Absolutely delish! We were in the area to do a little shopping and was looking for a little bite to eat! I'm so happy we found this place! Highly recommend the Michelada! In the top 10 of the best I've had yet! Needed to order another! My husband got the Fried Quesadilla!! A must! We've never had anything like it before! Crispy & fresh! The homemade salsa is to die for. I got the 3 tacos! Al pastor, birria, chicken! All 3 were amazing! We'll definately be back when we're in the area again! read more

Food is amazing! Totally worthy of 5 stars without hesitation! Inside is small, well decorated, full stacked bar, TV, a few bar stools & a few tables. They have a large patio in the back for out door seating as well. We had the best homemade huge corn tortilla quesadilla. I highly recommend it! Their chips & salsa were totally worth the $8.75 we were charged for them. I took off a star for the front staff. Major attitudes. Not sure if they were mad, we were sharing a dish & not drinking. But we were just trying it out because we were going to buy lunch to go for my cousins. We sure would have bought a lot, because their food was EXCELLENT. Both our losses. I paid cash for my $25 bill. I left them a $10 tip in hopes they will be more pleasant toward other customers. read more

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First time here and really enjoyed it!! The michelada was on point, the mulita y consomé were full of flavor, and the homemade tortillas were excellent. Had to take some to go for dinner too. Great service, amazing food, and a really good atmosphere. Definitely coming back to try more things on the menu. read more

Great location. Extremely friendly staff. Nice inner restaurant area with a bar you can also sit at as well as a lovely outdoor seating area that has nice lighting. Definitely a place you want to hang out at long after you've devoured these amazing entrees! I recommend the Torta Whateva, incredible! The chorizo, the tender steak, the frijoles, and all of these amazing ingredients and flavors had me eagerly awaiting for my stomach to have room for the other half. Thank you I'll be back! read more

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Looked for a place to have a bite before a concert and stumbled upon this gem. Ridiculously delicious, fresh and authentic. I had the quesabirria tacos and they were the best I've eaten. Consommé was rich and flavorful, and the birria (among other things like homemade tortillas) ) are lovingly prepared by the server's/owner Francisco's mom, Maria. We shared the fried quesadilla only because we laughed about the idea of it--sounded like a taco. lol sort of, but it was so much more, using one of the thick homemade tortillas gave it a great crispy/chewy texture and it was stuffed full of deliciousness. Honestly I'd make the hour long drive to come back to Concord to eat here again even if have nothing else to do in Concord, it's that good. read more

Free chips and salsa that are tasty. All the tacos were really good! We tried the Al pastor, tinga, chicharrón, and quesabirrias. The birria and broth was REALLY good, as were the Al pastor and chicharrón tacos. I expected the chicharrón tacos to be a dry/crunchy meat as chicharron usually is, but I was pleasantly surprised when it came out nicely seasoned and cooked with some sort of sauce? Also really liked the pickled onion they serve on the side and the homemade tortillas really gave the tacos a home made taste. read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Pastor and chicharrón tacos - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

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I am so impressed by this little restaurant! We came on a weekday and it was pretty busy. The team was so attentive and answered all our Qs about the menu. I like that it's a very short menu for their dinner options! There's actually a pretty long breakfast menu so definitely something I want to check out in the future. The birria tacos and torta we got were incredible! There's a decent amount of indoor or outdoor seating on their covered patio. My only little complaint is the fire pit thing (?) in the center of some of the outdoor tables that takes up so much room - maybe it would be worth it to have a different set up/layout. With so many choices of Mexican restaurants in Concord, this is such a great addition and probably one of the best! read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Birria tacos and torta - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

This family owned small business has amazing food, drinks, and service every time. Everything is homemade, and you can really taste the difference. The staff and owner make you feel like part of the family the second you walk in, which makes the whole experience even better. Service is always quick and attentive, and the restaurant and patio are both comfortable, welcoming, and beautifully put together. It has the kind of atmosphere where you actually want to sit, relax, and stay awhile. They also have fun music and sometimes live music! The torta is absolutely amazing and one of my favorites, but honestly, everything on the menu is so good it is hard to choose because whatever you order ends up being delicious. The margaritas are also great and made with fresh lime juice, which makes a huge difference. Definitely one of those places you keep coming back to. read more

