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El Indio Mexican Restaurant is the birthplace of the infamous “Taquito”. El Indio prides itself on making fresh and delicious food. Yes, they make their tortillas fresh every single day!
El Indio was founded at the corner of India and Grape as a tortilla factory in August of 1940 by Ralph Pesqueira Sr. Fresh corn tortillas were made by hand. During WWII, customers from Consolidated, Convair, and other nearby factories soon began asking for ready-to-eat lunch items. Ralph Sr. responded by making the “taquito,” a word he coined meaning “little taco.”
Alan Chaney
06:52 24 Sep 22
Really enjoy EL Indio. Always fresh. Food with many choices on a large menu. Great service from the staff and they take... care of you. Haven't really had a bad meal in 25 years going there. All the Mexican classics and new updated Mexican dishes. Sometimes a line but it moves quickly. Seats about 45 people. Outdoor seating in front and across the street. Nice salsa and veggie bar free of charge. Self serve drinks, sodas, water, etc. Mexican beverages dispensed as well. You walk in order from a clearly visible menu. Pay for your meal. Big smiles always. Usually takes about 6-8 minutes if crowded maybe 12. It's well worth a trip and it's a San Diego institution in my opinion. Back in the day they supplied most of town with fresh made corn and flour tortillas. Highly recommend for nice afternoon or evening.read more
Jose Baldonado
00:33 12 Sep 22
A couple things to note, it looks like they only use cheddar cheese here, no Monterey Jack. The Chile Relleno is made... with cheddar. They also may only have red sauces here. My chicken enchilada was with a red sauce. The other places I’ve been use green for chicken and Monterey Jack. They do have a hot green salsa.Otherwise the food is ok. The chicken enchilada was tasty. The taquitos were strangely a bit tough, I probably won’t try that again. Same with the chips. More than just crispy, a bit tough. Almost like they sat for too long before being served.The place looks like it gets busy. People like it. There’s a good amount of indoor and outdoor seating.read more
Elka
14:40 05 Aug 22
Want thick chips and reliably good Mexican food? Here's your place. This place is a gem. They gave us a free El Indio... pen! My friend had the fish tacos and loved them. I had the combo with two tacos, the beef was great, I filled up on the rice, beans, salsa, and chips and saved the rest for later.Friendly service and a small parking lot. Do not park there if you go somewhere else! I was towed for $350. years ago. My bad!They used to have a location downtown. It sounded like a U.S. president had visited their restaurant.read more
Pamela Mays
04:07 29 Jul 22
I went to the India Street location for lunch. I ordered two grilled chicken tacos. The chicken meat was very tough.... The chicken was cut into randomly sized pieces. To my eyes it appeared that frozen chicken had been used for my tacos. There definitely was no grilling involved. The flour tortillas tasted old. The salsa bar was very messy. Suffice to say that I won't be returning to eat at El Indio.read more
Cynthia Ilka Gough-Pinson
19:27 07 Jul 22
My husband and I have been coming here since 1974 when we were 16 years old and dating. E e have been married 42 years... and still eating here. My parents moved to India Street in 1956 and went to eat there too. All our 4 sons and family come with us to eat when we visit San Diego. El Indio is an American Institution. We love the nostalgia of El Indio. Thank you.read more
Bill Stock
02:02 22 Jun 22
When visiting San Diego from Tucson where we have great Mexican restaurants, we always go to El Indio for the taquitos.... They are really good and we don't have them at home. Every thing we've tried there has been very good and the prices are reasonable. We also like the outside eating area so we can take our dog with us.read more
brenda klopka
22:50 17 Jun 22
This gem is a must when visiting San Diego! They have something for every taste, and it's all good! I love the flauta... plate, you get 3 flautas covered with cheese, sour cream, guacamole, soooo good!! They make their tortillas fresh and their house-made chips has this seasoning that keeps you coming back!You can dine inside or like we opted, outside in their little old school patio area across the street. ❤️read more
Nick
03:02 15 May 22
Always good food served by friendly people. The chips are out of this world! Every time I come here I pick up 3 or 4... bags to take home.Their salsa bar is good but be sure to try the jalapeño and onions at the salsa bar. You won't regret it.Also, the rice is cooked to perfection. It's fluffy and flavorful.read more
Davita The Devine Spiritual Healer
13:12 17 Apr 22
Beautiful eating area to enjoy one of their delicious traditional Mexican dishes & desserts! I recommend the cinnamon... chips to fulfill that sweet-tooth, and the delectable aromas lingering into the street pulling U in to try any one of their delicious meals..Definitely, a must stop when in the San Diego area!!! Enjoy!!!read more
Beth S
14:40 11 Apr 22
