Pina’s Mexican Restaurant

I wanted tacos for my birthday, so my husband stopped here. Not only was he overcharged, but his credit card info was stolen. The food was okay but so greasy, we got a cheese quessadilla for our kids (I also had a slice), and we all had stomach aches the rest of the night. Never again.

It’s not what it used to be!!! Not only was the quality of the food less than I had had in the past, the menu prices mean nothing. I was charged 12.95 for a taco/​sope combination plate that was listed as 10.95 and when I asked about it, was told that it was because I chose a soft taco as apposed to a crunchy taco. My husband was charged 17.00 for a wet burrito that was listed on the menu for 10.95 and when we asked about it, he was told that it was because he asked for the sour cream and guacamole to be on top of the burrito instead of inside. I suggested that if there are additional charges added that we should be advised of that when we place our order. The owner never apologized and responded only by pointing to a sign that said «additional charges for substitutions.» We hadn’t substituted anything. I personally think she looked at us and thought we could afford to pay more and wouldn’t take the time to look at the bill before just paying it. Rather then argue with her, we simply paid the bill and vowed never to return again. As if that wasn’t bad enough, whatever they put in that burrito spent the next few hours fighting to get out. Do yourself a favor and avoid this place and their bate and switch tactics!

Great local Mexican food. Family owned and operated.
Very convenient location if you live in South SP. The restaurant is cozy and the staff is always warm and friendly. It is a sit down restaurant with quality service so if you are looking for more of a fast food place, there are other local options.
The salsa is unique and for those of you who like a more traditional taste, it might take a minute to get used to it– but we love it. They offer a variety of Spanish dinner entrees. We’ve tried several different dishes and they were all great. There are plenty of Mexican restaurants in San Pedro to choose from, but Pina’s is quiet, convenient, friendly, and consistent.

This is my second visit to this place. Nice cozy little place. Nicely decorated. The personnel is very friendly and professional. Expecting to see an improvement from the first time I visited, I ordered the «flautas» and the wife ordered the three taco plate. Normally I try to give a place a second chance –to be fair– and this is what we did. Unfortunately, our opinion in regard to the food quality has not changed. For some reason we both find it to be tasteless. Yes that is right, tasteless. Not sure what is going on in the seasoning department but it sure requires extensive revamping. If you are really familiar with Mexican food, do not set your expectations too high or you will be up for a disappointment.

3÷20÷16 No longer a restaurant to ordering out from! Execution and customer service problems.
After supporting Pina’s for many years, there has been a recent fall-​off in execution and customer service when ordering food to go.
Called order in to Teresa — asking if it could be ready in 45 minutes. She said OK. However, Pina’s did NOT have dinner ready then — put the order in only when I showed up. Made me wait another 15 minutes. This is the 2^nd time in a row the last couple weeks that I have to wait after I arrive to pick up my to-​go order — the previous time my order was placed with a male family member. The order-​to-​go process used to work but is no longer reliable.
Drive 10 minutes home only to discover that Teresa gave me someone else’s order. So I call Pina’s and we agree to exchange.
Another 10 minute drive back to Pina’s but then she makes me wait another 15 minutes. And instead of comp’ing the difference because of their goof-​ups — Teresa wants $ 6 more. Hope the $ 6 more meets her needs because she won’t be getting any more of my family’s business.
Yet another 10 minutes drive back home gave me time to reflect: she was sick but working around food and she told the cook that the 2 meals I returned were the kids’ order.
You take your chances eating there. No es Bueno!

I wish I can leave 0 stars!!! The food was unmemorible, but the service was a joke. I asked for more chips and she charger me $ 2 then I asked for a coke and she charged me $ 2.75 for 1 can and it wasn’t very cold. It worked out in the end because she paid for it with her TIP money. I work in the hospitality biz and she could use a lesson or 2

I was hoping to stumble upon a good mexican place as I next door signing a lease. Waiter was nice, everything came fast but too fast. The chips were stale but the salsa was ok. I ordered a pretty simple beef taco, cheese enchilada rice and beans. Foos came fast but was horrible. Taco shell was again stale, beef was dry, enchilada sauce was oddly sweet and gross. The beans were dried out around the edges too. All around YUCK

The waitress is very nice and attentive. Place is clean and quaint. However the food was just ok and the prices were very high.

