I'm back! lol. The kids like Chipotle, so when they are gone we head to Fernando's! Good strong margaritas and yummy food. the salad and tortilla soup are consistent taty starters, and I love the shredded beef taco, rice and beans. If I'm super hungry, add on a chile relleno yum yum. Its also fun to come here because you never know who you will run into! Nice way to see friends you haven't seen in a while! read more

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This is one of my all time favorite Mexican restaurants in both Northern and Southern California! The staff feels like family and are always friendly and remembers me (even after years between visits when I moved out of the Bay Area) The food is fantastic and the highlights for me is the cheese ... it's not velveeta but it has such a special taste that I love it! Also, the chicken tortilla soup is always amazing too! Love it. read more

Fernando's Mexican Restaurant - Chicken tortilla soup - Mexican Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Haven't been to Fernando's in quite a while. We had an excellent dinner will be going back soon.

The food was average, the prices are outrageous. The drinks are weak & way too expensive. The bartenders are slow & unorganized. The place has no busboys to take away the dirty dishes or bring waters to the table. The waitresses are slow & inexperienced. Sorry, I will never go there again. read more

I like the menu which provides regular size to smaller portions depending on your appetite. I enjoy my food and make it a point take my leftovers, but most of all, I enjoy Fernando's margaritas. The staff always take the time to interact with the customers making you welcome, and enjoy sitting in the booth making conversation either Intimate or social. Fernando's Is my first choice to eat and have a margarita when I am in the neighborhood. read more

This is my 2nd time eating here. Can't believe I haven't made a review yet. This place has the best chips and salsa! I've come here on a weekday afternoon so it's never that busy. Patio seating is available but the indoor seating is nice dark and cozy. Lots of street parking. This place is not too far from Hillsdale Shopping Mall. As a person that just moved from Texas a year ago, I will admit that California does have better Mexican food. read more

Fernando's Mexican Restaurant - soppapilla dessert - Mexican Near Me - San Mateo, California

Fui a comer el miércoles en la tarde como a las 5 pm y desde que entre la mesera que según se llama Gladys. Me empezó a acusar de que yo le debía dinero o que y mi sorprendió y no supe qué hacer, me quedé a comer, ordené mi comida, y otra mecerá llego y se puso en la puerta para tal vez que yo me fuera, sinceramente fue mi primera vez en el estacionamiento, y entiendo que eso sucede frecuentemente ahí y en otros lugares. Pero acusarme sin fundamentos, no tiene sentido. Me sentí totalmente acosada y discriminada. Me remito a que si tienen las pruebas de que yo lo hize me enseñen las pruebas. Acusarme sin fundamento. read more

My favorite restaurant in San Mateo! If I could eat here everyday I would. Indoor and outdoor dining as well as a cantina. Service is fantastic. Price is super reasonable. Amazing drink list good selection of cocktails and great margaritas! read more

Fernando's Mexican Restaurant - Combination plate - Mexican Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Asked for a wet burrito and the sauce in the burrito was canned enchilada sauce, I was able to taste the metal, also the beans were canned. There was more rice and beans in that burrito than any other ingredient. read more

OMG beers got really expensive! Still love the tortilla soup and the cups and salsa. Also miss Saúl. read more

Fernando's Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - San Mateo, California

The owner never leaves (SHE IS LIKE A HAWK) Every plate has to be just right our she will send it back her self. The food is good really good. The place is clean. Come visit they are nice people. Thank you Norma read more

Amazing to walk on memory lane , coming back to Fernando's after long time from Vancouver Washington.. wife and I love the food and the margaritas same quality of food ...the Cadillac margaritas was amazing.. Marina the waiter was as always very helpful the only thing she needs to take control of her mouth other than that she was ok ..the main reason why we come back to this restaurant was to remember our angel Grace Folsom one of my best friends.. read more

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We gave it a try ... Didn't care for the food Service was very slow but friendly. The inside of the restaurant, although colorful is in need of a refresh .. as it is now the decor is tired and looks dirty, read more

nice people, prices ridiculous for this kind of food, go to the Town, split a steak is way better and less money than 2 meals here or Salmon and something else is less money at the Town!! or Milagros, Redwood City, amazing atmosphere and quality of food, fajitas less expensive at Milagros, crazy! this place needs to adjust their prices!! please! and we will come back... unfortunate. Loved the people but hello?! :) read more

