Great Mexican food. Not much in the way of ambience. But friendly service. Nice selection . Best beef enchilada I had in a long long time. Can't wait to go back!! read more

The food is good but boy is this placed overly overpriced. Someone needs to give these owners a lesson about business. They would have more business if they cut their prices down. Even before the pandemic their prices were insane in comparison to the same food and cost in other areas. For this I'd rather go to a nice expensive restaurant with better service and better ambiance. read more

Amazing price and food! The burrito I got was so simple, but you could tell it was made pretty fresh. The guacamole was generous, too.

I came here for a family dinner! I had never been to Salinas,Ca! I had the camarones a la diabla and I asked for them to make it extra spicy and I'm so glad I did. I loved their shrimp. Best I've ever had actually. It felt as if I was at home. Definitely a family owned restaurant. read more

Literally, hole in the wall, but absolutely delicious! I've been coming here for years, but unfortunately moved far away, and only get a chance to come by several times a year :( When I am fortunate to stop by, I always order the same thing... Camarones a La Diabla (devils shrimp) they are very spicy, but they are able to make them mild if you request it.They come with homemade rice, beans and salad. You also get a choice of tortillas, corn or flour (I usually have the flour, because I love to eat them with my beans ;) ). Their chips and salsa are complimentary upon arrival and are unlimited. Everyone who works here is very nice and friendly. I will say, this is my favorite mexican restaurant! read more

El Zacatecano - Camarones a La Diabla! - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

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I can not believe the service is getting so bad lately the last time eat at the Resturant it took forever to take the order. The waiter didn't even came back to see if we needed any. Today we decided to order over the phone with place the order they said it be ready in 20 min. My husband when to pick up after waiting 25 more they said no longer can fill the order they run out. The is good the is getting to the worse so sad we been customer for over 30 years ! read more

Very good food! Highly recommend. My partner ate a carne asada burrito while I had a vegetarian burrito. Both were great choices! We were able to eat them out back where they have some seating set up under the shade of a carport tent. read more

Delicous! We got camarones a la diabla and pescado frito. The camarones were a bit spicy and sweet. Tasty overall. The fish was crunchy on the outside and nice and tender inside. Yum! Seats were outside in the back for COVID-19. read more

My son and I stopped in on our way south on 101. We were not disappointed in any way. Take out only but the burritos we had were exceptional. My carnitas was moist and delicious. Prices are low, quality high. Great place. read more

I've been coming here since 1985 every weekend with my family and the food is authentic and delicious it is the best place on earth to me in My personal opinion I brought my children my grandchildren and I continue to this day any chance I get I missed the owner and I met his son I believe it was and he was wonderful as nice as his father read more

Found this gem on my way back from a trip, highly recommend it for traditional Mexican food. I got the higado encebollado and my boyfriend go the platillo zacatecano, we both LOVED our meal. This place is a must! read more

Some of the best Mexican food I have ever had. I have dined on Mexican food in almost every state in the US as well as many states in Mexico... this place is amazing! Great salsa as well! read more

El Zacatecano - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

My favorite Mexican place, period! Love the chicken soup especially. The service is swift and cordial and the prices are fantastic!

This place has the best mojarra frita in all of town, and then some. The rest of their menu is pretty good but I come here for the mojarra. No other place makes tilapia taste this good. read more

Food was ok. I mean it was good but just lacked the flavorful taste I was expecting from my "authentic" Mexican food. I shouldn't have to add salsa to get my taste buds ignited. We walked in. Every table that was empty, about 6 of them all had remnants of plates and food, all except two, we chose one to sit at. We passed nobody on the way out so these table were all dirty dished for some time. We got our meh meal and some genuine doofus decided to sit for a table of one behind us, take out his phone and blare his own person music and the staff did NOTHING. The other table behind us murdered their child there or she was screaming like they were attempting to. What a waste of money, I would have been better off with a food truck down the street near the DQ ice cream place. read more

