When you drive 43 miles for amazing food! Their beans are cooked slowly and to perfection! It's a must have! Their chili rellenos are crispy even with the sauce!

Thats right, been coming here for more the 35 years! Same owners, different chef! Same taste! The best carne asada burrito around! Simple, meat guacamole and lettuce, no need for pico de gallo! Wow a little dive of a place. Only outside seating and no bathrooms, but holy smokes is it worth it. We had traditional crispy shredded beef taco with cheese enchilada. Just fantastic. A must stop.

Some may say from outward appearance that there's nothing special about this place, but once you try the food you'll be pleasantly surprised. It wasn't as greasy as some taco shops tend to be, but the flavor was definitely on point and the service was top notch in my opinion

I've been eating here since I was a kid in the 80s and it's always been one of my favorite Mexican food spots. Best bean & cheese Burrito ever & super friendly staff.

My favorite place in town, always great food and friendly people. Nice and quick and priced reasonably. Cash only, just a heads up for those who don't know.

One of the best California burritos in Escondido. They have authentic mexican favorites you can't go wrong here!

I love this place and I been coming to this place as a kid and even now I still love this place. I love the people vary polite and speed in service. I recommend this place and great drinks. I hope this place never close down.

Nash Williams

Absolutely my favorite Mexican food of all time! I’ve been going to “The Barrel” for 30+ years!!! Their salsa, I hate to admit, is comparable in greatness to my own salsa. It’s changed recently with the changing of cooks, but it’s still an awesome stop any time!!! Current pics on my 7/20/21 visit. Still rocking the best Mexican after 45 years!!!

Sean Miller

Been eating here for almost 10 years. Prices are good and the food is always fresh and tasty. It’s cash only, so make sure you bring some cash with you.

Jackie SR

Have been coming here for years! I Love love love their carne asada burritos the only place I would go for them!! Great place recommend 100% CASH ONLY!

stephen wilson

Amazing shrimp burrito! Never had that before.

Amazing shrimp burrito! Never had that before.

Have been coming here for years! I Love love love their carne asada burritos the only place I would go for them!! Great place recommend 100% CASH ONLY!

Been eating here for almost 10 years. Prices are good and the food is always fresh and tasty. It’s cash only, so make sure you bring some cash with you.

Absolutely my favorite Mexican food of all time! I’ve been going to “The Barrel” for 30+ years!!! Their salsa, I hate to admit, is comparable in greatness to my own salsa. It’s changed recently with the changing of cooks, but it’s still an awesome stop any time!!! Current pics on my 7/20/21 visit. Still rocking the best Mexican after 45 years!!!

+4

If you’re not eating here, you should be. Don’t let the cash only scare you away from this perfect taco shop. We had the rolled tacos and a deep fried, bean and cheese burrito chased by a Horchata. Everything is on point! Bring your friends and family here to eat delicious food!! Super friendly staff as well 🤩🤩🤩

Paul Agan

If you’re not eating here, you should be. Don’t let the cash only scare you away from this perfect taco shop. We had the rolled tacos and a deep fried, bean and cheese burrito chased by a Horchata. Everything is on point! Bring your friends and family here to eat delicious food!! Super friendly staff as well 🤩🤩🤩

Burrito Supreme is very good. The sauce is very good. El rancho has good burrito i put both up there together. But the burro and fries is terrible. The only thing I notice is lady has no social skills. Needs to be friendly.

