The food is okay here, the servers are nice but the service is slow. The prices are good, really affordable but that's about it.

The pozole is the very best... love their food and really appreciate the great service. It is my all time fave go too place when I feel like having some comforting food. read more

Excellent place! Everything on the menu is fantastic! Menudo on Fri, Sat & Sun. Their beans and rice and hard shell chicken tacos are so delicious. read more

Great local Mexican restaurant. Lady at the front desk is super nice. Staff are friendly, courteous and professional. They have security outside which is a good. Restaurant is clean, well lit and very nice. Food is great. Very well seasoned and delicious. Will definitely come back. Highly recommended. read more

Tamales are fairly good. The service, let's just say the day I went in it was a bad day. Something about this place was off. I know it can be annoying to go to work and have to deal with different personalities, but customers are just trying to get good food and service. The prices are not cheap, so maybe having a welcoming demeanor can help. The individual that charged me was short and her attitude was unwelcoming. But maybe I went when it was not the best of mornings. I'm going to go in again, hopefully the service is a little better.Again, the tamales were 8/10 for me! read more

Always so AMAZING!! I always get the green chicken enchiladas and they're so good!! My husband LOVES the taco salad. Everything is so fresh and delicious there. We love it!! read more

Food is ok like any other Mexican restaurant, same stuff nothing original, people like the menudo in this place I don't

I love the food , but service is HORRIBLE ask for a drink like 5 times , you guys need people who are on it ... waiting around for a drink to wash down my food annoying very annoying I come here a lot bc of the food but never stay bc the service is so horrible read more

Great service, good portions, and very affordable. Felt like a home cooked meal & super convenient before a show at the Fox Theater

Another Pomona classic, really there are lots of places for great Mexican food in P-Town, but there's always been the rivalry... Those who prefer El Merendero vs those who prefer Mexico Lindo, while I can eat both and feel no guilt, my first choice will always be El Merendero. Maybe it's because I remember them when it was cafe style next to the now refurbished Fox Theater or because most of the the crew has been there for a long time but I love eating at El Merendero when I get the chance. I'll be honest, service can be hit or miss depending on how crowded it is there so when you want your check and to pay sometimes you're going to have to flag your waitress down, just deal with it! Other than that it's good from top to bottom, everyone I've brought here finds something they like, I've traveled the menu extensively over my many years coming here and there's definitely things I've liked better than others but I've never had something I didn't like. They're good, 'nuff said, hopefully you like them too. I'd say 4 1/2 stars but you know Yelp! read more

Don't eat here unless you enjoy a little extra in your food. This is the second time I have gotten the big El Merendero burrito and received a little extra in the burrito. A huge black hair! We are all blonde or bald so it's nobody in this house. The worst part is they don't care. They just tell you it's not theirs because they use hair nets. We didn't see them in use when we went so that's a lie. I offered to send pictures of where it was because the minute we cut open the middle it was right there. They then said they would take a look at it if we were willing to drive it all the way back but it's not worth another trip tonight if 30 minutes each way. That would be a total of two hours driving tonight including the first hour we spent going to get it the first time. So be warned, they don't care about their customers and will cleanliness is not a thing for them. read more

See all

Good vibe, family owned, real Mexican food. Took my 85 year old dad there. La native born in Boyle height old school Mexicano and he loved it. read more

The food is really good, very authentic taste the waitress was super nice and came back to check on us. Also, they have a super good bakery all reasonable price I for sure will be back thank you read more

I am a little sad that I was only introduced to this place last year and I have been living near the area for the last 4 years! This place is affordable and delicious. How can you beat that? They accept cash and card and the people are very friendly. I love their nachos. The chips are so fresh and crispy. The burritos are packed with the meat, beans, and rice. Everything here is honestly just good read more

