I was told about this restaurant recently and finally got the chance to go for lunch. Fabulous chips and salsas. I got two tacos -- birria and chorizo -- and both were delightfully delicious. Plentiful portion. Over the past few months, I have also been ordering two dozen or more tamales for takeout each month to share with day laborers in Novato. They are consistently absolutely perfect and devoured with gusto. All in all, great food and great people. read more

Always a pit stop after I finish getting my nails done next door whenever I feel like picking up a quick snack to take home. Today their gelatin desserts spoke to me from their refrigerated section containing salsas, guacamole, & flan. Their gelatin cups aren't too sweet and are a yummy treat. Take one or some home! read more

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This is comfort food in the true sense of the word! Not fancy in its decor, La Chulada has a warm, friendly atmosphere, and I always feel personally welcomed when I walk in. The food tastes like home, and is always served piping hot and presented beautifully with a simple elegance. Their fresh tortillas, made per order, are just delicious. One of my favorite dishes is the Birria. And with a little advanced notice, they will prepare a wonderful ceviche which I recently served for a party in my home. I love this little Novato gem! read more

When you want cheap and good food, this is the place to go. This is one of the places the local know about and stays hidden away in plain sight. The food is good, and authentic, not the stuff you bet at Taco B377 or Chip0tl3. Rice an beans are always hot and fresh and the menu is vast with plenty of choices to order. The staff/owner is very accommodating, so if you don't see your favorite dish on the menu, ask them about it and they more then likely whip it up for you. If you are adventurous or missing mom food from the "mother land" check it out, they've got some good "Menudo" on the weekend that is to die for. If I had to dock points I would do it just because of their salsa bar. Some days is great and fresh, others it might need some work. read more

La Chulada - Menudo - Mexican Near Me - Novato, California

I love coming here for the $1.25 Happy hour tacos (M-F 2-6pm). But on my recent visit, I noticed some worrisome safety & sanitation issues. 1) there are lots of flies in the kitchen (flies can transport food bourne illnesses). 2) I noticed an ink stain on my plate under my tacos. Like an imprint from a label or something. This tells me that dishes may not be cleaned very well. 3) I saw the cook touching his clothes while on the line. Dirty dirty. If I looked in the kitchen... I think I would be scared of what I could find. I am not just knit-picky. I am recently Serv-safe certified. read more

La Chulada - Hmm why is there writing on my plate under my taco? Not cool... - Mexican Near Me - Novato, California

This place used to be El Palmar restaurant and had been under various ownership in recent years, and it must have just changed to La Chulada as it has the Application for Ownership Change form posted on the door. Oh man, they have a lot to improve on. We went there for take outs not knowing about the ownership change and ordered three platos entrees - Carnitas, beef, and chicken. Each plato came in a box with nothing but rice and the respective meats. We also got one small cup of refried beans to split among all three entrees. There was no lettuce, no tomato, no any kind of vegetable that we are used to getting from previous ownership. All three meats were completely dry and tasteless and none of it came with any kind sauce. 1/2 of the carnitas meat included pig stomach, liver, and other organs (big yuck!), the beef was two big slices of some low quality chuck and was tasteless and chewy, we ended up throwing it out. The chicken was the only decent thing which has white breast meat but again flavorless and dry. I would wait a while before trying this place, they have a lot to work on in the kitchen. read more

Never seems to get my order right even when I drag my spanish speaking girlfriend along with me to order for me. read more

La Chulada - I said no onion and no cilantro and they put both like come on dude wth - Mexican Near Me - Novato, California

Because of my love for Mexican food, i'll leave a star on. We ordered food to go. They do have a lot of variety and authentic sounding dishes. Some even have photos. But that was _THE_ worst food i've ever had. We both had burritos, different types. First thing we notice is how greasy they are. As soon as the foil came off-the orange ooze started. And i love grease--don't get me wrong! So we both shrug it off and dig in. After first bite we realize we have each others burrito and swap out. Couple bites in and I was like, W-T-F is this? So I pull out this flap of skin, or intestine lining and was like, huh? that's whacked. But I was like, so what....extra flavor right? I'm tough! I can eat this! Then BF hits a weird grizzle part and was like "I can't eat this any more". So take a few more bites and hit another mystery meat piece! I'm pretty sure it was ear....and thats when i tossed mine out too. Nope, couldnt eat eat. I prefer to have my meat all chopped up into unrecognizable bits. Thanks! I've had every type of Mexican food. From the little stand in Rosarito Beach to gourmet. And I prefer the beach style. So it's not like I can't handle a taqueria! I will not be back. There are too many excellent options. read more

