Excellent food the best in the bay The portions are extremely generous, the red sauce looks rich, and there's plenty of melted cheese. The beans look creamy and the rice looks nicely seasoned. read more

Juan's Place - Ricky celebrating his birthday - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Pro's: - Quiet place, at least for weekday lunch, no music playing, relaxing atmosphere -Friendly staff who give you free soda refills and pretty much as much tortilla chips and salsa that you want. I believe they make their own tortilla chips and they are quite good. They will even give you a bag and little containers to take home some of the chips and salsa if you want to. Con's: Way too expensive for what you get! I can't say the food is bad or anything, but certainly nothing to write home about. It's simply over-priced! read more

I have been coming to Juan's place for over 15 years. I've celebrated birthdays here and just love the home cooked soul food feel I get when I come here. The staff is always so kind and I'm in a perpetual state of gratitude that this COMMUNITY STAPLE IS STILL KICKING!! Long live Juan's place Today they brought me chips and salsa while I waited for my to-go order of steak enchiladas. I then ordered a wine margarita to relax for a sec. I love them so much. read more

Juan's Place - Chips and salsa and wine margarita - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

A Berkeley staple! Been coming here since 1976! Really attentive staff. Good salsas and chips (also flour chips available). The Matador flautas are the best always. They play las mañanitas on the jukebox for you on your birthday! Feels like having a meal at your abuelas house on Sunday! A must visit if you're in Berkeley or beyond. read more

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First time here. My Berkeley native friend suggested it. I had a delicious Grilled Al Pastor Quesadilla & my friend had Chicken Mole. We ate everything, including the chips & salsa! Juan's opened in 1972, and it has a casual old school vibe. Our waiter has been here since it opened & was very helpful & efficient. I hope to come back soon! read more

Juan's Place - Grilled Al Pastor Quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

Good and attentive service. I stopped in for dinner because I was in the area. I had the chicken taco plate. If I return I'd try something else next time. read more

That's cool. We celebrated my dad's 76th birthday at Juan's place and had a wonderful evening! Linda made our dinner and experience so much fun and extra special!!! we've always loved ones place and the food is just as good as always, but Linda made this really special for my dad!! read more

Juan's Place - Linda and the birthday boy! - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Wow, wish I knew this place earlier. Chips fresh and the lightest crispy. Plate of tacos with beans and rice piping hot and fresh. Family friendly service. And the interior ambience has so much history and culture. Definitely coming back! read more

I got the fish fajitas today! Really good! My partner ordered a super chicken burrito and it was enormous! This place is always known for their generous portions and the delicious food! read more

Juan's Place - Fish Fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

The food was delicious the service was excellent felt like I was at a friends house for lunch.

The food wants place is excellent. His traditional Mexican food served by attentive serve servers.

TLDR; This place delivers exactly what you expect in all ways (which is a good thing). Will be back. Food (of 5) Combo Chile Relleno, Beef Enchilada, Pork Tomale - 3.5 [free] 4x Chip baskets + 2x Red Salsa + 2x Green Salsa - 4.5 Matador (Flautas) and Green Enchilada seemed to please family members. Service (sitdown) Quick, efficient, anticipated needs, bit of a slowdown on the check Ambiance Very comfortable lived in old school (40 yr?) mexican joint, cafe style tables, dimly lit Combo plate wasn't standout, but it was exactly what one expects at a classic joint like this. Although I prefer thin corn chips ala Chevy's of 20 years ago, I still really loved the 2 style of chips and both salsas. Green had nice kick, red had some heat but had more complex flavors going on. read more

I was delighted to experience the friendly atmosphere at Juan's. The wait staff seem playful and at ease taking orders and I felt the warmth immediately. The food became quickly and with huge portions and a yumminess I enjoyed. Topping off with a Coke classic. Black beans a special treat. If Mexican food is desired. Juan's is the place!!!! Excellent read more

Juan's family has really ramped up the food and service at this old favorite Mexican restaurant in West Berkeley. The classic chips (flour and corn tortilla) with both green and red homemade salsa haven't changed in the thirty-plus years I've been coming here but the food was better than I can remember in years. I had the chile verde plate and it was tender and flavorful. The two orders of grilled shrimp salad were also over the top. This place is like a Time Machine with old posters, photos, and a juke box with music from a bygone era. There is a small memorial to Juan near the front door, who died in 2022. Seriously, we are losing too many of these classic restaurants lately. If you want to keep Juan's around, please come out and give them another try. You will not regret it. read more

