Great Authentic Mexican Food at decent prices with service you will be happy with. Very attentive and fresh large portions of traditional flavorful food you would expect. Definitely a must try, and I will be returning when I come back to visit the area.... read more

El Mexicali Cafe - Carne Asada Omelette - Mexican Near Me - Indio, California

Most authentic and delicious Mexican food in the Desert. There truly, in my opinion, not a bad thing on their menu.

Such an amazing find for us! We got 2 sampler plates which we shared and I could have ordered more food but I was full. NOT TOO salty which is a positive, amazing flavors, very nice staff. Can't wait to go back. Will take people visiting us there as well. read more

The food is good just like their sister restaurant on Monroe. The ambience is shaky specially when the train goes by and rocks the entire building. We really like this sister restaurant on Monroe Street in India, especially on Fridays when they have their soup with the meat in it delicious read more

Just go! It's the best order the shrimp stuffed peppers. The servers have been there for years soon to learn your order if you go back even high season to season. They had to keep expanding from when they first opened years ago. Because families grow and even the kids and grandkids go back. Ambiance is the real deal. Go they will adopt your cravings read more

It's been some years, since I was at the Cafe, but they did not disappoint. Started with a beer with stuffed peppers with shrimp, mayo and soy, as dipping sauce. Great as I remembered. Then steak tacos with rice and beans. The only thing missing was having the train go by. Wish it had. Be back again read more

The food was good. They have good breakfast here. The owner was very nice. A very casual ambience can be a little loud with the train in the traffic noise. read more

Food was good but not great. Service was again ok but not fully attentive. (Needed to ask for refills on chips & drink after empty for pretty long time) I will say that the sangria was very tasty and one of the better mixes I've had over the years. Fajitas was not great. Beef & chicken appear to have been cooked in a skillet and were over cooked. Not grilled like traditional Fajitas in Texas. The vegetables were plentiful and the sauce was tasty but, for the price it was very little meat and this was disguised by the significant amount of bell peppers. The set up was unremarkable. Rice & Beans. Caldo De Reyes was A good contender and the ingredients were appropriate but, the soup base is fairly flavorless. Truly good Caldo de Reyes has a flavorful soup base. This was not that. So it's not to be Hypocritical, I will say through we ate almost everything. We were hungry and it was good. Just not great. Certainly not enough to bring us back in the future. There are other places that do a better job for the money. The final two items that bother me the most were: * 3 1/2% convenience fee to use my American Express card. * the gratuity calculation on the bill was not based on the pre-tax amount. In fact, it was based on the post tax plus the additional credit card surcharge multiplied times the percentage rate. I have never seen that before and I have dislike to seeing that. I would have preferred they did not try to do a gratuity calculation on the bottom of my receipt. If you're going to incorrectly it right don't do it. We left the inflated gratuity amount but it was grudgingly. *** Those final two items were enough to ensure that I will never return. **** read more

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Absolutely fantastic! Love this place. Been there twice. Had the chicken mole enchiladas the first time they were great. Today I had the number three combination off the charts. Chicken taco, beef, enchilada, and a chili releno with rice and beans. Cleaned the plate. I will definitely be back. It will be my go to Mexican joint. It's a bit expensive, but what the hell isn't in California? Definitely recommend this place. Service was fantastic too. People are always nice in this place. read more

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Dropped by on our way to Phoenix. The food was super authentic. The Chile verde and chile Colorado were amazing. The staff were very informative and kind. A great meal and experience! read more

Great food and great service! We loved it! We especially fell for their appetizers! Modest digs but clean and comfortable. The patio was a bit too noisy being on Indio Blvd but cute as can be. We WILL be back next time we are in Indio. read more

El Mexicali Cafe - Combo plate with taco, chili relleno and enchilada with green sauce. Beans and rice round out the meal. - Mexican Near Me - Indio, California

I had Huevos Rancheros Breakfast here @ El Mexicali Cafe. This restaurant was highly recommended on Yelp for the Coachella/Indio area and since I was in the area I thought I'd give it a try. Very surprised !! It was SO SO good ! In fact, golfers from the surrounding communities also come here for the food... it's so good. I saw several people who live in Palm Desert also here at El Mexicali while I was there... very very cool. This restaurant is on my list of good mexican restaurants now. read more