If you are in the Area of Monterey or Selinas you should definitely check this place out. The food is so authentic and flavorful. The employees are very nice and the restaurant is clean. It's like a mom and pop owned restaurant feel, really small but the food is so good! I came to visit Monterey with my friend who grew up in the area and she recommended we try this place and it literally blew my socks off I had to come again before I ended my trip. Everything is reasonably priced and you get a good amount of food for what you pay! read more

El Zacatecano - Combo number 1 is the best! - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

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Got the chicken burrito, it was juicy and seasoned beautifully. There are chips and salsa are also amazing.

Amazing food. Truly a hidden gem. If anyone is in the area, one should definitely drop by. read more

El Zacatecano - This is the pescado dorado. Although surprising, it was scrumptious. - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

We found our new favorite. Yum. We ordered Chili Colorado platters and were amazed at, flavor (did I say yum?), portion, packing, price, and flavor. :) The chips were fresh and the salsa good. I'm glad we found this place and intend to sample many more menu items in the 'Rona times we are in. Highly recommended by myself and my son. read more

This is the third time that my enchiladas were cold. I finally called to complain, and was told that the cooks were rushed to prepare my food. I told her that there's no need to rush. I rather wait for my food to be hot than them to rush and food be cold. She didn't offer me a refund or to remake them. I'm not going back again. read more

Phenomenal. Absolutely the best chili relleno I've ever had. The staff is super friendly and the prices are very reasonable. Free chips and salsa but I would suggest forking up for some guacamole. Everything is delicious so you can't go wrong. 10/10 I'll be back soon. read more

El Zacatecano - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

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Saw this place here and figured, Hey I will give it a try. When I walked in I was greeted. I said I wanted to get an order to go. She handed me a menu and said just to let her know when I was ready. Sat down looking at the menu. Was looking at the pictures on here trying to decide what to get. I landed on the Chile Verde burrito plate and my daughter got a bean and cheese burrito. The meat in the burrito was melt in your mouth, super good! I would definitely go again. It is a small little shop not far off of the freeway. read more

El Zacatecano - Chile verde plate and bean/cheese burrito, yummy! - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

While we have had good, solid Mexican food here over the years, the quality has clearly declined. Ate here recently with a larger party, and two of our number got really sick afterwards after eating basically the same dishes. Had a similar experience the time we ate there prior, but I really wanted to give the a second chance. Too bad, because they used to be one of the better places in Salinas. read more

I love this place. I usually order their enchiladas. The beans and rice are just how I like them. Enchiladas have great flavor. Customers service is awesome! I cannot say enough good things about this place. I alway leave satisfied. read more

Family owned, and some of the most delicious food I've ever had. The sauce they use on enchiladas is really good. They even have sopes, which some Mexican restaurants don't have. You won't be disappointed! read more

El Zacatecano will always be a place to come back to. If you've left Salinas it's a place you'd reminisce about. It's not everyone's ma's or grandma's authentic taste but it is an authentic taste. Because if it's not your authentic taste that you grew up with, it's your aunt or your friend's mom who cooks good food authentic taste. I just know that my Grandmother-in-law cooks really, really good and she likes it here and she's on a walker so it's tough to get her "up" inside the restaurant but she still likes to eat here. It's really good food, a must in one's lifetime. read more

Very good Mexican food in Salinas. My wife and I enjoyed the chile rellenos (good filling and sauce was flavored well) and chicken enchiladas. The shredded chicken was very good, but a little dry. Definitely ask for corn tortillas when offered, they're made in house and are excellent. And don't skip the chips and salsa, the salsa has a nice kick to it and the chips are also homemade. read more

The BEST Mexican restaurant in town! A real hidden gem in the heart of Salinas. The service is great & the food is even better! 10 stars.

