Food was incredible. They let us taste the different kind of Birria they have: goat, beef, sheep…read more Their micheladas are amazing, actually taste like a real Michelada. We tried the margarita flight and it was scary good. Everything was full of flavor and the vibes were immaculate. It was my sister's bday and they played Las Mañanitas loud on the speakers which was really fun, and they brought her flan!

WHY I WENT HERE: - dinner…read more- LOVE that they have birria de chivo (goat) in addition to the birria de res (beef) * BONUS - I arrived here during happy hour THE LOOK (FROM THE OUTSIDE): - located on the corner of Merritt St and Sanchez St - street parking and parking lot parking available - overflow outdoor waiting area (bench seating protected from sun and rain) available at the front entrance - partially covered patio with awning and outdoor heater lamps available for outdoor seating THE LOOK (FROM THE INSIDE): - colorful art murals - industrial ceiling and flooring look - booths and standalone tables available - various Mexican genres of music playing (at least at the time I was there) THE MENU: - la especialidad (birria plates) - birria lovers - red tacos - pa'empezar el dia (breakfast) - el alivio: cerveza, draft beer, micheladas, margs/sangrias, wine, mocktails - pa'compartir (appetizers) - platillos fuertes (main entrees) - del mar (seafood plates) - los fines (weekends) - algo dulce (dessert) - para los peques (kids menu) - algo leve - tacos/quesadillas - burritos - bowls - tortas - sopes/tacos dorados - drinks - sides WHAT I ORDERED: - Quesabirria Tacos - Platanos Fritos THE TASTE: - everything was amazing! fresh, filling, comforting CUSTOMER SERVICE: - accommodating - attentive but not overbearing

Yum! I was worried when I was the only one there during dinner rush, but I'm so glad I stayed. The…read morechips were thin and crispy, and the red salsa had an oregano-y flavor to it. My carnitas burrito was great. Well seasoned, with a great mix of toppings. The beans were sort of in between refried and whole, which added some great texture. I will be trying it again.

Absolutely loved this hidden gem of a mexican heaven on our way back from highway 1 drive and a…read morelong day at the beach. Out of the very few places you cross by, we found a place that accepts cards and is not a mc Donald's/ taco bell chain. There is lots of parking right in front of this restaurant and it's a quick detour from highway one when going back to san jose, which makes it the best quick bite spot for us!! As you enter, you are greeted by a friendly (and only 1) server. She gets water and menu cards to your table and waits to be called to come get your order. In $37 (before tax and 3% surcharge for credit card), we got: - free chips and salsa upon request 5/5 loved the mild salsa and spicy green sauce yum yum!! - super burrito 5/5 with chicken, add jalapeño and it was tooooo big!! Definitely to share :) paired perfectly with green sauce - beef flautas - 4/5 loaded with meat and comes with side of rice and refried beans Clean restrooms and quick service makes this the perfect pit spot for us!! Ps - 3% surcharge added for credit card payments Must try!!

The food here really rates 5 stars! Fresh ingredients, well prepared with just the right…read moreseasonings made the meal one to remember. The place is modest, but clean and comfortable. Our server was pleasant and efficient even though she didn't seem to speak much English. The stand out dish was the chile relleno. The chile was sweet with a perfect texture. Bathed in a savory slow roasted delectable sauce and the right amount of melty cheese. Chips and salsa were top notch. The whole fried snapper was crispy and well seasoned and was accompanied by yellow rice, beans, salad and two wonderful spicy sauces: one red and one green. The other dishes we had were tasty as well. Tacos & taquitos with rice and beans. I will definitely return when I'm in the area.

Food was quite delicious! Service was cozy and familial…read morelike. With great drink pairing suggestions and off menu food choices. Daisy was amazing. Ambiance was comforting and fun. - loved the music vibes.

I really love Mexican food, and this place did not dissapoint. Staff were friendly, and really know…read moretheir menu. They explained very clearly what each menu item consisted of. So i tried their beef tacos. They were really packed with lots of beef. The shell was crispy and delicious. The beans on the side were cooked just right. I really like this place, and will definitely go back for more.

Hello there Party People…read more Let me start by saying Happy New Year My Husband and I were wandering in Castroville and ran across Olivia's. We have been craving Mexican food something awful and stopped in. This my Friends is a Diamond in the ruff. Be prepared to use your translation app on your phone because the staff speaks very little English and menus are in Spanish. Don't let that stop you from trying this place because you will be missing out on an authentic Mexican food experience....no Tex-Mex fusion here thank the lord We started with a Pork Quesadilla. It was stuffed to the max with a very tasty marinated pork, but you can get any meat you want. The tortillas are home made and incredible. It was an eye opener to what we loosely call Mexican food in United States....it truely isn't Mexican food and I know that know. I got the Steak Fajitas. It was teaming with veggies and once again the meat was seasoned with the subtle flavors of Mexico. My Husband got the steak enchiladas. This was interesting because the meat was served on the plate outside the enchilada. So the enchilada was just cheese with a nice lime verde sauce. I am a rice person and my husband is a bean person. I mention this because we are very picky and rarely find rice and beans that we like, but this place blow the top off the chart. The beans were flavorful and creamy without feeling like you stuck a spoon of lard in your mouth. The rice had good fluffy texture and nice flavor..very tasty So glad I found this place just proves that taking chances can lead to great experiences.

