Rubio’s

It was just another one of those weekday nights when you are too tired from a long day at work to even throw some preservative packed frozen dinner in the microwave and the better half and I were just looking for something to grab and drag home. Rubio’s here we come!
Rubio’s mission is to «serve coastal food that not only tastes great, but that you can feel great about eating. It’s why we only source, slice and sizzle quality ingredients and have for years.» Rubio’s uses Haas avocados for their guacamole and as toppings on some of their menu items. Their vegetables are taken from the Salinas and Imperial Valleys and Yuma, Arizona. If these areas can’t meet their demands, they do outsource, but makes sure the produced being received is fresh. Rubio’s uses only white meat chicken white meat marinated in garlic, pepper, cumin, onion, and paprika, then grilled over an open flame. Their lean steak is also grilled over an open flamed and marinated with garlic, savory spices, and cilantro.
I arrived at this location (
) at around 7:30 pm and the restaurant (
) was somewhat empty with only about 10 customers eating inside. The theme is very island like with a faux hut right in the middle of the dining area. There is also an outside patio (no lighting) with a good view of Alicia Parkway.
The menu (
) is pretty straight forward with a choice of several proteins:
Alaskan Pollock
Shrimp
Pacific Mahi Mahi
Regal Springs Tilapia
Atlantic Salmon
Chicken
Steak
You can get you protein in a burrito, taco, enchilada, quesadilla, salad, rice bowl or on top of nachos.
Since I had looked at the menu prior to arrive, I was able to walk right up to the counter and give my order without the usual deliberation. The better half wanted the Chipotle Ranch Salad (
) with Steak sans the tortilla strips and salsa fresca with extra dressing on the side. I went with the Baja Grilled Burrito with Steak (
) which comes with guacamole, salsa fresca and a blend of cheeses and a Grilled Gourmet Taco with Steak which comes with Toasted Cheese topped with Bacon pieces, Hass Avocado slices, Red Tomatillo Salsa, creamy Chipotle sauce and Cilantro and Onion mix. The burrito also comes with a small bag of tortilla chips, so make sure you hit the salsa station (
) while you are waiting for your order to be prepared.
I believe I had to kill about 10 minutes before my order was called. I spent this time getting my salsa, snapping photos of the restaurant and liking check-​ins on Unilocal.
Rohlinism: Idle hands were the devil’s workshop before the invention of smart phones!
I quickly verified the order was correct and headed home with our fast food feast.
My lovely wife removed about half the ingredients from her salad, so it was nice to see there was a good amount of what was left in the salad and especially the steak. There was also enough dressing on her salad the extra side basically went untouched. Overall, she seemed satisfied with the meal, but did make a slight face when she was told the price tag ($ 7.99).
My Grilled Gourmet Taco was pretty good. I could see all the listed ingredients inside the taco and there was a good amount of steak in the taco. I don’t think I would use the term «gourmet» to describe it, but for a fast food taco it was above average.
The Baja Grilled Burrito was a bit of a disappointment. I would say the first three to four bites were void of steak and the guacamole and cheese were pretty scarce. Once I did consume enough tortilla to hit steak, there was a good amount, but I did find a few pieces of gristle mixed in. Rubio’s prides themselves on using better quality of ingredients, but someone definitely didn’t trim the steak properly before setting it on the grill. I am also not sure why some many Mexican fast food joints have a problem with ingredients inside burritos not being properly distributed throughout the burrito, but it does seem to confound many a fast food employee and annoys me to no end. I am no burrito rolling expert, but when I do make one at home, I am capable of making sure the ingredients are even throughout the tortilla … right before it falls apart and into my lap!
I believe this is on the healthier end of the fast food chain and if you keep your expectations tempered you can actually get a satisfying meal here at a fairly reasonable price. It does help this particular location is very close to my house and I am sure I will be visiting here in the future.

Was surprised by the amazing customer service Nicholas had, very polite, quick, and knew the menu well. As for the food, it was good as is most Rubio’s I’ve been to. The salad I ordered was tasty but a little bit heavy on dressing so I’d suggest ordering it on the side unless you like a good amount of dressing on the salad

The chicken taquitos were absolutely disgusting. Cold and mushy. I usually get fish tacos but wanted to try something new, I wish I hadn’t.

