For a taco shop, this place is 5 star! Their meat is high quality, and their hot sauce is HOT! They'll make anything you want even if it's not on the menu. I'm from Southern California where mexican food is more readily available than hamburgers. My standards for mexican food are relentlessly critical. The only suggestions I have for improvement would be better tortilla chips and a horchata fountain. Everything else is exceptional! Fresh ingredients, often from local farmers... homegrown salsa. And hot sauce that isn't just red, its actually spicy! Now that's a novel concept! Each time I visit Arcata I make it a point to visit Hey Juan. They have a flavor comparable to no other. If you're a mexican food buff like me, you must try the Hey Juan style... you'll be asking for their salsa and marinade recipe before you finish your plate. read more

If you like the taste of real Mexican food, don't go here. But if you like the restaurant Chipotle, and metal bands on the radio. you'd like this place. The food was ok, I could only taste the pinto beans and the hot sauce in my burrito, I'm saying it wasn't bad but I've had worse. This place has a headbangers ball feel too it, their hottest sauce is called "the death" and they have signs up saying stuff like "if you are afraid, take it to go" It's a tiny place, hole in the wall sorta joint. The staff is nice, I'll give them an extra star for that.. Just remember, headbanging and burrito eating at the same time will get messy, wait, finish you food, and mosh! read more

Well. I give it 4 but it might be because every time I go in there I'm starving. So here's my breakdown: Juan star for location. Juan star for the atmosphere. Juan star for the food. Juan star for the shitty attitudes. When it comes to this joint it takes Juan to know Juan. Bring back weensdays! read more

If you like white washed version of Mexican food, then yes maybe try this place. If you want real Mexican food and food that tastes good, do not go here. Probably one of the worst "Mexican" restaurants I have been too. Bad food all around. read more

This place is incredible. The people; the food; the atmosphere. I've become a regular here due to these factors. It's a wonderful place to just hang out for a bit or stop in for a quick to-go. The variety of music you'll here is also fantastic--especially if you're tired of the constant loop of "top hits" plaguing most retail outlets. And if you enjoy metal: come here on Thursdays. Death Metal Thursdays. Burritos, beer, and death metal are a wondrous combination. The absolute basic message I'd like to relate to y'all here is this: if you want good food and a good time, go here. read more

Hey Juan Burritos - My burrito can stand up. It's marvelous. - Mexican Near Me - Arcata, California

This place is nice as were the coworkers, but food wise they are not very good. I'm used to taco shops from so-cal so I am biased, but the small plain bean burrito I ordered was mostly unflavorful rice, the beans weren't even mashed, their salsa sucks and it was TINY. For 6$ vegetarian burrito I expect something larger than the size of my tiny hands. read more

For some reason people either love or hate Hey Juans. I've loved it for 10+ years- their shredded beef quesadilla is the best, hands down.

Good stuff, plus the staff is the friendliest, most helpful, most capable, most interesting that I have seen in my short time in Arcata. The food is great--OK, the fish burrito is great. Honestly, it's good enough that I don't have an inclination to try anything else. I like playing with the salsa choices, and love to have them pile on the Death Paste about every other time. It's not like getting a giant fish burrito in San Diego for 5 dollars (the size of Juan's Super), but the food is much better than at least one other burrito shop in Arcata. read more

The food is good!!!We have stop many times to get food to go as we drive by. The establishment needs a super scrub and paint. It is filthy! I mean the windows, walls, and floors. Clean it up or we will not return! read more

This restaurant if you can call it that has given the worst service that i have ever experienced. The owner of the place thinks she is really funny by treating the customers rudely. Upon asking politely, " can i please try a super nacho burrito" she replied with "No". After asking her what she just said and looking at her quizzically she eventually started to take my order, but still in a facetious dirty way. She doesnt deserve to work in a restaurant let alone own one. The burritos are greasy and overpriced garbage. If you want good mexican food l, go someplace more authentic with people actually of that country. read more

My son and I tried to eat here one time. When we entered there was a customer ahead of us in the line to order who may have been a friend of the cashier, because they were both dropping the f bomb and many other cuss words like there was no tomorrow, and loudly, too. Don't want my 6 year old son around that kind of trash. Walked out. Agree with other reviewers that staff needs basic training. NOT family friendly. read more

