New

Bangkok 2026 Street Food Guide is live — read the full guide

Food Place Passport

Palmitos Mexican Eatery in California

Discover Palmitos Mexican Eatery, a casual spot on Clairemont Mesa Blvd offering a relaxed atmosphere and authentic Mexican dining experience.

4.3 961 reviews $10–20 Mexican Restaurant American · Southern

5145 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92117, United States

FoodPlacee Passport United States · California · 392
Verified

Palmitos Mexican Eatery

San Diego, California, USA

Salsa Bar Two Chicken Taco & Rice and Beans Chimichanga Dinner Michelada
Rating★ 4.3 / 5
Price$10–20
CategoryMexican Restaurant
Today 08:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Overview

About This Food Place

Palmitos Mexican Eatery offers classic Mexican cuisine with a distinctive seafood twist, perfect for those craving authentic flavors in a casual setting. Located on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard in San Diego, this counter-serve eatery serves up flavorful dishes that highlight fresh ingredients and generous portions.

The welcoming atmosphere blends cozy comfort with fast service, making it popular among college students, families, and groups. From breakfast burritos to seafood plates and late-night bites, Palmitos stands out as a versatile destination for locals seeking satisfying meals without the wait.

Gallery

Photos from Palmitos Mexican Eatery

Real shots of the food, atmosphere, and signature dishes at this location.

View all photos

Local favorites

Why People Come Here

Palmitos Mexican Eatery offers a flavorful casual dining experience featuring fresh Mexican dishes with a seafood twist, perfect for any meal of the day.

Fast Service

Quick counter service ensures meals are served promptly, ideal for a quick bite or busy schedules.

Family-Friendly Atmosphere

Welcoming to families and groups with kid-friendly options and high chairs available for little ones.

Accessible Location & Parking

Conveniently located with free parking, including wheelchair accessible entrances and restrooms.

Refreshing Drinks & Comfort Food

Enjoy a selection of beer, alcohol, and coffee alongside comfort food and healthy options.

Popular for All Meals

Breakfast to dinner offerings, including breakfast burritos and seafood specialties, satisfy various dining needs.

Outdoor Seating & Takeout

Offers outdoor dining and multiple takeout choices such as curbside pickup for added convenience.

Cozy & Casual Vibe

A casual, cozy setting that appeals to college students, locals, and groups looking for a relaxed meal.

Experience

When & How to Enjoy This Place

The perfect spot for flavorful Mexican bites at any time of day, Palmitos Mexican Eatery adapts well to casual solo meals, family outings, or hanging out with friends.

Experience the best of San Diego’s Mexican food scene by indulging in fresh seafood plates, hearty burritos, or customizable breakfast options all served quickly in a cozy, laid-back environment. — FoodPlacee editorial note

Breakfast on the Go

Choose from customizable breakfast burritos to start the day right, with speedy counter service perfect for busy mornings.

Family-Friendly Meals

This welcoming spot offers ample seating and a kid-friendly menu, making it an easy choice for families looking for fresh, flavorful Mexican food.

Casual Group Dining

Ideal for college students or groups, the fast service and generous portions allow everyone to enjoy classics like street tacos and quesadillas without a long wait.

Late-Night Cravings

Open late daily, Palmitos satisfies those nighttime appetites with options like nachos, seafood dishes, and comforting small plates.

Takeout & Curbside Pickup

For convenient meals at home or on the go, take advantage of the reliable takeout and curbside pickup services available throughout business hours.

Best for

Breakfast Lunch Dinner Family-friendly Solo dining Fast service Takeout Seafood focus

Guest sentiment

What People Feel

A snapshot of what local diners frequently mention about this location.

JM
Jesus Martinez 2 month ago

"This place is family owned so it’s one of a kind. The food is great and I mean great, the flavor the spice and let me tell you the size of the meal well worth the money, when your done eating you get a little sleepy hahaha cause it’s so good everything fresh."

MG
Mark Goodwin 3 month ago

"I can't get crunchy beef tacos where I live and I was told Palmitos had great beef tacos. I got a combo plate with two tacos, beans and rice, and the food was fantastic! Everything hit the spot for me, great little restaurant!"

S
Sparkles333 3 month ago

"These bites are incredibly tasty and cheesy! We tried the cheese enchiladas, steak chimichangas, tostada loco, and shrimp quesadilla. The service was excellent and prompt. There’s both an indoor and covered patio dining area. I’ll definitely be back!"

