Hands down our favorite Birria in Chula Vista. The service is always exceptional and you are paced wonderfully they are always busy but you are never rushed. The food feels like you're back home on the ranch, it's all fresh and made with love and the pastries they share - delectable It's absolutely worth the wait if you find yourself having to wait read more

Wow! This restaurant truly made me feel like I stepped into an old-school cantina. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was exciting and full of life. Everyone was dressed up, the vibes were amazing, and the food was delicious from start to finish. The pan dulce was so soft and fresh that it honestly tasted homemade. My main course was flavorful, and the free dessert was such a nice touch. I was genuinely in awe of this place. They also had live music starting around 11 AM, and the way they celebrated birthdays made the experience feel even more special and lively. I was told I NEED to come back and try the seafood, so that's definitely happening on my next visit. Since they recently opened, expect it to be very busy. I went around 10 AM on a Tuesday morning and it was already packed. Parking in the area is pretty tight and not the greatest, but honestly, if you can make your way down there, do it. I had such a great experience that I'm already thinking about booking my mom's birthday here. Definitely recommend for the vibes, music, and overall experience. read more

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I saw this place on tik tok and had to come in to give a try. The theme gives Vaqueros and Vaqueras which is basically cowboys and cowgirls. I was honestly shocked at how much decoration and time was put into creating the atmosphere for it. It was truly beautiful inside, giving an image of an old Mexican saloon. I ordered the following below: *compadres chilaquiles = 4/5 - It came with both rojo (red) & verde (green) sauces. In addition it came with chicken, beef, beans, and potatoes. This dish alone was very fulfilling ! The only complaint i have with it was the verde sauce was very acidic and sour. Now i typically like that but man i was making faces with how sour it was. *Huevos Rancheros = 4/5 -This dish was also very amazing. The sauce was amazing, it was also fulfilling. *Birria Tacos = 4/5 - The birria was soft and flavorful. I do like how it comes with a cup of consome. The tortillas were corn and I do wish they were a little better quality. *Agua Fresca Horchata = 5/5 - I am not gunna lie I did love the horchata. And I mean cmon now look at the size of the mug it comes in ! Everything was perfect, the right amount of cinnamon, the sweetness , it was so good ! I would say they need to ease up on the ice a bit. Some important things to note is they do advertise free conchas and desserts. I really wanted to try the conchas but that is only available before 12pm. Anything after that is desserts and can vary. We had a slice of carrot cake and pastry. Please note these are free and that is a great addition to the dine in experience. I would've given this place 5 stars, but man the service was just not there. Now i typically give respect to servers because I get it , it could be busy, they may be tired and are just trying to get by the day but many times our server skipped us over to attend to other tables. He would just stare at us, walk by and wouldn't make sure if we needed some more drink refills or any additional salsa or sauces. There was a free complimentary chips , but no salsa in which we asked nicely multiple times. There were no forks at the table and asked multiple servers and were completely ignored and denied. In addition it felt neglectful that our server would literally stare at us while i was trying to ask politely to have some accommodations met. Overall the food is great, the quality and quantity of food is exceptional. The service does need some refinement. I will be coming back here again, but hopefully i get a better experience next time. read more

Cantina El Prieto - Compadres Chilaquiles and Ranchero - Seafood Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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New spot for a dinner date with my hubbby. We loved the cowboy/ vaquero theme. Great vibe & service, , nice music & yummy food. #DiningWithTheAndersons #Mariscos #ComidaMexicana #Yummers read more

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I can honestly say that the shrimp gobernador is the best I've ever had! My fish taco was also delicious. Everyone loved their meal. The shrimp tostadas were generous and fairly priced. And the service was impeccable. read more

