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Achiote
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
4419 Camino de la PlazaSan Ysidro, CA 92173
(619) 690-1494
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 7 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 7 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Alex T. said: "I used the coupon here from yelp and was very happy with this place. Although it's in a strip mall, it still has a unique flair. The menu is huge with specials each night and I like the Italian/Mexican combo. My wife and I weren't…" read more »
51 reviews for Achiote
Review Highlights
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"We shared the carne asada torta and the order of sopes." In 6 reviews -
"I always come here and just get Chilaquiles Verde." In 11 reviews -
"Dishes you MUST TRY are their pozole and their sopes." In 7 reviews
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51 reviews in English
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Review from Lina L.
Alhambra, CA
8/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Mmmm.. Definitely one of the most satisfying brunch i ever had in a long time! The waitress Mayra sugguested I should get Tampiquena, which comes with steak, gucamole, beans, and chicken enchallas. Everything was really good!
My boyfriend got the Chilaquiles Verdes it was also really good!
Horchata free refills & comes with a big margarita cup! -
Review from Laura R.
Chula Vista, CA
1/21/2012
This is the worst place ever!!! The service is bad, the management is bad, and to be honest Mc Donald's is way better!!
Once we sat down took like 10 min to order drinks then it took another 10 to get them. Shopping all day I drank my soda pretty fast, no refill until I waved down the weightier. We ordered took like 30 min to get the food, I walked out then. They wanted to charge me for the drinks and food and I refused to pay. The manager wouldn't come out and talk to me. This is the worst place I have ever been to!!!!!!!!!! Not to mention all the mexicans from TJ tops it off! -
Review from Kate G.
12/22/2011
Horrid. Just horrid.
We came in last week with a group of 4 of us and asked for a table rather than a booth. We were told that it would be a while for them to find us a table. I looked around and all of the tables were open. The restaurant was fairly empty. After a few parties who came in after us were seated, I pointed out an empty table and asked if we could sit there. We should've walked out at that point and gone to IHop.
The marinated chicken, two quesadillas, and an omelet, were among the ordered dishes at our table. The cheese quesadillas weren't awful, but they weren't really that much better than Taco Bell. The chicken wasn't edible, and the omelet was tiny and hardly desirable.
The waitstaff was slow and the restaurant itself was kind of dirty. For a Mexican restaurant that you can see the US/Mexican order outside the window, I was expecting the food to taste a lot better than this. Yuck.
Never coming back again. I gave them 2 stars instead of 1 because nobody got sick like we were expecting. -
Review from Sharon W.
El Cajon, CA
4/13/2012
Meh food was ok, service wasn't very good... Probably because we knew very little Spanish, the tables around us speaking Spanish all seemed to be getting excellent service.
My friend ordered Taquitos and she got regular tacos, I ordered Sopes they were pretty good except I didn't like the chirzo one, and my husband ordered mole enchiladas. The mole sauce was pretty good. I don't think I'll come back here again though. -
Review from alan g.
Chula Vista, CA
4/24/2012
i went there with my girlfriend and it was one of the worst lunches ever. the service was completely horrible, our waitress was veryyy slow servicing others before getting to us. We both ordered chilaquiles but they were not great at all, they tasted too much like cilantro and they had the worst sauce ever. they came with a side order of beans and green rice, which the beans where all right but green rice wtf horrible. the only good thing was the horchata. Your better off going to the food court in las americas
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Review from Bella M.
San Diego, CA
4/10/2012
Came here earlier this week and all I gotta say is this place sucks! The staff was slow and took forever to seat me and my friend at a table. Then it took then 30min to get our drinks. After we asked for the check they took like 40min. We could have literally walked out without paying and thy wouldn't have noticed. And should I mention they were understaffed?
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Review from Erika W.
Upland, CA
4/2/2012
Food was decent. Came with my mom and grandma. My mom and I got the chilequiles which was ok, the sauce wasnt that great. The service sucked really bad!!! We were waiting for our waiter forever. It seemed like he was the only one working.
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Review from John G.
La Mesa, CA
2/13/2012 4 Check-ins Here
Pretty good authentic Mexican. Average service. Located in the Las Americas outlet mall. Could use a better beer selection. Try the Tres Leches...it is to die for.
