El Mexicali Cafe II

My sister came to visit from Whittier and wanted Mexican food, so I knew I had to take her to a…read morereally good authentic place since we were raised with homemade Mexican food our mom made, I heard PV was great and I was thrilled that they had my favorite hard to find Huarache! Yum! They did not disappoint! Our food was delicious and my sisters combo plate was wiped clean! We had great drinks at the bar, which had a nice setup with TV's showing sports and happy faces behind the bar. Great chips and salsa. Service was fantastic! We are coming back!! What are you waiting for???

Pueblo Viejo is my absolute favorite Mexican restaurant in the area! I've been coming here for…read moreYEARS! The staff is so friendly and takes care of you like family. Their chips and salsa are very yummy as well as their wide array of menu options! My favorite will forever be the chicken enchiladas with salsa verde! I can't recommend this place enough and can't wait to come back soon!

Great bar area

Flautas plate

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More Bar

El Mexicali Cafe

4.2(429 reviews)

1.1 mi

Nick, what a guy!! Great server, I give him 5 stars! He Brought us complimentary appetizer,…read moreshrimp stuffed pepper, and we added lemon, mayo and soy sauce. It was freakishly delicious. You got to try it. I had the chili verde, it was very good, but not the best I've had. The meat wasn't melt in your mouth tender, but still very tasty. I would get it again. We also got the combo plate with enchilada, taco and chili relleno. Absolutely fantastic. It hard to find a good chilli relleno. We will absolutely come back to this place when we're in town.

This was my third visit in a very long time. The place looks great. I love the outdoor patio. I…read moreenjoyed lunch on a recent Sunday. There was a singer on the patio entertaining the patrons with classic latin music. Now for the food..still amazing! The Chiles Gueritos is their succulent signature item. Shrimp stuffed in a large Chile pepper, with mayonnaise, and soy sauce. Truly unique and excellent. I also ordered two fish tacos al la carte. YUM. For drink, I enjoyed a Pacifico beer. In my opinion, this eatery is an Indio institution. The best Mexican restaurant in the east valley. Our server was friendly and prompt. Our lunch was stupendous. I cannot wait to return.

Bar area.

Chile guerito, seasoned with a squeeze of lemon, a light pour of soy sauce and a dab of mayonnaise (as suggested by our waitress).

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Yellow chilies stuffed with shrimp

Sayulita Tap Room

4.3(143 reviews)

1.0 mi

Best fish tacos ever! Everybody's very nice. You just go order it bar and sit down. I love the…read morebeautiful plates they give you the food on just a really nice atmosphere within the grocery store.

Over priced for a not so good margarita. Beans especially lack flavor. Service is friendly and…read moreatmosphere is good.

Exterior of Sayulita Tap Room with modern design and inviting outdoor seating.

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Exterior of Sayulita Tap Room with modern design and inviting outdoor seating.

Huertas Restaurant

4.1(331 reviews)

1.1 mi

Family-owned & operated

20 years in business

Meet a friend for lunch here again, was greeted as soon as we walked in and ask to sit anywhere…read morewe'd like so we did. We knew exactly what we wanted and ordered. I ordered the Bistec Ranchero dish because it was so amazing the first time I had to double back for more. My friend order the two tacos dish loved it as well. We was in a hurry but the food was amazing and the customer service was as well.

We're from out of town. When we pulled up there was a good amount of cars. The service was…read moreexcellent. Food was very good, delicious salsas.

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Guadalajara Cafe & Bar

4.5(236 reviews)

7.7 mi

Family-owned & operated

Happy hour specials

GUADALAJARA IS THE REAL THING. Geat MENU with lots of…read morereally authentic menu options. I had the "Carne en su jugo" beef & beans boiled together. Something I'd almost forgotten from when I was living in Guadalajara. The preparation wasn't what I'd expected, but the flavouring was spot on ... delicious. Portion was so large I took some home to share. That led to a friend returning a week later to order same dish! I want to return but distance is a killer, because Salsas (another FAV) is much closer, it's on my FAV list, and with the MUCH LARGER SET OF MENU OPTIONS, I'm sure I will return. Service is fast and efficient. Michelada beers above average. Parking easy. I forgot pictures, but next time.

Excellent experience. Very drunks. And attentive staff. Authentic style Mexican cuisine…read more Happy hour has a good selection. Food and drainks. Dog friendly is a big plus. Highly recommended.

Best alambres in the valley

The Birrah

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Family friendly

Restaurante Los Primos

4.8(505 reviews)

9.1 mi

We stopped here based on the many great reviews and this place did not disappoint. I had pancakes…read moreand they were absolutely perfect. The home fries/potatoes that came with it couldn't be better. My wife had the Cajun shrimp eggs Benedict which also was amazing, especially on top of the cornbread. While eating, one of the potatoes fell on the ground. The others were so good I considered eating it anyway (I didn't). The staff also was super friendly.

