Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Jalapeno Heaven

    3.7 (203 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:30 pm

    Order Jalapeno Heaven Takeout or Delivery

    Jalapeno Heaven Photos

    JALAPENO HEAVEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

    You might also consider

    More like Jalapeno Heaven

    Recommended Reviews - Jalapeno Heaven

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    "Kids Chicken Tenders" with smiley fries
    Matthew L.

    Jalapeño Heaven is an authentic Mexican restaurant and lounge that opened in Branford, Connecticut in May 1992. It was founded by husband and wife Hector & Gail Flores. Hector was born in Zacatecas, Mexico and immigrated to the United States when he was 18. Gail was born and raised in Branford but relocated to Florida as an adult. The couple met when Gail was managing a restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. They soon married and relocated to Branford in 1985. They had dreams and aspirations of raising a family and opening their own restaurant. Their daughter Nicole was born in 1987 and the restaurant opened five years later. The menu features several authentic Mexican dishes including tacos, burritos, enchiladas, chimichangas, poblanos, asides, fajitas, and more. Jalapeńo Heaven is also well-known for their extensive selection of margaritas. My family and I recently had dinner at Jalapeño Heaven for Cinco de Mayo. This was my family's first visit, while I've been there numerous times. I think they are one of the best, most authentic Mexican restaurants in New Haven County. When you're there, you almost feel like you're at an awesome Mexican food party at someone's house. We started off with some of Jalapeño Heaven's signature margaritas. I had the "Ultimate Margarita" (Sauza Hornitos Plaza, Cointreau, lime juice, sour mix, topped with Grand Marnier) while my wife has a "Mango Margarita" (house margarita with mango puree). Our server also brought some complimentary tortilla chips with salsa to the table; they have some of the best chips around! For our entrees, I had the "Taco Salad" (crispy flour tortilla shell filled with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, olives, topped with sour cream and guacamole) with ground beef, my wife had the "Ala Street Taco Trio" (soft flour tortillas, one filled w/ ground beef, one w/ spicy shredded pork & one w/ shredded chicken, topped w/ lettuce, tomatoes and cheeses) with Spanish rice and black beans, our older son had a "Kids Grilled Shrimp Quesadilla" with smiley fries, and our younger son had the "Kids Chicken Tenders" with smiley fries. Everything was so flavorful and delicious! We finished off the meal with some complimentary churros. We plan on coming back to Jalapeño Heaven again and again!

    Chimichanga
    Ola K.

    Very cute place. It's not huge inside but it wasn't terribly busy so the wait wasn't long. The staff was so pleasant and attentive but not overbearing. The food was delightful. My boyfriend got the chimichanga which was really well done and huge that he still had leftovers. I got steak which was so good I couldn't stop eating it. It came with mexican potato pancakes which were quite yummy. The beans and rice was also really you'd and will seasoned. The cocktails were good too. There is plenty of off street parking here too. All in all a good place and I recommend it.

    This is perhaps the best. Nacho chip platter in the state of Connecticut hands down in my opinion
    Allen T.

    I'm reviewing on jalapeno heavens nacho plate with beef and all the trimmings. I've been going here with four friends for about 15 years is still the best. Nachos in the area

    Taco, fried beans and rice. Bland, no flavor.

    Food was bland with no flavor and drinks were not good. Sangria had a cherry and piece of lime on a toothpick, laying across the top of the glass. Sangria is supposed to have lots of different fruits IN the drink. The building and decor were old and tired looking and the tables were on top of each other. Prices were outrageous. First and last time we will go here. Should be renamed Jalapeno Hell.

    Ground Beef Enchiladas

    I was looking for a nice place to eat before I started my new years diet. I stumbled upon Jalapeño heaven going down Main Street Branford and I had to make a stop. The service alone deserves a 5 star. The staff here is very friendly and accommodating. Very quick and attentive which is exactly what I like in a restaurant. When I arrived the restaurant wasn't very filled however many people quickly filled in. Overall great ambiance once more customers arrived. My food was great and the portion sizes were generous. I will definitely be coming back here!

    Golden Margarita straight up. ‍

    The absolute best! I have been coming here for over 20 years and they have always been so, so welcoming, the food is outstanding and generous, the owners are such kind people and the drinks are fabulous! And the interior is cozy, colorful and just plain festive. I always gobble up my food and forget to take pictures of it but here is a snap of their amazing golden margarita . straight up. Don't forget there is an upstairs, where you can find more tables and the bar. Thank you for being a jewel in an area that needs more places that are so consistent and hospitable. Hospitality is rate these days...

    Beef burrito lite portion
    Sherry R.

    Food was authentic Mexican. Quaint little place in Branford. I got the lite potion beef burrito and it was more than enough! I don't like anything very spicy and this was perfect! The salsa and chips were great too! Service was excellent!

    Chimichanga with pork.  Pork was very good!

    Great little M&P place on Rte 1 in Branford. Everything was fresh and delicious. Very nice folks, too.

