Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Pokez Mexican Restaurant in San Diego

4.4 (199) 947 E St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States

Categories

Mexican restaurant
Vegetarian restaurant

Location on the map

San Diego, San Diego County, California, US

Phone: +1 619-702-7160
Site: https://pokezsd.com/

Opening hours

Monday:9 AM–9 PM
Tuesday:9 AM–9 PM
Wednesday:9 AM–9 PM
Thursday:9 AM–10 PM
Friday:9 AM–10 PM
Saturday:9 AM–10 PM
Sunday:9 AM–4 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.4

199 Reviews for Pokez Mexican Restaurant 2024:

Review №1

2023-10-19 13:18:06

Curious to spot a unicorn? Go to pokez where you can enjoy an authentic burrito shop at knows how to do it vegan. Nothing personal against chipotle, but there is nothing sterile about the food here. As a burrito lover (snob?) I’ve ordered multiple of their vegan selections. They have several to choose from including vegan breakfast, burritos, potato and chorizo, and more. Last time I had the California burrito which didn’t suit me. They use the beyond burger in the burrito which to me tasted like having a hamburger in a burrito. So this time I ordered the veggie. It was really good; it came with rice, beans, guac, lettuce, and even vegan cheese! The burrito is giant and delicious, very umami. The one thing it was lacking was consistency. The entire burrito was quite soft and I wish they had a plant-based meat (besides Beyond Meat) to add some substance.Pokez serves the burrito with a cabbage salad, which was nothing too exciting. However, I really enjoyed the puréed tomato style salsa with some heat, which I poured over every bite.For dining in, they do rely on single use cutlery and plates. I wish everything wasn’t so disposable.The prices here are reasonable—you can get a vegan burrito from $9-13.There are not many places that I would give an authentic burrito rating of 10/10 as a vegan, but Pokez knows how to serve up that giant tortilla-wrapped deliciousness.

Review №2

2023-05-14 00:09:19

The food looked appetizing but the taste was not up to par. We ordered a potato burrito recommended by the cashier and it was not good. The overall service/friendliness of the staff was good. The atmosphere was unique, however there were flies and bugs flying around. Two Nats flew onto our food while we were eating. It could be that we ordered the wrong dish but would not recommend the potato burrito.

Review №3

2023-09-25 22:30:30

This place rocks! Good vegetarian options. Feels very family style. Street parking. GREAT SERVICE! Beyond Nacho highly recommended.

Review №4

2023-10-30 18:58:55

I just want to thank Carlos and the Nice Guy with the Glasses who also assisted me🤓Today was my first time ever at Pokeez. I definitely plan on coming back!!! The restaurant is so Clean and very open! I have Lupus and its definitely ADA friendly and accommodating. Make sure you guys tip them because they deserve ALL the good business and vibes! Their breakfast burritos are delicious 😋 I cant wait to try the rest of the Amazing Food 🤗❤️

Review №5

2023-11-15 19:05:09

Went for chimichangas! A good place for food if you want no-frills.

Review №6

2023-12-01 16:43:40

Tasty, full flavor food with both vegan and meat options. The food was really well priced and had large portions, with none of the unnecessary ingredients in it to make the food taste good. I Would absolutely recommend Pokez to anyone.

Review №7

2022-11-07 23:35:19

Pokez is a mouth-watering, delectable eatery that’s taken it’s place as an institution among other San Diego culinary greats.Half sit-down, half taco shop, the restaurant features a fun and accessible menu of tasty standard, vegetarian, and vegan options. A few of my favorites include the tofu burrito, potato taco, chicken enchiladas, and machaca. They also serve beer, seltzer, and soda.One of my favorite parts of Pokez is that it looks almost like a music venue and had a down-to-earth DIY vibe. Enjoy the atmosphere and your yummy Mexican food!

Review №8

2023-10-26 02:35:23

Pokez is amazing, including the food, menu selections, and atmosphere, which was cozy, quirky, and the perfect setting to consume a burrito, patter, or relleno with friends and family. I have lived in SD for almost five years and this was the best burrito by leaps and bounds. I ordered a Texas burrito with chicken. It was so good I saved the half I could not eat, when normally I dont, and ate it for lunch the next day. Ill be back soon. I give Pokez my highest recommendation for Mexican food.

Review №9

2023-03-17 02:03:10

Amazing food!! Tons of vegetarian and vegan options!!! The Veggie Taco was the biggest highlight and the veggie enchiladas were yummy too!!!

Review №10

2023-10-14 23:45:19

The food is good, the avocados inside of the burrito has flavor, something that multiple restaurants lack.

Review №11

2022-03-08 13:17:15

Whew! San Diego tacos done RIGHT! Now you know you’re onto something when you find a hole-in-the-wall restaurant by aroma alone and it was well worth it. Nestled in a small corner of downtown, surrounded by a few other cool restaurants this authentic Mexican restaurant was just what the chef ordered. Massive carne asada and pollo tacos, seasoned wonderfully or try the really big burrito! We had a friend in our party who was vegetarian and they even advertise as being vegan friendly with a decent selections of options.Why can’t more Southern California Mexican restaurants be like them??

Review №12

2023-08-13 08:34:26

Everything about this place is great I cant say enough good things. The food is vegetarian Mexican and is outstanding if you love Mexican and youre a vegetarian or vegan the even have vegan options here. They have the best service there. And the atmosphere is very cool comfortable and people that go there to the people that work there or awesome. Definitely got to try this.

Review №13

2020-01-31 06:21:12

Great service from an old school local joint! I went to Pokez based on a recommendation. Non descriptive place. Once I sat down I was served chips and salsa within 60 seconds. Both chips and salsa were on point.Ordered tofu Fajitas.Came out piping hot and loaded with veggies, tofu and some sauce that was damn good. I ordered flour tortillas.Loved it all. Pleasantly surprised.

Review №14

2023-05-29 22:26:36

I used to eat here whenever my band would tour through San Diego back in the day. I was happy to see it thriving when I came back many years later. Service is quick, the loaded tofu burritos served sopping in ranchero sauce is the way to go. Viva la Pokez!

Review №15

2023-05-29 19:41:08

Great food for the price, bang for the buck, always a go to spot before going to the Padre game

Review №16

2023-11-11 21:49:49

The worst service I have ever experienced. I have tried to give this store a chance multiple times. But every time they mess up my order. As a vegan, this store is not safe even if you explicitly state make this vegan and state what to exclude, the store still messes it up. Today I received beef on a vegan chorizo burrito. How do you mess something as simple as this?!

Review №17

2021-10-08 00:20:02

Dont order your burrito wet as the sauce was nasty and pink and tasted like almost nothing, its free to add on but they shouldnt be serving it. On the toilet an hour later, i suspect the culprit was the sauce on top.Im sure this place is about as good as it gets for vegetarian Mexican-American food, but its nothing special for meat eaters. Really disappointed. The high points: the meat was flavorful and the fries in my CA burrito still had some crunchy bits to them. Also the prices arent bad at all. The salsa was not good, the guac was adequate, the tortilla was kinda dry and stiff. Not what i was looking for.Nice enough service. No need for me to ever go back.

Review №18

2018-10-17 13:42:42

That place has some real style and variety in the menu, but unfortunately the service is only average and the food itself wasn’t good. Had an omelette that just felt like a mountain of cheese with beans on the side. Still might be worth trying other dishes (especially if you like large portions).

Review №19

2022-05-31 04:37:29

1st time! Good.Got the enchiladas suzias. Beans were great, rice was okay, green sauce was okay. Overall it was good not amazing.Strawberry lemonade was delish.Looking forward to trying more menu items :)

Review №20

2022-06-25 16:29:39

This place has good service and good food. I had a shrimp burrito which was a good size and super filling. If you’re in the neighborhood please stop by and support a local business.