This is one of my top places for mexican food which was introduced by my parents and they have been customers for over 40 years. If you are trying to enjoy Mexican food with inside seating this wouldnt be the spot for you as their seating is outside. The portion amount can be disappointing for the price to some but I believe is good because then I dont consume more than I need to and trust me the way that there foods taste I would be in trouble😊. Overall great tasting food, decent prices, only CASH, outside seating, no restrooms. I typically order over the phone and enjoy their delicious food at the comfort of my home. Recommend: 1. Bean and Cheese Burrito 2. Roll Tacos regular or I add beans and lettuce 3. Carne Asada Plate 4. Carne Asada Burrito 5. Breakfast Burrito Bacon, egg, potato and cheese ........their red hot souce is amazing.......... I rate 4 stars because their food is amazing to me but I rarely carry CASH on me which is inconvenient when I really want to order food from here. Hope this helps

Carne asada burritos just aren't the same when you leave San Diego. Where I live, they like to load them down with beans, but I prefer the simplicity of just the carne, salsa and guacamole. That's what I was expecting here, and I'm pretty sure they were in my burrito, but the last was overwhelmed by the addition of lettuce. And the lettuce to carne ratio just wasn't good. I think I ended up with more meat in my taco than in y burrito. The taco abogada itself was excellent. The meat was flavorful and plentiful. I was given a choice of salsas and the hot didn't burn my mouth, but it did pack both flavor and heat. I wouldn't go out of my way to hit this taco stand again, but I wouldn't go out of my way to avoid it, either. I would just choose tacos over burritos if I hit them up again.

Great carne asada burrito and the best chicharon burrito.

Kellogs San

Great carne asada burrito and the best chicharon burrito.

Jenny Weaver-Beal

Carne asada burritos just aren't the same when you leave San Diego. Where I live, they like to load them down with beans, but I prefer the simplicity of just the carne, salsa and guacamole. That's what I was expecting here, and I'm pretty sure they were in my burrito, but the last was overwhelmed by the addition of lettuce. And the lettuce to carne ratio just wasn't good. I think I ended up with more meat in my taco than in y burrito. The taco abogada itself was excellent. The meat was flavorful and plentiful. I was given a choice of salsas and the hot didn't burn my mouth, but it did pack both flavor and heat. I wouldn't go out of my way to hit this taco stand again, but I wouldn't go out of my way to avoid it, either. I would just choose tacos over burritos if I hit them up again.

So I went yesterday and would not go again. Honestly the food had good flavor. The problem for me was the portions were small, even my daughter's bean and cheeses burrito was small and it wasn't a kids size. Also my Carne asada burrito was full of lettuce. It totally took away from the flavor of the burrito. I've never had a Carne asada burrito with lettuce at least not in SD that must be from somewhere else. If you go make sure you ask for no lettuce!

Place is always good, has been since I was a kid, but recently it seems like prices always change. Feel like staff charges whatever they want. Always get the same thing for me and my family and it has ranged from around $28 to around $35 in the span of a few days. I'd get it if it were months apart. Prices on items change, but in less than a week occurring regularly. That's a first.

Usually get roll tacos Enchiladas and chimichanga Edible but not right Regular must have been missing

This place has been here since ups and downs skating rink was open still; how do I know that you might ask? Maybe because I'm old as dirt, or maybe I'm getting close to it... Anyhow my point being the place has been around for a real long time, so they must be doing something right. I can't say anything bad about the place because I respect history. The only real downside is that there's no bathroom, and I'm sure that's by design. I've always thought that my "Machaca" burrito here was somewhat exceptional, not sure about the rest of the menu, as I've only tried a few things which were okay. The little Barrel that could...lol

Luis De Anda

I took a picture of the building because there was sunset behind it. the employee came out and accused me of casing the building to Rob it? it was not a pleasant experience. plus they don't accept cards. I did not eat there.

I took a picture of the building because there was sunset behind it. the employee came out and accused me of casing the building to Rob it? it was not a pleasant experience. plus they don't accept cards. I did not eat there.

We used to like this place, but the weekend cashier is rude and acts like you're bothering her when you ask questions. The food was expensive for the quantity and quality. The owner is super nice and I want to support them but think they need to improve their staff.