I definitely wouldn't consider this Mexican food but that doesn't mean I don't love it. Pseudo-Mexican food can be good too! I think I love Hey Juan because I'm vegan and they have AMAZING tofu. Normally the idea of tofu on a burrito weirds me out, but I love it here!!! So don't come here if you want authentic Mexican food, but come if you want a bomb ass tofu burrito! read more

Last four times I've been here they've forgotten the additions to my burrito. I pay the extra charges, but they always forget to actually put them in my burrito. I started checking with them at the register to make sure my additions were actually put in, and always was assured they were. Then I get home and once again, they've been forgotten. The customer service is also horrible. I get that they are going for an atypical or grungy vibe but not greeting customers, being rude, and not saying 'thank you' or 'have a nice day' at the conclusion of the transaction, instead just being silent and presenting an annoyed demeanor, is not how to be successful. Even just a smile would be nice. I'm in the service industry and I can always fake it for my customers! Honestly it's quite uncomfortable to deal with the employees here. I'm never going here again and I'd recommend you all do the same. read more

Dude! Best gringo burritos and tacos in Humboldt Co.! Also they have amazing mimosas and simple potatoes and cheese for breakfast. New owners ROCK!! read more

Amazing local spot with great food and friendly and hard working employees. They have a lot of great options for individuals with dietary restrictions and also have many different vegan options. Management is friendly and extremely accommodating. Love coming here to enjoy a mimosa and burritos with friends. Only reason that I wouldn't give it full stars is because on multiple occasions I've witnessed a certain employee create an extremely hostile environment towards the customers, management and employees. Just has been a bit uncomfortable. Beyond these rare times, the experience has been extremely amazing. Thanks for all you do! Appreciate y'all! read more

How Hey Juan Burritos stays in business I credit to two facts: death paste and its proximity to HSU. While on one hand the "death paste" salsa is very good, and their shredded meat fillings are acceptable,on the other hand, there is no forgiving al dente rice and tasteless beans--unless you are drunk. There are too many good Mexican restaurants in the area to excuse the food at Hey Juan Burritos. Hey Juan would serve its clientele well by either fixing its menu (please do this) or by requiring its customers to only eat food purchased at Hey Juan when they are drunk or high. Based on my limited observations of the clientele there, I suspect the later is their business model as I have repeatedly been the only person there who could have passed through a DUI checkpoint without incident. No worries though Hey Juan Burritos. I will get my Mexican food elsewhere. read more

Food is meh. Employees never been rude. I can dig on the vibe they're going for. The thing is, the food is bland! I'm chill with the "not your typical Mexican food" motto but have you ever heard of salt? Or spices? I swear the meat in my burrito was just steak cubes. Beans taste like paste. The only note in the salsa was hot. Try harder. read more

Really bad Tex mex. Doesn't resemble actual Mexican food at all. Make a trip down to ricos for some good mexican .

Best fish tacos ever. Made to your order fresh, grilled not fried, wonderful sauce, just amazing. My husband loves the burritos, and would eat here everyday if he could. Not your typical Mexican food, better. read more

Sooo... You're in northtown arcata. And you don't want vegan. And you don't want soup. And you don't want coffee and snacks, or a haircut, or a place to sleep, or heavy booze. Well then, Hey Juans is the place for you. I'm there right now (breaking the fourth wall...!!!!). This place is terrible, but in a good way. The food, I think, is quite good. There are Mexican places in this county that suck serious ass, almost as if they all follow the same recipes, every one of them a exact replica of the last. Welp, this is not traditional Mexican food...wait, this is not traditional HUMBOLDT Mexican food. It's actually more traditional, in a few respects, than most Mexican joints around here (if you want to argue about that let me know and I'll argue with you about it). This place, if nothing else, has character. If you've never been here, you shouldn't come here. No wait, you should come here. But don't expect it to be fast food, because it is NOT. No, not at all. Expect it to take 30 minutes for a burrito (if there were actual Mexicans working here it wouldn't take that long, for real). So grab a beer, a copy of the Northcoast Journal, and relax while taking in the scenery through two windows covered in terrible graffiti that look out on to lame-ass 'G'street. Yay. All jokes aside, this place has good food and good people. Not for the weak-of-heart. Ps-if Stormy is working (the owner), call her a bitch and get a 10% discount :) read more

