So this place is clean with nice decore and you're greeted with complementary chips and salsa, the salsa is ok but hey it's better than nothing So this place is delicious almost everything here is a homerun the #21 Super Wet Burrito is one of the best things I've ever eaten and I recommend it with green sauce BUT! too bad the cook that makes their signature pastor doesn't work there anymore, sucks because I'm a pastor expert and it was the best I've ever tried so it's kinda of a let down every time I ask with pastor and they don't have it so PLEASE! HIRE THAT COOK BACK! If you order a torta make sure you tell em to toast the bread idk why they don't do that that happened to me once here that's the only bad time I had The service here is ok as well they're understaffed so you might be waiting for a min for a refill and depending on what waitress As well because I've had excellent and ok service here But this place does mexican food right read more

El Merendero - The #21 aka the Super Wet Burrito with green sauce is one of the best things I've ever eaten. - Mexican Near Me - Pomona, California

Great Menudo, home made tortillas, the salsa can be a little more spicier though. And don't forget your sweet bread for your coffee. read more

Saw a constant stream of customers walking in with their own pots to get some Menudo so I had to try it and it was fiiiiire!

Food was great, SERVICE IS TERRIBLE!! We sat ourselves(no problem), we had to get our own menus, waited 10-15 minutes before she brought us our drinks, another 20 minutes before ordering, food came out quick, I asked for aside of lemons, the miserable server never brought them & I had to ask another server whom was nice. The miserable server charged us $1.75 for the side of 3 limes Service is HORRIBLE! 1 star because the food is good. read more

I only come here to get menudo and take home for sunday breakfast. My family loves it and the bakery next door for some bolillo is great. You can bring you own pot for the menudo. You get the condiments as well. Enjoy! read more

After a horrible experience at an establishment up the street we came down to Merendero. AMAZING SERVICE! Great food and fast. Happy to bring our business to them. Bonus: they have a fresh bakery next door. read more

Treated me and friend like dirt we are African American and Cuban but understand and speak Spanish we were seated by the Security Guard got our own menus and then ignored so we left but the waitress was giggling and jovial with the Latino customers read more

Always good Mexican food at el Merendero. My wife and I ate the Taco Tuesday Special, which is a great deal and features outstanding tacos stuffing three pairs of tortillas. We had to wait a couple of minutes until the el pastor was ready, and it was worth the wait. The tacos were sabrosisimos. The staff is very helpful, courteous and friendly. We love this place and often eat there. read more

The absolute BEST menudo in town! Only you have to get there early to get it. Not to mention you can get your pan dulce as your waiting for your order. Best service! read more

Good food. A little slow on the service based on how many customers were there. It was Good Friday so I ordered the chilaquiles with green sauce. They were good but fair warning, they were super spicy. Which is ok for me. I enjoy eating my food to the point were my tongue burns. If you're one that doesn't like super spicy food stay away from the green sauce. The wifey had the cheese enchiladas and she enjoyed them. After dinner we walked into their bakery which operates as a separate business but has a walk thru without leaving the restaurant. read more

This place has delicious food . I always come here every weekends to get menudo and champurrado. Service is fast too.

This review is for the bakery. I had a horrible experience with them on June 30th and I wouldn't want anyone to have to go through what I went through. In May I placed a cake order for a Sesame Street cake for my son's 2nd birthday. A picture of how I wanted it was provided and I made a deposit. Fast forward to the Friday before the party, so June 28th I drop off the figurines I wanted to go on the cake, they accepted them no issues, nothing. Then comes the day of the party at 1pm, I arrive and give them my slip. The lady takes it and goes to the back. She takes like 10 minutes then comes back and asks to see a picture of the cake, ok now I am getting worried. I show her and she goes to the back again. Comes back another 10 minutes later and tells me they didn't make the cake, that whom ever took the cake sent the wrong picture and they made a ninja turtle cake ? Ok so now what my party starts at 3:30pm... she says she can fix it ? Really and I still Pay for a cake I don't want ? No thanks.. i ask for my money back and my figures and I am Rush to a super market to buy a cake... yeah no sorry nothing... will never return, read more

Been eating here for 30years always great food. Menudo on the weekend w/pata is awesome!