The service was great, and the ambiance was by far the best part of the experience. It has such beautiful, cozy cantina vibes. Unfortunately, we came for the food, and that was a huge disappointment, especially considering all the glowing reviews that really hype this place up. We ordered several items so we could try a variety of dishes. They started us off with chips and salsa. The green salsa was decent, but the red salsa had almost no flavor. Even after adding salt, it didn't improve much. The agua de jamaica was also disappointing, it lacked concentration and sweetness. The pork ribs were delicious and, honestly, the only item we truly enjoyed. The beef rib, on the other hand, was very greasy and lacked flavor. The sides were another major letdown. The mac and cheese had cilantro, which was unexpected, but the biggest issue was that it had virtually no flavor at all. It honestly tasted like plain pasta, and I had been really looking forward to it. The mashed potatoes were dry, bland, and seemed to have no salt or pepper whatsoever. I'm not someone who likes overly salty food, but these had absolutely no seasoning. My husband also ordered the quesabirria, and once again, it was completely lacking in flavor. It's hard to understand how the kitchen doesn't notice how under-seasoned these dishes are, especially considering the prices are on the higher side. The consommé was bland, and the meat just wasn't very good. Our waitress was wonderful and brought us a complimentary dessert: a Greek yogurt jello and a cannoli. Hopeful that this would be good but unfortunately, we both immediately spat out the jello because it tasted like rancid milk. After that, I didn't even want to try the cannoli. I really wanted to like this place, or at least enjoy it enough to give it another chance, but I simply won't be returning. There were just too many disappointing dishes. I can understand someone coming here for the pork ribs alone and leaving a great review because those were genuinely excellent. But everything else left us with no desire to come back. This was just our experience. I'd still encourage you to try it for yourself, but based on ours, I can't recommend it. read more

Came here for brunch and honestly loved it. The cowboy-themed vibes were fun and different, and the place just had a good energy overall. We tried the huevos rancheros, mole chilaquiles, and hot cakes -- everything was really good and super flavorful. The house-made salsas were delicious and the portions were BIG, so come hungry. Nothing felt skimpy and everything tasted fresh. Great spot for a laid-back Mexican brunch in San Diego. Good food, good vibes, good service and I'd definitely come back again. read more

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Dinner at El Prieto didn't disappoint, first time trying the Birria , it came well seasoned, tender and the juice mouthwatering. The abundant tortillas warm and fresh. Two salsas red and green were excellent. I sat at the bar, very nice and comfortable, the bartender Lily spoiled me taking my drink order promptly then dinner order. Food was served quickly and they kept checking up on me asking if I needed anything else. I really like the food, the atmosphere and the friendly service. I highly recommend El Prieto for breakfast lunch or dinner ! read more

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What a cute restaurant! We ordered chicken enchiladas verde, fish tacos, birria quesotaco, and a regular birria taco. Everything was truly delicious. The service was friendly and attentive. Our dinner included two complimentary tasty dessert samples! Our waitress may have been new she did ask us the same questions twice. She'd walk away with the answer and return 4 min later and ask the same question again. She was perfectly friendly though, kinda like having Dori, from finding Nemo, as your waitress. The two minor details that kept this from being 5 stars for me: I like beans in my birria quesotaco and they only offered can sodas, a 5 star experience for me has fountain diet soda with free refills read more

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Loved my breakfast here- huevos nortenos with half n half red/green, chicken and carne over crispy tortillas so flavorful I didn't even add salsa. Beans were also good and nice texture. Cafe de olla was delicious but a splurge at $7. Free pan dulce a super nice treat in addition to the little complimentary desserts. The decor is fun and everyone was very welcoming-actually happy to be working there and genuine. Full menu available if you're wanting some variety. A can't miss spot if you are craving Mexican breakfast or an overall good meal. read more

Cantina El Prieto - Huevos nortenos - Seafood Near Me - Chula Vista, California

elprietocantina @prietoscoffee -- Not only you enjoy a delicious breakfast menu here, but you can also celebrate your birthday with a complimentary full cake! And that's not all--the restaurant offers a free dessert to every guest. Who can resist that? I definitely can't! I loved the Western-style interior; it truly makes you feel like you've stepped into another world, everybody was so friendly and welcoming there. Highly recommended! read more

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We were pleasantly surprised here First the chips came out, salsa's were okay the green tomatillo salsa was ok flavor need more The other had kick but it would be better with seafood I feel. We waited for a table it not to big but small tables And booths We were given a booth They have a bar very cute rustic feel inside With ranchero feel This server and have jeans with cowboy hats The music was play good music Great enchiladas de mole A little cream on would great, mole was on the sweeter side once I salsa it was perfect But the Chile relleno Stoled the show here!! That light tomate sauce had so much great flavor And Chile was good too. Whatever kind of cheese They have in melts so good too And beans were refried yum mmm. I ordered the Barría taco not hot in temp. But broth was good We'll be back to try more on menu Maybe breakfast :). Thank you Sharlene She was super sweet and busy read more

