Tacaliente Mexican Grill

Fantastic, we get the fish tacos 2-3 times a week and they are always excellent. Beast value in town and friendly

Incredible. Try the Caliente taco. Best. Ever. Tacos. It's a hole in the wall in a strip mall but who cares?

The tacks are top notch and the birria is great! The soda machine never works, but it's still there which is a bummer cause I always forget and really just want a Diet Coke haha.

Pretty dang good! The carne was flavorful and tender, the chips were crispy, the salsas were good. I can't lie those happy hour prices is what brought me in and what will keep me coming back. Delish!

Every day from 4 to 8 PM they have a happy hour where the fish tacos are $2.29. The fish was piping hot freshly cooked and topped with fresh cabbage, pico de gallo, and chipotle sauce. The salsa bar has spicy carrots, onions, and jalapeños, but what I really liked is it's refrigerated and there is a cover to keep things fresh. They also have a large indoor dining space with several tables. Service from the gal manning the register was fine.

Caliente burrito was soggy and tortilla tasted old, rice & beans were literally tasteless and carne asada had no seasoning. They also charge $5 for extra tortilla on the combo. Ridiculous, wouldn't recommend this place.

Some of the most flavorful carne asada I've ever had. Definitely delicious. I got the surf n turf nachos were fire ! I got two fish tacos we shared. They also have elotes I got to go ! And I had a bite of their Cali burrito my wife got. So amazing. The carne asada is a must. Get anything that has carne asada! Lots of seating inside and the cashier was very helpful with us choosing our items !

Really delicious food. The grilled fish and shrimp are both high quality in the many different forms I've tried including fajitas, tacos, salads, and bowls. I find myself craving TaCaliente most days around lunch time and I frequently given in to the cravings. I'm always happy I did

Tacaliente satisfied my craving for a bean and cheese burrito with flying colors. The bean and cheese burrito was delicious, and I also tried a carne asada taco. While the carne asada was good, the tortilla was a bit dry and stiff, reminiscent of store-bought corn tortillas. However, the salsa bar elevated the flavors, adding a much-needed kick. The ample seating space and excellent service made for a pleasant dining experience overall.

Came in town for a few days from DC for work, got off the plane, grabbed my rental car, and headed straight to this local spot with late night authentic "soul" food. Got the fish tacos and chips with plenty of salsa options and a Jamaican punch (Hibiscus). Customer service was awesome with Monica at the counter. The chef was on point with the fish tacos. I have missed these local taco joints so much after I left San Diego way back in the day and especially since you can't get it this good on the East Coast. Anywhere.

I was right down the street and was really hungry, pulled out my phone and yelped some places and Tacaliente popped up. I decided to stop by since it was taco Tuesday. The place is large and there's plenty of parking. First thing I notice is that they have a large menu. I decided to take advantage of taco Tuesday but I also had to try a burrito. I ended up getting 2 carnitas and 2 birria tacos which were 6 dollars for the 4. I ended getting the Tacaliente breakfast burrito. It was busy but the wait was very long. That did give me time to get some green salsa verde for my tacos. I had time to sample it before my food came out. The thickness of the salsa was perfect but unfortunately did not have much flavor. Finally when my food arrived (approx 25 mins) the burrito was massive and the tacos were ur typical street taco size. The meat in the tacos were very juicy but just like the salsa did not have much flavor. Same thing with the burrito. Had a lot of meat but not much flavor. In total this meal cost me around 22 bucks. Was it worth it? Maybe if I was drunk from one of the local bars but definitely not sober. 99% chance I won't be returning.

We were in the area for an appointment and decided to stop for dinner. The food was EXCELLENT & so was the service! We will definitely be going back! Not pictured were the Potato Flautas we ordered- which were delicious as well! I also loved the atmosphere. Perfect for a date night or a family outing! Highly recommend!!!

One of my favorite spots to grab a burrito in Hillcrest. They've got some really unique options on their menu including their version of a Crunchwrap. I love that they have special happy hour pricing at certain times/days of the week. They also have a salsa bar which is essential in my book of any taco shop. Parking is usually pretty easy to come by in their lot. Staff and kitchen usually get the food out pretty quickly.

The place is decently clean and workers are friendly. I didn't like the carne asada burrito because it had a funny lime taste. I doubt I will order that again. The chips and guacamole were good. We stopped by here after going to Gossip Grill so it was within walking distance and was open late. I'll still go here if my friends want to go... otherwise, I'd prefer to go somewhere else.

