Order: Surf & turf burrito (lobster + asada) $16
The best premium burrito in the city. Lobster, carne asada, cheese, guac, and rice. A national best-burrito list regular.
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Old Town Local Guide
The best burritos in Old Town start with El Zarape and Nico's Mexican Food. Here's where locals actually go in 2026, what to order, and what you'll pay.
Last updated
Quick answer: Top picks: El Zarape, Nico's Mexican Food, Lolita's Taco Shop.
The best premium burrito in the city. Lobster, carne asada, cheese, guac, and rice. A national best-burrito list regular.
The surf-shop California burrito — enormous, cheap, open until 2 AM. Point Loma locals' #1 contender.
The platonic ideal of the California burrito. Crispy fries, well-seasoned asada, no fillers.
South Bay's answer. Sweet, complex adobada marinated pork off a trompo.
Slightly juicier asada and softer fries than the competition. Half the price of Instagram-hyped spots.
A real California burrito has carne asada, fries, cheese, guac, and pico — no rice or beans.
Order it 'wet' with red sauce at Lolita's, Nico's, and Roberto's.
Cash speeds up orders at OG taco shops across South Bay and Barrio Logan.
Breakfast burrito ≠ California burrito. Breakfast = eggs, potato, machaca/chorizo/bacon.
Adobada usually beats al pastor in San Diego — the trompos are better here.
In Old Town, El Zarape is the local anchor for burritos.
The best burritos in Old Town include El Zarape, Nico's Mexican Food, Lolita's Taco Shop. El Zarape is the top local pick for Surf & turf burrito (lobster + asada), priced $16.
Locals point to El Zarape as the best burritos in Old Town — The best premium burrito in the city. Lobster, carne asada, cheese, guac, and rice. A national best-burrito list regular.
Expect $16 to $10 per person at the top burritos spots in Old Town. Prices are current for 2026.
Yes — Old Town has burritos options that work for visitors, including El Zarape, Nico's Mexican Food, Lolita's Taco Shop. Most are casual and don't require a reservation, though weekend brunch and omakase counters are exceptions.
Neighborhood-level rankings for food, drinks, and coffee in Old Town.
Narrow it down to your neighborhood — locals' top burritos picks, block by block.
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Written and fact-checked by the Sandi Spots Editorial team — San Diego residents publishing under Sleep Coast LLC. Every place we recommend has been visited in person or verified against an official source, and no business can pay for inclusion or a higher ranking. Last updated .