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i already have my favorite Mexican place but this place comes in 2nd place! Love the veggie and fish burrito! Bonus ... this place takes credit cards which is hard to find!
check it out ... i dare you!
Hey Mr. Taco! Yeah, that's right, you, Del... Is that you working in the back at Rico's? Cause Rico's sure does taste like Del Taco.
Don't get me wrong, I used to disgustingly indulge in Del Taco on a weekly basis when I lived in fast food heaven by USC. I used to order Del Taco's Veggieworks burrito with a side of crinkle cut fries. Hey, don't laugh, I was a poor college student and didn't know any better! I used to like Taco Bell too! But anyway, I tried Rico's famous Justin burrito that everyone and their mom seems to order and I thought it tasted just like my Veggieworks burrito with like 2 of those crinkle cut fries stuffed in it. I also had to peel off a layer of tortilla because double wrapping is really unnecessary. Why add more fat and cals to an already fatty burrito? I'm sorry Justin, but I could've gotten that burrito at Del Taco for half the price. It basically tasted like a bean burrito with sprinkles of cheese, fries, lettuce, and guac.
Of course I've also tried the b&c here and thought it was decent, but those are pretty dang hard to mess up. I was being nice and thoughtful one night and bought carne asada tacos for someone and all they could say to me was, "don't ever go back there again." So much for some appreciation! But I'm guessing the carne asada really was not so hot.
Sorry Rico, there are too many other places for me to get my fix at. I probably won't be one of those 16 year olds that patronize your shop daily and order Justin burritos unless you decide to replace Del and Justin...
So when I'm recording with Kyle W. up at his place in Encinitas, Rico's is pretty much a standby to turn hangry (hungry + angry) rockers into happy-go-lucky music machines.
Being a vegetarian, I can't comment on the carne asada, etc. that all you meat-eaters are getting fussy about. And beans, cheese, rice, all that stuff is pretty tough to screw up. (But some do.) For me, it's all about the tortilla and hot sauce, and I dig the ones here. A lot. Fresh, warm, floury...good stuff. And the hot sauce. Unique and spicy but flavorful.
Plus...TWO different kinds of orange soda available? Two? Awesome. I prefer the Orange Crush, and I love the fact that Rico's has it here. Win.
Best example of awesome: today before we headed out for a much needed break from rock, Kyle's like "I may not get anything. Or something small." So dude gets a full veggie burrito, slathered in wonderful hot sauce. That's just how it is, man. Roll with it.
I must say, after eating a justin burrito here, all mexican food I have ate before and after has never been the same. One of the best burritos I have ever eaten.
The hot sauce is awesome. It's so good they have to put up signs not to steal the bottle.
Love the bean and cheese burrito. Not really a fan of them putting lettuce in the carne asada or carnitas burrito.. I guess I'm just an unhealthy person. But seriously, the lettuce is weird. The people who work here are sweet- I like that they put the brownies out on the counter for you to eat while you wait. I still think Raul's is the best. And Roberto's is grosssss.
I work down the street from Rico's again, things are right with the universe. They always know how many hot sauces I want, and seriously, not one burrito has fallen apart on me. That is a bragging right.
After a 6 month span of living in Portland and coming to get a Justin immediately after returning to… Read more »
Have to say I've been a fan of Rico's as long as I could stuff veggie black bean burritos in my mouth (15+ years). Used to ditch school to walk the long trek here, before they started offering Rico's at lunch hour at my high school.
Back in the day they used to put out brownies to eat while you waited. I miss those tasty treaty days! Also, they changed the hot sauce contents in the past ten years, what gives? It was perfect to begin with.
Always loved them, always will.
Hola to Jorge and Hugo! Keep up the awesome that you guys are!
I moved to San Diego, specifically Encinitas 10 years ago, at the ripe age of 16. Thanks to my fellow classmates and their desire to skip out on social scene that took place during our "lunch hour", I was introduced to Rico's. I know tons of people who have ordered almost everything off the menu, but me? I have only, repeat... I have ONLY ordered the following: bean and cheese burrito, extra cheese, side of guacamole. I have never, in my entire life, tasted a bean+cheese burrito as good as Rico's been+cheese burrito. My mouth waters at just the thought of placing an order. I have to say though.... this Leslie P gal... I don't think she knows good guac becuase Rico's serves A+ avo-goodness!
