Rico's Taco Shop
(between Crest Dr & Encinitas Blvd)
Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 944-7689
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Breakfast, Lunch
- Alcohol: None
33 Reviews for Rico's Taco Shop
This place sucks.
OK OK, the California Burrito is amazing, but the rest of it is just crap...
4 stars for the Cal. Burrito, 1 star for everything else. And I mean everything.
this place has a great menu, and the food is equally good. i have enjoyed many of their burritos, and loved em all. i generally find myself here after a hard night of drinking. the food is just greasy enough to settle the worst hangover belly. cheap, and tasty....what else can you ask for?
When I attened SDA /LCC a few years ago everyone loved this place. And I really don't see the big deal. It's not the best Mexican food in Encinitas. I guess everyone just really likes that salsa... I would choose Juanitas over Ricos any day.
My friend wanted Mexican and I wanted Greek. Rico's! Owners are Greek which means they have Gyros here. I will only comment on my Gyro, which was made with beef and lacked the tzatziiki sauce.
Not too happy with the food here, although the menu did look fun (cheeseburger burrito?). I would come here again if my I-want-Greek-and-my-friend-wants-Mexican-and-we're-stuck-in-Encinitas situation arises again.
What a disappointment.
I ordered my usual favorite 3 rolled tacos with guacamole and a carne asada burrito.
Ricos is all about short cuts.
The guacamole was cut with mayo.
Are they out of their minds? You don't fake guacamole at a Mexican food restaurant.
The carne asada burrito seemed to be missing carne asada.
Oh, it looked like a carne burrito from the outside but inside was a surprise.
A flour tortilla wrapped around a mass of shredded lettuce and about a teaspoon of carneasada. Jenny Craig with be thrilled!!!!
The walls in this place are decorated with local news print. Headlines reading - Ricos is big hit in Encinitas. Why??? Who did they hit???
There's a few cute little crayon drawings thanking Ricos for something, but it couldn't be for the food.
Maybe Rico gave some kid a dollar to spend at the 99 cent store.
I'd thank him for that.
Or maybe Rico advised someone that they could drink the water but shouldn't eat the food.
I draw a picture with crayons for that kind of advise.
A few notes and autographs framed and hanging on the walls from Tony Hawk and some local muscle head from the fitness place in the same parking lot. WHOOPDI FREAKIN DO!!! Maybe Tony burned his taste buds on a pizza the night before. It could happen.
They even have inspiring burritos named after their loyal customers, if there really are such people.
The "Justin Burrito" filled with french fries, beans and loads of other crap, double wrapped in flour tortillas.
Ummmmm Yummmmy! 2 flour tortillas to choke on. (Can I have a gallon a water to go with that please? No, really, please! I think I'm dehydrating into a pile of dust).
Yeah, I'll get that mess the next time I fall out of a moving car and roll through the door breaking both arms and legs, unable to crawl out of here. Unless, of course, I'm lucky enough to break my jaw and teeth as well.
Please Rico please! Put the salad shooter and mayonnaise away.
Make me some Mexican food.
I've got a few good ideas for naming their food.
How bout calling one "The Carne Asada Burrito" and then actually filling it with carne asada. And how bout "3 Rolled Tacos with Guacamole" and then using real guacamole and some kind of shredded beef.
If I could rename what I actually got, I think I would call it "The Tossed Salad Burrito"
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I have lived in San Diego my whole life, and I know my mexican food.
Rico's, to my disappointment, is one of the WORST places that I have been to in my life. I love having hot sauce on my food, but when I have to pour and pour my hot sauce onto my burrito or carne asada fries; I feel like I have lost all of my food into the sea of sauce that I have poured.
Rico's has really gone down to the bottom of my mexican food list.
The only thing that I feel is good at this location is their Orange Bang (a drink) which I can get somewhere else.
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Call me crazy, call me stupid, call me insane.
But am I wrong to expect to have just a little CARNE ASADA in my CARNE ASADA burrito? Or am I just being too nit-picky or something? Is it supposed to be 90% lettuce with a just a HINT of meat thrown in for COLOR???
Ok, so Rico Suave gets an "F" on my acid test for Mexican restaurants. So, why the 3 stars? Because the freaking vegetarian Justin burrito is terrific. It's larger than a football, wrapped in TWO fresh tortillas and tastes great. I couldn't believe it. And the hot sauce is good, too.
Maybe I should order the lettuce burrito next time and see what I get.