Review №21

2017-10-31 18:56:16

Been meaning to come here for a while and glad I did. The ingredients are fresh and they offer healthy alternatives that arent always common at other mexican spots. Vegans and vegetarians are welcome at this cozy eatery.

Review №22

2022-08-14 05:37:26

Excellent Mexican eats with a very hip city vibe. Huge helpings and a great urban atmosphere make this worth the visit! We ordered agua fresca, chilequiles, and the vegan chorizo platter.

Review №23

2021-12-03 23:41:21

I was a vegan visitor to Pokez from out of town and this was recommend to me by a friend. Im so thankful they recommended this place to me because the food was amazing!Over the course of two nights, I tried the vegan chorizo burrito, the mushroom/tofu tacos, and the potato flautas.I thought all of them were flavorful and delicious and the portions were H-U-G-E. Also, being just outside the Gaslamp section was super helpful during Comic Con Special Edition because it wasnt super crowded and the service was fast.I think anyone missing out on this place is totally sleeping on it and would recommend it to anyone coming in from our of town or locals!Ive never had amazing vegan Mexican food before and this blew my mind!

Review №24

2022-04-19 23:17:51

My first time eating here was 🔥🔥🔥. I’m from the South/their customer service is very hospitable. The owner(Poke), took his time to really break the menu down for me/recommend the “Toms Deep Plate,” which is sooo good. I’m vegan/lactose so I got it without cheese which still was good. Poke recommended it with potato, mushroom, and tofu 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. April was really sweet, made me/my homegirl feel very welcomed. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS PLACE, it speaks volumes! The best part about the meal is I didn’t feel heavy, was very satisfied, food was very fresh, etc. THE WHOLE PLACE IS A VIBEE🥰🤘🏾 DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE RESTROOM 🤞🏾

Review №25

2019-02-22 01:22:16

Great small joint. Excellent vegetarian options. We tried the Potato Tacos with serrano peppers add on, very spicy but delicious. I also tried the Pollo Asado with serrano peppers also. Ask for the habanero salsa if you like spicy! Definitely recommended!

Review №26

2023-07-26 01:50:14

I give this place 2 stars because the food isn’t authentic Mexican food. It’s Tex-Mex style. Just think Taco Bell but in a restaurant setting. It’s actually kind of insulting to call this Mexican food. The food is very bland and has no real flavor. Especially if you’re opting for vegetarian or vegan. They just take out all the meat and dairy, throw in some unseasoned tofu and call it vegan.

Review №27

2018-07-04 20:30:59

Inexpensive, huge portions, vegetarian/vegan-friendly with lots of gluten-free options! When Pokez came up on a search for vegan food around this area, I decided to come check it out. The menu has a good number of things that I could eat, and I almost decided to get a couple of tacos, but then I saw that they have breakfast all day and a few of them are vegan and gluten-free. Seeing how I almost never can get a Mexican breakfast for dinner, I got the Vegan Machaca (tofu, peppers, mushrooms, onion, bell peppers, and tomatoes, with side of beans [or rice], lettuce, and corn [or wheat] tortillas).When my food came, my eyes nearly fell out of my head seeing how big the plate was and how much food there was. It was way more than I could eat, and even after just eating half of it, I was stuffed. Luckily, I could take the rest to-go for a meal the next day. It was good, but definitely needed a bit of hot sauce to add a little more flavor. Just a tad bit bland.The complimentary chips and medium-spicy salsa were also a great appetizer before ordering food.My only other complaint is how not quite clean it was inside. I know they were going for that dive-y feel, but my table definitely could have been wiped down a little cleaner. There were specks of dried gunk on there.But I would still absolutely come back here and try some other things on the menu!

Review №28

2022-03-23 15:55:59

Great casual spot for both vegan and non-vegan options. I got the vegan tofu, mushroom, potato tacos. They were amazing! And someone in my party got the standard potato quesadilla which was HUGE!

Review №29

2022-06-11 02:39:02

I got a California Burrito which was very filling and tasted very good.It had grilled steak, carne asada, fries, cheese, guacamole, and sour cream.Service was Great and friendly staff

Review №30

2019-06-12 23:18:57

Wow! Best vegan Mexican food I have ever had! Outstanding! I cant even begin to explain how amazing the flavor of their food is. It does not matter if you are vegan, vegetarian or a ketchup eater, you will eat like you have never eaten before! This was the only legit vegan Cali burrito we found.

Review №31

2022-10-09 18:05:54

Affordable, counter service, basic Mexican eats. Cool-looking, rustic decor. Welcoming, efficient, quick service. The food is nothing to write home about, but its cheap, and they have vegetarian and vegan options.

Review №32

2022-03-01 15:10:38

Amazing food, AMAZING PORTIONS. We rarely find a vegan place that actually has decent portion sizes that fill us up. This was incredible food and very filling with friendly, attentive service. The food was flavorful as well. I love how easy it was to specify that the full order was vegan.

Review №33

2022-10-02 02:08:35

Awesome hole in the wall Mexican food with vegan options. Came across this while visiting San Diego. Food is authentic and tasted way better than any other Mexican restaurant I have been to. Ordered Mexican Steak and Vegan Nachos.

Review №34

2023-05-28 17:23:58

Delicious Vegan Friendly food. Large portions worth the price and lovely atmosphere. The staff was super kind and helped us navigate the menu. You know a place is going to have good food by their salsa. Pokez is great!

Review №35

2022-02-16 06:54:33

Pokez is a MUST when you’re downtown! Their vegan chorizo burrito is the absolute best ever made!The flavor and quality is still the same as the first time I came here 12 years ago!

Review №36

2017-02-16 02:06:22

Great food & atmosphere!!! Ive been wanting to come here for years...wish I had done it sooner. Despite the signage, its not a strictly vegetarian restaurant. Its more like vegetarian friendly since most menu items can be made either vegetarian or even vegan. We decided to try both. Carne asada fries and 2 veggie tacos. Plus a pitcher of sangria. The carne asada was really flavorful and tender...and the portion was huge! Speaking of huge...the tacos were the biggest I have ever seen! 1 was a meal by itself. Ill remember that for next time. Sangria is pretty good, nothing fancy...but for the price you cant complain. Im definitely coming back to check out more menu items. Its like going to see your Mexican grandma. ¡Nos vemos pronto, Abuela! ¡Besos!

Review №37

2023-12-08 22:38:00

Both sides of our families have known each other & have been friends for a very long time now...We go to POKEZ for birthdays, etc...Theyre FAMILY 😊❤️

Review №38

2023-11-18 21:54:35

Casual no fuss eatery with friendly staff, fresh and very tasty Mexican food. Bring your vegetarian and vegan friends; they have great options for everyone.

Review №39

2023-03-08 17:47:09

Amazing food especially for someone who is vegetarian or vegan they have quite a few options

Review №40

2023-08-12 14:18:55

I had tofu california burrito and it was so good, cashier was so nice

Review №41

2023-10-25 06:51:22

ZERO STARSHaven’t been here in years, decided to stop by since I was in the area. Cashier over charged me for a plate of plain chilaquiles which were $11 and VERY small “kids” bean and cheese burrito (cashier didn’t tell me the price). Chilaquiles were super plain and bland.This establishment lost a customer

Review №42

2022-08-22 03:55:02

HUGE burritos with vegan and vegetarian options?! Say no more. Pokez was awesome! The service was great, my burrito was. satisfying (I could barely manage to eat half) and tasty. I also enjoyed one of their in home beers: very refreshing!