We were visiting Monterey and craving good local tacos. After checking Yelp, we tried Deliciosos…read moreTacos and we're so glad we did! It's a small spot with 7 tables inside. It's clean and the staff was friendly. They're cash-only, but there's an ATM on site. The menu is straightforward and reasonably priced. We ordered the carne asada super burrito, two carne asada tacos, and two carnitas tacos. Everything was excellent. The meats were well-seasoned without being salty, and nothing was greasy. The carnitas were tender inside with crispy edges. While we were eating, three other people came in to eat. We left very satisfied and will definitely be back next time we're in Monterey!

It is located in a small business lot between a Chinese food place and a bakery, service was fast…read moreand very friendly but they only accept cash. We had the carne asada burrito and the Al pastor tacos. Prices were not too bad and the overall flavor of the food was average, could have been a little more flavorful. Serving size was decent and I was impressed with how fast the food came out, although we were the only ones there.

Okay this is my second review on Franco's Taqueria in Castroville. I recently went in and had tacos…read morede tripa. I love tripas but usually they are a bit too hard and chewy for my liking. These were tender and sooo savory! Plus they come served on homemade corn tortillas. Outstanding! Tonight I went in for their menudo. They were already out so I had the posole. This is authentic Mexican food at its best! Even the hominy in the posole is fresh cooked! Most restaurants and people, myself included, use a canned hominy because it's convenient. Not here! It is the best posole I've ever had period! I will definitely be coming next week at an earlier time to get their menudo. I know this will be hands down the best menudo ever in Monterey County. For all of you who love menudo, it is worth the drive to this beautiful restaurant in Castroville.

Came here memorial day weekend with my mom for a good lunch after a wonderful memorial Day service…read moreup at the veterans cemetery -my dad loved to come here so we made sure to get our fish and chips and enjoyed every bite. I had the cod my mom had the halibut both amazing! They really stepped their game up on the coleslaw now it's something so weird but it's a staple with fish and chips. Their coleslaw used to be drying and nasty. It was pretty good this time and the french fries were cooked to perfection. The restaurant is busy fast pace. They definitely have the turn and burn set in stone, but everything was clean. The food came out pretty quick so again we were happy The only reason I didn't give five stars is because the pricing really went up for two platters of fish and chips and one appetizer and two iced teas it was 100 bucks- pretty steep if you ask me but I get it. The whole world is expensive right now so I can't be mad, especially when the food was that good Honestly, I would pay it 100 times over again to know that my mom is happy so it's all good

This place gets busy on weekends. You order at the front, grab your drinks on the side and go get…read moreyour table. The bar inside looked well stocked. Food can be perceived as expensive but remember you are eating local monterey bay seafood. Clam chowder was huge portion- good enough for 3 people at least. Fish portion was plentiful as well- good enough for 2 people at least. Fresh fish, batter was crisp and well flavoured. Fast service!

MUST stop in your way to Monterey area from Santa Cruz / San Jose…read more Authentic Oaxaca , south Mexico, food. We stop twice, in our way in and back to Santa Cruz. Owners, are cooks, and they have Mexican hospitality, in their service. Don't skip the soups, caldo de res, beef soup, Menudo, Sat and Sunday. Menuso, fresh , soft, comforting , flavorful. 7 Mares, seafood soup, spicy level as you like. Big portions, hand made big tortillas. Try the cafe de olla, boiled coffee, Coffee beans from Oaxaca. And the quesillo, world famous , Oaxaca's Cheese. But if you want to have a real experience, have the MOLE. Made on house, authentic Oaxaca's MOLE. I licked the plate, the smell, the color, the flavor, I've never tasted it before here in CA. I can go on. Stop, eat, be happy. Clean. Restrooms available. Charming town, reminds you where your food comes from, and the hard workers that bring us the food our earth produces.

I ate here about six months ago. Since they advertise as comida Oaxaceña autentica (authentic…read moreOaxacan food) I was really looking forward to trying it. Underwhelmed. Nothing different than what the other 2, 655 other Mexican restaurants on the Central coast offer.

Such an unexpected surprise. Great beers fun host and unexpected experiences. I'll stop by again.read more

Love the service which is friendly. This is your local small town dive where the beer is cold and…read morepeople are quick to chat.

This place is nasty honesty there lucky I didn't call the Health Department on them. We found a…read morecockroach on the plate. We told the owner but he didn't believe it.. and I have the video and pictures of The cockroach on the plate.. so yeah I don't recommend anyone going there.

Horrible... I ordered camarones a la diabla and the shrimp was not even clean.. and my hubby's…read moreshrimp ceviche was grey.. I feel bad because it looks family owned.. but if you don't care about the way you cook or the quality of your food, why waste your time.. sorry but it was definitely a disappointment :(