Mexico Viejo

Tried to order from here but it was closed. No sign. Called during regular hours but no one answered. Good food, but was disappointed…

I’m a San Diego native and this is my favorite California Burrito.

This is very close to my work and great for a quick lunch. They have a special I usually get which has 2 rolled tacos, a bean tostada and a beef taco for $ 4.99. Not bad! Very friendly staff. They have a fresh salsa bar and hot carrots.

Cruised into the plaza that Mexico Viejo is located in for lunch, and made a last minute decision to give them a shot.
Wasn’t crowded, woman behind the counter took my order, and I had my food to go in less than 8 minutes.
I’m sure when it’s busier the wait is a tad longer, but honestly wasn’t that bad.
I ordered the carne asada burrito and it came exactly as I feel they should: meat, guac, and pico. NO frilly nonsense going on, at a ‘no frilly nonsense’ price point.
Ate it at work, and was pleased with the result. It’s good to know that I have a ‘basic burrito’ to turn to when all else fails.

I live very near this place and have for 7 years now. This is only my second visit. I usually go to Señor Pancho’s down the road (aka the «train»). That is our GO-​TO spot for fast, good Mexican food. Having a drive-​through is key. Mexico Viejo does not have a drive-​through.
I only came here the other morning for some breakfast burritos. I purchased a ham and the bacon/​egg/​potato/​cheese versions. Although I thought they were okay, and quite large, my wife didn’t like it and didn’t eat it. Too much potato and more expensive than Panchos. It was worth trying but I’ll stick to our local fave down the street.

Got there at 6 and the sign said they closed at 8, the lady inside waved me to go away. Maybe something happened? or they were doing something where the door had to be locked? Im not sure what happened there.

I love Mexican food and this place probably sells the cheapest California burrito I have seen so far. They have fast and friendly service that helps especially if ordering to go. Simple selection of sauces but my favorite is their guacamole salsa. Since it is a very small restaurant, this place seems just for to go ordering than sitting down.

My first impression is based purely on the bean breakfast (eggs and cheese) burrito I got this morning.
I normally get this type of item from Señor Pancho’s in San Marcos (the choo choo train spot), but they don’t open until 8a so I thought I’d give this place a try. Well first off, Señor Pancho’s blows this place out of the water. I really don’t like the way the beans taste at all, and the eggs are bland, maybe because they fry them as a flat sheet instead of filling the burrito with truly «scrambled» eggs.
Tortillas are great quality, fresh, but also lacking any special qualities that might tempt you to order a tortilla a la carte.
I probably won’t try this place again for breakfast because I don’t think their cooking style is for me. I imagine if I tried to make a breakfast burrito myself it might turn out something like what they produce… which if you knew anything about my ability to make Mexican food you would realize is a bad thing. Their bean breakfast burrito costs about 50 cents more than the one at Señor Pancho’s. I’m really not sure why because it’s clearly inferior, and the one at Señor Pancho’s has ham in addition to the bean, eggs and cheese.
I will try this place again someday to see if some of their more highly rated items are the real deal. Until then, I’ll drop a few stars and be on my way.

I go here 3X per week for bacon breakfast burritos. They use thick bacon that isn’t burnt crispy, so I can assure that it isn’t gross or old. Always very clean, and the girls at the counter are always sweet. It isn’t incredible, but it’s better than most. I never get the «white boy» treatment here.

Breakfast burrito was awful bacon tasted like burnt dog food really disappointed. I like other locations but I wouldn’t give this place another chance.

I have eaten here 3 times, each time the food is always very bland, not much flavor (which is not normal for Mexican food). Portions ok, price ok, but the taste just isn’t there.

Not a fan of THIS Mexico Viejo location. I’ve been to a couple of others and I’ve always liked it. I have been meaning to try this one out and finally did today. Not too thrilling. Underwhelming is a good word.
I ordered a two burrito combo plate with rice and beans, requested chicken burritos instead of beef. No problem they say.
Well, I think the problem is I asked for chicken which usually means «shredded». Instead I got pollo asado. If I wanted that I would have requested it. Pollo Asado is actually on the menu part from just plain chicken. Maybe I should have specified but didn’t think I neeed to.
Regardless, I ate one of the two burritos (saving the other for leftovers) instead of asking for a new plate. What the heck, if they were good I’d still give a good review. Well, they weren’t good. It was mainly a burrito filled with lettuce and pico de gallo with some chicken tossed in with sour cream. Totally not satisfying.
The salsa doesn’t even seem to be the same as the other Mexican Viejo locations. The hot was not very hot at all, almost watered down.
I won’t be back unless I get food amnesia or if I’m desperate. It will probably happen, and if it does and the experience is better I will write an update.
Note — I have been to 5 other Mexico Viejo locations in north county and like them all. I assume they are all the same owners/​chain but maybe I am wrong.
Edit — I searched and found this. «Every Mexico Viejo is independently owned and operated by former employees who have vast experience in the Mexican food business.»
Apparently the 1^st two locations are the original owners (Encinitas Blvd and the one on El Camino Real in Carlsbad across from the mall), the rest are former employees. Dunno, maybe I’ll give this place another try.

I had a Carne Asada Torta today, it was not good at all, lots of lettuce and very slim or none carne asada. I will not come here again at all, very displeased.

In the spirit of generosity, I’m rounding up. It’s closer to three and a half stars.
The gal that took my order was a peach. Super friendly. I ordered (as per usual) the California burrito. The price is the cheapest I’ve seen in North County ($ 4.99!) which is always helpful. I got my order to go and was expecting a pseudo-​lengthy wait – no such thing. I was in and out in 10 minutes – record time if you ask me.
The burrito wasn’t bad. The fries were crisp and plentiful. The meat was a bit under-​seasoned, but cooked well for a nice combination of textures.
I’ll certainly be back for my other staple order, Carne Asada Fries. We’ll see how the fair.
Only downside is the place could use a bit of sprucing up. It’s certainly seen better days, but that can be overlooked.

Decent carnitas in a killer burrito. The salsa lacks «oomph» and the prices are a tad high, but the service is friendly and quick.

Hands down, the BEST chicken chimichunga I have ever had!!!
All white meat chicken breast. No brown mystery chicken parts. The guac was bright green and fresh. The chimi came on top of a bed of fresh pico. The tomatos and silantro were fresh and crisp.
And the best part was the chimichunga was so BIG I ate ½ for lunch, the other ½ for dinner… and it cost me less than $ 6!!! $ 5.95 for the best and feshest Mexican lunch and dinner I’ve ever had.
Good ridance El Dorado! Hello Mexico Viejo!

Meh. How many beans does one plate need?
This place takes the place of another taco shop called El Dorado. I had tostada/​beef taco plate. The beef taco was good. Meat was tasty that’s about all I have to say that’s really positive about this place. That… and they have free refills on sodas. They dropped my tostada into a massive pile of beans, then put a bunch of beans on top of the tostada. Everything else was just ok. Maybe there is something they do spectacularly well, but whatever it was, I didn’t have it.