My go to local Mexican restaurant. I love their tostadas and their shrimp nachos are a great deal. Very friendly service.

Came in through sleepy Monterey, looking for a bite before checking in for the night. House was nearly full, all with bustling and happy Hispanic families and couples. We knew immediately we came to the right place. The menu on yelp is accurate and provides better information about cost for items. Oddly enough, no prices are on their picture menu, above their cashier. They have so many options!!!! Vegetarian, and meat lovers alike can rejoice with tortas, entrees and burritos gordos. Opted for a pollo a la Mexicana burrito Gordo, and my goodness, was it gordo. Food took a while to come out, but they did provide house chips and salsa while we waited. Things were made very fresh, so you can't be mad. Ordered my burrito with no cheese or beans and they filed it to the rim with loaded peppers, well seasoned chicken and fresh tomatoes and jalapeños. Their tortilla was so soft and chewy, and really complimented the rice. Employees seemed very humble and genuine, they did a good job trying to keep up with their customers. read more

The portions a huge and the quality of food amazing. My wife had the caldo de 7 mares (seafood soup) and I had the Fiesta Del Mar. My dish was spicy but not overwhelming. I enjoyed it quite a bit and my wife couldn't get enough of hers. The staff were pleasant and attentive and the prices were very affordable. Definitely coming back here read more

La Tortuga - Caldo siete (7) mares - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

See all

Delicious food with great customer service , all the food was fresh and the employees make you feel at home read more

La Tortuga - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

They are so very courteous... unfortunately out of the ordinary these days. We called for pick up and she gave me the exact amount of time needed to be ready. Our first time and the food was flavorful. Probably split a burrito in the future and get something else too. Great salsa. The frescas were good too. read more

This is my go-to Mexican food on the Monterey Peninsula. I'm from Tucson AZ, so I consider myself to be knowledgable on the topic (for a white guy at least). I always get a Torta or sometimes one of the specialty dishes like Chile Relleno or Caldo de Pollo. The burritos and tacos are perfectly fine as well, but you are missing out if you don't try one of the less common dishes that they have to offer. They have an entire section devoted to Oaxacan food for example. I eat here multiple times a month. read more

I find it impossible to believe anyone ever leaves here hungry. The Oaxacan-style entrees we tried were great, and the burritos are simply enormous. The staff was very helpful, and clearly know their menu well. It looks a bit like a hole-in-the-wall, and the parking can be challenging at some times. Nevertheless, it's totally worth a return trip the next time we're here. read more

Busy Sunday but still attentive service. We ordered a torta cubana and torta de milanesa. They were ok, the torta quality wasn't anything out of the ordinary read more

La Tortuga - Torta de Milanese - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

Would absolutely recommend the pastor burrito! Tastes home made and big burrito. Ordered to go.

Great authentic Mexican food! Best I've had so far when we visit the Monterey area! Had the lengua burrito with mole sauce and it was delicious! As an added bonus - they have dessert! The tees leches cake was perfect and it was the perfect finishing touch to an authentic meal I meant to take pictures but it was soooo good, I ate it all :) but will do next time read more

La Tortuga is still serving awesome food during COVID. Wet burrito with lengua and comes with a side of rice and a side salad for $11.50 - really solid deal. Plenty of spots in the shade outside to sit and eat. My recommendation is get any meat you want in a wet burrito with either mole or green sauce and your day will get better read more

La Tortuga - Lengua wet burrito - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

Las tortas son las mejores aquí en Seaside! El servicio fue rápido y son muy amables.

I had the best visit to La Tortuga for a burrito to go. I got the shrimp fajita burrito with guac and could not recommend it more strongly. There was sooo much shrimp in there and it was so flavorful. The actual burrito was huge too. The service was really great. It felt like a really cozy place where regulars come in and visit. After I ordered, the gentleman walked around to the front to show me around the menu and tell me about the history of this spot. Don't hesitate, go here now!! read more