On my most recent trip to CA I stopped in at this yummy again for yummy Mexican food.. never disappoints. This time i had the pescado tacos with rice and beans .. the tacos were full of flaky fish and toppings.. big flavor in every bite. The beans were creamy and perfect with the tacos, the rice didn't have a lot of flavor but complimented the beans nicely. The mango margarita with the tamarindo Candy was delicious.. tangy, sweet, spicy .. all the flavors!! The salsa with the chips was chunky and spicy.. really good!! The soups are perfect during cold weather .. the service is always friendly and pretty fast for a crowded lunch hour. Outdoor covered patio seating due to covid, plenty of parking read more

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The food here is five star but the service is a bit slow and the ambience is a bit to be desired with a busy highway on one side and a very loud train track on the other. Onto the food... The chips and salsa were a nice and spicy start but the yellow peppers stuffed with shrimp were something most of us had never seen before but glad we ordered since they were really, really good. A great starter. A few of us ordered their cheese enchiladas (red and green) - they were great and the refried beans were exceptional. They were lighter in color and tasty. Also one had the Quesio Fundido with chorizo which was nice as were the Chilaquiles (another new dish for us). Except for the slow service the staff was friendly and the food great. read more

El Mexicali Cafe - Cheese enchiladas with green sauce - Mexican Near Me - Indio, California

This is our favorite Mexican restaurant. Staff is friendly, food is great and prices are reasonable and very nice ambiance

Thank you Elvira and staff for keeping us all well fed and happy. Even in the 100 degree weather, their fans and misters kept us comfortable, Food was amazing. Starting with their Signature Chiles Gueritos Rellenos de Camaron (with soy sauce and mayonnaise, who knew?), paired deliciously with the spicy Chavela. Then moving on to assorted Ceviches, it was a perfect lunch time treat. Definitely need to try all the other dishes, both breakfast and lunch. read more

El Mexicali Cafe - Deliciousness in Indio. Thank you Elvira and Staff. - Mexican Near Me - Indio, California

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We have dined here many times, the inside was cool on a very hot day. Service was great, super nice server with a great personality!! Salsa was good as always, my chili relleno omelette was yummy. Husband had napolitos with eggs and potatoes, he left nothing on his plate, lol. We will be back again, thanks ladies for another awesome breakfast!! read more

El Mexicali Cafe - Chili relleno omelette - Mexican Near Me - Indio, California

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Came to try out this place with a coworker for lunch. The workers are very friendly. The restaurant is small and in a parking lot by itself. You could totally miss it if you weren't looking for it. They have indoor and outdoor seating. The one thing that bothered me was that there were flies flying around everyone's food while we were trying to eat. Another thing that bothered me was the waitress took my straw from my cup and touched the top where I drink from and put it in a to go cup so I didn't think that was sanitary. She was trying to be helpful but that's not okay. The chicken crunchy tacos were fresh and greasy. It lacked flavor but the salsa was hot and gave it a kick. The chips they give you are greasy but had to add salt to it. The chicken enchilada had no flavor and the sauce tasted water down. The taquitos looked burnt but my coworker said it tasted good. The rice and beans were good. It's a first time and probably won't be coming back. read more

El Mexicali Cafe - Side of Chicken Enchilada - Mexican Near Me - Indio, California

Very disappointed. Our family has been going for years and came out saying Wow delicious and authentic... but this experience was not good. Mainly the food.... Chips and salsa awful, the portions child size, shrimp tacos had a smear of chopped shrimp, ceviche not good, even the quesadillas were greasy.. definitely not going back. read more

Every December, we come from San Bernardino to celebrate my wife's birthday. The food is always so fresh, and the service is great. We do come down throughout the year, but this is a must for her birthday read more

El Mexicali Cafe - Combo #3 - Mexican Near Me - Indio, California

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Food here is delicious! We are out here visiting and wanted to eat some authentic Mexican food and found this spot. The service is great our server Jose was super attentive and friendly. Love the chile güeritos stuffed with shrimp omgggg to die for! Recommend for sure! read more

El Mexicali Cafe - Chile guerito Shrimp Stuffed Pepper - Mexican Near Me - Indio, California

I love everything about this place -the food (make sure you try the shrimp stuffed peppers), the servers who are happy and helpful, and the fact that when you sit outside, you can watch the train go by if you're lucky!! read more

Edwin was amazing. Fantastic service. He handled our big table like an old pro. So kind and patient!!! Food was insanely good as usual and one of the reasons we come to this area every year. read more

This restaurant always has great food and great drinks! Edwin provided excellent service and was very attentive. We enjoyed our visit!