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Review from Alexis D.
7/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I've been here a handful of times in the last couple of years because my sister and mom enjoy this place a lot. I recently ate at Achiote for my mom's surprise b-day breakfast get together with some family.
I do like the location because its right off the freeway and its located in the same parking lot as the Las Americas outlets and you can always find parking.
It's an average mid-size restaurant, well decorated and furnished nicely. The moment you walk in, you'll be greeted and seated by a nice hostess.
I always enjoy their Green Chilaquiles and El Mexicano Omelette. Quite frankly, those are the only plate I've had so far. But, there are very delightful and fulfilling. The eggs in both the platters are always well cooked and fresh. The veggies in the omelette are cut just right and also taste fresh. Their frijoles de la oya and home cooked potatoes are delicious.
The customer service is always spot on and attentive. The prices are fair. Your going to pay as you would at any other chain restaurant.
It's a nice nice establishment to have a nice breakfast, lunch or dinner with friends and/or family. If your near the Las Americas outlets, make sure to stop by and give it a try. -
Review from Bo j.
San Diego, CA
1/16/2012
Expensive version of del taco.
Server knew nothing.
Enough said. -
Review from Eric L.
1/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Well, after spending a couple of awesome days in Rosarito, Mexico, this was our first stop north of the border to eat. It had been a long 1.5 hour wait at the San Ysidro border crossing to get back to the states, and during this time we really developed an appetite. At first I really didn't want Mexican food since we just had the real stuff but my buddy insisted because he said this place was really good and really authentic. So, I gave in although I honestly would've been happy with Micky D's at this point.
Suprisingly the place was empty at dinner rush time. It was around 7pm and there was only 3 other tables seated. They have a pretty extensive menu and it was hard to decide but I eventually wound ordering the Carne Abodabo Torta and 3 tacos (Yes, I was really hungry). The service was very quick and friendly.
Within 10 minutes our food was coming to our table piping hot. The torta was rather large (that's what she said) and the tacos were your standard Mexican tacos. After the first bite, I was sold. Yes, this tastes like the stuff I was just eating south of the border for the past couple of days. Had I not just come from Mexico, I would've probably gave them a 5 star but I couldn't. After eating the awesome food in Rosarito for so cheap, I couldn't justify the prices at Achiote. But, it's to be expected since we're in the states. -
Review from Nadine E.
San Diego, CA
9/7/2010 1 photo
I love going to the Las Americas outlets: I love how every other car in the lot has Baja plates, the cashiers speak in spanish before offering english (if you are anything but white), and you can peer over that ugly wooden fence to look at TJ in all it's glory!
So, it makes sense to get some good mexican food while your here right? However, I gotta say, I'd rather do Old Town any day.
Maybe it's the Korean in me, but I don't want my rice dry and green? The beans were more of a paste like you'd find at Del Taco and my burritos (chile, eggs, chipotle sauce) were definitely fast food quality. My ice tea tasted like eggs. What? How does that even happen?
Next time, I'll save my hunger pains until I get back to SD or at least Chula Vista. Sorry San Ysidro. -
Review from claudia g.
Los Angeles, CA
9/2/2009
This restaurant is located in a shopping/outlet plaza. I had very low expectations of finding good Mexican food. I am happy to report: I was wrong.
Service: Friendly and efficient
Food: We had chilaquiles and sopes. Both were tasty and authentic tasting. The chips and complimentary salsas were also good. If you're a fan of cafe de la oya- their batch is solid. -
Review from Monica R.
San Diego, CA
9/25/2011
No one sat us down and it took about 10 minutes to get somebody's attention. 3 waiters passed by and nothing until we waived someone.
Our first waitress didn't explain very well the Happy hour special and no Happy hour menu. It took another 10 minutes to get our drinks. The restaurant was not busy at all. When we got the bill they charged us full price for the drinks. I would not go there again. -
Review from Noel J.
San Diego, CA
2/2/2009
This isnt your regular " On The Boarder" type of restaurant.
This is legit Mexican food, the kind my aunts and uncles make when I visit Morelia.