The plates presented here look like a holdover from the 1990s, thanks to the sad-looking offerings lost in uninspiring bean mush and desultory rice. The chile relleno I had was smothered in batter that made the tiny chile hard to actually locate, while the frying oil tasted like it had been reused multiple times. The cheese was greasy not fresh. The iceberg lettuce was a red flag indicating that flavor, spicing, and good ingredients aren't a high priority. It's not the place to bring someone you want to impress with "Mexican" food. The plates are that tired old trick that you find across the U.S. Mid-west where fresh ingredients are hard to get and fat and salt are substituted for actual cooking technique and authentic spice. (The plates here ought not to represent southern California's Mexican cuisine, for goodness sake, where clientele are more discerning in their tastes and the produce can be better!) The most insulting part was the little tiny dish of guacamole that was watered down and hardly tasted of avocado. How can any respectable Mexican do this??! Their glasses of wine are $4. That's all I could handle. I couldn't make myself order a pre-mix bottle-based margarita ... it just didn't seem like the place for any cuisine that involves skilled cocktail mixing. You are better off buying some sweet bread or cookies at the adjoining bakery, where it is more foolproof: easier to bake something without it being terrible. Or, go to shoot down cheap wine with chips. Otherwise, I just can't recommend their food. read more

El Merendero - oil was obviously reused many times, and it tasted more like a prison-grade cafeteria than what you would expect from mainstreet Mex cuisine - Mexican Near Me - Pomona, California

See all

ONE OF THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD RESTAURANTS IN AND NEAR POMONA!!!! Every time our large family group visits here and has breakfast, lunch or dinner, the staff never disappoints us! They greet you as you enter and the waitresses are so kind and fast! They pay attention to every request. The cooks and line staff pay attention to each order and cook the food to order. The food is fresh and authentic. The entire menu is very affordable for the whole family! We highly recommend the green chiliquiles with eggs as an add on. We also recommend the carne Asada or fish burrito! Also, do yourself a favor and order a 1/2 dozen or more bolilos! They are so fresh and so soft! Delicious! The management at this location needs to know that even though they may be short staffed, they are doing something right because the business is running smoothly on all ends! Overall great restaurant! read more

Always great food! But lately they don't seem to make things like they were made before! Nachos in a Styrofoam box instead of a plate! Not good tortillas get saggy! Super combo burtto not as good as it was. But over all we still stop there for good Mexican food read more

Lunch specials, authentic dishes & affordable. The bakery is right in the building. I order my daughter's birthday cakes from them every year . You can order tamales by the dozen or singles during Christmas read more

Love everything about El Merendero--the food is fresh, authentic, and the service is wonderful--friendly and caring. It has changed little over the years--and that's a good thing. read more

First time visiting here. This location was highly recommended by several of my friends. Our server was very nice and cheerful. The restaurant had a steady flow of guests and the decor and atmosphere was very pleasant. We were served with chips and salsa. They were both very tasty. I would say the salsa was medium to mild. I had the #88. The chicken and shredded beef hard shell tacos were great as were the beans and rice. I also had a soft shell taco with Al pastor. That was definitely my favorite choice of meat as it was tender and delicious. It had a sweet note at the end. We also got some freshly made pastries in the bakery section. The guava and strawberry pastries were banging. Overall, a great experience. We will be coming back. Thank you. read more

Menudo was not good at all meat was very hard I told the waitress about it and she did nothing to correct the problem she just hand my bill dint offer if wanted anything else last time I come to this place read more

Me and my friend wanted to get burritos before a punk show at Characters and found this place that was within walking distance. We were kind of confused when we walked in because we thought it was more of a fast food Mexican joint, but you can seat yourself and they'll bring menus over. We both got enchilada style asada burritos. They give you free chips and salsa while you wait for your food. I didn't particularly like the chips much. The burritos were ready quickly and were very good. I could barely finish half of it. They have two habanero hot sauces on the table along with tapatio sauce. Prices aren't too bad here and the service was satisfactory. I would come back again to grab a bite before a show again. Not so fun fact: the restroom area isn't air conditioned so just be prepared if you have to use it on a 100 plus degree day like I had to. read more

El Merendero - Yummy asada burrito. - Mexican Near Me - Pomona, California

I had small menudo it wasn't freshly made it looked and tasted like the can menudo never again...service was friendly very DISAPPOINTED...JULIA FROM CHINO read more

Stopped in this morning for breakfast at 7 am , btw not to many Mexican restaurants open this early in the area, they were and ready to serve, had the veggie omelette with jalapeño potatoes fast and courteous, good food. read more