Review №43

2023-05-30 00:58:31

First of all, great thanks for having a lot of vegan, vegetarian options. Havent seen this great menu for vegetarian people in any mexican restaurants in San Diego, especially.Now, when it comes to food, nothing is good. Im not sure how this restaurant gets this great ratings. From nachos, salsa(which is not complimentary) to whole dinner, whatever you wanna try(bean-veggie chimichanga, burrito, bean-cheese enchilada) everything is not at all worth trying. We ordered everything because we were a group of 8. It is better to stay hungry instead of going to this restaurant.The atmosphere is very shady, so keep that thing in mind. Lots of homeless people roam around on those streets and didnt feel safe.

Review №44

2023-08-06 04:29:05

They have great vegan options. It is a bit of a rough spot but in a cool way. You order at the counter so it’s very casual.

Review №45

2019-02-12 03:24:41

The potato taco are more like mini burritos!!This place was delicious.Got 2 plates the vegan rolled tacos that had a delicious crisp and the heart attack burrito. It had eggs, sour cream, chorizo, bacon, carne asada, and cheese. Gahhhh damn I kid you not this food put me In a food coma, I had to take a nap 30 mins later.The servers were both very attentive and checked up on us frequently.And their menu is very vegan friendly with several options to satisfy your cravings.

Review №46

2023-11-08 05:22:07

This place is a vibe. Their menu is massive so dont feel bad if it takes you a few minutes to figure out what youre going to want to get.

Review №47

2023-05-13 23:41:58

Im surprised this place has such high reviews. The food is pretty expensive for well below average tex-mex style Mexican that any Del Taco would do better. Pretty disgusting actually. The vibe is strongly demonic too (look at what they have on the walls everywhere) so if that matters at all to you, definitely avoid. I mean come on, were in San Diego and theres so many affordable and outstanding Mexican restaurants around here within walking distance that are actually worth trying.

Review №48

2020-10-20 05:33:05

We picked up the vegan beyond fries and enchiladas suiza. The fries were good tasty. I really liked the cheese and salsa. My partner was still a little hungry after the enchiladas suiza but enjoyed their flavor.There are a few tables outside to eat and you can order outside. We’ll definitely go back to try other menu items.

Review №49

2022-08-01 21:21:40

Delicious food!Everything is authentic and heavenly. The staff is friendly and helpful. If you want your tastebuds to be happy give this place a try!

Review №50

2023-07-13 19:20:56

Great authentic food. A local spot and a little grungy. Booths and tables are worn out and wobbly, but the food great and staff is super nice! I’d go again!

Review №51

2023-06-30 18:35:14

$5 veggie burritos on Wednesdays & righteous sizzling hot vegan fajitas everyday

Review №52

2023-10-14 03:40:01

The vegan food was so good. We had the vegan nachos and the vegan chorizo plate. Delicious!

Review №53

2017-11-12 06:08:27

Fabulous vegan Mexican food with wonderfully friendly service in divey but comfortable digs. Bottomless house salsa is hot and delicious. Portions are huge and food is absurdly inexpensive.

Review №54

2019-03-18 04:43:51

Amazing place. Authentic Mexican food. Everything is so tasty and fresh. Many options and very big portions, you will not leave hungry. The service was exceptional. I wish they would accept credit cards though.

Review №55

2023-05-11 18:23:56

The food is great. Every item I have ordered is delicious. Many vegan and vegetarian options. The only downside is its an old building, every visit Ive seen roaches. They need to get some bait traps if they dont want to fumigate. So one star down for bugs.

Review №56

2023-09-09 23:38:21

Everything was delicious! Our whole family is vegetarian and they have so many options! Vegan and vegetarian. Super tasty

Review №57

2022-02-10 20:14:01

Exquisite salsa and the best tofu fajitas with super unique flavor. Everyone was so nice and the vibes are chill. Vegan friendly, amazing prices. whatever floats your boat,, is here

Review №58

2021-12-31 05:51:26

Some of the best vegan chimichangas I have ever had.. you get so much food for the price and the quality is amazing!

Review №59

2023-04-25 20:42:53

My favorite Mexican food because they have vegan options and its not too expensive like most of downtown. Its artsy and nice staff. Very popular so the wait can be when busy, but totally worth it. Five stars. And there is a restroom!

Review №60

2023-04-24 22:01:10

Excellent food. The salsa I got with my meal was extra mild though. Next time I’ll ask for a hotter salsa or I’ll bring my own hot sauce. Great place for work lunches because you pay first and can leave when it’s time to go rather than doing the whole split the check and settle up with Venmo routine - also a considerate choice for vegetarian colleagues.

Review №61

2023-10-09 18:40:01

Overpriced and not worth it. Much better placed around san diego for good mexican food and burritos

Review №62

2023-03-09 04:22:58

The chicken quesadilla is delicious! The price was fantastic for how much food you get. The guacamole here is great! I didnt like the atmosphere personally, but its just not my style, Im sure it appeals to others. Overall definitely a great place to get food!

Review №63

2023-10-25 20:39:28

Used to think this place was ok until the server messed my order up and made me come back and pay again to make up the difference. Pretty bad form. Also, the kitchen is pretty gross looking. I saw that when I walked through to get to the restroom.

Review №64

2019-05-27 23:22:23

Loved my first experience & ordered a beautiful plate of Chilaqueles : tortillas, salsa, cheese, beans, topped with eggs your way..the guacamole was so worth adding too! Thanks for making me fresh coffee ☕💯 happy Memorial day!

Review №65

2018-02-24 05:10:57

Never had vegetarian Mexican food before so decided to stop by and was definitely happy I did. The place is eclectic and the staff are friendly, definitely recommend

Review №66

2018-07-26 22:34:04

Absolutely delicious food!! I had the green chicken enchiladas and the green sauce is just like my mom used to make. The plate is enormous, one enchilada plate is enough for two people, and the prices are very reasonable. No tex-mex gross food here, this is the REAL stuff. Simply awesome.

Review №67

2021-09-18 20:40:33

Pokez is still a classic vegetarian friendly, delicious Mexican food restaurant - even through the pandemic! 5 potato rolled tacos, side of beans and rice, guacamole and sour cream, shredded cheese and picante mix. Yum! Dine in is now open, as is the outside seating. Thank you! Well be back!

Review №68

2022-02-18 17:10:06

Its a good spot for Mexican food, enchiladas as well as all-day breakfast & vegetarian items. Its worth eating here once a month at least.

Review №69

2023-04-20 06:55:15

Simple joint with some funky decor. Had vegetarian options. Tasty tofu nachos and chilaquiles. Mexican pizza was good, but not great. They give paper plates and plastic silverware even for dine in.

Review №70

2023-12-09 14:15:28

Theres space yet left uncovered by band stickers, which means you people out there reading this arent trying hard enough.

Review №71

2023-06-30 19:10:01

Fantastic staff I work downtown at they know our crew well at circuit always a nice experience and massive sized quesadillas and burritos fit for a big guy like me

Review №72

2023-02-02 03:46:11

Really cool atmosphere. I was intrigued by the art and skateboard memorabilia. Staff was really friendly and helpful! Most importantly, the food was amazing! Wednesday is $5 veggie burritos! Thanks Pokez, for great food and good vibes!

Review №73

2023-01-12 06:34:55

So yummy! Its outstanding compared to the all the burritos we have tried. I love how they added little veggie on our orders, so refreshing. Definitely coming back. The only thing i wish they had were more drink options

Review №74

2018-08-04 04:42:15

Excellent restaurant with many interesting decorations. I ordered a Carne Asada taco and a shrimp taco, so delicious! Definitely will recommend to check out this excellent place.

Review №75

2023-04-28 22:40:37

Food and service was good. Atmosphere was kind of dirty and hot. There were too many flies buzzing around. The cabbage salad was super tasty and Mahi tacos are really huge.

Review №76

2017-10-24 22:36:47

Mmmmmmm ... My go-to Enchilada Suiza! Today is my first visit and I really enjoyed it. The food is low sodium yet packed with bountiful yumminess!!!!

