Armando's Mexican Food — Restaurant in Vista

This place is tucked away, literally in the shadow of Big 5. There is a tree part blocking their sign too.

It’s open later than most and I gave it a few tries in my post brewery foraging, but disheartened by the results each time. I’d read good reviews by people who I know, but my experiences were in most ways not similar.

Ambiance is about par for the course, minimal décor and color. Staff is friendly and willing to oblige with banter from time to time. Love their tortilla’s, rides that edge of doughy and flakey, holds up very well to their wetter burrito’s or if your like me and hot sauce on every bite. Price is affordable which is to say moderate. Clean-ish. You’ve seen better, but you’ve seen a lot worse.

I dig the large bowls of salsa, but the shape is about the worst idea ever. Way too wide and when it gets low you can’t scoop any with the poorly complimentary shaped spoon. Green is the best because the hot is no heat and mild has no flavor.

California burrito, unmelted cheese and chives, almost no guac or sour cream. That’s about as uber fail as you can get. I like the fries, they are the skinnier kind and fried well so they aren’t soggy. Carne asada is mediocre and over all it’s a bust. Get the carne asada fries, it’s harder to skimp on the guac and sour cream, but instead of the carne get pollo, it’s better. Good flavor, texture, moist. (I only use that word because apparently females hate that word). Adobada is hit or miss from tough, flavorless to some of the best I’ve had. Chimichanga quality is good, just give it a minute to cool. Taco’s are ok, fish instead of shark, plates do not come with rabanos, no carrots or onions. The menu is pretty basic. The burritos aren’t massive they are normal.

Regrettable and forgettable. We all have rose colored glasses sometimes. Either things have changed or I need to start re-evaluating who I...

(Most photos are from 5/19/2020)

Armando's has always been a favorite of mine since like 1995, and my go-to spot for a carne asada burrito with cheese (guac & pico included). I also love their breakfast burritos and used to consider it a solid option on my way to work when I didn't feel like cooking, picking up McDonald's, or eating at the cafe near my work.

They have raised their prices a TON like most other Mexican food spots, most likely due to having to increase how much they pay their employees (CA voters please stop causing price hikes by voting for ballot measures that cause price hikes!). While I get it, it unfortunately has taken me from being a weekly customer to a monthly or bimonthly customer. I just can't justify spending 15 bucks on a burrito more frequently than that when they used to be like half that price but too long ago.

They do seem to recognize the prices are higher and the customer service vibe which has always been okay has been consistently great EVERY time I visit now. It makes the cost of that tasty burrito less painful when you've got so many friendly cashiers and other workers behind the counter.

If we can ever get back to that $10 range for a quality carne asada or breakfast burrito, I'll start visiting more than once a month again. Better yet, maybe they can start a loyalty program so after X number if purchases or dollars spent, you get something free. Heck I'd even visit more often if the free thing was just a horchata (something I also used to get before the...

Friendly service. Many selections on the menu. I chose the Carne Asada and Al Pastor Street Tacos. I didn't see the Al Pastor on the menu but was told they had it. I also asked if they had the charro beans and was told they do. So I ordered a small side of them. I chose a selection of all the four salsas to take home. I also ordered an Agua de Jamaica. The tacos were filled generously with both meats and topped with cilantro and a tiny bit of onion. I personally would have liked more onion. The Carne Asada wasn't very flavorful. I felt it needed a little more seasoning. It was also a bit dry. The Al Pastor was better, but still needed something so I added hot sauce. The Agua de Jamaica was okay. When I opened the container of beans it turned out to be refried beans. They were fine, but I was expecting the other kind so I shared with my friends and didn't eat much of them. This was my first time going here upon recommendation from a friend. But with all the options for this type of food I probably won't...