I asked ChatGPT to recommend the best Mexican restaurant in the Coachella Valley--the kind of place you'd take an elite chef visiting from Mexico to show off just how good our Mexican food can be. El Tranvía in Coachella was the top recommendation. I tried it, and damn, I see why! It's amazing. Their birria tatemada is out of this world, and the aguas frescas are to die for. Hands down, this is the best birria I've had outside of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Absolutely worth the trip! read more

Whoa flavor explosion! The food here is so good. Service was a bit slow, and the food took a while to come out. We also had to figure out on our own that we needed to grab our own salsas. They have a salsa bar near the cash register. All was forgiven once the food came. The carne asada in both the tacos and burritos was so flavorful, and I loved the homemade fresh tortillas. The salsas were all tasty, though definitely all on the spicy side. What really stood out to us were the camarones zarandeados (grilled shrimps). The sauce on them was delicious! They also have a full bar, and I couldn't help but notice everyone ordering these yummy looking red margaritas with a chamoy rim! Too bad it was a little too early for me to try one. However my husband did enjoy the beer. The decor is fun and lively, with a stage right in the middle. It was nice that the owner/manager came by to check in on us. read more

See all

This place has been awesome since returning to this spot! I wanted to give it another try since my last unfortunate visit, but I'm glad I gave them a second chance. They have great tacos and a wonderful assortment of toppings and salsas (complimentary). Don't pass up this place if you're in the area! read more

El Tranvia - Lunch menu - Mexican Near Me - Coachella, California

So I took my parents & little bro out to dinner yesterday to El Tranvia which I read the good reviews. The place has a pretty cool theme kinda reminds me of the Rainforest Cafe but I noticed some of the ceiling was in need of repair & had some kind of water leak but that doesn't deter me or make me want to leave a bad & nasty review. I ordered the chile güeritos which were okay I still haven't found a place that makes them better then Mexicali cafe. I also ordered a Michelada with Modelo Negra which was also okay. Alright now onto the main course which I absolutely enjoyed! The taco de cabeza on a tortilla de harina was legit! I loved every single bite! The salsas from the salsa bar brought it all together! Some lime ‍ & bam! deliciousness! I also ordered a torta de carne asada which was hands down one the best I've had! The meat was perfectly grilled not dry like I've had before it was flavorful with that nice grilled smokey taste along with everything in the torta it really brought it together & that bread! Holy crap! It was super soft & literally felt like it was just made in house! The tacos are fully loaded & oh lord that torta is big!!! I could only finish half of it! I took the other half for lunch today & it was freakin delicious all over again! The staff was very friendly & attentive. The ambiance has potential just needs some repairs but I was feeling it. Honestly I loved my experience there & really enjoyed my food!. My parents also liked their food & were talking about ordering from there for next time! read more

See all

Food was super yummy! The service was good but we choose our own tables and we didn't know but you are supposed to get the salsas at the front. The ambiance was good just that there was a water leak but I didn't care for it. I ordered flautas de pollo and it was delicious. The beans and rice were the best and I would definitely come back! read more

El Tranvia - Platillo de flautas de pollo with beans and rice. - Mexican Near Me - Coachella, California

Ordered carne en su jugo all fat just few pieces of meat , staff was very friendly but would not recommend this dish read more

El Tranvia - All fat I took out - Mexican Near Me - Coachella, California

We arrived later in the afternoon for lunch. Such a delicious place! As soon as we sat, they brought complementary chips for the table. The guacamole was absolutely on-point! Menu is only in Spanish language, heads up! A little slice of real Mexican restaurant deliciousness in the middle of sunny Coachella! read more

El Tranvia - Barbacoa - Mexican Near Me - Coachella, California

Dropped in at 11:45pm, they were kind enough to still serve us since they close at 12am. $1 tacos is unheard of ANYWHERE, so glad we found this little gem in the heart of Coachella. I had tacos de lengua and my wife had tacos de carne asada, both were amazing! Oscar is running a fabulous place that is very budget friendly with authentic Mexican food. read more

See all

I highly recommend this spot for tacos. The tortillas are hand made and they have a large variety of salsas. The servers are patient and friendly and the atmosphere is welcoming. read more

See all

Server was great! Food tastes amazing. Atmosphere is awesome and a nice escape from the outside heat. Will eat here again. Prices great too! read more

El Tranvia - Quesabirrias - Mexican Near Me - Coachella, California

good food come with a empty stomach because they will fill you up awesome prices good aesthetics ... ceiling was leaking though that's my only con read more

