Excellent food and service! We came after a long day hiking at Yosemite and we were all tired and hungry. Glad to have stumbled upon this little gem. Very authentic, fresh and not too heavy. read more

When traveling through Mariposa... Don Rueben's. We blew a tire so leaving Yosemite took longer then we thought. We were starving by the time we reached Mariposa. Don Rueben's was the perfect stop! Cute little place! Great service and super fast! I enjoyed the grilled fish tacos spicy style! The chicken burrito was full of juicy shredded chicken. The carnitas plate was delish! Great rice and beans! I would def make this a stop on the way up or down next time! read more

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We visited for lunch after leaving Yosemite Valley. If you've been, you know there isn't good food in the park, so we were excited for a real restaurant. We did have a large party of 11, and there were a couple of other tables. I'm sure this made it more difficult for the waitress-- she forgot some of our requests and orders, and we had to flag down others for help. As for the food, it's decent. I ordered the chimichanga but expected it to be topped with vegetables. Nonetheless, it was very large and worth the price. read more

Don Rubens Restaurant - Chimichanga Asada Plate - Mexican Near Me - Mariposa, California

One of our last dinners in Mariposa, we thought it was time for a good ol' neighborhood Mexican spot. We got seated close to the end of the night. I was craving something cold, so got a fresa popsicle. Sooo flavorful!! The horchata was also lovely, and 3 other teammates ordered the same. The chimichanga was good, but I didn't really like that it was fried. Service was great, especially when I needed a box later on! read more

Don Rubens Restaurant - Horchata, Strawberry Fresa Popsicle, Chimichanga - Mexican Near Me - Mariposa, California

We stopped by this cute Mexican restaurant, nestled in an old fashioned western town, on our return trip from Yosemite. We were pleasantly surprised by Don Ruben's Restaurant and wish it was closer to us so we could return! We ordered a Colorado Supreme Burrito and a Carne Asada. The food was so fresh and flavorful and the portions were huge. My burrito was especially juicy. The Carne asada came with rice, beans, guacamole, cheese, and corn or flour tortillas. The meat was cooked perfectly and had a nice char. I also ordered a michelada with corona (my first one ever) which I thoroughly enjoyed. The service was friendly and the food was served quickly, which was very important to us given we had a long drive from Yosemite back to San Jose. Definitely would recommend this place and will keep it in mind if we ever return to the area! read more

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Very authentic fresh food. Loved the chips and salsa. Great service and good vibes and ambiance! read more

Don Rubens Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Mariposa, California

Don Reuben's just became one of my new favorite sit-down Mexican restaurants in Mariposa -- and not just because I left full and spiritually fulfilled. Let's talk about the al pastor tacos: flavorful, juicy, and seasoned like someone's abuela put her whole soul into them. If tacos had a Hall of Fame, these would be enshrined with a little sombrero and a spotlight. The service? Warm, welcoming, and impressively fast -- the kind of place where you feel like a regular by your second visit. And the ambience hits just right: colorful, festive, and full of good energy without going full mariachi band in your face. It's casual comfort with a splash of "we actually care." Don Reuben's is Mariposa's low-key taco gem. Great food, great vibe, and totally worth becoming a repeat offender. 10/10 would recommend (and already did). read more

Don Rubens Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Mariposa, California

Horrible. Just ordered a a double meat burrito. I expected a heavy burrito full of meat. Especially after being charged $4 extra. And no I got a super small regular serving of meat. When I went back to question the weight and size of the burrito. The front hostess said, "that's how it feels when you order a burrito without beans and rice. read more

Don Rubens Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Mariposa, California

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This hit the spot! Staff was friendly, food came out quick, and everything was delicious! We loved the chips and salsa and would have happily paid extra to order more, but we didn't want to fill up too fast! Kind of a small place, but plenty of seating. Easy street parking nearby in what looks to be a very walkable area. read more

Don Rubens Restaurant - Interior - Mexican Near Me - Mariposa, California

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Amazing food. Quality of food is great. Will come back again. Place is also clean and spacious

Great service and good food that tasted fresh. Had a good time there and enjoyed the atmosphere