The ambiance is laid back, spacious & chill. This restaurant has been here for 52 years serving the Bay Area family owned. They're all very attentive and nice, it's like attending a big family outing. Food is delicious like you're eating a home cooked meal right out of your kitchen. We had steak Ranchero and fish tacos absolutely delicious. The meat is tender cooked to perfection and the fish tacos, are light and tasty. You have to try chips, salsa and guacamole. If you're ever in Berkeley, you have to stop by and give this place a try, you will not be disappointed!! read more

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I absolutely love the food here. Good, authentic Mexican food. (my most favorite food in the world) I ordered a Wet Salsa Verde Steak Burrito. It was so damn good. The service was amazing. It feels nice and warm inside. Feels like I'm at abuletias read more

Juan's Place - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

I now know why it was empty on the evening I was there. Multiple folks serving. A very confusing menu without proper explanations. I wasn't hungry, so I explicitly stated I didn't want the meal -- just two chiles rellenos. Out came the plate with 2 chiles, rice, beans, tortilla, etc. I tried to refuse it, explaining I didn't want it. 3 different people came to the table explaining to me how I should have followed a very convoluted way of ordering. Ultimately, the didn't charge me for the rice and the beans, but it was a ridiculous formula for ordering just a couple of items and not a plate. And the food was just okay. Let me end by saying that though the various folks were insistent and in some ways unhelpful, they were also kind. read more

Berkeley staple. Lunch menu is awesome, especially the Mexican street tacos. Plus the salsa is still fire.

I think what's really special about Juan's Place is the history and atmosphere. What your tasting on the menu is the recipe of several generations of a family. The people who work there are descendants of Juan. You can see photos of the family as it were in the '70s, their home probably upstairs. A snapshot of real opportunity and new beginnings in a different era. With all the dishes that make this place great, it's really the experience of being welcomed into their house. There's so much love and history adored all of the walls. I tried the Mole which was great. Highly recommend. read more

Quite literally the worst meal I've ever had, i got chicken tacos, the rice was dry like it had been sitting out for hours, the black beans were hard like they didn't boil them properly, the chicken and ingredients of the tacos all tasted old and the plate looked sad There was one other table of people in the whole restaurant, no music playing, dingy atmosphere, how is this place still in business?? The service was good but I want good food. It costs 25$ for two tacos and beans and rice, I wouldn't mind paying that if the food was good..... I left my leftovers on the street outside My life is forever altered I now have the pleasure of knowing definitively what the worst meal I've ever had was. read more

Juan's Place - Crispy Shell Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

I've been coming to Juan's Place since I was a little girl with my family and every time I comeback I'm filled with such nostalgia. Although Juan is no longer with us, his amazing staff is still holding the standard of my vote for the best Mexican comfort food in the East Bay, specifically Berkeley! My go to is hands down always the cheese enchiladas with red sauce, refried beans/rice. This dish is everything you want as a cheese lover, a sauce lover, a no calorie count until Monday lover and everything in between. If you're a guac fan, they don't skimp out on portions as a starter. The food is simple yet delicious, never leaving here without anything but a good and full belly time. Some of the servers have remembered me since I was a little girl, so not trying to date myself by any means, but that's a few decades ago! Just showcasing the commitment and passion they have for this restaurant, Juan and the family. With plenty of parking, warm indoor vibes, friendly wait staff, all the yums for great value, I love taking friends here that have never tried before. I think it's safe to say we all have our go-to favorite spots and for me, this is it! Thank you for all the memories shared here, Juan's! read more

Juan's Place - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

I've been to Juan's many times over the years but my most recent meal and experience was so bad I can't stop thinking about it. Their prices are so high. The food is bad. Just bad. I had chicken tamales and my kid had rice, beans, and steak. The food was lukewarm. The tamales had bits of gristle and the meat tasted off. The steak was inedibly overcooked. The beans were soup. The waiter was unpleasant and I had to get up and find him to get our check. And the prices! $65! At lunch! read more