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First time visit. Here for breakfast as a party of 2. Courteous and attentive staff! Only a 10 minute wait with what looked like a packed house. Good vibes as soon as we walked in. We were quickly greeted by our server who served us a courtesy basket with two conchas (Mexican pastries). They were warm and soft. Definitely made in house and freshly made! Unfortunately this was the highlight of our visit. We ordered 1 regular and 1 Cafe de la Olla, huevos rancheros, 1/2 order of red menudo and one Marlin Taco. When we received our plates, I quickly noticed the stench of the menudo. Like most Mexican households, we grew up eating menudo. And the number 1 rule is to make sure it's properly cleaned before cooking. This menudo was not! For the huevos rancheros, the plate was flat. Portions were minimal. The two eggs were lost among the sauce and hardly any beans served. The marlin taco was below average. Ambiance was good. A bit loud but nothing overwhelming. I had the opportunity to flag down the "owner," I believe his name was Alberto and I politely shared my concerns about the menudo, but he didn't seem interested in offering any sort of compensation for it. Not a problem in my part. I would like to add that I requested "pata," the pigs foot in my menudo and was charged an additional $3.99 for it. Never seen this before anywhere else. Needless to say, I will not be back here as quality and portions are not worth my money. read more

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I really wanted to love this place but I just didn't like my chilaquiles at all. It just lacked so much flavor in my opinion. The staff was so amazing and kind and the service as incredibly fast. The inside of the restaurant was so pretty too. But not my fav. The Jamaica was too sweet too. read more

Cantina El Prieto - Chilaquiles with carne asada, beans and potatoes - Seafood Near Me - Chula Vista, California

I absolutely love this place, for starters the food is authentic, Mexican food, exactly like my grandmother would've made it. The customer service is excellent. Reminds me of what service is like in Tijuana. Majority of us got the small portions, which are not small at all, they really serve you a lot even on the smaller side portions. The chips and salsa to start you up are amazing. we love the red salsa. At the end of our meal, we were happily surprised that we all received a free dessert. This place deserves more than five stars. It's definitely a must oh one last thing the aguas are huge! And delicious. We went during Christmas time and it was very cute decorated the whole place is a vibe. I definitely recommend. read more

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Hubby and I visited el prietos yesterday ( 4/10/26 ). We had an AMAZING experience. Walked into a rancho style vibe eating area. Small and welcoming. I love the ambience in here everyone's dressed in a cowboy hat and boots super dope. The service was great. Food was amazing. And the plates were hooked tf up !! Really felt like being in the rancho due to the amount of food they served you !! My husband ordered a cafe de la olla and I got a lemonade. Idk if the pastries came with the coffee or if it was just a free appetizer but it went perfect with my husbands coffee. My lemonade was fire as well. I ordered the compadre chilaquiles and added an egg. Food was beautifully made. Tasted bomb also. I was so full !!! And after not finishing my plate here they come with 2 cheese cakes also on the house. I had a great experience and I enjoyed eating here next time I'm coming for mimosas !!! Muchas gracias prietos!! I will be back very soon read more

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Our server was quick and attentive. We were seated right away on a Tuesday afternoon. The chips and salsa were the best I've tried in a while (flavorful and fresh). Our food came out perfectly hot. Good lighting and the music was a good volume to have a conversation. Costillas de puerco were seasoned to my liking and not overly salty. They go big on birthdays so I definitely will go back for either my own or my boyfriend's read more

Cantina El Prieto - Costillas de puerco - Seafood Near Me - Chula Vista, California

Great place for breakfast, lunch or early dinner . Our server was very attentive as same as the Manager. Food was very tasty and delicious . Decor of the place was on point it is like Cowboy Theme. Service was fast. They have a complementary dessert so good!! It is a little pricey but it is worthy. I'll be back for brunch with my friend as for sure! read more