Review №77

2019-11-20 14:38:47

Large and tasteless portions. Read good reviews about it and decided to try it. It did not suit my palette.

Review №78

2023-01-04 02:39:49

Portions werent very generous for takeout. Service wasnt friendly when asking a clarifying question about ingredients: whatever you ordered is how theyll cook it.It was definitely tasty, but if I had it again Id be sure to eat in house to make it worth the money. Also note they do not have vegan cheese.Ordered Joeys Special Tofu and the potato rolled tacos.

Review №79

2019-11-26 03:25:11

Place with a nice vibe and tasty burritos. Four of us eaten here and all of us are happy that we decided to stay here;)+ you can pay here by credit card

Review №80

2019-03-13 01:42:08

Ive been coming to Pokeź for almost 8 years now, I love their selection of vegan and vegetarian Mexican food. Especially love their tofu fries!

Review №81

2023-04-25 21:15:14

Tried it twice because we really wanted to like it. Maybe their meat and dairy items are good, but their vegan items are not good quality. The items were a bit soggy and not flavorful at all. They need to update their vegan menu!

Review №82

2022-11-23 04:45:09

I was apprehensive when we first walked in. The menu was a bit of a mess and unclear. The atmosphere is extremely casual and matches the surrounding streets. But it still seemed clean, if a bit run down.The food itself was really good. I was pleasantly surprised by how tender the meat in our burrito was.

Review №83

2023-04-01 22:01:18

I used to like Pokez, but nowadays their vegan food is overpriced. The vegan food is either too salty or mid, the meal size is not the same, they charge extra for salsa, and the customer service is a hit or miss. In the past, I used to go to Pokez at least once a week, unfortunately, today will be my last time going back unless something changes.

Review №84

2018-08-17 21:27:54

Been coming here for the past 10 years and it is The Best Mexican food in all of Gaslamp. Every time we head down to Gaslamp for a weekend, we always stop for breakfast or lunch here. A must go to if you’re ever in the area.

Review №85

2022-11-20 06:31:48

The shredded beef chimichanga was incredible. Quality meat and the tortilla was excellent. Very unique from other restaurants who serve similar food. I was compelled to review it because of how good it was. Maybe second written review ever..

Review №86

2018-08-05 20:17:46

Cool long-time Mexican restaurant with a focus on vegetarian and vegan items (but also serves meat). Staff was friendly, and the atmosphere was fun at night.

Review №87

2023-07-20 12:57:34

Been going here for years, good food and punk vibe and great chili relleno.

Review №88

2023-07-03 01:48:33

Used to go here after getting off from highschool, and its still really good food.

Review №89

2017-08-22 19:53:50

Great place awesome serving. I think this is my new favorite Mexican food place.

Review №90

2023-07-11 11:26:36

Unreal food and friendly staff, great for veggies/vegans. Highly recommend.

Review №91

2023-04-10 23:38:56

Food was not good at all. I order some enchiladas made out of potatoes and the potatoes from the inside where dried. They came with lettus but the lettuce seemed as if they just choped it and served in the plate with the Enchiladas. They ran out of Water of Jamaica, they didnt have any water bottles at the moment. The salsa did not have a good taste. Really think about stopping by to this place.

Review №92

2021-08-31 20:50:15

Vegan nachos were delicious! Definitely will be going back!

Review №93

2022-12-16 11:56:16

Love this place. Have been coming here for years and years. Small family run joint. Food is amazing and priced great. Parking is kind of a pain at times but there is a paid parking lot across the street. Carne asada and shrimp are always on point. Also, the salsa and their salad is amazing.

Review №94

2023-02-23 17:51:39

Little Mexican joint…. Serving maximum vegetarian options one can get in Mexican food. Since there was a conference nearby, it was super crowded but they were short of staff, so the same person taking orders was also waiting the tables. But still the service was super quick, I didn’t see any single person complaining of delay in their food.

Review №95

2023-04-06 16:55:46

It’s alright. Price is good until you request for add-ons (guac, rice etc) & that’s how they get you! I ordered chile relleno with guac & 2 extra salsa on the side & it cost me $20. Yes, $20. So make sure you ask how much more extra if you want additional items with your order.

Review №96

2023-11-16 03:21:22

The chilli relleno burritos are ehhh but i would probably go back

Review №97

2023-01-21 23:51:15

Not a big fan. Food was mediocre but I’ll give them credit for a decent amount of vegan options. Did find it odd that they brand themselves as “vegetarian eatery” but serve meat… a bit misleading for people who don’t want to eat food from kitchens that use meat. Burrito was underwhelming and salsa was just okay in my opinion

Review №98

2022-12-19 19:45:43

Chill/casual spot with tagging/skater art on the walls. Reasonable prices, especially in downtown San Diego. Order at the counter, they bring your food to you. It was tasty and quick. 😋

Review №99

2017-10-24 19:55:08

I honestly have not tried their food, but since i walk by the resturant everyday, i can tell you that it suffers from poor sanitation and therefore i would not recommend eating from it even if the food was delicious. Once you check the place from outside to see a disgusting view and smell an awfull odor, it becomes obvious.

Review №100

2023-11-12 22:32:23

The vegan options are sooooo good!

Review №101

2018-10-12 04:09:48

Glad to be back for a tasty tofu potato mushroom wet burrito! Great vegan options. I suggest Pokez should add to their menu veggie chkn dishes too!

Review №102

2017-12-12 07:54:17

Pokez was a very guaint old style Mexican restaurant: The interior was a panoply of beautifully varnished woods - with some of old style Mexican high top bench seating that reminded me of my travels throughout Mexico decades ago; the same types that Ive seen in American eateries of the 40s and 50s era.The music varied however, while I was there they played some swell old time 60s and 70s style rock and roll music ; they also play a variety of different tuneful styles, including Mexican cultural lyricisms.I thought the free chips and salsa were distincty their own creation and the food was excellent; Ive eaten at a number of Mexican food restaurants everywhere and I thought that their food had its own creative flair with its own special panache (I had a #5 combination plate; it came with rice and their own style of beans as well as a nice chili releno, a cheese enchilada and a big taco and the cost was well within my boundaries @ $$.) I thought that the shredded beef used to make my taco was quite originally flavoured.Pokez has a number of vegetarian style specialties too, and from the photographs that Ive seen posted, everything sure looked good.They title themselves as a vegetarian style restaurant.My server was guite polite and she pointed out to me that Pokez had been at the same location for many decades, which would be a peremptory sign of their admiration, not only by their frequent clientele however, but by visitors such as myself too.My experience at Pokez was most relaxing and pleasant; for some reason - near the end of my meal - my mind drifted off to the land of Pokemon. Hey? Maybe there is a Pokez Pokemon?The artistic creations on the outside of Pokez were awesome in their own way:Taken from the once intolerable scrawl of taggers,who once used cans of spray paint - some still do so - to scribe their inimical gang style logos on everything from the walls of buildings,to fences and windows,etc.: A few have since taken their efforts to a much higher level of aesthetic and refined artistry - which now grace some of the most beautifully designed buildings in the world : To tell stories of long extinct cultures that date back to the Aztecs, Mayan and Inca Indian tribes that flourished over a few thousand years ago,as well as of their own attainments and anecdotes of misery that still mirror their culture in todays world.Note: Whenever I spend my time reviewing any place, I generally dont bother spending MY TIME evaluating any locality that doesnt score 3☆s or better. Although I generally dont imbibe, they offer a small selection excellent ice cold beer and also wine tooEND OF STORY!😊💕✌📒✒🖋🖊🗒📰.

Review №103

2023-02-27 22:54:14

4 stars- food is good as always but its a bit of a bummer that they stopped giving complimentary chips and salsa 😪 but i get it... But Im disappointed. Lol. They dont charge a lot but its something Ive come to expect afted eating there for the last 15 years.

