Guanatos Mexican Grill

Mexican restaurant · National City

Guanatos Mexican Grill

Mexican restaurant · National City

1

1526 E 18th St, National City, CA 91950

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Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by Yelp
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null
Guanatos Mexican Grill by null

Highlights

Tortas, tacos & other familiar Mexican specialties, plus beer, are on offer at this modest cantina.  

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1526 E 18th St, National City, CA 91950 Get directions

guanatosmexicanandseafood.com

$$ · Menu

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1526 E 18th St, National City, CA 91950 Get directions

+1 619 900 8985
guanatosmexicanandseafood.com

$$ · Menu

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dine in
takeout
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Last updated

Jul 10, 2025

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@eater

"This tiny Mexican spot in National City does everything right for its customers, from the food (classic fish tostadas, carne asada tacos, Cali-style carne asada fries, and hefty tortas) to the welcoming staff and low prices." - Roxana Popescu

Essential Restaurants for Casual and Work Lunches in San Diego - Eater San Diego
View Postcard for Guanatos Mexican Grill

Sajid Melendez

Google
Don’t sleep on this place, it’s petty good. Got fish tacos, fish, shrimp and aguachile tostada trio.

Jesse Michelsen

Google
This place hit the spot for Mexican seafood. The shrimp tasted fresh and was cooked perfectly. The shrimp burrito was a great mix of creamy sauce, snappy cabbage, and battered shrimp. So good. The tacos were great too, like you'd expect from a quality street taco cart. The staff were friendly and food came out in about ten minutes. Update: second visit here was just as good! Highly recommend this place. Update 2023: a couple years later, inflation has increased prices but the quality is still excellent.

Eric Scott

Google
Loved it the first time so much went back the next day. The highlight was the spicy shrimp burrito and the California burrito. Both were delicious. The smoked marlin burrito was good but paled when compared to two previously mentioned. Service is fast and friendly. Prices are moderate. About $12 for the beef burrito and $20 for the spicy shrimp.

Kenzi Marz

Google
By far the best ceviche and seafood tostada I've ever had! My Dad and sister ordered some seafood tacos and they were raving about them as well. HIGHLY recommend this place! And highly recommend the sangria. Yum!

Ally C

Google
They have inside and outside dining. The food was delicious! Very well-seasoned. The aguachiles was spicy and the carneasada fries were good. I got the cucumber water and it was so refreshing. Can't wait to go back and try some more items

joseph zimmerman

Google
There drinks omg they're great much better than other places. If this restaurant was located in a much more populated area I believe it would be a very popular spot and they're food isn't to shabby either you can call this place A hidden gem

David Barron

Google
A must when in the area. I regularly go to Tijuana and Ensenada and I can say this place is as good or better. Try the shrimp tacos and the lemonade- superb

Micky Nickles

Google
We ordered the Surf n Turf taco, Shrimp taco, Grilled Shrimp taco and Adobada burrito. Our tacos had plenty of large Shrimp. My favorite was the Surf n Turf. Full of perfectly cooked beef, shrimp, green peppers and mozzarella cheese. Yum! 😋

Joanna T.

Yelp
This place is AMAZING! I was craving aguachile and shrimp ceviche, I was scrolling through DoorDash & this place popped up. Best decision ever!!! Their aguachile is the best!!!! Food was served fresh and portion was perfect!

Erika V.

Yelp
Best Michelada I ever had. I always get the Gobernador taco. Staff is very nice and patient.

Novalina N.

Yelp
I was visiting National City and was curious about the adobada tacos that some taquerias have here. I heard that El Gordo serves great adobada tacos, but Guanatos is literally just down the block I ordered the adobada, shrimp, and fish tacos. They're all delicious, altho I think my favorite is the shrimp taco. The breading has a great flavor and the shrimp has a stronger flavor vs the fish. It will be my go-to next time. The adobada taco tastes just like al pastor to me. One of the waitresses didn't speak English, so it's a bit hard to communicate with her. However, the rest of the staff speak English fluently

Lisa C.