Family owned. Great food, amazing customer service, food was better than I anticipated. A must try…read morewhile in Palm Desert! Quesoibbiria is the best taco I may have ever had. Ambiance is casual, cafe--laid back.

Short Rib Omelet ($18)

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Machaca

Casa Mendoza

4.0(947 reviews)

5.7 mi

Went to dinner at 4 PM.......with a two year old........didn't feel very welcome, as we are not one…read moreof their their 'frequent' diners.........Seating was in a tight space with a high chair, considering we were the first diners there. Service was adequate, but had to ask for more water, chips, etc ! Meals were good, but chimichanga not deep fried.....more like a burrito ! Rather disappointing experience this time with our kids...... have been there before with a much better experience ! Will give it another try.........

SHORT ANSWER: Just an update, but Casa Mendoza seems to be just getting better. Some new staff but…read morefood quality and people here are very welcoming. LOCATION: In Old Town La Quinta, OTLQ easy to find, tons of parking but at times it gets busy so you may have to walk a bit. FACILITY: very traditional inside and out, clean, and lots of space between tables. MENU: rather massive, we usually order the same things so all the other options makes my head hurt so we just go with what we know. FOOD PREP: excellent, always looks the same which is a good things. FOOD QUALITY: some of the best in the valley. LIBATIONS: lots of choices and not too expensive, wish they had a locals city of LQ discount like some of the other options in OTLQ.. WAITSTAFF: very nice, everyone. OVERALL VALUE: if you order the right things, it is a great value but you can go nuts and spend a lot, tourist dollars spend well, upselling happens for those who want it and deserve it! TIP: Sitting outside is great most all year, we don't go out when it is crazy hot, but have dined outside in 100+ temps, we prefer the front outdoor space.

Bar Area

Friday lunch, outside, single comb $12.99

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100 outside misters outside.. cheers

Soul of Mexico

4.0(268 reviews)

2.0 mi

Soul is a neighborhood hole-in-the-wall. Not Michelin cuisine or anything fancy but good, solid…read morefood with nice portions, reasonable prices. Service is ALWAYS excellent.

There were 4 of us and we all loved our choices. The staff was friendly and very welcoming. There…read morewere TVs , so we were able to watch the FIFA match. All in all, it was a great experience.

The bar!

Enchiladas Suizas

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Tacos Gonzalez

4.5(655 reviews)

2.7 mi

One of the top simple Mexican menu in the valley. On the…read morecorner of Jefferson/Hwy 111- sitting ,takeout and even party events You can't go wrong. Ask for Alex

Really cute spot with great service and tasty food. However, at $3 for super small tacos, I'd…read moredefinitely need to come back and try more before making a final judgment. I ordered a California burrito and an al pastor burrito. I absolutely loved the flavors in the al pastor, it was packed with delicious spices and juicy meat. The California, on the other hand, felt a bit lacking, maybe because the cheese wasn't melted, which affected the overall flavor. It didn't help that the week before, I had an incredible California burrito from a hidden gem, so my expectations were high. The service was very friendly, and the ambiance inside was cute and coooold, definitely a nice place to hang out. Just a heads-up, they charge for chips and extra salsa! Meh

Interior

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Carne asada breakfast burrito

Macarios Grill

3.8(391 reviews)

1.4 mi

Found out it's in the old (Catcus Jack-Indio) Menu is more…read morethan you can select from. My visits for breakfast and lunch have been delicious each time. Staff was more than helpful explaining the specials. The seating is wide open making it a nice flow throughout the restaurant.

DH and I have passed this restaurant several times. We finally decided to stop for lunch on a…read moreThursday around noon. The place was virtually empty! Obviously not a popular lunch spot but maybe that would mean we'd get great service! First impression , the place is neat but kinda shoddy on the outside. We were met with a very strong "old" smell on the inside. Perhaps mildew or mold issues? Darkish interior but seemed neat. It looked like 1 person handling all the front waitressing and cashiering. She was polite and relatively quick with our order of nice cold beer in a frosted glass. A positive sign and the food arrived relatively quickly. Again we were the only patrons that we saw. The chili relleno was meh. Absolutely nothing special . Perfect match to the meh cheese enchilada. Beans were not our cup of tea. Much too blended. No texture or flavor at all. The taco salad with chili Colorado was equally as underwhelming. There was a decent amount of chili in my salad. Sadly it was horrible. Tasted old , dry and mushy. Quite a unique combination of textures and flavors that were not good. Decent sized but could have done with a lot more fresh vegetables. Perhaps added cheese or maybe elote? Really needs work. I have read all the fantastic 4 star reviews and just don't get it. Maybe it's a better fit for the Indio nightlife and not the daytime crowd

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Private Banquet room seats 70 ppl

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Small margarita

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Carlitos N.