This aint Mexi-style street tacos here, more like what I call white boy mexican food, but it IS good, just like my dad used to make. The fish tacos are actually fantastic and ive eaten a LOT of fish tacos from Veracruz to Seattle; the staple rice and beans are always good, the death-paste will burn your lips if you prefer, and their draft beer selection is decent enough. Im a regular and never been disappointed. If youre looking for authentic Mexican Ritas, La Barca, Pechanga, and even the Taco Faktory have more "authentic" influences, but this is still great home-style cali-mex goodness and a great value for your buck. An Arcata classic. read more

Possibly the second best burrito in Arcata, and close to the Humboldt State University campus. For YEARS I practicly lived off their largest vegi-burritos, but you HAVE to get extra guacamole on them for the taste to shine through. Great drunk food and quick service from my experience. read more

Large burrito that takes forever to make and still is lacking. Every bite of my carne asada burrito left me regretting my decision. Lame meat selection: chicken, carne asada, and ground beef. Yum(sarcasm). This is gringo mexican food for sure. Don't go here if you have any other mexican food options. Eclectic customer base with many being from the college. No, I would not go here again and would avoid it at all costs. read more

This place was so good. I loved the vegan options! The burrito is so good and the tacos with spiced tofu!!! One mishap...the one behind (making the orders) had the most angry face ever. A young, tired and scrawny little thing with a grouchy face. She was mad at who knows who but that was unpleasant to see. At first, we didnt feel too comfortable and welcomed because of her face expression. She murmured things to the other co workers in an angry tone but she left the room and everything was back to good energy! Excellent service from the rest of the crew. Enjoyed our food thanks!! read more

I will give this place three stars... I would give them 5 stars for the service and 1 star for the food. I have tried this place twice and the burritos were just short of ok. I hear people rave about this place all the time and I'm just not a fan. The burritos had barely any flavor and barely any cheese. The carne asada was way over cooked and hard to eat. This place also took almost 30 minutes to make a darn burrito!!! Don't get me wrong.. The people that work here are amazing and very friendly but multitask a little bit better ;) read more

The best fast food in the world! Hey Juan's has all kinds of options. You go in, figure out what you want and they make it right there. They have different kinds of tortillas & their burritos are the best. I had an enchillata once and I wasn't so happy. But the burritos! They have yummy, crumbly tofu and different kinds of beans and a lot of hot sauces & salsas that I won't touch but others really like. One is called "death paste" & seems to be pretty popular among those who are not wimps like me. The service is pretty good though they will sometimes be in the middle of conversation with other people while making your food. There's beer on tap & happy hour is pretty good. It's a dinky place but it's a good time. Another must when you're in Arcata. read more

Reminds me of the burritos I used to buy in the parking lot scene at Dead Shows only better. Very tasty. Watch out for the habanero pepper sauce - talk about melting your bridge work and setting your nose hair on fire. Still - good stuff! Fabulous for lunch after a Saturday's Farmer's Market shopping spree in Aracta Plaza. Tiny place with not much seating. Get yours to go and walk up to the community forest and eat it there. read more

The meat has no flavor. It is definitely not my idea of authentic mexican food and I did not enjoy my food. I went there once and will not be going back anytime soon. read more

New owners are great! Food is fresh and consistent. Service is quick and friendly. Thanks

Gone in there 3 times and the dudes working behind the counter were totally rude to me. So rude that to me, their mediocre burritos are not worth it. One of the guys overheard a conversation I was having about politics and throws me hella shade every time I've gone in since because I guess my thoughts weren't on par with his. How are you gonna treat your customers like that? Not to mention they gave me the last of a bag of chips in the plastic bag they were bought in to go with my order of chips and guacamole?? Wtf? gonna go hang out at Carmela's from now on read more

Best place in town, healthy portions of food amazing customer service!!! If you try this place they will not disappoint..

