On the Border - Mission Valley

1770 Camino De La Reina, San Diego CA 92108

A border is a special place where the best of two worlds blend together to create something even better. Visit On The Border Mexican Grill and Cantina and step into a world where colors are brighter and flavors are more intense, yet the atmosphere is casual and upbeat. Flavors depart from the familiar and arrive at the extraordinary. Located in Mission Valley, guests can enjoy traditional Mexican dishes that are both memorable and comforting, not to mention full of spice and body. They feature options for take-out and catering, so you can always have a chance to add a little spice to your breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Reservations

Restaurant Info

Address: 1770 Camino De La Reina, San Diego CA 92108
Cross Street: Camino Del Este
Location: Mission Valley & Clairemont | Mission Valley
Cuisine: American | Latin | Mexican |
Cost: $$ | Inexpensive | $25 - $50
Category: Casual Dining
Star Rating:
Reservations: Not Available
Dress Code: Casual
Meals Served: Lunch | Dinner |
Parking: None |
Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard |
Corkage Fee: N/A
Website: http://www.ontheborder.com/
Phone: (619) 209-3700
Features: Catering Services, Takeout Available,
Occasion: Dining Alone, Quick Bite,

Photos

Business Hours

Reservations Available

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Menus

Select Menu
- Daily Menu

Daily Menu

Appetizers

Border Sampler 13.99: Chicken Quesadillas, Steak Nachos and Chicken Flautas. Served with guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo and original queso.
Guacamole Live! 8.49: Made fresh to order at your table with two whole avocados, plus your choice of tomatoes, jalapenos, cilantro, red onions and fresh lime juice.
Ultimate Loaded Queso 8.99: Loaded with Jack cheese, Shredded or Ground Beef, refried beans, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream and jalapenos.
Firecracker Stuffed Jalapeños 8.49: Six tempura-battered jalapenos stuffed with mixed cheeses and chicken. Made fresh in our kitchen. Served with original queso.
Grande Fajita Nachos 9.99: Choose from premium, tender Fajita Steak or Chicken. Served with pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole. Chicken $9.49. Steak $9.99.
Guacamole 5.99: Made fresh, throughout the day, with 100% Hass Avocados.
Empanadas 8.99: Five flaky handmade pastries stuffed with cheese and Seasoned Ground Beef or Slow-Cooked Pulled Chicken. Served with original queso.
Chicken Flautas 8.99: Handmade daily! Corn tortillas filled with Slow-Cooked Pulled Chicken, fried golden and topped with sour cream sauce and melted cheese. Served with original queso.
Fajita Quesadillas 9.99: Melted cheese, peppers, sauteed onions, and your favorite filling. Served with pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole. Chicken, Steak or Roasted Pork $9.99. Spinach & Mushroom $9.49.
Original Queso 0.00: Creamy queso with fresh jalapenos, cilantro, and poblano peppers. Bowl $5.69. Carne Style with Seasoned Ground Beef Add $1.00. Cup $4.69
Texas Wings 8.49: Breaded, crispy-fried wings in a spicy BBQ glaze. Served with celery sticks and Ranch dressing.
Chicken Fundido 8.99: Mexican fondue with Jack cheese, Fajita Chicken, roasted poblano peppers and sauteed onions. Served with fresh flour tortillas.

Soup & Salads

Sizzling Fajita Salad 11.99: Topped tableside with sizzling Mesquite-Grilled Steak or Chicken, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo and cheese. Chicken $11.49. Steak $11.99.
Grande Taco Salad 10.49: Shredded or Ground Beef, or Slow-Cooked Pulled Chicken with cheese, black bean & corn salsa, guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo in a crispy tortilla shell.
Chicken Tortilla Soup 5.79: With Slow-Cooked Pulled Chicken, rice and vegetables. Topped with fresh avocado. Cup with entree $2.99
House Salad 5.99: Served with choice of dressing. With entree $2.99
Citrus Chipotle Chicken Salad 10.49: A delicious Border Smart alternative. Premium Pulled Chicken Breast tossed in fat-free Mango Citrus Vinaigrette with peppers, red onions, tomatoes, corn, queso fresco and crunchy jicama. Served atop fresh mixed greens.
Mexican Chicken Caesar Salad 10.99: Grilled Chicken on fresh greens with Jalapeno Caesar dressing and crumbled queso fresco. Served with cheese tortilla crisps.

