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    Mesa Maguey

    4.5 (215 reviews)
    ModerateTacos, Cocktail Bars
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Mesa Maguey Reservations

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    MESA MAGUEY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed

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    Enmoladas
    Camille T.

    Finally made it here after driving by for months! The restaurant is charming and despite it being packed on a Sunday night, service was pretty attentive. The food was great, but the real highlight for me was the mole sauce. I'm pretty particular about it, and it did not disappoint! I think I'll order something that comes with that on all future visits.

    carnitas memelas; tamarind mexcalarita in the back
    Ann C.

    What a treat..was in the area midweek, saw they have a happy hour, and stopped in. Received a warm welcome and joined a few folks at the bar. The place was wide open otherwise and they have lots of seating. Feels like you're in a cantina in Mexico - Very festive! Had a delicious tamarind marg. Ordered the carnitas memelas and was planning on ordering more but dayum those memelas were big and filling and delicious! My bill came out to under $25 (pre tip)! Will be back :)

    Guacamole and salsa
    Scott G.

    Overall, this place is pretty awesome especially for Happy Hour. I had the chicken mole and it was good. Not the best mole I have ever had but it was really solid. A little more guajillo forward than the typical mole. The guacamole was awesome. The service was a little chaotic but the owner was awesome/funny. Check it out.

    Nice interior
    Rachel M.

    Delicious authentic Mexican food! Vibe was intimate and colorful with cool local art. We were greeted warmly by our server and got seated by the window. Menu looked yummy! We got the memelitas with chorizo and carnitas, the beef soup special, and the 2 taco seafood plate with tempura fish and grilled shrimp, rice and refried black beans The food arrived beautifully made and all of it was flavorful and delicious. Homemade corn tortillas, freshly made meats, colorful veggies and creamy flavorful sauces. Lovely addition to Broadway. Service was great, prices were decent and there's street parking. I'd love to try the chilaquiles next!

    Beef Barbacoa
    Amy B.

    This Mexican restaurant in Oakland is AMAZING. I came here with my family for my graduation and it was the perfect spot. There was live music and colorful decor. The drinks were great and reasonably priced. I came in a group and all of us loved our entrees. The beef barbacoa was so juicy, tender, and flavorful. The portion sizes were great. I will definitely be coming back for drinks or a nice meal!

    Chips & Salsa  Trio
    Chris N.

    It was Comedy Tuesday in Oaktown. The atmosphere was intimate and lively, a perfect date night in the Temescal neighborhood. We stuck with light meals like guacamole and chips with a trio of salsas. We also got Memelitas and Empanadas. Service was warm and attentive even while the show was going on and the staff even played along with some of the comedians. Mesa Maguey is definitely a hidden gem on Broadway. Tuesday nights are a blast and it may become your Tuesday night spot. 4.5 stars

    Memelitas
    Chris B.

    With the amount of taquerias and Mexican restaurants in the area, it's often difficult to find the motivation to visit a new one. I am glad I took a chance and paid them a visit this past weekend. Nestled in the former Copper Spoon space, Mesa Maguey specializes in Oaxacan cuisine, so some dishes are familiar, while others are a bit more uncommon at other local eateries. Their salsas and chips were excellent, the tlayuda we shared was like a top notch Mexican pizza, and the memelitas were super flavorful, and like sopes but softer. The service was a tad on the slow side, but the food will definitely bring me back to this place.

    Chicken mole
    Charlie A.

    It may be in a forgotten part of Oakland but don't sleep on this spot! I'm always looking a good taco Tuesday spot and this place checks all the boxes! $10 for 3 tacos on Tuesdays and they were more elevated than you taco truck tacos. We had that as an appetizer, cuz I'm a sucker for mole, so I had to get the chicken mole plate. It was smackin! Rich, sweet, savory and tingling all my senses. Had to wash all that down with a pitcher of mezcal margs, get the passion fruit! Prices were very reasonable for a nice sit down Mexican joint with quality. If you're looking for a good taco Tuesday spot, this is it. Go go go! