Antojitos Tenampa

Been here several times, always ordered something different. Everything is very tasty. The soda fountain has been "waiting for a part" since I started eating here months ago. They do make more money by selling sugary drinks in a bottle, and I'm starting to wonder if that is why the soda fountain still isn't working.

Food was good. The workers were really nice. Great salsa, all of them are really tasty. Convenient location for me, pretty cool too because Los Tito's was here before and it's still a taco shop. Open a bit later than the other one that is nearby. Clean and simple, open concept dining area and fans overhead to keep it comfortable. Daily specials board outside. Try it out!

Cashier and kitchen staff were very nice! The deluxe fries and quesadillas were authentic and tasted great too. Would definitely recommend coming here for authentic Mexican food!

New owner, menu has changed significantly.

So when I get there I’m already intrigued by the name because it’s not your regular California taco shop name, I’m smelling #Chilangos (it takes one to know one), and when I walk in what do I see? They offer #pambazos?! And #suadero? And #gorditas? And #alambres? By now I’m only sad that I am only one person and cannot eat a meal for 5. So I order the menudo, the very nice man gives me the option between flour, corn or HAND MADE to order corn. So of course I ask him if I look like a fool to him? And so gives me the hand made. When he served it to me I was extremely surprised at the sides because normally regular taco shops don’t give you the works! Here they do! Oregano, limon, chilitos rojos, cebolla y cilantro. I am in heaven. Then I take my first few bites and I realize this is not your basic menudo, NO! This is #pancita Mexico City style. Ugh. I can’t wait to go back and try the rest of their food. This without a drink or tip was $14. Absolutely check them out.

Delicious food and friendly service! A great, authentic spot for a quick and satisfying meal. Will definitely be back!

This place is my go-to for Mexican food. The California burrito and Tenampa breakfast burrito are amazing and the staff is very friendly. Highly recommend!

Went in for Taco Tuesday and was greeted by who I’m assuming is the owner—super courteous and polite. The tacos were delicious! They come with all the essentials, and the meat was high quality. The sauces were flavorful and actually had some real heat, which I appreciated. Cheap and bomb. Definitely coming back to this family-owned spot. Loved the whole experience

I ordered street taco con pollo and side of rice. The menu items affordable compared to nearby Mexican restaurants. This food is authentic and delicious. The presentation is beautiful and the service if fast and very friendly. The restaurant is clean, and decorated to make you feel like you are at your tia or abuellas casa. Added ambiance that made my dine in experience enjoyable - only Selena music played during my visit. Thank you for a delicious and enjoyable dinner. I will be back soon.

Bought a 3 dollar bean and cheese burrito. This thing was the size of a taquito. Beans were pretty meh too. What the heck? Rather pay 5 bucks and get an actual burrito.

These tacos will do in a pinch. I really liked the gordita with the thick handmade tortilla. The milder green salsas could have been more flavorful. The gentleman working the counter was very friendly and welcoming. It was pretty empty on a Sunday night, with only one other customer. I wonder if they are busier other times of the day. I saw the birria menu after I'd already ordered. I would like to come back to try a quesabirria taco.

I found this thanks to Yelp. Awesome food. Lots of non-standard Mexican plates. Definitely returning. Highly recommend!

Pambazo, lamb barbacoa, birria and menudo are delicious! Thin crispy chips served if you dine in as well. Grab salsa from the salsa bar. Owner is super nice as well, worth the drive for us!

Best taco Tuesday ever! 6 different tacos to choose from- great food all around - family run business. You will not find a better taco anywhere. Fresh toppings!

Amazing little hidden gem must give it a try amazing portions and filling taste is all there is a lemon grove hidden gem for me we it come to taco Shops

Service was decent and the place was clean enough. The carne sada fries were sub par at best. The fries were kinda hard and they lacked flavor. I do not recommend any version of the fries.

The food is very good, big fan of the potato rolled tacos, al pastor fries and the birria. The staff are all real kind people and care about you and the food. The shop it a classic San Diego taco shop setting. I recommend getting extra pickled onions!

Go to neighborhood taco shop! Love the tacos and burritos here. Always stacked with meat and friendly service!

The best taco shop in lemon grove!!!!!! Everything they serve just tastes so good! Highly recommend if your ever in lemon grove, this is definitely the spot

Just had this place right now and decided to review while it's fresh in my memory. Read a lot of good reviews but it didn't quite live up to the hype. I ordered a great deal of food but they were alright. Today they had a Taco Tuesday deal for $1.50-1.75 each depending on protein. The al pastor tacos I tried were a bit on the dry side. It lacked flavor. The carne asada quesadilla was pretty good. The rolled tacos were too crispy meaning they probably over fried them. They also had huge pieces of lettuce, tomatoes, and onions throughout my food meaning they were not thoroughly cut or looked over. I was the only customer in there so they could've taken the time to package my food and aluminum foil properly. Looked like they just threw everything in the container and they had the tacos messily wrapped in aluminum foil that wasn't even tight so the guacamole and onions were all stuck on the foil when opened. They should've put everything in styrofoam boxes. The lady at the counter I'm assuming her name is Mariam was nice and I like their sauces especially the avocado one.

Great services and clean place foood was delicious!! Highly recommend. Support small shops

My first order from Antojitos Tenampa was via UberEats. It included: 1 Barbacoa de Borrego Taco 1 Taco Alambre 1 lb. Carnitas w/ Corn Tortillas 1 Home Made Agua Fresca - Jamaica (no ice) 1 Guacamole I also used the UberEats page to ask for salsa de chile de árbol en aceite, salsa verde and salsa roja, and handmade tortillas. A bit high-maintenance, maybe, but it was my first time eating Tenampa's food, and like a lot of people, I want what I want, so I ask for it. But UberEats didn't offer me the opportunity to make an even more explicit set of requests, so I had to call the restaurant, anyway. The phone was answered by the owner's son, Daniel, who works the family business between classes. Daniel sorted out my order: I wanted carnitas tacos, and there was no place to specify that on UberEat's page, so SMART Daniel sold me a POUND of carnitas and a STACK of freshly-made tortillas... but I fooled him, because I'm a leftover guy, so a pound of carnitas suits me, just fine. My order arrived well-packed, and the restaurant included extra of the extra stuff I'd mentioned. ********** "How was the food?" Tenampa's barbacoa, a moist and tender pile of shredded lamb, was shot full of Maillard-y goodness, a trick, when you're prohibited by County ordinances from cooking the meat in a hole in the ground, as God intends it to be done. Theirs is a different version of that very favorite dish of mine than the ones I get at El Borrego or La Barbacoa Autentica De Borrego (both in City Heights), but for God's sake, please don't make me choose. All three are excellent examples of what they are, and gun to my head, I'll order the one that I'm closest to when I get hungry. The carnitas was good, and I've ordered it again since, but with due respect to my buddy Jay K. (The Taco Crusader, whose own Tenampa review appears further down this page), Carnitas Las Michoacanas (the one in Chula, not the one in Rolando) does the best job of deep-frying pork products in the County. Fight me. The worst that can happen is you prove me wrong and I get to eat even better carnitas. ********** Barbacoa, check. Carnitas, check. Now, let's talk about that "Taco Alambre." Alambres, which are served throughout Mexico and in parts of the US are, generally speaking, dishes made with grilled meat, peppers and onions, and topped with cheese. This mixed pile of goodness is meant to be scooped up with a fresh-made tortilla - corn or flour, dealer's choice. Tenampa's "Alambre Especial" is a stunning mass of those things, specifically: pork chops; bacon; ham; bell pepper; onions; chorizo; and a mix of cheeses: panela, soft and creamy and dairy-rich; and mozzarella, with all its stretchy, melty charm. Tortillas come with, but since the kitchen is able to provide hand-made corn tortillas for a small upcharge, then, if I'm sayin', I say, "get 'em." But back to my order. I'm a glutton who wants to live to celebrate my gluttony, and because I was ordering other menu items too, I limited myself to the scaled-down Taco Alambre, a combination of beef, peppers and onions and cheese that's simpler than the Especial. "But how was it?" Alambres, in whatever form they're offered, are among those things that a diner such as myself, one with worldly experience and a refined and educated palate, shouldn't order, or, if he does, shouldn't care for... "Oh, c'mon, man..." Fine. The beef was firm but tender, like really good carne asada, and the peppers were smoky, the way I like them prepared in Rajas con Crema and Salsa Molcajeteada... "Really, dude?" Sorry... words fail me. Wait... no they don't... The Tacos Alambres at Tenampa are goddamned goooood, my friends! They are... they're... a Mexican cheesesteak! and if you know anything about me, you know that I've literally been eating cheesesteaks since before I was two years old, from my father's sub shop, so, really, cheesesteaks are a part of my patrimony. Is it weird that the item that most impressed me is the one that might have been designed by a team of hungry 15 year-old boys? Maybe, but I don't care. When I need to eat my feelings, I'm going to do so with a Taco Alambre in each hand. ********** Anyway, if you haven't tried Antojitos Tenampa in Lemon Grove, please do. Owner Israel Hernandez will make you feel like you're at your uncle's place, eating a range of DF-style antojitos and other items from a taco-shop-on-steroids, whose menu shames every 'berto's in the County. And finally, here are Israel's words, which say what I've been trying to tell you, better than I ever could: "At Antojitos Tenampa we strive to offer top quality food, provide excellent service and offer a pleasant place to eat, but we also care about feeding the soul of our customers. How? serving those homemade flavors that when tasting them bring you a good memory or transport you to a place that you have never been able to forget."

This is a Top 5 Mexican restaurant in San Diego. Read Omar S.'s review of this place, he nails it. Additionally, I'd say their carnitas are the city's best, and to also try their "Taco de Costilla" (deboned half-rack of pork ribs in handmade tortilla) and their tortas (specifically their Torta Chilanga).

Looking for authentic Mexican Food? HERE IT IS! I love it here reminding me of Mexico City Taste. They have foods you would not find in a typical Mexican place. Owner is very nice and raised in Mexico City. Please try it!

Antojitos Tenampa is one of my favorite SD Mexican restos. Their lamb barbacoa is deeply flavored, moist and slightly fatty. What makes their family lamb plate better than the others are the tortillas. Their tortillas are much better than Aqui is Texacoco and Da Cabeza. The lamb consumme is great - a bit on the spicy side. I get an extra side and make chiliquiles with it the next day. The AlHambre was - to quote a Yelp Friend - "a mexican cheesesteak". I liked that the onions and peppers played as big a role as the meat. Their sopes are also good - I can't wait to try their huaraches. Also, everyone at the restaurant usually orders the menudo - so I assume that is great as well. Their salsa bar is superior.

Legit barbacoa, probably one of the only places that gives you hand made tortillas in their tacos, hand made quesadillas are massive. And the only place that makes a respectable suadero. Love this place and keep recommending it to all my friends. True Mexico City vibes. And they've gotten the taco shop food down as well.

I had the sopes and it was very good. A little sloppy but delicious. The Jamaica was fresh. For a taco shop she took our order and served us at our table, very nice. The place was very clean We'll be going back.

This is the kind of place that ruins my day.... Because all I'll be able too think about your the rest of the day is coming back. Small location, hidden in a strip mall in Lemon Grove... But don't get it twisted- this is a destination. You really don't need to wait until you're in the area, you need to come and eat DF (México city) style food here because it is worth the drive. The handmade corn tortillas alone are with coming back for.... But come with the intention of trying something new... Ask for recommendations if you're unfamiliar with Mexico City style food.... Try a pambazo, or choriqueso... Don't fall back to your typical California burrito order or the same roll tacos you get at the local taco shop. Order tacos de borrego ....mmmm... Chefs kiss...i usually drive to aquí es Texcoco or my secret spot in City heights.... But these guys are just as good with better tortillas... And that is a HUGE deal... So happy to have found a new spot to keep coming back to and eating my way through the menu!

This place is great. We've been coming here since we moved into the area, and the flavors + service are all wonderful. Feels like genuine, traditional cooking and there's always flavors that surprise us here. A tad bit pricey cause of COVID but they're wearing masks and take good care of the place (gotta support the family business owners!!) So far have tried the fajitas burrito (awesome), every taco Tuesday flavor (longanisa and carne asada were my favs), and the carnitas family meal.

This new place is pretty good. I had the hand made gorditas, one with carne asada and the other with adobada pork combo with rice and beans and access to their salsa bar for $8.99. I liked the masa of the gorditas because it was tasty. The gorditas were rather large, which good, but they need to focus on filling them more properly. The meats and the other ingredients should of been visible from all the sides and like as if the gorditas were packed! The adobada was more plentiful than the carne asada. Both tasted good, but in all honesty, for every bit I took of the goditas, the dominant flavor was the masa. They need to work on bringing these ratio closer together, so that the gorditas are enjoyed more thoroughly with all their glory. Both the rice and beans were very good and offered traditional flavors. I was a fan of their salsa bar. All of them tasted very good and packed different levels of heat. I just could not find the tortilla chips. Perhaps I am spoiled. The Mexican eatery's owners find their roots in southern Mexican, so the cuisine is a reflection of that. They are very nice people.

Our favorite day of the week is "Taco Tuesday!" We wanted to try it out because it's family-owned and the huge banner announcing "handmade tortillas." Let's put it this way... it was so good, I forgot to take pictures! We ordered a variety of carne asada and pollo asado, which are part of the special ($1.50 ea), as well as longaniza, which is Spanish cured sausage ($1.75 ea] and suadero, which is pork close to belly ($1.75 ea). They were all flavorful and balanced, but, honestly, the star were the handmade tortillas. They were perfection; there wasn't even a hint of dryness. I couldn't help myself and ordered the "churros rellenos," without even asking what they were! To our surprise and delight, they are delicious cinnamon sugar covered homemade churros with a strawberry or cherry filling (we couldn't figure out which one but it was still good)! There are lots of other items we'd like to try so we'd like to be adopted by this family please... ha ha ha... we'll be back for family dinner!

Street tacos were meh. Super greasy tortillas. I think we ordered the wrong stuff. Would try the Birria next time.

This shop is not for me. I was stunned to read the amazing reviews after having a not so amazing meal. Maybe it was us? Maybe it was a one-off type of night? I would recommend trying for yourself.

Wow! Pleasantly Surprised with this place. The veggie burrito was tasty and huge. My daughter had the carne asada tacos and said it was some of the best she had ever had. The price was good as well. It's a great place with good prices.

I was going to get some fast food, then I saw this spot with the sign support your local business, so I figured why not I'll give it a shot. I'm really glad I did. I saw that they have lamb barbacoa as a soup so I mentioned it and they said they also have it in a burrito, which is what I ordered for lunch. It was huge, filled with tasty lamb, and all and all a really good call. The restaurant isn't going to be anyone's version of fancy, but what I care about is the quality of the food, and the quality of the food here is really good.

OMG! We just ordered Uber Eats from Antojitos Tenampa and it was amazing on every level. I picked the two gordita plate with chicharron and my husband got the potato flautas. We also got two street tacos. They provided plenty of salsa and had great options including a creamy habenero. The star was meal was the delicious chicharron gordita. I couldn't eat the second Gordita on the plate because I was too full but I'm thinking about it as I write this review. Mmmm!! Would highly recommend this place.