Just stopped by to El Zacatecano on the way to the Bay Area to try their burritos with my husband. It was AMAZING! I consider ourselves burrito experts and these hit the spot. Homemade tortillas warmed on the grill, flavorful retried beans, perfectly mixed sour cream, cheese, salsa- all wrapped in foil. Their dark rancho tho sauce is a must try! Will definitely go back! read more

Came here at around 8pm and the place was packed! However we were seated and served right away. Our server was super sweet and attentive even though she was the only waitress it seemed. I ordered a carne asada plate and friends ordered tostados. They were the best I've ever had! The meat was flavorful and beans were cooked to perfection. Will definitely come again! read more

I went here for the first time this Tuesday looking for a good homemade tasting Chicken Soup for my mother who wasn't feeling well! I'm glad to say I was not disappointed! I spoke with the owner while my order was prepared, and he was kind! He said he doesn't like to read reviews, but I told him if my mom approved of their soup I would give a great review(my mom's a picky eater). Well, she loved it and so here's the review: $9 got me a soup, rice, beans, tortillas, and chips with salsa. I had some of the soup, and the flavor of the broth was great! Although, I'm used to chicken soup with rice and noodles it was good without it! read more

Wow! A real gem of a Mexican restaurant for truly authentic Mexican cuisine. A lot of locals and families dining before 7:00 p.m., with a younger, homogeneous Caucasian clientele later in the evening. El Zacatecano serves the thinnest and most delicious hand made corn tortillas, killer chile verde, and caldo de res (beef and vegetable soup). read more

Very small, and tight . Food was outstanding. Had carne assada tacos . Superb taste. Sorry to say the rice and beans were absolutely tasteless . Had to play with them for five min. usuing every combination available. This place also closes at 9 on Saturdays. Way to early to close. read more

I go to this place at least once every two weeks with my clients. It's simplistically amazing and they don't try to compensate with gimmicks. The food is amazing in its succulent and perfect simplicity. I've tried everything from their beef stew to their cóctel de camarón and it's all always been surprisingly good. Just one tip of caution: Keep away from their "zacatecano plate" it's probably their unnecessary attempt at trying to be more mainstream. So ducking good. read more

Fresh, Exciting, Mexican, and Clean! It's the best Mexican food in the area. Everything, from the salsa to the tortillas, is homemade. The service is superb; real nice people who enjoy what they do, and enjoy the service they provide. I haven't had better cheese enchiladas, rice, and beans better than this in Northern California. Don't miss this great eatery! read more

I heard this place was good, I had to try what's all this fuss is all about. Came here of group of us, and the place was Packed there no place to set even though this place is small to begin with. So I ordered chicken tacos, they ask me if I want it grilled or fried. and I said grilled please. Everyone got there food except me. It took forever for my food to come. And when I got my tacos it not grilled it's all Fried. And there some much cheese and lettuce that there's hardly any chicken meat on it. I don't know if I want to go back to this place again. read more

Great food, poor servicing. Ordered two scopes, three customers ordered after me. They received their food/order when I caught the servers eye. She said she'd check. Said they were working on it. I pointed out the customer that came after. Then the man jumped in saying in a condescending manner the orders are prioritized a certain way. When I pointed out the discrepancy he backed off. I got my money back and left. Best caldo de rez in the county. read more

I dunno what Y'all smoking out here in Salinas but this food is trash yo Not one thing was decent . All not good . Why so crowded read more

This place has been around for a very long time. Ever since I can remember is their specialty is their Caldo de Res (Beef Stew). They sell out quick so you'll have to come before noon. Everything here is very delicious, homemade. Its a lil small place and limited on their parking but its so worth it. read more

El Zacatecano - Bistec Picado - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

Probably the best Mexican food in all of salinas. I live in seaside and will drive all the way to salinas just for this place. Literally a little hole in the wall restaurant but a hidden gem. They've been around for years! I'd recommend their enchiladas and Chile rellenos. So good! read more

El Zacatecano - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California