Rico’s Taco Shop

Encinitas, United States

3.8

Closed now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wi-Fi

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 760-944-7689
Address:
165 S El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA, 92024
b/t Crest Dr & Encinitas Blvd
Encinitas
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
2 miEncinitas
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
No
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Apple Pay
No
Good For
Lunch
Parking
Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Casual
Noise Level
Average
Alcohol
No
Outdoor Seating
No
Wi-Fi
Free
Has TV
No
Waiter Service
No
Caters
No

Today

Today 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Encinitas) 1:37 AM Friday, November 29, 2024

Business hours

Monday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm

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20 reviews of Rico’s Taco Shop

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Edmond, OK
Everything is excellent here. The sauce is the Bomb.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Cali burrito + their famous hot sauce means I will drive out of my way when hungry for Mexican food. Their carne blast burrito is really good too.
Place rating: 2
Glendale, AZ
I came here because of the fabulous reviews claiming it was true Mexican. We WERE the only Mexicans here, which tells you one thing, the food is not liked by true Mexicans. I had the carne asada burrito and right away I knew the meat wasn’t carne asada, and it was filled half-​way with lettuce. I would pass up this place for one that serves true Mexican food. Even my kids didn’t finish the tacos, a very very rare occurrence.
Place rating: 5
Encinitas, CA
This is a local favorite! Come here and order any burrito and you won’t be disappointed. Love the atmosphere– friendly, funny and relaxed. You will not be disappointed with the Justin burrito, carne asada burrito or just bean and cheese. The salsa is great, spicy but not too hot – lots of flavor. I love it here! The employees are awesome, funny and welcoming.
Place rating: 4
San Diego, CA
Cute old place in Encinitas. Prices are reasonable. The funniest thing is the sneeze guard for the condiment area. Check out my photo.
On to the food: Had a bacon breakfast burrito and I must say it was good, different from the norm, but good. Lots of potato and egg with crispy bacon. The interestingly different thing was that the potato was more like home fries or «cottage style» where the potato is cut thicker or in chunks and fried on the grill instead of french fries like most other places. I can’t say I prefer it to the french fries but it was good enough that I will try it again. And add beans. How can you have a Mexican breakfast burrito without beans? It’s an option up here in gringo land and I should know better…
Place rating: 5
Escondido, San Diego, CA
I absolutely love Ricos! I never am in Encinitas but whenever I’m near the area or going to the beach, I automatically make a stop here.
Definitely a Mexican food stop that is a must try. My favorite one of a kind burrito is from this taco shop! It’s called a Justin Burrito, for me it’s the more healthier and tastier version.
Their hot sauce isn’t spicy at all but is so delicious I literally using 6 cups of it! Almost has a marinara taste to it, but with spice!
The restaurant area is always so clean and well kept! The staff is hilarious and if you’re not a regular (I used to be) they can catch you off guard with funny questions and pranks!
If you happen to be in Encinitas this is a must try!
Place rating: 1
San Diego, CA
The place is okay, in a good location. the prices are okay too… but man I got the Carne Asada burrito… and it was fully shoved with lettuce. I think I got two cubes of carne asada.
Place rating: 5
Encinitas, CA
Soooo good, and one of the few Mexican places in the area that doesn’t use animal products in their beans or rice. Woohoo!
Place rating: 1
Carlsbad, CA
Wish I could leave zero stars. I wanted to like this place because of how near it is to me and all the good reviews but the only highlights of our meal (CA burrito, #1 combo plate and side of guac) were the rice and salsa. The man behind the counter was BEYOND rude, even though I left a tip (being a bartender, I enjoy leaving nice tips for those in the food service industry). Outside of that initial awful first impression, the food was sub-​par at best; flavorless across the board and way too expensive for the quality. There are a handful of taco shops in this area that are far, faaaar better. But hey, if you enjoy being treated like sh*t & over paying for less than mediocre Mexican cuisine this is the place for you!!!
Place rating: 5
Chico, CA
Wow this place is on point. One of my FAVORITE spots to get a breakfast burrito when I’m in town. I like mine fairly simple — egg, potatoes, bacon, cheese, and pico if you’re so inclined.
This place nails it. Hands down, nails it.
Easily one of the best I’ve had in a while and no trip to Encinitas/​Carlsbad would be complete without a stop at Rico’s. Not to mention their home-​made hot sauce is incredible.
Place rating: 3
Oceanside, CA
Been here plenty of times to know they are not that «Rico» but just average. My last time there had the California Burrito and it was smaller than an average burrito and very dry. The bottled salsa is nothing to write home about it looks like ketchup and tastes like a mix of ketchup and salsa.