Really great spot. Handmade tortillas. Everything we ordered was delicious. Loved the salsas and totally homemade. The mango Fresca was refreshing. Service was wonderful. They put together a table for 5 for us very quickly. Will totally come back when in the area. read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

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I had a three taco sampler. Hand made tortillas, great flavor meat and fish that will transport you to coastal Mexico. Everybody that works here is friendly and great, and it's a family business. I can't recommend it highly enough. read more

Came for the Fish Tacos but they are a Friday ONLY special. The inside is super small with just a couple of tables (5) but they have outside seating. However, this is my 2nd time here now and it's the second time I felt compelled to write a review. i got the FRIED QUESADILLA with grilled chicken and it was amazing! It's not greasy like you might assume. It's nicely proportioned with the other ingredients, lettuce, tomato, meat, crema & cotija. Nice size and price at $9, and has a great cheese pull! It comes with green salsa & pickled red onions on the side. The shell is made fresh. A must try. I wanted to come for the chilaquiles earlier but didn't make it. Breakfast stops at 2p but I will be back! Oh, and the service is great. One of those "be right with you", "is everything ok?" kinda places. read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

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Finally got to try Cocina Hijole Maria, and this place lived up to the expectations! The restaurant is located on Colfax Street. It is small, but they have a lovely patio. During the summer, it would be perfect to spend summer nights. It was busy and we had to wait a little bit to get seated. The staff was very attentive and checked on us frequently while we waited. They also checked on us several times during our dinner and kept bringing us refills. They were amazing! There were a lot of people inside, the music was great, and the atmosphere was fantastic. Now for the food, these were some of the best tacos I've ever had! Everything tastes very homemade and authentic. This is not a regular Mexican restaurant. The menu is small, but every dish is exceptional. -I ordered the 3 street tacos dish 5/5: pastor, asada, and fish tacos. The fish taco was my favorite but the flavor on the pastor and asada steak was also delicious! My husband had the same dish with the same tacos and he loved them! Each taco has a lot of meat, and we were very full after finishing them. -We also shared an Asada Mulita 4/5, and this was good, but the best were the tacos. It was a bit heavy for us but we were also very full by the time we ate it. It comes with two tortillas, cheese, meat, cilantro, and onions. -Guac, Salsa, and chips 5/5: delicious and homemade! The salsa and chips are complimentary. The salsa tastes fresh and tasty, and the chips are freshly made. We ordered the guac on the side and it was very flavorful. We also had the guac with our tacos. -Agua Frescas 5/5: horchata and watermelon. Both have lots of flavor, are not too sweet, and are very refreshing. Several people had cocktails and I would love to come back to try them. Overall, the experience and the food were extraordinary. I am very excited to have this place in Concord. Give them a try if you are in the area. You won't be disappointed! read more

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I was a little late to discovering this place, but honestly better late than never. I ordered the Muletas and ended up having three because they were that good. I tried the chorizo, chicken tinga, and al pastor, all paired with delicious beans and rice. Everything was so well done. The service really stood out. Even on a busy Saturday night with limited staff, the team was incredibly prompt, attentive, and genuinely caring. You can tell they work really well together, which made the whole experience even better. I sat outside with a large group, and the space was roomy and comfortable--perfect for a night out. The menu might be small, but every item is executed so well, it doesn't need to be big. Also, the drinks were amazing. The house-made RumChata and Palomas were absolutely delicious. I can't wait to come back. Plus, it's a small, family-owned business, so definitely show them some love! read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Mulitas - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

Service was great but food didn't stand out and therefore wasn't worth the price. But I think it could be a nice place to meet and hang out. I don't drink so idk how that is read more

Fantastic family run resturaunt. Mom cooks, son was mixing cocktails. You can tell! Mu quesabierra was really tasty. I would come back for these. The other order was their unusual but really tasty and satisfying fried quesidia. My Aztec Old Fashioned was great. We will be back! read more

