El Zarape is a University Heights spot ranked #3 of 10 in our Best Burritos in San Diego list, scoring 87/100. Order the lobster burrito. The best splurge burrito in the city. Tender lobster, chipotle crema, and a fresh tortilla make it a special-occasion wrap.
We scored El Zarape 88/100 in our full editorial review.
El Zarape is in University Heights, San Diego. Give yourself a few extra minutes for parking on weekends — University Heights fills up early on sunny days.
On our Best Burritos in San Diego list, El Zarape lands at #3 of 10, just behind Don Carlos Taco Shop (89/100) and ahead of La Puerta (86/100). Lolita's Taco Shop holds #1 with 92/100, so the gap is 5 points. It also appears on 3 other lists in our San Diego coverage.
El Zarape scores 87/100 against a best burritos in san diego field that averages 85.9, running from 83 at the bottom to 92 at the top. That puts it 1.1 points above the category average and ahead of 7 of the 9 other places we scored. It lands 3rd of 10, and the category leader is 5 points clear.
Judged criterion by criterion, El Zarape separates itself most on fillings (92/100 versus a 87.6 category average). Its softest showing is value at 78, 8.4 points under the field. Those two numbers are the honest summary: this is a place you pick for fillings, not for a clean sweep of every category.
El Zarape scores versus the Best Burritos in San Diego category average
Criterion
El Zarape
Category avg.
Difference
Tortilla
86
85
+1
Fillings
92
87.6
+4.4
Salsa & Extras
88
85
+3
Value
78
86.4
-8.4
Consistency
86
84.4
+1.6
Scores are Sandi Spots editorial judgments, compared against every other place we ranked in best burritos in san diego.
Who El Zarape is right for
Go if
You care about fillings — it beats the category average by 4.4 points there.
You care about salsa & extras — it beats the category average by 3 points there.
You care about consistency — it beats the category average by 1.6 points there.
You want a proven pick: it is a top-three finisher in our best burritos in san diego list.
You like places that hold up across categories — it earned a place on 4 of our lists.
Skip it if
Value is your priority — it scores 78 against a 86.4 average here.
What else we rank near El Zarape
University Heights is dense enough that El Zarape rarely needs to be a standalone trip. We have scored 5 other ranked spots in the same neighborhood, so it is easy to stack a visit with Hidden Fish (92/100 in our best sushi in san diego list) or Soichi (92/100) and turn one stop into an afternoon.
Hours change seasonally, so we link straight to the venue's live hours instead of publishing a schedule that goes stale.
Expect $18 pricing. Budget-friendly. One of the cheaper ways to eat well nearby.
Being ranked #3 means peak times get busy — go early, go late, or expect a wait on Friday and Saturday nights.
If it is your first visit, order the lobster burrito before you experiment.
Why El Zarape made the list
Tortilla
86/100
Fillings
92/100
Salsa & Extras
88/100
Value
78/100
Consistency
86/100
Is El Zarape worth it?
Yes, if you are in the neighborhood or nearby.
El Zarape scores 87/100 in our Best Burritos in San Diego list (#3 of 10). It is strongest on fillings (92) and salsa & extras (88). The best splurge burrito in the city. Tender lobster, chipotle crema, and a fresh tortilla make it a special-occasion wrap.
Skip it if value matters most to you — that is its weakest category (78/100).
Plan your visit to El Zarape
El Zarape is a good fit for burritos and carne asada fries. Because it ranks #3 on our best burritos in san diego list, it makes the most sense to pair it with nearby stops in University Heights rather than build a day around a long cross-town drive. Check live hours and availability before leaving, especially for a weekend visit.
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El Zarape's lobster burrito is the most indulgent burrito on this list. The lobster is cooked gently, leaving it sweet and tender, and the chipotle crema adds a smoky, slightly spicy layer that complements the shellfish without overpowering it. Rice and beans are minimal, which is the right call for a burrito built around seafood. The tortilla is fresh and lightly griddled, and the burrito is wrapped neatly enough to hold together. It is expensive for a burrito, but the quality of the ingredients and the care in execution make it a worthwhile splurge.
El Zarape's lobster taco is a splurge item that delivers on flavor. The lobster is tender and sweet, the chipotle crema adds a smoky heat, and the tortilla is fresh and warm. The price is high for a single taco, but the quality of the shellfish justifies it as a treat. The University Heights location is casual and friendly, and the taco pairs well with a margarita. It is not an everyday fish taco, but it is a memorable one for a special occasion or a date night.
Scored with our ranking methodology — burritos, carne-asada-fries, breakfast-burritos, fish-tacos.
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 .
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Kept current. Prices, hours, and closures reviewed on a rolling basis.
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