Remember when they used to serve BRC burritos at Oak Crest? Those were the days. I was so sad when they stopped serving them in high school! At least Rico's isn't too far and I could still satisfy my craving. I'm definitely a fan of their hot sauce and would probably say it's one of my top 3. I also like their rolled tacos with guacamole, but the real reason for coming here is the BRC burrito. The only thing I do not like here is their carne asada burritos. Why would you add lettuce? I do not understand.
Reasons why Rico's is awesome:
1) Great tasting food, especially their breakfast burritos.
2) Everything is really cheap (whoever said that the prices are high must be a homeless person who somehow managed to find a computer. Their tacos are not even $2).
3) Portions are satisfying. To be honest, I have never finished a burrito by myself.
4) They wrap their tacos in not just paper, but also tin foil so there's no oil leaking through the bag. How considerate.
5) The salsa isn't watered down like all the other taco joints.
6) Workers are always super friendly.
Haters can suck it. Other than Juanita's, there's no other Mexican taco shop in North County that can compare.
It is not often that I assign such a high review, but Rico's is a restaurant that I love and cherish. Growing up in Encinitas, one has many choices for quality Mexican food, but Rico's is easily one of the most well-rounded establishments in the area. In the tradition of a San Diego style Mexican joint, the walls are charmingly painted, hot sauce is always plentiful, and the people are friendly and funny. The California is probably what warrants Rico's such praise, but others such as the Justin, Rolled Tacos, Fries, and various breakfast selections also lend much credibility to the joint.
I love coming in to Rico's on late afternoons, just before the dinner crowd, to encounter sparsely occupied booths, and a peaceful relaxed atmosphere--unhurried and tranquil--just like the Encinitas of my childhood. Nostalgia points aside, I wholeheartedly recommend Rico's to anyone.
I am taking away one star. I just had the worst CA burrito here in my life. Rico's is so over ratted.
When I attened SDA /LCC a few years ago everyone loved this place. And I really don't see the big… Read more »
Best. Burritos. EVER.
I would kill for a Justin Burrito. Seriously. I love them so much I've eaten TWO in a row!! The guy at the counter always remembers me even though I don't live in SD and unfortunately don't make it to Rico's several times a week :) It's just a great place to be, definitely worth a visit.
My only complaint is they close at 9pm. NINE. That's way too early for me.
Yuck.
My stomach is attempting to digest badly thawed Ralph's freezer fries, over processed cheese, and the tomato sauce they call hot sauce. Worst California burrito evah.
Yuck.
My love affair with Rico's began many years ago, at a time when Encinitas was very different. There were about 100 fewer stop lights and no Lexuses. The shopping center Rico's calls home was a local retail powerhouse, hosting such giants as Target, Aaron Brothers, Miller's Outpost, and Clothestime. It was a time when their burritos were about 1.7 times as large as they are now.
Rico's was easy to grow smitten with. It was intriguing and beautiful, wearing a mural of an impossibly long carpet floating above pre-Columbian Mexico. It was inspiring as it proudly declared its stand against lard. It was exotic, choosing to offer gyros to the hungry masses. And ohhhh the sauce, what a powerful, delightful concoction. Though not particularly spicy, it seduces you with a bold, zesty flavor that somehow perfectly complements any food product at all.
Our relationship blossomed. I spent countless hours sipping icy cold Orange Bang on Rico's worn booth seats. I took great delight in listening to its employees calling out such completed orders as "bean and rice slice" and "beef pepsi." I eagerly awaited the holidays so that we could spend time together being mesmerized by the tiny mechanical Santa Claus that dutifully climbed up and down his ladder. I dreamed that Rico's would upgrade by moving into the nearby Sizzler building, offering dancing at night under the name "Rick's After Dark." While spending time apart from Rico's, I'd send it postcards, addressed "Rico's Taco Shop, Encinitas, CA, 92024," to discover upon my return that the postmaster did not need a street address to find this wonderful eatery. And I was not at all surprised. It was comfortable and safe and charming. Rico's was my Cheers.