Food: The food here is terrible. I have given it a couple tries, but there is something not right about it and it takes forever. A burrito always takes them about 5-8 minutes to make, even when I'm the only person in line. Atmosphere: They always have great music playing and fun things to read around the shop. They try really hard to be hip and cool and I think a lot of people are impressed since they have been open for 30 years! Price: I'm not impressed. Considering your other options in the area, this place is not worth it. read more

One time I went to this place I got Carnage Asada and it was perfect.... RIDICULOUSLY SPICY!!! Last time I went it was completely bland, even the side order of death paste I ordered was not even spicy. These guys need to work on their consistency if they want my continued business. I will give you one more chance, hey juan. read more

I absolutely love Hey Juan's. I get their fish tacos, which they cook fresh right in front of you, not in the back away from your viewing pleasure. The fish is cooked in their DEATH-PASTE hot sauce, which is too hot for most people I'm assuming. 2 tacos will do it for me. The owner is super friendly and she is on her game. I also love Metal Thursdays! Loud loud music! read more

After 20 years or so I, a prodigal son of Arcata, returned after blowing my fortune on burritos elsewhere, intending to beg for the burrito I remembered from high school. And by beg I guess I mean pay seven dollars for a pinner. The rice and beans woke something deep in my memory, but those recipes may be the only thing handed down through subsequent ownership changes over the years. Gone was the fast and sassy service, a former assembly line of choices and wonders, only to be replaced by morose gazes and expectations set to floor drain level by the guy at the register who informed me that his coworkers couldn't produce a burrito with efficiency, and that it would be a fifteen minute wait (with two other people ahead of me). Back in the day there would be a line out the door and it would take ten minutes tops to shuffle up the ramp and mumble out a brief description of a rolled delight that would be finished almost before I could pick a salsa heat level. The prices are difficult to justify for the size. They used to be the size of an underfed infant, but I could just about pick my teeth with my chicken burrito of yesterday's shattered dreams. Et tu, Juan? Et tu? read more

Every time I return to Arcata, I always make a point to stop by. Without a doubt, this is my favorite hole in the wall burrito place in the state. I graduated from HSU back in the late 80s and always missed this place. Last year we visited, and couldn't wait for this summer so we could have another Hey Juan burrito. Fun place to visit. Great food. Don't expect fancy surroundings, but you will be in for a treat! read more

Wow I haven't been here in a few years back in high school it was the best spot in town... Now they've totally screwed up the menu (as of ~2 years ago) and it's crazy expensive for Arcata. A few years ago this place would have been five stars but now it's below average. If you want a good, simple, cheap burrito (which is what this place used to be all about, now it's mediocre, simple, and expensive) then go to one of the half dozen taco trucks that have sprung up in the last couple years. Heck, I waited over 30 minutes for a small burrito and there's only one other guy here! read more

DH and I decided to give this place a try because we were starving, it was close, and almost no one was in there. Big mistake. It took over 30 minutes to get a beef burrito, a fish burrito, and a quesadilla. And my husband asked if he could have the quesadilla first because he was really hungry. Second problem was the music - it was really, really loud in a really tiny place. I tend to get a headache when I'm hungry, so I left to go read handbills on a fence. DH read a freebie paper while he waited for his quesadilla, which finally came with the burritos. We ordered our food to go, so we retreated to our car to eat. Another good decision because there really wasn't any room for my power wheelchair, although a very nice woman said she could fix up a place for me. Now, when we ordered our food the man said it would take a few minutes to cook the fish. I didn't realize he had to catch it first! The burritos were okay, but nothing outstanding. Certainly not worth waiting half an hour for. And the quesadilla was just your ordinary cheese melted in a fried flour tortilla. I really wanted to like this place, but I can't. Sorry. read more

Mediocre to bad fillings. The dready girl who worked there was an awful person. Just plain rude. Went once and they will never have my buisness again, have not been back in 6 years. read more

The staff is great and welcoming and they have unbeatable mimosas and great happy hour and the food is great