Quecho

This little Mexican restaurant is an absolute gem! The food is bursting with authentic flavors and you can really taste the difference — everything is made from scratch with so much care. From the freshly prepared salsas to the perfectly seasoned dishes, every bite feels like home-cooked comfort. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and the staff treat you like family. It’s not just a place to grab a quick meal — it’s the kind of spot you want to come back to again and again. If you’re looking for real Mexican food made with love (not the watered-down version you find in so many places), this is where you need to go. Highly recommend!

Great mexican restaurant located in Julian. Can be seated outside or inside. Started with a small guacamole and shared a molcajete. Molcajete was huge and filled with lots of steak, chicken, chorizo, and nopales. This also came with tortillas, rice, and beans. Ended up taking leftovers home for another meal. Staff was friendly and checked on us often. Menu had a lot of other great entrees and would stop here again the next time we visited Julian.

Unplanned road trip to Julian and we found this gem. I eat wholefood/vegan so it's usually difficult to find places to eat. Quecho did not disappoint! Hubby had the fajitas with shrimp, chicken, and steak. I had the Burrito Bowl minus the cheese and sour cream. We both had the Agua Frescas of the day, which was watermelon lime. All of it was delicious. Service was top notch! Definitely recommend!

Today was veterans day, meaning the staff should be super locked in today. Once we arrived, the lady seated us at a random picnic table in a pile of dirt in the back of the restaurant. We ordered our food, then waited 2 HOURS (not exaggerating, we got there at 1 and received our food at 3) for our food. Food was decent but not worth a 2 hour wait. Do not recommend.

The food was delicious and so was my margarita. Our server was very polite and attentive, especially considering the restaurant inside was very busy. She made sure to get to us as soon as she could and I don’t think the wait was terrible. Remember to be kind and patient towards staff, especially at locations with a smaller capacity. My family really enjoy eating our meal outside where our toddler could roam a little bit. There were even toys outside. Overall, we enjoyed our entire experience and look forward to coming back when visiting Julian again.

I love it here ! We were just passing through Julian and found this joint by happenstance. The food was yummy and the service was so charming and friendly. They also had a filling, delicious vegan option for my husband - which means a lot to us. Definitely try it out

Just off the main road, so you won’t see it if you don’t turn up into the neighborhood. Friendly staff. Lots of outdoor dining perfect for a nice day. When they say the molcajete is enough to feed 2 people, they aren’t kidding. The dish itself could use a little work as there wasn’t much depth of flavor. If it wasn’t for the spicy salsa we got on the side, then it would’ve been too bland for my preference. Washing it down with a locally brewed jalapeño beer was fantastic.

We were looking forward to dining at Quecho as they received awesome Google reviews and thankfully, by the time we arrived there wasn’t a wait. The ambiance was relaxed and the AC worked well which we appreciated on such a hot day. Our waitress was also incredibly nice and welcoming. We ordered the chef’s taco plate which consisted of two carnitas, pollo and carne asada tacos. Sadly, the carnitas and pollo were dry and bland. The carne asada had a little flavor, but there were unchewable pieces. The spicy salsa was delicious though. It helped add the clearly lacking flavor. We also ordered Mr. Manitas’ famous nachos and the best part of this dish were the chips. They were crunchy and salty. The carne asada on this plate had less flavor, but they were at least tender and tasted fresher. The cheese was too strong and the salsa had no depth. Overall, another disappointing dish. My daughter ordered their bean and cheese burrito and sadly, this too, was insipid. Luckily, their rice was decent enough that my daughter ate that instead. For dessert, we tried to order a Julian apple pie, but they were sold out. What?! We are in Julian, known for apple pies and there is literally, an apple pie shop down the street. It seems like it should be the one dessert, well stocked. I also ordered their classic margarita and it was just alright. It was a little sweeter than I preferred. We spent, with tip $92.72. Their prices were quite reasonable, but unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend the food.

