Elena’s Mexican Food

From the sign above the store, you wouldn’t think much of this generic «Mexican Food», but there are definitely some treasures to be found within.
My favorite item to get from the menu is their fish burrito, which is absolutely amazing at its best, and pretty good at its worst. But wait, what do you mean, «best and worst»? Well, that’s one of the reasons why this place probably doesn’t get the most stellar of ratings.
A lot of the menu items are a bit on the medicore end, with no outstanding examples aside from the fish burrito. And even that suffers from a significant drop in quality should you come on a bad day.
In short, this place is nowhere near the best mexican food you’ll find in this area, but, should you come on a good day, you might end up pleasantly surprised.

I have eaten here 3 times. Each time I was disappointed. The food is low quality and the place is poorly kept and dirty. Wouldn’t go again unless I was pretty desperate.

Located right by the train tracks in sorrento valley by the 5 north freeway entrance.
Food: I have only had a few things on this menu, but the fish burrito is what keeps me coming back. Its basically like a fish taco except in a burrito, and its not messy like some of the fish burritos I’ve had. The hot sauce is good too. Also recommend the shrimp burrito if you like seafood!
Location: a little inconvenient to get to, but once you figure it out its not so bad. Its right by the freeway entrance at sorrento valley, and also right next to the intersection at the train tracks. I only come here for lunch during the week, and the parking lot is difficult. Its really narrow and the spots are pretty small, plus a lot of people with huge cars make the spots even smaller. If you come at peak lunch time, finding a spot will be difficult. Elena’s does have one spot reserved for them right in front though. Inside is pretty big, there is always plenty of seating when I go. There is some outdoor seating too, and I actually really like the simple and plain ambiance of this place. No nonsense.
Staff: Always friendly and competent. They have never messed up my order, and I have never waited more than 10 minutes for my food. There is a small fee for paying with credit card if you are not over a certain amount (I think its like 35 cents for under $ 5, not sure. but bring cash if this is a concern for you).
I am willing to give this place 4 stars just because of the fish burrito. I have tried it at many locations before, and this place is my favorite by far.

I can’t figure out why this place has so many bad reviews. I love it!
I always get their fish tacos or shrimp tacos.
I should’ve taken a picture of my shrimp yesterday. Must’ve been a dozen in each taco!
Awesome beans/​rice too!
Best part is it’s just a few blocks from my business.

Firmly mediocre taco place. Half mexican, half taco bell.

Much better taco shops in San Diego than this one.
This place is mediocre at best. I live right by this place and as a burrito fanatic, I wanted to try their food out. I ordered the California burrito with guacamole and the burrito was large, which was a plus, but it wasn’t balanced well in terms of where the ingredients were put in the burrito. I could have lived with that if the salsa was good, but the salsa was nasty. It was super watery and sour, which is gross to me. There is only one choice of salsa, so you are stuck with this one if you don’t like it. There is no salsa bar and they charge you for every extra little thing. They need a more diverse salsa range and a salsa bar if they want to be diversified and compete with other taco shops.

I had the surf and turf burrito. I was cheating on my diet. It was worth it! Carne had good flavor. Shrimps were good sized and there was a generous amount. I’ll be back. Not a fan of their salsa, but it wasn’t horrid. They didn’t offer green.

This is not the best Mexican place in town! If you are a connoisseur of Take-​Out Mexican food; every place is «known» for one or two particular items and the rest is «ok» or just plain awful! If you come here, order the CA Burrito with guacamole and crispy beef! It is awesome! Everything else, I have not been impressed with (hence the lost in one star). And, the hot sauce is a must; it compliments the CA burrito!

No surprise here. No salsa bar. Nickel and dime you on extras like lettuce? Cold and un melted cheese on my 3 rolled tacos and don’t get me started on the rude cook who doubles as a cashier on a Saturday

Great Mexican food here. Quick and friendly service. Food tasted fresh. Definitely coming back here again.

Elena’s is improving, but I had the carne asada burrito and still too salty for me.
you can always add salt, but removing it is tough
I would have given 4 stars if carne asada was less salty

I’m going to go out on a limb and give this place 5 stars.
Was it exceptional in the grand scheme of Mexican food? Nah. Did it exceed my expectation of a ‘hole in the wall’ Taco shop and a poorly rated Unilocal business? ABSOLUTELY.
I ordered a California Burrito with extra meat. The lady was very pleasant.
The cook handed me the food and was gracious.
The burrito it self was large, about a full pound or so. The meat was actually seasoned perfectly and cooked on a griddle and not just boiled in a pot then reheated on a griddle. It was filled with cheddar and jack cheese and Crispy fried.
Don’t always trust reviews. Please try them out!

Lame! Tried to go eat there and we were hassled and told not to park in front of where we were going to eat? WTF? So we went somewhere else. Guy was rude and confrontational. Not sure how they make money.

