It's as close to stepping into a Tijuana street restaurant as possible while still in California. It's across the street from a large truck stop just off the 101 freeway on a busy intersection. This is a working man's place to have a great Mexican meal with an occasional female patron who knows good food too. It's counter service, and they do accept credit cards. Music bangs out Mexican music complete with the ever present tuba sound. All of the food items are authentic. There's a refrigerator with cold drinks including beer and Mexico sodas. If you are looking for a fine dinning place, you may take a rain check on this spot. The counter service person is friendly and polite always. I wish they had a salsa bar, but hey...you can't have everything. Tapatio on every table. 5 stars from Phish... read more

Los Grullenses - Cool picture. Look closely. What do you see? - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

Monterey county is a pretty competitive area when it comes to finding good Mexican food... I have my one go-to in seaside since I live over in Monterey buuuut hands down the best, most authentic Mexican food is Los Grullenses! There are days that my friend and I literally drive all the way to salinas JUST to eat here. Their tacos are killed and probably the most authentic ones you'll find in California next to having them in Mexico. I'm a huge lover of their carne asada sooes(let's be real, I'm obsessed lol). Anyways, if you ever roll through salinas you must stop here! The location is definitely in the industrial side of salinas and the building itself is very "authentic" to say the least lol but don't be scared of the outside! read more

Los Grullenses - Sopes, torta, tacos, and beans & rice... - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

I ate here with my husband he got a burrito and I got a torta. He said his burrito tasted like if it was left in the fridge in the open for a while. And my torta was very dry it was missing avocado, cheese, and jalapeños. The salsa and chips were good and spicy. The service was okay they were friendly. The ambience was okay they had the tv on and we're getting ready to close. It was clean. Overall, the man on the grill went to the back and took a sip of his beer and came back to the grill. read more

Hard to see from picture but place is infested with flies. No fly lights spotted from customer point a view, would be nice to see one trying to kill off these insects. Came here based off of Yelp Elite reviews since there's a taqueria on every block. Well place was not up to their hype. Nachos better at a school district. If I want a can of cheese poured over Costco chips and old tasting Carna Asada...well I guess I'll come here. Tacos were lack luster as they come. Super small with the same old tasting asada. I'm currently praying I don't get food poising from here. Sorry, but I really wanted to like you. I was craving a good taqueria today. read more

Los Grullenses - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

Most disgusting food I've had in a while; here I am trying to give and individual restaurant some business and I get something without the ingredients I ordered, stuffed with a guess what meat, dripping with enough oil to start a lawn mower, charged me almost $10 for that piece of crap too, hope I don't get sick. read more

Everything, from the salsa & chips to each of the various meat tacos and the meat torta, was seasoned exactly as much as necessary and no more. The hunnybunny and I were blown away by the subtlety and competence in everything that we tasted, and were Los Grullenses closer to home we'd frequent it. Now, how to get back to Salinas... read more

Working in Salinas so turned to Yelp for a good taqueria. Solid taqueria - worthy of four stars for food but dropped a star for no salsa bar. My normal taqueria test - 2 lengua and 2 pastor tacos. Meat solid. Sauce on pastor - not my favorite. Tortillas have really strong corn flavor - don't recall ever having ones quite like these. Probably look for another place next time I'm in town read more

Los Grullenses - Two pastor & two lengua - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

Really good Mexican. The pastor tacos were exactly what they should be. We were on our way to someplace else and decided to check it out. We were not disappointed. Highly recommend this place! read more

I love their tacos and burritos. The staff is friendly and service is fast. Now with the Shelter In Place going on you can only do take out. I've had their Pozole and it was tasty too. Give it a try, I think you'll be pleased or at least I hope you will. read more

The best!!!!! We accidentally found this gem and now I'll come back every time I drive this direction! We had the chicken street tacos, beans and rice. The absolute best taco!!! Thank you Los Grullenses for all your good food read more