Delicious menudo worth the 40 minute drive from home. The servers are always pleasant to deal with and super attentive. The large menudo plate and warm bolillo with black coffee is a must every time. Highly recommend to everyone who can appreciate authentic Mexican menudo. And of course get your pan dulce to go from the side panadería. read more

I'm sorry, but this place is awful. I've tried to give it a chance 3 times and every time I have been disappointed. The food is just not what it should be. I guess though, coming from someone who's expectations of Mexican food is really high. Examples: day old rice, albóndigas were so dark and broth was as thick as molasses and don't get me started on the tortillas. I won't be going back if I can help it. read more

Good food but terrible service...and I mean TERRIBLE. It's self seating and we happened to pick a dirty table and asked to get it wiped down. The waitress instantly had an attitude about it but the dude who wiped it down was cool about it. If you're not gonna wipe it down why do YOU have the attitude ??? Anyway, as soon as we put in our drink order we put our order in. They gave us chips and salsa but no drinks. A table sits next to us and do the same, drink and food order. The table next to us gets their drinks first !!! We literally wait for our drinks for 20 minutes....we keep trying to make eye contact and everyone indeed makes eye contact w us but don't notice we're the only table in the restaurant w.o drinks ??? How !! There are 3 waitresses that see us. I guess the waitress finally notices and she brings us our drinks unapologetic. My bf informs her there were other tables that got their drinks before us and she gave us the most insincere apology. When I placed my order I wanted menudo w double rice instead of tortillas and when I got my food I still got tortillas...I asked my bf is he got them and he said no and she was like oh sorry and just took the tortillas and I never got my double rice. TLDR decent food. Poor service. Waitresses seem like they don't care to be there and even the busser had a better attitude. Only really come here bc it's close by but after today won't returning. read more

Not very impressed. Was hoping for more since it was pretty crowded when we walked in, but it is 5 de mayo so not sure if it would be this crowded on a normal business day. Service was terrible. The girl helping us rolled her eyes when we changed our minds about our order. Don't know her name but wears two braids and has red died hair in the back. Salsa was bland. I added a little bit of lime juice and salt to perk it up a bit. Beans were tasteless. And the rice was dried out. If a mexican restaurant can't get basic rice and beans right, how much more can anyone expect from the rest of their menu... Definitely NOT coming back. Not when the Inland Empire has SOO many delicious mexican restaurants with good food and good service. One star because I can't leave less. Do not recommend. read more

The food and service are both mediocre here. It was a good quick fix on the way to the fair, but nothing to write home about. It wasn't bad at all, it just was lacking some spark, as the flavors appeared tired and out dated. read more

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The posole is the best. Its so full of flavor, corn, and meat. I'm coming back for it. read more

El Merendero - Mexican Near Me - Pomona, California

Great selection. Lots to choose from. Real Mexican food. Indoor and outdoor sitting. read more

Loved this place. We spent the night at a friend's house and the next morning we both were craving a breakfast burrito and our friend recommended this place. It did not disappoint. The burritos were delicious My wife ordered a chili relleno and loved it!! We will definitely be back. read more

Great authentic Mexican food, great old fashion service, great overall experience A+++ every time I've been here.

There menudo is bomb here I'll never go any where else to get my menudo their cakes and bread are very soft and delicious I recommend this place to everybody read more

El Merendero - This menudo is the bomb no where else to get it but MERENDEROS thank u for ur service - Mexican Near Me - Pomona, California

My hubby and I have eaten here for the last 7 years when in the area for "family stuff". So we get there maybe once a year. This is the highlight of going to the area. Period. Great Mexican ambiance. Unreal pork burritos. I get green sauce. Hubby prefers red sauce. The burritos are huge. We get boxes for leftovers. I also like the bakery. Heavenly aromas lead you right in there to buy a cookie or two. Thank you, Merendero, for being a wonderful eatery. read more

Been here a few times.. the very first time it was excellent.. second time around it wasn't so great . I told myself I wouldn't come back .. a year later I'm back and im telling myself again not to come back ..the food isn't the best and I've had better authentic mexican food. I'll stick to my gramma's homemade mexican food. read more

