Cafe Zia
Categories: American (New), Vegetarian [Edit]
Neighborhood: Rolando6686 El Cajon Blvd Ste A
(between 67th St & Montezuma Rd)
San Diego, CA 92115 (619) 337-3937
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street, Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol: None
46 reviews
Neighborhood: Hillcrest
"Went on a Wednesday night, of all nights. We only had drinks at the bar, the staff was super friendly. I think I like it better than the…" read more »
24 Reviews for Cafe Zia
love the wraps. don't change formats to burger place or salads! keep the funky, unique flavored wraps!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Cafe Zia serves the most delicious wraps imaginable and they're actually pretty healthy, too. The chutneys they use in the wraps are out of this world, and I usually ask for extra because they're soooo good! The yogurt/spicy/peach chutney combination is the best (I know it doesn't sound very good, but it's so addicting you'll want to slather it all over yourself)! You have to try the fajita wrap with chicken and ask to add potatoes. It used to come with potatoes inside before they changed the menu, but they'll still do it if you ask. Trust me, it makes all the difference.
The people who work here are super nice, too. The owner always remembers me and likes to chat it up while I'm waiting for my order. Definitely go support this local business - they even feature art work made my SDSU students. How cool is that?
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
My dad always says: Son, the next time you're tempted to trust popular opinion, remember these words: fanny pack. Bearing that in mind I was excited yet nervous about trying Cafe Zia on the basis of its fantastic reviews, provided though they are by you fine people. But I must say: Cafe Zia is no fanny pack. It's delicious, *cheap* (read: 6 bucks for a wrap) and generous in portion.
The only words of caution I can offer are that if you, like me, enjoy the occasional spicy entree, articulate it clearly. They asked me if I wanted spiciness, and I said yes, but it was relatively mild. I can't hold it against them though; I don't feel like they gave it their full effort--I'm a pasty white guy, and I don't give the impression of someone who can handle jabanero hotness.
Note: they do accept Credit/Debit cards, but there's a fifty cent surcharge--not a big deal, but if you have the option to bring cash, bring it and save yourself some coin.
great food and great flavor! This place has the best wraps! good place for lunch. very filling and delicious. Good to grab and go.
Love, love, love this place. The food is fresh and excellent. Serving size is generous! Two meals for me. I love the infinitely customizable wrap; I forget its name but basically you choose all the ingredients.
It's additionally wonderful as a place for veg and non veg to each have a fabulous meal.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
The best thing about food is the limitless combinations you can put together to make an amazing meal. The best thing about Zia is the fact that they take these combinations and wrap them up in a whole wheat tortilla.
I'll admit - we've never actually eaten there - usually we take it out. But the burritos are unique and delicious. They really seem to have taken the care to combine the right ingredients. Many of the burritos are pretty spicy, but because everything is freshly made, you can always ask for substitution or for them to ease up on the sauce.
Oh - and as a bonus - the owner really is the nicest guy!! And he is so proud and excited about what he does. That doesn't make for good food, but it does make his good food, that much better.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Truly unique wraps. I travel extensively and I've never seen another menu like Zia. If this was in a location other than a tiny strip mall with poor parking it would be huge. I'd suggest calling ahead because the food is great, but not fast!
I've lived in the College Area my whole life, and have seen businesses geared towards SDSU students come and go. Some places have been great, some mediocre, and some bland. Cafe Zia, I am sorry to say, is one of the latter.
I rode my bike over for lunch on the recommendation of a friend and ordered one of their veggie wraps. The service was good and the place was clean (Two stars for that) but I was greatly disappointed in my flavorless, expensive ($6) wrap as well as the tangy, vinegar based sauce I was given. I'm never one to turn my nose up at new and exotic flavor combinations (Which Cafe Zia seems to be keen on), but I know what tastes good and what doesn't.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Besides the owner being a hell of a nice guy, the food is an experience that open-minded food aficionados and college hangover cure-seekers can agree on. The order is wraps of all kinds, like giant burritos, but not your typical flavor inside. Just like that deceptive 1981 Datsun 510 with a hidden 350 chevy V8 under the hood that smoked you off the line in high school, Cafe Zia is a total shocker. A small, quaint college eatery, Cafe Zia has some of the most eclectic and delicious flavors in the san diego area. I don't even know what the term "tropical food" means, but i'll take it any day of the week. Who can put pineapple and chicken together in a wrap with some delicious chutney and make it taste other-worldly. Cafe Zia. Get some.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Great place. Very quaint. Nice outdoor setting (and indoor too). They were revamping the place while I was there with my mom but we both had the most delicious wraps there that were the size of some of the larger burritos you get a fast food mexican places. The Milano wrap was sooooo good and I didn't feel at all guilty because it was so healthy....arugula, tomatoes, chicken...yummo. Careful though when they say spicy - they mean it, lol. But very great bang for your buck!