Review №104

2022-06-25 20:23:12

The best food ever, in the history of ever. The staff is rad as well. Take yourself and everyone you know here for an authentic Mexican food experience.

Review №105

2022-10-01 01:45:48

Considering they serve both vegan and meat dishes, it was really nice for them to make sure we knew what we were ordering but asking if we wanted cheese/no cheese.The potato flautas are really good and crispy! The plate is huge, I couldnt finish it. Really good beer selection!The inside is decorated pretty cool, like the ATM colorfully added to say bATMan lol. The inside seats are dated though, I was unbalanced trying to sit in one of the wallside benches.

Review №106

2023-07-02 20:40:37

I am born and raised in San Diego. The carne asada burrito was amazing

Review №107

2019-08-28 06:00:36

You’re travel to San Diego not gonna be prefect as long as you don’t try hereAuthentic Mexican DishLarge big dishes and inexpensive

Review №108

2018-08-16 03:17:01

Great food even better service. Love the acidic coleslaw they use to cut the fats from the oils and cheese. Definitely going back.

Review №109

2023-01-29 22:35:01

Great people, great food! Good selection for Vegans and Non-vegans. Humble beginnings with a humble approach. If you like going to unique places with an alternative perspective, this is the place!

Review №110

2022-05-07 19:49:39

Soooo good. Just soooo good. Staff were super helpful and nice. I got the veggie burrito and it was good, but I saw them bring out the Beyond Meat Nachos and it looked like a MOUND OF HEAVEN. I highly recommend getting the nachos if you go.Make sure you tell them you want your order vegan. They have vegan and regular cheese so you want to make sure you get the right one for your order. Next time Im in downtown Diego Ill definitely be back here.

Review №111

2022-12-29 20:49:52

Rude staff at the cashier. To be better, dont interrupt people when theyre talking to you. Also, greet and say hello and listen to what the customer or business partner has to say before promptly shutting them up. Its also impolite to be sarcastic to people. Whenever I come to a place like this I feel like people are just so accustomed to their volume that they forgot the fundamentals (which in this case is having basic manners).Please understand that this is constructive criticism in spite of how unpleasant the interaction was.

Review №112

2022-12-01 21:09:08

Food is always amazing! Decent service tends to vary but generally they seem like thats not what they strive to provide. Often too cool for school but Ill continue to go back cause the food is worth it.

Review №113

2019-05-30 11:34:27

Visited this place while on business from South Carolina. It has a fun vibe. Food tasted good. And there where a lot of options. Vegan friendly.

Review №114

2019-09-17 04:39:23

Good proper mexican restaurant which gives vegan options. Huge portions. Value for money.

Review №115

2023-07-28 21:12:43

Great vegan enchiladas! Friendly staff make it a great environment!

Review №116

2022-09-06 16:03:51

If the girl running the counter here isn’t related to the owner in anyway, than I can imagine the owner of the business does not know she is representing their business in such a way. My friends and I came here and ordered a few things, she messed up an order and then my order came out not as described, & also not how i ordered it.The girl PROCEEDED to argue with all of us on why SHE was right, and asking “how don’t you know what you ordered” and not offering to fix their situation. Then i bite into my food to notice that it also wasn’t what I ordered / what I was told, so I also went inside to show the girl to her own eyes, that the food was incorrect. She then took my food and asked the cook if he had made it correctly, of course he said yes even tho I was holding the incorrect order.I ripped up the entire plate to prove that it was made incorrectly but still, I was wrong. i worked in the industry for 12+ years and I have never ever been treated this way over someone else messing up my order, all of the food was awful. we ended up feeding some homeless by the restaurant. If i was the owner of this place I would definitely check your staff.there’s no reason why paying customers who even tipped the staff before the food was messed up should ever be treated this way.

Review №117

2022-07-21 17:22:49

Ok so the place was very dirty and the health department’s rating was nonexistent. The employees were cool but the restrooms were terrible. Restrooms in Tijuana are cleaner than these! The kitchen was a pile of trash.I gotta say, the food was delicious. I might visit again but it’s definitely concerning how unsanitary it is there. We could have walked out but didn’t.One last thing, the menu items that indicate Vegan are NOT VEGAN.

Review №118

2022-01-23 05:57:35

I feel like one of the best recommendations you can give a restaurant is in response to the question would you eat here again? And the answer is yes. I would definitely eat here again.It had a fun vibe and atmosphere, the workers were super nice and funny, it felt clean. I feel like it was a little over priced and there was only one worker so it was a little slow, but overall I really enjoyed it and would go back.

Review №119

2023-03-07 16:04:28

It was good, I had a burrito with carne asada, chorizo, bacon with egg covered in a spicy sauce with cheese. My friend had potato flautas. Overall we were satisfied!

Review №120

2023-03-05 20:16:07

First I want to stress that the customer service was great. I like how Pokez is a chill, order at the counter and sit down sort of restaurant. Our cashier/waitress was extremely helpful. As for the food, it was good. We got mainly vegetarian/vegan dishes (which there was an impressive selection of options) but I wasnt crazy about the flavors of what I or my friend got. The tofu fajitas were great and I highly recommend those over the chile relleno burrito and soy chorizo burrito. Also be aware that parking is a hassle as there is no parking lot for customers, tricky to navigate one day streets, limited parking meters, and overpriced parking lots. But thats just anywhere in San Diego. I would definitely return here to try other items off the menu.

Review №121

2022-10-10 05:08:01

Great for vegans, everything was delicious ✨

Review №122

2022-12-06 17:52:25

Great food and really good prices. Good place to sit and relax as well. I stopped here a few years ago during Comic-Con and it was a perfect little hideaway to relax for an hour or so.

Review №123

2022-02-20 08:17:45

Excellent variety of Mexican Entrées, great service and delicious bakery.

Review №124

2023-01-27 00:09:16

This place is a staple in San Diego, one of the main reasons I venture into downtown. Lots of great options, vegan variety’s, and the one offs they randomly post on social media are great.

Review №125

2023-02-18 07:32:55

Food was amazing. They really have the vegan stuff down. Wait was a little long but still 5 stars nonetheless!

Review №126

2020-02-09 21:51:30

Quick friendly service, FRESH ingredients & very delicious. Ordered Johns bf burrito and the BF asada burrito WET with a side of rice.

Review №127

2023-05-12 21:31:27

Could not leave San Diego without burritos from Pokez! Because they are so good, my bag was inspected at the airport. 🤦😂😂🤦 Worth it!

Review №128

2023-08-14 03:18:22

Amazing! I’m vegan, my family isn’t- we all loved it!! 😋💖💖

Review №129

2022-11-04 01:34:59

Literally best burrito of my damn life it was ginormous and vegan !!! 💖💖💖🫶🏻🫶🏻

Review №130

2022-05-11 17:58:41

Maybe we went on a bad day, but the experience my friend and I had was that the food was very bland and not enjoyable at all. Ive never had completely flavorless chips and guac like that before. Also, I got tofu fajitas and the only flavor came from the veggies that were cooked in a strange teriyaki- like sauce, which is very weird for a Mexican restaurant. Then we both got stomach aches after only a few bites of food. My friend and I ate tums the rest of the night. This was the first place we ate after a long day of travel across the country to San Diego, and I was surprised that the food wasnt better, as we were so close to the Mexican border! Luckily we had amazing Mexican on other days of our trip. I appreciate the vegan options, but I wouldnt recommend it here, Im sorry to say. A couple of other things I noticed were that the wait time was very, very long, I had to ask for the waters we ordered and the girl working showed me it was self help (small paper cup, no ice), and its weird they ask out loud for what you want to tip them right after you order. I brought my friend here because of the good reviews I saw, so I was surprised!

