Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Valentine’s – San Diego
Valentine's - San Diego
Photo from Valentine’s
Valentine's at a glance
San Diego Core-Columbia
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 67 of the guests
#484 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#59 Mexican Restaurant out of 113 in San Diego
Good
6.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
379
Reviews
66.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic cuisine
- Good value
- Friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- No restroom
- Loud environment
- Service issues
The restaurant Valentine’s Mexican Food is a vibrant Mexican Restaurant nestled in San Diego’s Core-Columbia neighborhood. You can enjoy delicious late-night food here, perfect for those evening cravings.
This spot offers a casual and cozy atmosphere, making it an ideal choice for a quick bite or a relaxed meal. Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’ll find a welcoming space with options for everyone.
Overview: Introducting Valentine's
Valentine’s offers a taste of REAL Mexican food, often highlighted for its authentic flavors and satisfying portions. Many appreciate the friendly service and the generally affordable prices, making it a straightforward choice for a meal.
However, the experience isn’t without its quirks. Some visitors have pointed out the lack of a public restroom and occasional issues with a loud atmosphere.
A few also reported instances of less-than-ideal customer service, suggesting some inconsistencies.
Good
6.9
out of 10
379
Reviews
66.5%
Satisfaction
95
negative
32
neutral
252
positive
Valentine’s holds a solid overall Restaurant Score of 6.9, indicating a generally good dining experience. However, its Customer Satisfaction sits at 66.5%, suggesting a mixed reception where some aspects clearly delight while others fall short for a portion of guests.
This blend of feedback comes from 379 customer remarks. Looking closer, the Food (7.2) and Service (7) are definite strong points, frequently earning praise from patrons.
The Ambience (6) and Value (6.2) are perceived as more average, with opinions on these aspects being more divided among the 252 positive and 95 negative comments.
What people like
- Authentic Mexican food
- Attentive, friendly service
- Affordable, good value
What people don't like
- No public restroom
- Loud, dirty environment
- Inconsistent service issues
If you’re seeking straightforward, authentic Mexican cuisine with good value, Valentine’s is certainly worth considering. The Recommendation Score of 7.1 suggests many find it a reliable spot, particularly for its food and service.
However, be prepared for a casual setting that might lack certain amenities, like a public restroom, and could occasionally be noisy. If those aren’t deal-breakers for you, Valentine’s could be a satisfying choice for a hearty meal.
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 Valentine's
Food (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
Alright, lets dive into the food scene here! Based on a solid 158 positive remarks out of 229 total, many diners are quite pleased. With a good score of 7.2 and a mixed customer satisfaction of 69%, youll find plenty to love, especially the delicious Birria tacos, authentic flavors, and huge portions that leave you satisfied.
However, not everyone is raving, with 52 negative comments pointing to some areas for improvement. Some found the food bland, questioned its freshness, or noted quality inconsistencies like gristle in meat. It seems consistency and certain dishes might need a closer look.
Food
229
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
52
negative
19
neutral
158
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Birria tacos
- Authentic flavors
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Bland food
- Quality issues
- Freshness concerns
Often praised
- foodI've been eating at this restaurant for twenty years, and my experience has consistently been good, filling, and REAL Mexican food. It's not focused on being gluten-free or low cholesterol, which is exactly how I prefer it.
- Mexican foodI've been eating at this restaurant for twenty years, and my experience has consistently been good, filling, and REAL Mexican food. It's not focused on being gluten-free or low cholesterol, which is exactly how I prefer it.
- salsasThis turned out to be an excellent suggestion, as the chicken was incredibly flavorful and the chicken thighs were very juicy. Both salsas I tried were excellent. It's a great Mexican place in the San Diego area.
- salsaThe salsa is wonderful flavor
- FoodFood:4
- birriaMy experience at this family-run restaurant was fantastic! I had AMAZING birria and fish tacos. My husband really enjoyed his enchiladas too.
- carne asada burritothe carne asada burrito was good
- carnitasthe carnitas, pollo asada and Carne asada are all excellent
- chickenbreakfast enchiladas with chicken inside.