Started off with the Guacamole as an appetizer, it was a huge plate of guac, It was too much for the two of us and most went to waste unfortunately.
Everything on the menu looked very tasty, I settled for 3 Chicken enchiladas in Chipotle sauce. Our server, who was super nice and attentive, warned me that it might be hot. She obviously doesn't know that I cover everything in Tapatio usually.
I also had a Strawberry Margarita that was so good and refreshing. Made with real strawberry's instead of some crap mix makes a huge difference.
This place could have scored a little higher if they didnt take so long on getting my wife her Ice Tea (come on, its not that hard), and it seemed to take forever to get our food. It was pretty busy , but nothing crazy.
I did like the fact that on the way out the Manager was asking me how everything was , since our server was so nice and the food was so good I couldn't complain to him.
I will come back the next time we go shopping at the outlet center. -
Review from critiCALmass L.
Walnut Creek, CA
7/6/2008
I've enjoyed La Espadana in TJ for years. I was excited to learn about their sister restaurant near the outlets. But didn't get around to trying it until last weekend.
This restaurant has one of the main chefs from the TJ restaurant, but he was allowed to modify some of the recipes to cater to American tastes . . . that just bugs. Also, the US grown beef and chicken here is okay but I wish they could use Mexican beef and chicken because it tastes so much better for this kind of food.
With that said, the food here is still very, very good if not better than most other Mexican restaurants in SD, in part because they still maintain much of the same cooking methods and continue to use many of the same fresh ingredients used in Mexico.
The salad dish with cilantro dressing was outstanding and big enough to serve four. The chicken with poblano sauce was delicious. The tomotio rice was perfectly seasoned and fluffy. And you won't get a lot of cream another reviewer mentioned provided you don't go for the 'gringo' concoctions they added to the menu for 'Americans.'
The service was a little slow but muy friendly. I look forward to going back soon, and eventually trying their third restaurant planned to open near East Lake. -
Review from Al L.
San Diego, CA
10/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Sit down mexican restaurant with reasonable food next to Las Americas outlet mall. Once seated you get some decent chips with both red and green salsa. Some have said the green is spicier, but I felt the red was hotter. I had the punos. Pieces of steak with bacon covered with cheese. If you pass on the corn tortillas and beans, it's a perfect low carb meal. My wife enjoyed her tostada. Kids like the beans and green rice. Friendly service.
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Review from Kristine B.
San Diego, CA
7/28/2009
I give the food 5 stars because its awesome. And the Verde Sauce I fell in love with I think. I always come here and just get Chilaquiles Verde.
And Dont forget to get Cafe de Olla its awesome. Dont get water to drink though since its so close to the border, there is a funny taste in the water.
the service sometimes is good, but sometimes really bad. Once I was here I was waiting for the bill for about half an hour no lie. That really made me not want to go back again, but the food is just too good. -
Review from Ming W.
West Los Angeles, CA
12/29/2008
Growing up in a Mexican family, nonetheless, in San Diego - you learn to appreciate when you go to a restaurant and they serve THE REAL THING.
We're not talking some local Mexican joint that makes burritos and tacos and dares call themselves a Mexican restaurant.
For example:
Chipotle is NOT real Mexican food.
If you mentioned Taco Bell, Del Taco, Baja Fresh, or La Salsa, please go ahead and slap the $*#% out of yourself. You fail at life.
Achiote, on the other hand, is the real deal. This restaurant is my family's Sunday ritual, and one of the places I always look forward to going whenever I have the chance to return home to San Diego on any given weekend. It doesn't hurt that it's in the Las Americas Plaza [OUTLET SHOPPING!!!] either.
I've been going to Achiote since its inception, and let me tell you, I can never get enough of it. They pay close attention to the flavor of their dishes, and there's never really a dish there that has disappointed me. Their service is also impeccable. As my mother has become lazier with age, I find it harder to have certain dishes unless I make them myself.
After driving three hours to get from LA to Otay Mesa, the last thing I want to do is have to make my own pozole or chile relleno. F that, man. It's not only convenient when the dish is made for you by someone else, but when it's done well, that's the business.
Dishes you MUST TRY are their pozole and their sopes.