Yelp
Very disappointed! I ordered a beef taco salad. There was so much meat & cheese that I couldn't find any salad and the tortilla bowl was soggy most of the way up. The hot beef dumped on top of the salad completely killed it. All mush except for a little crunch around the top of the bowl. Meat should be at the bottom with salad on top. No plans to try anything else.

Charlene L.

Yelp
This place was so good! It's not very big The food was very fresh and the portions were bigger than I expected :) We got the special tostada and aguachile. The restaurant didn't look very big but it had a constant flow of people. I saw a lot of people come get takeout so that would be a convenient option. They had these aguas de fruta and it was frozen and blended. It was so yummy!

Stephanie A.

Yelp
I literally don't know where to start this place is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. You have to check it out the best fish tacos in San Diego at a steal of a price. Firstly they have parking and indoor and outdoor seating. I love seafood from food trucks but find it inconvenient to not have anywhere to sit or even use the bathroom. Im pregnant and having access to bathroom is essential. Only being able to consume fully cooked seafood I usually end up disappointed or feeling like items I ordered could have been better. That was not the case here like I said Fish Tacos were spectacular! I also got a fully cooked shrimp tostada and OMG it was like I was eating a hybrid between ceviche and shrimp cocktail. The service was amazing and there was only one waitress for four tables one outside may I add. I will definitely be back here and if you haven't tried the seafood here you are missing out!!

Shawn D.

Yelp
Food and service was amazing! I had diabla shrimp and my husband the surf and turf. Both seasoned perfect and the spice was on point!! will definitely return!!

Sergio G.

Yelp
One of the best places I've been too with great food. Carne asada fries 5/5: The fries were definitely good. Enjoyed the crunchy fries, great tasting steak, and everything was well portioned. Adobada Burrito 3/5: The burrito was decent. Didn't have much flavor. I would say the sauces is what saved the burrito. Service 4/5: The staff was polite and attentive. Seating 4/5: Lots of inside seating and space. Sauces 5/5: They have amazing sauces and definitely different from other taco shops. Definitely will return !

Jasel O.

Yelp
OMG THIS PLACE IS AMAZING! If you don't like their shrimp then something must be wrong with your taste buds because the flavors are so good It's a hole in the wall place but the food and service was amazing 10/10

Jackie B.

Yelp
Michis are bomb and the food on point.honestly one of my favorite spots to go to now .

Marleen R.

Yelp
Now that we actually came in to eat I can say it is a small place but the food is authentic and delicious. My kids loved their rice and quesadillas. We ordered new things and all were great quality in taste and generous with veggies just how we like. Shrimp taco al gobernador which has grilled veggies and grilled cheese on the tortilla- a Marlin taco which was great in taste and diced up just right so it wasn't over fishy in taste topped with grilled veggies and with grilled cheese on the tortilla. The cóctel de camarón which I don't have a picture of - sorry but i got a small one and the shrimp were never ending. Repeated a levantamuertos cocktail which was really good and tasted just like the one we got delivered through Door Dash. Service was great, ladies behind the counter were super nice and were attentive and helpful with ordering. Glad we were able to go in and sit down and have a nice meal that felt home made and authentic.

Cem G.

Yelp
Great food. Excellent service! We are always greeted with a big smile. Most of the time we choose having Guanatos over In N Out which says a lot for our family!

Rod N.

Yelp
Amazing seafood cocktails. The shrimp tacos were so damn good and huge. Im very happy i have this new seafood gem within walking distance from my home.

Chuck S.

Yelp
First time here, randomly found based on high yelp rating. AWESOME. This place is what every mariscos truck wishes it could be. Friendly staff, reasonable prices, and outdoor seating.

Leanne E.

Yelp
Excellent service! Super hole in the wall spot. Not many know about this place but if your craving a mariscos spot, this is a great one to try. Food was delicious and there micheladas are big and flavorful too!

Jenna A.

Yelp
It had so many good reviews so I brought my family of 8 but the service was trash. I asked for two water with lots of ice and I didn't get my water until 4/8 people were served food. Terrible food. The chips and salsa were straight up bagged mission chips (generic kind though) and PACE SALSA! I swear to god. McDonalds is better

Erica C.