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(3.5/5) Stopped by around 11 a.m. on a weekday and it was the perfect time -- basically empty, so we were greeted with a big smile and seated immediately. The staff was super friendly and attentive the entire time, which made the experience even better. Food-wise, I went with the Sonora Plate and it was honestly fantastic -- everything was perfectly cooked, seasoned just right, and the portions were generous. Easily one of the better Sonoran-style plates I've had in the area. I also ordered a jamaica to drink, but it fell a little flat for me; it tasted watered-down and lacked some sugar. My husband got the Ramen de Birria, which came absolutely loaded with meat and toppings. It's definitely a rich, heavy bowl -- the birria flavor is intense (almost too much for him). I tried it and thought it was pretty tasty if you're craving something bold and comforting, but he wasn't totally sold on the ramen-birria combo. Personal taste, I guess! Overall, the food was solid (the Sonora Plate alone is worth coming back for), service was excellent, and the vibe is casual and welcoming. Minor misses on the jamaica and the ramen not clicking for everyone, but we left happy and full. Definitely recommend giving Cantina El Prieto a try, especially if you're in the mood for great Mexican flavors! read more

Cantina El Prieto - Seafood Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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Very tasty Mexican style breakfast. My chilaquiles were decent (actually found them tastier as leftovers reheated in my air fryer). Ambiance was cute with their western theme. Service was decent. My only critique is there was a party who brought their small dog into the restaurant (who was sitting in a gym bag at the feet of the owner) and the dog was constantly crying. Nobody told the customers to take the dog out. On a humane note, that poor dog should not be confined to a gym bag. And on a consideration note, that's disruptive to the other patrons to have to listen to that poor dog cry. Someone on staff should have said something to that party. read more

This place has so much charm it's full of decor and my favorite part is all the tios , tias and grandparents are there . You sit down and get free conchas . The coffee is so good and the food was really a comfort food like your eating at your grandmas table . Service was a little forgetful and slow but apologized . And the end of meal we got another free sweet treat . read more

Cantina El Prieto - Decor - Seafood Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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Ok Stop the presses !! This place is a lesson on how to do service while serving delicious Mexican food at a reasonable price. We walked into this restaurant and were greeted very warmly. Breakfast was on our minds. First we were served a warm basket of sweet bread ( pan dulce) . Then we got down to business. I'm a menudo snob ?? I like great menudo,Just like my mom would make every Sunday after church. This took me back to then . The ambiance was very ranchero. The rest of the menu was tasty because my son and daughter said so !! And that's good enough for me . My peeps you need to try this place for yourself. Oh yah I almost forgot after breakfast we we were brought a small tasting of their pastries. Free read more

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This place was fantastic! The service was above and beyond what you expect in a restaurant, attentive, happy, happy to serve servers. The vibe here is really cool, but the food is something you have to come for. We had the menudo, carne asada taco, and taco pulpo. Everything was well prepared, the menudo was very flavorful and the tripe was cooked perfectly. Both tacos were great, especially the taco pulpo. The salsa was very fresh, the pastries were an awesome start to the meal. We also had a couple of margaritas, mango for the wife, and mine was lime, really good. Overall, I have to say this place is worth a visit, get there early, there was a long wait as we were leaving. read more

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I've been seeing this place on my social media pages for a few weeks now and since I'm currently on vacation I stopped by with my son to give it a try. I want to start by commenting on the service, 100% top notch. Every member of the staff was nice, attentive, and on point. My water and coffee were never empty, and my waiter Tony was on it even though they were super busy. The decor takes me to the Rancho in Mexico, as does the food. When you sit down the table has warm pan dulce made in house waiting for you, it was delicious. My cafe de olla was good, I like mine a little on the sweet side, which this wasn't, but that's just my preference, it was still really good. The menudo passed the smell test and was brought in a really large bowl. My only critique is there was a lot of hominy and not enough meat, everything kind of swam in the broth. but the flavor was on point and the salsa they give you with it compliments it well. When you're done with your meal they also give your table complimentary desserts, which I was told are also made in house. The flan was amazing, I love flan, and my son's Oreo cheesecake was just the same. I want to try their agua frescas next time I'm there. Everyone was ordered them and, just like the pan dulce and desserts, are also made in house. Definitely coming back, highly recommend! read more