One word for this place. Authentic! Amazing Mexican food straight from Oaxaca. When my wife and I came here about 90% of the other customers were Hispanic, so you know it's legit. La torturga is located in a small, unassuming restaurant right in Seaside. The shop has no frills but what it does have is killer food. There is a large menu full of burritos, tacos, seafood dishes, sandwiches, and combination plates. My wife got the fajitas and I had the puerco mole. They were both so good! Generous portions and perfectly seasoned too. Awesome flavor. The famous dish at this place are the Cuban sandwiches. We didn't try them but they looked amazing! Definitely what I'm getting when I come back. My only downside to this place was the service. Our waitress seemed over worked and somewhat inattentive. Very kind though. If it wasn't for that this would be an easy 5 stars. Great, legit Mex! read more

See all

Good place for authentic Oaxacan food in Seaside/Monterrey. Came here for breakfast and got the chilaquiles, huevos rancheros and the chicken fajita. Portion sizes were huge. Everything tasted very good, including the shakes, esp the banana one. The carrot juice was also very good. The huevos rancheros was bit different from what I've usually had (there's a watery sauce underneath the corn tortilla). Overall good experience. read more

A great local excellent Mexican restaurant, great food, service and good selection! The tortas are one of my favorites! And the Chile verde is excellent!! Support local read more

Found this lovely Seaside Mexican restaurant for Sunday brunch. Homemade fresh salsa, great service and the food was heavenly. Highly recommend it. The servers were so friendly and attentive. Cudos all around. read more

See all

Yum! Came here after picking up an antique dresser in Carmel, and wow I'm smitten! Before coming here, my SO told me a day in advance where we would be going and tasked me with finding a yummy spot near our destination. And to Yelp I go! Come to find La Tortuga Torteria... not to be mistaken for La Tortuga, which happens to be located one block over. Look for the red awnings, not the blue building! We arrived on a Saturday at around 1pm and the place was semi-full of patrons with plates of chilaquiles (using the dine-in chips as sort of a cannibalistic spoon to eat), glasses full of carrot juice, and bowls of caldo sat next to second plates of asada. According to the Yelp pics, I was half expecting a full-on bakery/torteria a la Mexico Bakery in ESSJ, but at La Tortuga, there was really just a couple fridges (the kind you see at liquor stores) housing a handful of 10" cakes, but mainly a ton of other stock like beers and milk. We were seated right away by a nice girl, who brought us chips and salsa, and took our drink order... 2 waters. We perused the menus and finally decided on: Grilled chicken burrito for him Torta Cubana for me It didn't take long for our food to come out. My torta was GIGANTE, I don't know how people unhinged their jaws for this thing. I was able to eat half, feel full, and still took the other half home for dinner. Also the taste was amazing! Layers of milanesa, pork and spicy hot dog piled high. So yummy. My SO enjoyed his flavorful burrito too! I knocked down a star because the original girl never brought our drinks out. And several times she eyed our table like she was forgetting something but it never did click. Anyway, we weren't that thirsty anyway and saved water - there's a drought, ya know! Overall, that torta made me a believer! I hope for a chance to return to Carmel just to get another taste of La Tortuga's torta Cubana! read more

La Tortuga - Torta cubana - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

The tacos were delicious. The homemade flan hits the spot! Highly recommend. The staff is super friendly and nice. read more

I love their pozole here! And the burritos are massive and delicious!!! Authentic and always packed with locals...meaning they must be doing something right! :) been here before and will come back again! read more

The best tortas west of the Mississippi! I would put this against La Plaza bakeries tortas all day.

Ordered 2 asada tacos, beans & rice. Pros: -nice staff -clean restaurant despite "hole in the wall" vibe -lots of meat in these tacos -tender steak Cons: -minimal seasoning on steak, in beans and rice -two salsa choices: one bland, the other melts your lips off Verdict: I'd go back but not until I've sampled other taquerias in the area. read more

We were in the area for a wedding and we stumbled upon this restaurant. And oh my goodness am I so happy we did ! First, the service was great, the staff is friendly warm and was very attentive. The food was absolutely incredible, everything was flavorful and made fresh to order. Once we are back in the area we will be coming back ! read more

La Tortuga - Mochajete - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

See all

Good tortas but a bit overpriced and they take a long time for your order to be ready

The best Mexican restaurant in Carmel/Monterrey area. We have been eating one meal here every time we visit Carmel since discovering it 5 years ago. The remodeling looks great. read more