EAT HERE. My husband loves tacos, and I love super burritos so together we can gauge if a Mexican food place is good for both sides. We've had this place so many times and don't bother with others anymore. We've tried pastor, asada, and chicken in tacos and burritos and all are so good. A huge plus is when you order chips it's like a dollar and it's a full brown paper lunch bag, not a tiny scoop like other places. We did a little contest and had La Costa one day, and this place the next. Let's just say Los Grullenses won a million times over. Today we had tacos and I'm doing no carb so I ordered a shrimp ceviche tostada, and my husband eats the tostada chips. The ceviche was AMAZING and conveniently served in a cup. It had carrots which was new to me but added needed crunch without needing the chips. They always serve sliced carrots with tacos and burritos which are also bomb. Just eat here already. read more

Los Grullenses - Shrimp ceviche tostada - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

See all

Worst Mexican food ever I'm just don't get it why so many good reviews they really need to change the oil of the chips the chips smell like car oil I really regret coming to this pls‍‍‍ read more

Los Grullenses - Nachos - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

See all

The meat (al pastor, Tripas) was good aswell as the tortillas Needs more salsa and less onion Horchata was alright read more

Los Grullenses - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

See all

Best Burito asada & shrimp! We made a special request and it couldn't have been more awesome!!! We stop here every trip from nor cal to so cal and on the way back home too!! Today it was an extra special brunch treat... so so great!! Thank you lady's!!! read more

If Salinas was an international airport Los Grullenses would be packed with airline crews. No frills, simply authentic dishes from Central Mexico. Those tortas makes you want to divert to SNS on your way to HNL. read more

As good as it gets. Like I've said before on other review platforms you don't want to miss out read more

Los Grullenses - Tacos de Asada baby! - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

We recently moved to Hollister, I had to work late and saw this place as I drive into town. I ordered 3 tacos de pollo. My order came quickly, they had a green salsa on the which was a little spicy, which I like. I am a custom to putting my own salsa on from a salsa bar. Any way food was good. They had both domestic and Mexican beers. Will go back and try other items. read more

We came to eat here because we had been craving Mexican food. We really liked that they had a lot of variety. My mom had tacos and I had a shrimp tostada. Very tasty plus we liked that they had alcohol! We will be coming back! read more

Los Grullenses - Massive Ceviche Tostada! - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

As good as humanly possible - this place is seriously fantastic. I have had their carne asada burritos with everything (make sure they don't put tomatoes in it cuz every now and then they add them and it kills the burrito) and it was so hard to branch out to try the other meats since it's the best thing I have ever put in my mouth. I ended up finally trying the chicken, al pastor, and carnitas tacos and they were all amazing as well. THIS PLACE KNOWS HOW TO MARINATE THEIR MEAT! BEST EVER - I am seriously obsessed. read more

Food is really good and they have fresh squeezed orange juice. Hole in the wall place but worth it for the great food! Can eat here every week for the tacos, shrimp cocktails and posole read more

Los Grullenses - Carnitas tacos! - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

See all

Been here a couple times now. I'm definitely a fan. Pros...Way yummy food, especially the pork burrito. Large selection on the menu, Lots of beverage choices, Very friendly staff, they try to keep the place clean. Cons...It's freezing in there. Eh, the food's so good I can deal with it. read more

This review is strictly for the tacos. No frills but lots of flavor. The carrots are amazing! Not super hot and spicy, just right for those looking for a little added pep to their meal. I have tried the pastor, fish, and carne tacos. All good in their own right but my favorite is the carne, just straight meat. So damn tasty! Can't wait to get back here. read more

The best tacos De tripa I had in long time always super chrunchy and super fast food is always piping hot have to go eat and make it back to work in time read more

This place is the best! It's one of my favorite taqurias in Salinas... I always get the carnitas burrito or the carne asada torta with every thing. The bread is grilled just crisp enough, the meat is delicious and prepped on the spot, lettuce, tomato, onion, and mayo.. no beans or rice on the side but you don't need it, the sandwich and pickled jalapenos and carrots are plenty delcious! I tried lengua and cabeza for the first time there... delish! I got their four tacos combo with the lengua, cabeza, carnitas, and carne asada... all equally tasty in their own individual way. I've tried they're breakfast burritos too which are pretty good! Best machaca in Salinas! ; ) This aint Taco Bell! If you want the real deal come on down... and tip em cause the food is great, the price is right and they're super nice people too! read more

A yummy truck-stop taqueria with something for everyone. When we are hungry and still an hour from home, we often stop here for a quick delicious meal. read more