Everyday Favorites

Corona Extra Dinner 12.99: Chicken Chile Relleno, two Chicken Enchiladas with sour cream sauce and a crispy Beef Taco. Served with Mexican rice and choice of beans.
Chicken Chile Rellenos 11.99: Two fresh Anaheim Chiles stuffed with Chicken and Jack cheese, and fried golden and served with Ranchero sauce, Mexican rice and choice of beans.
Double-Stacked Quesadilla 12.99: Stacked with Fajita Steak or Chicken, cheese, crumbled bacon, fresh avocado and caramelized red peppers & onions. Served with sour cream, pico de gallo and creamy red chile sauce. Chicken $11.99. Steak $12.99.

OTB Taco Stand

Loaded Carne Asada Tacos 11.99: Premium Carne Asada Steak with creamy red chile sauce, cheddar & Jack cheeses and crispy-fried onion strings - all in two grilled flatbread tortillas.
Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos 12.49: Seasoned Mahi Mahi Fillet in two fresh flour or soft white corn tortillas with creamy red chile sauce, shredded cabbage, cheese and pico de gallo.
Brisket Tacos 11.99: Three fresh flour tortillas with Smoked Beef Brisket, Jack cheese, Jalapeno-BBQ sauce and crispy-fried onion strings.
Southwest Chicken Tacos 11.49: Three fresh flour tortillas with Mesquite-Grilled Chicken, cheddar cheese, creamy red chile sauce and crispy-fried onion strings.
Dos XX Fish Tacos 11.99: Three fresh flour or soft white corn tortillas with Dos XX beer-battered, Golden Fried Fish, creamy red chile sauce, shredded cabbage, cheese and pico de gallo.
Street Style Mini Tacos 11.49: Three mini corn tortillas served open-faced with seasoned Fajita Steak or Chicken, or Roasted Pork grilled onion and Jack cheese. Served with fresh avocado, pico de gallo and red-chile tomatillo salsa. Chicken or Pork $10.49. Steak $11.49.
Taco Melts 9.99: Seasoned Ground Beef or Slow-Cooked Pulled Chicken mixed with a unique blend of creamy queso, then topped with melted cheese. Served with mini crispy taco shells or fresh-made flour tortillas, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo and sour cream.
Shrimp Tacos 11.99: Two fresh flour or soft white corn tortillas with lightly-battered, fried Shrimp, creamy avocado sauce, shredded cabbage, cheese, pico de gallo and avocado.

Fajita Grill

Create Your Favorite Fajita 15.99: Grilled Vegetables $11.99,With Portobello Mushrooms. Mesquite-Grilled Chicken $13.49. Mesquite-Grilled Steak $13.99. Pick Two: $13.49: Chicken, Pulled Pork or Grilled Vegetables. Mix one with Steak $13.99. Mix one with Shrimp $14.99. Pulled Pork (Carnitas) $13.99. Seasoned, Sauteed Shrimp $15.99
Monterey Ranch Chicken Fajita 14.99: Topped with crispy bacon crumbles, pepper Jack cheese and creamy Ranch dressing.
Smothered Steak Fajita 15.99: Loaded with sauteed mushrooms & onions and melted cheddar and pepper Jack cheese.
The Ultimate Fajita 16.99: Mesquite-Grilled Steak and Chicken, Sauteed Shrimp and Pulled Pork (Carnitas).
Baja Chicken Fajitas 14.49: Mesquite-Grilled Chicken served sizzling over sauteed red onion, red bell peppers, zucchini & yellow squash. Topped with pico de gallo, melted Jack cheese and fresh sliced avocado. Limited time only.
Chorizo Chicken Fajitas 14.49: Mesquite-Grilled Chicken served sizzling over sauteed onions & bell peppers. Topped with crumbled chorizo sausage, and melted mixed cheeses. Limited time only.

Enchiladas

Enchiladas Suizas 10.99: Three enchiladas filled with Slow-Cooked Pulled Chicken and cheese. With freshly made tomatillo cream sauce and melted Jack cheese.
Ranchiladas 14.99: Grilled premium Skirt Steak topped with ranchero sauce and Jack cheese, plus two Cheese & Onion Enchiladas smothered with red chile sauce. Served with Mexican rice and choice of beans.
Tres Enchiladas 9.99: Three of the same enchiladas. Choose from: Cheese & Onion with red chile sauce Shredded or Ground Beef with red chile sauce Slow-cooked Pulled Chicken with sour cream sauce Spinach & Mushroom with sour cream sauce Pork with tomatillo sauce.
Avocado with Red Chili Pesto Grilled Enchilada 11.49: Fresh sliced Avocado, sauteed bell peppers & red onions, zesty chipotle sauce, and cheddar & pepper Jack cheeses.
Pepper Jack Chicken Grilled Enchilada 11.99: Grilled Fajita Chicken, sauteed bell peppers & red onions, zesty chipotle sauce, and cheddar & pepper Jack cheeses.
Smoky Beef Brisket 11.99: Tender, Slow-Roasted Beef Brisket, cheddar & pepper Jack cheeses, and fresh pico de gallo.

