Elena's Mexican Food — Restaurant in San Diego

This is an authentic no frills Mexican food spot in the La Jolla/Sorrento Valley area. I was craving some Tacos after class at UCSD, but being so far from home I decided to try out this spot despite bad reviews. The lady that atttended me was sweet and I ended up ordering 2 tacos and a diet coke. I got one adobada and one asada taco and both normally come with guacamole and pico. I however, told her to skip on the pico and add cebolla and cilantro to make the flavors a bit more authentic. The price was like 4.5+4.5+1.5 plus tax and a service fee for using card since I payed with apple pay so like basically 12 bucks which is not bad for food up in this area. When I received the tacos, I realized just how humongous they were and I kid you not I don’t think I’d ever seen a taco that well served at any other Mexican spot I’ve ever been too, but I go to mainly Tijuana taco spots so that makes sense. If i’m going to be honest with you guys, these tacos honestly were not thaatt good. You could tell it was just some store corn tortillas and some ok asada and adobada just plopped into the tacos, and the cilantro and cebolla weren’t the most freshest in the world. But honestly, not every place has to have the best food you’ve ever tried for it to be good and they were alright tacos, that lived up to what they are for the price I payed for them. I think I’d be more keen on ordering the mini tacos, or some carne asada fries for the next time I go and I can see how those might be more varied and flavorful. Overall, this place won me over with its authentic charm, and the prices are soo humble and realistic. This is a place for some authentic mexican food that ur mama was making in the kitchen, and any place that sells me a canned soda for less than 1.50 in 2024 has my vote so I can confidently say this is a recommended spot for sure. I’m gonna keep trying different menu items and if I find the holy grail at this place, y’all will be the first to know so keep this place in your updates, and be inspired to try it out yourselves and see if y’all are vibing with the food here, especially if you’re from UCSD. Very quiet and open environment too with little people so if y’all are feeling study vibes at the taco shop, feel free to try the...

This spot is a little gem for quick, delicious burritos. Admittedly, I've only tried the chicken chipotle and the philly cheese steak burrito, so I am biased, albeit I've tried the former at least 10 times. The location is standard - clean, homey (for Mexicans), owner run, which is great. They decorate for holidays and have hand written changing specials often. It's the type of place you come to appreciate for their service, friendliness, and most importantly, the uber large Chicken Chipotle Burrito.

On to the coup de gras. Tip: Ask for extra chipotle sauce. The sauce makes it. Not sure what they use in it, but it is absolutely creamy and delicious. It permeates through the burrito like water on a sponge, through the rice, beans and chicken. The rice is delicious, beans refried on point, and chicken is slightly crisped on the griddle. Comes with veggies too, if you're interested in that sort of thing. Its a wonderful creation. And the philly cheese steak burrito is wonderful too. By that logic, I'd say the rest of the items are good too, and I'll update the review when I get to them!

Overall, Elena's is a spot that endears to you, if you want simple, great food with nice people. We eat there for lunch (close to work) and sometimes get some burritos for the traffic...

Another one-star review - I just don't how this place is still in business, maybe feeding off unsuspecting train station crowd. Rude service, dry meat, and possibly unsanitary. I ordered a carne asada plate - I got dry meat, kind of greasy rice, and beans full of cheese. I told the guy in the register, who is probably the owner (There's no "Elena", it's some old white guy...), that I didn’t order any cheese. He asked me for $2.75 for a side. I protested and said that the overhead menu didn't specify cheese, so I didn't know to request no cheese. The guy told me that it was my mistake, and that he shouldn't pay for my mistake. What a d1ck, there are enough other taco places in San Diego... Oh - and its expensive too, at $12.99 for a plate. Next door there's a much better farm-to-table sandwich place which I recommend.

2020 UPDATE: wonderfully fresh and inexpensive city tacos opened around the corner! Thank goodness I can finally get great tacos at sorrento valley...