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The best thing about this place was the entrees: the quesabirrias and torta were very good. Unfortunately, the rice and beans were bland and super small portions. Salsa and beans were watery. The price was on the expensive side for Mexican food which unfortunately makes you search for better quality or portions which this place lacked. Servers were very nice and patio is a vibe. I think lots of people came to just drink and chill which this place seems well set up for. If I have a very specific craving I'll come back, but it won't be on my list of faves for rotation. read more

The best Mexican food and drinks around this area. Amazing shrimp tacos on Saturdays ! read more

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I just had dinner at Cocina Hijole Maria in Concord and it was one of the best restaurant experiences I've had in a long time. Before I even walked in, Chris greeted me outside and took the time to explain the story behind the restaurant. He shared that it was opened by a mother and son who are the chefs, and that everything is made from their own family recipes. His kindness, enthusiasm, and willingness to answer questions immediately made me feel welcome. The restaurant itself has a warm, inviting atmosphere. Both the indoor and outdoor seating areas feel comfortable and welcoming, almost like you're being invited into someone's home. The location is great too, just steps from Todos Santos Plaza. After a long day working out of town, sitting outside with the soccer game on was exactly what I needed. The food was exceptional. I ordered two crispy chicken tinga tacos, a lightly fried fish taco, a side of spicy jalapeños, fresh guacamole made to order, and their homemade masa tortillas were outstanding. You can taste the difference when food is made from scratch. The Peruvian beans were creamy and flavorful, the rice was perfectly cooked, and every bite tasted like someone genuinely cared about what they were serving. The chips were thick and crispy, served with their house salsa. I also tried their spicy house salsa and an incredible salsa made with seven different chiles and other ingredients that was absolutely mouthwatering. To drink, I ordered their spicy mezcal margarita, made from a house recipe infused with honey, fruit, and jalapeño. It was balanced, flavorful, and one of the best mezcal cocktails I've had. The best way I can describe the experience is this: remember when Julia Child became emotional tasting Nancy Silverton's dessert on Baking with Julia because it was so good? That's honestly how I felt eating this food. Not because it was fancy, but because everything tasted homemade, authentic, and crafted with care. The secret ingredient here is love. If you're looking for delicious homemade Mexican food, a welcoming family atmosphere, and people who truly care about what they're serving, Cocina Hijole Maria is absolutely worth a visit. read more

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Our group left service was bad this time around. We let them know of our group and no one came out. We went in 3x asking for order or at least water. The last time we checked in no one was inside the restaurant (no workers). That was our signal to go. Sad our first visit was great not sure what happened. read more

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Stopped in after shopping at the mall for a quick dinner and was pleasantly surprised. The small but mighty restaurant was packed on a Sunday evening with most patrons sitting at the bar. The server kindly explained the menu options to use and provided complimentary chips and salsa which we happily ate up. -Horchata: my fave horchata consistency which is sweet but not overwhelmingly so, creamy, and you can taste hints of the rice. -Combo torta: this came was a bunch of toppings I can't remember including chorizo. Bread was good. It was also huge. We enjoyed it and took half home. -Chicken Tinga fried quesadilla: I really liked this! Super flavorful and the corn tortilla was handmade and had the perfect crunch since it's deep fried unlike your traditional quesadilla. It was also a generous portion. Their salsas are really good too. I hope you expand soon because it was a full house but for good reason. Next time, I'll try the cocktails. read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Combo torta - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

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The worst experience I've ever had. When you arrive at a place that serves food, the first thing you expect is good service; the woman who waited on us was very rude to me and my children! The food was overpriced for what was offered! The atmosphere was incredibly tense because the waitress seemed angry with us. The table was disgusting; she served my dish without offering a fork, a spoon, or anything of the sort! I definitely do not recommend it. read more

Food was great, ordered fish tacos & al pastor tacos, tortillas taste homemade. Salsas also taste good and homemade. Service was good, was greeted as soon as we walked in. And the Atmosphere is relaxed and cool inside. read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Al pastor tacos - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

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This place is the real deal! Not a large menu but they don't need it when the dishes are done so well. I enjoyed the mole chicken enchiladas and the Hijole Pineapple margarita. Fantastic combination of spicy and sweet. Chips and salsa are homemade. The service is amazing. It's a cozy space but it works. Make this one place in the area you frequent read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