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Rico's will always hold a special place in my heart. Why? Because they make some of the BEST burritos in all of San Diego, if not all the world. I rarely order anything else - if you are going to Rico's you are there to order a burrito. Nothing else. For a taste of Rico's true amazingness order the wolrd-famous JUSTIN BURRITO - packed with beans, cheese, rice, guacamole, lettuce, double wrapped. What makes Rico's truly unique is their hot sauce (more like mexican ketchup) placed at every table in a squeezable ketchup bottle. Apply generously. There's plenty of booths and tables but the place can fill up during lunch time. Call in your order ahead of time for pick up if you'd like. This place is amazing. Period.
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I am a native on Encinitas, and I know my Mexican food. I LOVE Rico's. It is a legend in Encinitas, I have been heading in for a vegi burrito and tons of hot sauce for about ten years now! I have to admit I don't vary on what I order, I know exactly what I want, its fast and reliable. If you go to Rico's on a week-day at lunch time you are going to wait in line, every San Dieguito Academy student heads there so be ready. The line moves fast and you can call in your order. The employees that work there are so kind, and if you are friendly to them they will always remember you. The owners are friendly and appreciative, its not much of a eat in restaurant but if you are a local you will see tons of people that you know.
It's not the best food in the world, but there's something very distinctive about it that keeps you coming back for more. So simple, yet so good.
Growing up in Encinitas, Rico's has been a love of mine for over a decade now. My favorites: the Veggetarian Burritio w/ Guac and the Carne Asada Tacos. Of course you have to smother anything you get there in the AMAZING Rico's Hot Sauce. It could actually be a little hotter for my liking, but the flavor is unbeatable. And no, like everyone else says, it's not "authentic." But they don't use lard and it's delicous, so who really cares?
Rico's Taco Shop is a local favorite. The food, drinks, service, and atmosphere are on point. The shop can get pretty crowded during lunch time so the technique of calling ahead (your order) is crucial if you don't mind spending an extra five minutes.
A personal favorite would be the California burrito because of the special hot sauce(reason why i'm giving rico's 4 stars). The hot sauce is really the distinguishing factor among other local taco shops. Which is one of the main reasons that draws me to the taco shop. The sauce has a consistency of pizza sauce with a combination of who knows what that makes it ever so good.
I've been going there for 4 years now, and I've noticed that the burritos have decreased in size. After completing one, I resort to using the one free refill to filling up my stomach.
Rico's taco shop is a great place with great food.
EDIT: after frequenting karina's in leucadia for a while, i decided to get a rico's cali burrito.
...the burrito looked literally looked like a ball. The smallest burrito i have ever seen in my time in San Diego. I've known that the burritos have became smaller and smaller. However, I never thought it would decrease to look like meat,fries, cheese wrapped to look like a ball.
For a California burrito....go to Karina's.
In fact, go to Rico's, steal the sauce, then go to Karinas.
Horrible.
You have your favorite burrito place and your favorite mexican restaurant if you live in san diego.
This place takes the cake for best burritos. I have been going there for 3 years, and have only gotten one burrito: the Justin. beans cheese rice guac and fries. all wrapped up in healthy goodness.
By the way... I refuse to package up my own hot sauce. No thanks! And if you go? Make sure you ask for plenty of hot sauce ( I killed 7 on a justin one day, that was a sizzlin day!)
(CALL IT IN once you are a regular, but I am sure you will figure that out in no time)
Well I have been eating here for over a decade now, and I have to say it's phenomenal "mexican" food. Mexican in quotes, since it's really fresh and California style.
I could literally write a long list of my experiences, but here's the deal. Get the hot sauce, and get a Orange Bang with your order. I suggest the standard item, the California Burrito, but there are tens of items and combos that you can order from here.
It's a dingy hole in the wall. You won't want to eat there, but its perfect for take out. We lived off Ricos for many years after school, when mom was tired out from work, so much so she'd not want to cook.
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As a San Diego native, I know my mexican food... and I judge my hole-in-the-walls based on both flavor and atmosphere.
I went to Rico's expecting great things, after I had heard SOOOO much from my encinitas friends...
Unfortunately, Rico's now tops my list of most unmemorable, most unspectacular, most BORING places to grab food in the county... and my friends have lost ALL credibility.
My burritos have never been more bland (I shouldn't HAVE to put sauce on everything, dammit!)... and their carrots are such a disappointment. ...I'd much rather go to a random "-berto's" than give Rico's a third try.