The staff and owner are deaf and blind apparently. Mexican to Mexican, this owner and his staff are uncle Toms. My car was damaged in the middle of a fight that happened outside this business. I called the police to see the footage, and the owner refused to cooperate with police. I'm stuck with the damages and a long-lasting impression of the owner, the staff, and lame restaurant. The food is weak, and I'm done pity spending on grown adults. If you want to actually be safe and cared for eat somewhere else.

Buyer beware. Purchased a birria caldo to go and got 3 measly pieces of meat with one being mostly meat fat. Not to mention that particular order did not come with rice or beans. Called to notify them and was told to come in and they would rectify and give me a serving to remedy the situation. Although I didn't ask for them to give me anything, I was merely letting them know that for over $15 compared to other places, their meat serving was mediocre. I drove to the taco shop to pick up my supposed free birria as they wanted to remedy my experience, only to be told that they gave me a proper serving and they even showed me a video to show they gave me a proper serving of meat. The video was way too small to see how many spoonfuls of meat they served me, but really?! Who does this. And the gentleman, possibly the manager or owner told me that because I complained they would not be providing me with service moving forward, Really?! Terrible experience! Never again.

My office was craving Tortas and this taco shop was only a few minutes away. It didn't have a crazy amount of reviews but photos of the food sold me. I purchased two Tortas and we were blown away! Since then, I have gotten my entire office staff addicted to the food here. Everything here is absolutely delicious and flavored soooo well! The salsas have a kick and the customer service is just as amazing. Being almost hidden behind the Jack In The Box, it is a little gem. Loads of parking, prices are typical ....portions are massive. Seriously, this is the very best spot for Tortas.

Salsa is super watered down!!! I ordered roll tacos. No flavor The tomatoes in the pico were old and soggy even the sour cream was bland and runny. Not to mention the avocado ‍. Truly disappointed. Excellent presentation but the taste

Nice size Tortas probly can feed 2-3 people seriously. Had the Cubana and it was delicious. Came back and tried the tacos and the flavors were on point.

After looking at the reviews, most yielding 5 stars, we decided to give this place a go. We ordered Chicken, Asada, and Barbacoa tacos. They offered a "Taco Tuesday" deal for $1.99 a street taco. Before we moved, there was a spot we were regulars at that had AMAZING tacos for 99cents! Every place I go to now just doesn't compare and it makes me want to drive all the way just to get the best deal. I'll break down the meats from best to worst: They are very generous with their meat and fill those babies up! CHICKEN- very flavorful! It is grilled, so some might think it's a little dry. However, it was still good and at least you knew it was cooked through! ASADA- was a little dry and could've used more seasoning. It tasted kind of like bland meat.. but it's nothing lime and green salsa won't fix! BARBACOA- We both literally gagged......... some people might be into this... "rich"... taste. But some people ain't us. You can taste the cattle from the meat. It tasted like manure and goats. I took one bite and almost threw up. I LOVE Barbacoa and was so excited to try it- but regretted it instantly. NEVER AGAIN.

One of the best taco shops in this area, very friendly and amazing customer service. The food is always consistent and a reasonable price. Love coming in for street tacos on Taco Tuesday's deal. The male head cashiers kindness alone made we want to come back. They've gained a new regular customer!

YUM YUM YUM Best Al Pastor street taco I've found in the area by far!! The lamb barbacoa was super rich and gamey, really tasty. The beans! OMG the beans. First time trying Antojitos Tenampa, we'll be back again for sure.

Today March 23 about 7:30 PM I made an order To-go of a veggie burrito with Carne Asada on top. I waited over 10 minutes for the burrito to be made, I understand they had people waiting in front of my order but I was expecting for the order to be made correctly the way that I asked. I paid extra for the Carme asada which I understand also had to paid .50 cents for debit transaction fee also I tipped the cashier (everything was good up to this moment) Got home 10 minutes drive start eating my burrito and I don't find any Carme Asada halfway there I make a phone call to let them know what's going on and the answer they gave me was unacceptable. The cashier said that he was going to speak with the owner which he did and the owner replied that he has everything in Camera that he has added the Carne Asada well I don't see it. I told him I can send him a picture of the burrito and the cashier replied that they already have it in Camera. He asked for my name and phone number and of course I was upset which I replied "I don't care if it is the f..ing owner or the cleaner but just wanted to get my food right. Which he replied "I am not the owner and he hung up the phone. I am more than irritated no just because of my food not getting it right but because of the lack of customer service they had to deal with an issue. I am expecting a call from the owner!