Yelp
Favorite place to go and get some seafood. Aguachile tostadas are so delicious. The people there are always so nice. It's a small place but the food is so good!! The micheladas are also very good.. totally recommend this place

Curtis J.

Yelp
Ordered to go, 1 surf and turf burrito and 1 shrimp taco. The shrimp taco was great, all the flavors were spot on and the salsa helped to elevate the taco. The surf and turf burrito was one of the most flavorful burritos I've had in a while. The salsa Chipotle and Habanero were delicious. I see some folks complained about the prices however, I think that's just a reflection of the times we live in. Small establishments have to pay the bills just like everybody else. I found that the portion size and value to price was equivalent, and I'm happy to help local businesses stay afloat. I will be back soon.

Marina M.

Yelp
I was by the area and craving fish tacos, looked on Yelp and reviews told me to order to go which I did. It's a hole in the wall restaurant with PARKING and has a small dining area, maybe for a couple sitting. Ordered fish tacos combo with an extra taco for $12. I was hesitant but first bite in and I'm already craving for more!!! The tacos are fresh and HOT! + the salsa is spicy and very yummy! Definitely coming back to try other things!!!

Shylo H.

Yelp
I have been going once or twice a month usually break from work with co workers. Food here is always amazing, fresh and really does look like the pictures, if not better. This is a hole in the wall, makes you feel like your south of the border. The ladies working here are very nice. I highly recommend it here... BTW, this tops Rubios fish tacos 100%

Gee S.

Yelp
Today I stopped at this place for lunch after looking up some well rated places close by where I was. First time here & I can say I liked it. Not much parking, only a couple spots, but that was ok for the time being so no complaint here. I ordered 2 fish tacos and 2 marlin tacos. My friend got some fish tacos and caldo 7mares. The fish tacos themselves were real good, not mini tacos but the size of taco you'd make at home. I like spicy and I'm a bit picky when it comes to salsa. The chipotle sauce they provided was good, as well as their red salsa. The red salsa seemed a bit not too spicy at first but had a kick at the end that really stuck out and was enjoyable. I didn't expect to see how big these marlin tacos would be, due to the fact that I had to go back to work and wasn't trying to overfill myself. I was only able to finish the 2 tacos & 1 marlin taco. The marlin taco came out good, lacked a bit of flavor in my opinion but I was able to enjoy it as is. My friend really enjoyed the tacos as well and also the caldo he ordered. He had mentioned that the broth was real good too. We will definitely come back sometime to try out their aguachiles. I gave it 4 stars for not disappointing when i was hungry. Clean place and welcoming staff.

Brian S.

Yelp
The food is amazing! I had the shrimp taco, grilled shrimp taco, and the rolled tacos and was impressed by the quality. The server was very kind and the food came out quickly. I'll definitely be returning.

Chuck L.

Yelp
BEST MICHALIDAS EVER!!! Food is great, service is awesome but the michalida oh my

Rodrigo G.

Yelp
Very good food. Like a home made flavor. Good service. I well recommend. You'll be surprised how good is the food. Sea food is fresh and good. I'm not exaggerating.

Carmen S.

Yelp
Food was delicious and service was great I do recommend the ceviche tostadas and fish tacos

Yuki K.

Yelp
Best grilled fish taco and fries in National city, we always order there almost once a week, got addicted to them!!

Teresa G.

Yelp
Found a great local taco shop here in National City. They are open for takeout right now, and it was about 30 minutes from the time I ordered until it was ready. It was a bit pricier than I was expecting (I was looking at an old menu photo and prices, apparently), but the portions are large, and the food was delicious. They gave us a bunch of tasty salsas, and limes, with our order. The two women who were working were friendly and doing their best to keep things running smoothly and quickly. They accidentally forgot my burrito, but when I pointed it out they had one made in just a few minutes. I think this will be our new spot when we are craving tacos and burritos!

Kurt C.