We were trying to go to get seafood next door, but the line out the door wasn’t moving, so we went here instead. I’m... sure we spent a lot less money because of it.It’s a pretty good location. They have their own parking lot across the street. That’s great since parking is a nightmare!I got a bag of their homemade tortilla chips by the door. They’re seasoned with a bit of spice.I ordered the #14- a taco and enchilada combo. I got the fish taco and cheese enchilada. I liked everything except the rice. The rice was not good.My husband had the same, but a carne asada taco. His was very spicy. Apparently they add a guacamole to it with fresh jalapeños. Our friend also had the taco and it was too spicy for her to eat (and she’s a Latina). My husband also had a beer. Altogether the bill was $37 for my husband and I. Our friend got 3 different kinds of tacos and a bottled orange soda. Hers was just under $20.read more
David Kira
14:06 04 Mar 22
Been coming here since the 1990s and it hasn't really changed and that's a good thing. Tacos are great with generous... portions and burritos are huge. Quality if ingredients is high and salsas flavorful. There are so many different items to try here next time will be the tamales.read more
Christopher Fleury
19:35 31 Jan 22
I stumbled upon El Indio yesterday during my morning walk. I noticed the crowds and the extensive menu and decided to... give it a try. What a treat!What a wonderful experience! Darryl at the counter made me feel like I was the only person in the room, despite being in the middle of the lunch rush and the fast pace of any successful business. Not only were the carnitas excellent, but Darryl stopped by twice to ask how I was doing. This in a counter serve restaurant!I also want to mention how Darryl and associates went out of their way to customize my lower carb lunch and keep it "on diet." Many of you know this can be a challenge in a Mexican restaurant, but they kept it simple, friendly, and delicious! Thank you for a great memory of San Diego. And no, I didn't eat the chips! 😉read more
Sonny Jenkins
20:57 10 Jan 22
I love this place. The food is great and I have yet to have a bad experience here.But it is also the best place to get... prepared mexican staples to use to make meals at home. They have fresh tortillas, frozen handmade tamales of all kinds, salsas and sauces and other delicious food.read more
J Szoradi
02:06 29 Dec 21
2 STARS:1) For the old vintage architectural history.2) Friendly customer service.The food is a different story.I... had the tamale, enchilada and taco.The taco was ok but I've had better.However the tamale and enchilada are awful.Never ordering food there again.If anything good should come out of this, the outdoor patio is great for meeting friends for a margarita.🍹read more
Max Cady
21:15 16 Dec 21
I think this place is a little over rated. It ranks from pretty average to pretty good in my book. My girlfriend loves... the shredded beef crispy hard tacos. The cheese and chili tamales I got were pretty tasty.read more
Brad Barber
14:14 15 Dec 21
Been living in Florida for the past several years and this is the best authentic Mexican food I have had in decades.... The place is immaculate the staff all had that sharp look that comes from intellect and confidence. Will definitely be hitting this place up again before I leave to go backread more
Vicki Abbott Walton
16:41 02 Dec 21
First meal in San Diego after flying in from Kansas. Absolutely cannot understand the great reviews (we used them to... choose where to eat). My husband's shredded beef burrito was oozing grease from the leather-like tortilla. My shredded chicken tamales included a large hunk of chicken. We had to clean a table before sitting down to eat. The tables near the restrooms smelled of uncleaned restrooms. Overall a terrible experience.read more
Noel Meza
04:14 18 Sep 21
Fantastic! Delicious and authentic Mexican food. Reasonable prices. Quick turn around time. Great location. Parking can... be a little hectic and expect a line during busy hour. But overall, I highly recommend.read more
Janette Perez
04:10 12 Sep 21
Disappointed the food wasn't better based on the reviews. Pork tamale moist and had a good flavor. A pitch of salt and... it was very good. The chicken tamale was dry and so-so. Cheese enchilada plate was meant and I didn't care for their rice or beans. The chicken tequilas were goodread more
Robert Baldwin
01:53 06 Sep 21
A San Diego institution since 1940 or so. Try the "Crispy Deluxe" if you enjoy crispy flour tortillas with shredded,... stewed/braised beef plus healthy dollops of guacamole, sour cream, and cicaque, etc, cheeses! 👍 P.S. I was too busy consuming my latest Crispy to document it visually. Next time! ❤️read more
Troy Arthur
22:17 04 Sep 21
This place has been around for so long would love to know how many Tacos they have served? 🤔😁Great food super friendly... and helpful.Love this place ❤read more
Taylor Jones
02:58 27 Jul 21
Food tasted like dog and cat food. Chips where very old couldn’t eat them. Cheese was rubber and the place was very... dirty. Never agin! Didn’t get my order right. Everyone was farting the whole ride home. 😒🤢💩🚽read more
Jeremy Cowan
14:39 24 Jul 21