Love Fernando's!!! Our go-to Mexican place, especially after hiking nearby. Nachos Rancheros with picadillo beef is our favorite meal here. Give them a try. read more

Fernando's Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - San Mateo, California

Really great and reliable Mexican spot in south San Mateo. Traditional vibe and excellent food. Enchiladas were excellent and so were the fish tacos. Great service. read more

I've eaten at this restaurant twice already and the food is absolutely to die for, especially, the enchiladas. They are hands down the BEST enchiladas my husband and I have ever had. We've also tried a mixed plate dish and the equally good nachos. The food is worth the price and we recommend it to our friends if they are ever in the area. read more

My family has come to Fernando's twice now and we have had the best time both times! I'm pretty simple and I get the cheese enchiladas and omg they're so good and filling. It comes with beans and rice on the side in addition to an appetizer of either coleslaw or soup. The people that work here are sooooo sweet and we love the vibe! read more

Open sitting outside in the back of the restaurant is a perfect place for Friday happy hour with friends. They offer mango, lime and strawberry margaritas. The full bar offers many special drinks. The friendly staff and the generous portion of food make this neighborhood Mexican restaurant a welcome place. You will not be disappointed with the fajitas and enchiladas. read more

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Tried the chimichanguitas, pretty good but a little pricey. Heard that there is happy hour 3-5, would like to try in future. read more

Fernando's Mexican Restaurant - Chimichanguitas - Mexican Near Me - San Mateo, California

I cannot ever shut up about this place. Fernando's has the best staff in the world that's why I keep coming back. The food is good, great authentic Mexican food! The vibes are unmatched, I would recommend 20/10!!! read more

Great service, but we were their first customers that lunch. Quick refills on diet coke and complimentary chips and salsa. The salsa was very good and just the right level of heat. Portions are very generous and flavorful. Bathrooms are clean. read more

Simple. Wonderful. Authentic. Fernando's is amazing!!!! The food is great. The people are great. The atmosphere is great. If you're craving Mexican food in San Mateo- this is the place to go. I highly recommend their Margaritas. The food was incredible, and the service was outstanding. Thank you Fernando's San Mateo! Will definitely be back read more

Service was good, but the tacos al carbon was a little sketchy. The meat smelled sour, and tasted way off. I could only stomach one of the three on my plate before grabbing the check. Waitress said the sour taste/smell was the marinade. I've never had Mexican marinade that tasted like that. It was just really off putting and made me nauseous. Even as I write this review, my stomach is already turning and I'm a bit lightheaded. I love Mexican food, and I've had it all, so this sour meat taste was just way out of the norm for me, and I really hope it wasn't bad meat. Maybe it was too much lime in the marinade? Hopefully I don't get sick from this. I would get something else or go somewhere else. read more

Friendly staff and service but our shredded beef tacos were inedible. Microwaved and awful! Hasn't been in years ( when it was decent) but man has it gone downhill read more

Usually think this place is pretty decent but this tostada salad was disgusting. Doesn't even remotely look like a salad. read more

Fernando's Mexican Restaurant - Tostada Salad - Mexican Near Me - San Mateo, California

We've been coming here for years. Service is always amazing and food is always good. The enchiladas are amazing.

Ordered 2 fish tacos Comes with rice and beans and Cole slaw. Cole slaw was very mediocre. No mayo to hold it together. The sauce for the tacos was unbearable. There was no spice on the fish. (Cajun would have been nice) The covered the fish with lettuce to hide the small portion. ¹The pinto beans could have come out of a can. The rice was fine. But when I go out and spend this much money I want something better than I could make at home. This was very unsatisfying. The bathroom was very small. Towel machine didn't work. I won't be back. read more

Fresh nachos and salsa with every meal and iced tea is offered with refills. Nice bar and with a great selection of food offerings from the menu. Service was attentive. Crab Enchilada could have been savored over better with a tastier sauce. Crab shreds were delicious. Tacos, fajitas and you name it, they have it. It seems like they have been here for years due to its decor. It looks like they are doing something right. read more