El Palmar, located next to Marvin's restaurant in downtown Novato, is worth a look. With an estimated 14 taquerias in Novato, it's easy to miss this small gem with a big menu. The best thing about this place is the variety of authentic and interesting dishes. The regular menu is painted above the counter and available in print form for takeout customers. The extras they've added cascade on sheets of paper down the walls, and some feature helpful pictures if the name of the dish isn't descriptive. There are always new specials, but the standard menu is diverse and the food is fresh and flavorful. You can also buy tortillas to take home, and watch them being made just beyond the front counter. The taqueria is connected inside by a doorway to the Mexican market next door, which has a variety of treats and some nice fresh produce. Make a point of stopping in before you leave. This place has counter pickup, but if it's slow, they'll bring it out to you. The staff is friendly and will help you understand some of the more unusual dishes. They have a range of sodas and other soft drinks, some beer (I think...I go mostly at lunch), and a little self-service salsa station with pickled carrots and peppers. The lunch business is brisk - once you've tried a few dishes and know what you like, call ahead for fast pickup service. The bathroom isn't the best. Not the pit of despair, but I'd make it an emergencies-only destination. read more

My mom has been going to this store for almost 8 years and she always had an okay experience until two weeks ago when she asked the guy at the meat counter for chicharrones (pork rins) that weren't burnt and he reply in a very rude way that they were all burnt and that he wouldn't sell her any. My mom walked away then and didn't complain. Today april 16,2021 she purchase meat and meat with bones in. As she was cooking it the meat was tough and when she cut through the bone in meat it was green and it looked like it was old meat. She told it back to the store and both the cashier and butcher told her she should of known better before cooking the meat and they were so rude and took her complain as a joke and told her it was her fault for buying it!. I'm so upset because these two men made my mom feel¹ like it was her fault for buying the meat. When clearly they knew that the quality of their meat was not good. read more

Yes! Number One tacos in Novato. These tacos rock. The price is very low. You can drink beer on a table outside. All good. If you want a variety of really good Mexican tacos. You have it: The best is birria (5 stars). If the person who thought the food lacked flavor clearly didn't eat the birria. They also have these tacos: carne asada, carne rojo, pollo asado, carnitas, and another pork type that I didn't try yet. The tacos de cabeza and tacos de lengua were very good too. Other people tried the burrito carnitas and burrito pollo asado. They liked them. I need to try them before I can compare with Tacqueria Mi Pueblo's very good burritos. Service is friendly, but functional. Probablamente es mas facil en Espanol. The people who think High Tech Burrito restaurant, or super Nachos, is Mexican, don't come here expecting those experiences please. Those are American food, inspired by Mexico. They can be good, but they are NOT authentic. read more

This place is Not Closed, I think yelpers might have confused this restaurant with Mi Pueblo. I like their burritos, tacos and chile rellenos but their Tortas are not as savory as I expected. From my experience they are tasty and their customer service is humble and nice read more

Whenever Im in the mood for Mexican food I go HERE!! My favorite is their burrito al pastor. I also like their specials. I do not eat rice or beans and are always accomodating to my needs (with the exception of one time). Im only giving it four stars because the seats are arranged in a weird way. They seem to be set up for big parties, which I rarely see, but maybe I have gone during slow time... Overall, food is good and their customer service is adequate (it has improved lately). I enjoy the outdoor seating and during summer is GREAT!! Highly recommended if you are looking for some authentic Mexican food! read more

No matter what anyone thinks this is real Mexican food....best in area. The menudo...the Birria...cabeza...etc read more

Honestly, this place had change over the past few years.. the new ladies hired to take your order simply don't know about customer service nor food and it's not a language barrier, it's simply that... they just don't pay attention! Just 2 or 3 years ago, this place was the real deal, I used to order something from here every weekend! I never get tired or mexican food.. but now..... we all as a family give a second thought about going there or not. They used to have a wide variety of salsas! Now a day, just 2 kinds and you're limited to take certain amount before you're asked to pay extra for the salsa. To the owner: You're great and appreciated! But your employees... Are simply not motivated to work for your clientele. read more