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Food is amazing Service is great for the most part, but can get a bit crowded and busy so there may be longer waits depending. I love ordering the shrimp and fish fried tacos- they're my favorite on the weekends. The quesadilla frita is pretty good as well and the drinks are delicious. read more

We came in for dinner on a weeknight and were immediately greeted by one of the staff who was running an order to the patio. We all ordered something different: birria tacos, chicken and asada street tacos, fried quesadilla and the special for the evening--lightly breaded and fried sea bass with rice and salad. We all enjoyed our meals and the flavors were great. The menu is small but I think that speaks to their specialty--everything was so well done. I love that their menu told their story. Couple with the warm service and cozy ambiance, dining here felt like an extension of their home and family. I will be back for fish and shrimp tacos! read more

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Visited Cocina Hijole Maria twice now for a work outing. Small menu-- which I really appreciated. The handmade/homemade tortillas are amazing. My favorite is probably the pastor tacos. The carne asada was just ok. The pickled onions and radish they serve on the side and the chips and salsa are a great addition to your meal! This place is small and family owned and the service is great. Will definitely be back. Ps, on Tuesdays they have a Taco Tuesday special- 3 tacos for $10 (usually $16.50) read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

Super good food and friendly owner and atmosphere. Mexican breakfasts are some of my favorite meals and this place serves until 2pm. Owner was also very involved with the day to day and such a kind genuine guy. These flavors really taste like your in someone home. Can't wait to return read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

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I know a lot of other Yelpers like the small menu but I prefer more options. The quesadilla sounded good but looking at the pictures on Yelp, it was a pass. We could not find an appetizer to share (there are none) so we shared the 3 tacos, which were delicious! The Hijole margaritas were super yummy. We each had 2. We didn't stay for dinner because I didn't see anything else I wanted. I could see coming here for happy hour for the $5 tacos and drinks, or for Taco Tuesday's 3 for $10 tacos and having the margaritas. For a dinner out though, not for me. It's a very small inside (only a handful of tables, which were full) so we sat outside. It was a scorching night, over 90 degrees, and all the tables in the shade were taken. So we sat in half shade, another couple behind us just left because the lack of acceptable seating. I was sweating the whole time. Since most of the seating is outside, I hope they plan to add heaters in the winters and fans, more shade or misters in the summer. There was only 1 waiter for both inside and outside and he was nice, attentive and great all around. The chips and salsa were also good and we got refills of those. read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Chicken Tinga tacos - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

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Went for a walk and came up on this while heading downtown. Small inside with a great outdoor area. Smaller menu which I like and all tortillas were homemade - which is the only way to go. I got the three street tacos (birria, al pastor, and asada) and my wife got a quesadilla. The al pastor took the show for me. Will definitely be going back here for brunch and happy hour! read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Three Street Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

The lovely service is what bumped this up to 3 stars. I'm wondering if I just ordered the wrong thing. I got the quesadilla al pastor. It was appealing to the eye but had zero flavor- like, none. I was so disappointed because I wanted to like it. The salsa that came with the free chips/salsa was a bit watered down. Can't say I would return. read more

The blandest super burrito I've ever had. I never write reviews and am typically satisfied with burritos, but this time, it genuinely tasted like nothing wrapped in tortilla. Not even their spicy salsa could save it. I think this place is known for their birria options (they look tasty!) but maybe they need to put focus on the rest of the menu. The rice in the burrito tasted like nothing despite being bright orange, the meat did not taste seasoned, and maybe it's just me, but a super burrito without guacamole being $16.50 is crazy. I'm sure they're rated highly on Yelp and Google because of the birria options, but being rated as the best Mexican restaurant in Concord doesn't feel right. I genuinely hope I just went on a day that wasn't its best, but I don't see myself giving this place another shot, especially after not even finishing a burrito with 75% rice. No issues with service though! read more