Mmm, pozole.
I live for Sunday brunches at Achiote with my family.
If you want REAL Mexican food and you don't know what the hell you're doing [however, if you're a San Diego native, I doubt you have trouble knowing what that is - but apparently here in Los Angeles, they have it a bit twisted], you MUST give Achiote a try. -
Review from D G.
San Diego, CA
9/6/2010
My husband and I have gone a few times to this restaurant, and are definitely fans. We went again the other day with my Mexican brother-in-law. He was surely impressed. We arrived at 8pm on a Saturday night. It was quiet at first, but as soon as the Outlet closed at 9pm, the restaurant was almost packed. It's a real treat to see a Mexican restaurant that is filled with Mexican families. You don't often see that in San Diego.
Our favorites: chips and salsa with both salsas, pollo pasilla (with yummy mushroom sauce), carne asada, enchiladas with chicken mole. My newest favorite is the chicken tortilla soup which is the best I've ever had in a Mexican restaurant. That could have been a meal in itself. And by the way, my Mexican brother-in-law especially liked his chile relleno which came with a really good side of beans.
We'll be back! -
Review from Yolanda B.
Chula Vista, CA
5/17/2008
I just stopped here by chance to have lunch with my mom on a beautiful Saturday afternoon and we were pleasantly surprised. We shared the carne asada torta and the order of sopes. We pigged out, brought some home and all for $22. The torta was huge and had carne, bacon, melted cheese and guacamole. It was sooo good. The sope plate had 3 good sized sopes with a choice of chicken, shredded beef or chorizo. We got the combo dish and they were very tasty!
I liked this place. Maybe I got lucky or maybe this place is worth trying. -
Review from Mikey L.
San Diego, CA
3/6/2008
I usually frequent this place for breakfast usually. This place is owned by the the same owner as "La Espadana" in Tijuana, but not as tasty as the one in Tijuana. But I recommend having they're coffee "de la hoya". That's what has me going back for more over and over. It's coffee with cinnamon, and lightly sweetened, so I like drinking it without creamer or sugar. It's that great.
They're dinner items are okay, but one dish I absolutely love is the appetizer, "Queso fundido". You get corn or flour tortillas to eat this melted cheese with chorizo and green peppers...very great tasting.
I could write more...but I think I'm headed out this place just thinking about it. Check it out sometime...don't take my opinion for it! -
Review from Glenn R.
San Jose, CA
8/17/2009
Chilaquiles Verdes were yummy. $8.99
Ensalada Fruta was fresh and tasty $7.49
Service was friendly and prompt.
Decor was blah. Reminded me of Denny's.
Good for kids with the crayons, coloring mat , connect the dots and word search =) -
Review from Erin K.
La Mesa, CA
5/11/2011
We had a strange experience there. My husband and I were tired of shopping and so close to the border that we decided to pop in for a drink and appetizer. When we first walked in we noticed all the pies they sold and it kind of reminded me of Maire Calenders meets On the Border. We sat down and looked at the drink list and saw that they really highlight the margaritas. So my husband got a mango and I got a traditional for around $8 a piece. When they arrived they had chili pepper on the rim and they tasted like straight Margarita mix you buy in the store. We are usually not the type to complain but asked the waiter and he said that they cant use tequila because they don't have a liquor licence. They use something else that is sweet and like a syrup. Since tequila is the main component of a margarita, if they didn't include it, they probably should have mentioned on the menu or the waiter could of said something when we ordered it.
So we asked to have two beers instead and they said they can only give us dessert. Humm. By this time we already paid (that was our mistake) and he said that he was not able to give us any money back or credit our debit card. So then he asked me to give him all my bank information and he said he will go down to the bank the next day and put money into my account. Well of course that sounded shady so we just left and just chalked it up to $18 chips and salsa. The chips were good but definitely not that good. -
Review from Lea B.
Livermore, CA
2/21/2009 2 photos
OK, so you know how some restaurants are hyped for having a "water view" or something breathtaking and scenic? Well, this place has what I like to call "a border view." OK, OK, so technically there's no windows facing the fence itself, but the parking lot for this Mexican joint backs up to the Mexico-U.S. border. The closest you can get to Mexican food but still feel OK about drinking the water.