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Best birria in San Diego! Will definitely be going back. Service was great, she recommended what plates for us to try and made sure everything was meeting our expectations. read more

Today we tried the breakfast the food was good, but i wasn't too impressed with the enchiladas. They did have a ton of chicken which I liked, but there was hardly any sauce. I should have also asked for extra sour cream since mine was just for decoration. The chilaquiles were so spicy so be careful. The flavor on the red were delicious. I did enjoy the crunch. I would have preferred mine with egg since these came with meat. I'll need to come back a few more times. I should have gotten another fish taco that was so good my first time here. read more

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Went with a friend here today for the first time and what an absolute delight!!!! Cantina El Prieto has a fun and friendly atmosphere which is evident with their staff and communicated to the customers. Two birthdays occurred while we were there and the staff gathers up to parade around celebrating, singing, and delivering a cake to the celebrant. My friend and I both ordered menudo which was excellent!!! There are many other tasty menu items for future returns. We will be back to our new discovery!!! read more

Food 7/10 - not really into potatos with my enchiladas ( would have loved rice) Besides that - regarding the flavor of the enchiladas ...... mine was just ok ( i opted for the mole enchiladas) my husband however LOVED his (green sauce enchiladas ) 10/10 Good drinks 10/10 Service was good 4/10 on cost of the meal. Everything was expensive Came on my birthday - they gave 2 slices of free cake which was nice read more

Cantina El Prieto - Seafood Near Me - Chula Vista, California

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Found this place because of IG. My family and I decided to try it. Definitely was a great experience the wait wasn't long at all .. it's really cute Ranch type of vibe. They have a coffee bar and a drink bar! We had the chilaquiles chicken and carne asada in one plate I had the red sauce it came with beans and potatoes. My husband had the fajitas tacos and my daughter had bierria taco's. All for under $70 bucks ! They even gave us complementary desserts. Only reason I didn't give a 5 star is because it is really loud. read more

Cantina El Prieto - Complementary dessert ! - Seafood Near Me - Chula Vista, California

We arrived early in hopes of avoiding the crowd, but unfortunately the service was slower than we would have expected, even compared to busier times of the day. Several other tables were seated and finished before our party, and simple requests often took several minutes to be addressed. While the food itself was good, it did not quite make up for the overall service experience. Given the restaurant's 45-minute time limit, we ended up staying much longer than anticipated. That said, the ambiance was lovely, the staff were well dressed, and the theme was creative and enjoyable. Overall, the setting had great potential, but the service left us feeling disappointed. read more

This unassuming establishment literally transports you to the wild west as soon as you enter. Everything from ceiling to floor is beautifully decorated! We came for breakfast and you can tell a place is popular because there were already 2-3 other parties that got here as soon as it opened which is 8am! By 8:50AM, it was almost 95% full! This is what we ordered: -El Prieto Omelet (asada, camaron, chile california, queso, salsa chipotle and aguacate) -Huevos Rancheros -Chilaquiles Compadres (chilaquil verde y rojo con asada y pollo gratinados) -Mole Enchilada -Cafe de Olla First of all, EVERYTHING we tried is phenomenal. Before you even order, you're given a basket with delicious Mexican pastries like conchas. I'm not exaggerating when I say that was one of the best conchas ive eaten. Everything else had sooo much flavor. The service is impeccable! You'll never run out of hot coffee because they make several rounds to ensure your cup is full. Beautiful decor, amazing service, and delicious food! I am definitely coming back to this hidden gem! read more

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Great chilaquiles verdes and great chilaquiles de mole!!!! The service very good. Not to much parking read more

If you live in Chula Vista, you probably already know "Marsicos el Prieto" and their taco truck days which are still around! Their fish tacos and birria tacos have always been our absolute favorites, so when we found out they opened a full restaurant, it felt like the best news ever! The experience here is just as amazing as their food. The service truly makes you get a feel of the true Mexican service which is VERY different from American service. Just warm , welcoming, and EXTREMELY attentive. Every single staff member we encountered greeted us with a smile. In addition, the restraunt was cozy, ranch-style aesthetic. It feels authentic and inviting from the moment you walk in. One of the nicest surprises is that dessert comes with your meal, which makes the dining experience feel even more special. And if you're looking to sip on something refreshing, don't leave without trying their Jamaica mezcal mixed drink or their micheladas because they're just as authentic and flavorful as you'd find across the border. The only downside? The place is popular, so the line is often out the door. My advice: don't come starving, but do come ready to wait -- it's worth every minute. Luckily, there's plenty of seating in the waiting area. Side note: Even the restrooms are spotless and an experience on its own (always a plus!). Parking can be a bit tricky, but you can usually find a spot along the main street if the lot is full. All in all, Cantina El Prieto has captured everything we loved about their taco truck and elevated it into a full, authentic dining experience. Highly recommended! read more