    Tacos
    Gus S.

    This place has few good food for a very good price. The restaurant is very low key and casual. The service is impeccable. The margaritas are delicious, especially the mango. The steak and ground beef tacos are so flavorful. The portions are huge, even the lite portions. Highly recommend this place.

    Chicken Quesadilla
    Olivia J.

    Been coming to jalapeño heaven since I was little. I've always really liked it. Last time I went, it wasn't AS good, but still was really good. I recommend!

    Closest is the Cadillac and Skinny Margarita on right. YUM!
    Cheryl F.

    If you love Margaritas you need to try the Cadillac! Best drink I've had in a long time. Food was fresh and delicious and our waitress, Lea, who also made my drink, was very accommodating with my vegan diet. She offered suggestions, was upbeat, friendly and super on the ball! Lea made our entire dinner experience wonderful! we will definitely be back!

    Chile Rellenos

    See all

    20 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Marie R.
    2036
    428
    2336

    10 months ago

    Helpful 48
    Thanks 14
    Love this 44
    Oh no 0

    3 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Too pricy and the food is always loaded with way too much cheese and not enough meat and the rice tastes like it comes from the box .

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of T E.
    1
    48
    12

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gus S.
    289
    545
    1557

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lauren S.
    112
    18
    15

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lisa Y.
    163
    138
    12

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    The food had no flavor, the fish tacos seemed liked they been sitting out, the margaritas tasted like straight up sour mix.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Food is mid and tasteless . Server there was a language barrier couldn't get anything I said correct. Inside is super small. Won't be back

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    A small place in branford off the main road. Absolute best Mexican food in Ct hands down. The waitstaff is also amazing

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Very tasty food, seafood chowder was delicious, good service! Nice atmosphere. Will be back again and again!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    The best Mexican food in Branford CT! Get the poppers , salad bowl sampler, and the Chimichanga!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Trish R.
    66
    45
    22

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Terri D.
    4867
    553
    2650

    8 years ago

    Helpful 37
    Thanks 0
    Love this 27
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Jalapeno Heaven

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Mexican 3,368 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Guacamole's Mexican Cuisine Branford

    Guacamole's Mexican Cuisine Branford

    2.9
    (180 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    If you're looking for a nice Mexican place to sit and enjoy some cocktails and an enjoy good meal…read morewithout being rushed, this is your spot. This place does not turn and burn tables, it has very relaxed atmosphere and appears to get a fair amount of business from locals and even though it is only a few minutes off I-95 The food is good, portions are generous and the margaritas are tasty. Prices are reasonable for shoreline CT. I saw some complaints on Yelp about the service being slow or inattentive but we did not feel like we were ignored at all: The waitress brought us menus, gave us chips n salsa and took our drink orders at a normal restaurant pace. We asked for time to order and she left us alone but did check back twice to make sure we were good to go. There was a reasonable wait for the food after we ordered, nothing like what some folks said. We're definitely coming back.

    A whole new level of low. We ordered take out. When we picked it up, we were charged $.30 for the…read more"container" that we did not need, use or ask for! We picked up the food, went home and ate it. $.30 is not a lot, but made no sense. We didn't ask for the aluminum "container". Seems like a shady move to get an extra $.30 on each take out order. The food is mediocre at best..only one dish a member of my family likes anyway. It's an easy place to avoid! There really should be a way to give negative stars!

    Photos
    Sculpture on patio
    Sculpture on patio
    Huevos Rancheros
    Huevos Rancheros
    Guacamole's Mexican Cuisine Branford

    See all

    Kat-Su Restaurant

    Kat-Su Restaurant

    4.3
    (16 reviews)
    4.2 mi

    Absolutely wonderful from start to finish. I brought my mom here for her bday lunch and the waiter…read morewas just so kind. He was attentive offering suggestions and when I mentioned it was my moms bday, he brought her out a tiramisù with a candle and we sang to her. No prompting, just genuine kindness. He suggested a sushi roll that was quite good when my mom explained she likes basic rolls and I was trying to spice it up. He brought us a crunch roll, with crab and shrimp tempura. It was delicious. We both had terryaki; my mom had the chicken and I had the steak. They were both amazing. The rice was flavorful and the proteins were delicious, the veggies nice and fresh. The miso soup honestly stole the show as it was literally perfect tasting. Not too watery, very strong and misoie. We will definitely be back when we're in the area

    The Kat-Su family as we all have become part of or a large part anyway. Always welcoming always…read moreready to go the extra to make anyone happy! Amazing staff Manny ohhhh yeeaaahh!! Oscar & Floria the true front as well as back of the house dynamic duo 2 beautiful daughters but truly so kind. Ok let's move on Cinco de mayo we were invited as always but in reality everyone is welcome !! We had a blast with everyone I cannot thank you enough for the fabulous time great food awesome DJ and all of your friends & family . Oh wait and one last thing the tequila aka Dawn Julio!!! You're the best!!