Fresh Grill

Chicken Salsa Fresca 12.99: A delicious Border Smart alternative. Mesquite-Grilled Chicken topped with a spicy salsa fresca. Served with Mexican rice and grilled vegetables.
Jalapeño-BBQ Salad 14.99: A delicious Border Smart alternative. Salmon fillet mesquite-grilled with a Jalapeno-BBQ glaze. Served with black beans and grilled vegetables.
Carne Asada 13.99: Premium grilled Skirt Steak on a bed of grilled onions, topped with a guajillo steak sauce and grilled corn. Served with sauteed vegetables and cilantro lime rice.
Tomatillo Chicken 12.99: Grilled Chicken Breast topped with our freshly made tomatillo sauce, pico de gallo and queso fresco. Served with sauteed vegetables and cilantro lime rice.
Queso Chicken 12.99: Tender grilled Chicken Breast topped with creamy chile con queso sauce and fresh sliced avocado. Served with sauteed vegetables and cilantro lime rice.
Pico Chicken & Shrimp 14.99: Mesquite-Grilled Chicken topped with pico de gallo and Jack cheese, with four large Sauteed Shrimp. Served with Mexican rice and choice of beans.

Create Your Own Combo

Create Your Own Combo 10.99: Choose from: Chicken Tortilla Soup, House Salad, Soft or Crispy Tacos, Tostadas, Enchiladas, Beef or Chicken Empanadas, Chicken Flauta, Pork Tamale, Cheese Chile Relleno (add $1.00). Choose THREE items $10.99. Choose TWO items $9.49.

Burritos & Chimi's

The Big Bordurrito 12.99: Fajita Steak or Chicken, Mexican rice, cheese, black beans, caramelized onions & red peppers, and sour cream sauce. Served with a side salad. Chicken $12.49. Steak $12.99.
Three-Sauce Fajita BUrrito 12.99: Grilled Fajita Steak or Chicken, cheese, pico de gallo and sauteed onions & peppers. Topped with ranchero, sour cream and queso sauces. Chicken $11.99. Steak $12.99.
Classic Burrito 10.99: With your choice of meat, pico de gallo and cheese topped with choice of red chile sauce, fresh sour cream sauce, queso, or ranchero sauce. Shredded or Ground Beef, Slow-Cooked Pulled Chicken or Roasted Pork.
Classic Chimichanga 11.49: Hand-rolled, fried golden brown, with your choice of meat, cheese and pico de gallo, then topped with melted cheese. Served with choice of red chile sauce, fresh sour cream sauce, queso, or ranchero sauce. Shredded or Ground Beef, Slow-Cooked Pulled Chicken or Roasted Pork.

Border Lunch

Create Your Own Combo 7.99: Served with Mexican rice and choice of beans. Choose from: Chicken Tortilla Soup, House Salad, Soft or Crispy Tacos, Tostadas, Enchiladas, Empanadas, Chicken Flauta, Pork Tamale, Cheese Chile Relleno (add $1.00). Choose THREE items $7.99. Choose TWO items $6.99.
Lunch Burrito 8.99: Your choice of meat, pico de gallo and cheese topped with choice of red chile sauce, fresh sour cream sauce, queso, or ranchero sauce. Served with Mexican rice and choice of beans. Shredded or Ground Beef, Slow-Cooked Pulled Chicken or Roasted Pork
Lunch Chimichanga 8.99: Your choice of meat, pico de gallo and cheese topped with choice of red chile sauce, fresh sour cream sauce, queso, or ranchero sauce. Served with Mexican rice and choice of beans. Shredded or Ground Beef, Slow-Cooked Pulled Chicken or Roasted Pork
Sizzling Fajita Salad 9.99: Topped tableside with sizzling Mesquite-Grilled Steak or Chicken, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo and cheese. Chicken $9.99. Steak $10.99.
Chicken Tortilla Soup 5.79: With Slow-Cooked Pulled Chicken, rice and vegetables. Topped with fresh avocado.
Lunch Taco Salad 7.99: Your choice of meat with cheese, black bean & corn salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo in a crispy tortilla shell. Shredded or Ground Beef or Slow-Cooked Pulled Chicken
Lunch Fajita Nachos 8.49: Served with pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole. Chicken $8.49. Steak $8.99.
Guacamole Appetizer 5.99: Made fresh, throughout the day, with 100% Hass Avocados.
Original Queso 5.69: Creamy queso with fresh jalapenos, cilantro, and poblano peppers.
Quesadilla Combo 8.49: Combine a lunch portion Fajita Steak, Chicken, Roasted Pork or Spinach & Mushroom Quesadilla with your choice of a cup of Tortilla Soup or House Salad.
House Salad 5.99: Served with choice of dressing.
Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos 8.99: Seasoned Mahi Mahi Fillet in two fresh flour or soft white corn tortillas with creamy red chile sauce, shredded cabbage, cheese and pico de gallo.
Taco Melts 8.49: Seasoned Ground Beef or Slow-Cooked Pulled Chicken mixed with a unique blend of creamy queso, then topped with melted cheese. Served with mini crispy taco shells or fresh-made flour tortillas, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream, Mexican rice and choice of beans.
The Little Bordurrito 9.99: Fajita Steak or Chicken, Mexican rice, cheese, black beans, caramelized onions & red peppers, and sour cream sauce. Served with a side salad. Chicken $9.49. Steak $9.99.
Lunch Brisket Tacos 8.99: Two fresh flour tortillas with Smoked Beef Brisket, Jack cheese, Jalapeno-BBQ sauce and crispy-fried onion strings. Served with Mexican rice and choice of beans.
Border's Best Lunch Fajitas 10.99: Steak or Chicken with sauteed peppers. Served with all the fixings, Mexican rice and choice of beans. Chicken $10.49. Steak $10.99.
Los Dos XX Fish Tacos 8.99: Two fresh flour or soft white corn tortillas with Dos XX beer-battered, Golden Fried Fish, creamy red chile sauce, shredded cabbage, cheese and pico de gallo.

