Diego’s Taco Shop

Mexican done right! Finally!

Former San Diego resident. This is probably as close as I can get to So Cal Mexican. They actually have carne asada fries! I usually get the large size and while not quite the same, it’s pretty darn close. Another interesting thing is that they serve California Burritos here! It’s pretty much a carne asada burrito with fries and cheese. I actually have yet to try their carne asada burrito cause I’m usually craving carne asada fries!
One thing that I really like is that they seem pretty open on suggestions on preparing the food. I did my undergrad at orange county and my friend suggested asking the cook to put a tortilla underneath the carne asada fries when they plate it, that way when you get halfway done, you can roll it into a make shift Cali burrito. I tried getting some shops back home to do the same and for some reason always refused to do it even when I let them know I was going to pay extra for the tortilla. Anyways, I asked them to do it and the chef was like: no problem.
I’ve also asked them to do carnitas fries as opposed to carne asada fries, they were also cool with it too, but I actually don’t like their carnitas too much. They do the block cut style, I’m much more of the pulled pork style carnitas.
As for the lay out of the restaurant, it’s a hole in the wall type joint, so it’s not for big groups. They definitely tried to recreate the So Cal Mexican joint style the menu has that familiar diner board.
Other quick not, I’m also a fan of their horchata and love that they got the jarritos soda. Gotta have the jarritos.

This place is horrible, what a waste of my $ 7 for a chicken burrito. Seriously; shredded chicken with some scant cilantro mixed in, accompanied by dry over cooked pinto beans and some mediocre rice.
I would have had better at Taco Bell!

Very close to a San Diego taco shop and a welcome diversion. Rolled tacos and carne asada – yeah, baby. The rolled tacos are prepared just like those in CA, smeared with guacamole and ready to dip in salsa. The carne asada burrito was good sized and chuck full of steak. Very yummy. The burrito came with beans and rice… those were also quite flavorful. The salsa, well, it can’t all be perfect, but it was a good substitute.
Give it a try… economical too!

Tortilla fell apart (ripppppped) when I picked it up, carne asada was bland, guac was bland… Disappointing.
Worker was really nice and service was quick so three stars seems fair.
Pretty pricey — carne asada fries & 2 tacos were $ 20 (probably more)

I was impress. People say good things about this place, so of course you need to check it out.
Yeah, it was ok.
The Burritos I had were full of meat! That made all the difference to me! The lady behind the counter was super friendly and very helpful. It wasn’t a culinary latin masterpieces, but it hit the spot!

Price, taste, quality, quantity, and good service make a great taco stand/​shop.
I’ve been to Diego’s a few times and am always satisfied. I get tacos, but I sure the other menu items are just as good. Pork and beef are tender and juicy with the right amount of seasonings. There is nothing added to the tortillia and meats that overpower or distract.
Better than Tacos Ricos with their greasy meats.

So I originally discovered this place back in 2005, after a year of transplantation from San Diego to Hawaii. Craving «real» Mexican food — not taco bell, which seemed to be what locals considered Mexican, I ventured over to Diego’s. The first time I had the food, I was immediately in awe and so happy to have found a place that I could call home.
Being a somewhat loyal customer — sorry Diego’s I like to cook Mexican food pretty frequently — I came back after my short stint in Japan. Needless to say Diego’s did not disappoint. The owners, originally from San Diego (hence the name Diego’s), know what they are doing here. I had the carnitas tacos, with rice and beans — and the plate was very reasonably priced — about $ 6 or so, maybe $ 7 with a drink.
I will have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with the remodel, counter staff, and general overall feel of the place. Before they had small tables with plastic chairs, but that never deterred me from eating there because that is what all of the Mexican food places are like in So. Cal. I don’t need the fancy décor, just good food.
Must have: The beans — I’m a purist, and they are damn good and cheap!
Parking: Sucks — just park on King street illegally, your order will be out in less than 10 minutes.
On a final note, I was reading about the complaints regarding the carne asada burrito. Not sure what people are expecting, but when you get a carne asada burrito in Mexico or in So. Cal it is just meat, guacamole, and pico de gallo. If you want your rice and beans, eat them on the side!

Known widely for it’s cheap and good Mexican. For the price, the carne asada burrito is awesome. $ 7 gets you a gigantic burrito filled with pretty much all meat, and some rice and beans on the side. The sides do leave a lot to be desired but the burrito is the main attraction here.
While the normal size burrito contains coma-​inducing portions of meat, they recently introduced a «lite» burrito. It’s only $ 5.50 for about half the amount of meat, rice, and beans. They also add lettuce, tomato, and cilantro in the burrito. The perfect portions for a quick takeout lunch!
Try it with cheese nachos on the side to share with a few friends or co-​workers. The chips are actual deep fried pieces of tortilla covered in real melted cheese (not fluorescent 7 – 11 variety!).
This is a takeout place, no table service. Also sadly they don’t have a pepsi or coke fountain, but do offer some tasty bottled drinks to wash down your meal.