*MEH!*
No joke, every time I drive by Rico's Taco Shop I see boat load of customers waiting for their food. After seeing the line out the door on numerous occasions, I had to experience it first hand.
Beef Tacos: I could hardly find any meat in the taco at all. ... and what I found was lousy shredded beef that lacked in flavor. Taco shell was nice and crunchy but the three tables spoon worth of grease that poured out off set that score quickly.
Cheese enchilada: sauce is straight out of the can, cheese wasn't melted at all and the tortilla was dry, it must not have been soaked in the sauce long enough.
Their flagship product Justin Burrito is nothing but double layers of dried tortilla with copious filling of bean and cheese, French fries and nasty brown guacamole. Great size for the price but I feel that double wrapping is just overkill.
And this is where I draw the line - mild flavorless salsa made with cheap tomato that tastes like tin can. Looked and tasted somewhat like a marinara sauce heavy on the oregano.
Service did not make up for it, but if you like to pick up on high school kids, go for it. Food is really cheap, and you get what you pay for. I should of known, the supposed "authentic taco shop" serves gyros!
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ok, I love foomung below, the guy is my buddy, but he doesn't know what he's talking about. I looooooove Rico's, their food is great, heir people are great!
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Best taco shop in Encinitas. I've loved this place since high school. When I walk through those doors all I'm thinking about is the Vegetarian burrito with chicken. Yeah, the name of that what is strange, but it's magically delicious. If you're hungover it's downright heaven. If you're in Enci you have to go there. Call in your order ahead of time, sometimes it can get busy.
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My favorite taco shop in North County! Initially I came here because I heard they didn't use lard. I keep coming back because it's cheap, family owned, the guacamole, hot sauce and tortillas are tasty and they have black olives in the salsa bar. If you love olives, like I love olives, this will definitely be a selling point for you. I usually get a Bean Rice and Cheese burrito and then pile in the black olives and hot sauce. Did I mention I think it's the best taco shop in north county.
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If I'm lucky, I go with a friend that loves it as much as I do and we order two burritos and split them both: Veggie burrito( beans, cheese, rice, tomatoes, lettuce) with fresh avocado and a Justin Burrito(beans, cheese, french fries, guac, lettuce, two tortillas). Absolute heaven.
They are reallly nice about making substitutions if you are a veg, or if you want to create your own burrrrr. MMMM I love it.
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Despite being named "Rico's Taco Shop" it features a menu boasting food across all borders. Greek, Mexican... well that's about it really.
My only experience with the Greek food was a Gyro swimming in sauce and onions. Tasting it brought me back to Scotland where there was a Kebab joint called Marmaris that doubled as the best kebab in town and the place where I was guaranteed a good meal.
The Mexican food is the main reason I go to Rico's. The California burrito stands above all others to me. They don't do it 'authentic' Mexican style... but I'm getting a California burrito, authenticity doesn't matter.
Not even counting a California burrito, does authenticity ever really matter? If you had a burger with blue cheese on it would you discount it because it wasn't 'authentic' American? No, you'd eat it because it's delicious, and that's what a Rico's California burrito is. It's about as simple as it gets, sour cream, tons of cheese, carne asada, and that's it. Top it off with the hot sauce, because you do NOT want to miss the hot sauce which is easily the best in San Diego.
I've had everything up and down the menu, and it is all quality, but do yourself one favor... avoid the Justin. It's more dull than it sounds. It's not actually bad, just bland and uninteresting.
This is my favorite place to get burrito's in San Diego, hands down. I came back to SD from a year abroad and this was the first place I wanted to go.
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Rico's- like every other Mexican food place only...no lard, more high-school kids, and slightly whiter. The no lard thing goes a long way for me, in fact that's why it gets a 5 star. I'll admit it, food with lard tastes better, but I'd still rather not have it there.
Despite the lack of typical Mexican taco shop-ness, it's good.
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Ahhh, Rico's, how I miss you! Every time I come back to San Diego, my first stop is Rico's and what a pleasure it is. I usually order a Bean, Rice and Cheese Burrito with extra rice but on occasion I'll order the carne asada burrito (or california burrito). Both are excellent!
I agree with Chelsea L. on the statement that Rico's is the "best mexican food in Encinitas, and in my opinion all of Southern California." I grew up on Rico's and I have this funny feeling that nothing will ever compare.