Was really looking forward to this dining experience, as it came highly regarded in a recommendation.The horchata was... quite good, and I thought the food was better than your average Mexican restaurant. I did come away wishing for a little bit more, however, given the hype with which it came. The most impressive aspect of the dining experience was the speed of the service line and food delivery. Super quick!read more
Dorian Davis
19:17 14 Jul 21
Best Mexican food in SD! My personal favorite is their Crispy Quesadilla Deluxe with shredded beef. I haven’t found any... menu item even similar to this at any other Mexican restaurant, in SD or otherwise. It’s so unique and delicious. It’s been my family’s go-to item at El Indio for about 3 decades. I’ve tried a few other menu items from El Indio but always have FOMO when I see someone else eating the Crispy Deluxe and I’ve ordered something else. I will note my other favorite item here is an Autumnal seasonal item - the sweet pumpkin burrito. If you’re a pumpkin lover, make sure to check out El Indio in the Fall and treat yourself to the pumpkin burrito for dessert.read more
Cindy Lee
23:50 29 Jun 21
Even better than 40 years ago when I was a college student. Staff is quick, helpful and friendly. Great suggestions for... out of town visitors. Packed everything perfect for our sunset viewing at Sunset cliffs!read more
Aaron Howard
01:23 20 Jun 21
This place is very popular and for good reason. Fresh food, excellent, friendly service and catering and party options!... All the food is great, but be sure to try their famous tamales!read more
Sam Salerno
03:43 02 Jun 21
Quick service and great food! Their chips are phenomenal, and their cinnamon chips are one of my new favorite desserts... of all time. It’s a pretty tiny spot and didn’t feel all too clean, but we also got there at the end of the lunch rush hour and they were packed.read more
Rich Salo
22:36 09 May 21
Love this place! Real good food every time I go there. Yes there is usually a line an a small wait. It's worth tree wait
Dawn Marie
22:28 09 May 21
Sadly, the quality of food has fallen. I asked for the green salsa. There was a charge for this, I though oh, its... about 1/8 of a cup things are tight, I was thinking 50 or 75 cents. Nope they wanted $2.10 , with tax. I declined. We got a fish soft taco, no flavor at all. Beef soft taco, it was greasy. 3 rolled tacos, they were not bad but for $17 plus I think it could of been a lot better.read more
Shane Cole
04:58 04 May 21
This place is great. Loved every bit of it. The staff was helpful and patient, I had a lot of questions.In our one... visit we tried a wide variety of the menu (we were visiting from out of town and knew we may not be back for a while). Everything was great. Absolutely recommend this place, and I will try to go back.read more
Xavier Rosette
03:17 18 Apr 21
great food. top notch customer service. the bacon breakfast burrito has minced bacon! this is important to the eating... of the burrito because its the only way to insure even distribution and a consistent taste with every bite. 10+ years in diego and its the only place i know willing to take the extra step to do it RIGHT. they have there own parking. recently learned i / we can order online😏read more
Merle Reed
14:21 20 Mar 21
It's very convenient for tacos. During our vacation time, we went there twice. We were so pleased to find this spot...... He's a star here. Tacos and the black model of ummmmm beer.... Amazing.read more
Reynaldo Guerrero
04:41 10 Feb 21
I went for the first time today. My family has been in San Diego for 60+ years and I never knew about this place. Lol.... The food was amazing. I tried the Indio burrito. Super tasty and filling!!! I'll definitely be coming back. 😝read more
Brandy Thomas
04:37 27 Jan 21
They were so nice, my boyfriend and I spent the day trying different places for california burritos, this place was... different than the others but not in a bad way. The tortilla you could tell was fresh, the meat was so tender and good and the french fries were a nice crispy. Can't wait to go back and try more things.read more
alejandro booker
14:09 15 Jan 21
mexican food at this place - great. Entered near eleven, it wasn't packed. I'll return with my friends. This place has... a great design. Reminds me of a cafe in Chicago I loved to visit.read more
Emiliano Rodríguez
17:40 16 Dec 20
We chose this restaurant for our dinner on the strength of it’s positive reviews and we were not disappointed. The... staff were extremely friendly and attentive and the food was simply excellent. I can highly recommend the pate plate, and the Scottish salmon was absolutely delectable. We were treated to a creme brûlée as treat which finished off our wonderful meal just right! Many thanks to the Smoking Goat for a great experience. We will be back!read more
Pounder Pounder
01:21 07 Dec 20
I have never been disappointed in any dinning experiences at El Indio. Great food , always prepared with pride and in a... timely fashion. Multiple outside locations of tables and chairs/ benches. Call ahead or order at the restaurant. Enjoy !read more
Miggy Nuño
01:34 30 Oct 20