El Merendero - Mexican Near Me - Pomona, California

Requested for a asada breakfast burrito was supposed to come with eggs and potatoes got an all Meat asada burrito. When I went up to front counter mentioned the situation to the cashier all she said was "I'm sorry" and still got charged for an all meat burrito -.- read more

El Merendero - My reciept - Mexican Near Me - Pomona, California

So, I ordered from this place for the 1st for a birthday cake. Frankly, 35 bucks for an 8" with a few giant pieces of banana and strawberry felt like a rip-off. The cake taste was ok, but if you're charging that much, put the fruit in and chop it smaller . It was all frosting !! The window cakes round 25 for tres leches 20 for the regular She said they're cheaper because they have jam, not fresh fruit. Well, my order cake didn't have much either so...... read more

Great food and good service and nicely designed interior design. I would recommend this place plus it's reasonably priced read more

El Merendero - Huevos Rancheros, beans and rice - Mexican Near Me - Pomona, California

Looove this place. Sunday morning, people come in with pots from home for menudo because it is THAT good! Soft with a punch of flavors. They are not shy about their ingredients. Tons of good stuff in there. Tres leches is a must. Soft, moist, but not too sweet. With a cup of black coffee, morning is completed. read more

El Merendero - Mexican Near Me - Pomona, California

This chica got bad attitude & just clearing her throat while working cash register. She might have that thang.... This place used to be good, but now children are working here with "I'm important" attitudes. Carne asada is Muy duro. I should've gone 2 Taco Bell. I'm not impressed... read more

See all

Pretty hard to find a good consistency with menudo but thanks to good friends this spot has been a solid go to! read more

El Merendero - Menudo n a miche - Mexican Near Me - Pomona, California

This restaurant has authentic Mexican food and a bakery. I ordered Machaca and it's the best I had so far, service is good and place is clean. Most people come here for the Menudo. The parking is limited, since it's on a main road. read more

El Merendero - Machaca Plate - Mexican Near Me - Pomona, California

This place will be losing much service if the quality of their food continues to be this poor/questionable. We purchased over 100$ of food for pick up this afternoon and were beyond disappointed with this mystery "meat" while I know menudo itself is questionable lol wtf is this??? read more

El Merendero - Had an extremely questionable and disgusting surprise in todays menudo. I don't know what this is but it's disgusting. - Mexican Near Me - Pomona, California

See all

I just went in this bakery and I wanted a soft concha. That's all nothing else. I asked the girl that attended me if they were soft she says yes I bought the concha $.70 cool soon as I paid her I pressed on the bag to see if they were soft. These Conchas are a day old. You can tell right away just by the way they taste, and when you slice it in half all the sugar stuff comes off, they're old just be honest with your customers so you get customers that return. Lesson learned I would never ever stop there again. I normally go to Spikes. You can't go wrong with Spikes when they say it's fresh it's fresh not like this place. It was disgusting. It's not that hard to be honest say ma'am they're not soft, but don't lie. It only makes your place look bad. Good luck in the future. read more

I have been eating Menudo most of my life from East LA, Boyle Heights to many placea in Mexico and best that ihave is in El Merendero in Pomona. Absolutely Great. read more

The flavor was just not very good unfortunately. I wanted to like it because this place is close to my house but the flavor was just missing. read more

Food was amazing and place was packed. Beans tasted just like my mom's. Would definitely go back.

Comida muy buena y autentica! Delicious authentic Mexican food ! Definitely A must try in downtown! read more

Best menudo here only on the weekends though and they take ebt too love them. Great service it's always busy but they are also pretty fast

I came by for a breakfast burrito with bacon with salsa on side to go on my way to work. It was busy. While I waited a while for my order I saw some customers who dine in waited a while to be seated and took orders. Burrito had generous portion of potatoes, eggs, bacon and cheese and quite spicy but excellent. When I have some extra time I'll be back to dine in again. read more

Very good pan dulce, service was great. I almost went in and got the bread myself but a man came out and said that he would do it for me, I apologized since I didn't know that someone would get the bread for you. He was nice about it. I will definitely come back for bread and try the food from the restaurant since someone coming out from the restaurant said the food was good. Got to give it a try. The place was quiet maybe they should have some music to make the experience better. read more