I am a San Diego Native and mexican food is my favorite! I have never had bad mexican food until I came to Elena’s. I feel bad for the people who live around here and this is their local mexican food place. I usually listen to Unilocal reviews, but this time thought I would try it, because it’s a hole in the wall and those are the best kind… boy I should have listen to Unilocal.
I got there and there was not one person in this place… already a bad sign. The prices are a little pricey as well… over $ 5 for a bean and cheese burrito. Since I was skeptical (because of the Unilocal reviews) I decided to go with the bean and cheese burrito… you can’t mess that up right? Well Elena’ s did!
Their beans have this nasty flavor… and I don’t even know how to describe it. The tortilla was burnt and so cooked, that is was flaky and falling apart with each bite. The tortilla is the best part of a burrito, but not this one. I couldn’t even eat half of it. Half of the burrito was cold and the other half was warm and the cheese wasn’t even melted. Some of the beans looked old, who knows how long they had been sitting in a warmer.
Their «hot sauce» was so watery and tasted like vinegar… I am regretting dumping the whole thing on. Combine that taste with the disgusting flavor of the beans, and you have one bad combo.
What ever you do, avoid this place!

Rip off, beans and cheese over 5?! super small burrito. — hit up the deli next door

Great little Mexican food place. Friendly service. Good food. The food comes out quickly. They sell big cans of Arizona iced tea. Even though the Fish burrito is fried it is very good. I’ll be back.

We randomly decided to grab burritos here after getting coffee next door. After we ordered, I checked in on Unilocal and was a little nervous to see the 2.5 stars. It’s rare that you see a restaurant with that low of rating but thankfully my experience wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t anything special either.
I ordered the California burrito with steak. The French fries were crispy and the sour cream added a nice bit of flavor. The burrito is large and I could only manage to eat ²⁄₃ of it. Sometimes I wish there would be different size options for burritos as I can never finish them and they just don’t reheat very well. Restaurants should make smaller portions for people like me! The food though was quite good and I’d even give them four stars for the California Burrito.
The restaurant itself isn’t very nice though and they could use a bit of decorating. It’s really more of a place that you’d pick up food to go. Service was lacking a bit too.
I don’t think I’d make a special trip to eat here again but I wouldn’t be opposed to returning if I’m in the area either.

Dang, so much hate about this place. Lighten up!
I am certain that I am addicted to breakfast burritos, and must limit my consumption so I don’t die of a heart attack at 25. However, I still come here every once in a while when I am visiting my precious Zumbar and need some grease and protein to aid the caffeine through my veins.
First of all: The morning guy at the counter is SO NICE. He is pretty much the most polite person ever.
Second of all: Low price for the quantity. Card is an additional 35 cent charge, so use cash if you can.
Third of all: It is not the BEST in the whole world, but man, does it satisfy. It is pretty greasy, but load it up with hot sauce and give the burrito a little squeeze to let the «juice» (grease, who are we kidding) out, and you’ll be a happy camper.
They have won me over due to their super satisfying breakfast burritos.

Super bummed out. I’ve never had a bad Mexican food experience before. We’re in San Diego! Any hole-​in-​the-​wall should be able to get it right, and most do. This is inexcusable. We’re THIS close to the border.
I got the chile relleno + enchilada combo. There was something odd about the taste of the breading for the chile relleno… and some sad salsa sprinkled on top. I think the best thing about the combo was the refried beans with cheese melted on top. And the chips.
One more gripe: what restaurant doesn’t offer a salsa bar? Or even an offering of different types of salsa? I was just offered one sad, almost empty bottle of some red stuff.
I keep reading from other reviews that the shrimp burrito is the thing to get, so I’ll give it another try. I’ll have to, there’s not much else to choose from in this wasteland of office buildings.

I would occasionally pass Elena’s if I took the Sorrento Valley Road exit from the 5N… it took me a while to try out the place, but now that I did, I wish I hadn’t.
Officially, the place is called «Elena’s Mexican Food,» but there’s no sign of the name Elena on the signage outside. It just says, «Mexican Food.» Maybe Elena is embarrassed about the place???
I had decided to treat myself with their Surf and Turf burrito — shrimp with a choice of steak, chicken, or carnitas, along with rice, cheese, and guacamole (I went with steak). Granted, the burrito and shrimp were huge, but the steak needed a bit more flavor, and it seemed like there was a bit too much rice in my order.
Also, they charge .50 for drink refills, and .35 for card usage. I would think they would use that extra money to spruce up the place, seeing how it’s grungy looking and needs a salsa bar, among other things. (The hot sauce I was offered with my order came from the refrigerator and was VERY watery.)
Oh yeah, and the parking here is VERY limited. Be careful going in and coming out of the strip mall where Elena’s is located.
I feel bad for the working folks in Sorrento Valley, as this is their only local option for Mexican food. But then again, with quite a few numerous joints to choose from driving up Mira Mesa Boulevard, how is this place still open? Sorry, Elena’s — no me gusta.