I haven't been in awhile, but I thought it was great whatever the hell I had. I thought the chutney with a lot of these wraps were amazing. I think it's a must if you're in the area. Somehow they really put the ingredients together perfectly. The things are huge, however. And, I don't think I've seen the good ol witchy in there. I guess I'll have to go back to see if I can have some interaction. Sweet.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Cool (4)
This place is an old favorite of mine, and a regular place when I visit San Diego. These "tropical" burritos are a refreshing change from a "regular" mexican burrito! i am in love! Ingredients such as sundried tomato, walnuts, pineapple chutney are just a sprinkling of what you can get in your burrito. The ingredients are flavorful, all the food fresh, and I tried bribing the green-eyed (owner maybe?) worker for the yogurt sauce recipe..well it would have taken a gun to get it outta him! I love the chicken burritos, they also have fish, veggie, and breakfast wraps.
Try the rosewater lemonade! I only wish they had sugar free, it's lightly sweet but beautiful!
The decor is different, dare I say wierd? Im not sure what theme they were going for, but it is clean and it is casual.
I will come again for sure, but I will try my damnest to replicate that yogurt sauce buddy! Hah!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (2)
Only been there once. The chicken was chunky, the sauce was vinegar-y and twangy. It was kind of like a big awkward burrito, runny and just not did hit the spot.
The owner was friendly but strangely serene, and offered me rosewater. After reading the reviews here about how maybe he was a witch, I went back tomy office and looked up rosewater. Sure enough... it could have been a spell.
I'll try it again someday.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (8)
A perfect place for anyone who loves some spice in life. This was the first time I went there, and although I just wanted to take another open-minded friend with me, three more friends tagged along not knowing where we were going. I was the only vegetarian amongst them.
Everyone just loved their food. It was little less spicy for me, but had a wholesome taste. A big relief from the boring unhealty bean-cheese-rice burritos.
One recommendation: They would ask you if you want the sauce inside or outside. To have control of the sauce, I told outside, but later felt that a blend of the sauce with all the fill in would have tasted better.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Mmm Sweet and Southern French wrap. Zia is healthy and way too delicious, but I still have to limit going because its so good I'll finish the giant wrap myself. Only thing I wouldn't recommend there is the turkey pastrami, sub chicken. The adorable owner Khaled is eye candy too, food and love definitely go together! XOXO
Go! They have the most interesting(DELICIOUS) burritos I have ever tasted. My favorites are the Sweet Southern French and the Alaskan. Beware the veggie wraps, as they get a little soggy from black bean juice. Maybe they've gotten a slotted spoon since the last time I had a veggie one.
Slowly but surely I've been winning over the fame & glory of all my friends....
"Vegan friendly health wraps?! No thank you. I'm hungry dammit... and I want REAL food!!" This has been the ongoing tune of several skeptical friends. Yet once they've gotten their grubby little paws on the miracle of chutney filled wraps, they become immediately addicted.
Don't be fooled by words such as "healthy" and "vegetarian friendly". Cafe Zia also offers chicken for those of you who dare not venture into the land of tofu. But believe me, if you ever do wish to fill any curiosities you may have with tofu, this is the place you'd want to find yourself at!!
The wraps consist of chicken, mock crab, or tofu as their base. They are as big as your typical Mexican breakfast burrito, if not bigger in size. If you're a first timer and find yourself at a loss for what to order, I highly recommend "The Big Kahuna". A delicious blend of potatoes, thinly sliced tomatoes, zucchini, and other veggies draped in a pineapple chutney that is to die for. It will leave you full and craving more for months to come.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
This place is totally underrated.