Yelp
Loved this family run business. So authentic, felt like I was in their home. The carne asada burrito was so flavorful, obviously marinated fir a long time. It was delicious! The ceviche was so good and the shrimp taco was really similar to what you get in Ensenada. Crunchy and flavorful. I love this place.

Cruz D.

Yelp
COVID-19 has almost everything closed but this place is able to place a order to-go and with quick service. The women in the kitchen are awesome! Fresh clean and super delicious seafood. I am definitely going to revisit this place in the near future. My plan is to try the whole menu within this year!!! This place is 100% a Hidden gem. Rolled Tacos Shrimp Ceviche

Monica A.

Yelp
Looking for a good marisco and found this nice little restaurant. Brought my Papa and Mama. We really liked the atmosphere and the owners. The food was delicious, so if in National City Come give them a try, always good to support Local. Be back when I visit. Mahalo

Lorie M.

Yelp
The Fish Tacos and the Shrimp Tacos are both very good. The Fish Ceviche Tostada was tasty. Everything was very fresh. Their horchata was delicious and their strawberry drink was as well.

Aaron W.

Yelp
The food here is awesome! I had the surf and turf taco, and it was the best I have every had!

Rebekah W.

Yelp
Great for all things seafood!! Tacos are a solid. I've never gotten bad food here. Also, love their micheladas!!

Karen S.

Yelp
Fish and shrimp tacos are really good. They are a bit bigger that's other places too. The shrimp ceviche is amazing. Simple and flavorful. I ate there twice in one week. So good abs cheap!

Thanks G.

Yelp
I got the marlin taco and a pollo burrito. They were both excellent. The marlin was next level though. Very fresh and smoky. I will definitely come back and try more mariscos here

Irnesa D.

Yelp
Best Mexican food that I ever had in Sn Diego . My self and my boyfriend been there on 05/07/22. We been on vacation in San Diego and I was looking for Mexican seafood and I checked this restaurant , we decide to go to try and we loved. Waiter she had best additive and she explained everything very well . They have best Michelada that I ever tried . Highly recommended this place . I think the issue is that is really small business and not a lot of people know about it . Honestly I loved , and when we go back to San Diego for sure this is first place that we are going to eat . Another part is not expensive at all . Last part I will say thank you to wonderful waiter and great chef .

Laylah G.

Yelp
This is my favorite spot for Mexican seafood! I enjoy their shrimp tacos, they are amazing and my husband always has to have a fish taco. I'm looking forward to trying their surf n turf fries. Prices are a bit high but I feel it's worth it, and I'm willing to spend on bomb shrimp tacos. The service is always fast and friendly, I can't stop coming back.

Cyn B.

Yelp
This is one of the best taco shops I ever been to. The staff is friendly and the food is good as well as the drinks. I went for fish tacos they tasted fresh and delicious. I love this place already.

Sammy T.

Yelp
Stopped by for recommendations of awesome pozole but they were sold out!! WTF. However the very nice lady suggested Caldo de Pescado. I was not disappointed. Nice save. Excellent flavor. Just like in Mexico. The real deal. I definitely stop by again for the fish soup... And cervezas. The 2 Mexicans ladies were very nice and polite. I appreciate the welcoming attitude. I WILL be back. Thanks again!!

Kenneth A.

Yelp
Friendly staff. Nice fresh seafood. Tasty salsas too. Go check them out . I had the tostada Loco. Perfect meal full of yummy seafood for a hot hot day. Go enjoy

Brittany B.

Yelp
First time ordering, we got the 'grilled' fish tacos (which are amazing and very filling) not the standard fish tacos. I got mixed up this time ordering thinking it was grilled when I put in the order for fish tacos - nope. The standard fish tacos are yucky, breaded, and such a small sliver of fish inside of bread - it's ridiculous. Ugh! It's my bad for not specifying grilled oops.

Cydney J.

Yelp
So so so so good and everyone who works here is so nice. This is my go to spot whenever I'm craving fish tacos, ceviche, Or aguachile.

Layna P.