Kid's Menu

Hamburger or Cheeseburger 4.49: Served with choice of one side item and kiddie sundae.
Chicken Tenders 4.99: Served with choice of one side item and kiddie sundae.
Cheese Quesadilla 4.29: Served with choice of one side item and kiddie sundae.
Mexican Plate 4.49: Choose a Soft or Crispy Taco or a Cheese Enchilada. Served with Mexican rice & choice of beans. Includes kiddie sundae.
Nachos 4.29: Choose Cheese or Bean & Cheese. Served with kiddie sundae.
Corn Dog 4.29: Served with choice of one side item and kiddie sundae.
Grilled Chicken 4.99: Served with choice of two side items and kiddie sundae.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich 4.99: Served with choice of one side item and kiddie sundae.
Side Choices 0.00: Black beans, French fries, Mexican rice, Mixed vegetables (Squash, Zucchini, Red Bell Peppers & Red Onions), Refried beans, Side Salad

Desserts

Border Brownie Sundae 6.49: A decadent chocolate & walnut brownie topped with vanilla ice cream and pecan praline sauce.
Kahlua Ice Cream Pie 6.49: Rich chocolate crust with coffee ice cream, chocolate pieces and a layer of dark chocolate, topped with Kahlúa cream.
Sizzling Apple Crisp 6.49: Tender apples with a rich crumb & nut topping served simmering with vanilla ice cream.
Chocolate Turtle Empanadas 6.49: Flaky pastries filled with chocolate, caramel & pecans, rolled in cinnamon-sugar. Served warm with vanilla ice cream
Sopapillas 5.49: A plate of five warm, fluffy Mexican pastries, sprinkled with cinnamon-sugar. Served with honey and chocolate sauce for dipping.

User Reviews

It was great!

We loved everything about this place. The food, atmosphere and the people made this restuarant a great place to eat. We are looking forward to eating here again!

geart-service,food,atmosphere

we visited the On The Border Restaurant for the first time and it was great.The fresh salsa was the best and the huge chips were not all oversalted,the food we ordered was ready quickly and very enjoyable;we will be going back again and again,not too pricey either;

Good food

On the Border has pretty good food. The service can be rather quick. One time I went there for lunch and I was out of there rather quick.

Average mexican food

The restaunt looks very nice and the service if above average, but I just was not impressed by On the Border in El Cajons Parkway Plaza. I drank a pina colada which tasted like pure alcohol, which can be ok sometimes, but not when I am expecting something with a little flavor in it. The nachos are very boring and have no salt, same goes for the salsa which has no spices in it (as it would seem). For the main couse, I have tried many entrees from here... none have impressed me thus far. None of the food here seems to have any authenticity,0 or flavor for that matter, in them. I wouldnt suggest going here if you are in the mood for mexican food, especially considering you are in San Diego and there are a thousand taco shops nearby with amazingly good food for dirt cheap. All you are paying for when you go to on the border is a nice environment and above average service, which is nice... but I am not sure if that alone makes for an 18 dollar plate.

Below average

My meal was below average. I was wishing I was at Taco Bell.