Wow! It's really hard to find good Chilaquiles (at a fair price) that have a well rounded homemade sauce beautifully balanced with a crispy tortilla and traditional dressings. Cocina Hijole Maria kills it! Their cafe de olla is also well balanced and a delicious treat. This family run business is quaint and very cozy. Their food, service and atmosphere are all the perfect vibe for enjoying your meal (indoors or on their outdoor patio). The chef (Maria) & her children have really created something special in this unassuming corner of Concord. I can't wait to come back & share this gem with anyone looking for something special in the neighborhood! read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Chilaquiles with egg - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

We ordered Pozole and a Torta. The torta was huge and very delicious. The pozole was so flavorful and came with additional mix-ins. The inside is quaint with a few tables and several seats at the bar. I'm sure, during the summer, the patio seating gets full. The service is excellent! You definitely feel the family vibe and once you start eating you get a real taste of Maria's talents. read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Pozole was so amazing and authentic! The beautiful cup held my coffee with special cinnamon and brown sugar. - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

Rolled in on a fantastic Saturday afternoon and had a great time. Sat outside on the patio and the shade canopy was perfect. The family that own the joint is super friendly and cares about the product that they produce. Quesabirria tacos were very flavorful, nice crunch. Wife thought they were a bit spicy but I didnt get any of that. The 3 taco dish was great. In house made shells were super tasty. We mixed it up with 3 different tacos. Chicken was very mellow, pork was tender and flavorful as was the beef. Overall, a great experience. Menu doesnt have 1000 items like some places but we definitely will be back to try more items! read more

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We've been coming here for a while now, and it never disappoints! The fried quesadilla and fish tacos are absolutely to die for -- crispy, flavorful, and always hit the spot. And let's talk about the drinks -- Francisco is a master behind the bar! Every cocktail he makes is so good. You can tell he puts a lot of care into making them just right. If you haven't been, do yourself a favor and go. Great food, great vibes, and amazing service every time. read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Drinks by Francisco - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

I was craving chicken pozole verde and I found the best one I have tasted besides my mother's and the one I eat when I go to Mexico. This had cooked dried white and red kernels, not canned hominy. And you tasted the fresh tomatillos and lots of stewed chicken. It also came with all the fixings to place into the delicious bowl of pozole. I also had cafe de olla (a traditional Mexican coffee brewed with spices) which was not too sweet like most places make it. read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Cafe de olla and chicken pozole verde with the fixings - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

Cute place.. nice service .. my quesabirria tacos were amazing... I would totally go back and maybe watch a soccer match or listen to live music. That would be perfect... read more

This is such a local gem with a great story. Check them out so the owner/ bartender Francisco can tell you about it. Their food had so much great flavor, you can taste the love in each bite. Their homemade tortillas were the best compliment to the fish and birria tacos. Full bar and homemade agua frescas. Service is equally amazing! The staff are so attentive and personable makes you feel like your family. They have a small handful of tables/chairs inside but have additional seating outside, their outdoor patio is a vibe! Oh and their sister makes desserts, her flan was the perfect finisher to our amazing meal. read more

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I continue to love this place. I want to reiterate: nothing is fancy. But it is all fresh, delicious, and full of love. This tiny space will remind you why it is we as humans long to connect with one another. The service is friendly. You WILL be treated like you are supposed to be there. This little place reminds me that people are good. And these days, that feeling is really important. read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Double margarita, chips, salsa. Plant. :-) - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

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What a fantastic find! This cozy Mexican spot completely won me over. It's a bit of a hidden gem--small inside with a real hole-in-the-wall vibe--but they've got a patio that's perfect for summer nights. I heard they're even planning to bring in acoustic music out there soon, which is sure to make it an even hotter spot! Francisco, the owner, is incredibly warm and welcoming, and the bartender Chris was just as great. You instantly feel like part of the family. Speaking of family--Francisco's mom is the chef, and let me tell you, she can cook! The food felt like it came straight from someone's home kitchen--authentic, flavorful, and made with love. The prices are super fair, and the overall vibe is inviting and laid-back. If I had one tiny suggestion, it'd be to go a little lighter on the ice in the drinks. After four margaritas, we still felt pretty sober--so it'd be awesome to get a little more kick for your cocktail dollar. That said, I'm already ready for my next visit. I can't wait to bring friends and work my way through the rest of the menu! read more

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