It's hard to find a decent potato taco in this city, however this San Diego landmark has been doing it for 80 years. Of... course they have the classic beef and chicken, but do yourself a favor and try a potato one, you won't be disappointed. Don't forget to grab a bag of their chips, that seasoning on them is amazingread more
Lee D III
22:46 03 Oct 20
We love El Indio! Every time we visit SD, this is the first place we go for food. The food is great, the people are... friendly, and the in-house chips and tortillas... so good. I dont speak for all locals, and considering I moved away years ago, but IMO, this is one of the best Mexican restaurants in all of SoCal.read more
Maria P
02:48 27 Sep 20
My family and I were visiting San Diego this weekend for some R&R and heard about this restaurant through the Food... Network. I didn't get anything they particularly made on the show, but I was real excited for my Bean and Cheese Chimichanga (green enchilada style). And it appeared somewhat appetizing until I ate halfway through and it was literally all cheese with a sliver of beans. I was in disbelief and thought maybe there's a shortage, until I realized my fiancé ordered a side of beans for my daughter. It was a big burrito, but there was more on the side order than my Chimichanga. My fiancé also said his Carne asada Chimi was at least half cheese. In our opinion it was nothing special and lacked taste minus the salsa.read more
Robert Valdivia
00:16 23 Sep 20
Haven't been here in years. I had the Adobada Burrito which was the special. It was delicious. I should've ordered the... chips and salsa though. It will happen next time.read more
Gene Killian
23:17 13 Sep 20
Always the Best Mexican food, friendly staff, clean, parking lot, nice outside dinning and the food is always good.
Jacob Snyder
17:51 12 Sep 20
mexican food... my favorite treat. I had a brother come into town and asked me to take him back here. The place has an... awesome atmosphere. Wish it was closer to my house, I would come every week.read more
Emilia James
16:57 07 Sep 20
Mexican food at this place - very tasty. Honestly my favorite evening place. Certainly worth going back to. Prices that... are reasonable. I see why this place has a lot of great reviews.read more
EE Merino
03:08 06 Sep 20
Thoroughly dissatisfied with the nachos and taco I ordered. Im from LA where we have great Mexican food but though... that being closer to the border, this place would somehow make Mexican food better than LA...wrong!!! The service was great with friendly staff but the food is over priced and over hyped. Nachos are chips, melted cheese and jalapeños which is fine if you're at the movies but if this place calls itself a Mexican restaurant, you need to try a little harder.. So If you want to pay 5 dollars for a taco that is just okay and nachos that are equal to those from the movies but more expensive, then this is the place for you. I wont be coming back thats for sure.read more
Desiree Phillips
06:52 01 Sep 20
mexican food, yeah, super delicious. Arrived at six, it was not packed. I will be bringing family next time. Prices are... reasonable. I see why this place has a lot of good reviews.read more
Maria Byrne
03:48 01 Sep 20
One of the oldest family run businesses in San Diego. Delicious quality food with great customer service. Home made... tortillas fresh everydayread more
Michael Coca
00:08 28 Aug 20
Food was good, prices reasonable, outside dining. Will certainly go back. Tip: great place to visit when arriving from... the airport. After a flight from somewhere that maybe didn't have a decent Mexican restaurant, you're hungry, tired and want a quick bite you drive up the hill from the airport, turn left on India and it's on the corner of Washington and India.read more
jamie webb
12:01 25 Aug 20
Outstanding place for tasty Mexican food. Everyone at our table was enjoying everything. Definitely worth a return... trip. The place has a nice atmosphere.read more
Dustin Mullen
05:01 25 Aug 20
mexican food and service here is super good. The food was super appetizing. Really nothing but enjoyable experiences... here, I'll be back. Prices were average for the menu.read more
Larry Mclean
12:51 24 Aug 20
One of my favorite locations for delicious mexican food. Arrived at seven, it wasn't crowded. There was fast,... efficient, and courteous service. Kinda of like a cafe in Phoenix that I enjoyed.read more
Daniel Richards
00:27 23 Aug 20
Been coming here since I was a little kid. A famous San Diego spot known for its Delicious Mexican food. I can’t... believe how good the tortillas, tacos, tamales, and taquitos are here. Very nice people. Still open during covid and very sanitary. Highly recommend!read more
G Kawa
22:54 09 Aug 20
I had the 3 beef taquitos with guacamole, salsa and lettuce. Amazing just like the reviews say. Parking can be hard to... find so I suggest going at off hours.read more
Michael Green
18:51 29 Jul 20
The food was excellent. While always good it was even better than normal. I think this is because with the slow down... the kitchen is slower paced which results in better attention to detail. We ate on the patio that and parking were not as much of a challenge as it is here occasionally.read more
Brittany Parlier
03:53 29 Jul 20
We had to eat outside due to covid measured but this was one of the BEST carnitas tacos plates I've ever had!