First time visiting Julian and thankful we chose this place for dinner! We got seated quickly, no wait. Staff was very friendly (as is the whole town). We sat at an outside table that teetered whenever someone would walk on the wood plank beside it, which shook our water glasses, but it wasn't a bother. THE FOOD is amazing. delicious. authentic. We ordered 12 street tacos (shrimp, carnitas, potato, carne asada) and the meat was seasoned beautifully. Potato was okay, so I'd probably switch that out next time. I got Horchata and it tasted SO good! It was definitely homemade which is usually rare to find, so this was a delight. Highly recommend ordering the side (small) guac which was enough for 2 to share. Definitely bookmarking Quecho as a quality place to dine at the next time we're in Julian! We found it to be one of the best Mexican restaurants we've eaten at (& we live in OC).

We went to Quecho in Julian and had one of the slowest, most frustrating dining experiences we've had in a long time. The service was completely disorganized from start to finish. We ordered chips and guacamole, and the chips came out first. The guac didn't show up for about 15 minutes, and by the time it finally arrived, we didn't even want it anymore. We ordered another round of drinks that never came, even after asking several times. Eventually, the server told us they had just "forgotten." We also asked for to-go boxes multiple times, but those never came either. The food itself tasted good, but the terrible service ruined the experience. Overall, this place was a huge disappointment. Between the long waits, forgotten orders, and lack of attention, Quecho isn't worth your time. We won't be back.

Went on a Friday a little after noon with a party of 9 and they weren't busy so we were able to be seated right away! Our server wasn't super friendly but he was serving 9 of us and he made no mistakes! And for as many of us as there were, our food came out quickly I got the mahi mahi tacos. It comes with rice and your choice of pinto or black beans. I was impressed with the fresh corn tortillas. The mahi was good but not the best quality you could have. The rice and beans were both good too! It was a hefty portion for $17.50, and that's a good price for 2 fish tacos with 2 sides nowadays. It served me for 2 meals. Our table also tried their tableside guac which was creamy and fresh! It didn't come with many chips though. They gave us 3 chips and salsa baskets too. Their salsa was on the thinner side and nothing special. Their chips are thicker and more plain but do seem fairly fresh!

Really good Mexican food off the main drag in Julian, though we made the mistake of going on a Saturday in the middle of apple season. Sat on the front porch and took maybe 45 minutes for the sever to take our order and then another 30+ minutes to get our food. The restaurant was packed -- staffing another server or two would have helped a lot. Solid place to eat vegan but not worth the wait on a busy weekend.

4.5/10 After trying to find a spot to avoid the Julian crowd we stumbled upon Quecho. We got chips and salsa and let me tell you the chips were soooo yummy. For our entree, we ordered the 6 street tacos to share and they were the perfect size. Everything was made from scratch and did not leave your stomach upset. We are already planning our next trip back to Julian and Quecho will definitely be seeing us again.

This place was pretty good. Friendly staff. We ordered the combination platter. We just asked the waitress what she recommended. Did not disappoint. The guacamole was amazing. The only down side was they are a little cincy on their salsa. Otherwise, would recommend.

The street taco combos are one of the best on menu.. The backyard patio is also a plus.

What an awful experience, the so called Tinga enchiladas wasn't anything but, just shredded brest chicken very dry, nothing to do at all with the real Yucatan Tinga dish. The carne asada was overcooked and it resembled more a piece of leather than carne asada. I complained to the server and he proceeded to over charged me on top of it, I could NOT recommend this place to anyone, nor I will never give them my business again. Horrible experience all around. What a shame .

Our server was quick and attentive, and the food was amazing. Usually agua frescas are overly sweet but these were spot on. For the price, I think this is the best food around and quite authentic. We sat inside and I loved the decore.

What a hidden gem! Stumbled across this quaint little Mexican place and it totally hit the spot. I had the shrimp street tacos and they were perfect--fresh, flavorful, and just the right amount of spice. The tortillas were soft and warm, and the shrimp was cooked just right, not rubbery at all. You can tell they put love into their food here. The margaritas were even better! The vibe is super cozy and relaxed, like you're hanging out at a friend's place. Friendly service too--everyone was welcoming without being overbearing. Definitely coming back to try more of the menu!

What a hidden gem in Julian! This restaurant specializes in central Mexican/Quecholac cuisine and the flavors are so different compared to other Mexican food I've had locally in San Diego. My husband and I both got burrito bowls. He got the carne asada and I got the carnitas. I used to be big on carnitas but I stopped eating them for a while as I've found many restaurants make them a little too dry for my taste. The carnitas here are super good. They've got that nice deep fried skin and are very tender! The carne asada was great, too! They also have refrescos and Mexican Coca-Cola! Definitely a place to visit again! Space is small and they're only open until 8pm.

