Tortilla Jo's

[crystal1313]

At the beginning, I was not a fan! Years and years ago......but it's much better now. The drinks are always yummy. And the guacamole is fantastic! Made fresh, the way you like it at your table. Yes, it's pricy, but what isn't at DTD? The salsa is pretty good too! My last trip, with my friends, we just ordered appetizers and drinks. We had a wonderful, attentive server. Ate outside and it was great!

 

[Mama Who]

I'm spoiled. I'm a native Californian and grew up surrounded by truly top notch Mexican food. Tortilla Joe's is not quite as good as a Chevy's or and El Torito. I wish my mom could remember the name of the amazing hole in the wall taqueria a few blocks away.

 

[DarthMole]

I'm spoiled. I'm a native Californian and grew up surrounded by truly top notch Mexican food. Tortilla Joe's is not quite as good as a Chevy's or and El Torito. I wish my mom could remember the name of the amazing hole in the wall taqueria a few blocks away.

Maybe the food has improved since you visited because the food is certainly better than El Torito or Chevys.

No doubt there are going to be taquerias in the vicinity that have more authentic food but then you're comparing apples and oranges. TJs is a sit down restaurant with wait staff, full bar, and an atmosphere that doesn't scream hole in the wall. Not some counter service restaurant that may have bottled beer.

 

[pixiewings71]

I'm spoiled. I'm a native Californian and grew up surrounded by truly top notch Mexican food. Tortilla Joe's is not quite as good as a Chevy's or and El Torito. I wish my mom could remember the name of the amazing hole in the wall taqueria a few blocks away.

I agree, I like Chevy's (and yes I know it's not authentic, I eat at plenty of authentic places as well) much more than I liked TJ's.

Maybe the food has improved since you visited because the food is certainly better than El Torito or Chevys.

No doubt there are going to be taquerias in the vicinity that have more authentic food but then you're comparing apples and oranges. TJs is a sit down restaurant with wait staff, full bar, and an atmosphere that doesn't scream hole in the wall. Not some counter service restaurant that may have bottled beer.

No, Chevy's is better. not better than the authentic places I love (which have bar services available and are not counter service) but better than TJ's for sure. At least IMO.

 

[jenpace]

I agree, I like Chevy's (and yes I know it's not authentic, I eat at plenty of authentic places as well) much more than I liked TJ's.



No, Chevy's is better. not better than the authentic places I love (which have bar services available and are not counter service) but better than TJ's for sure. At least IMO.

It really is a case of personal preference. I like TJ's a lot but find Chevy's to be consistently bad.

 

[Mama Who]

Maybe the food has improved since you visited because the food is certainly better than El Torito or Chevys.

No doubt there are going to be taquerias in the vicinity that have more authentic food but then you're comparing apples and oranges. TJs is a sit down restaurant with wait staff, full bar, and an atmosphere that doesn't scream hole in the wall. Not some counter service restaurant that may have bottled beer.

Yes, it has an "atmosphere." I prefer good food. I'm not looking for a tequila bar on a family vacation, I'm looking for food that is good and no, Tortilla Joe's was not better than Chevy's. They'd have to throw out their entire recipe book to improve it.

It wasn't the worst generic Mexican food ever, but it's certainly nothing to write home about.

 

[DarthMole]

No, Chevy's is better. not better than the authentic places I love (which have bar services available and are not counter service) but better than TJ's for sure. At least IMO.

She mentioned a hole in the wall taqueria, which is not a fair comparison to a full serive restaurant. Someone in DTD looking at TJs is most likely not interested in venturing out to a quick service hole in the wall no matter how good it is.

As far as Chevys, it's okay. Chips and salsa are the star for sure. Once the meal arrives, I often regret the restaurant choice. But it's true, it's all personal preference. Especially with Mexican food.

 

[lovebug33]

Is Chevy's a California thing? Never eaten at one, so I am lost with the Chevy's conversation.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

It's been years since we ate at TJ, but when we did I was highly disappointed. None of us liked the food.

(also native CA and find Chevy's & El Torito to be "eh", but still better than this, fwiw.)

 

[DarthMole]

Is Chevy's a California thing? Never eaten at one, so I am lost with the Chevy's conversation.

For the most part, yes, but they are in about 10 states.

 

[DarthMole]

It's been years since we ate at TJ, but when we did I was highly disappointed. None of us liked the food.

(also native CA and find Chevy's & El Torito to be "eh", but still better than this, fwiw.)

In this and other TJ thread, many report it's gotten better in recent years. I don't know what it used to be like. Our only visit was last summer.

 

[joeysmommy]

It's ok but no worse than any of the the other restaurants in DTD.
It's better than eating a cardboard burger in the park.
I agree with the other post that the outside express window at TJ's is the best way to go. We always order the Mexicone..it's a taco in a cone shaped shell

 

[Malcon10t]

We usually hit it once every 2-3 trips. I really enjoy the place. The shredded beef burrito is my fav. My daughter loved the steak nachos.

We like Chevy's too, but we like TJs more. (But love my ex-MILs cooking best.) I think it really is personal preferences.

 

[CalvaryMike]

IMHO, TJ's is not good mexican food and it's overpriced. But that being said, they are located in a resort location (so, it's expected). I also live here in So Cal and mexican is my favorite. Chevy's is okay, but I would clasify it betwen mexican food and Tex Mex.

The last time I ate at TJ's was with the Patina birthday coupon and I still thought the food was overpriced.

 

[viaggiamo]

We went last October and it was OK. We wouldn't go back again.