El Indio Mexican Restaurant and Catering
Company Details
Tuesday: 9AM-8PM
Wednesday: 9AM-8PM
Thursday: 9AM-8PM
Friday: 9AM-8PM
Saturday: 9AM-8PM
Sunday: 9AM-8PM
Contact Information
San Diego, California, 92103
United States
El Indio Mexican Restaurant and Catering Reviews
Submitted by Alan Chaney on 09/24/2022
Alan Chaney 5 stars rating.
Really enjoy EL Indio. Always fresh. Food with many choices on a large menu. Great service from the staff and they take care of you. Haven't really had a bad meal in 25 years going there. All the Mexican classics and new updated Mexican dishes. Sometimes a line but it moves quickly. Seats about 45 people. Outdoor seating in front and across the street. Nice salsa and veggie bar free of charge. Self serve drinks, sodas, water, etc. Mexican beverages dispensed as well. You walk in order from a clearly visible menu. Pay for your meal. Big smiles always. Usually takes about 6-8 minutes if crowded maybe 12. It's well worth a trip and it's a San Diego institution in my opinion. Back in the day they supplied most of town with fresh made corn and flour tortillas. Highly recommend for nice afternoon or evening.
Submitted by Jose Baldonado on 09/11/2022
Jose Baldonado 4 stars rating.
A couple things to note, it looks like they only use cheddar cheese here, no Monterey Jack. The Chile Relleno is made with cheddar. They also may only have red sauces here. My chicken enchilada was with a red sauce. The other places I’ve been use green for chicken and Monterey Jack. They do have a hot green salsa.
Otherwise the food is ok. The chicken enchilada was tasty. The taquitos were strangely a bit tough, I probably won’t try that again. Same with the chips. More than just crispy, a bit tough. Almost like they sat for too long before being served.
The place looks like it gets busy. People like it. There’s a good amount of indoor and outdoor seating.
Submitted by Howard Kummerman on 08/08/2022
Howard Kummerman 5 stars rating.
The food at El Indio was as good as I remembered- loved the fish tacos and rolled tacos. They're tortillas and chips and salsa are the best.
Submitted by Brenda Klopka on 06/17/2022
brenda klopka 5 stars rating.
This gem is a must when visiting San Diego! They have something for every taste, and it's all good! I love the flauta plate, you get 3 flautas covered with cheese, sour cream, guacamole, soooo good!! They make their tortillas fresh and their house-made chips has this seasoning that keeps you coming back!
You can dine inside or like we opted, outside in their little old school patio area across the street. ❤️
Submitted by Nick on 05/14/2022
Nick 4 stars rating.
Always good food served by friendly people. The chips are out of this world! Every time I come here I pick up 3 or 4 bags to take home.
Their salsa bar is good but be sure to try the jalapeño and onions at the salsa bar. You won't regret it.
Also, the rice is cooked to perfection. It's fluffy and flavorful.
Submitted by Sun Coast Films on 05/12/2022
Sun Coast Films 5 stars rating.
Probably the best Mexican food I've had in years!! Even got introduced to the potato taco!! They have amazing food!! Even a cool little taco bar! Staff is friendly and a very clean restaurant. Will be my go-to when in San Diego..
Submitted by Beth S on 04/11/2022
Beth S 4 stars rating.
We were trying to go to get seafood next door, but the line out the door wasn’t moving, so we went here instead. I’m sure we spent a lot less money because of it.
It’s a pretty good location. They have their own parking lot across the street. That’s great since parking is a nightmare!
I got a bag of their homemade tortilla chips by the door. They’re seasoned with a bit of spice.
I ordered the #14- a taco and enchilada combo. I got the fish taco and cheese enchilada. I liked everything except the rice. The rice was not good.
My husband had the same, but a carne asada taco. His was very spicy. Apparently they add a guacamole to it with fresh jalapeños. Our friend also had the taco and it was too spicy for her to eat (and she’s a Latina). My husband also had a beer. Altogether the bill was $37 for my husband and I. Our friend got 3 different kinds of tacos and a bottled orange soda. Hers was just under $20.
Submitted by Myrna Schmidt on 02/07/2022
Myrna Schmidt 5 stars rating.
There are most definitely other taquerias that are cheaper and might have a more authentic flavor and feel. That said, El Indio is still my favorite place in SD.
Submitted by Christopher Fleury on 01/31/2022
Christopher Fleury 5 stars rating.
I stumbled upon El Indio yesterday during my morning walk. I noticed the crowds and the extensive menu and decided to give it a try. What a treat!
What a wonderful experience! Darryl at the counter made me feel like I was the only person in the room, despite being in the middle of the lunch rush and the fast pace of any successful business. Not only were the carnitas excellent, but Darryl stopped by twice to ask how I was doing. This in a counter serve restaurant!
I also want to mention how Darryl and associates went out of their way to customize my lower carb lunch and keep it "on diet." Many of you know this can be a challenge in a Mexican restaurant, but they kept it simple, friendly, and delicious! Thank you for a great memory of San Diego. And no, I didn't eat the chips! ;)
Submitted by K B on 01/20/2022
k b 3 stars rating.
El Indio would be considered a very casual eaterie where you can find dine-in, carry out, or have food delivered. Nestled between Old Town, Mission Hills and Hillcrest. A mile from the airport and a hop, skip and jump to Little Italy. I would consider it a maybe place to eat, although tourists can't resist. Yet, for those trying Mexican food the first time or for entry level palettes, El Indio serves the purpose.
I arrived on a Tuesday evening an hour before closing and it was busy. I only waited 7 minutes for the food which was hot not lukewarm upon receipt.
The food was actually decent tonight. I've been eating here for more than a decade. I stopped eating here 4 years ago because the food or cooks were subpar. I had a ravenous appetite and wanted a tamale. One benefit of eating here is that the tamales are available all year round and not just Christmas. On the downside, the tamales would be addicting with waaaay less masa. My goodness. Tamales are supposed to have delicate amount of masa with plentiful filling. Well,here it is the reverse. Nonetheless, I always get my tamale prepared wet with cheese. Essentially the masa becomes moistened and drowned with sauce. I ordered the combination plate with chicken enchilada and chili and chicken tamale. The combo is served with rice and beans and a few of the El Indio renowned chips. In my opinion I would rather eat at a restaurant rather than El Indio mainly because some of El Indio dish prices are more than restaurant prices minus the gratuity. I remember back in the day when El Indio was very reasonable and the quality of food matched the value of the price. Customers always take the brunt when restaurant rents increase. If you want a quick bite to eat and it's Mexican food and you are in the area I would say, yes, try it out but if you're actually looking for a Mexican restaurant to explore and sit down and have conversation and comfortability then I would say there's many other choices in San Diego.
Amenities
Self serve fresh salsa
Indoor and outdoor no heat patio seating.
Gender neutral restrooms
Wheelchair accessible
Bathroom code on receipt
Freshly made chips with (paprika/chili powder seasoning) my guess and very good
Ample food choices which are accommodating to non-meat and meat eaters
Self serve drinks-Jamaica is deliciousness, but not authentic
Several forms of payment
Beer and limited premixed machine margaritas may be an option
Customer service continues to be a highlight even when it is busy-which it usually is.