El Merendero - Mexican Near Me - Pomona, California

By now as you can probably tell, I love me some Mexican food -- and El Merendero does a few dishes better than most if not all of the Mexican eateries I frequent. The huevos rancheros breakfast plate is to die for delicious. Two fried eggs smothered in real homemade green chile with a piece of tender simmered pork to top it off make up this amazing breakfast favorite of mine. Just doing my part to go green. Set your egg yokes free and watch as they glide ever so seductively into the green chile in this huevos rancheros delicacy. Is it getting hot in here or what!? It's the Ebony and Ivory of Mexican food, living in MY BELLY -- in perfect harmony. FYI The beans and rice at El Merendero are always excellent. The chile rellenos at El Merendero are exactly as I remeber my grandmothers, AMAZING! EM stuffs their perfectly roasted spicy Poblano chilies with plenty of jack cheese then batters and fries them just right. The chile rellenos are also smothered in their delicious green chile. EM also has real chalupas, NOT to be confused with Taco Bell's so-called chalupa, while tasty in a drunken stupor -- PALEASE!!! The EM chalupa is a small taco sized tortilla lightly fried and topped with some very flavorful braised shredded beef, cheese and your choice of condiments. I think you'll find these little three bite treasures to be packed with flavor from the succulent braised shredded beef. The chips and salsa at EM are excellent. The chips are so fresh and crispy, but not crispy as in over fried and hard. They always need to be salted which I prefer doing myself anyhow. The salsa is a simple blend of chile de arbol, fire roasted tomatoes and spices. It is truly on my list of the most flavorful salsas I've ever tasted. It's not too hot but to say it's full of flavor is an understatement. You don't get a big trough of salsa, in fact, it's a pretty small container full. I usually go through two of them without help from anyone. I've never noticed if they're charging me extra for refills of the chips and salsa -- and quite frankly the chips and salsa are so delicious that I could care less if my overeating ass has to pay for another round. The service at EM is average to good. The El Merendero panaderia, aka Mexican sweet bread shop, has some of the best Mexican sweet bread this side of La Fama on Caesar Chavez and Ford in East Los Angeles. If you go for a late breakfast or lunch you can enjoy some very cool shopping at the Pomona Second Avenue antique district right next door. You won't be disappointed with the vintage shopping on Second Street. So why not make an El Merendero day of it? read more

This place kicks ass - my favorite Mexican joint in Pomona. Chips are killer, salsa is great... i love love the enchiladas and the hard shell beef tacos. Beans and Rice are also super awesome... read more

El Merendero - Downtown P-town - Mexican Near Me - Pomona, California

CHARMING Heard good things about Mexico Lindo while shopping locally but my daughter wanted to take me to one of her favorite spots. I wasn't hungry but wanted to make sure she ate something. I ordered a bean and cheese burrito knowing that I could easily send half of it with her for leftovers. I base Mexican food restaurant reviews on their beans, quality of cheese, the staff and decor. For that reason I give this adorable restaurant a 5 star rating. It is NOT fancy and I would not come here if you are in a hurry. But, I like to support small local businesses. I would return for take out of their bakery items. read more

Tonight seven family members met to this restaurant. My grandson liked the chile Verde burrito and my granddaughter thought the shrimp cocktail was ok, but the rest of us were not impressed. Two dishes were supposed to contain red chile but it tasted like a tomato based concoction that contained no chile whatsoever as far as I could tell. The rice was bland and dry. In sum, while we remember the food used to be ok here our experience tonight was awful. However, the service was good. To make matters worse when we left the restaurant at about 8:45pm and got into our 3 cars, we discovered that ALL THREE OF US HAD A PARKING TICKET on our windshields! So not only did we get a mediocre meal, we got a $58 parking ticket as well. When I called the restaurant, I was told that they post a sign on the outside of the restaurant warning people about the parking. Well at night you can barely see the front door and the entrance is plastered with signs of one sort or the other. Fair warning bad food and obviously the City of Pomona does not want your business. read more

I've been here a couple of times and let me tell you...Meh, the food is average...nothing special. If anything, I would describe the food as bland tasting. I've had better. Due to the fact that my husband was constantly raving and raving about this place, I went in expecting great Mexican food. I walked out not impressed. I went back a second time to give the place another chance and my attitude still hasn't changed. I say walk down the street and go to Juan Pollo instead...you'll probably have a tastier meal there. read more

The Good: Free chips and salsa, hearty, inexpensive Mexican food. The Bad: I ordered carnitas and they gave me carne asada. I didn't say anything because I was too hungry and couldn't wait anymore. My burrito was a little dry in terms of taste and texture because I didn't order it wet. I used the tasty salsa they gave us with the chips and it sufficed. The Ugly: I really wanted to have a carnitas burrito. The Verdict: I will come back next time and either order carnitas or chicken (my friends got chicken and it looked epic) in a wet burrito. read more

People you have to try merenderos if you in P -town they have the best Mexican food in town thank you Thomas for the great food and service we will be back for sure read more

El Merendero - Carnitas all meat wet burrito with rice and beans gracias Thomas. - Mexican Near Me - Pomona, California