Fernando's Mexican Restaurant - Crab enchilada - Mexican Near Me - San Mateo, California

Great place for events and parties. The food is soo delicious it kinda put me to sleep. Me and my mom like to come here . I've also brought dates here. The burritos are soo cheesy , cheesed to perfection.. I love the margaritas here too. The staff is super great here , always friendly and helpful. read more

I went to Fernando's Mexican Restaurant in San Mateo this past Sunday and I was totally disappointed. That chicken was really bad. I'm sure it was old chicken. The salad they gave me was also bad it was waterier with no taste at all, and I do love salads. The only food I ate was the rice and beans. The only good thing there was the service. My daughter went there and told me about this place, but since everyone has different taste buds I decided to go there. So disappointed. I will now listen to my daughter! read more

I'm not sure why the reviews are not so great here but I enjoyed my time here. The waitress we had was super nice and checked up on our table often. We got the Fernando's special plate that came with enchilada, taco, burrito and the chile rellenos. It also came with beans and cheese. I thought the beans and cheese were super super tasty and warm perfect to balance out the chips and salsa that were given as a side (FREE). The plate we got was just enough for 2 people to leave us not too full and not too hungry we were satisfied. The vibes seemed fun there was also a bar that we didn't check out but overall great experience would check it out again read more

Wonderful service, consistently great food and lovely outdoor patio. Highly recommend. Lots of regulars here, easy parking and nice neighborhood. read more

Fernando's Mexican Restaurant - Outdoor patio on a Sunday afternoon. I hesitate to share. - Mexican Near Me - San Mateo, California

I got excited today when my partner told me that we are going to try a mexican restaurant in San Mateo coz it was recommended by his coleague. The street Parking wasn't busy so we had no trouble finding a spot to park. The fascade was welcoming and clean, quite impressive for its location is a busy street. we were entertained the moment we entered. we were seated. Maria one of the servers (see photo attached) brought the salsa and chips in no time and took our drink orders. they practice social distancing, hand sanitizer is provided by the entrance, and mask is required. our orders were taken and as we waited for our food, i was able to appreciate the interior of the place, the decorations are very authentic. we didnt wait long for our food to arrive, another server named Saul (see photo attached) brought our food. oh my, it smelled so good. before he left our table he made sure if we have everything we need and asked what else could he bring for us with a big smile in his face. what a customer service! five star!!! The food's aroma made my saliva drool. i couldnt wait any longer so i started with my meat, i ordered Steak a la Mexicana medium rare (just like the way i like it). And my partner's coleague was right, their food is an absolute delight! i love it!!! the soup is the best chicken tortilla soup i ever had! so tasty!!! the rice is a bit salty but i came here for the meat . So over all, i loved everything i ate and i would definitely recommend this place for those who craves for mexican food or those who wanted to try authentic mexican food for the first time. read more

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Love the people and enchiladas! Everything comes with tortilla soup! Great place for casual dinner with the family.

Service was quick and friendly! Food was good! Margaritas were amazing! I got the chicken enchiladas! Yum! read more

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My relatives LOVE this place but it didn't really win me over. Yes, the chicken tortilla soup was good. But the chips are only OK. And the "expresso burrito" was terrible. I don't know how a Mexican restaurant makes a bad burrito, but they did it hard. Maybe it's my fault. I probably shouldn't have ordered an "expresso burrito" but it sounded good - a massive burrito topped with cheese and sauce?! read more

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Fernandos is one of the best Mexican restaurants on the Peninsula. Always friendly, prompt service, great dishes like queso fundido. The ambiance is typical family style plus bar, which is great read more

I've been to Fernando's Mexican Restaurant many times over the years. The atmosphere inside is cool with its vibrant colors and the woodwork on the seats. If you like hearty food (like me!) and drink portions, that's what you'll get. The flavors have been consistently good. And their coleslaw is vinegar based. It's a small detail but I appreciate a place which offers cream free slaw (and not cause I'm vegan)! I've come to this place with family and several friends. The service is good and everyone's friendly. read more

Excellent Service! Great entrees! Customers who do not know each other chatting it up! Super fun!