4 years ago

visting the Coachella valley I stopped at Mexicali cafe off Monroe the moment I walked in they took quite a while to sit me down as it was not busy at all , I walked in and got seated I ordered my food I got some fajitas I forgot to mention what type I wanted , as well as the server usually they ask you what type of fajitas you want when you order some but I forgot to say what I wnated I wanted beef fajitas and the waiter just took my order bro asking what kind , he took forever to give me my drink he was a guy , so he finally comes back and I tell him I wnated beef fajitas he told me he had put the order for mix fajitas shrimp , chicken and beef , but he'll pull change it , they were almost out he said , I told him thank you for the miss understanding (he had an attitude) he comes back with my plate just drops it in front of me , ( rudely) I eat my food I wnated some sauce for them but he never comes back to check on me or to refill my drink , which was pretty odd because they always check on you how your food is anywhere you go , it was time to go and noticed they charged me for the mix fajitas so I show him the price on my phone , he says he'll come back he doesn't tho, he brings a cook from the book (with an attitude ) not knowing I'm a professional boxer and would have knocked his little a** out telling me show me where it says that blah blah blah so I show him and he says that's wrong I say ok it's fine pay for the other fajitas before I beat his a** , as I'm leaving they're all gathered up in the front still talking about it I tell them don't worry about it it's not a big deal they look like comadres talking in the front whispering things.. super bad experience , not only that the service was AWFUL these young guys and generation just don't know how to have a good customer service anymore . read more

Belynda G.

Elite 26

2 years ago

During our vacation to Palm Springs, CA, in mid-October 2024, we discovered a true hidden gem--El Mexicali Cafe in Indio! Don't let the partially paved parking lot deter you; this place is worth it! The building may be old and the furniture a bit worn, but the charm lies in its authenticity. And while the bathrooms might be outdated, they are clean, which is a big plus. What truly makes El Mexicali Cafe special is the food and the trains! Yes, you heard that right--trains! They pass by so closely that you can feel the thrill in your bones! The experience is unforgettable as you hear, see, and feel the trains rumbling past. Now, let's dive into the food--it's absolutely incredible! The restaurant offers genuine Mexican cuisine, and every dish we tried was exceptional. We loved it so much that we returned multiple times during our stay. My personal favorite was the shrimp cocktail; it was so unique and flavorful that I had to learn how to make it at home! read more

Mariana L.

11 years ago

I am new at this whole reviewing thing but this place is really good. The food is great and the service is always great! Staff is always very friendly. Today while I was there the place filled up in what seemed less than 5 minutes. despite being rushed with many customers at one the staff was still very quick. However there was something that I did not like and I have been debating on if I should say something or not...... I am not sure if he was a manager supervisor or owner because he was not dressed like the rest of the staff but he was most sitting people down and at the front but he was very rude not to customers but to one of the staff. he said thanks for helping but next time she should not help and just leave! he yelled many different things at her even when she walked away to the back. is this how a person in charge should treat the staff? I do not know the whole story but he should not talk to anyone like that!!!!!!! read more

Anthony S.

12 years ago

1# Mexican Restaurant in the Coachella Valley! They now have improved their Delicious House Margaritas made from scratch. Chavelas are so good! Try their new Jalapeno Chavela with any beer, it has 1 oz of jalapeno Infused tequila giving it intense flavor. Chiles Guerrito are mandatory to start with. Today i ordered the Filete a la Plancha Con Camarones Empanizados, my sides were a fresh tomato Salad, whole beans, and green salad. The food was amazing, tasty crispy shrimp and fish cooked just perfect. This place will always be and has been part of my family for four generations. You know its good Mexican food when you see a mix of Hardcore Mexicans,Caucasians, and all other races fill this place up in large groups. my advice is beat the crowd! make your reservation for a loved ones Birthday and Celebrate with some Maracas And a Sombrero! read more

Amber A.

12 years ago

This used to be my favorite place to eat Mexican food, but since they've switched mangers, the service has declined. Two weeks ago I came here with my family and we wait 1 hour and 30 min for our food. Today, I made a reservation for 10 people near the back bar area. Once we got there tonight, our table was set up next to kitchen, making it impossible to hear each other. Also, I ordered two carne asada tacos. My tacos were an orange color, like pork, but they said even though my tacos looked a little weird they were still carne asada. I'm disappointed they changed managers and I miss the old waiters. It's too bad the service has changed, my family and I have been coming here for years. read more

Lynn B.