Review №131

2021-11-20 06:59:14

One of the oldest restaurants in downtown and you can tell why. Cool staff and food was great. It came out fast and hot and they have their own craft beer. Will definitely go back whenever I am in the area!

Review №132

2021-08-03 19:55:07

The food is exquisite. Customer service could slightly use some work but for the most part excellent experience. The vegan options are my favorite. The cooks and the management are 10/10. I’d like to hear maybe better music too, less mainstream rock and more underground, it would compliment the cool place.

Review №133

2022-05-07 15:45:54

This place was a fantastic option for vegans and people with diverse food interests. The vegan nachos Ive had elsewhere before this dont compare. My friends got the vegan potato enchiladas and vegetarian nachos, which were all reportedly delicious too.

Review №134

2022-08-20 18:08:48

This unassuming OG Mexican joint has a pretty limited menu and a pretty limited bar. The thing they are *known* for is their vegan options. So if youre looking for a spot to take your meat-averse date, this could work. Also note, the portions are huge.

Review №135

2023-04-14 22:56:13

Many vegetarian & vegan options! Tofu was slightly underseasoned but the portion was generous, and the salsa was good.

Review №136

2022-07-16 18:24:46

There’s not a lot of people here and I don’t know why because it’s sooo good, and you get enormous portions for a low price.I’m a vegan, and my partner isn’t and we both loved what we got.He got steak fajitas and he loved it, and I got the vegan machaca with soyrizo and it was perfect.

Review №137

2021-06-13 23:13:49

For those looking for a vegan or vegetarian Mexican dining experience, put down your phone and go check this place out. Everything about this place met or exceeded our expectations. They offered indoor and some outdoor dining space. Loved the punk rock theme. The vegan California burrito with it’s perfectly cooked and seasoned tofu was phenomenal and honestly pretty one of a kind.

Review №138

2017-09-09 02:44:13

IMO, the best tacos in San Diego. Fresh, quality ingredients. Tons of Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten Free options.

Review №139

2021-10-25 13:15:23

Cool vibe. Definitely a neighborhood spot. There is tattoo art on the walls, which I thought was pretty entertaining to look at while waiting on the food. Great price- enough food to last for two meals. The tortillas, beans, and rice were on point! I had veggie tacos. Heavy on the tofu, light on the veggies although it had a good flavor. I didnt like the disposal plates, but they may have served food that way due to covid things.

Review №140

2018-09-30 10:57:57

We had the cali burritos which were insanely good. Nice chilled place to eat.

Review №141

2022-02-13 01:21:12

Been here a couple times before, food was good each time. But they always seem to put the most unenthusiastic people at the reg. Went this afternoon and the lady ringing me up didn’t even know the menu. When I asked for a combo plate with carne asada, she asked me “you make that up or something?” and gave a nasty look. Not worth giving service if you just disrespect customers rather than helping them make an order.Update: called to ask about the disrespectful employee. First, she pretended to be the manager so I couldn’t ask about her, then she blamed her attitude me on waking up with a back ache. Taking out frustration for a back ache on your customers…?

Review №142

2021-11-05 23:52:11

Good Cali burrito but I’ve had better. Good hot sauce, atmosphere is unique.

Review №143

2021-01-05 03:18:04

I have been going to Pokez for years and have always been happy with the food and service! Street parking is tricky and sometimes the food takes awhile to come out, but it is well worth it. I regularly order the potato rolled tacos and the tofu tostada salad which comes in a huge fried tortilla bowl. The staff are always friendly and the vegan options cant be beat

Review №144

2018-09-23 04:49:56

Good portions, freshly made and kind service

Review №145

2021-11-21 05:50:59

We were worried when we walked in, it looked a little rough. But the food was the best we had in San Diego all week! Quality, with an obvious knowledge of authentic food. The lady serving us went above and beyond, was very friendly, mindful, and accommodating. Please bring cash to tip her!

Review №146

2019-06-05 06:01:37

Super amazing spot to eat great Mexican food while visiting the downtown area

Review №147

2018-04-29 17:38:00

This place is awesome! Hate here twice on 72 hour stop in the city.The food is fresh and really good. There is lots of variety from pork to vegan tofu options that actually taste good. The portions are huge and the price is really affordable for what your getting.The staff are relaxed and friendly. The whole place has a really good vibe and decor. The bathroom is worth checking out.

Review №148

2019-05-18 07:10:42

Ordered food to go. At first reading a recent review about waiting 40 minutes, I almost didnt order but decided to go for it anyway reading reviews on how good the food is. I ordered the shrimp burrito and a chicken chimichanga and it only took 15 minutes from phone order to food-in-hand.The service was prompt and very pleasant once I arrived. Tastes very authentic. Salsa was spicy and very tasty.I am very pleased with everything and cant wait to return to try other menu items.

Review №149

2021-01-27 16:50:59

I love the food here! Carlos and Chavo are amazing cooks and the food is always consistent. You can always find the owner tending to his business and ready to greet customers. They are constantly adding new and exciting things to their menu. Their new beer is on point! You have to check it out

Review №150

2022-11-08 14:55:32

The california burrito and chicken flautas are bomb! Pokez consistently kills it. While youre there, go next door and check out Whats Baking at Pokez for amazing coffee and desserts.

Review №151

2022-11-29 14:13:47

Great Mexican restaurant with great vegan and vegetarian options. Their tofu is immaculate. Highly recommend them and their coffee shop next door.

Review №152

2021-05-21 09:53:20

Tasty vegan food, and food for meat-eaters alike. It was nice to get a veggie-friendly chimichanga. They have been pretty busy, but it is well worth the wait. Their decor is fun as well. I highly recommend the food.

Review №153

2021-12-05 18:51:10

I wanted to like this place for the vegan options, but have been disappointed both times Ive went. After the first experience I didnt want to return but decided to give it another try (2 years later). Everything is so bland! This last time I ordered the tofu racheros - the herbed tofu was the best part of the plate, probably because it was purchased that way. The ranchero sauce was a flavorless beige goop which blended in with the texture of the flavorless brown bean paste. It was a struggle to eat my food so I wouldnt waste the money I just spent on it. I much prefer Ranchos Cocina for diverse and flavorful vegan options.

Review №154

2019-03-07 23:17:51

Has been my favorite restaurant in San Diego for 10 years. I love being able to bring everyone here as they offer super awesome menu. Its always good tasting large portion food. Well worth the stop! And your probably see me eating there as I love the food.

Review №155

2023-07-08 22:41:51

Amazing vegan food! Super authentic and delicious. We loved the Beyond Nachos and everything else.

Review №156

2019-04-23 15:19:12

We were in the neighborhood and thought wed give this quite small, old local restaurant on a busy street corner a try because it must have something going for it to be able to survive at this very noisy and cramped location. Turns out it does!A surprisingly interesting menu. Great service, friendly and sincerely interested in our welfare. Plus great food with a full bar. Also quite inexpensive.Hard to explain why exactly but it felt like we were in a family restaurant in Baja.

Review №157

2021-07-12 20:01:27

I had the chorizo breakfast burrito! It was great! The tortilla felt and tasted homemade, and the seasoning was on point! My son and his girlfriend had the VEGAN IMPOSSIBLE nachos and they loved them!!! Definitely a spot to visit! Close to PETCO Park, awesome eats before or after the game!!!

Review №158

2023-10-28 01:48:33

Mi Primo, Congratulations on v becoming a Dad soon! 👶

Review №159

2022-12-19 05:54:25

Great vegetarian options, the chicken ranchero was fine but could have more spice. Tofu was great. Love the decor.

Review №160

2013-02-06 21:06:35

This place was awesome. I had the Tofu-Mushroom Enchiladas, and they were great! The tofu was well-seasoned and the mushrooms were cooked but still firm. The decor is very much a skater/rockers kind of place, and the staff were extremely friendly. I loved this place and cant wait to bring a friend back!