The Californi Burrito was good , but the fish tacos may as well be fish sticks yuk

I always come here because I live close by and they aren't overpriced but 2 days ago I stopped by after work and got my usual combo taco/enchilada rice/beans I get home and take 1 bite and chip my tooth from a literal gray rock that was in the beans. Grossed me out and lost my appetite. Safe to say I won't be eating here for awhile or maybe never again not sure yet. Bummed too cause I liked this place.

quete importa

The Californi Burrito was good , but the fish tacos may as well be fish sticks yuk

Michelle Ramos

I always come here because I live close by and they aren't overpriced but 2 days ago I stopped by after work and got my usual combo taco/enchilada rice/beans I get home and take 1 bite and chip my tooth from a literal gray rock that was in the beans. Grossed me out and lost my appetite. Safe to say I won't be eating here for awhile or maybe never again not sure yet. Bummed too cause I liked this place.

Michelle Guillen

We used to like this place, but the weekend cashier is rude and acts like you're bothering her when you ask questions. The food was expensive for the quantity and quality. The owner is super nice and I want to support them but think they need to improve their staff.

David Nagy

The tacos are the big style for $4.50 with more meat than standard street tacos. The carnitas was okay, but not much flavor and no crispy bits as found in the best examples. The adobada meat also didn't have much flavor and the little cubes were for the most part very chewy. They do include a dollop of guacamole. Only one hot sauce is available, a medium hot red chile. I wanted a small side of chips, but you have to pay an absurd $5.99 to get any at all.

Rick Seward

I've lived in and around Esco since '95. The Barrel has always been there, but for some reason or another, never visited this place until today after staring at it from the gas station across the street. I give every taco shop a fair shot. Impress me with your most basic gringo fare, a Carne asada burrito. First thing I always order from a "new to me" spot. It usually tells me all I need to know about the place. Unfortunately for the barrel what I got was disappointing and confusing. I don't ever remember getting a Carne asada burrito with lettuce on it from anywhere else. No Pico de gallo, just guacamole, meat and wilted with heat lettuce. What the what? One and done. Should've just went to Albertos. I paid close to $12 after tax.

I've lived in and around Esco since '95. The Barrel has always been there, but for some reason or another, never visited this place until today after staring at it from the gas station across the street. I give every taco shop a fair shot. Impress me with your most basic gringo fare, a Carne asada burrito. First thing I always order from a "new to me" spot. It usually tells me all I need to know about the place. Unfortunately for the barrel what I got was disappointing and confusing. I don't ever remember getting a Carne asada burrito with lettuce on it from anywhere else. No Pico de gallo, just guacamole, meat and wilted with heat lettuce. What the what? One and done. Should've just went to Albertos. I paid close to $12 after tax.

The tacos are the big style for $4.50 with more meat than standard street tacos. The carnitas was okay, but not much flavor and no crispy bits as found in the best examples. The adobada meat also didn't have much flavor and the little cubes were for the most part very chewy. They do include a dollop of guacamole. Only one hot sauce is available, a medium hot red chile. I wanted a small side of chips, but you have to pay an absurd $5.99 to get any at all.

Flavorless, fries are stale, and customer service is mid. And they can’t give you more that 2 salsas cause they charge?!?!

Abigail Gomez Peraza

Flavorless, fries are stale, and customer service is mid. And they can’t give you more that 2 salsas cause they charge?!?!

don't do it this is supposed to be a California burrito. all it is is cheese carne fries and a burrito shell

Sad to hear how they treat disabled adults.

They barely filled my burrito and it's not worth the money. They rip people off and don't answer the phone

Never going here again. $8.14 for a small burrito with very little carne and fries. I'm 6ft tall 320 lbs. This burrito ain't going to fill me up. No wonder there's nobody there at night anymore. If your desperate to eat, don't go here. Trust me. There's other places in Escondido that serves bigger burritos. Sorry but I've been coming here since high-school. Either they fire the cook or the owner should close down. Trust me food is good, but forget the price!!!

