Welcome to Bland City, CA! Seriously, I know Benicia isn't known for their Mexican food, or any ethic food for that matter, but I don't understand how they remain in business?!? The ONLY thing that resembles flavor is their salsa, which has a mighty large kick! For some unknown reason, some of my co-workers love this place, so every few months we celebrate a birthday here. I've even passed on a few of these celebrations, because they pick this place. I feel justly in giving them this rating because I've tried a plethora of things by now - taco, burrito, flauta, quesadilla, carnitas, etc. This last time I decided to go for the Avo Burger, yes - that's how much I dislike this place. I chose a burger at a Mexican restaurant. The actual burger patty had some flavor, but the cheese was weird, slightly gritty and had a processed taste. This by far, was probably their best execution of a meal. I don't think they employ more than one server per shift. Every time I go it's only one person working their tail off to serve the entire restaurant. Hard working, but inefficient, means we are subjected to slow service. I can't fault the server, only the establishment for that oversight, but add that to the boring food and you have a doomed restaurant! I'm all about celebrating lives, but I cannot buy into these bland, tasteless meals anymore! read more

Ensenada - Avo Burg - Mexican Near Me - Benicia, California

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Been coming here for over 10 years, even through an ownership change about a year ago, they have gotten even better and more authentic! If you are in the area you HAVE to try this place: They will be moving to 1st Street Benicia in February so mark your calendars! read more

Service:NO BUENO Went in the other day no greeting,no menu, informed me that I could look online and those prices are outdated. The burrito was disgusting and I also forgot she blurted out that the rent in her restaurant is $7,000. She was on the phone and appeared occupied. Cant blame covid.If your establishment is open for business,be grateful.PERIOD! read more

Ensenada - The outdated in house menu - Mexican Near Me - Benicia, California

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Meat didn't seem to be freshly made. Dry and hard meat in torta and in enchiladas. Beans taste like they might have been canned. read more

I like their menu and they prepare the food the authentic Mexican way. The ambience is almost like being at Ensenada.

The staff is very friendly and welcoming. The food is very consistent and great taste, with big portions. Very relaxed atmosphere. read more

Hadn't been here for quite awhile but have to say it has a new owner who is very nice. The food is very good (they give you plenty) I ordered Chile Verde and rice that was not only delicious but enough for leftovers for lunch. So if you haven't been there for a while I would definitely recommend it. read more

New owners and the food was delicious! I believe the change of ownership was a month or two ago so all the reviews prior are for the old owners. I am so happy we have great Mexican food so close to home! read more

Cozy place. I like the ambiance. I ordered shrimp taco and ceviche taco and they were amazingly delicious. My husband ordered beef burrito and he was extremely pleased. Great place and definitely come again. read more

Worst Mexican food you Will ever have. When you think it is impossible to mess it up these people can! Service stinks and food is even worse. read more

So i just received my food via delivery This is what i got for the "steak fajitas" In the order you can specify for "extra" I asked for extra rice and beans and "salad" Its the smallest potion of rice and beans possible and a huge pile of meat this makes no sense read more

I am shocked that this place is still in business. I went there last week and was very disappointed in the lack of flavor, and the slow slow slow service. I probably could've walked out without paying as I only saw the "waitress/Clock/Buser/cashier" once and then I literally had to walk into the kitchen to try and pay so I could leave. read more

I don't understand why the reviews are so negative. I've gone here multiple times and always have a good experience. There was ONE time an error was made on my burrito and the cashier was super apologetic and offered it on the house. But every other time, it's been excellent service/no issues. This is more of a take out place to me, not really a sit down restaurant. And perhaps that is why the stars are low? That being said, they're food is good and hefty portions for the price. The super burrito is my go to and it always lasts two meals. This is a reliable spot to get reasonably priced Mexican food. Service is always great and quick! read more

We have been in Benicia for 6 years and have never tried this place due to the ratings. Recently saw that their are new owners and decided to grab a couple burritos. We were not disappointed, the burritos were great. Tightly wrapped and well filled. Tasted fresh and not super heavy. The staff was friendly and restaurant is neat and clean. Its hard for me to wrap my head around the bad reviews on here as of late cause this place is good. Will definitely be coming here again. read more

