Food: ALL fn Delicious ! Authentic too I like to go on Friday/Saturdays when they have their fish tacos on Fridays and shrimp tacos on Saturdays . Price: Slightly higher side (not overpriced tho) but definitely WORTH it for the quality, flavor and portions! Vibe: Hella Chill and feels like I'm at home with family. Service is great and they recognize you by name even, I always feel welcome. I highly recommend this small family owned business. They are also very highly rated on Yelp and were highlighted as one of the top taco spots in the country. read more

Cocina Hijole Maria - Fish taco - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

Cocina Hijole Maria is located at a spot off Colfax in Concord Downtown adjacent area, is a pretty well known spot for restaurants as this particular location has changed quite a few times over the years. One of the earliest spots was a sushi place, but since then have been basically South American cuisine in all the follow-up versions prior to this current form. Was here on a Tuesday around the corner waiting for something else to finish so I decided to pop in to try them out as I had not yet. The place is pretty small, but that's been true ever since its earliest form as a restaurant here. What is different now compared to its original form way back when is that there is a place to sit next to the restaurant now, which previous places kind had, but were not committed to it, while this place seems to be committed to it so that's a plus. Service was okay for the most part. Wasn't good, wasn't bad. Just was. They were certainly much more focused with the people at the counter they were chatting with than to me, but it's fine I just wanted food that day so sort of worked out. Prices of everything was alright. Considering that there's a huge amount of options in this area just a walk away, or a 2-3 min drive away, it's definitely not cheaper than those other spots. So how's the food? Honestly, it was incredibly mid, and really tried to give it as much of a benefit of a doubt as I could, but these were not tasty tacos at all. The chicken was chewy, tasted funny, and just not good. The other tacos were just okay, at least they didn't taste like they were on the line of something going on with the meat, but just not flavorful enough, and really bland for tacos. Even the one with all the visually cool pickled garnishes was a disappointment. Honestly, not sure I would ever go back again, it just wasn't it for me as again, there's so many more places in this area that will serve similar cuisines, including the birria aspect of it, that you don't have to just go to this one spot for it. 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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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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Great Food, Wonderful Service, Family owned & operated establishment. A great place to either eat there or take out. 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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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 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

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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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

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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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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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

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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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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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

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

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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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

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

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The food is so fresh. The staff is eager and helpful and rightfully proud of the experience they have assembled for you. The tortillas are so great. We sat outside which seems such a rare treat with great ambiance. read more

In town for Sam's Club this past Saturday. We decided to stop somewhere for lunch. Chose this place over Cantina Jacks due to reviews. It was a little after 12 and had a handful of patrons. The restaurant is pretty small so outdoor seating is a must. We received mixed communication regarding the menu from two different people. That was the first mishap. I received a glass of water that was filthy. Obvious dried crusted food at the rim. I ordered the deep fried chicken tinga quesadilla combo with rice and beans. My boyfriend originally ordered the sopes because that's what we were told by the person that sat us. Had to settle for the 3 taco combo with rice and beans due to miscommunication with the staff. Our food came and we waited thinking they're bringing utensils since there were no place settings. Nope! We had to flag someone down and ask for utensils. They made us feel like it was a huge ask with their body language and death stare! Mind you, they were not busy for a Sunday during peak lunch time. As for the food, everything is extremely bland. Catered toward the American palette. Service was lacking and the only person that showed any congeniality was someone working the interior restaurant that handed us the bill. We won't be back. read more

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

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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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

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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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

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

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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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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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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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. - Mexican Near Me - Concord, California

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

Lots of memories of coming here as it was previously La Fritanguera. It's a great setup indoors, they are still playing some Salsa classics on their playlists and the food is awesome. What sets this restaurant apart is the personal touch and care put into the food prep. Maria and Francisco, the mother/son duo, have got a great thing going. The tacos al pastor were perfectly seasoned and the tortillas were so fresh and soft. It was the perfect bite. The mulita with tingas meat was also delicious. Will be back on the weekend soon to try their posole and menudo specials. read more

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