What do I recommend? The Mangoneadas! The staff is always on it. The food is good, however truth be told, I come for the Mangoneadas. If you love mangos and never had this special delight, try it. You will love it! read more

This place is one of those hole in the walls that has it together. The owners obviously care about the food and the service and they are on the site. The stuffed chili peppers appetizer is always on my menu, and whichever meal I've had with it the numerous times I've been there is authentic Mexican food... The place is worth checking out if you like Mexican food... read more

We come here to visit from So Orange County and one of must haves when we are here is El Mexicali.. We have enjoyed everything we have ordered and love the Chili with the shrimp and chicken enchiladas with green sauce and the margaritas are also awesome. You can't go wrong here... read more

Support local! I ordered a lunch special on their app and when I got there , my order was ready. The cheese enchiladas were delicious with a jamaica drink. read more

Always the best , great food great service great time for everyone.../chile Verde and eggs was on point today. Can't say enough great things about this place Wow! read more

This is not even close to the El Mexicali II on Monroe in Indio. From service to quality of food, it is a far cry. We were so disappointed that we went to El Mexicali II last night to restore our faith in the brand. All better. If you have a choice, go to the Monroe street location and ask for Angel. read more

Yummy, yummy, yummy. Amazing chips and salsa! You must get an order of the chili's stuffed with shrimp. They are a bit over priced but good. Only Pepsi products and don't offer coke alternatives. read more

Came in for lunch. The customer service is excellent! Started out with the chiles gueritos for the table (of course). Such an interesting and absolutely delicious treat. I had the beef sope with a side of rice and beans topped with their tasty salsa. read more

Out of this world appetizer: Chiles Gueritos Rellenos De Camaron! The rest of the meal VERY solid. Fantastic service! I highly reccomend this restaurant. read more

My all-time favorite restaurant in the valley. I specifically go for the chavelas and chile gueritos. The customer service is always welcoming as soon as you walk in the door. They make you feel like family and assist you immediately. At times they are very busy but that's only because everyone knows the quality and the taste of the food is so authentic. At times, they have live mexican music which is the best feeling while eating. They are definitely worth the wait. read more

Friends told us about this place and we were thrilled to find the food is superb! It's little, it's nothing fancy, and it's the real deal. Order the specialties and you can't go wrong. Like it says on the menu, in bold, the meat falls off the bone. I also had a margarita and the Mexican guacamole with chips, again the real deal. Free parking, great service. And the flan was wicked with dulce de leche and whipped cream. We brought the leftovers back for our son and he ate every last bit. I wish we had known about this place before. read more

Best Mexican food and great Happy hour . Oh and almost forgot about the great service. read more

El Mexicali Cafe - Nice - Mexican Near Me - Indio, California

I've written a review for this restaurant before. I just have to write another. This place just keeps me coming back and each time it seems to just keep getting better - as if that's even possible. Had breakfast here yesterday and was once again greeted by friendly smiles and great food. I'm so impressed. I just had to write another review and tell you how great this place is! read more

We love the quaint old restaurant by the railroad tracks with the best shrimp filled peppers appetisers and anything else on the menu! It is our favourite place to take out of towners ! read more

This is the best Mexican restaurant in the area. The food is wonderful and very authentic. The employees are very friendly and efficient. Try the stuffed peppers, wet burritos and tacos.........it dosen't get any better. The ambiance is great, next to the railraod track! read more

This is our favorite Mexican restaurant in the valley, we only visit the area once every couple of years but we typically eat here several times during the week. Great people and service. Food is fresh and delicious. The gueritos (shrimp stuffed peppers) are SO good - you've got to try them. Yum! read more

El Mexicali Cafe - Mexican Near Me - Indio, California

Way overpriced , food wasn't that great, Restaurant has no authentic food. 15. 98 for four tacos and a drink is freaking delusional, the tacos didn't taste anything like a cafe Mexicali. Won't go back nor would recommend the restaurant to anybody! read more

Great atmosphere and friendly staff. If you go, you must try their shrimp stuffed peppers. The peppers are to die for. Great local restaurant, it's fun and has wonderful energy. Be ready for when the train goes by... the building might fall over! read more

Nice courteous service, but the food didn't impress me at all. From the chips that tasted like they came from a package and to what I ordered was the Shrimp, octopus, and abalone with cucumbers and cilantro, cocktail, it was bland no flavor. I did try the yellow pepper stuffed with shrimp, the waitress brought it to me and showed me how it is traditionally eaten, she squeeze a lime then added a dollop of mayo and a squirt of soy sauce. It was tasty! The food overall was just O.K. read more