There was a long hair in my food, my mom and girlfriends taquitos came with no cheese and lettuce, apparently you have to pay for that! Like honestly who does that! The food was not great, never going there again and that was our first time. Unbelievable. Oh and you have to pay for the smallest hot sauce containers ever made. Gtfo of here

I called in my order got here when they told me they never did it after I ask for extra asada in the burrito they charge me two burritos. I didn't mind it but when I got my order it didn't look like it got any extra asada at all. I ask for more sauce and they said I said I'll pay for it and she ignore me and ask for the next customer. The people working there tonight have zero customer service. I been coming to this place for years and never have I got such a bad service until they got the new employee.

I ask for a sope and it was really small and it was expensive, the service is terrible they don’t even call your order. The lemons are unsqueezable. Not indoor so loud car sounds very annoying. When I was done with my food I got extreme diarrhea and the worst was they don’t even have bathrooms.

donny blaze

Its been a long time since I've tried a good breakfast burrito! And now I remember why... 15 dollars for a burrito that was 80% tortilla, with a touch of egg, a hint of bacon, and beans. I don't understand why burritos shrank in size and increased in price..

Patrick Stenkilsson

$6.25 FOR A BEAN AND CHEESE BURRITO. WAS TINY NO BEANS.,BUT THE RED SALSA WAS GOOD

Jon “sirkill3r” Zee

This place makes everything small like it's for children. Beef tacos don't even have meat. Don't get beef anything you will be disappointed.

This place makes everything small like it's for children. Beef tacos don't even have meat. Don't get beef anything you will be disappointed.

$6.25 FOR A BEAN AND CHEESE BURRITO. WAS TINY NO BEANS.,BUT THE RED SALSA WAS GOOD

Its been a long time since I've tried a good breakfast burrito! And now I remember why... 15 dollars for a burrito that was 80% tortilla, with a touch of egg, a hint of bacon, and beans. I don't understand why burritos shrank in size and increased in price..

I bought a ham and egg burrito, it was the smallest burrito Ive ever bought from a taco stand in my life, and the most expensive. The lady who took my order was very nice and it came out quick. But I mean small burrito for $10.25 not worth it, it was the size of a tina”s frozen burrito you buy at a grocery store. Will not eat there again.

This used to be my go to place but lately it’s sucked to be quite honest. They raised their prices and the quality of the food AND service now sucks! They just lost a whole family’s business, will NEVER go back.

I tried to go with a group of 5 (myself included). I should note that I work with people with disabilities. The tables only seat 4, so 3 of us sat at one table while 2 sat at the table next to us. The worker asked us to sit together. When I explained why we could not due to space, she told us to sit at the furthest table in the back (it was hot and the other tables had shade. This one didn’t). The table she sent us to was also for 4 people and no chairs to pull up next to it. It was 11AM and we were the only group present. We chose to spend our money where we could sit comfortably instead (thanks Jilibertos)! This was a month ago. I waited to post this review to see if they get as busy as they claimed. I always see tables available at 11-12, so I’m not sure why the worker (lady) made a fuss.

Jennifer Kolb

Sad to hear how they treat disabled adults.

Bianca Colon

I tried to go with a group of 5 (myself included). I should note that I work with people with disabilities. The tables only seat 4, so 3 of us sat at one table while 2 sat at the table next to us. The worker asked us to sit together. When I explained why we could not due to space, she told us to sit at the furthest table in the back (it was hot and the other tables had shade. This one didn’t). The table she sent us to was also for 4 people and no chairs to pull up next to it. It was 11AM and we were the only group present. We chose to spend our money where we could sit comfortably instead (thanks Jilibertos)! This was a month ago. I waited to post this review to see if they get as busy as they claimed. I always see tables available at 11-12, so I’m not sure why the worker (lady) made a fuss.

Arlene Arleen M

I bought a ham and egg burrito, it was the smallest burrito Ive ever bought from a taco stand in my life, and the most expensive. The lady who took my order was very nice and it came out quick. But I mean small burrito for $10.25 not worth it, it was the size of a tina”s frozen burrito you buy at a grocery store. Will not eat there again.