We were in San Diego for a long weekend and our friend's brother who lives in SD said some Mexican friends of his took him here once. We pull up and it's basically like a Coco's or something as far as looks inside and outside go, kinda funny. It's a Saturday night and honest pretty empty ... a few other tables ... but then again, it's not really in a "hot spot" like the Gaslamp District or something, heh heh.
The menu was pretty big. We all split a pitcher of beer (Tecate, I'm thinkin'). The chips and salsa were pretty tasty, and we definitely refilled them at least once. There wasn't much in way of seafood, so I opted for the cheese enchiladas plate. Just as I was ready to dig into the beans, my fiance (who just tasted them) warned me they had chorizo in them! Damn! (I don't eat that). So I had to forgo the beans, but there was plenty of enchilada and rice, that's for dang sure. HUGE plates o' food.
My food was ... decent. I honestly can't say if this is *hella* authentico Mexican or not ... I've only spent one day in Ensenada (thanks, Carnival Cruise Line!), where I had some killer fish tacos, thank you very much. Anyway, this place is total three stars for me, but my "border view" bumps it up to four! I was so excited to see it -- I took pictures. Yes, I am a loser, I know. But it's important to find joy in the small stuff, heh heh! -
Review from Paul A.
Spring Valley, CA
9/5/2011
If you don't speak/understand Spanish, don't come here.
I don't speak one lick of Spanish and had a hard time understanding the server and reading the menu. After ordering and receiving our food 25 minutes later, it was nothing special or even slightly above average.
We won't be returning. -
Review from sophie a.
San Diego, CA
12/15/2008
this is like the Mexican Marie Callendars or the Mexican Applebee's - family owned and operated though. They have a chain in Mexico but this is the first restaurant in the US - they are opening another in Eastlake soon.
they serve Breakfast - like the very tasty chorizo and eggs burrito - all day. typical mexican food but some very interesting things on the menu I'd never seen or tasted before - like the "Hermita" a crispy piece of fried cheese layered between chicken or beef in a warm tortilla - pizza hut - take note! more ways to use cheese!! cheese with fried cheese, fried cheese wrapped in cheese then fried with more cheese!! cheese!!
the guacamole was very obviously from the Costco guacamole pack - which was a bummer. even I mix the Costco guac with some onions, fresh cilantro and tomatoes to make it more "homemade." the lemonade was homemade - very sugary. inexplicably, instead of selling delicious Mexican desserts they offer slices of cake and whole cakes, their specialty I presume. hence the Mexcian marie callendars comparison. oh, and they had flan.
service was slow but very easy on the eyes - the place was packed at 3pm when we decided to have a late brunch/dinner meal - lots of families - I think we were the only one speaking english, which was kind of cool - vacation in your own country!
I would hit this place after shopping at the neiman marcus last call. -
Review from Nadiyah S.
Imperial Beach, CA
11/2/2009
How long did you walk around before you found the entrance?
First off they have all these doors that don't lead IN! If you plan on going here you have to walk away from the parking lot to the busy street side. Apparently that is the only door that leads in.
I was totally hoping for some kick ass chilaquiles, but all I got was disappointment. We were told that this place was awesome for them, but maybe I tried the wrong one. I usually go with traditional, but my mom decided to get 'experiemental' and went with the creamy cilantro one. Bad choice. The fried tortillas mixed with the thick cream sauce felt like a recipe for a guaranteed heart attack. It was so intense that after a few bites you pretty much had enough.
After passing over the chilaquiles I awaited my scrambled eggs. You can't mess up on that right? Yep. It was just weird, non fluffy over scambled egg stuff. I pushed that aside too. The last saving grace was the tortilla soup, which was decent. The pieces of avocado and extra crispy tortilla strips saved my meal a bit. Although, even at that, the soup was pretty darn salty.
I'm going to try this place one more time. And read over you five star people's suggestions. I was really looking forward to a good, more traditional Mexican meal, but I was disappointed. Maybe it was hyped up too much. Here's hoping for next time.. -
Review from Selene P.
Long Beach, CA
10/28/2008
Afordable and tasty! I love their café de olla!