    Photos
    Gifts
    Gifts
    Hot Stone BBB and chicken fajitas
    Hot Stone BBB and chicken fajitas
    Chips and salsa

    See all

    Chips and salsa
    Taco Palace

    Taco Palace

    4.4
    (30 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    Just finished first of 3 delicious ground beef tacos tried for first time; very tasty--not…read moreoverstuffed so everything doesn't fall out; their queso sauce I purchased with chips separately is delish too. Owner & hostess extremely polite & wanting to please. I will definitely try other options; store is clean & comfortable looking, thou in a strip mall easy in/out on Foxon Road (#5). LHS. ****

    I have been a dedicated customer for many years. My experience today is one where I will never…read morereturn. The owners son is entitled and will not stand behind his mistakes and lack of knowledge of their menu. I only order one thing on the menu their amazing shrimp quesadillas. I am allergic to tomatoes and know their shrimp quesadillas (which are not on the main menu) are made with pico de gallo inside the actual quesadilla and also served on the side. When I called to order as I have many times I made the request for onions and cilantro only inside and no pico on the side the owners son argued that it only has pico on the side. So I inevitably stated no pico at all to try and prevent a problem of tomatoes being on the food. I don't come often as I don't live local. When I arrived home I found my shrimp quesadillas had pico on them. I called to rectify the matter and the son's owner answered the phone and contained to argue that pico is not put into the quesadilla so apparently the pico I'm seeing inside isn't real. The pico was all through out the quesadilla. Mistakes happen but the fact that I tried to order the food properly and was denied the ability for it to be made that way is where the issue lies. I was told policy is no refunds only return of the food and it was my fault for not asking for it to be made without pico period since the son only wrote no pico on the side since he was convinced that it wasn't made with pico also inside. Their son was wrong and obviously uneducated on how they prepare their food and I was not willing to drive back 30 minutes to have food replaced as my young kids needed naps. The owners then said I was wrong because I should said no pico at all so it became a family affair and the owners not accepting accountability for his misinformation and wrong order taking. Very disheartening experience where the principle was completely missed.

    Photos
    Taco Palace
    Jalapeño poppers and tacos
    Jalapeño poppers and tacos
    The inside

    See all

    The inside
    The Chef Truck

    The Chef Truck

    5.0
    (7 reviews)
    3.6 mi

    The Chef Truck is a gourmet food truck that opened in Branford, Connecticut in February 2020. It…read morewas founded by Chef John Kronfeld and his fiancée Missy Miller. Kronfeld is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America with over 20 years of experience in the restaurant business. Some of the restaurants he worked at over the years include Bobby's Burger Palace at Mohegan Sun Casino and the kitchen at the Omni Hotel in New Haven. Miller dabbles as an amateur cook while working from home as a campus recruiting consultant. The couple's mission is to give customers a gourmet restaurant experience right on the street or from the comfort of their own homes. This past weekend was the wedding of my brother and sister-in-law at Stewards of the Land Brewery in Northford. It just so happens that they booked the Chef Truck to provide the food for the reception. I had previously sampled some of Chef John's delicious food when I attended an exclusive 'Foodie Influencer' event a few months back at the same brewery. I was not disappointed then and I certainly wasn't this time. The first course featured an Autumn Salad (salad greens, sliced apples, gorgonzola, pancetta) and bowls of Pumpkin Bisque. Both dishes really hit the spot. The next course featured Chicken n' Waffles, Mac n' Cheese Fritters, and Cheese-stuffed Squash Blossoms. Everything was perfect! The final course was served buffet style and included the "Mississippi Mac Attack" (slow-cooked pulled pork over Mac n' Cheese with Scallions) and "General Tso's Chickpeas" (crispy chickpeas, tofu & broccoli tossed in sweet & spicy sauce over jasmine rice). Everything was so flavorful. I think that the second course may have been my favorite. Another great culinary experience from Chef John! If you happen to see the Chef Truck parked at your favorite brewery or winery in New Haven County then you won't be disappointed!

    Absolutely delicious, creative breakfast sandwiches! Complimentary Willoughby's coffee! The nicest…read moreowners/chefs in the world! Can't wait to see what their ever-changing options will be. On this morning, they were parked in the lot of the Friki Tiki, with a salt marsh view, but I'm looking forward to finding them at breweries and eventz

    Photos
    "General Tso's Chickpeas" (crispy chickpeas, tofu & broccoli tossed in sweet & spicy sauce over jasmine rice)
    "General Tso's Chickpeas" (crispy chickpeas, tofu & broccoli tossed in sweet & spicy sauce over jasmine rice)
    "Mississippi Mac Attack" (slow-cooked pulled pork over Mac n' Cheese with Scallions)
    "Mississippi Mac Attack" (slow-cooked pulled pork over Mac n' Cheese with Scallions)
    Pumpkin Bisque

    See all

    Pumpkin Bisque

    Jalapeno Heaven - mexican - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...