When you first walk in it throws you off because the menu on the wall looks like a pizza joint menu and the customer service is not really there. The guy before me was standing at the counter ready to order but they ignored him for a while until they finally took his order. I personally would not go out of my way to eat here. The food and the customer service is what would make me just drive a little further to try some good mexican food.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Yep, this place is the real deal. This burrito can standup with any burrito in sd. Good size, not super greasy, and the guys at the counter are legit. If you’re a burrito connoisseur, this is a must try spot. For me, I keep it pretty simple with the cali burrito. But on cold days, their chicken soup is off the charts. Perfect 5 for me.
Place rating: 4
Los Angeles, CA
I had fish tacos and chicken enchiladas here, and they were both pretty good. I’ve had better fish tacos, but the house hot sauce is really good and they have a cool free photo booth that’s fun.
Place rating: 3
Scripps Ranch, San Diego, CA
Busy location, nice staff, only one hot sauce? From a ketchup dispenser? That was different. They have some carrots, olives, and another creamy sauce to help yourself to as well. Great horchata. Surprised at how underwhelming the California burrito and Chile Relleno burrito were. The tortilla was okay, the burrito was fairly dry and didn’t seem to have much flavor compared to other taco shops I visit.
Maybe we got a bad batch. Didn’t live up to my expectations and I LOVE Mexican food.
Place rating: 3
San Francisco, CA
Basic done well
This place has been here forever! I remember coming here before Unilocal was even born! My sister used to work near the place and she turned me on to Rico’s. I started with their carne asada burrito, but then I graduated to their tacos and other stuff! Locals love it and that says a lot about the place.
Place rating: 4
San Diego, CA
Not bad, but not the best. It’s located in the same shopping center I get my hair done so figured I’d grab lunch for myself and friends. Ordered California burrito, rolled tacos with everything, and a bean cheese and rice burrito. All came out to a reasonable price.
The guac on my rolled tacos tasted pretty bland. Not that I need anything larger, but the burrito sizes weren’t too hefty. Big plus for the freshness of the tortillas. Nice flavors in their salsas. Would try again whenever in that area.
Place rating: 3
Carlsbad, CA
Rico’s is a good but by no means awesome taco shop located right off of Encinitas blvd next to LA fitness. While driving by one day I figured I’d stop here to grab a bite. Ordered the #1 combo which is a beef taco, flauta and a cheese enchilada. The food was ok, taco was pretty good, flauta was just average and the enchilada wasn’t good at all, had a bit of a sour taste to it and was oily. The salsa here is decent but can use a bit more heat. Overall, an ok taco shop but I prefer Bety’s across the street as they are a bit more authentic and tastes better. I’ll probably give this place another try but order a burrito instead.
Pros–
Portions
Price
Beef taco
Service
Cons–
Enchiladas
Salsa too mild
Odd location
Place rating: 5
Cupertino, CA
Love their burritos! Always try to stop by when we visit San Diego (my boyfriend grew up around here and came here religiously). I have only had their California burrito. delicious and huge; I haven’t been able to finish an entire one in a single sitting yet.
They also tend to have a tray of freebies by the salsa bar (I’ve seen watermelon and brownies available) which is nice to munch on while you wait for your order. You won’t have to wait long though as they are pretty quick! Their special red sauce is really yummy to have with the burritos too — flavorful without being too spicy.
Place rating: 4
Encinitas, CA
This place is amazing. You can never go wrong with ordering anything because that damn red hot sauce is to die for. I’ve been going here for so long that they still give out the carrot sticks with ranch sauce. The beef tacos are the best, I always order the California burrito and never regret it. I enjoy the Justin Burrito but I always add carne asada. They have been keeping it the same forever the only thing that is different is the prices.
Place rating: 4
Encinitas, CA
Rico’s has become my go to burrito shop in the neighborhood. I’ve had their California, carne asada and Justin burritos and they are all great. The Justin burrito is a little unique, sort of a meatless version of a California. As a lot of the reviews on Unilocal note, they have a unique sauce they deliver with every order. I like it and find it a tasty addition to any burrito. The workers here are friendly and the dining area is nice if a little unremarkable.