Great food, Authentic Mexican Cuisine, fast and friendly service.. Best Mexican food in town

Quecho is just good Mexican food! They're usually busy--a good sign. We like to eat outside where dogs and children are welcome. Their tacos are authentic and yummy and I love their refresco drinks--get the watermelon! They're friendly and helpful. Their margaritas are smooth and go down easy. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Julian. Check it out!

We went here for lunch while spending the weekend in Julian. We told them we are vegan and they quickly told us about the many options they have. They seated us at a great outside table. Unfortunately they were out of potatoes so we were limited to the grilled veggie options. This worked out great. We both ordered veggie tacos, and we shared chips and guacamole. Everything was very tasty. If you like spicy ask for the chipotle salsa, it was very good. I will go here again for sure

We had the 6 tacos (chicken and shrimp) and they were very tasty. Service was good. The interior was basic, however, cozy.

Between the shrimp ceviche appetizer & the margaritas, this may be my new favorite spot to eat in Julian! Everything was extremely tasty & I can't wait to come back!

Very cute ambiance and place to eat. I am just bummed because the service was hardly there. There was a couple sat at the same time as us and they even waited longer than us and we even got our chips and salsa before them... salsa portion was small and we wanted to ask for more but we never got talked to again. The couple still never received their chips (or drinks) and salsa.. I'm just sad because I was excited to try this place but it hasn't been too great of an experience.

Worth a visit. Good margaritas and good guacamole and good service! We were there on a busy night and had a very positive experience. I will come back.

The employees were friendly and the food tasty. The service was slow which is why I didn't give it 5 stars.

An easy and fun place to grab a bite or beverages while enjoying Julian. I've been here many times and the food and drinks have been a hit every time. There is a casual seating back patio area to enjoy when the weather is nice. Service has been nice and depending on how busy it is, can take some time to make the rounds. Overall a great place with vegetarian-friendly Mexican fare

As others have acknowledged as well...amazing Mexican food in a mountain town setting. Very impressed with the quality, service, presentation, and flavor of the food. Simple delicious. The business owners were right in adding the word 'elevated' to the restaurant name. This may me be your first choice if you are coming up from the Los Angeles or San Diego area to visit Julian and have lunch then apple pie, but make site and make it a choice on a future visit. A pint of Julian Apple Cider complements the food wonderfully. We were lucky enough to have the seasonal Apple Pie cider. If it is a sunny day, recommend to sit outside on their patio. Round out the whole dining experience!

Service- our waitress was great- she was very welcoming and friendly, and quick to bring anything we needed. When they did not have the Jarritos flavor we wanted, she listed out what was available and we were able to choose a good replacement. We also ordered the watermelon agua fresca. I thought it was very refreshing, sweet, and well blended. There wasn't any chunkiness, and it came with a lime garnish. Important note about appetizers: chips and salsa are not complimentary here- you have to order them as an appetizer for $4.50. The chips were made fresh to order, and they were warm when they arrived. Sadly, the salsa was not flavorful, and it was as very small serving of salsa in a to-go condiment tin. It was hard to dip a chip in there, and we ran out of salsa before we finished our chips. Entrees- they are not well seasoned and quite pricey for the quality and amount given. I ordered the chicken enchilada combo plate for about $20. Their rice was dry and tasted like they did not include any seasoning. Same with the black beans. Frankly, the Mexican rice and beans I make at home are more flavorful. The enchiladas themselves were okay- they were made with shredded chicken and topped with green salsa, queso fresco, and sour cream. Ambiance- it is casual here, with an option to be seated indoor or outdoor. Their outdoor patio is quite nice and spaced out. Note: they have concrete tables and benches outside, so it would be helpful to bring a sweater to sit on if your legs get cold easily.

Takeout! I ordered the burrito bowl (chicken & grilled veggies).... 1. It was a lot of food! 2. It was freakin delicious. I wasn't expecting much. (I live 30 min out of Mexico and get some of the best Mexican food. I am normally disappointed everywhere else but I try) These flavors are unique and so so good! Totally worth it. Ps: customer service was top notch too

Quite tasty. I cannot believe that I've only been once in my 2 and half months of working up here! That burrito was the real deal. I need to go back!