- chilaquilesI ordered the chilaquiles... they were both really good.
Frequently criticized
- foodI came here because of the reviews, and it was late and we were starving. Unfortunately, the food was tasteless. The lady at the counter lacked social skills.
- beansHowever, yesterday's visit was not good. The lady charged the wrong price, and the beans were not cooked. Overall, I think quality is not a priority here anymore.
- guacamoleThe guacamole so not guacamole at all it's really runny
- quesadillaThe guacamole was not guacamole at all; it was really runny and not to my taste. Additionally, they put tomatoes and onions inside the quesadilla and grilled it, resulting in hot tomatoes and onions within my quesadilla. I gagged and was over the whole meal at this point.
- Al Pastor Burritoit was terrible and had no taste 👅
- California AmberThe Amber was rather dry
- authentic Mexican foodIt's not authentic Mexican food.
- average size tacopricey for a average size taco
- beans & ricetheir beans & rice are just not good to me
- breadingThe breading on my meal was bland.
If you're craving authentic Mexican food with generous portions, this spot is definitely worth a try, especially for their Birria tacos. Just be mindful that some experiences point to occasional inconsistencies in flavor and quality.
Service (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 64% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark with a solid score of 7. Many guests rave about the friendly and fast service, often highlighting the helpful staff and attentive owner. With 50 positive remarks out of 74 total comments, it seems most experiences are quite pleasant, emphasizing promptness and professionalism.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a 67.6%, indicating a mixed bag. Some diners encountered less-than-stellar customer service, with 18 negative comments highlighting complaints about long wait times and unhelpful cashier interactions. A few even mentioned staff being outright rude or inattentive, leading to frustration and messed-up orders.
Service
74
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
18
negative
6
neutral
50
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, fast service
- Helpful staff
- Attentive owner
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Long waits
- Order errors
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. It's a nice little spot with clean tables and friendly service. The food was great.
- ServiceService is great
- staffThe staff is always so nice and helpful
- AJAJ is the coolest ever
- Nice peopleNice people
- TimingTiming was good for to go order
- cashierCashier was polite
- customer servicegreat customer service
- dine inIf you choose to dine in, they actually bring your order to your table
- employeesI enjoyed delicious Mexican food in a positive and professional establishment. The good service was complemented by respectful employees and employers. It's a must-go place to eat.
Frequently criticized
- customer serviceHorrible customer service from the young girl cashier
- servicethe one person working the register, slow and kinda quiet
- cashiercashier didn’t apologize or anything
- chefchef came out to our table to argue
- cookTo top it all off, my grandson's quesadilla had a dead fly in it. When I made the staff aware, the cook came out and argued it was a piece of meat, even though the 'meat' had wings. They argued and never apologized, so we left.
- counter ladyCounter lady was a little rude and inattentive
- extra chairThe menu and burrito tasted very bad. When our group of 13 asked for an extra chair, she refused to give us one. Visiting San Diego, we are sure we will not eat in this place ever again.
- lady at the counterUnfortunately, the food was tasteless. The lady at the counter lacked social skills. To top it all off, my grandson's quesadilla had a dead fly in it.
- lady taking orderlady taking the order was a little rude and inattentive
- no smilesno smiles from the staff
So, should you go? While the service generally receives good marks, be prepared for a potentially mixed experience. If you value friendly and fast interactions, youll likely be pleased, but theres a chance you might encounter some less attentive moments or a bit of a wait.
Ambience (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 48% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot offers a mixed bag, landing an average score of 6 with a customer satisfaction of 60%. Many guests appreciate the friendly atmosphere, especially the downtown location and the option for cozy indoor or outdoor seating. There's a definite warmth and authenticity that makes you feel welcomed, with some even enjoying the good music and calling it a happening place.
However, not everything is sunshine and good tunes. A significant number of the 55 customer opinions, with 18 negative remarks, point to some notable drawbacks. Concerns frequently pop up about the lack of accessible restrooms, and the noise level can be quite high, sometimes described as super loud.