It was just really good! We started with the recommended shrimp stuffed yellow peppers. They seems to be roasted and we're excellent (with soy sauce and mayo- weird right?) Absolutely yummy!!! We also had a chicken enchilada and chili relleno with beans and rice. Both were excellent and it's a good combo bc they're quite different. (The enchilada was delicious and quite different from red sauce and cheese we're accustomed to. We also got grilled fish tacos which were sensational. (My husband said they were the best ever!) The chips are served cold and the salsa very hot (!) so easy to resist. I'd skip drinks next time. The mango margarita was way to sweet and the regular margarita did not taste like fresh limes. I will be back on next trip!!! read more

Food is authentic and their menu is pretty extensive, service was great, it can get busy on weekend nights but they normally can get you seated in 10-20 minutes read more

We went to have lunch. We had an extremely great meal. The manager shared with us her vision and her food process. This is a great place togo. We will go back again. read more

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This place is not the place to get Mexican food. The service is very slow, not once did they check how our food was or even offer any refills. We kept getting flies on our table and the floor was covered with food. The chicharones con huevos was terrible, the only good thing was the beans and eggs. The soup of 7 marres was disgusting they used tomato seasoning and no flavor at all. The ambiance was like the workers didn't want to come in today. I would have gotten better quality and service at a Taco Bell or Deltaco. read more

El Mexicali Cafe - Chicharones con huevo. - Mexican Near Me - Indio, California

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Terrific authentic Mexican food. Would definitely go back. The fried ice cream and bananarito are no longer on the menu, unfortunately

The food was great and service attentive and fast. They are a neighborhood favorite and have been in business since the 1960s. If you are passing through on a road trip, you should definitively stop and have a meal. Their Mexican rice tasted just like my nana's and they have delicious nopalitos which are hard to find. read more

El Mexicali Cafe - Photos of the restaurant through the decades - Mexican Near Me - Indio, California

This place was outstanding. I live in California so get a lot of Mexican food. This was truly excellent. Even the homemade tortilla chips were outstanding. We all got different items and everyone was happy. They even have a full bar and happy hour. Parking was easy. Honestly I can only think of good things to say. There's a front courtyard and you could bring your dog and eat out there. Indoor tables were limited to maybe a dozen. Yum yum. read more

Our go to spot when out in Indio! Love the food and the service . My son loves watching the train go by! So def a must when we're vacationing out that way read more

we waited 20minutes only to have snow birds walk in and they were given our table. Way to treat your locals. ill never eat at ether two locations again. I'll make sure that my family and friends know how they treat locals. read more

Best mariscos in town. Get aguachiles - red and green Guerros Bomb fresh mariscos & believe it or not their regular asada plates are prime choice, have a margarita while you are there. I am here for two weeks and have been back 3 times. read more

The chile guerritos are absolute fire. Hands down the best in the desert. Fast service, bad neighborhood...trains every 10 minutes just add to the flavor. I eat here often figured I should give them the rating they well deserve read more

It's hard to find a Mexican restaurant you love when you cook Mexican food all the time at home. I know this place has been around a long time, and there must be a reason, but I don't think I'll be returning. Unless it's for the Churros. Those were fresh and warm and yummy. I do recommend those! Service was ok. read more

We had El Mexicali II prepare food for a group of 40+ adults and children last Saturday. Food was ready for pickup when we arrived and the food was excellent! El Mexicali II catered two years ago for the same group and we had the same experience! read more

Always a decent meal here. I prefer this quaint location over the one on Monroe Street. Shrimp stuffed chili are always a must! The chicken taco plate is always pretty good. I don't like their enchiladas. I'll never get them here again. My husband always likes the burrito combination plate with asada or shredded beef. Salsa & chips are always good & they include them free with takeout also! Margaritas are not great when I have had them. Overall, mostly good experiences here. read more

Hands down the Chile gueritos are the best here. I always the get the 2 burrito plate which I get an Asada & machaca burrito that are very tasty along with rice & beans. Got the drinks on happy hour but got charged full price for some reason but whatever it's all good the pandemic has been rough on the restaurant industry & I hadn't stopped working 1 day since it all started so I didn't mind. Overall service is great & food is very delicious! read more

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This is a great place to bring the family, food selection and service is above par. We had an appetizer called " Chiles Guero's ". They're broiled yellow jalapeño peppers stuffed with ground shrimp and cheese. You can skim a thin layer of mayonnaise, a splash of soy sauce plus fresh squeezed lemon juice to bring it an another level of flavor. It's a small location with indoor and an outdoor dining space. It's about 100 feet from railroad tracks and allows you to watch the train go by while you eat, great for little kids to experience something out of the ordinary. We all selected different dishes and each one of us gave our plate two thumbs up. We will definitely come back and enjoy the experience again. read more