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

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

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

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

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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 - Breakfast & Brunch 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

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 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Concord, California

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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

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 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Concord, California

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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 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Concord, California

Best Mexican I have had in the entire area. Very friendly family too. Excellently prepared food with pride, passion and love. Great specials - great drinks. 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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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 - Breakfast & Brunch 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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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 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Concord, California

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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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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

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

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 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Concord, California

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Food was amazing. Service was bad. If you seat inside like we did they don't really check on you. We had to continue shouting at them to look at us. Drink where great. They CHARGE for REFILLS on CHIPS. Crazy!!! But if you only care about food then it was great. read more

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 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Concord, California

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 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 - Breakfast & Brunch 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 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Concord, California

Food is bland and limited options, service is decent, but the workers are kind and ambiance is nice

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. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Concord, California

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 - Breakfast & Brunch 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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I don't write reviews often, but this place deserves it. Everything is made fresh, and you can taste the difference. The mom cooks everything from scratch, the salsa is homemade, and even the tortilla chips are freshly fried from tortillas made daily. The mango margarita is legit--made with real mango, not a mix. Service is five stars--everyone is friendly and makes you feel welcome. I have to mention the Friday fish tacos--I don't even like fish tacos, but these are amazing. And don't skip dessert--everything is homemade and absolutely worth it. The outdoor seating is another highlight--great ambiance with shaded seating in the evening and small fire pits at each table that make it a really comfortable, relaxed spot to hang out. Highly recommend this place. read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Homemade churro cheesecake - Breakfast & Brunch 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 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Concord, California

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. :-) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Concord, California

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This was my second time having lunch here and it was amazing! The pozole, made by mama Maria, is served with cabbage, onion, herbs, spices, ... that you add to the soup. It's also served with a cheese taquito, chicharrones, and a stuffed pepper. Hubby had the tacos trio. The traditional margaritas are perfectly crafted, with fresh lime juice. The family that runs the restaurant is so welcoming, offering excellent service. The place is cozy and can be noisy with festive music playing. The outdoor seating might be less noisy. read more

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Hands down, absolutely the best Mexican food around. Period family owned and operated.

Everything is 5 stars!!! The SERVICE, the FOOD, the AMBIANCE!!! We sat outside under the covered patio and had their Friday happy hour mango margaritas, fish tacos(Just WOW!), fried quesadilla, and tacos. All amazing and delicious! Highly recommend this place! The owners and staff are super attentive and their service is 110%! read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Drink menu front side. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Concord, California

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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Cocina Hijole Maria is one of my wife and I's favorite spots. We especially love going on Taco Tuesday you can't beat the deal: 3 tacos for $10 with homemade tortillas, and $6 beers. Great food, great prices, and always a good vibe. Definitely one of the best deals in town read more

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I honestly don't know how this place isn't more busy and packed every weekend. Their food is soooo good. Their chilaquiles are my favorite!! I'm picky about my chilaquiles, but I drive 30 minutes just for them here. Service is always so welcoming and they have an outdoor patio area as well. It can be pricey, but it is definitely worth it. Everything tastes homemade and I always overhear people leaving satisfied. 10/10!!! read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Chilaquiles rojos with egg - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Concord, California

We stopped here after shopping at Sun Valley Mall. It's a small place with indoor and outdoor dining. Nice decor with a small bar and a TV on the wall. Music was playing in the background. The staff was super friendly and attentive. They took our drink order and brought us chips and salsa right away. I wish the salsa had a little kick to it. It was really mild, but delicious. I ordered the 3 street tacos with 1 asada, l chicken, and one pastor. All were great, but the chicken was my favorite. My wife ordered two mulitas, 1 chicken and 1 asada. The chicken mulita was her favorite. The homemade corn tortillas were also delicious. We'll be back. read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - I was hungry so I ate one of the tacos before taking the picture. The chicken was my favorite. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Concord, California