I've been going to Juan's for a very long time. They never disappoint. If I lived closer, I would go more often, but I go whenever I visit Berkeley Humane Society, which is two great places in one visit! I love their mole so much! I have to admit that I haven't been really experimental with their menu, but everything I have tried has been really good. It's one of those old-school places that feels very comfortable and is a fun place to have a little party or a few drinks with friends. The bar opens up pretty early in the morning. The food is really solid and although I'm usually very adventurous, I just cannot help but get the mole almost every time. I really like the staff, the ambiance, and their to-go game as well. read more

I've been here twice. Both times I had the same older female waitress and both times I felt like I was being served by the Soup Nazi. She starts off by nagging you over and over to buy a drink. "I need to look at the menu." "The drinks are right there" she says. The place was empty with only one other customer but she comes back less than a minute between to ask what I'm ordering. I'm sorry, I'm still dealing with the sticker shock of $25 for 2 tacos. Don't worry, a single taco is available for $20 if you want to save money. Asking a question about getting something on the side? Just a rude, "no". Any question you ask her feels like she takes it as a personal attack. Ask her what she suggests? "No, I don't do that" is her reply. Ask for more salsa for the chips? "Do you want the $1 or the $5 size?" I explain that I'm not asking for salsa to go, I'm asking to eat salsa with my chips. She replies, "$1 or $5?" Ok, never mind. Just every single interaction with her is awkward and rude. Part of eating out is the enjoyment of the meal. Instead of enjoying the meal you sit there wondering if you did something wrong by asking for water. For a restaurant that charges $20 for a taco and $14 for rice and beans you would expect them to make up for it with top notch food and service. But all you get here is below average food, canned salsa, and misery. read more

The best to get Mexican food people have heard of. Eventually I ordered stuff at this restaurant. There are pictures of famous boxers on the wall. The Berkeley Humane Society is right across the street. Nachos are the best thing on the menu if you have the money. read more

Don't come here. Highway robbery. My co worker went to eat here and the menu gave him one price and they added extra 20 then has the odacity to ask for a tip read more

We were starving and stumbled upon Juan's Place. It struck me, that back in the day, this was probably the happening place in the neighborhood. There were two dining areas separated by a wall and there were three tables occupied midday on a Monday. A very unfriendly man was sitting at the cash register and couldn't be bothered seat us. We ordered two simple meals that came within a reasonable time. The burrito was soggy and lackluster. It had approximately 1/3 of a cup of runny beans in it. The tostada had approximately three pieces of yesterday's chicken in it and an inordinate amount of lettuce. It was cold and flavorless. Save yourself the time and move on to another Mexican restaurant. There are so many more delectable places to eat in Berkeley. read more

I would give this place 3.5 stars. Kept hearing of Juan's place so we had to try it out! What a cool spot. Easy parking outside. Very cool ambiance and clean bathrooms. Very tasty complimentary chips and salsa - loved the spicy salsa Verde. Among 2 adults and a 5 year old we shared: - combo plate beef enchilada, chille relleno, pork tamales comes with rice and black beans - half portion pork Verde with rice and whole beans comes with tortilla Food is very good. Not super flavorful but quite tasty and very well priced. I found the tamale dry so maybe pass on that but enjoyed the pork Verde dish. Food was quite enough for us quite full in the end. Would love to come back to try the burrito! Service is friendly and quick :) read more

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"Absolutely phenomenal! The food was bursting with flavor, the service was warm and attentive, and the atmosphere made the whole experience unforgettable. Easily one of the best dining experiences I've ever had--five stars all the way!" read more

I went there today for a special event. It was my first time there, and was very please. I decided after the event, to order a to-go plate. Wow, I love enchiladas with beans & rice, and they did not disappoint. I will certainly take that drive from Richmond to Berkeley to get the enchiladas! My favorite Mexican restaurant is permanently closed in Richmond, so JUAN is the Place!!!! read more

We Highly recommend 9 Juan Juan's! - tempted to buy the t-shirt to help promote their business! They're surrounded by the run-of-the-mill fast food chains. What a great option to have in Ontario - or anywhere, for fresh and flavorful food from a welcoming and friendly family business. And, the food actually looked like the website photo! My husband, who said he wasn't hungry, tried to eat about 1/2 of mine. Great for to-go, or outside seating, with a few inside tables, and great condiments bar. read more

Very old school Mexican restaurant. No frills, just really tasty food! I have been going to Juan's my entire life and have created loyal customers out of friend that I have taken there. Highly recommend the green enchiladas!!! I can also basically drink the salsa straight it's so good! They have both corn and flour tortilla chips which is nice. Just go! You won't regret it! read more