I had the molcajete- it was gross. Usually you grill the meats and place a small amount of spicy salsa in the middle - but instead all the meat was cooked with a tomato sauce that tasted from a can. The Nopales were raw and there was absolutely no flavor. My husband had the machaca it didn't have any flavor and the rice and beans were ok. The only good thing they had were my kids chicken tenders and fries. I honestly think someone that is not Mexican is cooking in that kitchen. Or have the wrong recipes. Never going there again. I feel bad because the people that work there were really nice. read more

Love this little place. Great authentic mexican food. They also have a dish I love, grilled chicken breast with lemon and their roasted Jalepenos are to die for. I will definately put this place on my list of regulars to eat at. read more

I've been eating at El Palmar for many years and its still my go to Mexican anywhere in Marin. The staff have always been very friendly and even when busy you get your food quickly. There are so many dishes that I order here that are among if not the best that I have ever had that it still after 10 years of eating here is a challenge to choose what I want every single time I go in. The magic is that I never regret my decision whether its a wet burrito, chile colorado, menudo, a torta, of a whole score of other delicious items. The salsa bar is the proverbial icing on the cake, and is always stocked with a great selection of mild to hot salsa, plus always whole peppers, radishes, pickled onions, etc. On top of all that you would have to be impossible to please to be disappointed by the prices and the portions. Would and do recommend this place to absolutely anyone whose diet does not preclude the staples of Mexican food. read more

While visiting the parents, we came here over another Mexican rest. SERVICE: HORRIBLE. Nearly left. Waitress dropped off a tiny bit of chips for 5 people. Seemingly, either no one uses their grey matter or they are cheap or just are programmed like a robot. If you have 2 people, you bring a small amount of chips and salsa (maybe that's cool but you could bring a large chips (some places do) but seriously!!!?? a tiny chips for 5 people and same salsa amount you bring for 1 person??? No common sense. The waitress brought chips+salsa, came back once with waters, then never came back to check on us for chip/salsa refills. The food took almost 30 minutes! She never came back as we dined on the patio. Finally, one of our diners was upset and went in to fetch her. No apologies, acted like that was normal. In the top 10 of WORST service. They need to teach their waitresses some manners and service skills. F- (would have had 5 stars but service so bad, it lost 2 stars there) Food: Excellent Carne Asada burritos and HUGE! I liked that it was BIG! Others loved their taco salad, a tostada. Food A or A-!!! So combined, it came to a "C" or 3 stars. Sad cuz the food is VERY good. Get with it owners of this place. Train your waitresses!! read more

Okay....I only had the pozole.....but it gets the 5 stars :) My boyfriend lives in Novato and I had looked specifically for a place close to him just for Pozole as it is my FAV and I hate to go long without it. My boyfriend had never had it before and was pleased as well. He just went a picked up the soup and brought it back for our breakfast one morning. It took a little bit to get the order as he said they started with a base and then added the other ingredients. It was worth the wait!! Definately recommend it for anyone that enjoys pozole. I imagine if you enjoy menudo theirs is most likely very tasty as well, I am just not a huge fan of tripe. The boyfriend told me that someone inside had ordered a michelada and it looked tasty so next time I go visit I will have to get off my lazy ass and go in for my soup with a lovely refreshing michelada too :) read more

My husband and I had a late lunch here last Monday. Food was FANTASTIC combined with an EXCELLENT service of Martha. Price was great and we will definitely come back!! read more

La Chulada - Mexican Near Me - Novato, California

DONT EAT HERE SAVE THAT MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!!! this buisness used to be very good but took a turn for the worst went there once a year ago got a burrito and tacos my girlfriends tacos looked like it had dry old meat and dry tortilla my burrito was cold in the middle and the tortilla warm I went back again a couple months ago to buy a burrito it's literally the worst burrito you can buy in Novato it was super cold again in the middle old meat idk all I can say is try a diffrent location read more

this place is just amazing .. I only came across it because I had a restaurants voucher but after the first time I can't seem to stop coming! The food is delicious I have tried so many dishes that its hard to pick a favorite but if I had to I would recommend the order of Huaraches! As far as the staff, they are super friendly and they make sure you are comfortable. Having worked in a restaurant before I know how crazy busy it can get but no matter how much it does our server is always making sure we have what we need. Absolutely love this place! read more