Elite 25

5 months ago

Wow! El Mexicali Cafe absolutely exceeded our expectations. The food was outstanding and every dish tasted fresh and was homemade. The service was equally amazing, friendly, attentive, and made us feel so welcomed from the moment we walked in. Everything we ordered at the table was delicious, and everyone was extremely happy with their meals. I also ordered a Cadillac Margarita, it was in a beautiful margarita glass. We ended dinner with the fried ice cream, and it was absolutely incredible! the perfect sweet ending to a fantastic meal! You can truly taste the care and quality in everything they serve. We will definitely be back! read more

Angela G.

5 years ago

Thank you to the Staff a El Mexicali Cafe II for hosting my son's High School Graduation dinner. They were very accommodating to my guests requests and helpful with setting up. They were prompt with taking our order, checking in to see if we needed anything and clearing empty plates. Our drinks were refilled promptly and help with serving cake was appreciated. In addition to the great service the food was delicious as always. I couldn't have found a better place for this special occasion. Thank you Olivia and Rojelio for all you help. ~Angela and Abel read more

Nina M.

10 years ago

My husband and I eat here quite often and we love it. The atmosphere is great and is almost always perfect. Happy hour is a good deal to go if your not to hungry but still want to go out. The only thing I dont like is they charge a tip for parties of 6 or more. The two times this has happened to us, the service is always terrible! Maybe because they know they are getting a tip anyways. This has stopped us from going lots of times when we have friends for dinner. read more

Neomi M.

11 years ago

Nice people and good food. A little disappointed that we were charged $10 for two cherry cokes. Would give higher rating if prices were consistent but we were never charged extra before and this time we were. Also I don't like that they charge a tip for parties over 8 people. This has stopped us from going many times because the service usually is bad with a large party probably because they figure they are already getting a tip. So don't go with a large party! read more

Cameron S.

8 years ago

Took my wife out to dinner while visiting in the area and the food was great as well as the service. I have the chile verde in my wife had a combination plate with the taco and enchilada. We left without needing to ask for to go boxes so you could say we liked it lol. chips and salsa were very good and so were the beans and rice we definitely will be coming back next time we stay! read more

EnchantedMemories C.

5 years ago

Just want to say that Crystal the Bartender is Amazing she s professional very nice and attentive and very friendly we sat in the bar and we want to come back just because of her lover her!!!!!! Besides Crystal and friendly service the food was delicious and the drinks she made us are exactly as delicious as she said they would be. Oh my gosh The beans are the bomb too. read more

Gerardo A M.

9 years ago

Service was prompt and the waiters were very dedicat d and responsive. My wife loves her Eggs with Nopales, we never ran out of coffee. I'm taking out a star because I usually ask for chilaquiles in every place they are sold and here there were to soft, like in a buffet not just made, but the experience overall was good :). read more

Luna P.

3 years ago

El Mexican Cafe II offers fantastic Mexican cuisine. The flavors are authentic, and their enchiladas and tacos are top-notch. The prices are reasonable, portions are ample, and the atmosphere is inviting. With friendly and attentive service, it's an easy choice for a delightful Mexican dining experience. read more

Blademir A.

6 years ago

Cuando no saven como anotar la hente que entra en orden para Sentar los en orden, Mas cuando le dicen a la mesera que uno yego antes que los que Andan sentando por eyos mismo. Para ser mensa no se estudia se nace. foods great though. Help needs to learn English better. Didnt stay walked out. read more

Kiki D.

1 year ago

I've been coming to this location for years, and it never disappoints! Tonight, Edwin was our server, and he was absolutely fantastic. His service was top-notch. I would highly recommend this location and especially Edwin to all my friends and coworkers. Can't wait to come back! read more

Mikey L.

8 years ago

I had dinner here tonight and it was great! The service,food, & drinks were awesome! They have the BEST chile guerritos in town! I recommend this place if you want REAL authentic Mexican food! I will be coming here more often, next time I will bring the family! read more

Genaye P.

5 months ago

No communication.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. read more

Denae W.

5 years ago

Delicious food and great timing. My husband and I shared the signature fajita! delicious and plenty to share! The sauce was amazing! Olivia was our waitress and she was warm and delightful, definitely recommend! read more

Oliva S.

11 years ago

Es el mejor Lugar de comida Mexicana en el valle. Vengan y disfruten !!! Una esperiencia unica !!! Acompañado de las mejores MARGARITAS Y CHABELAS del Mundo .***.I love Mexicali cafe 2 *** read more

Genna B.

504

7 years ago

Their food is 5 star delicious & I love sitting in the bar room! I very much appreciate the clean way they prepare their shrimp for the shrimp cocktails. read more

El Mexicali Cafe II - mexican - Updated September 2026

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