My wife and I were hungry after a procedure I had in Emeryville on a Tuesday, and we decided to go to Juan's, it was right on the way, why not, it was 12:30 and, lucky us, we got a parking spot right in front! As we entered the place, not a soul was there. Not a hostess, not a server and NOT ONE CUSTOMER! NOT ONE! We yelled, "Anyone home?" and an older man walked out and I asked if we could sit over by the window. When we opened the menus, we almost fell out of our booth! Every price there was either $24.95 for a whole order or $19.95 for a half. We could not believe our eyes! That much money for each item? We quietly exited the still empty place and drove to Chipotle's, a place I don't even like much. Still, we had a great lunch for under $25.00. I loved Juan's but come on, prices like they have now are just ridiculous. Maybe all the empty tables at lunch hour prove that. Sorry, guys. read more

I have returned for their Carnitas special on Fridays. I use to come here regularly 10+ years ago because their carnitas were legendary. Lost track then they closed for a while during the pandemic. The carnitas were still good but I don't think it lives up to my memory of how good it used to be. The family still enjoyed both the corn and flour tortilla chips like we use to. A disappointing experience however is that the bar only sold margaritas from a wine mix. Other than that, I still appreciated the family and friends feel of this business. I hope they continue to grow and prosper in this community. read more

I have been visiting Juan's for over 30 years. After not dining at in over a decade, decided to have a get together here recently. If you know & enjoyed old school Bay Area "tamale & enchilada parlors" of many years ago, you'll like Juans. It's a time capsule of unpretentious, food made for enjoying, rather than impressing. For the hipster types, it may be a turnoff seeing the classic plate of tamales surrounded by refried beans and Spanish rice, thinking, it's just like another strip mall Americanized Mexican joint. But it's not, Juan's is one of the founders of this type of dish. And they make it the way it should be. And it is spectacular. Service and ambiance are unchanged since Reagan was President. Which is a huge breath of fresh air. read more

Juan's Place - Yum - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

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So delicious! Amazing service! Feels like you are in your grandma's kitchen. I had enchiladas and my daughter had a quesadilla. Both were great! read more

I went to Juan's at about 5:30 in the afternoon. It was almost empty and I don't know why. I hope it's the hour because I received excellent service and they have Molay and the prices are reasonable. They had very good chips and green and red salsa that was different from what you usually get a little bit thinner and really good. I ordered the shrimp enchiladas, but asked for mole sauve on them and they did that and they were scrumptious. I will definitely be going back and I encourage anyone else to go there too. Very traditional, almost Tex-Mex style. I'm from Texas and I missed that for a long time! read more

This place is a hidden gem found in an industrial area of West Berkeley. In fact, I've walked by this restaurant so many times that it's been on my to go list but never thought of visiting during my lunch breaks. It can really be over looked while driving by but I can assure you they've got some solid food worth the buck. My coworkers and I decided to grab lunch from Juan's last week and checked our their menu via yelp (third party through uber eats) and noticed that the prices are inflated because of this additional service of convenience. We were on a budget so we decided that we needed to order through the website it self for next day order and that helped us save a lot of money in the end. We were able to order five large burritos and I got myself a 1/2 order of their quesadilla. While peeping at the burritos, I noticed not only are they huge but they were obviously delicious because they were easily consumed. My quesadilla was perfect. The meat was tender, the cheese nice and gooey, and the salsa was fresh. It's a great decision for lunch but I'd recommend buying directly from Juan's to save a buck and tip directly to the establishment. read more

Juan's Place - 1/2 order of pork 1 Quesadilla with pork, Rice and Beans - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

Food was good, tasty and spicy. Great, personalized service. When asked what I thought of the salsa, I said it was good but could be hotter. 2 minutes later, he showed back up at my table with a small bowl with some nice and spicy. Quite delicious! read more

Haven't been here in a while decided to give them a try again. We were seated right away. Very nice server. Chips and Salsa were brought out right away. Two kinds of chips the flour ones are extremely tasty. Only two other couples eating in the restaurant. I decided to try the blackberry margarita which was very good but not very strong. I got the combo with 2 enchiladas and a tamale, it also came with rice and beans. The food was ok but not as good and seasoned as I remembered. The rice had some crunchy parts. My husband enjoyed his burrito. I had a bite and it was good. Not sure will be coming back soon. read more

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