Ordered the surf and turf carne asada nachos. The meat and shrimp were good but the chips were extremely stale. Barely edible.

Definitely a hidden gem tucked away in a small shopping plaza off University Ave! I came across TaCaliente on their social media and had some free time to grab lunch, so I decided to give them a try. - PARKING - Shares a parking lot with other businesses, but there's plenty of space, even at peak times. - SERVICE - The waitress was very kind and sweet, and I actually had the chance to interact with the owner. Very welcoming, and very friendly all around! After we ordered, it did not take very long for the food to start coming out. There's a salsa bar, a paletas freezer, and a drinks fridge here, so be sure to check those out! Fairly decent-sized restaurant, with high tables and longer tables for bigger groups. - FOOD - Battered Fish Taco ($1.69): The price is really hard to beat! Combine that with a very flavor-filled taco, and one of the tastiest chipotle sauces I've ever had, this is hard to pass up! Definitely give this a shot if you like Fish Tacos! Caliente Fries ($14.99): This has got to be the biggest bang for you buck in terms of loaded fries I've ever seen. The plate was generously packed with crispy fries, fresh guacamole, and delicious carne asada. Next time I'll have to try Surf n' Turf for sure! Tony's Burrito ($14.99): This was recommended by the owner as one of the most popular items, so we ordered it. Really fun with the egg and the big globs of cheese inside, and the chile relleno just adds so much to each bite! Birria Ramen ($12.99): Although unconventional, it definitely caught my attention and I had to give it a try. I'm so happy I did because this was probably my favorite item of the meal, just due to its uniqueness and depth of flavor. The Birria is so jam-packed with flavor and the meat is so tender! Combine that with the nostalgic instant noodles, and it's a bowl of happiness. Seltzer Fresca ($8.00): If its a hot day and you're ready to unwind for the day, consider getting one of their Selzter Frescas! Their amazing Jamaica mixed in with a bubbly Seltzer was great to have on the side with all the delicious food. - OVERALL - I'm so glad I came across TaCaliente and I hope that many others will too!

I tried this spot for taco Tuesday! The tacos were like 1.79 for the special which they had several options from beef to fish. I did a to-go order for four fish tacos. They are tucked away in a shopping plaza with plenty of parking. The customer service was good and the young lady that took my order was was very nice. She was quite patient and knowledgeable of the menu as I was asking quite a few questions. I placed my order and waited maybe 15 minutes inside, which is a casual atmosphere with a typical "fast food" set up. I was very happy with my selection. The tacos were much more filling than I expected. The fish used is swai which I don't eat often but it was good. It was battered and fried with lots of vegetables on top. They weren't stingy with the portions even though it was a special. I also ordered extra creamy chipotle sauce which I recommend. It had a lil kick with spice which was just right. This will be a new go to spot for tacos and crunchwraps!

The food is so horrible and for 18 dollars no thank you thank or maybe I'm just spoiled with la/oc food ?

You know, the recommendation I received about this place was in regards to their Taco Tuesday. Had I come here and scored 8 tacos and 2 beers for ~$14, I likely would had a better experience. Unfortunately, I came here for a Carne asada burrito, $15, and happened to order some $1.29 fish tacos. Located in the same shopping center near Prager Bros, lies Ta Caliente. After celebrating a friend's birthday nearby, we figured we'd set it off with a carne asada burrito to finish the night. Since there was also a good deal on fish tacos, my last decided to add a few to the meal. The carne asada burrito was smallll and very average. I definitely would not order this again. Also, even at $1.29 each, my girlfriend would not order the fish tacos again. I'd say skip it unless you're getting $1 tacos, and even then it might be a miss.

We were visiting from TX and wanted to try some Cali- style Mexican food. There was so much I wanted to try, but settled for the Caliente Nachos and Elote. The food came out pretty quickly despite being made to order- I was impressed. The nachos were awesome; the chips were freshly fried and the presentation had my mouth watering before tasting it and it did not disappoint. The pickled onions and carrots were delish- I would've like more jalapeños, but it was end of day so you get what you get. The Elote was okay; it had somewhat of a mild sweet after taste I didn't much care for, but it wasn't bad. Overall, I prefer true Mexican food over Cali Mexican Food and Cali over Tex Mex. I'd definitely come back and try the burrito as that seems what they are known for.