As with many young romances, the summer heat of ours gave way to fall's cool winds when I left for college. The long-distance relationship was difficult to maintain, as I learned that bean and cheese burritos are not very good after freezing and thawing. Regrettably, we lost touch.
Several years later, we've grown reacquainted, and now laying eyes upon Rico's without the reluctance to acknowledge it's flaws, I can see it for what it is: a good, albeit overcrowded, healthy neighborhood Cal-Mex eatery. Rico's can be challenging in that it's impossible to dine here at peak hours because the line of high school kids goes on forever. It's liberties with traditional taqueria fare sometimes miss the mark (see spicy carrots). And it's not open terribly late, so if you want lard-free Mexican-inspired food at the end of a bender, you better start your bender at lunch. However, though the burritos appear to be shrinking considerably as years pass, Rico's offers a somewhat healthier take on Mexican food with a unique palette of flavors. It's a really nice change of pace if you've already eaten at 'Berto's 6 times this week.
Also, just by chance, I got pickled in Vegas and ended up shooting craps next to the super-nice lady that owns the place. I hadn't been in to Rico's for a few years at that point, but she still remembered my name. She's awesome.
What a disappointment.
I ordered my usual favorite 3 rolled tacos with guacamole and a carne asada burrito.
Ricos is all about short cuts.
The guacamole was cut with mayo.
Are they out of their minds? You don't fake guacamole at a Mexican food restaurant.
The carne asada burrito seemed to be missing carne asada.
Oh, it looked like a carne burrito from the outside but inside was a surprise.
A flour tortilla wrapped around a mass of shredded lettuce and about a teaspoon of carneasada. Jenny Craig with be thrilled!!!!
The walls in this place are decorated with local news print. Headlines reading - Ricos is big hit in Encinitas. Why??? Who did they hit???
There's a few cute little crayon drawings thanking Ricos for something, but it couldn't be for the food.
Maybe Rico gave some kid a dollar to spend at the 99 cent store.
I'd thank him for that.
Or maybe Rico advised someone that they could drink the water but shouldn't eat the food.
I draw a picture with crayons for that kind of advise.
A few notes and autographs framed and hanging on the walls from Tony Hawk and some local muscle head from the fitness place in the same parking lot. WHOOPDI FREAKIN DO!!! Maybe Tony burned his taste buds on a pizza the night before. It could happen.
They even have inspiring burritos named after their loyal customers, if there really are such people.
The "Justin Burrito" filled with french fries, beans and loads of other crap, double wrapped in flour tortillas.
Ummmmm Yummmmy! 2 flour tortillas to choke on. (Can I have a gallon a water to go with that please? No, really, please! I think I'm dehydrating into a pile of dust).
Yeah, I'll get that mess the next time I fall out of a moving car and roll through the door breaking both arms and legs, unable to crawl out of here. Unless, of course, I'm lucky enough to break my jaw and teeth as well.
Please Rico please! Put the salad shooter and mayonnaise away.
Make me some Mexican food.
I've got a few good ideas for naming their food.
How bout calling one "The Carne Asada Burrito" and then actually filling it with carne asada. And how bout "3 Rolled Tacos with Guacamole" and then using real guacamole and some kind of shredded beef.
If I could rename what I actually got, I think I would call it "The Tossed Salad Burrito"
I ate here a lot growing up after beach trips so, naturally, I've defaulted to it on a handful of occasions more recently: I've been completely underwhelmed. The veggie burritos (this is my most recent experience; though I've have had a small variety of things on the menu) are average at best: overpriced, small, and don't come with guacamole (comeon, guys). It's not that the food I've had there is bad, it's just unremarkable and the prices are a little high. I'm also not digging the customer base so much (see below) or the energy/vibe that follows.
In short: this place is obviously a novelty for the "locals" (lots of rich white kids who are only in the area by default), and I sort of feel like a jerk for recommending it.
I love Ricos. The food is fast, healthy, and the service is mexcellent! I know I will always get exactly what I ordered.
Its filled with local kids, people in suits, and authentic mexicans. Oh and its owned by greeks.
The california may not be the best but its better then most, I like how the fries are extra crunchy.