I can't recommend this place enough. My wife and I just went there for lunch and were blown away. We got street tacos Carnitas, Shrimp, and Carne Asada along with some margaritas and left full and a little buzzed, couldn't be happier. The restaurant itself is really cute with seating inside and out. The restaurant servers are awesome and friendly. If you're in Julian definitely visit Quecho.

Quecho was a wonderful fine. Finally, authentic Mexican food. We had the shrimp ceviche, which was fresh, light, and delightful, accompanied by sliced avocado and homemade tortilla chips we couldn't stop eating. And then came the piece de resistance: the molcajete! Wow, if that doesn't bring you back to life. It consists of Carne asada, Pollo Asado, Longaniza (Pork sausage), Queso Oaxaca, Nopales & Mexican Onions served in a stone molcajete with your choice of salsa (mild, medium or spicy), rice, your choice of pinto or black beans and some amazing homemade corn tortillas served on the side. We both had seconds and thirds and still took food home. Good for at least three people, not just two. My classic margarita was also very good. The food came quickly and the owner and staff we're friendly and helpful. All in all, a wonderful experience. We're elated to have found this authentic Oaxacan restaurant just an hour away in the heart of Julian. Definitely worth the panoramic drive up the hill.

My husband and I were in Julian for a little getaway. This restaurant was very close to our lodge and so well rated we gave it a try. So glad that we did. We devoured the guacamole while I sipped on a skinny spicy margarita with tajin rim (perfect!) and my husband had an alcohol-free beer. Then came the entrees, mahi mahi tacos for me and Carnitas burrito for my husband, that we did our best to finish. Beautiful evening to sit outside and enjoy their kind servers and excellent food.

This restaurant is tucked away, but I'm still a fan favorite! I come here every chance I get when visiting Julian. The owners are adorable, and the vibe is very family owned. I highly recommend stopping by!

G treat spot for family ... dogs too ! Music, tacos and scenery Great happy service with a smile and a cool bowl of water for our dogs Thank you again !

Came across this delicious spot! we will be back I had tamarind margarita, Paloma, chips and salsa so good I had ckn bowl, asada tacos ohhh so good service was great as well if your ever come Julian you must try this place.

Delicious food and a very peaceful backyard patio. Service was friendly and quick. Will definitely go back.

this place was soooo goooooood. the 2 tacos were one of the best tacos i have ever had. they had amazing beans and rice. it was very quiet for how good it was. THEY NEED MORE PEOPLE THERE! it is too good for only me and my family and 1 other family. the person that served me was super nice. we got served immediately. my family member got the lemonade and they loved it.

Stopped here on a random road trip. Soooo glad we did! The inside is decorated super cute and the server was very friendly and attentive. We had the street Tacos and the nachos. The shrimp, chicken and carnitas were fresh and tasty. The carnitas was our favorite. The green (medium) and red (hot) salsas were delicious. Absolutely recommend this place! They also have a huge outdoor seating area, we may have to come back when the weather warms up a little.

In town for a few days and some locals told me to try Quecho. So glad I did! Ordered the chili relleno special and it was quite tasty.

This place is as good as it gets, do not sleep on it! My wife and I have been here multiple times. I love the street taco plate they have multiple options for meat. The tinga de pollo is a flavor bomb of amazing. They are so friendly and the service is fast. Try the margaritas, or if they have a special it's probably going to be fire.

So I didn't get a picture of everything, but we had the burrito, taco plate, and chicken nachos. The burrito was really good and flavorful! The nachos were amazing!! The chips served with the nachos were my favorite part: they had the perfect crunch! ‍ I also got a Watermelon Lime Fresca and it was delicious: it tasted so fresh. The tacos meat I chose was the carnitas and it wasn't that flavorful to me which threw off the whole taco. We sat outside in the backyard and it was beautiful even in the daylight. The server and the cooks were really nice too.

Coming from a Mexican who's from LA this place is FIREEE, the food was so amazing, great portions absolutely the best service, I've experienced in a while. I wish I could take this place back to LA with me. Not to mention the outside patio is beautiful with plenty of space for children to explore safely along with plenty of toy trucks. Whenever I visit Julian I'm coming HERE.