Review №161

2021-01-24 03:50:15

I had never had worst tacos. I believe the other reviews and order many different tacos, meat and veggie. I can’t tell you how disappointing they are. Absolutely tasteless. They just throw the main ingredient in a tortilla and slap some salad on top. No toppings, dressing, spices, nothing. Not even basic seasoning like salt and pepper. Nothing! The only taste comes from a little container of salsa - nothing special. The tacos comes with two sides: chips and salad. Both are as tasteless as the tacos. Worst dinner I had in a while.

Review №162

2021-08-15 18:54:49

Drove past here on the way to our hotel and decided to walk back because the sign said Vegetarian Mexican Food. I had the tofu burrito and topped it with cheese and salsa Ranchero. It was a HUGE burrito but absolutely delicious. We got here right in time because by the time we were two bites in there was a line out the door and halfway down the block, but they were handling it like pros.

Review №163

2019-01-18 00:43:51

Its been going here since 1999, and I love it so much I hired them to cater my wedding. The portions are so big that in ask those years that Ive been going there, I still havent ever been able to clear my plate. Just thinking about their salsa makes my mouth water, and the potato rolled tacos are to die for. The vegan chorizo is also a personal favorite.

Review №164

2018-08-13 08:12:31

I had never had a sushi burrito before. My kids insisted that I try it! (theyre more with the times than me). I had no idea what I was ordering and the young lady with glasses working behind the counter was extremely patient and helpful even letting me try a few things I had never had before! The food was fast and delicious and a very good value! The tempura chicken pieces were also delicious! Great place!

Review №165

2019-03-04 19:10:44

Its a pleasant hipster joint with safe but unexceptional offerings. Generous portions and reasonable prices. I cant understand why some reviewers say they make a special trip. Id go again if I lack an alternative. But it doesnt merit an effort to go. Busy Sunday at lunch.

Review №166

2019-12-11 23:27:40

My 3 vegetarian sons and my meat lover self ate here and loved it. Prices are very reasonable, food is delicious and well cooked, with great service. Fun, coloful, and casual atmosphere. Employees put a lot of love and effort into what they do and it shows!! Thanks!!

Review №167

2019-12-26 05:05:35

The service was awesome, and the food was brilliant. I had the veggie chimichanga, it was perfectly fried and the portion was huge. The taste was so good that I finished the entire plate and skipped dinner 😛.We went on a sunday during (late) lunch, so parking wasnt extremely difficult. Had to just do a couple of circles before finding a spot. Its close to the Balboa Park, so makes its a perfect spot to visit, post some sight seeing and museum visits.

Review №168

2019-02-13 23:43:55

Great food, the kindest staff in west coast. I love the place.

Review №169

2023-04-23 22:48:25

Excellent food. Good price for the portion! I strongly recommend this place!

Review №170

2021-08-07 20:53:06

I will NEVER order from this restaurant again. I literally just had the absolute worst customer service I have ever experienced. Twice in the last week, my wife ordered food for delivery and items were missing form the order. When we called to inform the restaurant, the person answering the phone at 1:45pm on Saturday, August 7th was so unprofessional. She told me that she was “personally too busy because she had a lot of people in the restaurant right now”. She couldn’t be bothered to help fix the issue and said that I had to come into the restaurant to get a refund for the missed items.I will never order again and will tell anyone willing to listen to never spend a penny of their money in this restaurant.

Review №171

2019-07-21 06:57:35

The food is pretty delicious, but show up any time near closing and youll probably have to get your own water. Cook brought our food to the table, and only brought out half of the food that we ordered. Water glasses were empty for the majority of the time we were at the table. Took almost an hour from sitting down until food was served. Would recommend management add more staff to Saturday night shifts.

Review №172

2022-08-11 13:51:42

Update 08/22 - bummed to see the flimsy plastic utensils still in use here :( we love the food but I guess well have to start bringing our own silverware.Great experience. We got the mushroom potato tofu chimichanga and the bean enchiladas - both were delicious! We love the ambiance, the seating, and the music. Kind service. Would love to see reusable dinnerware vs. plastic utensils in the future!

Review №173

2018-02-25 17:20:43

I had the impression that this was a full vegetarian place, but it is only vegetarian friendly. On a east downtown street corner, the exterior doesnt make it inviting, and the inside is quite different as well..it has this hippie alternative vibe that adds to its dive status. The menu has a good selection of items, the service was okay, although I only ordered to-go.I got two tacos...one potato and one potato/tofu/mushroom. I feel these are a little overpriced at over $4 each. My tacos came with a side of chips and a large container of salsa...one that would fit a sandwich inside. The potato taco good...it had seasoning. The tofu/mushroom one was pretty bland, even though it had potato in it....so salsa will help on this one.Overall, this place is a fine try but its nothing exceptional.

Review №174

2019-12-08 22:24:18

The food was great! So many vegan options to try, which was very exciting. The service sucks though. We had to wait quite some time before getting a menu and after the food was dropped off, we never saw the server again. Never asked how it was, if we needed anything, or if we were ready for the check. We waited for 45 minutes because I wanted a drink and a to-go box. My fiancé finally just went to the counter to wait in line while people ordered to-go meals, and asked for the check there. We would maybe order out from here, but would never dine in again.

Review №175

2023-11-20 01:46:47

I got a burrito and it tasted like nothing

Review №176

2018-03-31 22:55:34

Great little Mexican joint in the heart of Downtown. Serving up classic Mexican dishes with a vegetarian twist if thats your thing. Chips and salsa are great and the decor is unique. For those visiting San Diego this is a great place to beat the crowd and get some good food.

Review №177

2021-12-04 02:39:13

This is really good food. We had the Carne Asada fries and they were amazing. We also got two burritos, and it was just my wife and I. Maybe a little more food then we needed, but definitely worth it.

Review №178

2020-01-29 21:32:40

Pokez is a wonderful, family-owned Mexican restaurant that also has options for folks with dietary restrictions. I was in charge of ordering food for an event, and it was really tough finding options that met the dietary needs and the budget I was working with. Pokez was truly a great find. Not only did they talk me through ordering and portions, they were also so helpful all the way through pick up. And the food was great! The vegan and chicken fajitas were a hit and kept us as all working and functioning all the way to the end of the 9 hour meeting day. Thank you, Pokez!

Review №179

2019-06-05 23:35:30

Awesome place for traditional and not so traditional Mexican eats. Affordable prices in the East village with lots of vegetarian and vegan friendly options served up in hearty portions. Fun and funky aesthetic where your indie post punk friends will fit right in. Try the Toms deep plate with tofu/potato/mushroom to make your own delicious soft tacos or go big with any of their hefty burritos.

Review №180

2018-05-04 02:05:46

Love this place! Its perfect as it has great food first off, but it also provides vegetarian and vegan food. The place has an eclectic atmosphere, with art and mementos on the wall (and the bathroom is crazy cool!) try the option 13 from the menu (chefs special) if you feel adventurous. Great salsa, great atmosphere, great times!

Review №181

2019-10-04 16:17:26

One of the best places I have been for Mexican food. We were hesitant at first but when the food arrived it was no question. Upset I didnt get a photo. The service was great. The atmosphere was fun and hip. Come here they have your typical dishes and some fresh new ones!

