Pokez Mexican Restaurant

California Burrito Hunt – Stop #25 I am on a mission to find the best California Burrito in town. Today’s stop is Pokez Mexican Restaurant. The Burrito: The biggest strength of this burrito is the fresh ingredients, and you can really taste it. The grilled meat is flavorful, and the avocado with the sour cream sauce adds nice variety to each bite. They also add cabbage, which gives the dish and its flavor a unique twist. The potatoes, however, became a bit watery from the heat. If the potatoes had been crispy and the meat slightly more flavorful, this could easily be the best burrito in the city. They also make their own sauces here, which taste great and clearly come from fresh products — nothing old or stale. Price is $15 plus tax, which is slightly above the city average. Score: 7 out of 10 Service: The man who helped me clearly did not want to interact. I would not call it rude, but it was definitely harsh and unwelcoming. Score: 1 out of 10 Atmosphere: You can tell they have put effort into creating a certain atmosphere. The place is old, filled with vintage things, and there is so much to take in. I cannot even describe it all — you have to see the photos. Despite the age of the decor, the place is clean, which works surprisingly well with the antique feel. Score: 7 out of 10

The burritos were enormous and flavorful! I would go again. Their menu is huge with tons of options to choose from. Their staff are so sweet and welcoming too.

I ordered tofu, potato, mushroom enchiladas. I wish I had added vegan cheese because I think it would have melted nicely into the sauce and been a good addition. The food came out so fast and the employees were helpful and welcoming! I love the decor. Trinkets! I’ll stop by again next time I visit!

Thanks to the staff recommendation, I ordered the "Toms Deep Plate" with tofu potato mushroom. It was absolutely stellar. Completely vegan. So delicious. Perhaps too much food for a single sitting, but completely fair prices. Having grown up in SoCal, eating authentic "California Mexican" is a must on any visit back to this state. This restaurant hit the spot. I am so grateful! Great plate for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike. Plenty of options for all.

Very good food for a great price. The food is cooked to order so do not expect to be in and out. Staff are very friendly and great to talk to. Laid back here, no ac.

I’m in town for Business and was looking for a local place to grab a bite to eat for lunch. I got the Carne Asada chimichanga to go. It was absolutely delicious. The service was fantastic, and the food was worth the wait. If you’re in downtown San Diego, make sure you hit them up.

Great portions and decent pricing. I got the surf and turf burrito. It was a bit weird since they put like a slaw in it that was cabbage based but it was still pretty good. The lady in front with a tattoo sleeve on her left arm was amazing she was super sweet and kind to us even though we had a group of 8-10 people. Always a good time.

Great place to get all kinds of vegetarian and vegan food. We got two potato tacos and Tom’s Deep Plate with corn tortillas along with the tofu mushroom potatoes. Both were fresh and delicious! And HUGE! We love that we can order just about anything, including the rice and beans. This place has a low key fun vibe. But I wasn’t impressed with the cleanliness or physical condition.

Best nachos in San Diego! Lots of guacamole, pico, beans and plant based meat & cheese aaaaaall over the crispy corn chips. If youre like me, I hate it when I order nachos and there isnt enough toppings so youre left with a bunch of naked chips. Pokez really adds a ton of yummy toppings that last to the very last chip! 5 stars for the nachos! I ordered the tofu rancheros and I personally did not love the sauce so I had to take away a star. Would have been better if the tofu itself was seasoned and baked til crispy rather than sautéed. Service was super nice. Very punk place for lunch and portion size big enough for dinner.

Amazing Mexican food times all the live long day til the point of day‼‼‼‼‼‼‼‼‼‼‼ This place has made me happy for years and years! I lover that they have a plethora of vegetarian AND VEGAN options!!!

First off, I'll say that I really like the vibe and decor of this place. It has a cool, arty, punk aesthetic. Unfortunately I found the food to be overpriced and subpar. Nothing was seasoned enough and very bland. I had the chicken and beef tacos and both lacked flavor. Even the Mexican rice was bland. For paying over $25.00 for rice and 3 tacos, I expect a lot more. Service was decent and the food came out quickly, which was nice, but overall this was a pretty lackluster experience in a city that is known for having great Mexican food. I maybe should have suspected something was amiss based on the fact that there was next to no one in the restaurant during prime dinner time on a weekend. I have a feeling this place may not be around a whole lot longer if this business as usual around here. My friend who grew up in the city told me that Pokez used to be his favorite place like 15 years ago because they served solid vegan Mexican food, but even he admitted the quality had gone down hill significantly. I really hope they can put some love back into the food and revitalize this place as it could be such a great spot if the food were just a bit better and provided more value for the money.

