El Pastor Del Rica — Restaurant in Chula Vista

Me and my family party of 8 went for the first time. Let me start off with I’m from Jalisco so I know what a good tacos should taste like. In my experience I would give an overall experience of 4.0 or 8/10 here’s why upon arrival there’s not enough parking so be prepared to park away and walk to the tacos place. Once we got to taco location there was a waiting line about 10 people in front of us line was moving so probably waiting a good 10-15 min. Was well seated and greeted and explain to waiter it was our first time visiting. He greeted us with a tier salsa selection with many options. Waiter was kind to give us a few min to place our order. Waiter returned to get our order. Our food arrive in different times adults were served before kids we had 5 kids in our group. Kids waited a good 10 min for their food after we received ours. I would have prefer the kids got their food first. While we were eating I over heard a new customer say it was their first time as well and their waiter was able to explain what salsa went with what taco. Our waiter never did that. During check out I ask for salsa to go and a box for my 3 left over tacos. Waiter returned with a box and check and never my salsa until I asked again. He then gave me my salsa to go. In this place you are paying extra for the service experience. Food quality and taste was 4.5 bien servidos not cold or too hot. Not over cooked or over heated for fast food. I didn’t like that you can’t combine your meats of choice in one taco so you are forced to order two separate tacos and combine them your self. Will I return yes only bc the tacos were Jalisco style and sometimes we get tired of TJ style. Again you are paying for the experience not the actual food bc SD is known for many taco places. It’s like an actual sit down restaurant experience except it’s just tacos. For party of 8...

Exceptional Flavors and Authentic Experience El Pastor Del Rica is a true gem in the heart of Chula Vista! This unassuming taco shop exceeded my expectations in every way, serving up mouthwatering, authentic Mexican cuisine that will leave you craving more.

Ambiance Upon entering, I was immediately struck by the cozy, rustic atmosphere. Vibrant colors, traditional decorations, and lively music transported me to the streets of Mexico City. The warm welcome from the staff set the tone for an exceptional dining experience.

Food The star of the show: the tacos! Each bite was a masterclass in flavor balance. The tender, juicy meats (I opted for the carne asada and al pastor) melted in my mouth, complemented by the perfect blend of spices, tangy salsa, and crispy tortillas. Don't even get me started on the homemade salsas – the habanero was a game-changer!

Other highlights included:

Fresh ingredients: Every component, from the cilantro to the lime wedges, was fresh and of high quality. Creative specials: The daily specials board offered innovative twists on traditional dishes. Generous portions: Be prepared for a satisfying, filling meal.

Service The staff's warmth, attentiveness, and enthusiasm made the experience truly special. Our server, Maria, was knowledgeable, friendly, and ensured our glasses were always full.

Verdict El Pastor Del Rica is a must-visit destination for taco enthusiasts and anyone seeking authentic Mexican cuisine in Chula Vista. With its inviting atmosphere, delectable flavors, and exceptional service, this hidden gem will leave you eager to return.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Recommendation: Try the carne asada and al pastor tacos with a side of homemade salsa. Don't forget to arrive early, as this spot...

I really wanted to like this place as I enjoy supporting taco places, but the food fell short. I ordered 4 different tacos in order to get a taste of the menu. Right off the bat my experience started wrong as I tried ordering a canpechano taco with carne asada and tripa and was told they only do a chorizo and carne asada campechano. I ended up ordering a carne asada, al pastor, suadero, and lengha taco. The carne asada was chopped up untill it looked like ground beef, and it was not well seasoned. The lengua taco was different from how it's served at other places, they give you a slice of the lengua so it looks like an oval slice of meat, not what I'm used to but if it had been good I wouldn't care... But it didn't work, the flavor doesn't come through, and it was not as tender as it should. The al pastor taco was fine, I wouldn't come back for it. The suadero taco was the best one out of the 4, the meat is well seasoned and it's pork belly like texture was superb, very tender and a little fatty. This is the only taco that would make me think about coming back. Lastly, the tacos look a little sad (I wish I could add pictures) when served as they don't put avovado or any type of sauce on them, only cilantro and onions. They do have a salsa serving tray with many different variations to choose from. This is a sit down and order your tacos from a server type of place, which made the wait a bit long, but I don't mind waiting when the food is good (which wasn't the case except for the suadero taco). The staff was very nice and attentive, so I have nothing but positive things to say about that. Overall I probably won't be back to sit in the restaurant, too long a wait just to get suadero tacos, but I would take a phone order of...