Right away we were greeted and offered a little entertainment container for our kids to play with, while we wait to order and eat. What a great idea, the box had some games and little blocks to keep them busy. SOLD instantly!! Love the set up, its cute, intimate, and cozy. I love that you can see the cooks working away . The flavor of the food was phenomenal. A must visit when in Julian.

They make fabulous vegetarian burrito bowls. Love the staff and atmosphere. I highly recommend.

Quecho is the best. No, seriously. It's just the best. Not the best for Julian or a more rural area. It's the best. The food is excellent, the service is outstanding, and the ambiance is perfect. For a date, for kids, for whatever you need it for, it's just amazing. Carne asada, pollo asado, carnitas, camarones, veggies, cornhole, oversized Jenga, the chillest vibe, cervezas, whatever your heart desires. The food is really excellent though. All of it. Never had a mediocre bite here. Love it... love... Quecho.

The food here is delicious, and the dining experience at this restaurant is all about the outdoor ambiance. What a great place to be with your entire family, even the furry four-legged ones. It looks deceptively small from the front until you round the corner to the back. Great weather combined with awesome service and good food. What more can you want? My order of street tacos (shrimp, chicken, and pork) was satisfying and filled the spot. They were all balanced in flavor and definitely distinctive in flavor profiles. It came with a side of beans and rice. Hubby had the nachos, which he pretty much inhaled. Their chips were crazy crunchy. They held up well to the sauce and toppings. Overall, we had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the food. The only negative is that we were chased away by bees, so if you're allergic, please don't forget your epi-pen.

Place is very clean. The staff super friendly. The food is DELICIOUS. As a Mexican, I'm very critical of Mexican food restaurants, but OMG.... this place is delicious. Nacho were on point, perfect balance of flavors. The guacamole so fresh. My burrito bowl outstanding. Made me feel at home.

Excellent! Our favorite restaurant in the entire area. This place was awesome and the staff were extremely nice and gracious. Quiet and peaceful ambiance and the food was outstanding. Thank you very much, and we will be back again soon!

Had their cart at an event. Carne asada taco is as legit as can be, honestly. Id love to sample their restaurant next time around!!!

Always always look forward to coming here when I'm visiting Julian! Food is delicious and service is amazing as well!

We were looking forward to dining at Quecho as they received awesome Google reviews and thankfully, by the time we arrived there wasn't a wait. The ambiance was relaxed and the AC worked well which we appreciated on such a hot day. Our waitress was also incredibly nice and welcoming. We ordered the chef's taco plate which consisted of two carnitas, pollo and carne asada tacos. Sadly, the carnitas and pollo were dry and bland. The carne asada had a little flavor, but there were unchewable pieces. The spicy salsa was delicious though. It helped add the clearly lacking flavor. We also ordered Mr. Manitas' famous nachos and the best part of this dish were the chips. They were crunchy and salty. The carne asada on this plate had less flavor, but they were at least tender and tasted fresher. The cheese was too strong and the salsa had no depth. Overall, another disappointing dish. My daughter ordered their bean and cheese burrito and sadly, this too, was insipid. Luckily, their rice was decent enough that my daughter ate that instead. For dessert, we tried to order a Julian apple pie, but they were sold out. What?! We are in Julian, known for apple pies and there is literally, an apple pie shop down the street. It seems like it should be the one dessert, well stocked. I also ordered their classic margarita and it was just alright. It was a little sweeter than I preferred. We spent, with tip $92.72. Their prices were quite reasonable, but unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend the food.

Best food in Julian The wait is long but worth it The food has great flavor and it tastes authentic

This restaurant is a little less crowded because it's not on the main road in Julian. The place itself inside is small and has about 10 tables. The outside area however is large and fits a lot of people. For drinks I had their spiked horchata and a margarita. The spiked horchata was good, the margarita pretty standard. The complementary chips and salsa were a good snack. For entree I had the taco plate with two shrimp, two carne asada, and two carnitas tacos. The carnitas were my favorite but all the tacos were tasty. The problem I had was the service. The waiter did say they haven't been this busy before and their lack of staff definitely showed. It took us 40 minutes to order food from the time we walked in. There is only one person who takes orders and three servers to deliver the food. Otherwise a pretty standard Mexican food place, service just needs work.

I had the taco lunch special and really enjoyed it. Great rice, beans and chips. Very pleased with the atmosphere in the backyard area and the service