I always get enchiladas when I go there, but I've dropped by for breakfast a couple of times too, and their Huevos divorciados and omelettes are great! -
Review from Kelly O.
Updated - 6/27/2010 1 photo
I'm so disappointed to be writing a not-so-great review about this place. The first time I ate here, over a year ago, I thought the food was delicious, especially the sopes. I ate there several times after that.
I went again yesterday for the first time in a while and I was disappointed. Something about the sopes was different and they were a bit bland and just not nearly as good as before. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't great either.
Even the chips they gave us with the meal didn't taste great - almost like they were just a bit stale.
My eating partner's meal was only ok as well.
I'm sad that this place has gone downhill, because it used to be a nice treat to go here after hitting the outlets.Listed in: Mexican Food in SD
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/3/2009
Super impressed by this place!
I was shopping at the Las Americas outlets when hunger struck, and… Read more »
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Review from Georgie A.
San Diego, CA
5/27/2008
So the other morning i had breakfast here with 2 of my chick friends. I had never been here. I have to say this place far exceeded my expectations. I had the steak ranchero plate. It was nice in portion and tasted great. they ordered chilaquiles. Which looked awesome.
I will probably go back some day, just to see if the dinner menu is as tasty as breakfast. 4 stars only because it took a while to get a hold of the waiter for the check. -
Review from Ana M.
Chula Vista, CA
12/3/2008
I L-O-V-E achiote! I tried la Espadana in Tj on the recommendation of a friend who lives there and fell in love with it. Unfortunately, I don't want to risk my life for some Chilaquiles, so I am lucky enough to have Achiote here! it's basically the same idea as their TJ counterpart but omg you HAVE to try the cafe de la olla. If they offer you regular coffee tell the "De La OLLA!" it's got a cinammon-y flavor to it and it's just straight up homemade ranch style coffee. Reminds me of my gramma's house in mexico.
Also the Chilaquiles de mole. To die for. You can add chicken to that too. I've also had their Omelet Espadana or Especial whatever it's called. Super delish too!
Try it. You won't regret it. It will be like eating at a really nice restaurant in TJ but you don't have to worry about getting shot. Welll, at least not yet..... Cheers. -
Review from Jeff G.
Santee, CA
11/8/2009
My wife and I decided to walk around the outlets on a Saturday afternoon. Not really digging the food court fare, we decided to cross the parking lot and try Achiote. It is very much like a cross between On The Border and Coco's - basic interior, large size, and yes you have to walk halfway around the building to find the entrance, which really makes no sense.
It is not your typical American style Mexican food, but you'd be surprised that the food they serve as Mexican food in Mexico is not typically what we think of either. It's nice to try a different style.
The service was efficient and friendly. The chips are good but a little bit greasy. There are two kinds of salsas, both quite good. One is a chipotle style red sauce, the other was kind of a cilantro-based green sauce. They serve breakfast all day, so my wife had eggs and guacamole. It was a good portion, but she said it was about what she expected. I ordered the La Hermita, which was a quesadilla with fried cheese, chicken (also comes in beef or mushrooms), and a green cilantro sauce. It was really good and the refried beans were red beans and very tasty.
Unfortunately I may have eaten too much because I was not feeling great the rest of the day. But they also refilled my Diet Coke once and it was a 26 ounce glass which means 52 ounces of soda for someone who usually has about 12-20 ounces a week was not good. I did not sleep well probably because I was on caffeine overload.
I may try again. This was a worthy place and there were a couple of other dishes I wanted to try. -
Review from Rafael B.
Chula Vista, CA
7/12/2009
The food is good but the service is non-existent . Yesterday Morning we ordered breakfast and got it fairly quick but after that our waiter never came back. My wife wanted more coffee and even after we asked other waiters for it nobody showed up. Our check never came either. I had to ask somebody else for it.
Hard to come back when there is no service -
Review from Jason M.
San Diego, CA
5/24/2010
I would say my rating is more 2 1/2 starts
The service was ok. It took a while for the waiter to greet us and take our drink orders.