El Tranvia - Mexican Near Me - Coachella, California

The hubby and I have driven by this place many times and decided to have dinner. It's a big restaurant. You walk in and everyone greets you. It was pretty early, so there were plenty of places to sit. The waitress was super nice! I didn't get her name, but she was friendly, attentive and very informative about their specials. They have a salsa bar and complimentary chips. Great prices on the drinks and the chavelas were amazing! Cute decor inside very old school Mexico, I'm sure it gets Poppin after dark. They have a stage in there, I believe for karaoke or a band. We ordered the chilies güeritos as an appetizer and the mix fajitas. Wow talk about a lot of food! Great portions! The chilies 10/10! I believe they were seven on the plate. They garnish it with onions slices of oranges, cilantro it was so delicious! The fajitas are a huge shareable portion. Very flavorful! 10/10! The best part are the homemade flour tortillas! Bomb! perfectly made my husband loved them! I will definitely be back. Our waitress was so sweet and he even brought me and my husband a balloon each lol Great place in Coachella! Can't wait to come back and try other things read more

See all

Food was very good! Service was great! Ambiance was nice very cute spot. I will be going back really enjoyed it. read more

See all

Food was top notch as always. Service there is generally decent, but this night the particular waitress lacked knowledge on most of the food's ingredients or how they were prepared (basic waiter/host information) nor made any effort to find out. Also, and yes I realize it's in Coachella and it's a Mexican restaurant, but learning English at a more fluent level should be made, everyone in there with two exceptions were white folks who love the food, know your cliental and adapt, just a good service strategy. Place is fairly clean though the bathroom should be hit more, there's always "that guy or gal" that blow it up and leave it a mess. I've been here several times with the family and each time the food is on point. Tonight we had the Burria taco special, breaded shrimp tacos and the ceviche with avocado, again on point. On the weekends they have $1 street taco nights outside on the patio, choice of various meats and again great food. Does get busy from 8pm till 12am, night life folks, so come a little sooner from 6pm-8pm. This place should be a "must go" if you live hear or just visiting! read more

See all

Cheap, and with generous servings. The ambience was rather nice also. Language was tender, but a little bland. However, their salsa selection is quite nice and I spiced it up with some options from that. Will return again and try more of their menu. read more

We stopped here for lunch after a hike in Mecca area. Best homemade tortillas we have ever had. Chile relleno, Carnitas michocana, guacamole all delicious. Even the sides of rice and beans were phenomenal. Highly recommend El Tranvia! read more

El Tranvia - Patio Carnitas michocana (I forgot the correct spelling) - Mexican Near Me - Coachella, California

Pretty sure they are racist or at least our server was. We came in the same time as another table, they ate and left. Surely we're next? No. A table that arrived after us received their entire order compete with fajitas and fried dishes. Meanwhile we got a burrito and some tacos. The Server never checked on us after taking our order even though we were sat for 30 minutes. read more

The shrimp cocktail is delicious. I highly recommend it. I've tried different plates of food and it always tastes good.

Best authentic Mexican cuisine in all the Coachella Valley. The service is always great. There is plenty of room inside the restaurant and their outdoor patio is cozy. The camarones zarandeados are a must! You can order as an appetizer or as a full entree (which is the one ordered). This place is family owned and they always make you feel welcomed. read more

El Tranvia - Camarones Zarandeados - Mexican Near Me - Coachella, California

Truly outstanding!!! We absolutely loved everything about this place--especially the FOOD and SERVICE!!! The food is remarkable. The flavors were outstanding!!!!! My only wish is that you open a place in Palm Springs! We will be back!!!! read more

We stopped here after spending the day at Joshua Tree. We absolutely loved our food! I had the shrimp appetizer and it was amazing. Highly recommend! read more

Ordered a big order over the phone. When I went to pick up my food, I was charged a fee to use my credit card. There was no sign and I was not informed over the phone. Their food prices are already hiked up so high, why do they charge their patrons to use their own money? I do not recommend this restaurant and I will not patronize this restaurant or any restaurant that charges you to use your own money! Who carries this much cash around anymore?? read more

Wonderful flavor and spice profile. Chile relleno (Not on the menu, but they can make it by request) is the best tasting chile relleno I have ever had! (And it's what I order everywhere). The different salsas that you can serve yourself at the salsa buffet are full of flavor and each very different. And the quesobirria is so tasty, served warm with consume, and absolutely delicious. Someone in this kitchen has a very keen palette and is choosing the ingredients ratios very accurately. I'm so impressed. And nothing on the menu is in English, and the waiter didn't speak any English, but was super nice and we figured things out and I'm very happy to have found this gem! Yummy! read more

El Tranvia - Mexican Near Me - Coachella, California

Grabbed lunch here based on the rave reviews of folks local to Coachella. It did not disappoint! I love chicken mole and thoroughly enjoyed this meal. It also came with homemade tortillas that were some of the best I have ever had. Service was incredible and the inside of the restaurant is vibrant and colorful. Looking forward to trying more of their menu the next time I'm in town! read more

El Tranvia - Chicken Mole - Mexican Near Me - Coachella, California

Food was delicious and authentic! Reasons this place did not receive 5 Stars: dirty bathroom, SLOW service and they weren't busy (we had to ask for refills and our check) and only alcohol served is beer. So much potential if they fix those things. read more