Delicious and fast! The Cuban and the Al pastor tortas are so freaking delicious! The prices are totally affordable and the portions are perfect. read more

Excellent customer service, we got two pastor tacos which had great flavor! And a carne asada burrito we added the Diablo shrimp to it...man absolutely delicious! read more

La Tortuga - Carne asada burrito, we added the diablo shrimp! Amazing! - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

See all

Excellent Mexican food and service. They have outdoor seating and the staff is very nice and attentive. The food was amazing, we had torta cubana, huarache de asada and tlayuda de asada. Then we topped it off with pastel de tres leches and arroz con leche. We want to go back tomorrow! read more

Takes 45 minutes to get a couple breakfast burritos. We were the only customers in the place. If you like wasting your time, this place is for you. Food was meh read more

Didn't get a chance to try the Tortas but had a beef tongue burrito instead (~$8). This is a sit down restaurant with a server but you could order to go. Came on a Sunday lunch and was able to grab that last seat. There are some tables outside for people that bring their canine friends. Basket of free chips and salsa for each table. Beef tongue burrito had lots of meat and sweet pineapple to cut the saltiness. Beware these burritos are massive and people with smaller stomachs (but big eyes like me) will have to wrap up the other half and bring it home. read more

La Tortuga - Beef tongue burrito - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

The food here is delicious. The restaurant itself is very basic with self service drink refrigeration and a walk up counter for ordering. The service is excellent with special attention given to any special requests and everyone is welcome. It's a great place to take children; you can comfortably enjoy a meal. read more

The restaurant had a very cool vibe and the staff was friendly and helpful. We ordered a burrito, sope, and chips & guac. The food was overall good but everything could have used a little more seasoning and flavor. read more

Hemos venido a este lugar unas tres veces y la verdad la comida está súper súper. Excelente servicio lugar limpio y para no variar los precios súper súper razonables Gracias a Todos por la comida excelente Una sugerencia si le pueden agregar epazote a los chilaquiles rojos. Mmmmm read more

We have tried having lunch here twice and got take out once. The first time everything was very good and we experienced good service. Our second time here (only about two weeks later) was an entirely different story. The food was not as tasty as before, and the service was slow despite only limited diners present. They do offer good cake and are dog friendly, so we may give them one more chance, but with so many taquerias within a stones throw we may not. read more

My friend and her family makes the drive to get the Cuban Torta here and it's delicious! The torta is flavorful and delicious, you can definitely share one order with someone. The champurrado is also good, they have some outdoor dining so it's definitely worth trying! Sometimes it can get packed so definitely call ~10 min ahead to order read more

La Tortuga - Cuban Torta - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

This is a Mexican restaurant specializing in regional Oaxacan dishes. My family and I came here in a sunday afternoon for lunch. There are quite a few outdoor tables with shade and without shade. I had the largest dish- molcajete. This is a mish mash of a bunch of Oaxacan meats and flavors in a hot stone bowl. At $23.99, this is meant for sharing. It comes with tortillas, cactus, and avocado on the side. It was delicious. My wife had the al pastor taco and the meat was dry. She also had the carne asasa torta which was outstanding. This place is known for tortas. read more

The best carnitas tacos in SJ. Hand made tortillas. Crispy pork. The salsa is on point. If you want something different go with jeficita. Will not regret it. read more

Husband and I wanted some mexican food on our vacation to Monterey. My husband had the carne asada tacos. I got the chili relleno with rice and beans. The chili relleno was good. The tacos were very yummy, the meat wasn't over cooked. My major issue was the rock I bit into in the rice! I'm scared I chipped a tooth. I let the staff know and I feel like they could have been more apologetic. The beans flavor wasn't my favorite either. read more

La Tortuga - The rocks from my rice. Yes, I chewed on them! - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

Gotta like this joint. Big portions, tasty grub and not pretentious. The good things keep rolling... it's clean, the service is friendly and welcome. The prices are fair and the menu is huge, something for everyone. Last words...come on an empty stomach. read more

La Tortuga - Pork burrito with mole. - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

phone order // the girl who took my order was just laughing w other worker in back round. We have asked for 4 tortas 2 came just fine /other 2 are chorizo this ain't chorizo more like a pastor taco meat smh read more

La Tortuga - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

See all