We been coming here since they open I love there food If you Feel like real Mexican food Try Tenampa

Place is legit. Churro rellenos. California burrito is a monster delight. I am excited to try more. My wife is Mexican and likes it and I can't say that about a lot of taco shops.

I like their street tacos. It was tasty, and the cashier was nice. I recommend this place to people who wants to eat good street tacos

If you are looking for 100% authentic CDMX food, this is your place! I recently found this place and I am hooked.

Super delicious. Great Mexican food. Yummyyyyy. Great customer service on top of the great food! Oh yes!

The food is amazing! I would eat here every day if I had the time! I recommend the cubano torta! Its enough for 3 people! Fresh aguas and tortillas! If you have not had the food , you are missing out!!

Personal atento no lo puedo negar. La verdad mire fotos y esperaba más de la comida no hubo algo que se me hiciera bueno, pedí unas flautas para mi niña y la carne no tenía sabor es más sabia de bastantes días, las gorditas nadando en grasa y con masa dentro cruda tienen más cebolla que carne, no tienen sabor la verdad no me quedan ganas de volver a intentar probar otra cosa no lo recomiendo siento pesar por que se mira que es negocio familiar y le ponen ganas al servicio pero no a la comida tienen que mejorar bastante.

You have to try everything from this place!! The enchiladas, sopes, Gordita's etc. Delicious!!! Friendly service

Terrible!!! I wasted $32.00 on an order of cheese enchiladas, 1 horchata, 1 adobado taco, quesadilla and rolled potato tacos. All of the food was terrible. Even the quesadilla was bad. I took one bite and tossed it. HOW can you mess up a quesadilla?!!!! It's cheese and a tortilla!! I ate one of the potato tacos which was mostly a tortilla with sour cream, some lettuce and a dash of cheese and tossed the rest. The food was cold, the beans were terrible and the rice was crunchy, and the horchata was watery. This is not Mexican food. More like Mexicant! The staff on the other hand was very nice.

Food takes way to long to come out, 30mins for chilaquiles is not acceptable and everything needs seasoning. Don't recommend

Been here twice. The large carne asada tacos are my favorite because the corn tortillas are homemade.

I recently moved around the corner from this wonderful gem with its banners grateful for a community supporting a local family business and boasting homemade tortillas behind the Jack in the box, and just tried it for the first time today. Oh.Mah.Gaw. Yes, this corner features some interesting locals, but if you're in Lemon Grove, you already know that. Let's get to the good stuff. I was greeted so warmly when I came in. The place is very clean, and there were a few people enjoying some mouthwatering plates. I ordered a tacos de Barbados plate to go and sat and chilled while they put my order together. A woman came up to pick up her order, and she and the cashier had a nice little familiar conversation. This is a place that values its regulars. Then I got my plate. Fresh, hearty thick homemade tortillas couching the tenderest, most flavorful barbacoa I've EVER had with chopped onion and cilantro. Btw, for that ignorant yahoo who posted about how their barbacoa tastes like "cattle and manure?" Go home till you get a palate, lady, because barbacoa is LAMB, baby. And theirs is seriously the bomb. I actually finished my beans, which were perfectly creamy and flavorful, and rice, which was also flavorful and didn't feel like a desiccated afterthought. I rarely finish my beans and rice elsewhere. The tacos were accompanied by three sauces, two of which I know were too spicy for me, and one milder tomatillo-based sauce that added some tang and spice to this beautiful LAMB. I will be back. I will be eating my way through this entire menu.