La Palapa Authentic Mexican Food

A Galindo

Its always the little hidden spots that are so bomb and on point with their food. This place needs to be known by many more. I ordered the surf and turf chips/nachos and let me just tell you...there was not one thing i did not like about them and had everything you can think of to go on nachos...the shrimp was super favorable... 🤤 my picture says it all. I will definitely be returning. Thanks guys!

Jayden Schaffer

The definition of a tasty hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant. Delicious food, good portions and price, speedy and good service. Will be back when we are in the area!

Stephanie Haskell

I've been in this neighborhood for a little over 4 years and have watched this taco shop change ownership quite a few times. THANKFULLY.... we finally have a winner! Looking forward to going back and trying more. I got two tacos, pollo and carne... with guacamole and a fresh salsa. Guac was amazing! I'm usually a green salsa fan but their red was on point!!!! Sooo good. Grams likes chile relleno so I'm going to have to try that next and the ole favorite of mine rolle tacos! #ilovetacos

Emma Stewart

We came from out of town and stopped here for dinner. It was excellent! The service is quick, the portion sizes are generous for the price, and the food is delicious!

Enzo Lau

Definitely a 5 star place for a burrito that's around $10. I had a Cali burrito. It's well made (everything melted together as one), fresh, and tastes great

Friendly, nice service. The salsa is fresh and I recommend the hash brown breakfast burrito.

Some of the most authentic Mexican food I've had in quite awhile. Very reasonably priced as well.

As downtown El Cajon changes this is one of the last of the best of what was a cute, warm and special place. The food and service are great. Let's help keep them in business and save what's left of the charm. Everything on the menu is really good you won't be disappointed and the staff.... the best !

What a CUTE taco shop! I like that it is off the beaten path, so there were no lines when we pulled up and it was fast service (luckily, we were hungry!). What a lucky neighborhood to have this nearby! The carne asada fries were superb, and I had leftovers I quickly ate up later. The tacos, fried rice and (yes) Albondigas were awesome - I will be back!

Always hits the spot, friendly staff and quick food. Never too busy. Quick in and out.

I live very close. I liked this place for a long time but recently things aren’t good. Today I ordered a carne torta with cheese. Picked it up, no cheese, no beans, and guac only on 1/2 the sandwich. The other 1/2 nothing. At least I got to enjoy guac on 1/2. I’ll try again but there’s lots of places I went back today and the food was amazing. I’m glad I went back. We all have bad days. But today … was great. Thank you La Palapa!

Chuck and Janice Lewis

Some of the most authentic Mexican food I've had in quite awhile. Very reasonably priced as well.

Alexandra D.

Friendly, nice service. The salsa is fresh and I recommend the hash brown breakfast burrito.

Matthew Rains

I live very close. I liked this place for a long time but recently things aren’t good. Today I ordered a carne torta with cheese. Picked it up, no cheese, no beans, and guac only on 1/2 the sandwich. The other 1/2 nothing. At least I got to enjoy guac on 1/2. I’ll try again but there’s lots of places I went back today and the food was amazing. I’m glad I went back. We all have bad days. But today … was great. Thank you La Palapa!

Jeff Walker

As downtown El Cajon changes this is one of the last of the best of what was a cute, warm and special place. The food and service are great. Let's help keep them in business and save what's left of the charm. Everything on the menu is really good you won't be disappointed and the staff.... the best !

Lisa Allen MH

What a CUTE taco shop! I like that it is off the beaten path, so there were no lines when we pulled up and it was fast service (luckily, we were hungry!). What a lucky neighborhood to have this nearby! The carne asada fries were superb, and I had leftovers I quickly ate up later. The tacos, fried rice and (yes) Albondigas were awesome - I will be back!

I was craving Mexican, and a friend recommended this place as we were down in San Diego. The restaurant is a pretty small space. Counter dinning was available, but the chairs were stacked up. There were only two people working, and a sauce bar. They ran out of pork. I ordered the quesadilla, and it was delicious. It filled me up. I've also tried the fish tacos, but I'd say that the tortilla was dry and it was just ok. Spicy shrimp sure is spicy tho.

The Buffalo taco truck was decent but the chicken was a bit rubbery. The chicken tacos were decent enough.

Christine

I was craving Mexican, and a friend recommended this place as we were down in San Diego. The restaurant is a pretty small space. Counter dinning was available, but the chairs were stacked up. There were only two people working, and a sauce bar. They ran out of pork. I ordered the quesadilla, and it was delicious. It filled me up. I've also tried the fish tacos, but I'd say that the tortilla was dry and it was just ok. Spicy shrimp sure is spicy tho.

Thomas Novelli

The Buffalo taco truck was decent but the chicken was a bit rubbery. The chicken tacos were decent enough.

Triana Cover

Great tacos and massive burritos. Shrimp could have been a little more fresh but we went at the end of the day near closing. Employees were nice too.

The food was really good! Everything was fresh, flavorful, and cooked just right. The portions were satisfying, and the service was friendly and fast. I’ll definitely be coming back the next time I’m craving Mexican food!

Jamie Johnson

The food was really good! Everything was fresh, flavorful, and cooked just right. The portions were satisfying, and the service was friendly and fast. I’ll definitely be coming back the next time I’m craving Mexican food!

The California burrito was solid. Salsas were great! Would’ve liked more guac and better tortilla. Horchata was a little watery.

Aidan Hagarty

The California burrito was solid. Salsas were great! Would’ve liked more guac and better tortilla. Horchata was a little watery.

Good food, way more expensive than they state online. Be ready to pay $15-$20 for a burrito and nothing else.

Calvin Henry

Good food, way more expensive than they state online. Be ready to pay $15-$20 for a burrito and nothing else.

Full Picture Reviews

It’s not that good is the short answer, won’t be coming back, the service felt not good, the food was decent but could have been better and the atmosphere is cheap which is fine. I ordered all these extra toppings and it felt like they were cheaping out if i spend 25$ on a pizza i want it to be top grade otherwise id go to little ceasers

I don't know what's going on with this place use to be a place you could count on .. not anymore the front door and online say's they open at 7am got there at 7:15 waited till 7:30 with a few other people that were hungery and not to happy eather..to bad I really liked the food..next time I will try a new place..

Travis Weitman [KO6BPG]

I don't know what's going on with this place use to be a place you could count on .. not anymore the front door and online say's they open at 7am got there at 7:15 waited till 7:30 with a few other people that were hungery and not to happy eather..to bad I really liked the food..next time I will try a new place..