its clear most diners walk away feeling they got a good deal, based on 5 positive remarks.
However, its not entirely without its quirks. A couple of diners felt certain items were a bit steep, specifically mentioning the price of a simple torta and the cost of a tiny cup of salsa. These 2 negative comments suggest that while overall value is good, some specific add-ons or dishes might feel a tad overpriced to a few.
Value
7
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Worth every penny
- Fair prices
What people don't like
- Some items pricey
- Salsa cup cost
Often praised
- pricesReasonable prices
- everythingEverything I tried was worth every penny
- well pricedit was good and well priced
- worth every pennyThe owners are truly the loveliest people and made us feel right at home. Although the place is small, it is definitely worth every penny.
Frequently criticized
- priceToo pricey for a simple carne asada torta
- tiny cuppay 1.50 for each tiny cup of salsa
If youre looking for a place where your money generally goes far, this spot is a solid bet. Most items are considered well-priced and worth it, though you might want to double-check the cost of extras like salsa. Overall, its a good value experience for many.
How are the prices at Tj Tortas & Tacos?
You’re looking at roughly 16 per person – reported by 24 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.
Most guests tend to spend right in this sweet spot, with the majority of prices clustering around this average, showing a pretty consistent experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 24 reviews.
Comparing value for money at this restaurant against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Mexican restaurant at this price point. It strikes a good balance for what you get.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Tj Tortas & Tacos
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
10
Amazing Birria and Tacos!
This was my first time trying this restaurant, and it was an amazing experience. The birria was absolutely incredible, and the tacos were so good. I also took some birria home, and it was OMG good.
Overall, a fantastic food experience!
- birria10
- food9
- birria women10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Family Dinner
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Amazing Food and Family Atmosphere!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It has a wonderful family atmosphere and the food is truly amazing. I especially loved the tortas, which were incredible.
The place is also very clean and tasty. I highly recommend it! They also offer flan and more.
The hand-made tortillas are the best I've ever had!
- family atmosphere9
- amazing food10
- tortas10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Amazing Birria Tacos and Friendly Owners!
My experience at this small, independently owned restaurant was fantastic! The birria tacos and consome were absolutely amazing. We had a party of 5 and enjoyed a variety of delicious dishes, including the menudo, birria tacos, TJ style lomo torta, fries, and flan.
Every single item we ordered was fresh and delicious. The owners are truly the loveliest people and made us feel right at home. Although the place is small, it is definitely worth every penny.
- birria tacos10
- consome10
- menudo9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
3
Disappointing Torta with Fresh Sides
I was looking forward to eating here after reading the reviews, but was disappointed after taking my first bite of the food. I ordered the TJ Special torta, and the carne asada and ham were honestly not good at all. They left a really weird aftertaste and were not fresh at all.
On a positive note, the cheese, bread, and avocado were all fresh.
- cheese8
- bread8
- avocado8
- carne asada2
- ham2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Authentic Mexican Street Food Gem
My experience at TJ Tortas & Tacos was fantastic! I found it to be a great spot for authentic Mexican street food. The tortas were packed with flavorful meats and fresh toppings, and the tacos were always bursting with delicious ingredients.
The staff was friendly, and the casual, no-frills atmosphere made it perfect for a quick, satisfying meal.
- tortas9
- tacos9
- staff8
What Tj Tortas & Tacos offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and accessibility features does Tj Tortas & Tacos offer?
Tj Tortas & Tacos offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with catering services and comfortable seating. You’ll find the restaurant fully wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, parking lot, and seating, ensuring a welcoming experience for every guest.
Is Tj Tortas & Tacos suitable for families, and what are the parking and service options?
Tj Tortas & Tacos is very family-friendly, offering high chairs for children. Parking is easy with free street parking and a free lot, usually with ample space. For your convenience, you can enjoy outdoor seating, dine-in, takeout, or delivery services.
How does Tj Tortas & Tacos rate overall?
Tj Tortas & Tacos holds a good overall Restaurant Score of 8.4 . Food and Service are highly rated at 8.5 each, with Ambience close behind at 8.3 . Value is also considered good at 7 .
What do customers enjoy most about Tj Tortas & Tacos?
Patrons frequently praise the flavorful tortas and tacos , highlighting the generous portions. The staff is consistently described as friendly and attentive , contributing to a clean and casual atmosphere .
Are there any common concerns or drawbacks at Tj Tortas & Tacos?
Some customers have experienced inconsistent food quality , particularly with certain torta varieties or meat preparations. There are also mentions of salsa charges and occasional reports of rude service from cashiers.