Service is fast and friendly always get to go orders here love there enchiladas beef or chicken I prefer beef tho. Refried beans and rice are the best i ever had and love their guacamole always so fresh and lime tasting. read more

not EXACTLY authentic mexican food. there is no real 'taste' to anything.. which sucks. i once ordered nachos and asked for SUPER nachos with no guac. you know what i got? chips and melted cheese. sooo i walked on back to el palmar and asked politely to get what i ordered, and let them know again what that was. so i get to my break room and what is sitting in front of me? chips, cheese and guac. ok.. seriously? so i walk back AGAIN. tell them NO guac. YES sour cream, cheese, jalapenos, tomatoes, and frijoles. so i get back to work. five minutes left on lunch. and to my (un)surprise i have a plate of chips and cheese. OMIGOD! i'm done. took it back, gimme my money.. i'm going to la hacienda for some real nacheezies. read more

I will start this review with a little background on myself. I consider me to a sort of a burrito/Mexican cusine "snob" as I was spoiled by the multitude of Mexican eateries while living in San Francisco, my favorites where:Gordo (24th Ave. and Clement, their Flour Quesadilla is the best I ever had and they make it like no one I have ever seen. Pick your protein and add rice, salsa, sour cream, and enjoy a slice of heaven) El Farolito (24th St and Mission), and Taqueria Menudo (Mission and Ocean, they had THE BEST AL PASTOR EVER). When i moved to Marin Co, my first Task was to find a burrito spot to call my own. I tried many in the Novato/San Rafael area (Bahia, La Familia, Mi Familia, Picante, Taqueria Fiesta, La Hacienda, Las Guitarras, etc...) but finally settled on Taqueria San Jose in San Rafael, the one under the freeway. Their prices were good, it met my criteria for being a "cutty" place, the food itself was great with regard to both taste/authenticity and portion size (the burritos are HUGE), and i love their free chips and salsa bar, which for some reason you dont get in San Fran. All good except that they are in San Rafael and I am in Novato. So, following a particularly dissapointing meal from La Hacienda, I decided to give El Palmar a shot. First off, its not fair to compare them to restaurants like Mi Pueblo, La Pinata, or Las Guitarras. Those are more of a "sit down" type of place where you bring the family, friends, colleagues after work, and hang out and have margaritas while you are eating. They have big dining rooms and outdoor patios that accomodate large crowds and their prices are higher than what you would pay at other places. El Palmar is not that and it does not aspire to be that. El Palmar is closer to La Hacienda, Taqueria Fiesta, Novato Market, type of place. You go there for lunch or dinner and grab something to go, to bring home, like I do , and enjoy it with the family or friends. Though they have inside seating, its not so big and very simple, nothing hanging from the ceiling or nailed to the walls, just a cool mural on one of their walls. Their prices are resonable and their food is very good, it can be inconsistent as it depends on who is cooking the food on that particular day and it's just not a 5 stat joint, thats why i give them 3 stars. Otherwise, the ladies that take your orders, and white are also servers, are always friendly and courteous. My favorites there are Burritos with Al Pastor or Carnitas, my wife and kids like the Pollo Asado. But if you are going to eat there try the Molcahete (I think thats how its spelled) its an AWSOME seafood dish served in a sizzling clay bowl, very unique. Their Super Nachos are very good as are the Tacos and the Taco Salad. The food comes out fast and we enjoy a nice familiy dinner at home for under $30, of course it all come with free chips and i load up on the Pico, which is always fresh, and the marinated Jalapenos. El Palmar has become my go to place for Mexican in Novato and if you just keep it in the right perspective, it came become yours too. read more

Amazing food it's all delicious but don't like waiter service. When you go there ask for the chef Pascual to cook your food because he makes the food even better. read more

THE BAD: Possibly the smallest full priced burrito I have ever purchased in the entire United States. Seriously, it is like half the size or smaller of a normal burrito. THE GOOD: Possibly one of the best tasting burritos I've had. I love breakfast chorizzo and egg burritos. This one was perfect, a burrito that melts in your mouth? It was piping hot as they cooked up all the ingredients, including beans/rice etc. on the hot flat grill using a jalepeno spicy oil. I've never seen a preparation like this before. Most burrito places scoop the goop from individual pans warmed by hot water. Also, the ingredients were really well put together ...you could taste the tortilla, the eggs, salsa, spices, and the meat individually creamed out by the hot melting cheese. Finally, most burritos have good and bad bites since the ingredients are not mixed the same through. This thing had the good bite each and every bite down to the last one. My theory is that the Mexican grocery store next door owns the burrito place and the local hispanic folks have a more discerning eye for this kind of food. It needs to be authentic and this really was. I'm going back. Don't go there if you want a lot of food but go there if you want something tasty! Oh yeah, the homemade tortilla chips were still hot, greasy, and rocking good! read more