PT
Pete Tapia 3 month ago

"Food was great. Love that they give you the option to build your own breakfast Burrito. Starts with eggs and choice of bacon, sausage, or ham then u add three other options. Beans, hash browns, fresh jalapeños or Serranos, guacamole, etc. I posted a picture of the board in the photos section."

AL
Ashley LeBourveau-Truong 4 month ago

"Small fast casual place with a freat selection. We really enjoyed the chili relleno and fish tacos, and the salsas are fantastic. Portions are pretty big so keep that in mind when ordering! There's a little bit of seating inside and then a decent sized covered patio."

JV
Jaime Vega 5 month ago

"We live a block away and have been coming here for years. This place is awesome and has some of the best Mexican food in San Diego. Talk about a hidden little gem. Food is well priced if not down right affordable. Food is very tasty and so are their salsas. My go to is the chicken street tacos, three of them, for about ten dollars!! I’ve also had their breakfast burritos and their carne asada tacos. Never had a bad meal there. Portions are nice size too. We have a family of six and everyone always finds something they like in the menu. My wife likes their loaded nachos. My kids love their carne asada tacos. As I said, my go to is the three chicken street tacos platter. Place is small can usually find a seat. Lots of folks in and out all day. Workers, locals, all kinds of folks. We love this place and you will too once you go there."

KT
Kevin Thurman 5 month ago

"Good value for taco Tuesday $2 tacos and $2.50 dos equis. TT Tacos are street taco style. The tortillas were really good along with the salsa. I had a shrimp, fish, and barbacoa. The fish and the shrimp were pretty good. Crunchy good flavor but also slightly heavy on the batter or at least fish was. They are only $2 though so gotta be realistic with expectations. The barbacoa I would probably not order again. It wasn't bad just the texture was kinda soft, probably from being on the steam table for a while. It was ok though and definitely not "bad". Limes and radishes were fresh were excellent and the carrots were really good. Service was quick and they have a patio. If just going for tacos on a Tuesday there are a couple taco trucks I probably would hit up instead but I definitely would return if in the area to get a light dinner and some cervezas too for a reasonable (actually kinda cheap) price."

VW
Victor Walle 5 month ago

"Great hole in the wall place to get Mexican Food. Tried the "Camarones a la Diabla" one day. I was so happy that I went back for "7 mares" the next day. I haven't tried any tacos yet. Don't expect any type of service, you go to the counter to order the food and later to pick it up"

Visit info

When to Visit

Weekly hours below — always confirm with the business before holidays or special events.

Today Open now · until 11:00 PM
Weekly hours
Monday 08:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday 08:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday 08:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Thursday 08:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday 08:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday 08:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday 08:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Hours may change. Please confirm with the business before visiting.

Best time to visit

Open early and staying late, Palmitos suits various dining occasions with efficient service and a welcoming crowd.

Weekdays & weekends 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM (Sunday closes at 10 PM) Morning to afternoon perfect for breakfast and lunch Great option for late-night dining until 11 PM Evenings ideal for groups and family dinners Average visits last 10-45 minutes, ideal for quick meals

On the map

Where This Food Place Lives

Find your way to Palmitos Mexican Eatery in California .

Address 5145 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92117, United States
Phone +1 858-974-1946
Area California
Call Address copied ✓

Questions answered

Food Place Questions

Find answers to common questions about Palmitos Mexican Eatery, including its menu, hours, and amenities to help plan your visit.

This Mexican restaurant offers classic Mexican dishes with a strong seafood focus. Popular items include fish burritos, street tacos, chimichangas, and a vibrant salsa bar.

Open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Hours may vary on holidays or special occasions.

Yes, options include dine-in with casual seating, outdoor seating, and takeout. Curbside pickup is also available; however, delivery service is not offered.

The eatery provides wheelchair accessible entrances, parking, restrooms, and seating to accommodate guests with mobility needs.

Accepted payment methods include credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments for convenient checkout.

The menu features vegetarian options along with healthy choices and comfort foods, catering to a variety of dietary preferences.

Reservations are not accepted. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis with both indoor and covered patio areas available.

Located at 5145 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92117, it offers free street parking, a free parking lot, as well as paid parking options nearby.

For owners

Own or manage this food place?

Update this page with accurate hours, menu details, photos, and business notes — and reach food lovers searching for places like yours on FoodPlacee.

Menus, prices, hours, services, and availability may change. Please contact the food place directly before visiting or ordering.