The food is good but it takes like 30 minutes for a simple burrito because they only ever have 1 guy in the kitchen in the evenings. If you're looking for a quick bite after 10pm, you should probably go elsewhere.

Best pickled carrots around! I know, there's a whole menu and stuff, but that salsa bar was awesome. Other places charge you bucks for the carrots, this place just puts them out there for you to get while you wait, and they're awesome! Solid carne asada burrito, great spicy salsas, but it was the carrot mix that wins. Simple, crisp, clean, not oily (like PorkyLand), and not mushy. Okay, I'll shut up now, but... try the carrots.

It's a reliable taco spot in Hillcrest. I like the location- it's easy to swing in while running errands in Hillcrest. They have a small parking lot and street parking nearby. The food has all been solid. I really love their salsas too. It's casual and they have a large area to sit and eat if you're not on the run.

Really enjoyed the California burrito and Carnitas tacos. We also tried the fish taco which was just ok but also only $1 so taste for the value was great! Chips very were thick and crispy. Good but almost too thick. I'll come back for sure!

Great food excellent customer service I came here with my family we order two California burrito and one nachos very delicious. Definitely I'll be back.

I went to this place at 2am me and my friends we tried the tacos and tony's burrito and the chips with guac it was super delicious i will give this place 10/10 and the caliente fries was bomb and my friend tried surf and turf burrito and he said he's never tried something like this before i highly recommend this restaurant and the customer service was great the prices were really reasonable compared to other mexican restaurants i would go back to this place again and again.

I highly recommend this restaurant.The food quality is consistently outstanding, exceeding my expectations every time. Great customer service and the food was great. I definitely be there every time I visit this area.

Tacaliente Mexican Grill is located in Hillcrest off University Ave by the Pride flag in a small shopping center with ample parking whipping up some of the most juiciest carne asadas burritos in the County! I dropped by this location looking for a quick bite before my DMV appointment since it was within walking distance and came across this gem. Carne asada burritos are my go to food when im not trying to break the bank and i need to fill up my tummy for sustained energy throughout the day and this place did exactly what i was looking for! As I walked in, I was greeted instantly with a smile from the staff as i browsed the large displayed menu. I went ahead and, of course, I ordered 1 carne asada burrito and took my seat. This place offers a salsa bar with pickled carrots and jalepenos and also has 4 salsas to try, including this creamy like cool whipped salsa. The dining area is large with plenty of tables, booths, and chairs. They also serve beer and alcohol with sodas and juices in the refridgerators by the counter. Within minutes, my food was delivered to me and was laid beneath my eyes, looking big, bold, and beautiful! The burrito was looking as beautiful as i wanted to imagine it. The perfectly grilled tortilla just rolled up as tight as it could be, simplifying the perfect flour to lard ratio waiting to be eaten. As I grabbed a plastic utensil knife to cut in half, the burrito exploded with joy leaking out all the wonderful beauties it was witholding inside. It was piping hot and releasing steam by the second. I can personally say from what just happened, I knew this was going to be one great ride! Quick time first bite and wow I was instantly blown away by the well seasoned carne asada. The fresh grilled tomoatoes and onions from the pico complimented the meat very well. There was fresh smashed up avocados that played a cooling factor when devouring this masterpiece. The finely chopped cilantro inside gave it an amazing aromatic experience that mingled all these wonderful flavors together. The salsas were quite tasty and all were unique and different in every way. My personal favorite was the green, like cool whipped salsa that definitely hit the spot and paired perfectly with the burrito. The star of the show was toward the end of the burrito, where the bottom half is holding all of the ingredients together, inluding the grease! Personally, I enjoy a well seasoned, greasy, fatty burrito because who wants to eat a dry one? Not me, and yes, there are some dry ones in the area. Overall, I really really enjoyed this fine establishment, and I'm looking forward to coming back again and trying a different menu item. Customer service was served with a smile, and the place was clean. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy your food, and I'm looking forward until the next time.

I ordered the Caliente burrito due to the reviews. It's good. The burrito is flat so looks much bigger than it actually is, but still a decent amount that can feed 2 adults. I also had the horchata, which was well balanced with the sweetness / liquid ratio. They also sell frozen tropical Mexican bars and frozen mangonada bars and cups. The sauce station is kept very clean, which I really appreciate. I'm happy to try some other items on the menu because I still enjoyed it, just not as amazing as I hoped. In a plaza with lots of parking.

