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    El Tranvia

    4.3 (209 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Open 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

    El Tranvia Photos

    Business Info

    EL TRANVIA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - El Tranvia

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    Lunch menu
    Melanie C.

    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!

    Torta de Carne Asada
    Emmanuel T.

    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!

    Platillo de flautas de pollo with beans and rice.

    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!

    Barbacoa
    Wayne B.

    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!

    All fat I took out
    Jahyra C.

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

    Friday through Sunday
    Marilyn A.

    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.

    Salsas
    Tyo J.

    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.

    Quesabirrias

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

    Entrance
    Brigette G.

    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

    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

    Costillas con nopales
    Stacey O.

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

    Birra Tacos with consume
    Joshua B.

    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!

    Patio Carnitas michocana (I forgot the correct spelling)

    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!

    Camarones Zarandeados

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    2 years ago

    Really good food, I ate here last week and me and my friends enjoyed every last bite, coming back soon

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    2 years ago

    I loved it the karaoke was amazing the girl and guy were awesome food is bomb the staff was amazing service very good

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Food was amazing and service was good. My burrito was bussin! Bomba atomica! The vibes were very good .

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    3 years ago

    Some of the best tacos in the valley place is a lil loud but food all ways hits the spot service is decent

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great service! The chile relleno was amazing. And they gave me a balloon as we walked out the door! What's not to love?

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    The hostess was good. The food was not. It's a nice looking restaurant, but I won't send our friends there.

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    Page 2 of 6

    El Tranvia Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Tranvia

    Are the chips and salsa made fresh?

    Yes!!! SALSAS ARE THE BOMB!!!!

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    Jalisco Restaurant - Chorizo Tostada

    Jalisco Restaurant

    3.8(212 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $

    Fun little place in old town Coachella. Wonderful older area with great architecture and small…read moreshops. Appears to be a popular locals place as there were several workers sitting down for lunch. Certainly not a picture perfect place but that was just fine. The pass thru window had charming signage above the window with all the meats and combinations explained in English and Spanish. Very helpful for us gringos. And wow! They have a very good assortment of meats. Hard working waitresses kept busy ! Cold modelo started the meal perfectly. Chili relleno plate and birria burrito soon followed. Rice was nice and fresh. Beans very puréed and not quite as good as I would expect. Entrees were so-so. With plenty of Mexican restaurants around we will keep trying them out! But I suspect this place will be just fine.

    The Real Deal: Like Sunday at Tio's…read more If you're looking for a "fusion" taco with micro-greens and a side of existential dread, keep driving. But if you want a meal that feels like a warm hug from a relative who's slightly disappointed you haven't visited more often, welcome to Jalisco Restaurant in Coachella. The Atmosphere: Family Values & Smoke Walking into Jalisco isn't like entering a business; it's like walking into Tio JP's backyard. That nostalgic aroma of hard work and seasoned grills immediately greets you. It's a throwback to being a kid, watching your tios hover over the fire, treating every flip of the meat like a sacred ritual. There's no "new-age hype" here--just the perfected craft of a family that knows exactly what they're doing. The Heavy Hitters: Tripas & Cabeza Whether you're a "seasoned veteran" of Mexican street food or a nervous newbie, you have to commit to the Tripas and Cabeza. The Texture: The Tripas are cleaned and cooked to that elusive, crispy-yet-tender perfection. The Vessel: Whether you tuck them into a taco or go big with a burrito, it's a masterclass in traditional cooking. The GOAT (Literally): The Birria Let's get one thing straight: most places are out here serving "beef seasoned with birria spices" and calling it a day. Don't be fooled. This is the real deal. We're talking authentic goat meat, slow-cooked using the De La Torre family recipe straight from Jalisco. It's rich, it's tender, and it carries the weight of generations. It's the kind of flavor you can't replicate with a "modern twist." The Refreshment: Homemade Chavelas You're going to need something to wash down that Menudo or those wet burritos. Their homemade Chavela recipe is the MVP here. For the Modelo Negro fans: It adds a dark, savory depth. For the Michelob Ultra drinkers: It gives that crisp finish a spicy, citrus kick. The Verdict Jalisco Restaurant is one of the valley's originals for a reason. It's honest food for people who respect the process. In a world of trendy "reimagined" Mexican food, Jalisco reminds us that the original recipes never needed fixing in the first place. Go for the food, stay because you feel like family.

    Photos
    Jalisco Restaurant
    Jalisco Restaurant - Tacos de birria, consomé

    Tacos de birria, consomé

    Jalisco Restaurant

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    Casa Mendoza - Fried ice cream

    Casa Mendoza

    4.0(946 reviews)
    7.1 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.

    Photos
    Casa Mendoza - Bar Area

    Bar Area

    Casa Mendoza - Friday lunch, outside, single comb  $12.99

    Friday lunch, outside, single comb $12.99

    Casa Mendoza - 100 outside misters outside.. cheers

    See all

    100 outside misters outside.. cheers

    El Tranvia - mexican - Updated September 2026

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