Some also noted issues with the environment looking dirty or tables having a sticky residue, which can detract from the overall experience.
Ambience
55
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
18
negative
4
neutral
33
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great downtown location
- Cozy outdoor seating
- Authentic, warm atmosphere
What people don't like
- No customer restrooms
- Excessive noise level
- Unclean environment
Often praised
- atmosphereI'm eager to try their menudo soup. They offer a good variety of dishes, and the opportunity to sit al fresco and watch people walking by adds to the pleasant atmosphere.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Mexican placeA great Mexican place in the San Diego area
- al frescoI'm eager to try their menudo soup. They offer a good variety of dishes, and the opportunity to sit al fresco and watch people walking by adds to the pleasant atmosphere.
- authenticityThe authenticity and warmth of Valentines make every visit a cherished experience.
- cozy diningThe staff was professional, contributing to a pleasant dining experience. I also appreciated the option to dine cozily indoors or outside.
- downtown atmosphereGreat downtown atmosphere with outside seating available
- downtown locationThe best part is the downtown location
- downtown spotIt is a small downtown spot perfect for lunch
- establishmentMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed delicious Mexican food in a positive and professional establishment. The good service was complemented by respectful employees and employers.
Frequently criticized
- restroomthere is no restroom here. There is but not for the customers
- atmosphereSUPER LOUD. Like, you feel like you are at a club with broken speakers
- bathroomthe four walls of a bathroom
- environmentthe environment looks dirty
- experienceLackluster experience
- negative vibethere was a negative vibe
- noise levelthe thumping is so loud that we can't do a working lunch there
- paper napkinyou get one paper napkin
- placeTo make matters worse, the server had disappeared and didn't return despite me calling for service. The place is looking tired.
- plates or silverwareno real plates or silverware
If youre looking for a lively downtown spot with outdoor seating and dont mind a potentially noisy environment or basic restroom facilities, this place could be a fun choice. However, if cleanliness and a quiet, serene dining experience are top priorities, you might find it a bit disappointing.
Value (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.2 and customer satisfaction sitting at 52.4%. Many diners appreciate the affordable prices, finding great deals on combos and super affordable options. With 11 positive opinions out of 21 total, it seems many feel they get good portions for a fair price.
However, not everyone is convinced, as 7 negative opinions highlight concerns about things being pricey or overpriced, especially for certain items. Some customers felt the food prices were too high, and there were even mentions of incorrect charges. Its clear that while some find it a steal, others feel its a bit steep.
Value
21
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
7
negative
3
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Good deals
- Fairly priced
What people don't like
- Overpriced food
- Very pricey
- Wrong price charged
Often praised
- priceThere is no restroom available. The price is inexpensive. We visited for breakfast, but it wasn't the best choice for food.
- pricesThe food was incredibly delicious, with great quality. I was also impressed by the great prices. The portions were big and very filling.
- affordable pricesI enjoyed the delicious food and the homemade horchata was a standout. The portions were great, offering excellent value for the affordable prices. The staff was professional, contributing to a pleasant dining experience.
- combosCombos are a good deal
- credit cardsthey accept all major credit cards
- dealI felt it was a great deal
- fairly pricedThey were both really good. The restaurant has a nice environment, good portions, and is fairly priced. The host was also very kind and courteous.
- super affordableMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the authentic food selections, which were super affordable. The rolled tacos were particularly delicious.
Frequently criticized
- priceHowever, yesterday's visit was not good. The lady charged the wrong price, and the beans were not cooked. Overall, I think quality is not a priority here anymore.
- priceyVery nasty, it's been nasty all these years, nothing has changed. Very pricey too.
- EBTThey don't take EBT
- food pricesoverpriced food prices are not posted
- taco menu pricesTheir salsas are awful and tasteless. Their taco menu doesn't have prices visible. I wouldn't recommend this place, and I definitely won't be back.
If youre looking for a good deal and are mindful of what you order, you might find some great value here. However, be aware that some items can feel pricey, so its worth checking the menu carefully before you commit.
How are the prices at Valentine's?