My friends and I were looking for some Mexican food on a Friday night (9ish PM) around Hillcrest and found this place. We are pretty satisfied with our find! We loved that this place is open late and with lots of parking. The food came out pretty fast too. They also had a salsa bar which was nice. I got the Friday deal which was the Carne Asada Fries and a beer for 15$. Perfect for sharing. The portions were huge. Might be one of the most flavorful carne asada I've had in San Diego so far. (We actually came back and got it again the next day because we were craving it haha.) I also got the 3 al pastor street tacos that were good. Nothing too too special about it that I can remember but it was good. You pretty much order at the register and they bring you the food. Not much service after that. You clean up after yourself too. There were some tables that were not the most clean but we just wiped it down and it was fine. If I am back out in Hillcrest and am craving Mexican I would definitely come back here for their carne asada fries.

I've been here a few times now. Each visit is pretty good. I really enjoy the Carne asada fries and the sauces. The meat was seasoned very well. There is enough toppings to eat almost all the fries. I think it'd be great if they did topped fries in two layers. Same amount they'd usually give but just layer so each fry gets some of the toppings. Service is friendly but the wait depends on the time you go. I usually call ahead and still end up waiting 10 minutes additional from the quoted time. I go during lunch rush though so plan accordingly.

I've been there 5 times, the last 2 times the meal was not up to standards $12. for 5 rolled tacos the food was cold, the cheese wasn't even melted , took a photo of my lunch "sad" I will post this on Facebook if you want Mexican fast food try La Fuente across the street or go to LosPanchos on Washington & 5th

Still on the search for a good Mexican place in Hillcrest.. i like the late hours and that theres a parking lot! They also have a salsa bar which is nice. However, my burrito was a bit sad. The tortilla was cold and it was filled with mostly pico de gallo and some meat towards the end. But it just felt like I was eating a pico de gallo burrito. When I did get to the meat it was flavorful. My friend said his nachos were alright.

Let's talk about my new go to Mexican shop and it's super close to home! It's a win win! I have driven past this spot many times as they have a large sign super visible from the street and my boyfriend and I finally decided to call in an order and check it. California burritos are my go to order at a taco shop so I went for it here and was super happy with it. The carne asada inside the burrito is seasoned to perfection and was loaded with all the ingredients. I am a hot sauce lover so I loved that there was a salsa bar which 4 different salsas to pick from. I got one of each to try them all and I definitely found my favorite one. The shop is actually pretty big compared to other Mexican shops so lots of inside seating for those that want to dine in. Like I said this will be my go to spot when I'm craving tasty Mexican food!

Very good quesabirria and battered shrimp tacos. The service was fast and friendly they brought the food to the table and brought plenty of napkins. The frescas were the best I've had in a while not over sweet or watered down either.

Some of the best Mexican food I've had since moving to San Diego! I came in a few weeks ago and tried Chilaquiles for the first time. It was amazing! The woman at the front was so accommodating with what to pick. She took me through several options until we found what was best for me. The space is clean and fun! Love the murals! Also love that there's pull in parking spaces up front, something rare to find in the area. I'll definitely be back!

This place is our go to Mexican food spot. Only a block away, it's convenient and usually pretty quick to get our food. It's usually not very busy and there's plenty of seating, so we can go at any time. Ambiance is very pleasant. My only criticism is they need to not be so stingy with the salsa cups they give you.

They got my order wrong and when I told them about they were not willing to fix it. I will not be returning

Just a quick review of this evening's collaboration between Prager Bros. and Tacaliente: tortas on Prager Bros. ciabatta bread. The torta was delicious, perfectly cooked and seasoned carnitas with fresh guacamole, cilantro, onion, and shredded cheese. The ciabatta was an excellent bread for this sandwich, would love to order again!

I dropped in for a late night snack around 9pm. Got myself the battered fish taco and a nance paleta. They were both delicious. The ingredients on the taco were fresh and the paleta was a rate flavor to find. This was my first time here and i will be back for taco Tuesday!

Every time I eat here I try something new and I'm always pleasantly surprised. Recommend Al pastor and carnitas tacos and anything birria. Yum! The service has always been quick and friendly. I noticed even when crowded there's always someone cleaning up and making sure the place looks really nice.