We want to the Mariposa Butterfly festival. When we left the fairgrounds we ventured into Mariposa. What better food to eat the day before Cinco de Mayo but Mexican. Chips and salsa came out very quickly plus drinks. Pilar made suggestions and told us the "hot" scale for the restaurant. Hubby said he wanted hot chilaquiles. When they brought them out, he tasted and said they were white boy hot. Kinda funny coming from my white boy hubby. He likes reaper pepper hot! He also had the chile relleno. I had the taquitos. The food was demolished. It was really good. When we come to more stuff out they way, I'm sure we will pay another visit to this place. Come enjoy the food, drinks and music while you admire the decor. Some of the table tops are an actual slab of wood. Really cool of you ask me! read more

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Random ran across Don Rubens after a visit to the fairgrounds. It is right in the heart of Maricopa right on the main strip. Cute building, standard Mexican style decor with a few unique photos on the walls. Most of the tables look to be slab wood tables, very nice look to them. I was a little disappointed that we got one of the few tables that are your standard restaurant/diner tables. My disappointment ended when I saw one of my absolute favorite Mexican breakfast items on the menu. Chiliqulias! I asked for them spicy, and not like tapitio spicy, but hot like habenero or hotter make you sweat hot. I was told that the hot was indeed hot, and if it wasn't hot enough, they'd bring me extra sauce. Definitely not as hot as I had hoped, more like a mild jalapeño hot. It was very tasty, though. I really enjoyed them. I did find having potatoes instead of Mexican rice with them a little different. The Chile relleno was really good! Perfect combo of cheese, sauce, and egg battered goodness! Wifey had the taquitos and thoroughly enjoyed them. Our waitress Pilar was great! Had a smile on her face for the entire time we were there. read more

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everyone was super very nice and prices were also well priced! such a cute restaurant i got the regular burrito with colorado meat (beef tip in red sauce) also got in on top of the burrito you can get the sauce mild or hot. it was super good. and perfect size for me. not sure on the other reviews being dramatic. tried my husbands chicken enchiladas and they were also good but on the smaller side. read more

Don Rubens Restaurant - two chicken enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Mariposa, California

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Don Rubens is a tradition for my boyfriend and I, when we take a Yosemite day trip and leave the park via Hwy 140 through Maripsoa. After a full day, driving out from the East Bay and hiking, this is a welcome stop before heading home. I first tried them out in 2020, when it was take out only during the pandemic (and we had been staying overnight in town.) We enjoyed it so much, that it's now our go-to dinner after the park. They get pretty busy on Friday nights but the service is always quick and patient, They've got a colorful interior and a decent sized waiting area for their busier times. It's simple, standard Mexican options but they do have several vegetarian options. They even thought to mention it to me that they make their rice with chicken stock, if I wanted to remove that from my otherwise veggie burrito. Don Rubens is always a great value and good food to fuel up before the long drive home. read more

First the good: Atmosphere was good. Now the rest: Very little parking but that was nothing we couldn't handle. The salsa was meh. Pretty bland actually. I had the enchiladas. Wife ordered the carnitas. Both were bland as were the rice and beans. All in all, pretty disappointing. Won't be a return trip. read more

Absolutely zero flavor The chips and salsa were completely void of salt or any hint of chili I cant even explain the rice and beans Wow Good luck! read more

Don't come here. Stay away from this place and you will thank me. The food is bland, skimpy and just inedible. They served stale chips which was probably left out under a hot lamp for a least 6 days. The guac sauce was bland. I ordered the chile rellenos and it was soggy and bland. The rice tasted old, bland and dry. My partner ordered a steak dish that came with rice and beans. It was sooo disappointing. Skimmy meat mostly covered with bell peppers and onions and they have the nerve to charge $16 for it. The only redeeming quality this place has is the friendly staff. If you want good Mexican food, this place aint it. Their food taste like it came from a can and heated in a microwave. read more

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The food s amazing . Fresh and flavorful. A quick stop from and to Yosemite . The restroom is clean (only open to customers)

Our favorite Mexican place in Mariposa. Great for families. Fast service. Excellent and authentic dishes. No complaints here.