Tried Diego’s tonight and it was pretty good, but different than what I’m used to! I got a burrito and asked them if I could combine the carne asada and pollo asada, which they did without hesitation, though I ended up with the shredded chicken instead. The burrito was huge! The carne asada was delicious, perfectly seasoned and cooked. And the shredded chicken was tender and juicy. Both tasted great, but that was pretty much all that was in the burrito, with the exception of a tiny bit of sour cream, tomato and lettuce. But a really small amount of those, so it was basically just a burrito filled with meat! So, that was slightly strange, but still good. Beans and rice come on the side, so it’s not too difficult to add them as you go. There’s also a «light» burrito which comes with all the fixings inside, but I didn’t see that till after I put in my order. Oh well, next time! I also got a side of chips, which were fresh and piping hot, right out of the fryer. So yummy and perfectly salted!
And all for $ 10! Not bad, not bad at all!
There is only street parking, but I went there around 7PM, so that was not a problem.
The weird part was, from what the guy working there said, is that the owner tried a couple of different promotions, which brought in a lot of customers, but then got annoyed that the promo items ($ 5 burritos and such) were the only things people got and did away with those specials. That just doesn’t seem like good business to me. Anyways, I was told the menu is up on their Facebook page if anyone wants to check it out (at least before they disable the page, cause the owner is anti-​social media!)

what: authentic mexican food in a cute little shop!
something good: it may look a little scary from the outside, but the inside is actually pretty neat and clean. the food is really reasonably priced here! they have combos or you can order ala carte. i did ala carte since it was my first time here and i wanted to try lots of different things! i can’t wait to go back and try different items!
something not so good: it looks a little grungy but that’s what gives it that authentic feel i guess: D !!
something to try: hard shell taco with beef (3) & side mexican rice (1)

Whoa this was a weird experience. I ordered the carne asada burrito to go, and when I got home I opened up to see there were beans and rice as sides and there was a burrito… took my first bite and then to my surprise it was JUST carne asada. A huge a$$ burrito with JUST meat… no cheese… no beans… no rice…
That’s not a burrito… and maybe not even a wrap… but dang it was weird. They claim they get their recipes from San Diego but in San Diego they put rice and beans and other burrito goodies in a burrito.
At least the salsa was bomb.
(Oh California mexican food I miss thee…)

Carne Asada burrito is BOMB! only wished they made asada fries as well

Hey dudes, this is for THEIR AWESOME CARNE ASADA BURRITO. Diego’s serves really good carne asada burritos. I have never had a disintegrated tortilla like Mike C. did but that sucks. I honestly think they have the best carne asada burritos. I have tried Toritos (Waikiki), Los Chaporros (uh… Beretania St), El Burrito, Tacos Ricos, Maui Tacos, Maria Bonitas (downtown), Jose’s (Kaimuki), and they all don’t compare to Diego’s. I probably should try more restaurants out there, but I’m tired of eating justalright carne asada, but Diego’s has the best I’ve ever tasted since I’ve been here.
EDIT: BC Burritos’ss’s’s’s carne asada burrito is super huge and alright for the price. The taste just doesn’t beat Diego’s.

I’ve always come here to get the Diegos Burrito and the Rolled Chicken Tacos– both great. I wanted to go in a different direction this day and try the «TJ» style tacos (i don’t know why i haven’t tried them yet). I get two Carne Asada and a Pollo Asado.
Opened up my plate and i was dis appointed that there was only one layer of tortilla under wet-​ish ingredients. I try the Pollo Asado first the chicken was nicely spiced well and tasty — however the tortilla didn’t hold up and just disintegrated. This happened even faster with the two Carne Asada tacos that followed. Ended up just eating pieces of meat w/​a side of soaked tortilla. The Carne Asada was just OK, but the experience was just blown.

I really love this place. For some reason, many other reviewers don’t feel the same but it’s okay. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I always come here and pig out. I order the 2 taco combo (shredded chicken) with beans and rice. The taco is really simple with lots of shredded chicken, cilantro, and sour cream. I dig it. It’s super juicy. My fiancé eats the hugemangous Diego Burrito and the bean and cheese. They are huge. One burrito is like two meals for me. The horchata drink is pretty tasty too. The prices are decent and the atmosphere is quaint. In fact I heard they renovated so it looks better. But yah I dig eating here. Simplicity is bliss.

Tried their $ 5 Carne Burrito. Meh.
Wished I had gone to Taco Bell.

Dude… why in the hell can’t there be a decent mexican restaurant on Oahu? WTF!
When I go to Cali, I chow down because the food is sooo good. I don’t get it. Why not in Hawaii? No mexicans I guess…
The only mexican I have ever had in Hawaii that I liked a lot was on the Big Island… Luquins…I’m a review them next…

Not my favorite mexican place.
I judge Mexican food by their carnitas (very hard to get right). Diego’s carnitas is not up to par. I think they drown their burritos in cilantro to cover up for it and make it «authentic.»
Better off going to Mexicos in Kalihi or Mexico Lindos in Kaiua. If you’re stuck in town, hit up Los Chaparros on Beretania in McCully/​Moilili…

This place is a hit or miss. I only go here for the shredded beef burrito, as it tastes like the kind of shredded beef you find in San Diego, CA
My husband had the carnitas and carne asada on two occaisons and both times it was super salty. Their chicken is decent, nothing noteworthy but tasty and «safe».
The hit or miss part really comes in the presentation. Sometimes you get a cook who actually knows how to roll a burrito, the other times you get someone who absolutely does not know what they’re doing and it looks a mess. Sadly more times than not, we’ve had the strangest looking burritos served to us. Sometimes triangular, sometimes opening up on both ends (& not due to full contents either). Their chips are good but wish they’d give more for what you’re paying. One time tho, the chips were under cooked.
So overall, it’s okay, I don’t necessarily find myself «pining» to go there as their prices are not as cheap as I’d like in a burrito joint and the hit or miss quality has me looking for other alternatives.
I’m not discouraging first timers to give it a chance as this place is WAY better than a lot of other burrito places out there.