I really hate leaving bad reviews but with this economy and inflation.. I have a bone to pick with this place. I came in for 3 rolled tacos and rice and beans. Paid $9.60 with my $1 tip when I got my order realized there wasn't rice and beans in it, so lady at register said do you want the sides? I agree... $8.60 for the rice and beans. I get home and bite into a cold and what seemed to be fried 3 hours ago rolled tacos, literally felt like my tooth had a hard time biting into it. What a disappointment I usually love this place.

Solid Mexican spot. U won't be disappointed. Salsas 3.5 out of 5. Tacos 4 out of 5. Good parking spaces Open late Good location Clean It's down the block. Just try it. It's better than most mexican spots in this area

Stopped by on Tuesday and got to check out their $0.99 taco tuesday deal! also comes with the option of a $3 beer :) Was able to get a solid meal for $15 which is great for the area! Will be back to try the other stuff there!

The plaza on the NW corner of University Ave and Richmond St is where TaCaliente Mexican Grill resides in the Hillcrest neighborhood. I never patronized the previous Mexican eatery in this suite so I wanted to give this new place a try. What struck me about the interior was the amount of unused floor space. Yes, there were about a dozen tables for seating, but it seemed that a more optimal arrangement could be applied to make the dining area feel less spread out. The three menu screens contained a significant number of choices from breakfast items, burritos, tacos, tostadas, tortas, quesadillas, mulitas, bowls, fries, and other sides. I ordered a grilled fish taco and a carne asada taco for my meal. The price for my first choice was a reasonable $3.99 (battered was $1.29), however the carne asada was twice the cost at $7.99. The cashier told me the amount of meat was enough to make two tacos. When my food was ready, it turned out that both tacos were of equal size and had a similar amount of filling (see uploaded photo). I am still wondering why the grilled fish was half the cost of the carne asada. All of the other meat-based tacos cost between $7 and $9. This is at the level of some of the 'gourmet' taco restaurants. Both proteins were grilled enough without being dried out. The service from the staff was pleasant. I would have rated my experience at TaCaliente Mexican Grill greater than three stars if it were not for the high non-fish taco prices.

Hubs and I were in Hillcrest and we were craving micheladas so we stopped in to try the ones here. Our server/cashier Gabi was so sweet and put up with all our questions and indecisiveness she helped us finally settle on: 2 Micheladas 1 Fish Taco 1 Shrimp Taco 1 Elote 1 Caliente Burrito (carne asada with crispy cheese!) Carnitas, al pastor & birria street tacos Birria Ramen (the broth was delish - I dipped my birria taco in it) We had skipped breakfast so we devoured nearly everything! It was so good. We really loved all their salsas and pickled carrots from their salsa bar. And we loved how they make their michelada, not skimping on the tajin and chamoy and even including the tamarindo candy. They have some good daily specials and happy hour during the week. We will try to go back for happy hour soon too.

Tacaliente Mexican Grill is perfect if you are craving some Mexican food. They have a great selection of food starting from tacos, burritos, salads, bowls, combo plates and much more. I tried their Caliente Taco, Fish Taco, Shrimp Taco, Pollo Asada Taco, Veggie Bowl, Elotes, Guac-n-chips and Horcoffee (Horchata + Coffee) They also have a salsa bar which makes it easy to try their various salsas which suit your palette. They offer Daily Specials and also have a happy hour menu, M-Sun from 4-8 pm which includes $1.29 Fish Tacos , $3 beers. They have lots of sitting area inside and parking available outside too. Service was quick and efficient too.

Best fries in the area, bomb mulitas, service is always fast and ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TaCaliente Mexican Grill is not you ordinary taco in San Diego, they more a fresh quality Mexican Eatery using quality ingredients to their authentic recipes. I had a terrific Beef Chorizo Breakfast Burrito from this Mexican Eatery where Lalo's use to be. The location has been remodeled and it looks great. The beef Chorizo was milder than most, but very meaty and tasty. The Burrito came with a very good amount of scrambled eggs and a lot of cheese! The Burrito was of very good size and it was very filling. Their salsas are terrific and and offer a good mild heat. Customer service was very nice. They are still adding more items to the menu and fixing up the inside. The place looks great already.

Excellent across the board -- I haven't been this pleasantly surprised by a burrito this good in years. I had the Caliente Breakfast burro w/ chorizo and it was fantastic. The service was exceptional; they attended my crew very kindly and asked if everything was good halfway through our meal. The restaurant itself was clean and tidy, salsa bar (4 types of salsa) was stocked up and ready for us! I can definitely say that I will be telling my partners and friends to come try them.