I went there Monday because I really wanted some authentic beans. Food was good but beans lacked flavor and love lol. Over all not bad. Place looks really nice. Host could be a little more friendlier. But he was running the place himself. So I guess understandable. I think next time I'll try the shrimp cocktail and take out. read more

Let me just say the food awesome we had the fish and shrimp ceviche it was the best I have ever had no joke. The service was outstanding Monica and yaya provided a great experience when I checked me back I will be sure to stop here and I recommend more people should try it I had great food and great laughs best staff ever we will be back xoxo read more

Stopped into this place while on vacation with my husband. Train went by as we pulled into the parking lot, rattling our entire car as it drove right behind the restaurant. The place is very small, and was packed when we walked in. Standing room only at the door, probably 20 or so people waiting. The wait staff was incredibly friendly, and everyone inside seemed like regulars, which is always a good sign. I eavesdropped slightly on the table of 8 who were enjoying every morsel of their meal as we waited for a table. And read the review on the wall about their shrimp stuffed yellow peppers with skepticism. Enjoyed the specialty just as the newspaper article suggested, with a drizzle of soy sauce a squeeze of lemon and a smush of mayonnaise. Absolutely unlike anything I've ever eaten before, and simply delicious. Had the combination fajitas, which was a huge portion and fantastic as well. Highly recommend this place! Worth the wait even if it's busy! read more

El Mexicali Cafe - Shrimp stuffed peppers! - Mexican Near Me - Indio, California

Wow what a find!! Diamond in the rough !! A tiny hole in the wall, with amazing flavor! Service was good, food was fast and so delish!! Hubby n' I shared red chili beef plate. Bloody Mary wasn't one point, but that's ok. read more

The best Mexican restaurant I've ever been to! Shrimp stuffed peppers were so delicious.

From the moment we pulled into the very full parking lot in this sleepy town I knew Calimex was going to be good. This small restaurant was packed, but for good reason. The food is amazing! We had the Gueritos (shrimp stuffed yellow peppers) and holy moly, they were scrumptious! The pepper was so stuffed with shrimp it was overflowing! We also split the shrimp ceviche. Very refreshing but not the highlight of the meal. Then the chile rellenos came out...I am surprised I'm still alive after that heavenly meal! The red sauce is spicy and sweet oh, so fresh! Washed it all down with a Coronarita! I absolutely love this place! If you're ever out in the middle of nowhere please enjoy the flavored of Calimex! read more

best mexican food and service, highly recommend this restaurant even though we were a large group, they were able to be attentive and pleasant, love this restaurant read more

Good and friendly service, food has a good presentation... but bland for Mexican food. Although my party did not order from the bar it seem to be active. I think this is Mexican food for Canadians and northern ers! read more

I love this place and am going there today! Everyone I have brought here is amazed that they didn't know of it...it is worth the hike to get there. The stuffed peppers with shrimp are amazing...I'm thinking of getting a shrimp cocktail and some chilies! I can't wait..top that off with an ice cold corona..and you are in heaven! They used to not accept credit cards but now they do! YEAH! read more

Its good homestyle cooking, everything i have ever ordered has been great, Its on the side of the railroad tracks, so if you are lucky, the train will rumble by while you eat. Full bar!! just go eat! read more

Stopped here on the way back from Glamis. .we were craving Mexican food so we stopped here to check it out and hoping for a good meal. It's a tiny little restaurant next to the train tracks. I ordered chilie relleno and my fiance ordered menudo. We were both pleased with our dish. The chili relleno was very good one of the best I've tried. I would stop here again without hesitation. read more

It's Hella complicated to eat at any Mexican resturant with my mom in tow. She should have her own yelp account , I bet that shizz would be hilarious . First, she rates the beans, she's a f'n bean expert from way back when she used to cook for 10 of her bro/sis, so if the beans fail to get a good grade then it's a open roast for the rest of the food, service, clientele , location, decor, other patrons. She's a tough customer, very hard to please and has some serious issues with other peoples Mexican food. Needless to say it just ruins any attempt of me giving this place a decent review. She claimed that the beans, although they looked good, tasted like they were refried in old oil and had no flavor. I myself have to say that the lady's working there were very patient and sweet and yes they perfer to speak Spanish. The rating is strictly based on the frijoles, if my mom (Bigfoot) finds out I gave a better rating she would be disappointedly read more