I ended up having the carne asada torta and my gf ordered the tortilla soup. It was my first time having a torta so I can't compare it to any other place. It was pleasantly good. I had half a torta and some tortilla soup and I was full. I saved the other half for dinner. My gf liked the tortilla soup but I thought it was salty.
Half way through our meal we were done with our drinks and the waiter didn't even bother to fill it up. That's what dropped them half a star. -
Review from Rob C.
San Diego, CA
1/30/2009
Tasty food at reasonable prices. Their breakfast is great and served all day. Watch out for the giant portions, though--we wish we had skipped the appetizers because we ended up taking most of our dinner home.
Service was not very friendly, which was a big surprise because the whole place has a very appealing "just-like-home" kind of vibe. -
Review from Yvette L.
Burbank, CA
12/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
I came here today after driving by on several occasions and I am glad I did. I ordered sopes (chicken and beef) and they were really good. Nicely seasoned, however they could have been a little more fried. The service was great, and the menu offered all of the traditional favorites (chilaquiles, chile rellenos, flautas, carne asada, huevos a la mexicana). I'll def. go back.
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Review from Bob P.
San Diego, CA
3/21/2009
I've been to this joint about a handful of times. Every time I go I want to leave loving the food, but honestly although it is good, it leaves you wanting it to be a bit more. Example today I had 3 sopes. For those that don't know, a sope is made up sort of like a tortilla but more doughy and fried. It is topped with beans, shredded beef, lettuce, cream and some salsa for $8.99. They are good all right, but I've had just as good at a taco shop for about $4 or $5 bucks. The cafe de olla is pretty good. It's made with grated panocha. That's right..if you don't know, you betta aks somebody. The vibe is cool and the service is decent. You will be happy with the dining experience overall and it's a nice change of pace for Sunday breakfast. I know I'll definitely be back especially when they open their Eastlake location and hopefully one day they'll realize their full potential and blow my socks off.
P.S. I'd probably give them a 3 and a half stars if possible. -
Review from Jennifer J.
San Diego, CA
2/3/2009
I love Mexican food and if it weren't for the fact that I can feel my ass growing larger each time I eat Mexican food, I would eat it for 3 meals a day.
Achiote was no El Torito (not saying that El Torito is not tasty in it's own way). The place kind of felt like a "chain restaurant" and except for all the the people around me speaking Spanish and the authentic looking menu items, I would have thought it was. (Come to find out after have eating here, they do have a chain of them in Mexico).
My husband and I were on our way to do some damage while shopping at the outlet mall that the restaurant resides in and we needed some grub first. (I get real grumpy, real quick, if I am hungry)
I decided to have iced tea and Noel had a margarita. He enjoyed his margarita so much that he had me try it. I have to admit, pretty darn good! You could tell it was made with fresh strawberries and not just the syrup.
I couldn't decide what to order since everything on the menu looked so tasty but I finally went with eggs ranchero and a cheese enchilada in bean sauce. We also ordered a guacamole appetizer to share.
Our server was really sweet and refilled my iced tea at least 5 times, always with a smile. I appreciated that.
The guac came out and it was HUGE. Literally a large soup bowl of goodness, it had to have been at least 6 avocados. With that said, the amount was good but the taste was slightly lacking. Just not enough spice in it.
So, our food took awhile to come out and when it arrived, it looked pretty great. The man had chicken enchiladas and they looked tasty as well.
One bite in, too much sauce on everything. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy sauces but I want to taste the food under neath too! But I was hungry and so I ate. Noel was scraping cheese off of his plate too!! Like I said, we were hungry and I don't like to complain about food, so we ate.
All in all, the food was OK, food took awhile but the server was extremely nice and accommodating. The price was not too bad either.
It was a so-so meal and now we were off to find the deals!
Next time, I will ask, "Light on the sauce, please". -
Review from G C.
San Diego, CA
10/11/2010 2 photos
Really didn't have a lot of options within the vicinity, we did a little shopping at the outlet and just wanted to get a little appetizer before we saw a show at Crickett Wireless, so we decided to check this place out...the place was dead! Service was slow, took the server forever to even get our order and the food was just okay, I've actually had better mexican food somewhere else...you would think that food would be good, since it's literally next to the border...guess I thought wrong!