I live close by so I call in my order,no matter what I order it's always ready in 10-15 minutes,it's good food always ,I have never got a dish I wasn't pleased with read more

Great Mexican dining awaits you at Don Ruben's Mexican Restaurant, located in historic Gold-rush-era town of Mariposa, on your way to Yosemite National Park. Don Ruben's Mexican Restaurant serves delicious Mexican cuisine, and the servers are super friendly, and the dining is "Mariposa casual." As you enter the restaurant, you'll be greeted by a friendly staff member, along with a "please wait to be seated" sign. There are lots of '49'er artifacts decorating the restaurant, as Mariposa - "butterfly" in Spanish - is a historic town that dates from the California "gold rush," 150+ years ago. The dining room is open, and offers plenty of friendly dining. The furniture is simple, as it's tables and chairs, and the decor hints of Mexico. Skipping ahead... the menu is five pages and offers amazing Mexican cuisine, including breakfast, as "Don's" opens every day at 08:00 in the morning. My dinner of "Mar Y Tierra" included a side salad, and I was simply AMAZED by the "side salad" my dinner included, as the salad could have almost made for the main course of dinner. Shredded Mexican cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and seasoned croutons... what a salad! This delicious salad was topped off with a side of ranch dressing, which made for perfect dipping. Michael chose a "Vegetarian Toastada" as his choice of side, to enjoy with his dinner. Such a "side," as it could almost make for the meal! From the "Patillos Mexicanos" section of the menu, Michael went with "Fajitas," which the menu describes as, "Beef or chicken grilled, sauteed with bell peppers, onions and tomato." Refried beans topped with Mexican cheese, along with rice came along as a side dish. From the "Patillos Mexicanos" section of the menu, I went with the "Mar Y Tierra," which combines the best of both worlds: Land and sea. You can't go wrong with such a combination! "Mar Y Tierra" starts with steak... carne asada, marinated, thinly sliced, juicy, tender and ... delicious. Combine shrimp... Don Ruben's Mexican Restaurant gives you plenty of shrimp and carne asada, all seasoned, marinated and perfectly cooked on the grill, complete with grill marks. The menu simply describes this amazing combination as, "Grilled beef steak, topped with grilled onions. Served along with grilled shrimp." Along with the grilled shrimp, I went with all choices the menu offered, including refried beans, Mexican rice, guacamole, a small side salad, along with a slice of lemon. Delicious! The authentic Mexican cuisine at Don Rubuen's Mexican Restaurant is as good as it gets, the staff is super friendly, and the dining atmosphere is welcoming and comfortable. When you're in the small Sierra Nevada foothill town of Mariposa, and you're in the mood for delicious Mexican food, enjoy fine dining at Don Reuben's Mexican Restaurant located in Mariposa, CA. read more

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This was a nice place to eat, the feeling inside is really casual and comfortable. The waitress was nice, but neglected our table, but she seemed busy soni wasn't too bothered. The chips given to the table were stale and bland, but the salsa was good. The food my family had was really good and we all enjoyed our meals. I dont know if they were running low or if they were just holding back, but the rice portion of the plate was really small. Overall this place was good for this small town, the price was reasonable and the food was good. Given the chance I would happily come back. read more

Nice restaurant. Small. Outside seating to eat. We sat outside. Nice area. Low key. I ordered a Cabernet and a grilled chicken and shrimp taco salad, no sour cream and guacamole on the side. They do not do boiled beans. Only refried beans. My mother ordered a Minchelada with Medello beer and shrimp and chicken fajitas with flour tortillas. The worker was nice. After ordering we waited a bit. They were busy! They bought out chips and salsa first. We both enjoyed them. The salsa was different with carrots in it. No real spice, but good and fresh. Also brought the drinks. Cabernet was really smooth and my mother said her chili rimmed Minchelada was really good too! Received order a little bit later. They didn't do chicken in mothers order and they didn't give me flour tortillas. Mother decided she just didn't want the chicken. They didn't give me guacamole on the side either. The worker had no problem bringing the flour tortilla and guacamole over once I was able to get to him. The service def takes a while to get back to you, but they do, at least. My shrimp and chicken taco salad was fresh and delicious. A LOT! Very tasty and really liked their hot sauce and burrito flour tortilla. Good, fresh guacamole too! Mother said hers was very good too. She enjoyed the shrimp and really enjoyed her drink, chips and salsa! Good service! It just took a bit to get taken care of, but still worked out. Really good food too! Lots of leftovers! Recommended! read more

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I am in town for a couple of days. This place got decent reviews so I decided to order takeout. I got the Steak Ranchero and as you can see, the portions are very very small and disappointing for a Mexican place. Very sad The food was ok but the portions minimal... This is suppose to be a dinner portion for an adult! plus the price was $15.99. Very disappointed. read more