This place is a mess. Went in with my wife around 1pm and there were 8 people, only two had food. We ordered a super burrito, fish tacos, can soda, and chips.. cost us 40 bucks! As we ordered, I noticed that there was one cook, but nothing was cooking. I saw no food, heard no cooking, just silence in the entire place. At this point, I remembered that it was October. I say this because this place felt like a haunted house. Was eerily quiet, no food in sight, and a cook not cooking. I do love trick or treating though, reminds me of when we were kids. After 25 mins, abs a little bit of reminiscing our food comes out. I was holding back the tears while we drove home. I had a feeling that a disaster was about to happen. Was the trick on us? YES IT WAS The food looked like it was yesterdays meal. Cold, sad, and unappealing. My wife's fish tacos? Sad fish sticks, full of oil and ... the trick was on her too. It was like we had been fooled to think this was fresh food. A trick that made us both think that we had made a huge mistake. Overall, and I sadly say this. I can not in good conscience allow anyone I know to ever eat here and I can't go back. This was the worst Mexican food I ever had. read more

We read in a local facebook group that this restaurant had been taken over by new owners, so we went for dinner one evening. The wait was long, probably because there were only 2 people working on a busy night, but that didn't bother us so much. The food was actually really good. We got the Chicken nachos, Chicken burrito supreme, a side of rice and beans and chips. Went there again today for lunch, and the experience was like night and day. There was only one person working, the food was TERRIBLE!!!!! Chips were old and stale, we ordered the same burrito (chicken supreme) there were ingredients missing in it and we got a side of beans and it was basically bland bean soup with no cheese on top. I've never seen such soupy beans!! Not good at all, I didn't even want to serve it to my kids! It's almost as if this place has two sets of owners with two sets of menu's. Dinner was great, lunch was NOT!! read more

I used to go here many years ago and remember them having decent food, so I decided to give it a try, despite how many of the recent reviews are negative. I really wish I listened to them. 1. There were multiple tables with dirty dishes on them. They were not clearing or sanitizing tables after customers. 2. There was only one person in the kitchen and confusingly, it didn't look like they were even cooking. There was no sound of grills or stoves being fired. At one point they put something in the fryer and it was silent. Not even hot enough to be frying. It almost made us believe these were warmed up leftovers, or pre-made meals or something being microwaved. 3. The food... We ordered to go and opening the box was the saddest sight. Luke warm food, random bits of lettuce in a glob of sour cream, sad salsa. They make the fish taco using FISH STICKS. ACTUAL FISH STICKS. Breaded, microwavable fish sticks. read more

Decided to try it out after hearing new owners took over and was hoping for a great lunch. Disappointed and disgusted sums up the entire experience. My husband and I were the only ones dining in. We ordered, got water and chips and didn't see the server for 40 minutes after that. There was one take out order that came through during that time. We listened to what sounded like a party in the kitchen but were never checked on or given a heads up we would ever get our lunch. When it finally came out it looked like leftovers from previous orders. 40 minutes for disgusting food and server could have cared less about the service or lack of. We ended up walking out instead of risking food poisoning. If this place is in fact under new ownership there needs to be a lesson in running a business. Very disappointing way to spend a Sunday afternoon. read more

Shrimp tacos, street style, were delicious ! Carne Asada Chimichanga was really good too... Very nice server

Ordered Super Carnitas Burrito. I had big globs of fat in it. Seemed to be missing the "Super" part. So I sliced it down the middle and opened it up. Sure enough, there was maybe a scant teaspoon of sour cream and guacamole. Sent it back to the chef who said, "I made it correctly!" Place seems as if it might be going out of business. DON'T EAT HERE!!! read more

I'd say I was disappointed, however, I can't be disappointed in something that is still lacking. I've read good reviews stating an apparent owner change so I decided to try it again after 12+ years. I ordered a asada super burrito and got basically a bean and rice burrito with a small random hint of meat. There was supposed to be some other ingredients in the burrito. If there was, it was lost in the mush of the beans. Oh and they gave me like 4 chips, so that's a plus? Maybe I'll go back in another 12 years. read more

Ensenada - Mexican Near Me - Benicia, California

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Read the one-star reviews. They aren't lying! Bland, old, flavorless. Why throw your money away? The server was also the line cook, restaurant was smokey, and service not friendly. Sad, really. read more

