Papas & Tacos Mexican Food — Restaurant in San Diego

Growing up Chicana in San Diego, you come to know good Mexican food, at home with family and out on the streets of Chula Vista, San Ysidro and Tijuana. There are thousands of taco shops in San Diego, but not one comes close on flavor, quality and price to Papas & Tacos. I'm only just now, as I am moving out of Banker's Hill, writing this review for Papas, my go to (or crawl-to) neighborhood place for quick, dependable and delicious homemade style Mexican food. Its a friendly brightly painted little place, chock full of the typical iconography and decor that attracts so many to the Mexican culture. My favorite is a little ceramic on the wall that says "Un dia sin chile, es como in dia sin sol" a day without chile is like a day without sun! And that tropical chick with those eyes on the wall, love it! The people that work here are warm and generous too. The love that goes into each delicious burrito like the New Mexico burrito and the Azteca Burrito are to die for. That Mole Burrito-- never had better mole! Mmm and those deliciously dangerous salsas, one is a savory satisfying, creeping-heat roasted tomatillo and the other a innocent looking bright green salsa with a mean punch made from poblano and jalapeno. I just want to run a bath of just this green salsa and burn in a passionate chile fire. The meats and veggies and perfectly seasoned, you'd be crazy to throw anything else on top, except these fantastic salsas. They pair perfectly with my absolute favorite comfort food there - tacos de papa, nopal y frijoles done 'al vapor.' You won't see this poor-mans-food on that menu board because its what your mami makes you when you're home sick from grade school or coming back home from college. This is my secret hang over cure, drenched in their salsas. If you can step out of your white-boy California burritos and rolled tacos (that are STILL damn good here, I'm sure), PLEASE try the specials. Not only are they healthier than your fried impressions of Mexican fast food, they are so much more flavorful and nutritious. You will be craving a Mexican wife and kids in no time. (Heck yeah I cook damn well and...

So I’ve been coming here for a really long time… and for the past year… I keep coming back because I want to support my long time favorite Mexican restaurant. But to be honest the quality of the food and the size of the burritos have gone down hill. When the burritos are so loose because you are trying to put less food in…that you can’t even hold it with out everything falling out and the beans are so watered down to cut costs that the tortilla gets a hole because is soggy and the beans leak out everywhere… it’s really disappointing Also disappointed that you raised the rate and still feel the need to cut corners on the quality and size of your product… if I wanted an American style Taco Bell been and cheese burrito I would go there and pay half the price …. I paid almost 14$ for bean and cheese a soda and 1.50 for extra cheese ( no extra cheese was in it that I could tell) I hope the owner really sees this because she really is an amazing person… and uses this as constructive criticism.. and fix’s the problem… I will no longer be coming to her shop anymore I hardly eat out anymore because of inflation but when I do spend my money I want it to be an enjoyable and...

I just recently opened a business in this neighborhood some I’m still exploring and finding other businesses to enjoy. Glad I found this place. The service was great, the woman behind the counter was incredible. Her memory and familiarity with the locals was heartwarming and impressive. She is so kind. The atmosphere was great, nice and clean, nothing out of place, extensive menus items displayed on the wall. The food and salsa were great. I’m impressed with the veggie options here. I had the original veggie burrito, no cheese, add guac and fries. Tasty burrito! Decent size, with two hot sauces and boy were they hot. After tax and a Mexican coke my Meal was 12 bucks. Not too bad in my opinion. I have a feeling I’ll be a local here in no time. This place is a gem in...