Yelp
This is the best Mexican food in San Diego. The flavor is amazing!! The portions are huge. The staff are so friendly, helpful and always smiling. It's a very clean establishment and I like the new outdoor eating area. Shrimp ceviche topped with avacado and served iwth crispy tostadas are delicious. The fish tacos are fantastic, especially with a michelada. I recently had the governor taco (see picture) and will be ordering that again in the future! We had a made to order burrito - eggs, potatoes, Carne asada, beans and cheese - and it hit the spot for a hangover. The limonada is so delicious, made from fresh limes! And today we had it bubbly with a chili rim. Another new favorite I'll be back for. And it's sooo worth the drive from Point Loma.

Vince P.

Yelp
So my friend called me dying from a hang over and asked if I wanted to eat some aguachiles and have a michelada. Sounded good to me. I pick her up and at this point I realized her HANGRY level was probably at an 8 and her near death rating was probably close to a 10. So I didn't want to drive too far and I didn't want to get myself killed in the car from her lack of food and frustration with life at her current state so I drove down the block to this spot. Smart move on my part I probably avoided near death. We sit down ordered a Michelada and I saw a smile magically appear on her face. Looks like we're off to a good start. I order a consome for her cause yeah, I've been with mexican girls, I know hangover remedies. Put in some hot sauce and their house salsa and limes in that little cup of life and the words "I'm soooo happy right now" blurt out of her mouth and I can finally rest easy. Woo. Fish taco's and shrimp taco's hit our table and i loaded them up with the creamy habenero sauce and their house salsa along with one of their other salsa's and man this hit the spot for me. Their chips and salsa come out next and they were FRESH and HOT. oh man I loved their chips. I wish their salsa that came with it was a bit more spicier. But hey I like spicy food. I'm cursed. The aguachiles come out next with tostadas and the aguachiles were on point. Probably some of the best that I've had. The shrimp was really tender and very citrusy from the lime. I loved it. Super good. Only gripe was that the tostada's weren't as hot and fresh as the chips. So my fix was to eat it with the chips instead. Good stuff! So if you're ever in my situation. Don't be a dummy. Come here and get some good food!

Melissa C.

Yelp
OMG.. where to start, the people there and service it's awesome, really sweet ladies, clean, music not too loud, and when I got the food I couldn't feel more at home .. I'm really picky w mariscos but the "sazón" is on point ñ. Be coming here for sure more times.

Carmella S.

Yelp
When I bit into the fish taco, I actually said, "oh my goodness, this is amazing". We ordered 17 total tacos for four people. Also, horchata is amazing and frozen lemon water.

Manuel R.

Yelp
So I thought it look like a nice place i made my order 1 shrimp burrito 2 shrimp taco and two fish taco I knew how much I needed to get charge she charge me debit card but I didn't pay attention to how much it was until I went to my car and got a notification got charge 30 dollars I was like thats not right she gave me a receipt but I didn't looked at it she thought I ordered 2 Carne asada tacos instead of the fish tacos I said no thats wrong she said you still want the tacos I said no because they asked me to get fish tacos she fixed it and gave me more change the I went outside when I got home disgusting shrimp tacos that they gave probably because I didn't want the carne asada tacos never going back here the bread of the shrimp tasted awful and looked awful

Frankie Z.

Yelp
Amazing place. Loved the torre de mariscos. Would definitely recommend it to anyone. Great service and the micheladas were delicious

Nicole D.

Yelp
As a first timer, we asked the cashier what's good and he replied "Everything." Well let me tell you how amazing, EVERYTHING was As I ordered fish tacos that I was already craving and savoring, my cravings were fully satisfied, just as I had imagined. The agua frescas are roughly $3 for a 32oz and not too mention also very delicious. The mango and fresa had more of a smoothie consistency but still so good ! The pozole and caldo 7 mares were big portions and filled with more food than caldo not like other places. Am definitely saving this location as a favorite for future visits.

Claudia B.

Yelp
My new favorite fish taco spot!! They have an amazing menu. I love their fish tacos and tacos el gobernador. Their clamatos preparados hit the spot after a night out. Everyone is super friendly and they get your order out fast. Cant wait to go back and try the rest of their menu!