Baja Express - Temecula
Baja Express
Description
Nestled inside a tribal gas station near Pechanga Casino, this unpretentious spot serves fresh, flavorful Mexican classics—from machaca and tacquitos to $1.50 street tacos—and draws regulars for generous portions and friendly service. Convenient for travelers from San Diego or Pala, it’s a handy stop for a quick, casual meal. Persistent inconsistencies in portion size, pared-down burritos since management changes, and slow or understaffed service temper the praise; with steadier prep and faster service it could be a true local staple.
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Feedback
Delicious tacquitos! We make sure to eat here every time we visit Pechanga. Don't let the fact that it's located in a gas station complex deter you. The food is fantastic, and the staff is extremely friendly!
You absolutely have to try the chicken quesadilla and the shredded beef burrito—they're the best I've ever had! The food is fantastic, but I was really let down when I called for pickup on two occasions and found they had closed early. Their posted hours say they close at 9 PM, but the employees shut down at 8:40. I started calling right at 8:40, but no one answered the phone, even though they were still in the building. When I sent my boyfriend to pick up the food, they told him they were at capacity and couldn't take any more orders.
I recently visited for the first time and was impressed by the diverse selection of food available, from tacos to Native cuisine. The staff was friendly, and my order was prepared quickly. Furthermore, there’s a gas station with a car wash on-site. As a fast food restaurant, it was clean and easy to access, including the restrooms.
The food is good, and the service is decent. However, be cautious with the prices. They don't match what’s listed on the menu board in the drive-thru. When they give you a total over the speaker, it often turns out to be $1 to $2 more when you reach the window. They always claim there’s been a mistake. I recommend avoiding this place for a while, as something feels off. It wasn’t like this before.
Menu
Combination Plates
2 Carne Asada Taco Combo Plate2 of our carne asada tacos served + rice & beans.
$8.7Hard Shell Tacos
Grilled Chicken Hard Shell TacosServed + lettuce; tomato cheddar jack cheese.
$6.3Lunch
Three Beef FlautasServed lettuce; tomato cheddar jack cheese.
$8.5Tacos And More
Carne Asada Hard Shell TacosServed + lettuce; tomato cheddar jack cheese.
$6.6Carnitas Hard Shell TacosServed + lettuce; tomato cheddar jack cheese.
$6.3Five Beef Taquitos$11.5