Friendly, laid back small restaurant with very fresh excellent food. My favorite is the classic grilled shrimp tostada. I rarely order anything else because I love it so much! Everyone I have brought has enjoyed the meal and commented on the freshness of the food. Very colorful art, wonderful servers– everything you need for a great meal with friends!

Good service. Hostess is very friendly ! Originally called in a to-​go order for tamale /​chile rellano combo but decided to eat there. The chips and salsa were fresh, the guac was a pass. The chile, rice & beans were good. But I’m not a fan of sweet (like las palmas) red sauce. The beef tamale was terrible. The masa was bland and tasted like it has been frozen. The tamale was served in chunks covered in red sauce and cheese. I’ll definitely be back to try something else.

Family and I go often, food is delicious and staff is friendly. Small spot not fancy but if you’re looking for good Mexican food you’ve found it.

Came in for Breakfast… had breakfast burrito with bacon. My Co-​worker ordered the chorizo and huevos. I am a fan of mild salsa, and I did like it. The server was very friendly, and breakfast was excellent… there is ample parking for breakfast, but during lunch/​dinner, parking can be challenging.

This is a small place, I found the food not to have much flavor, the Salsa was Ok but nothing great. The drinks, order without Ice otherwise flavor, taste more like sugar water. At times it gets busy other times no one here. Parking difficult to find if you come at the busy time.

This restaurant is all talk. They promise this and that, «it’s authentic,» «I won’t charge you for that even though we usually do.» Are you trying to make us feel better for the lousy food? I went with my mom who knows her Mexican food way better than these guys and left disappointed. Make sure you check your bill afterwards, they will nickel and dime you for everything. 75¢ for hot water?! Ridiculous!
I’m giving it more than one star due to the vegetable tostada. The veggies were hearty and fresh.

I love this place… the food is fantastic and everyone is so nice. We go here all the time and it’s such a great place to be casual and have great food, beer and watch TV.

Caritas was some of the best I’ve had. The jalapeño on the plate was incomparable. Cost was very reasonable. The margaritas were worth a solid B. This place is well worth a visit.

Many years ago, my wife and I ate at Pina’s regularly. Once, I left my credit card at the
restaurant. I went back and got it. When I got my monthly credit card statement, there
was an additional meal charged to my card. I went back and they blamed it on an
employee. We stopped eating here.
On July 23, 2015, my wife went to Pina’s for a take out lunch. She used her credit card
to pay. On July 28, 2015, Bank of America saws a suspicious charge for $ 1,000.00 for
Travel Start and called us. Someone was attempting to use our credit card information.
They even had the nerve to call B of A and tell them the charge was forthcoming. B of A
declined the charge.
I have no evidence someone at Pina’s did this but it is too much of a coincidence for
me to ever go back there. If you like this place, I would recommend you do not use
your credit card. If I even find out to the contrary, I will post a retraction.

Came here on a rainy day recently looking for beer and fajitas. Score!
So the restaurant is located in the Vons center on 25^th and Western near Malaga Bank and our ReMax Malaga Cove location. Love this center, it’s very chill and has lots of great places.
I had the chicken fajitas (awesome) and a pastor taco with everything on it, I’m picky about pastor and I gotta say it was pretty good. One issue, beer selection is ok but could be better. Chips and salsa were ok but salsa is too salty.
Pina’s food is great and yes the prices are little high but not off the charts or anything, especially compared to Chipotle’. If you want cheap mex go to Del Taco, if you want decent sit down mex then go to Pina’s and try it, it’s solid.

I’ve been to Pina’s a few times now, including last weekend, and I do believe they have some of the best Mexican food in the area. I had Chicken Mole and my wife had a tostada, which we both enjoyed. The food was fresh and tasty, and the price for what we got was good.
The service was just a bit off… getting my bill and then running my credit card took pretty long. Also, wait staff should know better than to handle my drink cup by the rim when getting me a refill. Really… this is something that I should not have to mention, but I don’t want to put my mouth on where your hands have just been. Handle cups by the bottom please.

In the quaint restaurant for business appt. The owner, Martin came by and and introduced some dishes to us for lunch. Green sauce hickey enchilada and red sauce cheese enchilada. Both were awesome. I like the chicken with green sauce the best. My friend Maria loved the green sauce!
Definitely a good find, worry of a return trop.