Great wholesome food
Great prices
The owner is super cool too! I met him the first day they opened...
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
For a long time now I've suspected that the owner of Cafe Zia is a witch. I don't know exactly why. Probably because he's got David Blaine's demeanor, which is to say that he has a creepy-but-admirable "I can fly" sort of confidence. He has also got alarmingly green eyes and I have seen him read eastern philosophy on more than one occasion. And he also makes ridiculously good food.
The recipe is relatively ordinary -- fruity chicken (or tofu) and potato wraps -- while the result is anything but. Cheap (under 10 bucks), healthy and delicious, the food at Cafe Zia is extraordinary to say the least. It tastes unlike anything else in San Diego. Be nice though, or he might turn you into a frog.
AV
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (7)
Cool (2)
We love Cafe Zia!!! The owner is so nice and asks for suggestions. He is so personable and you can tell that he really loves what he does. He is so friendly to everyone and is not afraid to wipe off a table if needed. The employees are nice as well. There is a great selection of healthy wraps to choose from. I don't care where I ever live in San Diego, I will always drive to Cafe Zia for a delicious wrap. There is no place like it!!!
This was definetely one of my favorite spots to eat when I went to SDSU. I'm glad to see that its still there and from the other reviews is still as good as I remembered.
The chutney sauces that they used for their wraps were all awesome and when there was a need for alil spice you'd get it. I think they also used some kind of yogurt that added to the flavors. The potatoes here were incredible and definetely tasty with a little chutney on the side. The ingredients are simple but the results are flavors that will have you craving it for days.
I remembered the service to be absolutely friendly and the decor was basically art that the owner had made himself. I really can't wait to go back to SD just so I can get my Cafe Zia fix!!!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (2)
I believe this place opened back in 1999. They had coupons at the music trader across the street for buy one get one free. I am pretty sure I was one of the very first people to eat at this place. The first couple of months they served bagels with dark meat chicken and chutney (a fruit/vinegar type sauce). The potatoes were not cut very thin so it took 40 min to get your food, which you paid and the owner gave you change straight out of his pocket. They had a soda machine, but he poured the soda in your cup from a 2 liter.
Down the road he started serving wraps and cutting the potatoes thin. Soon the place became busy and infested with frat boys.
I haven't been in quite a few years, but this is a MUST stop if you are in the SDSU area. If they still have it, get the chicken wrap with spicey and yogurt chutney mixed.
I hear there is still no cash register or soda machine...
People thought this was:
Cool (2)
After reading the high praise for Cafe Zia, I decided I had to experience the delicious chutneys for myself. I took the cashier's suggestion and ordered one of their recommended wraps, except with tofu. I wasn't particularly impressed...the tofu tasted like fried egg, and the vegetables were barely there despite their prominence on the menu. I headed back a second time (I tend to give places another shot to impress, since I might just order the wrong thing), and this time got the "Not your typical burrito" or something to try out the potatoes people have raved about. This time it was better, but I'm not sure I'd head out of my way for a third try. The restaurant is pretty bare and relaxed, and the employees are friendly. I do give them points for incorporating tofu and different types of vegetables into their menu, this food is probably a lot healthier than what local students usually eat!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
I'm not even sure exactly what kind of food this is. I think it's like fast food Polynesian meets burritos or something. It's the bomb though. Inexpensive, healthy and big wraps for like $5. They are served with a choice of chutneys (fruity, spicey and other stuff). I got the chicken and I think they throw other veggies and potatoes n' stuff in too.
I think it's probably a good vegan selection. They're supposed to opening up a store on Adams in Normal Heights sometime soon.
They take a few minutes to make your food, but the quality is there and good things come to those who wait!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
Top Restaurants
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the… -
Best and Worst of my…
Here are some of the places I used to frequent… -
My Neighborhood
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,… -
Top Restaurants
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
Hot and New
- Aqui es Texcoco
4 reviews
Neighborhood: Chula Vista
- Cafe Chloe
121 reviews
San Diego, CA
- Izakaya Masa
28 reviews
Neighborhood: Mission Hills
- The Linkery
174 reviews
Neighborhood: North Park
- Fredcel Lumpias & Catering
18 reviews
San Diego, CA
