Primo Food Mart — Local services in Vista

Primo’s is a North County staple with this location and one in coastal Oceanside. Since this is right next to the old Family Fun Center (now boomers). I’m much more familiar with this one and have been since a youth.

Instead of filling up on snacks and overpriced food at FFC/Boomers we would talk to Primo’s and get our snacks here. Yeah, OG sneaking food since I was a kid.

The parking lot is dingy, but it has character, it’s seen decades of abuse, I don’t even remember when they painted the lines, but people don’t really pay that much attention to it. It’s somewhere between a bodega and a market. The décor isn’t that bad, I mean it sees a lot of traffic, so I guess it could be grimey. The lighting is good, music isn’t blaring and the service is good. If you know what you want and ask for it, they take care of you, if you are timid and unaware of your surroundings they won’t have time for all that.

Taco Tuesdays/Fridays $0.69 cents each. Everyone goes for the asada, adobada, carnitas, pollo, but me I’m a cabeza man. Lengua if they are out and chicharrones(these are pipping hot) if no lengua or cabeza. It’s just more flavorful and tender. Usually the line is out the door from 4-7 and they are probably doing a few thousand tacos on those days. The salsa bar is usually a mess and they are generally bland, your better off buying their hot sauce and salsa’s they sell because they are just better. I’m not a huge fan of the red onions they use, I’m more of a white/yellow onion person. It helps to be a regular because they hook it up. Often times people are just eating on their trunks and truck beds (shout out to my taco support group). Over the years the popularity has exploded as people bring friends who become regulars and introduce their friends. It is no longer a secret, but most come for tacos only and miss out on all the other great stuff.

They have a pretty solid soda/drinks selection (sadly no more dang root beer). I also highly recommend their other food items (plates, burritos) because they are also solid. Also come here for their meats for grilling at home. I get their bulk chicharrones a lot and some odds and ends from time to time. I also like getting my lottery here. It’s my one stop weekly shop.

The fruits and vegetables in the front are really fresh, they may not be packaged for beauty and polished, but they are farm fresh and a solid deal over other markets. I’m not a huge fan of their ceviche (not self serve) and since it’s such a high traffic and popular place, there can be a 20 minute wait for tacos and another 5 minute wait for the register. They do not have napkins, so be prepared if you are bar carring it. Also no more plastic bags, so you will probably get taco grease all over your car, better to trunk it.

FYI don’t get beer and brown bag it in the lot, it’s frowned upon and will get you kicked out (even on taco Tuesday). Their selection and prices of Mexican lagers/ales is some of the...

I wasn't hungry. I wasn't craving any type of food. I sat in my car and felt the wave of a good light food coma work its way over me. So there I was. Driving past Primos. ( Which I didn't know even existed until smelled the mesquite grill). I immediately looked for the next block to make a u turn in. Pulled in and parked. Walked up to see what selection of food was available. Before I can even get a bead on the menu and prices . I was greated by one of the staff with a sample. I placed the sample on my tongue, the meat and slim layer of fat melted. THE TASTE EXPERIENCE The first bite. In the beginning the smoked flavor is strong and present along with a light savory crunch. The 2nd chew gave me the assurance that the meat was cooked to perfection all the way through. The moisture of the meat 🍖 made it easy to swallow and I could still taste the smokey flavor throughout the meat to the bone.

I have more to say. Stand by for a Part 2 of this review when I go back and try the meat with the homemade...

I ordered beef ribs through DoorDash last night. I received pork ribs. When I called Primo to ask what happened to my order, the first person LIED to me and told me she was the manager.When I finally got the manager on the phone, he talked over me loudly while I was explaining I ordered Beef ribs. He kept saying his receipt said pork ribs. I told him I have a receipt that said beef ribs and was willing to send him my copy of the receipt. He was not interested at seeing my copy of the receipt. He kept repeating, "my receipt says pork ribs". Instead of being a good manager and taking care of the situation, his response was, "I hear this hundreds of times." It is such a shame because the food and market had always been a pleasant experience. Despite how delicious the food is, I will not be going back ever and will be telling everyone to stay away. There are plenty of other markets just like Primo in town. Who needs this kind...