I had the shrimp burrito and my husband had the shrimp enchiladas....EXCEllANT... Everything was ready when my husband picked up our meal. Staff was curteous and again the meal was delicious! read more

First time trying this place after reading all the good reviews on Benicia Happenings. And hands down, it's our favorite Mexican food around now! Will definitely be back! Chicken super burritos for the win! read more

Went here on a Friday, 4/30 around 4:30 with my parents. My dad really needed to just go to the smoke shop next door to buy lotto. He saw this place and I thought I guess we could try it. We always drive past this restaurant whenever we are at Raleys. Against my better judgement and not checking reviews first, we waisted almost an hour of our time. Long story short: 1) went in to order. There was another customer waiting. She asked them how much longer it would be as this has been the longest she has waited. Said that things aren't as they used to be. Cashier said there was only one cook in the kitchen....that customer said she would be back again and walked out to kill more time. 2) that already made me weary, but still went along with it. I have her my order. She was writing my order on white ripped paper with a sharpie. She had to keep looking at the menu prices to take the total. After she got our order, she then entered it on to the pad they had/register. Why didn't she do that to begin with? 3) the waiting game begins. She said it would be ready in 25 min. We go back to the car to wait. It's about 20 min now and I see the first Citroen walking back in. She didn't come out right away. Took like another 10min before she walked out. My dad went in to check at 25 min. The first customer walks back in and another 19 min walks out with another bag of food. 4) it is now nearing 40 min. I walk in and told my dad to wait in the car. I'm waiting another 15min. I look around while I'm waiting. There's three tables that haven't been cleared and have dirty dishes still on the table. At this point I'm sure they don't wipe down or disinfect after each customer. I park into the kitchen and the cashier is in the back helping to cook.... 5) my food finally comes out and I set the bag down to double check. I wish I took a picture. I ordered the following: -3 street tacos -3 fried tacos -cheese quesadilla -flautas -flan I get the order and there were only three tacos. The other container was so light. I opened it and it had like a pinch of lettuce and a small spoon of sour cream and a slice of avocado. What? What is this? No little small containers for this? It's nonsense. The cook comes out to hand me now an actual small Togo of sour cream. And I was telling her I asked for 6 tacos and not three. She grabs my box with her bare hands and no mask on.....at that point I said I'm done and don't want this. I also said they were missing the flan and quesadilla. She gives me the flan. I said I want a refund. The cashier said it would be another 10 min for the missing three tacos. I didn't even mention the missing quesadilla. I said no. I have to wait longer? It's been an hour at this point. And I won't take the food because they aren't following covid protocols! I told the cashier that she took my box of food with her hands and no mask. No I don't want this food. She relayed the message to the cook next to her, mind you were all in the dining area at this point. That's when the cook decides to put her mask on.... 6) I insisted on my refund. She asks for my receipt for what I ordered and I thought she meant the itemized receipt which I didn't get. She said she had to make a call cause they don't have access to do refunds. I then said oh I do have the receipt and she says oh, you said you didn't. Be clear which receipt you are asking for. Shouldn't you be able to look that up in the System on the last orders?? I used to work at a Mexican restaurant and yes we could see all orders. She calls whoever and says the situation. How do they not have the ability to refund back to the original form of payment?? I eventually got my cash back. But geez, I'm pretty sure all other restaurants can give a refund to the original form of payment without having to call someone. What kind of business are they running anyway?? Just one cook. No one to clean the table. I doubt they wash their hands before touching food. Cook doesn't wear a mask. She writes down orders on ripped pieces of paper with a sharpie then enters it on the computer?? Oh, lastly, their food handlers certificate expired back on 2019. Never coming here again. Save yourself the time and misery. I wonder this place is almost always empty when we pass by. If these owners don't care about their business, close it and do everyone a favor! If not, get your act together! I have contacted city of Benicia already to complain about their lack of following covid protocol. Not sure they got to them yet. read more

When it comes to Mexican food in Benicia, well let's just say that other than the taco trucks In town we haven't eaten in one for many years. Knowing that the Ensenada restaurant was under new ownership we decided to check it out. The last time I ate at the Ensenada restaurant was over 20 years. After today's dinners we found our go to Mexican restaurant. The food was spot on and the chiles were delicious. I asked for a hotter chile and boy was it hot! Moral of the story - ignore the negative reviews and come on out and treat yourself to some great home cooking. Can't wait to try the menudo and posole! read more

