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    El Central Cafe

    4.6 (65 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:30 pm

    El Central Cafe Photos

    EL CENTRAL CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Divey
    Casual
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - El Central Cafe

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    Menu
    Luv H.

    It's alright. The flavors are not all there, but it's decent. It's a family own restaurant, so expect to wait cause there is not much help around. The Owner Ramon came out and greeted us and talked to us. He was a nice guy. Btw Menudo is only the weekend, so they need to note that on the menu or just take it out from the menu. I ask about their special, and they have no special on n.17.

    Steve F.

    Food was very good. The owner is very personal and funny. The restaurant has small town and friendly feel.

    Best hidden spot in town

    If you like authentic Mexican food, this is where it's at! The owner is the server but he's very welcoming and makes you feel like you're family.

    Hai L.

    Family owned restaurant that specializes in authentic Mexican cuisine. We were served by the owner himself and got to chat with him for a bit. Really friendly man, and takes the time to check up and converse with the customers as how great customer service should be. The menu is very simple and the pricing is very cheap for the amount of food you get. If I'm ever in the area again, I would love to come on back!

    Soup, chips and salsa with every meal
    Victoria R.

    The Mexican food I've ever found. Have been coming here for years and it's an absolute favorite of mine. I CRAVE the soup but honestly everything is wonderful.

    Complimentary soup, chips, and salsa!
    Victor H.

    I am constantly and consistently impressed with this restaurant. I have never had a bad meal here. This is simple, down home Mexican cooking like your grandma or grandpa cooks at home. Apparently a large group of people (I'm guessing regulars) asked the owner ahead of time to cook his famous menudo. I just happen to ask our server (his daughter) if there was anything special cooking tonight because the last time we asked, they served birria, which the owner only makes on occasion. The birria was such a stand-out and I was hoping they were serving it tonight. But it was not the case. So I asked if there was any of his menudo left over. To my delight there was; so I ordered a bowl with flour tortillas. My wife ordered something she never had there, a fried flour tortilla Chicana tostada. For drinks, we ordered a Coors Light and a Pacifico. My menudo arrived in a small bowl with its dark hue of red broth and tender tripe peaking over the top. Hominy isn't added in the menudo here. Mexican oregano, lemon, whole roasted red Chile's, and onions accompanied the menudo. Everything went into the menudo. OMG! Hands-down the best menudo I tried in the Yuba-Sutter area. Just when I didn't think it could get much better; the owner came out with corn tortillas, sliced avocado, and more lemon wedges. He instructed me to remove a single tortilla, add a slice of avocado, squeeze lemon onto the avocado, add a pinch of salt, fold the tortilla, knead the tortilla with my fingers to smash the avocado inside, then dip into the menudo, and eat. OMG! Talk about taking it to another level! I learned something new! I love this place! Did I mention, the owner always comes out to interact with his customers and he always jokes and has us laughing? Oh, and the tostada really impressed my wife. She said she would order it again in a heartbeat. I finished it for her as I always seem to do as she has a small appetite when eating out. The beef Chicana was juicy and flavorful. Atop the tostada was a medley of lettuce, avocado, cheese, tomatoes, and onions. Nothing more was needed, not even salsa. The Chicana had that much flavor! I was impressed as always. Price for all this! $20.00!

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    1 year ago

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    4 months ago

    Delicious food friendly family owned restaurant please come support it's authentic food

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Food was delicious and our server was friendly and very accommodating. Will definitely be returning.

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    1 year ago

    If you're craving authentic Mexican food, this is the place to go, we've never had a bad meal & always left satisfied & full.

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    3 years ago

    Very good food at a good price 'and the owners treat you like family 'I highly recommend

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    Las Brasas Méxican Restaurant

    Las Brasas Méxican Restaurant

    4.2
    (157 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $

    Sweet sweet find - thanks to Yelpers, of course. We were out on a day trip from Sacramento and…read morelanded in town at supper time. Boom. Opened Yelp app on the phone and scrolled through. It so happened we were directly across the street from this place, and without the Yelpers, we NEVER would have noticed it. Small street frontage, sharing a small parking lot with a few other businesses. So, we pull in anyway. We open the door hoping for the best, but confident that Yelpers don't lie. WOW! The tantalizing aroma hit first, then the clean and orderly vibe, then the comfy chairs. Seated immediately, then waters and chips and salsa. So many options on the menu but we finally settled on Chicken Fajitas for me and Chicken Tamale for the hubs. Lawsy, Miss Scarlett, we done hit the motherlode of deliciousness and fresh tasty Mexican food. We each stopped about halfway through our meals to enjoy leftovers the next day -- and save room for dessert. I had their flan - twice the size of a piece of cheesecake. Hubs had Ice Cream Nachos - scoops of ice cream on cinnamon/sugar corn chips with chocolate syrup and whipped cream. We both agree that the 40-minute drive north from Sacramento is worth it to explore more of what this 12-years-running, woman-owned, amazing restaurant has to offer. Reasonable prices, yummy grub, stellar service. Oh, and ya gotta love a well-appointed restroom with design touches and a painting of Frida Khalo (see pic).

    Went Sun at 4pm with my partner, the staff immediately greeted + seated us. Super friendly and…read moreattentive staff. Ordered the quesabirria, a 3-item combo plate w/ tamale, chicken enchilada and carnitas taco. We also had a super burrito with carnitas. Quesabirria was super flavorful, however the chicken and tamale lacked flavor, as well as the burrito. The green and red sauces were both delicious. The carnitas taco was amazing!

    Photos
    Corner with seating and photos displayed
    Corner with seating and photos displayed
    Wet Super Burrito Wet Half Red, Half Green
    Wet Super Burrito Wet Half Red, Half Green
    Regular carne asada burrito

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    Regular carne asada burrito
    Carlito's Mexican Restaurant

    Carlito's Mexican Restaurant

    3.6
    (260 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Visited June 13 2026. See my receipt as always…read more Many friends told me to try this place in Yuba City and I am glad I did! It's away from most businesses in an upscale residential street. They open at 11am and there was people already waiting to get in. Always a good sign! I ordered the two item lunch and chose beef and chicken enchiladas. It came with rice and beans. All very good! Complimentary chips and salsa. The salsas were screaming! Fresh and the green salsa made my eyes water! Love it! This place has indoor and covered outside seating. Dog friendly! They also have another space in the back for events and more with another full bar ( 2 full bars total). They have bar seating and regular seating. Good for groups! Plenty of parking. What was unusual is they have an expansive bathroom..did not expect that. The waiter said they have live music as well! Overall a great experience with leftovers! Ps. Plenty of parking!

    Vicky rating: this place gets a triple yum for their food. It was flavorful, authentic and not…read moresmall portions. For the customer service... yum x 10!!!!!! It wasn't a quiet night and we had multiple people check on us. These folks can train others in customer service. Maria was our waitress and she really was the top notch icing on the cake The ambiance is traditional without being gaudy. The chairs are super cool! I highly recommend this restaurant.

    Photos
    Front covered patio
    Front covered patio
    Seafood enchiladas and margaritas
    Seafood enchiladas and margaritas
    Front if restaurant

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    Front if restaurant

    El Central Cafe - mexican - Updated June 2026

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