What a rad place!!! Love the punk rock and art feel. We came for lunch, it was empty when we arrived but within 10 minutes, tables were filled. We were acknowledged immediately when we walked in the door. I was mesmerized by the artwork. We ordered the tofu tostada and tofu/potato/mushroom burrito. Food was brought to our table with 10 minutes. Love the salad/pickles that accompanied my burrito. Salsa was very fresh tasting too. We gobbled up our lunch since we were hungry. Portion was perfect! Only thing I didn't like was the disposable plates and utensils. Other than detail I was happy with our meal.

Good portions were HUGE. Lot of bang for your buck here. Ambience was laid back and very chill. Great spot for a quick lunch. Tacos were awesome.

This place is a San Diego staple, a real family owned, unique, casual eatery serving delicious Mexican food. They've been around about 30 years, and the owners are the coolest people. Anyone coming to town for ComiCon or simply wondering about this eclectic looking spot while driving by, go see and taste for yourself! Any negative reviews on here are almost all for delivery orders and only due to paper packaging and delays with delivery drivers. The food is bomb, and the people are kind!

Me & my bf really enjoy the food here at Pokez. Tons of vegetarian options which makes it so hard to choose what to eat, but hey I'm not complaining hehe. In our most recent visit, I ordered the potato flautas and my bf ordered rolled tacos (potato and chicken). Love that their rice and beans are also fully vegan! Parking might be tough, but I think it's totally worth it

They're great..........first time trying it today and food was just my style. No complaints

Excellent food for vegetarians, vegans, and meat eaters alike! Superb friendly service and generous portions of delicious food. We come from out of town and visit this place every time we're in San Diego.

Pokez is the OG vegetarian Mexican skate punk taco/burrito joint. We lived in SD back when it opened and passing through town wanted to rekindle the magic. So happy to find that Pokez is as good as ever, with huge portions of delicious food with lots of veggie options. Service was fast and courteous. The ambiance is as always - punk rock hardcore vibe. Thanks Pokez!

Absolutely in love with this family restaurant! I crave it constantly! My favorite is the tofu fajitas and they are shareable. The tofu potato burrito is enormous and delicious with the cabbage on the side. I also love the potato taco. Pokey is always so sweet when we come in. I highly recommend this spot for quality food and friendly service!

Great atmosphere pokez is a dope place to eat very family friendly great Mexican food

First of the service was incredible! Host was very friendly.. loved his energy and conversation. Best part of my trip here! The vibe of the restaurant had me excited but... The food however was not great may be because of what I ordered. I got a beyond California burrito and I started eating it on my walk I wish I could show you just what it looked like.. left a lot to be desired. Not the best flavor.. honestly tastes a little old like it had something in it had been sitting out. I'm a savage I finish everything I order, I hate wasting but I don't think I'll finish this and that's saying something. Definitely wouldn't go back to this one

This is still the place we make sure to go when we come to San Diego. The menu is fantastic, the vegan options are optimal, and the service is perfect. Do yourself a favor and come here, order an entree and a beer and enjoy San Diego.

Amazing restaurant! I live a few blocks down the street, and order from them at least once a week. I have tried quite a few different things at this point and they are all great. My wife is a vegetarian and I am definitely not and we both love the food. Great job!

Good vegan food! I will definitely go back and get the California burrito and the carne asada fries.

I'm not a vegetarian, but I went with some vegan friends and got the mushroom + tofu enchiladas for $9, it was really good! I really liked the pickled vegetables on the side to balance out the meal. It was a little too MSG-heavy for me, but it was well seasoned overall. Like other reviews mentioned it is in a bit of a run down area of downtown, but I don't think the restaurant itself was unclean. I really like the street corner vibes that the place gives off. The staff were all super friendly, and it seems like there were a few regulars who knew the staff really well. We visited on a Saturday lunch and there were a couple tables open. It was pretty busy but we got our food pretty quickly.

I live close by so I stop by for the occasional burrito. My favorite are the breakfast burritos. I've gotten the gringo, which is bacon, egg, and cheese or the Carne asada breakfast burrito. Both are good picks. They also sell california burritos too! The only thing is the California burrito can get a bit dry. The staff here are super welcoming and pleasant to talk too. The place is on a main corner in east village, but usually the inside is quiet!

Many vegetarian/vegan options are the draw for this tucked away little gem in San Diego. Intentionally or not the place feels and looks like it fell out of some punk western universe. Prices are a bit bloated, but appreciate this place existing anyways.