So disappointed coming here. Our entire meal was over priced, little food servings and it lacked main ingredients like meat and fish. They charge you extra for EVERYTHING. Second bowl of chips - CHARGE. Salsa for the second bowl- CHARGE. I will not be going back. read more

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First and last time coming here. Took them forever to bring us a high chair for my son. When we finally got our food they didn't bring the forks or tortillas we had to ask about 3 or 4 times and when they finally brought the fork and tortillas our food was cold. I also ordered a tostada de ceviche and it wasn't that great waybtoo much carrots and they even put lettuce in the ceviche. read more

While in town on business, my coworkers and I were told to give El Merendero a try for lunch. Upon arrival we were able to sit right away. The server delivered some chips (strips) and salsa, which were good. I ordered the three tacos and a soda lunch special and so did one of my coworkers. They ordered the Carnitas tacos and I ordered the Asada tacos. When the food arrived we shared one of each of ours with each other. The Carnitas taco was good, but I think the Asada tacos had more flavor. They're all had an abundance of meat and were topped with cilantro and onions. All in all I would definitely recommend giving them a try. read more

Great comfort food .Brings me back to the days of college. Super Combo Burrito and taco salad is the best. Make sure you ask them for fresh pico de gallo. Restaurant still uses Manteca/ Lard to cook a lot of there foods. That is why it taste so good. One less star due to poor service by cashier. No one to direct traffic. She is the only one but she does not say anything. The patrons have to guide each other. read more

im so glad you stayed open el merendero. what i ate: - #21: combo burrito, wet style: carne asada burrito smothered in red sauce. the poor grad student in me was so happy to see both lunch and dinner on one plate. there was no way i could finish the entire thing in one sitting. the flavors were good. the red sauce was okay. im interested in trying the green sauce - chips + salsa: chips were oily greasy, but oh so tasty!!! salsa was spicy and good. TIP first basket is free, they charge for more. pros: - food! this isnt the type of cuisine youd have everyday. theres no way - you'd keel over of a heart attack. but its really tasty food. little bit of everything on the menu - food portions are BIG. like i said, two meals on a plate! - parking: SMALL, miniscule, tiny parking lot north of the restaurant - cheap! my burrito, even smothered with red sauce only came out to $6!!! not bad for waiter service. its not a classy joint, but who cares for the price? - happy hour cons: - hidden. until i had lunch here, i had no idea this was here. i always just saw the bakery and didnt realize that they had a place to eat next door. - self seating: mom and pop style, you sit at any free table. this is a problem during rush because there are empty tables that still need to be bussed - loud, almost like a cafeteria. the high ceilings help echo all the noise and it can get pretty loud. since the tables are fairly close together you may be part of your neighbors conversation - BUSY at lunch. i thought id be smart coming at 1 to try to avoid the lunch rush, but nope STILL busy at 1. good sign that the food must be scrumptious though would i come again? YES maybe try for happy hour too! read more

We sat and they gave us complimentary chips and salsa (one time only). If you want more, you have to pay for it. It was lunch time on a Thursday afternoon so the restaurant got pretty packed. With only 3 waitresses working, we had to wait about 20 min until someone took our order. Then had to wait another 10 min for our food to come out. El Merendero has an extensive menu, but I settled on the carne asada tostada because I liked the ring of it. lol. But it was good! Reminded me of Alerto's back home, just fancier... Also saw they had horchata (not on the menu) so got a small (2-so expensive!). I gotta warn you, if you want to use a c/c, they charge 50 cents no matter what. At first the cashier said something about being under 10 dollars, but changed it to always charging 50 cents...And then she mentioned something about being cheaper if you order over the phone ahead of time. You should ask about that... I wasn't too clear. HEYYY, I just realized they taxed the c/c fee!! Is that normal?! blah. I'll probably come back to try the pan dulce that everyone's been raving about in their bakery. Til next time. read more

This is the most authentic Mexican food I've had in a long time. To top it off the customer service is out if this world! Plus they have a bakery and picked up my pan de rosca de los Reyes. Highly recommend! read more

Basically this place is great!! The food is always really good and consistent. That is my thing, if I go and I love something, it needs to be that way everytime...or it is not what I fell in love with. The food....awesome, I range from just a shrimp cocktail to chile verde plates to chicken tacos....doesn't matter, it is all good. Dining in, well since the awesome remodel a few years back it is a great place for a michelada red beer and a hangover breakfast. Dining out...can't really beat it. Place is afordable and the ladies at the togo window have been literally going nonstop since sun-up so its obvious when they call it a day...they close early so get there on time because they are not forgiving of the closing time...love this place though :-) read more