The flautas are always a winner, as is the BRC burrito and dont forget the Justin, a healthy version of the California.
My only complaint is I am not a fan of their hot sauce at all. It is way to sweet.
Favorite taco shop. I just wish they were closer to me in Sd. Sauce rocks
My friend wanted Mexican and I wanted Greek. Rico's! Owners are Greek which means they have Gyros here.
My friend was particularly large, which meant that I had the unique opportunity to try many many different items. Of which, none were savory.
I will only go into detail on my Gyro, which was made with beef and lacked the tzatziiki sauce. The beef was on the dry side, as was the pita. Not too happy with the food here, although the menu did look fun (cheeseburger burrito?). I am not so turned off by this restaurant so as to never enter again, but if I did come back, I wouldn't order anything. Just watch my overly portioned friend down his Mexican food.
I will commend Rico's on their ability to serve up a variety of entree's in a timely manner whilst charging only a small fee.
Rico's is an encinitas institution. They're known for their burritos, so get a burrito, not an enchilada platter or rolled tacos and guac...a burrito!
Pros:
1. Not greasy
2. Friendly staff
3. Flavorful hot sauce (not vinegary or too spicy)
4. Good tortillas
5. They're cool with substitutions.
5. Nothing has changed in 20 years
Cons:
1. Their Guacamole is blah.
Justin Burrito- try it, you will understand the hype. Nothing "vegetarian" has ever tasted so good. Even though their hot sauce might be an acquired taste, it is the best around. With tax the justin burrito is 4.20 (an easy price to remember...) but I haven't been there in a while (shame shame) so it may have gone up. Basically the burritos are so huge I can eat half for one meal and save the other half for the drunk munchies. My friends really like the CA burrito so give that one a try too.
Call me crazy, call me stupid, call me insane.
But am I wrong to expect to have just a little CARNE ASADA in my CARNE ASADA burrito? Or am I just being too nit-picky or something? Is it supposed to be 90% lettuce with a just a HINT of meat thrown in for COLOR???
Ok, so Rico Suave gets an "F" on my acid test for Mexican restaurants. So, why the 3 stars? Because the freaking vegetarian Justin burrito is terrific. It's larger than a football, wrapped in TWO fresh tortillas and tastes great. I couldn't believe it. And the hot sauce is good, too.
Maybe I should order the lettuce burrito next time and see what I get.
I have lived in San Diego my whole life, and I know my mexican food.
Rico's, to my disappointment, is one of the WORST places that I have been to in my life. I love having hot sauce on my food, but when I have to pour and pour my hot sauce onto my burrito or carne asada fries; I feel like I have lost all of my food into the sea of sauce that I have poured.
Rico's has really gone down to the bottom of my mexican food list.
The only thing that I feel is good at this location is their Orange Bang (a drink) which I can get somewhere else.
No joke, every time I drive by Rico's Taco Shop I see boat load of customers waiting for their food. After seeing the line out the door on numerous occasions, I had to experience it first hand.
Beef Tacos: I could hardly find any meat in the taco at all. ... and what I found was lousy shredded beef that lacked in flavor. Taco shell was nice and crunchy but the three tables spoon worth of grease that poured out off set that score quickly.
Cheese enchilada: sauce is straight out of the can, cheese wasn't melted at all and the tortilla was dry, it must not have been soaked in the sauce long enough.
Their flagship product Justin Burrito is nothing but double layers of dried tortilla with copious filling of bean and cheese, French fries and nasty brown guacamole. Great size for the price but I feel that double wrapping is just overkill.
And this is where I draw the line - mild flavorless salsa made with cheap tomato that tastes like tin can. Looked and tasted somewhat like a marinara sauce heavy on the oregano.
Service did not make up for it, but if you like to pick up on high school kids, go for it. Food is really cheap, and you get what you pay for. I should of known, the supposed "authentic taco shop" serves gyros!
As a San Diego native, I know my mexican food... and I judge my hole-in-the-walls based on both flavor and atmosphere.
I went to Rico's expecting great things, after I had heard SOOOO much from my encinitas friends...
Unfortunately, Rico's now tops my list of most unmemorable, most unspectacular, most BORING places to grab food in the county... and my friends have lost ALL credibility.