Don Rubens Restaurant - I got the Steak Ranchero and as you can see, the portions are pitiful and sad! - Mexican Near Me - Mariposa, California

Stopped here on our way to Yosemite and glad we did. Food and service were good, had a chili relleno and enchilada with a Modelo Negra served in a icey glass, Pretty straight forward Mexican food, reasonably priced in a very clean restaurant. The two people running the front of the house and waiting tables had great attitudes. Service was fast so we were back on the road in no time. I would definitely go back again. read more

After a long day of hiking in the national park, I somehow want to end the day with some Mexican food. This place was on the way back to our hotel, so we stopped by to get some fajitas. We were greeted by a very nice guy and he had us pick whatever table we wanted to sit at. He gave us some chips and salsa which we devoured in seconds. I got shrimp fajita, which is my go to dish whenever I visit a Mexican restaurant. I also got iced tea. The service was good, the location was convenient, and the whole restaurant is just very cute. The food was good but I have had better, I felt that the fajitas were a bit more salty than I usually like them to be, but probably good for me since I sweated a lot on our hikes that day. Overall it was a very pleasant dining experience, I would say service is 4 stars. But the food could be more impressive. read more

Don Rubens Restaurant - Shrimp fajita - Mexican Near Me - Mariposa, California

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I love their chicken crunchy tacos. The meat is flavored soooo perfect and it's the same every time. I never have any issues with consistency here! I love extra lettuce and they always give me a ton! I'm going to try their albondigas soon. So glad we have a local Mexican restaurant that is awesome! They are always so nice too. Breakfast burritos are good too. The only thing is I wish they offered pico de gallo all the time. I think they make it if someone requests it. read more

Cute little Mexican restaurant in Mariposa. The staff is amazing and we thought the food was great! The vegetables tasted very fresh. We will be going back here every night of our stay. My only complaint would be the guac not being thick enough, it was a little too mashed up for my preferences but I put it on my tacos and it tasted great! read more

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The food and service were excellent. The only reason I don't give this place four stars is because they don't have queso or tequila. Everything else was great! The taco salad had a nice crunchy shell. read more

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We have been stopping by here for Sunday brunch on the way to Yosemite for multiple years now. This place used to have food with mouthwatering flavors. However, over the years, it has become watered down to suite the clientele that is looking for "Mexican food close to Chili's ". Sad. I don't think we'd eat here again. read more

I ate here on a Sunday afternoon while staying in Mariposa. I had originally intended to eat at Tacos Sonora, but they are not open on Sundays. The place is clean and had plenty of seating. The wait staff was nice. It was only her third shift, but she did a great job. I had three asada tacos ala carte. They were regular street tacos with green salsa. They were certainly worth a four start review, but at $3.50, they were rather expensive. In the LA area, tacos like that would be about $1.50. Still, I was happy to eat some decent tacos. My only complaint was the attitude of the woman that seemed to be the owner or manager. One of my son's ordered a plain hamburger. When it came with mayo, lettuce and pickles, he asked for a new top bun. That was the part with the mayo on it. She proceeded to argue with him, but then relented and gave him a new bun. It was just a bun, she did not need to argue with him over their mistake. They serve beer. I had a Dos Equis amber, and it came in a super frosty mug. It was great on a very hot summer day. Lastly, I have to admit we mistakenly took the coloring book and crayons that belonged to the restaurant. My four year old nephew was with us, but left before I did with my two sons. We though he had left the coloring book and crayons behind and took them with us. Sorry about that Don Rubens. I owe you one. Edit (three days after my visit) - I have changed my rating from four stars to five after eating at Tacos Sonora the day after I ate at Don Rubens. I liked the food at Tacos Sonora a little better, but it is not a place to go if you want to sit and be comfortable. In that sense, Don Rubens has them beat by a mile. Tacos Sonora is a truck with one table for seating. Don Rubens has plenty of seating. Tacos Sonora has a generator next to the truck that is noisy and a little smelly. We had two families with kids when we ate at Don Rubens. It would not have been possible at the taco truck. If you want a sit down atmosphere, go to Don Rubens (and, they have beer). read more

Don Rubens Restaurant - Carne asada tacos. They were good, but expensive. - Mexican Near Me - Mariposa, California

This place sucks. Trust me just keep driving. Absolutely no flavor at all. The beer was the best thing about the place. Total fail.