See all

I ordered pescado a la plancha for lunch at the lively, busy restaurant on a Sunday. This came with three handmade tortillas. The food was delicious, all cooked and prepared well. There is an extensive salsa bar as well. The service was okay, and the food came out rather slowly, but for food this good, it's well worth the wait. Just don't come here if you are in a hurry. read more

El Tranvia - Chips - Mexican Near Me - Coachella, California

See all

Muy buena comida, recomendado toda la familia pasó un lindo y agradable momento muy complacida

The food was good, I was a little disappointed in their service. They took long to help us out and to get the food out to us. The staff were friendly but when the service is slow it takes away from the whole experience. read more

I had a HORRIBLE experience, the monkey on the ceiling had moved....I looked up and I saw one staring at me....I told my granddaughter Elizabeth Marie that they were out to get me....I swear the monkey was staring at me...in a demonic way. Anyways, the ambiance was mm alright a bit dark in there. haha margaritas viva la vida! read more

The food was fantastic and for the price it was a no brainer. Staff was excellent and helped out! Even gave me refill on my horchata. Came here with family overseas to try Mexican cuisine for the first time and they were stunned. Will be back! read more

I had the worst service by one of the servers today 11/8/25 during lunch. She was an older lady blonde (dyed) hair and was very rude. She never once came to our table and asked if we needed anything or asked if everything was alright. I asked for bottled water with a cup of ice and she never brought it ignoring my request. But I did see her take other tables glasses with ice for their waters. And no it was not very busy at that time. When I went to pay and asked for a Togo box she handed me some aluminum foil and said we don't hand out boxes for tacos. I told her it was for tacos and a Tostada. She tbe saw my displeasure on my face and said ok, I'll give you one even though I'm not supposed too. In the end needless to say she was very rude and she knew my experience was not good and she didn't care. The food was amazing tho. But if you get her as a server move to another table. read more

Authentic amazing food...the salsa bar was a real treat. We had the chicken burrito which did not disappoint. The chicken was cooked perfectly. Next time I want to try the tacos, they look very tasty, they also have a bar with roasted jalapeños, beans and grilled onions. I have one request...please open a location in Palm Springs. read more

I thought this was a take-out window ever since it opened. A friend took me here for lunch and WOW! This little place has SO MUCH CHARM, and the food is amazing! Great service, friendly staff and a very cozy atmosphere. Hands down the BEST estilo casero Mexican food in the desert! It appears that they do take-out orders, there is a stage for live music, and they also run a food truck. Historically I'm told, they operated out of the back of a liquor store for years and only recently opened this new location. I will return again and again. read more

went to the restaurant again because i thought i caught them on a bad day turns out i was disappointed yet again. prepare to be there for over an hour just to get some drinks out. this place is a joke. they had my other account blocked i'm sure because it's the only bad review i have given so far. read more

Usually have a really good time i think the place got new waiters the one who helped us messed up our order and got upset about me correcting her when she brought it to the table. I usually tip for the good service but this time it was forced on us as a service charge. Really hope the owner corrects this. read more

Worst costillas con nopales I've ever had. The pork meat is very Very dry. Also the sauce has tons of seeds from the peppers or tomatillos. Never coming back to this place. read more

El Tranvia - Mexican Near Me - Coachella, California

See all

I found plenty of SMALL HAIR looked like pubic hair. The servers said it was animal hair as if it were any better. DISGUSTING! Encontre bastante PELOS en el taco parecian pelos pubicos. Las meseras dijieron que era pelo de anima. Pelo es pelo, nadie quiere pelo en su comida. ASCO!!! read more

A great neighborhood place, with excellent parking. Started house made chips, then a simple quesadilla (hand made fresh tortillas - WOW!) and order of guacamole (another WOW- it was dynamite!) Probably the best guac I've had, which since I grew up on the border and my father-in-law is an avocado farmer, is saying something. I had stewed pork with nopales (fantastic) and my wife had enchiladas (decent, but not nearly as good as everything else). I would heartily recommend - just don't order enchiladas. read more

El Tranvia - pork with nopales - Mexican Near Me - Coachella, California

Worst enchiladas ever had, they fried the tortilla and put green taco sauce on top that was cold. Tasted horrible, never coming here again. read more

El Tranvia - Disgusting Enchiladas Verdes, dipped tortillas in oil and put cold taco sauce on top, tasted terrible, never coming here again! - Mexican Near Me - Coachella, California

We came out of Joshua Tree NP famished. We ordered tacos just to tide us over to dinner (camerones $5.99 and Pescado $6.99). But they were huge, piled high with cabbage, avocado and salsa. The tortillas were made fresh to order and were so hot we had trouble handling the tacos. We regretted not ordering a full meal as we saw amazing plates coming out of the kitchen. The service was attentive. I don't speak Spanish and had difficulty reading the menu. Some delightful pantomime ensued and it was a rather precious interaction. The ambiance is cool and dark, welcome after a day on the desert. Wonderful old music videos played on the big screen. The county has awarded them an A in food safety. read more