The hot sauce at Rico's is awesome too! It's such spicy enough to leave a little tingle on your tongue and it complements the burritos perfectly. I love it!
Rico's has traveled with me everywhere too. When I was in college I would bring back BRC xR burritos to my roommates, I've brought them to Boston when visiting and even to London when I was there last summer! Rico's has been spread worldwide...now if only I could find a way to get them to New York...my life would be complete. =)
OK, so it's not as authentic as some other Mexican places claim to be, nor is it all fancy and glitzy. But seirously folks, there's no place like Rico's. I come home from college, and guess what my first stop for food is. You've guessed it.
Rico's is still on my speed-dial after three years of being away from Encinitas, and I've no idea how those guys do it, but they still don't need to ask for my name when I call in. (No, I don't have a freakish voice. I just order the same thing every time with the same modifications)
Tips from a seasoned Rico's patron:
1) Call in. Seriously. They get busy, and you don't want to wait in line for 15 minutes to order, and ANOTHER 20 to get your food.
2) Hot sauce. I'm not kidding. I don't care if you don't like spicy. Get their hot sauce. It's a world of difference.
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i dont really eat there for mexican food
in encinitas its the best breakfast value
breakfast burritos or get the breakfast platter and make your own.
eggs, sausage, hash browns, and flour tortillas and plenty of their tasty hot sauce. - $ 4.50
easy to get into on sat or sun morning , unlike most other breakfast spots
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Rico's in Encinitas offers some seriously tasty (and lard free) Mexican Food. The famous Justin Burrito is definitely worth a try (i usually have my boyfriend help me because i can't finish this huge double wrapped burrito). If you love moist and tender carne asada, give the carne asada or california burrito a try. Their spicy salsa can't be beat!
edit: i must say that i've been on a real Justin Burrito kick as of late, and the service these days isn't what it used to be. the staff isn't very friendly & the wait is usually longer that I like to wait for a taco shop burrito. The ONLY thing that keeps me coming back is their Heavenly tasting salsa & the justin burrito. As stacy mentioned, expect to be Swarmed with the likes of snotty rich kids. Take it to go, trust me on this one.
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OK, I must admit I'm giving this 2 stars just because so many other people have given this ridiculous 4 and 5 star ratings.
I can usually rely on yelp to point out some really good/interesting restaurants, but this was a major disappointment. I was driving back home to SD from LA and wanted a good authentic mexican fast food taqueria or something similar.
Rico's is pretty basic inside, but that's fine if the food is good. Their menu is extremely generic. Anybody looking for a California burrito on their menu doesn't understand authentic mexican food. They don't have a salsa bar. All they have is hot sauce. I ordered chips and salsa (not on the menu for some reason) and got a very generic pico de gallo spread across some stale chips.
The fish taco was more like a fish stick in a tortilla and the chicken tacos were extremely basic. They didn't give me the water I ordered with my meal, it took them quite a long time to prepare three tacos, and they weren't very responsive or friendly when I went back up for the "hot sauce" I should have received to begin with.
To summarize: the is a very generic, maybe 3 star mexican fast food joint with heavily americanized content and very average fare. It's a great place to go if you are craving mexican and have no where else to go (and can't make it better yourself).
Way over rated. Seems to appeal to the high school crowd.
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Absolutely the best mexican food in Encinitas, and in my opinion all of Southern California. Everything is perfect from the tortillas, to the beans, the fact that they use cheddar cheese unlike every taco shop in San Francisco! The Justin Burrito is delicious, (double wrapped, beans, cheese, french fries, guacamole and lettuce). But my favorite is my vegetarian take on a California Burrito, beans, cheese, french fries and sour cream. Yummy. Besides that the owners are sweet, and it's always clean.
Authentic, delicious taqaria style Mexican food. This is a local high-school hang-out and is always crowded. Highly recommend the veggie burritos!
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I'm really torn with this restaurant. Yes, the food is really pretty good and it is lard free. HOWEVER....there are several negatives. 1) Lotsa of bratty Encinitas high school kids leaving trash, topping, and sauce all over the tables. 2) You rarely get what you order. Once I had to take my tacos back twice. I'd ordered beef and first I got chicken, then I got beef with guac??? My husband orders burritos and rarely gets what he ordered but he just eats it anyway...he likes them all. 3) Prepare to wait. They don't actually prepare the food in the order taken. You'll see people come and go while just waiting, and waiting. Yes, definitely a gamble...
best mexican food of all time. Love the family that works there too!
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