Cotixan Mexican Food — Restaurant in Encinitas

I've been coming here for at least 7 years now and I thought I'd finally write a review. There's these two guys who work the register here at night and they get excited every time they see me or my sister. They're really cool and the food is also amazing every time they're working. I've even brought a bag of Tapatio flavored Doritos a few times and they made the nachos on those. I think my favorite part about this restaurant is their appreciation for regulars, such as myself.

Pros: Always open Food will not disappoint Refried beans are better than the other Mexican restaurants I've tried Portion sizes are big (if you have a small stomach, you will have leftovers) Night crew is friendly Touch screen soda fountain Atmosphere is nice and there's enough room for a big group of people Menu is expansive Coke from the soda fountain behind the counter (not the touch screen one) is god-tier

Cons: The day crew isn't as friendly but the food is still pretty good then Dining area closes at 10pm now (the dining area used to be open 24/7) The red salsa is delicious but the spiciness level is inconsistent. 2 months ago it wasn't very spicy at all and now I can barely handle the heat. The prices are modestly high (and some increase due to inflation as well) but luckily the portion sizes have stayed the same which I highly respect. The kid's meal bean and cheese burrito uses the same tortilla as the regular size one so the bean and cheese to tortilla ratio is a bit off, however the value is good.

Overall, I'd rate it 5/5. It's a great place to come with friends and I've never been disappointed. I had to write some cons too so that the review would...

Cotixan is a well-known local franchise specializing in Mexican food, primarily focused on drive-thru service, making it a great spot for a quick meal on the go. However, the dine-in experience is also enjoyable, with a cozy atmosphere and plenty of natural sunlight streaming in during the afternoon.

Unlike some other Mexican spots, Cotixan doesn’t offer Tuesday specials or Happy Hour deals—prices remain the same every day. That said, they are famous for their crazy huge portions. The Al Pastor Taco and Carne Asada Taco are loaded with meat, almost spilling out of the tortillas thanks to their generous packaging.

The Al Pastor, while flavorful, can feel a bit dry, and unfortunately, there’s no pineapple included to balance the texture. The Carne Asada is decent, though nothing extraordinary. The Fish Taco stands out with two deep-fried fish strips on each taco, topped with fresh sliced cabbage for a nice crunch. They also offer two different sauces, both of which complement the tacos well.

While the restaurant doesn’t have an outdoor dining area, making it less pet-friendly, the drive-thru provides a convenient option for those dining with pets. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite on the go or sitting down to enjoy a sunny afternoon meal, Cotixan delivers on portion size and classic...

Food was honestly great tasting, but got my whole family sick by the time we got home, the employees were rude, They only give 3 tiny cups per receipt. Seriously? I paid for extra hot sauce. Drink machines had black dirt residue that got caught in your teeth. Bathroom is gross. Needs coins to enter. This is a very popular but disgusting establishment. I will never go to this location again and I advise and warn you DO NOT GO TO THIS LOCATION. They look at you like you're crazy for complaining about anything and trust me. I hate drama, I nicely asked for a bottled drink instead of the fountain cup and at first they said "that's normal" untill one of the employees realized how bad it was and gave me a refund for the fountain drink. It looked like everyone dining in was complaining about the drinks...