While the service here was great and the ambiance felt welcoming, the food here was by far the worst Mexican food I've ever eaten. Nothing tasted authentic or homemade - everything was bland and felt store-bought. For the price and portion-size, I will not be eating here again. read more

We stopped by looking for a new Mexican restaurant to eat at and we found Ensenada. The place was quiet but it was still early for dinner. We found the service to be great. The staff was very friendly and attentive. We both ordered the Chile Verde and found it to be fantastic. The rice needed a bit more flavor and the beans were good. Over all our experience was really good and we will be returning again to try some of the other things off the menu. Lastly. We usually judge a good Mexican restaurant by the salsa and we both found it to be really good as well as the chips were fresh and warm. We will be back. Thank you to the sweet staff. read more

Warning: to go food is cooked in the microwave in styrofoam containers.it's a Bummer bc the lady was nice but I can't support any longer.

Ordered delivery for cheese enchiladas with beans and rice. Beans and rice were hot and fresh; enchiladas not hot and somewhat hard tortilla. Called restaurant to inform but spoke so fast. read more

Food tasted old. Taco was way too greasy and my burrito just tasted like the ingredients were old. I would not recommend this restaurant.

I had the chile relleno Al acarte It was great it had red chili sauce and it had a spice to it and very flavorful. The waitress was very good at her job. read more

Went today, service was excellent. We had the Chile Verde & hubby had the fajita plate. I was going to take pics but we where so hungry we scarfed it down. Food was delicious! New owners at this place so give it a try. read more

Would give 0 stars if possible. Not sure how this place stays in business with this kind of service. Waited 45min for my order. Asked employee how much longer and they just ignore everyone while a growing queue of customers waiting to pick up doordash orders. Order at your own risk as it might be wrong, extremely late, or cancelled. read more

Decided to try this place out due to mixed reviews, BAD idea. Fajitas: Overpriced, bland, raw chicken. Won't be back, scared of getting sick. read more

Have been a long time fan of this restaurant through good and bad. I have had a couple bland burritos occasionally and the service is sometimes slow because they don't have a large staff. But all that is made up for because most of the time they nail it. Everything has more of a homemade taste that reminds me of my grandma's cooking so perhaps it's just comfort food for me. Also, I don't know what other reviewers mean about the staff being rude, they are always super nice when I go in. I usually always get the wet supreme burrito with sauce and cheese on top and the asada is always delicious. Hopefully they can stay in business with the insane rents and overhead in Benicia because I'm hoping to go back often. read more

They are under new management with a new cook as well! I haven't been in forever due to the quality going down. I heard about the new management so decided to try again. It was awesome! So happy I gave them another shot. I order food to go and we were all happy with our food read more

Since the change in ownership, we've had amazing food each time we've dined here/ordered takeout. The new owner is also so sweet and kind! Some of our favorites are the Al pastor enchiladas in red sauce, the chicken flautas, and the carne asada tacos. read more

I ordered a pastor super burrito, which was basically meat, beans and rice for $11. Most places add sour cream, cheese, salsa to super burritos but not this place. When I arrived to pick up my order I watched them microwave contents add it to my burrito and then wrapped it up for me. The ratio of beans/meat/rice was 3:1:2. The beans were salty, the meat was salty and the rice was bland. For $11 save your money and gut for better choices around town. 0 stars for quality of food, 0 stars for effort. Will not be returning ever. read more

My wife ordered 2 sides of rice and 2 sides of beans. After the order was cooked and wrapped up, she was told it was $30. She felt too bad to say anything. When she gets back to the car and tells me, "I guess this is how big their sides are" They had given here 4 large deli containers of rice and beans, enough to feed 10 people or more. We were eating in the car. So we eat what we could and I brought the rest back to the restaurant to throw away. They asked why is everything okay? I said it's just 2 people and we are eating in the car. I don't have a garbage can. They said " she said two sides " . Frustrated I just said throw it away. We checked the menu online after and the sides are $3 each. Wasn't going to write this but after finding this out.... I'm not surprised they only had one customer in there. They are literally robbing their customers! read more

Ensenada - Mexican Near Me - Benicia, California