Review №182

2017-10-26 01:09:22

This place has been around for almost 20 years. I like it and its a classic however you must be prepared for bad service because that is part and parcel with the offering. I have ordered a veggie burrito use the bathroom and come out and my order is already sitting on the table other times when it wasnt busy I have ordered a basic bean burrito and had it take as long as 45 minutes several times over the years I actually got up and left after more than a half-hour wait. However, that doesnt stop me from going back. I had a nice discussion with one of the waitresses that has worked there for a number of years and her boyfriend worked in the kitchen preparing food she said its hard to get people and people quit and sometimes someone goes on a 15 minute break just as your order goes in. Basically, they keep prices very affordable especially for downtown but that comes at a cost in terms of the speed of service. Im not sure I would tolerate this anywhere else but I understand the situation and it wont stop me from going there in the future. The place is a one-of-a-kind not like any other Mexican place you have to go there to experience it. I highly recommend it but watch out if its even look slightly busy because you could be in for a long wait. But if youre not in a hurry and you like good tasty food lots of quantity and you dont mind soaking up the atmosphere go for it.

Review №183

2017-04-08 01:24:01

Great portions and prices, but the restaurant is a combo of funk, punk, grunge, and Mexican. Avoid the bathrooms if possible. The food totally depends on what you order. The chicken and steak enchiladas were very plain. The homemade salsa was excellent.

Review №184

2021-06-22 01:52:46

Listen, even if it is the last thing you do, eat here. The staff was amazing and friendly, even during a mega rush, the food crushed, and the atmosphere was great (who doesnt love some Anderson .Paak tiny desk concert jams?). Some of the best vegan/vegetarian food ive had, and one of my favorite restaurant experiences in a while. These cats know how to cook tofu! Check this place out!

Review №185

2022-07-08 02:00:56

Ive been going to Pokez for 20 years. It is my absolute favorite downtown restaurant. It is a good vegan/vegetarian eatery too. Love love love for Pokez

Review №186

2021-05-26 17:58:08

Nice rustic atmosphere. I had the fajitas. They cooked the meat and veggies with what I would describe as a BBQ sauce. It was a unique way to do the dish but I did not like it.

Review №187

2015-10-29 18:03:02

Great food and great service. The owner Pokez makes everyone feel comfortable. Last time I went I had the you dont want it plate. This dish is randomly picked by the cooks and it turned out to be a great combination of grilled chicken with green sauce and cheese. The place is usually full because its a great place.

Review №188

2016-11-25 15:14:12

Food = SO FRIGGIN GOOD.Theres a lot of places to get a good burrito in San Diego. This is absolutely one of those places. I didnt even think to take a pic of my burrito because it looked too good to waste even a second not eating it. ;)Highly recommend...delicious food, great service, good prices. 👍👍👍

Review №189

2023-11-17 19:59:56

Authentic Mexican Cuisine at an affordable price.

Review №190

2017-12-11 21:10:32

I thought Pokez would be at least a 4 star experience. Its been about a year since Ive been, so hopefully they changed things. But this is one of the few restaurants I will never visit again.When we dined: Evening/NighttimeSeating: Self-seating didnt bother me much but was expecting to be greeted by someone at the front of the entrance instead near the back.Cleanliness: The floors were a bit dirty, and several tables werent bussed.Food: Not authentic Mexican food at all. The food was bland and the salsa was watered down. I suppose they are appealing to more Americans than Mexicans. Also, the chips I received were stale. When I asked for a new batch of chips, the waiter said, the chips are made fresh everyday. So, the cooks here Im guessing make the chips in the morning only? The waiter, slightly begrudgingly, went to get me a new batch of chips, and that batch was surprisingly also stale! Some waiters just say theyre going to change the chips, and then just bring you back the same ones. Maybe thats what he did, or all the chips here are just stale by that time.Atmosphere: This place gave me the creeps. Its very cultish with stickers of pentagrams here and there with other religious items. The owner may practice Santeria. It wouldnt surprise me if they perform their ceremonies here. Theres just really a dark presence here, I havent got that feeling in any other restaurant. The bathroom was fashioned in the same way. This place could honestly be a set for a horror film if they wanted it to.Service: Poor service at the tables. I received silverware with food still stuck to it. I asked for another set. The waiter gave an attitude like he really didnt want to give me another set. But, he soon after did. And what do you know, this next set of silverware also has food on it. I figured most of the silverware is dirty, and the waiter is going to show attitude again, so I just cleaned it myself. The wait time for food and drinks also seemed to be twice as long as other restaurants I visit. It wasnt busy the night we went though. I had the sense that the waiter didnt really care to be there; it would have been nice if he could have struck up a small conversation to brighten up our experience a bit. Probably the only pleasant experience about this place was the checkout at the register. The waiter is the one who went back to the register, but he was much friendlier at the end. He actually finally struck up a conversation here that lasted for a good minute or so. Dont know if it was genuine or because he wanted a good tip.But once my father and I left this place, we both said that this was overall one of the worst restaurants weve been too. Just wish our whole experience could have been like our experience at the register.I dont like giving 2 stars for places I visit, but our experience was just plain bad and Ill never forget it.

Review №191

2019-08-12 02:36:03

The staff was nice & polite really cool people. The food wasn’t so great maybe their vegan options taste better but I tried the shrimp cocktail & my friend had a jumbos special I can’t remember exactly the name. The chicken was a little too salty not much special to it it was just drowned in green sauce which wasn’t that bad, but I wouldn’t recommend it. But the cocktail was not good the shrimp tasted a little off. No seasoning or anything special to the cocktail. I only took a couple of bites and literally just had the rest thrown away. But hopefully they can work on that. Good luck 👍

Review №192

2021-04-10 05:22:01

Disgusting serviceI know it’s not a fine dining, but I just be polity.I always leave tips especially after pandemic, but do not expect tips after taking orders slow and talking to friend while people been waiting in line to place an order. Especially DO NOT BEG FOR TIPS, it is just not polite.I am very sorry, because it was one of my favorite places to eat, no more...

Review №193

2019-09-16 04:30:36

The best Vegan Burrito and Fajitas Ive tried in San Diego.... Youll love the vibe

Review №194

2017-04-11 16:30:03

Compared to other Mexican food places downtown the food here was decent at best. The drinks are just an ordinary canned soda instead of fountain beverages but theyre still priced as though you cant buy a can of Coke for 50 cents. The atmosphere is nice with a very neat and modern vibe but the food just wasnt on par.

Review №195

2021-06-01 03:50:34

Pokez is great because they are a place that is so conscientious to vegetarian and vegan customers! I can’t tell you how many restaurants that I frequent on a regular basis have messed up my order, but not pokez. The food is excellent and the staff is well trained & great! Highly recommend!

Review №196

2018-04-13 06:51:55

Apparently this place had bomb vegetarian burritos, my friend pulled up an article up claiming they were the best in town. He hyped it up... I was skeptical.Initially I wasn’t happy that we couldn’t eat in,but let’s be real, it was 9:40 PM and they closed at 10, I didn’t wanna be that guy.I was obviously famished by the time we made it back to the pad. I sat down and unwrapped this gloriously fat burrito; the flavor was fire.It totally lived up to the hype. Friggin’ delicious!If you’re reading this during the hours of 9:00 AM and 9:40 PM go to Pokez and order some food. The salsa is some of the best I’ve had in town. I’ll be returning again soon.

Review №197

2018-06-08 16:43:21

I can’t lie I liked this place, my meal and my wife’s meal Specially, the service i received was good but it’s not like a lot of servers work there so you just have to be patient or get up and ask for you wants and needs! But for sure you’ll get your food on time well at least I did, just ask for extra stuff in advance. Don’t be lazy, even tho it was my first time coming, I’ll give my meal a 5! But my overall experience a high 4. No ones perfect everything has is flaws!

Review №198

2022-12-03 00:13:00

Excellent food quality, lots of vegan options, chill, non-descript atmosphere of a typical neighbourhood Mexican food place

Review №199

2017-12-28 21:09:05

The service was slow, their chips were cold, one of the waiters had to kill a cockroach at the table next to ours, and the food was average at best. Everything in the restaurant was chipped (cups/plates/table) and it was 20 minutes before anyone even took our order. Definitely wouldn’t recommend it. There’s better food in San Diego.