Authentic, delicious, great service, friendly staff. We love sitting at the outside tables. The staff is attentive even outside. Tip for the day: the mole sauce is excellent, chocolatey, with just the right spices. read more

I like this place. Lots of flavor and I love the side "toppings bar" with the salsas and roasted jalapenos etc. I've become a fan of the Birria, but the rest of the items I've tried are good too. Decent atmosphere, always clean. Not excited about the bathroom located right next to the kitchen entrance but what can you do? read more

The restaurant itself would be considered more of a "escape to little Mexico" experience, it is not exactly your fantasy like romantic dinner with a candlelit table and waiter in a tuxedo attending to your every wish and desire. Attached to a Hispanic market, this small restaurant has a very nice feel to it, almost like your in Mexico ordering from the heart of the community. They serve me the best carne asada burritos I have ever had. Bonita mujeres y tambien! You just have to communicate what you expect in a good burrito, for instance- extra meat and tastes great well done, light rice, extra pico de gallo, and wala the perfect burrito. They also provide, chips, lemon, lime, salsa, and grilled jalapenos that are amazing when heated up in the microwave. (Be careful mucho caliente!) They take a emphasis on making the customer happy, as long as you are polite and respectful, as a customer should be. I hear their tacos are the best in town. Muchos gracias, El Palmar! read more

Taco Tuesdays are the BEST! The street style tacos are $1.25 When it is to hot out or I am to tired on Tuesdays I call up and order them and the whole family is satisfied! They also do delicious GIGANTIC burritos that are easily enough for two people or two meals. Yum! read more

Amazing Mexican food. During dinner the restaurant seating can fill up so I usually get my food to-go. My favorite tostadas in Novato.

Two stars for service and a clean bathroom. Otherwise, very uninspired, yet edible food. We got the cheese enchilada plate (came out on the cold side of lukewarm) with extremely salty black beans, the chili relleno, and the huevos rancheros. While everything was edible, we didn't want to actually eat it, but it was the only Mexican restaurant open on Easter. Took most of it to feed our chickens. read more

I used to think only Southern Cali had the best taco shops. However, a friend of mine took me to El Palmar, and I loved it.

One of the cheapest places to get food in Novato. Delicious salsa bar and chips. Highly recommended.

I've tried a few Mexican places in the area and this one stands out. I ordered chicken fajitas and the portions of chicken and veggies was huge and tasty. Add to that beans and rice and corn tortillas and you have one stuffed but satisfied customer. The refried beans were tasty and I can't remember getting so many tortillas with a meal. It was a little over $12. I think that's very reasonable for a good size meal. They have beer and a free salsa bar. And I almost forgot the free tortilla chips with your meal. (I hate places that charge for them). You order at the register and they bring you your food. We sat outside. There's a Mexican store right next door as well. Muy bueno read more

This place sucks. Friend took me and my son here, the food was so blah. I ordered the enchiladas and tamal plate, they put this nasty canned sauce all over my food with cheddar cheese. WTF? Where is the queso fresco?? The beans were slightly burned, the pico de gallo at the salsa bar was a joke, it didn't have any chiles in it at all. They brought my friends food and mine, but I had to remind them that my son's food was still not here. They brought it 10 minutes later...simple nachos, wow. When we were paying, I saw that they had champurrado so I ordered a few to go for us, they took like 10 minutes to warm it up, and it wasn't even warm. Food is not authentic, really bland, and service was slow. Will never come back here. read more

This is my favorite Mexican place in Novato. The salsa bar is stocked with a variety of salsas in different heats. The food is delicious and the staff are friendly! read more

Pit stop on the way home from Mendocino county. Great small spot! I had the babacoa plate and it was delish. Super burritos are definitely super, and wet. Service was really friendly and there weren't too many people so food was quick. Get the michelada w negra modeling and thank me later! read more