I really wanted to like this place. Unfortunately, it was one of the worst meals I have ever had. I got the veggie enchiladas and my husband got the chicken ranchero. My enchiladas were too spicy, to the point that I had to dispose my food. I usually have a high spice tolerance but this was pretty bad. I did request for a milder salsa and the waitress said that it was their mildest salsa. I was very disappointed. The quality of the veggies was bad and the tortilla was raw. My husband said his food was not flavorful and not fully cooked either. I would not recommend this place. The ingredients are not the best quality. There are much better Mexican restaurants out there!

If you're looking for fast authentic Mexican in downtown- this is your spot! Downtown has a lot of fine dinning Mexican spots or the fast food is more Mexican-American/ Tex Mex. This is that amazing, hole in the wall, authentic Mexican food that's quick & hits the spot. I always get it to go and the food is usually really in about 10 minutes. Customer service has always been great too! I usually go for the burritos & they never disappoint. Also, ask for extra salsa- it's home made & DELICIOUS!!

Food was good for the price but due to ambience my experience was not great. There is continuous smell of cigar or idk what the vibe is very loud and western. I might order to go from this place but will not dine in again.

I had the vegan beyond California burrito and it was good but I wish there was some pico de gallo to go with it. They do give you red salsa on the side but I guess I'm too much of a baby because it was too spicy for me. The burrito is a good size and you're sure to get full. It has beyond meat, vegan cheese, guac, fries. The inside of the place is rustic and full of art/pics/stickers. It reminds me of a teenage boys' room but great place to hang out and eat food together haha. Service was at the counter and then taken out to your table. Took about ten minutes but no one was complaining about their food. We'd all come back for sure.

Best tofu burritos! The Mahi Mahi taco are so good. Always quality food and service whenever I order from here. So many vegetarian options!

Opened a bit later than advertised. Food and service were pretty good. Price was decent for what we got.

Curious to spot a unicorn? Go to pokez where you can enjoy an authentic burrito shop at knows how to do it vegan. Nothing personal against chipotle, but there is nothing sterile about the food here. As a burrito lover (snob?) I've ordered multiple of their vegan selections. They have several to choose from including vegan breakfast, burritos, potato and chorizo, and more. Last time I had the California burrito which didn't suit me. They use the beyond burger in the burrito which to me tasted like having a hamburger in a burrito. So this time I ordered the veggie. It was really good; it came with rice, beans, guac, lettuce, and even vegan cheese! The burrito is giant and delicious, very umami. The one thing it was lacking was consistency. The entire burrito was quite soft and I wish they had a plant-based meat (besides Beyond Meat) to add some substance. Pokez serves the burrito with a cabbage salad, which was nothing too exciting. However, I really enjoyed the puréed tomato style salsa with some heat, which I poured over every bite. For dining in, they do rely on single use cutlery and plates. I wish everything wasn't so disposable. There are not many places that I would give an authentic burrito rating of 10/10 as a vegan, but Pokez knows how to serve up that giant tortilla-wrapped deliciousness.

I've been coming here since 2010 and it has progressively gotten worse as each year passes. P.s Y'all need salt in your food.

Still love this place, wish it was easier to find parking otherwise I would come more often! Food is a good deal, worth the money, not too greasy, lots of tasty options for vegan, vegetarian, or meat eaters! Don't come here expecting a lot of service or a spotless interior, this is just a order at the register and get your food dropped off at your table, they are more focused on the food which is what I care more about than being waited on. As long as you are here just for some straightforward yummy mexican food, you should be happy!

I was thrilled to explore the world of vegan Mexican cuisine in sunny San Diego. Did it meet my expectations? Well, it certainly didn't blow me away, but it had its moments. Among the dishes I tried was the tofu taco, accompanied by a delightful medley of rice, beans, and salad. The standout salad was bursting with refreshing flavors. The rice and beans were satisfying, delivering good taste and texture. However, the true star of the meal was the colossal taco itself. Generously portioned and brimming with enticing flavors, it left a lasting impression. The service at the restaurant was friendly and attentive, providing a welcoming atmosphere. Unfortunately, the state of the restroom left much to be desired. The overall hygiene of the place seemed lacking. Given the abundance of vegan options available, I'd definitely consider revisiting this eatery if I were a local resident. The wide array of choices made it difficult to settle on just one dish, leaving me eager to explore their menu further. I wish you can give half stars because I would give Pokez a solid 3.5 stars.

Great food, good prices, lots of options on the menu. I wish they'd fix their website. Mobile ordering was not working, mobile display is pretty bad.

As a vegetarian I often feel that Mexican food is more for non vegetarians with just some minor changes for vegetarians . I really liked the food here as it's truly vegetarian . We had the tofu tostada and a soya/ tofu entree . Portions were huge and the food was good . The service was fast and very friendly . We went late and couldn't enjoy the ambience .