My burritos have never been more bland (I shouldn't HAVE to put sauce on everything, dammit!)... and their carrots are such a disappointment. ...I'd much rather go to a random "-berto's" than give Rico's a third try.
*MEH!*
Rico's in Encinitas offers some seriously tasty (and lard free) Mexican Food. The famous Justin Burrito is definitely worth a try (i usually have my boyfriend help me because i can't finish this huge double wrapped burrito). If you love moist and tender carne asada, give the carne asada or california burrito a try. Their spicy salsa can't be beat!
edit: i must say that i've been on a real Justin Burrito kick as of late, and the service these days isn't what it used to be. the staff isn't very friendly & the wait is usually longer that I like to wait for a taco shop burrito. The ONLY thing that keeps me coming back is their Heavenly tasting salsa & the justin burrito. As stacy mentioned, expect to be Swarmed with the likes of snotty rich kids. Take it to go, trust me on this one.
If I'm lucky, I go with a friend that loves it as much as I do and we order two burritos and split them both: Veggie burrito( beans, cheese, rice, tomatoes, lettuce) with fresh avocado and a Justin Burrito(beans, cheese, french fries, guac, lettuce, two tortillas). Absolute heaven.
They are reallly nice about making substitutions if you are a veg, or if you want to create your own burrrrr. MMMM I love it.
Well I have been eating here for over a decade now, and I have to say it's phenomenal "mexican" food. Mexican in quotes, since it's really fresh and California style.
I could literally write a long list of my experiences, but here's the deal. Get the hot sauce, and get a Orange Bang with your order. I suggest the standard item, the California Burrito, but there are tens of items and combos that you can order from here.
It's a dingy hole in the wall. You won't want to eat there, but its perfect for take out. We lived off Ricos for many years after school, when mom was tired out from work, so much so she'd not want to cook.
this was the WORST MExican food I ve ever had. I ordered the shredded beef enchiladas with rice and beans So not fresh, oily and salty!! I felt so sick after. Id never ever eat here again.
Service they were really rude and SUPER stingy no guacamole or lettuce or tomatoes and wanted to charge me for salsa fresca with my combo!! thats undeard of.!! never had such a bad experience. Worst of all, the food..
My absolute favorite North County taco shop! I don't think i've ever had a tastier California Burrito in my life! And the hot sauce is to die for! I wish they'd bottle that stuff up! The cheese enchiladas are melted through to the center, just the way I like 'em! The veggie burrito is pretty high on my list too!
All I have to say is "YUMMY!"
OK, I must admit I'm giving this 2 stars just because so many other people have given this ridiculous 4 and 5 star ratings.
I can usually rely on yelp to point out some really good/interesting restaurants, but this was a major disappointment. I was driving back home to SD from LA and wanted a good authentic mexican fast food taqueria or something similar.
Rico's is pretty basic inside, but that's fine if the food is good. Their menu is extremely generic. Anybody looking for a California burrito on their menu doesn't understand authentic mexican food. They don't have a salsa bar. All they have is hot sauce. I ordered chips and salsa (not on the menu for some reason) and got a very generic pico de gallo spread across some stale chips.
The fish taco was more like a fish stick in a tortilla and the chicken tacos were extremely basic. They didn't give me the water I ordered with my meal, it took them quite a long time to prepare three tacos, and they weren't very responsive or friendly when I went back up for the "hot sauce" I should have received to begin with.
To summarize: the is a very generic, maybe 3 star mexican fast food joint with heavily americanized content and very average fare. It's a great place to go if you are craving mexican and have no where else to go (and can't make it better yourself).
Rico's Taco Shop is a local favorite. The food, drinks, service, and atmosphere are on point. The shop can get pretty crowded during lunch time so the technique of calling ahead (your order) is crucial if you don't mind spending an extra five minutes.
A personal favorite would be the California burrito because of the special hot sauce(reason why i'm giving rico's 4 stars). The hot sauce is really the distinguishing factor among other local taco shops. Which is one of the main reasons that draws me to the taco shop. The sauce has a consistency of pizza sauce with a combination of who knows what that makes it ever so good.