This place is amazing! Some of the best Mexican style guacamole I've ever had. Vegetarian friendly but most go for the shrimp stuffed peppers. Great service! read more

I would say between here and Pueblo Viejo it is a very close first place for Mexican Food in Indio. What throws me over this way are the majority of the staff are friendly and the "chiles gueritos" are awesomeand to die for! read more

Came here on a Sunday around 8pm, after a long car ride, & a day traipsing around in the desert with the kiddies. Hubby had a craving earlier in the day, pre~ dust roll, & had googled "Best Mexican Restraunt in the Palm Springs area" This one hit the top five. So we set the nav in half hopes that they would still be open & seating customers. After a long, dark drive from nowhere Nilan, I swear...a light came from above & shined down on the tiny coffee, with its parking lots bulging & we knew we had arrived! Ok that & the fact the nav screamed You Have Reached Your Destination! Still expecting to wait for a table even at the late hour, we walked in & was told by a very busy waitress to seat ourselves. As we waited to be served, nearly minutes, I looked around & noticed the place had a kindofa..."grandmas house" feel, well ok, that's if grandma was a mexican cook, with a house full of hungry people...And yes mine was. Our waitress came over to deal out our menus & take our drink order. After a quick stop to the little Senoritas banos with my daughter (which was a little dirty, mostly because of the overflowing waste basket on the floor, but again, expected because it was near closing time. I also should mention that it its outside of the restraunt & around the side of the building, but it is well lit. Another thing worthy of mention,is the fact that the train rumbles down the track a mear 20 yards away! (it was a good thing that I let my daughter go 1st, because it scared the you know what out of her!) All tho I never heard it roar by again while we were eating! We placed our order with a cheerful, yet tired waitress. Now they say that you should NEVER purchace a car that was assembled on a Monday. Never schedule a haircut for the last one on a Friday, and Never eat at a restaurant late on a Sunday after a long weekend... BUT THIS RESTAURANT DEFIES ALL OF THE OLD ADDAGES & SUPERSTITIONS! The food was AMAZING! The staff was top notch! In fact my plguy ordered an appetizer which was one yellow chili stuffed with shrimp,guac, cilantro..etc..i took one bite & ordered one for myself. read more

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Before venturing out to a new dining experience I yelp. Based on their reviews and the name of the restaurant we ended up here at El Mexicali Cafe in Indio. My friend and I were very hungry and had not eaten all day. It was a plus that there wasn't a wait even though most of the tables were taken. We were seated and the menu, chips and salsa were brought out soon by Alejandra. We started with the "Chiles Gueritos stuffed with shrimp". Delicious and a new taste experience. We then ordered the Mexicali Special which consisted of Carne Asada strips, nopales with tomatoes and onions and frijoles de olla. It came with freshly made flour tortillas. The food was well prepared and tasty. I gave it 5 stars for their service and delicious food. We're from Orange County and will be back the next time we come to Indio or Palm Springs. read more

Everything that I have tasted there has been really good I would highly recommend the Chilies queridos.

This place is the classic hole in the wall...next to the train tracks. While I confess to not being a big fan of Mexican food, this place is a notable exception. The place is very small, maybe a dozen tables, but is very, very popular with the knowledgeable locals. As others have noted, the shrimp stuffed peppers are unique and a must try. Margaritas are killer and the ceviche is outstanding. The mole sauce is rich and properly seasoned as served on the short ribs and even the chips and salsa are sublime. The added bonus; a two piece band that serenades you while you eat. You could easily imagine yourself in Mexico. In summary, great food and a totally fun ambiance. Go. read more

A few years ago my favorite Mexican Restaurant in Cathedral City shuttered its doors. It took several year but I have found something even better.............El Mexicali Café. This place is AWESOME. Outstanding food and service. I try and stop in at least once a week !! You will not be disappointed. read more

I live in L.A. but every time I visit the desert I have to go to the Mexicali, I prefer the one by the train track. Everything is good here, the shrimp stuffed peppers are the best, the chili verde is excellent and the whole fried fish is great. You will not be disappointed, well worth the drive from L.A. or Palm Springs! read more

The shrimp stuffed peppers are to die for. We stop by this place when we're leaving from Phoenix to visit relatives in LA and sometimes we've changed our departure times to hit it both coming and going. Just for the stuffed peppers. The service is ok. One server is particularly friendly while the others are adequate. Its definitely a hole in the wall and very low on ambiance. But shrimp stuffed peppers make it all worth it. read more