el zarape mexican

super good, super cheap

this place is the real deal if you're looking for mission-style burritos.greatfresh flavor, fast service, packed with locals. i'd probably be here once a week if i lived in sd. they've also got a lot of non-standard menu items that i'd love to try like lobster burritos. i only wish we'd found this place at the beginning of our trip instead of the end!

a smaller menu than the park blvd location, with mostly tacos, burritos, and bowls. price for a taco is near $4, and not really worth it. the quality is not that great, it's not the worst, but i've had better.

i opted for potato tacos, with cheese and lettuce, along with beans and rice. the tacos themselves were alright, but the salsa helped give it flavor. the beans had a strong meat flavor, and are semi-mashed but mostly whole. the rice was pretty terrible as it was flavorless, even though it hadgreatcolor.

the salsas were actually pretty good, specifically the orange one. overall, it's mainly a no for me, with less than stellar food.

i would give this place five stars buuuut....

it took 10 minutes for our server to go to our table and afterward we sat tight fifteen minutes for our beverages. extremely disillusioning.

alright now thegreatpart.

my better half arranged the catch of the day. yellowtail. he was expecting a steak however got a decent measured filet. it was somewhat over cooked. be that as it may, the brilliant shock it was perched over compensated for it. okinawa sweet potatoes!!! sacred child jesus. unimaginable.

my crab topped filet mingon was heavenly and superbly cooked. in spite of the fact that it wasn't on the menu so the cost took me aback...way path back! $44. made it not appear as heavenly as it was at one time the check came.

the barkeep could have invested more energy on my bloody mary.

the warm coco nib cake was normal.

the place was clamoring with clients and every one of the servers were strolling around quick, strolling quick, strolling with void hands . it was odd.

by and large, i was content with the sustenance. the administration was fine.

furthermore, i unquestionably would love to return .... going to need to spare my cash for some time. kinda expensive.

excellent salsa and beef -- avoid carnitas. mild salsa was very good. medium okay. hot salsa not so much (not spicy and not agreatflavor). beef taco was probably the best beef i've ever had from a mexican restaurant. carnitas burrito was made of probably the worst carnitas i've ever had. based on the taco and salsa, i'll be back. overall i consider the 89% rating to be valid.

shrimp and steak. shrimp burrito wonderful. best carne asada ever. steak & shrimp burritogreat
teens loved nacho supreme w carne asada. would go again! would order carne asada

wow..these were some of the best fish tacos i have ever had. i went back two nights in a row while visiting san diego i loved it so much. everything i had on the menu wasgreatbut the plain mahi mahi tacos were by far the best. awesome food for very cheap!

exceeded our expectations.greatfood from the carne asada burritos to the quesadillas (always a hit with kids). cashier saw our 5-year old had a freshly skinned knee and brought out a band-aid. would recommend as a low-key, tasty mexican without any hesitance.

new restaurant was a let down. i like their mole at the original taco shop but the opening night was horrible. i ordered the girsitas which were undercooked and doughy. shrimp was rubbery and tasted like frozen muddy shrimp, full of hidden cilantro which my husband hated. the chichsrones were disgusting, but i have little to compare them with since i've never tried them before. the white cheese gordita had no flavor whatsoever. beans were so so and i asked for double beans and received same single serving as others at the table. just plain pinto beans, fair to bland, at best. my husband's mole was tasty although the presentation looked like cafeteria style with an ugly light orange plate and we thought we'd enjoy hand- made tortillas but they were definitely machine bought. friends ordered tasty and fresh enchiladas suizas, and alambre plate with meat that was dry and bacon that was undercooked. palm beer was agreatfind. the waiter never figured out that i barely touched the horrible sipes and not only did he not take them off the bill, and save us $, he ended up putting all if our charges on one credit card instead if splitting themas we'd asked. i'm so disappointed, and hungry too. i guess my $40 would have been better spent at the taco shop. we won't be back. just like el camino, the prices far exceed the quality. too bad too, we're in desparate need of a new sit down mexican restaurant to replace ponce's whose quality and bad aftertaste has made it impossible to frequent. our family and friends won't meet us there any more. we were so excited for el zarape but it's definitely not a place we'll try again. bummer!

fish tacos-very good.greatfish tacos. very fresh andgreatprice. absolutely would eat here again. diana and cam smith-florida

so, everytime i come here ihope for the best hit i'm always disapponted.greatmenu poorly executed. my burritos are usually cold and meagerly filled. i'd rather toto bahia down the street

el zarape cafe:great mexican homestyle. my teenaged gourmet eating son loved el zarape. he ordered the carne asada burrito plate, which came with a delicious home style grilled flank like steak strips inside a flour tortilla filled with steak strips with onions, tomatoes, guacamole. the plate came with rice and beans. the refried beans were light tasting and lightly flavored i ordered the chile relleno which tasted pretty good at $6.50 and the same or similar price for my son's burrito plate.
the order and pickup at the counter saves money on tipping
the decor was mexican style with orange walls with mexican pots and gourds on shelves gave it a home style mexican influence
we loved the prices and the ambiance as it was fast service andgreatfood at a modest price.
we'll be back soon.

betty, and arthur