First of all, I love the fact that they have so many vegetarian options and that their rice and beans are VEGAN. The vibe in the restaurant was super cute. I got the potato burrito (wet with ranchera salsa and cheese) and Stevie salad. The potatoes were unfortunately very over-salted; however it was still good. I loved the Stevie salad. Very unique place. I'll be back, but will probably try something other than the potato burrito.

I look this place up while I was in town for a conference. And it was a real hotspot. Service is great. Food was delicious and they had plenty of vegan options there as well. Just take a note that it's in the middle of downtown and there's a lot of homeless there, but aside from that it is totally worth the trip if you're downtown.A++++++++

Advise to management: Make your cashiers stop demanding a tip on takeout orders. This is a total turnoff and we eventually stopped ordering from this business.

Well priced and delicious vegetarian food. I loved the vibe. It's like fun chaos. Friendly service staff. Definitely going to be in my restaurant rotation.

When we are in San Diego in the Gas Lamp Quarter, Pokez is always our first stop. This is when we first got into town on our trip last month. So picture quality isn't the best because it's dark but, the food Amazing every time. We ordered Vegan chilaquiles and Soyrizo and papas plates. Too die for. This is the first time we have taken our feathered boys it would be an understatement to say they enjoyed it! They also have traditional Mexican food if you are so inclined, not just vegan. If your ever in the area do not leave without visiting Pokez. Awesome!!!!

I get inflation, but honestly the greed is out control. 11$ for rice bean burrito should be shame for that later.

I will say I got lucky. I happened to know some locals that showed me this place because if I just saw the reviews I wouldn't have come. The food is amazing. When I do eat out I try to be a little particular about my food and I loved it when they said they don't have microwaves in their kitchen. The interior is nice but, it's not to the point of me feeling uncomfortable about walking in, just what I expected from a Mexican place. The owner is real and a local, you don't get any more SD than this spot. Real people, freshly made food, what else can you ask for?

Their vegan food has gotten so bland. It's quite dreadful. It's almost embarrassingly bad. I miss the old pokez a lot.

We have been going there for many years on and off and since we are vegetarians, we are so glad to see this place... The food is totally amazing! When I go to the airport for business trips, we often get a takeout on the way home. Many vegetarian and vegan options with tofu instead of meat. The vegan burritos with potatoes and mushrooms are so tasty!

Delicious!! Everything was so good. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options! Very full and happy leaving

This is a kind of dumpy looking old restaurant. However, the food is good and the portions large. The chips are ok but not as good as Chipotle which are thinnier, crispier with nice saltiness and lime. My cheese quesidilla was very large. However, the bill was over $12 which is expensive for what I ordered. Not sure yet if I'd go back with all the great Mexican restaurants around town.

Simply the best, my go to spot. The Mexican steak Frenchy style and some sangria with a splash of coke.

I like this place. My favorite thing here is the tofu/potato/mushroom taco or burrito. Since 2020 things have taken a downturn which I'm sure is temporary. Hearty vegetarian Mexican food.

I don't love it. I ordered the beef enchiladas with the red sauce and they have zero flavor.

Easily 5 star. Every person who is at the front with customers is sweet af. The food is bomb af. And as a vegetarian I like having a place to go to I can trust in terms of ingredients. Such good salsa btw!!! Highly recommend: tofu tostada bowl & 5 potato tacquitos. Do not recommend: enchiladas (mine were like 2/5 maybe because to-go might taste better at restaurant?) Def worth checking out!!!

Love love loved this place. It's a very casual spot with amazing food. The interior exudes grunge-y vibes. All staff are extremely friendly and the prices are inexpensive. I ordered a shrimp taco and large sangria which came out to under $15 before tip. The tacos are filling and full of flavor and the sangria is strong. I'm definitely stopping by again.

This place is 5 stars for their food- top notch quick great Mexican with an awesome menu. Love getting California burritos from here, super delicious and clean tasting. My only complaint is their hours....it's different on every platform you can check lol and then they just don't answer their phones by X time it's confusing. Would recommend for the food. I guess play it safe and don't wait til too late to try and order anything.

I brought ten people to eat there. Food was great, the ambiance very ecclectic and funky...but the restaurant has no wait staff, so you have to stand in line to place your order with the cashier, who also brings your order to the table, gets drinks, and busses the tables too. I've never seen one fellow work so hard...and with a really great attitude to boot! That said, he can only do so much. I think they need to hire at least one person to split his duties. That said, the food was great, the portions humongous (most of us got burritos) and the price was right. If you're not one to stand on ceremony, don't mind waiting in line a bit, and are hungry, I'd give this little joint a shot.