Was not that busy when we went in. We were told sit wherever we liked. We got service right away. I ordered an chili relleno, beef enchilada, beef taco, and my sons ordered enchilada rice and beans. Food came out quickly and was good, no complaints. I would go back. Waitress was friendly. read more

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Came here for a late dinner/take out. I ordered grilled chicken burrito which was good. The quality of the food was OK. I wished they included salsa with their Togo order. I assumed they included some but when I got home I realized they did not. That's a bummer. read more

Dropped into Don Rubens restaurant today. Really good shredded beef tacos and chicken tacos. Rice and beans were flavorful. I loved the chips and salsa. I asked for a spicer salsa and they gave me a red one to try. Very good! Service was good, staff was friendly. Will return when I am in Mariposa. Give it a try if your craving Mexican food. read more

Don Rubens Restaurant - Taco dinner - Mexican Near Me - Mariposa, California

While the food was excellent both of our experiences at Don Ruben's were, sadly, really bad and all because of a sales pitch they subjected us to during both of our lunchtime visits last month. When we tell people about it, I can't believe a restaurant and allowed that to happen not once, but twice we can't even make this stuff up. Imagine trying to enjoy your lunch only to be subjected to talk in a big TV screen of cremation info with an obnoxious salesman trying to sell you a cremation for $5000? And this is why while a whole restaurant full of people are trying to enjoy themselves after a relaxing time in Yosemite. As another couple said they were gob smacked. And it didn't help that the waitress and a manager said they really couldn't do anything about it but why would you allow a hard core extremely loud salesman to pitch his cremation company while other people are eating in your restaurant sure he was a paying patron to and I think he paid for those people, he was trying to get to buy plots but why subject us to it we were paying patrons as well and to see that big screen there with all his cremation photos on there was beyond unappealing and at a restaurant no less? So to have this happen during both of our visit's at Don Ruben's Mexican restaurant was unbrlievable. The second time we were there before he even set up so we were shocked when his screen went up and it's a parade of eight elderly people came in for a free lunch and to hear his spiel about "smart cremations". Patrons including our party with children were mortified. Who can enjoy lunch when a very LOUD man w/an excruciating sales pitch has a large screen up talking about death? Two other parties asked to be reseated further away from the loud guy who was treating a group of people to a lunch, if they would listen to his speal, but no matter where you were inside the restaurant, you could not avoid his speal, and as each of these people left, he reminded them that he was there to help their friends so spread the word. But wait... it didn't stop there - when one timid patron asked the loud man to lower his voice. The cremation salesman ignored him and went over to his table to pass out cards to the other three people at his table. Of course, there would've been the option of sitting outside but they had to remove the outdoor tables and it would've been super hot anyway I can't imagine why a restaurant would allow this to happen, and to neglect their other paying patrons it just gave everybody in there a really bad vibe. C'mon Don Ruben's in Mariposs : You can do better! Have dome class and show some dignity! Cremation talk & $20 tacos do not go hand in hand. read more

A family run place with young owners who are trying very hard. High quality food. Nice venue read more

Don Rubens Restaurant - Fajita and seafood salad - Mexican Near Me - Mariposa, California

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Visiting family in Mariposa County for 4 days and ended up at Don Reubens twice. Once for lunch and once for breakfast. The young staff was very attentive and accommodating which is always great to see especially in these hard times. The decor was beautiful, it really blended the environment of old Town mariposa and old Little Mexico with beautiful art and artifacts. Indoor and outdoor seating, and okayish parking in front on the highway. Lunch I had the camarones de diablo which was phenomenal. We had flan to celebrate a birthday and it was...well it was free. Breakfast two days later, I had chiliquilles which is my go to Mexican breakfast. They were very good, I did add their spicy salsa to it for some kick. The eggs were mixed very evenly throughout which I appreciated and their Michiladas were made perfectly in the coldest glass I've ever had. read more

Had a fairly large group (6 adults, 3 kids) and they did a good job accommodating us although a little slow. Not that busy but seemed a bit short staffed. Food was average for Mexican cuisine. Had a wet chimichanga, which was piled with shredded beef, cheese, etc. Didn't care for the red sauce on top. Excellent tortilla chip and pico de gallo appetizers. Was bummed they didn't have margaritas. Server did a good job and was very friendly. read more