They have their hit and misses. Sometimes you get a nice burrito some times you don't. Their food is good but inconsistency kills it. I ordered a super burrito meaning I get extra items and presumable more meat and rice. There was no rice just meat and beans and burrito was small . I had them look at it and they confirmed I ordered a supper burrito but was given a regular , the man room it back opened it and put in a little bit of cabbage, piece of tomato and a small piece of avocado And handed it back to me . Wtf? It was ridiculous . I am. It coming here again no matter how good your food is if the service and consistency isn't the good read more

This place is seriously awesome and a must-stop if you're hungry when in Salinas, or passing by on the 101 (it's right off the freeway). My wife and I had the #10 and #12. Mine was some sort of garlic shrimp concoction that was superb. Tasty, with plenty of shrimp and great beans. My mouth is watering, just thinking about it! My wife's carnitas quesadilla was massive--far more than the average human could consume. Be sure to split this one! The meat was moist and amazingly flavorful. The tortillas were real and there was cheese a'plenty. This is a major find in Salinas! read more

Los Grullenses - #10 and #12. - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

See all

Me and my sister had their tacos. They were good but just a little too salty ! I would return to try other stuff. Place is clean.

Family and I stopped here on the way home from our trip. Food was good. We all had breakfast burritos. Your meat of choice, eggs, cheese and beans. They were plain as you can imagine. I'm sure if I had the chorizo it would have been more flavorful. But it's a good place to stop and grab a quick bite. From reading the other reviews it seems more like a spot to stop for lunch. Next time we will stop for some tacos! read more

Los Grullenses - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

Best tacos and burritos in town. I love their Asada. They are very fast and efficient. I usually get 1 Asada taco and Asada burrito with everything. read more

My friend brought me to this place coming from living in so cal I was frustrated not being able to find some good Mexican food here in salinas a place full of Mexicans. But wow this place is good! I'm so happy I found it. It's a clean place and they have fast service. read more

Tasty large asada burritos! Pastor tacos were wonderfully spicy and they have beer, can't go wrong. read more

Los Grullenses - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

See all

Pretty good on time. Good environment to eat.tasty.the chicken super burrito a little on salty side but worth your money read more

Los Grullenses - Chicken super burrito - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

Came in here after a surprise midnight hunger attack. Decided to get their menudo and a torta de jamon and while the menudo was tasty, the torta fell flat... not sure why that was.. All I know is that the nice older mexican lady there must have prepared my menudo with love and attention, while the younger mexican boy obviously didn't put any love into my torta... :( My menudo was super delicious and full of yummyness with hints of passion determination! the torta tasted like misery with a huge dose of shame. Either way I at least satisfied the food baby and that was that. Not my GO-TO place but not the worst place I've been. read more

Really excellent inexpensive Mexican food. Delicious menudo and posole on weekends. Friendly people. Basic Formica tables and booths. But great food. read more

Best tacos in town, dont forget the carrots. It's a hole in the wall but worth every penny and then some.

#11 fajitas con pollo (with chicken) are bomb.com. i always judge a Mexican job by their beans and rice, or pastor tacos. All three are amazing!!! My boyfriend got the asada torta and really liked it. it was like a delicious greasy burger made on a whole wheat bun very filling and yum! Pickled veg was awesome. Order the Chips and salsa WORTH IT! Salsa was very different maybe roasted chilis. Will frequent whenever we stop at this Pilot truck stop! read more

If you want tacos, this is where it's at. These are the closest to street tacos in Tijuana that I have had up here. Do yourself a favor and get some Al Pastor. read more

On way home from Pismo and was looking for some Tacos. I checked Yelp and have to say this place is delicious. Next time I am passing thru I will stop again. read more

I'm writing this review for my girlfriend who was stuck in Salinas after a long day of truck driving. She ubered over to Los Grullenses for a veggie burrito and not long afterward she called me to tell me about her experience. She absolutely loved the food, saying it was very fresh. The salsa was amazing and the beans and rice where as well. She said the staff was friendly and the restaurant itself was pretty clean. We are from the OC area, and she said she couldn't wait to go back to take me there.... kinda far for a date, haha! But that says something about the place! read more