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I visited Cantina El Prieto with my family and overall had a nice experience. I ordered the birria, my daughter tried the birria ramen, and my husband went with the Compadres chilaquiles. My food and my daughter's were really good, definitely tasty and flavorful. My husband's chilaquiles, unfortunately, weren't great, though the beans on his plate were delicious, so at least something salvaged the dish. The vibes of the place are great! I personally love a Western-style aesthetic, and the look and feel of the cantina hit the mark. The space is a bit small, a little dark, and could use more ventilation, but it's busy and lively in a good way. What really stood out was the staff-all amazing, super friendly, and always smiling, which instantly makes you feel welcome. They were very attentive and even surprised us with complimentary desserts, which were not only cute but also delicious. Overall, a mostly positive experience with great food (though some dishes hit better than others), a cozy atmosphere, and fantastic service. read more

Great experience overall... food was delicious, ambience was fun, place is nicely decorated, lots of details... service was amazing, everyone was so friendly and attentive... dessert was on the house which was a huge plus... definitely coming back read more

Cantina El Prieto - Chilaquiles compadres - Seafood Near Me - Chula Vista, California

This place is such a great place to eat!! We went for Breakfast & we got "free" pan dulce with our coffee & dessert!!! Who does that anymore!! The servers were super nice & knowledgeable about the menu!! We had the Machaca & Chilaquiles with carne asada!! Super good. Also I would recommend this place for a birthday, the servers play some Mexican style birthday music & get this, they bring a small cake to your table, singing & dancing the whole way. The small cake is also free !! At Least when we went, we have returned several times!! Totally recommend!!! read more

The food portions are great and the birria is my favorite!! The drinks are also generous. read more

10/10 Experience! Everything was exceptional from the moment we arrived to the moment we left. The level of customer service was outstanding--every staff member who stopped by our table was attentive, welcoming, and professional. I can honestly say I have never left a restaurant feeling so satisfied. We were greeted with fresh pan dulce and café de olla, which was a thoughtful and delicious way to start our meal. We ordered the enchiladas verdes, chilaquiles, hot cakes, and a limonada mineral, and every dish was beautifully prepared and full of flavor. To top it off, we were generously treated to two complimentary dessert samples, which were just as impressive as the rest of the meal. There was not a single detail to critique--every item we tried was absolutely delicious. Thank you so much to every single employee, I highly recommend this restaurant and look forward to returning. read more

Parking for this place is a bit weird and limited, but once we went inside, everything changed. The host was very welcoming, and we were seated right away. They brought out some sweet bread to start--delicious! We ordered enchiladas de mole with chicken, rice, and beans on the side. All I can say is this is one of the best moles I've had so far--not sweet, not sour, with just the right touch of spice. The beans were really good, and the rice was okay. My daughter ordered chilaquiles verdes with beans and potatoes, and she really liked them. My mom had the enchiladas verdes, which were also very good--the green sauce wasn't sour like it usually is at other places. For the little one, we ordered hotcakes. She usually doesn't eat much when we go out, but she finished everything this time. At the end, they brought out desserts, and OMG--that alone made me want to come back. I will definitely be returning soon. Highly recommend. The place is clean and spacious. The only downside is that the music is a bit loud--you can barely hear the person across from you. read more

The customer service is great, they are very attentive to your requests, it is a very peaceful environment and the food was Delicious! We came for the 1st time and had Marlin and Governador Tacos, they were THE BEST tacos we've had in a long time we are definitely coming back just for that alone. The Micheladas were a FAIL, but the food made up for it big time. Despite that failed drinks we would still. One back 100% for the food! read more