Rose Quintana
22:46 28 Jul 20
Long line and I went before and it was good this time not so great. Rice and beans and chips were bomb. But enchilada... was rubbery and tamales flavorless. Only thing decent was this potato taco.read more
Richard Beal
04:25 12 Jul 20
Our 11 year old boy says these are the best tacos he has ever had. The taquitos are very good; make sure to try them as... mordiditas!read more
Jerome Mcmurray
11:30 11 Jul 20
Attended a Conference Brunch at this restaurant. I was wowed by the ambiance and friendliness of all the staff. Food... was great, no complaints on any dishes. Favorite was Plantains and Chile Queso (deep fried). I also enjoyed the chips, salsa and guacamole. We did try the cheese enchiladas with verde sauce and that was tasty. Chicken Chiquiles had good flavor but those are hard to serve in group setting as they get soft fast.read more
Dwayne Bullock
01:46 04 Jul 20
Haven't been here in forever but was wanting some great Mexican food and this was on my mind and they did not... disappoint...the chips were the bomb 💣 and the food was very very good...I'll be back next taco 🌮 Tuesdayread more
Cameron Cook
18:40 03 Jul 20
I enjoyed a beautiful evening meal. It was a nice experience for me for the first time. This restaurant was my all-time... favorite forever. They strive to provide us the best foods and service that exceeds our expectations. Try their services and you won’t regret it for sure. Thank you so much to all of you! Perfect!read more
Kathleen Hinckley
23:04 28 Jun 20
One of my all time favorite spots in San Diego! Quick, efficient, and top notch safety standards for carry out! If you... need more than one option, get a mini burrito! Their carnitas is JUICY, messy and amazing!read more
Benjamin Maiava
23:24 24 Jun 20
El Indio is a good spot to get Mexican Fast Food in the Mission Hills area. If you're visiting San Diego it has a menu... that most will enjoy. Not the best Mexican Food in San Diego, but overall good food. Good seating outside and recommend calling in your order if you're trying to go. Super quick and great customer service.read more
Ronnica Blackhorse
15:54 23 Jun 20
Food was wonderful. There is dine-in but my family preferred to sit out for social distancing. But it was beautiful... weather to enjoy outdoor seating.read more
braden huley
01:21 18 Jun 20
Holy wow! Never in my life did I expect 6 taquitos to not only fill me up, but totally satiate my hunger with such... simple and powerful flavors. I cannot wait to further explore the menu if everything holds the same standard I experienced.read more
Richard Castrellon
02:15 29 May 20
This was my second time here and I am not impressed. Food is overpriced and the staff is just there to take your order... and hand over the food.read more
Ray Rogers
21:44 05 May 20
We love to take our out of town guests to El Indio. Charming place great staff and wonderful food.
Christina Hughes
02:15 20 Mar 20
This place isn't too fancy, but the food is still awesome. A shout out to all waiters that have been working hard to... serve the food quickly. The place was spacious and clean as well, which is a great impact on me. I love how organized they were. From the entrance, they were very welcoming. It was a great place to dine in.read more
Hirsch Hyslop
03:26 03 Mar 20
Finally a local budget friendly restaurant that’s good! We’ve driven by this place every time we are in San Diego and... go to BlueWater nearby, but have never stopped here until this visit. What a little gem - totally not what I expected since it’s basically a fast food style place yet home made like. Very reasonable prices and everything we had was delicious. It’s conveniently located near the airport, freeway and little Italy. This is definitely on our list to go back when we return.read more
Sean Robertson
09:30 30 Jan 20
Excellent food. The most important part for me was how friendly the cashier was when he greeted us upon ordering. He... made it an awesome environmentread more
Eric Baugh
04:10 05 Jan 20
I'm not sure when El Indio first opened but I have been eating there for over 30 years. Consistent good Mexican food. ... I love the beef Morditiitas with lots of jalapenos. Parking can be hard to find but is always available. The people who work there are always friendly and willing to help gringos who visit and have never eaten Mexican food. I always look for opportunities to eat there and have never been disappointed.read more
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