Food was great, Nicholas was very friendly and had great energy taking our order, will definitely be coming back

Just not good… don’t know what else to say… this location is slow, the tables are dirty and it is just a step below other Rubios locations.

One star is being generous. My wife came in here to order a salad to go while I was getting something from Gandolfo’s next door. I got my sandwich and came in here to see what was taking my wife so long… this is about 10 minutes later, and when I got in there she was still sitting waiting for her salad. They had one person behind the counter and one person making the meals. It wasn’t too crowded or anything, maybe 2 other people waiting along with my wife. Well nearly 15 minutes later she finally went back up to the counter and asked how much longer, and at that time they were just finishing her salad. This is a salad mind you. It took a total of 25 – 30 minutes to make her salad. She had also asked for extra chicken and I’m doubtful that it had extra chicken, and if it did I’d hate to see what that salad looks like with just the normal amount of chicken. I tried her salad and it was just ok, it definitely was not worth the wait. I’m not sure if this is business as usual here but to me nobody should ever have to wait 25 – 30 minutes at a place like this for a simple salad.

I have eaten here for many years and found the food to be very good and reasonably priced. This evening my order took a longer time to prepare than usual, but it wasn’t a big deal. When I got home, my order was not correct. Grilled fish tacos were ordered. I received battered ones. I called to inform them and the manager really couldn’t care less. No offer to accommodate. A simple offer to rectify would have been enough. We all make mistakes. But being indifferent to a customer is not acceptable.
Fail.

Delicious nachos! The cook put a lot of steak in the nachos, which makes it taste even better. They serve you as quickly as they can and the Manager here is nice. The restaurant is clean, has nice air conditioning and a good number of tables and seats from which to choose. The salsas here taste fresh, as if they were made recently.
I like Rubio’s as a fast casual place to eat San Diego/​Southern California style Mexican food. (Rubio’s started in San Diego using a Mexican fish taco recipe founder Ralph Rubio says he purchased in Mexico for $ 25). There is no tip jar as far as I can see at this Rubio’s, and seemingly no expectation from the people helping that you are going to tip when you purchase using cash or gift card. I can’t speak for the credit card paying option and if it has a line for you to add gratuity as I have a gift card. Thanks to Andrew K for giving me a Rubio’s gift card over Christmas. I’ll be back.

I like Rubios. Discovering fish tacos by moving out to CA was like uncovering a whole new food group! Maybe I’m exaggerating a little but they are tasty!
I have been to this location twice now and both times the experience has been great! I find the variety of menu choices to be overwhelming at times but what gives this a 4 star review is the service. Everyone «wants» to be there. A particular shout out to Nick. He always greets with a smile and today when he noticed my side of chips was nearing the end he gave me a refill free of charge! He’s also quick to offer extra plates and utensils and check on the patrons.
The sauce bar and soda selection is great too. I like the milder salsas but do spice it up with that jalepeño citrus sauce. It is amazing. And to have drink choices of Vanilla Coke AND Coke Zero? Heaven!
Yes I’m gushing over Rubios but all of these factors add up up to brand loyalty for me.
Go! And look for Nick!

You know what, I work near by at Kaiser Permanete. And I like Rubios when they know what they are doing. I had there gourmet tacos one with no sauce of any kind and no onions and I fell in love, but that only happened one time. I have gone four other times and every time there is some wrong. One time they didn’t put bacon, and the other two time they put the white sauce and today I specifically ask for no sauce of any kind white red or green, I said I want my taco dry and I order it to go. I get to work and what do I fine red sauce. I was so pissed I will never go to Rubios again cause they can get my simple order right. I rather start going to Baja Fresh. And one last note. There corn tortillas are never really warmed. Like by the time they had you your tacos the tortilla is all cold and hard. Not very happy. Especially if I am paying nearly $ 4 per damn taco. Like I said never again.