You’re looking at roughly 17 per person – reported by 67 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 are enjoying meals in that $11–$20 sweet spot, with a good chunk also finding options under $10. There are a few pricier choices, but the heart of the menu is definitely in that mid-range.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 67 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, for a Mexican Restaurant in San Diego, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. It offers good value for that mid-range experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Valentine's
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Valentina's: A Nostalgic and Delightful Experience
I first visited Valentina's many years ago when they were located on Market Street. My son was only about 7 years old then, and now he's 32! Returning to the 6th Avenue location brought back wonderful memories of their previous restaurant.
The young lady who served me was very polite.
- young lady9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Business Meeting
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Loud
3
Loud Atmosphere Ruins Lunch
My experience at this restaurant was mixed. The food was okay, nothing bad, and the service was good with nice people. However, the atmosphere, specifically the noise level, was a major issue.
It was SUPER LOUD, making it feel like being at a club with broken speakers. This loudness even impacted the Thai restaurant next door, preventing us from having a working lunch. Therefore, it's not a good lunch place to go during work hours.
- food6
- service8
- atmosphere2
- noise level1
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Amazing Pork Tacos and Salsa
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The atmosphere is that of a cozy little restaurant with strong heritage in the decor. The food truly speaks for itself, hands down.
I got the pork rolled flour tortillas, and they were amazing. From the start, the soft texture in the crunch was almost buttery – and that's just the tortilla alone! The seasoning of the meat and the quality of ingredients make this a repeat visit for me.
Oh, and the homemade salsa chips, like double fried, went perfectly with the salsa.
- atmosphere9
- pork rolled flour tortillas10
- tortilla9
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
7
Flavorful Tacos, But Pricey
My experience at the restaurant was a mixed bag. The al pastor tacos were incredibly flavorful, and the carne asada was also noted for its saltiness and flavor. However, I found the tacos to be pricey for their average size 🌮.
The service and atmosphere both received a perfect score of 5, indicating a very pleasant dining environment and attentive staff.
- al pastor tacos9
- carne asada8
- Service10
- pricey4
- average size taco4
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
9
Homestyle Comfort Food Done Right!
My favorite dish at this restaurant is the Pollo Asado Plate. The chicken portion is generous, and it's consistently juicy, perfectly seasoned, and grilled. The beans are just like grandma used to make, and the salsas are a perfect compliment to the chicken and beans.
I highly recommend trying the chipotle salsa when available. Paired with chips and carrots, it's comfort food at its finest. I've been following them since they were originally on Market St. During Lent, the fish tacos, enchiladas, and chile rellenos are also good options.
The food is never over-seasoned, always just right – true homestyle comfort food. The staff is always so nice and helpful. They do get busy during the lunch hour due to the nearby business crowd, so I recommend going just before or after the rush to avoid it.
This place does not disappoint!
- Pollo Asado Plate10
- chicken portion9
- chicken10
What Valentine's offers
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Valentine's Mexican Food?
At Valentine’s Mexican Food, you’ll find a casual and cozy atmosphere perfect for any meal. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with dessert options. You can choose from outdoor seating, dine-in, takeout, or convenient delivery services.
Is Valentine's Mexican Food accessible and suitable for families?
Yes, Valentine’s Mexican Food is highly accessible, featuring wheelchair accessible entrance, parking, seating, and restrooms. It’s also great for kids, providing high chairs, and even allows dogs in its outdoor seating area.
How does Valentine's generally perform according to customer feedback?
Valentine’s achieves an overall Restaurant Score of 6.9. Its Food (7.2) and Service (7) are highly regarded, while Value (6.2) and Ambience (6) are seen as more moderate.
What aspects do customers frequently praise at Valentine's?
Many customers consistently highlight the REAL Mexican food for its authenticity and flavor. The friendly service and the generally affordable prices also receive positive mentions.
Are there any common criticisms or areas for improvement at Valentine's?
Some patrons express concerns about the ambience, specifically mentioning the lack of a public restroom and occasional noise levels. There are also instances of inconsistent customer service experiences reported.