I've been going there for 4 years now, and I've noticed that the burritos have decreased in size. After completing one, I resort to using the one free refill to filling up my stomach.
Rico's taco shop is a great place with great food.
EDIT: after frequenting karina's in leucadia for a while, i decided to get a rico's cali burrito.
...the burrito looked literally looked like a ball. The smallest burrito i have ever seen in my time in San Diego. I've known that the burritos have became smaller and smaller. However, I never thought it would decrease to look like meat,fries, cheese wrapped to look like a ball.
For a California burrito....go to Karina's.
In fact, go to Rico's, steal the sauce, then go to Karinas.
Horrible.
Ahhh, Rico's, how I miss you! Every time I come back to San Diego, my first stop is Rico's and what a pleasure it is. I usually order a Bean, Rice and Cheese Burrito with extra rice but on occasion I'll order the carne asada burrito (or california burrito). Both are excellent!
I agree with Chelsea L. on the statement that Rico's is the "best mexican food in Encinitas, and in my opinion all of Southern California." I grew up on Rico's and I have this funny feeling that nothing will ever compare.
The hot sauce at Rico's is awesome too! It's such spicy enough to leave a little tingle on your tongue and it complements the burritos perfectly. I love it!
Rico's has traveled with me everywhere too. When I was in college I would bring back BRC xR burritos to my roommates, I've brought them to Boston when visiting and even to London when I was there last summer! Rico's has been spread worldwide...now if only I could find a way to get them to New York...my life would be complete. =)
Rico's will always hold a special place in my heart. Why? Because they make some of the BEST burritos in all of San Diego, if not all the world. I rarely order anything else - if you are going to Rico's you are there to order a burrito. Nothing else. For a taste of Rico's true amazingness order the wolrd-famous JUSTIN BURRITO - packed with beans, cheese, rice, guacamole, lettuce, double wrapped. What makes Rico's truly unique is their hot sauce (more like mexican ketchup) placed at every table in a squeezable ketchup bottle. Apply generously. There's plenty of booths and tables but the place can fill up during lunch time. Call in your order ahead of time for pick up if you'd like. This place is amazing. Period.
Best taco shop in Encinitas. I've loved this place since high school. When I walk through those doors all I'm thinking about is the Vegetarian burrito with chicken. Yeah, the name of that what is strange, but it's magically delicious. If you're hungover it's downright heaven. If you're in Enci you have to go there. Call in your order ahead of time, sometimes it can get busy.
OK, so it's not as authentic as some other Mexican places claim to be, nor is it all fancy and glitzy. But seirously folks, there's no place like Rico's. I come home from college, and guess what my first stop for food is. You've guessed it.
Rico's is still on my speed-dial after three years of being away from Encinitas, and I've no idea how those guys do it, but they still don't need to ask for my name when I call in. (No, I don't have a freakish voice. I just order the same thing every time with the same modifications)
Tips from a seasoned Rico's patron:
1) Call in. Seriously. They get busy, and you don't want to wait in line for 15 minutes to order, and ANOTHER 20 to get your food.
2) Hot sauce. I'm not kidding. I don't care if you don't like spicy. Get their hot sauce. It's a world of difference.
My favorite taco shop in North County! Initially I came here because I heard they didn't use lard. I keep coming back because it's cheap, family owned, the guacamole, hot sauce and tortillas are tasty and they have black olives in the salsa bar. If you love olives, like I love olives, this will definitely be a selling point for you. I usually get a Bean Rice and Cheese burrito and then pile in the black olives and hot sauce. Did I mention I think it's the best taco shop in north county.
Way over rated. Seems to appeal to the high school crowd.
Growing up in Encinitas, Rico's has been a love of mine for over a decade now. My favorites: the Veggetarian Burritio w/ Guac and the Carne Asada Tacos. Of course you have to smother anything you get there in the AMAZING Rico's Hot Sauce. It could actually be a little hotter for my liking, but the flavor is unbeatable. And no, like everyone else says, it's not "authentic." But they don't use lard and it's delicous, so who really cares?
Neighborhood: Encinitas
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Encinitas
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Encinitas
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: Encinitas
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Encinitas
Category: Delis
Here's where I like to sit down with a friend,…
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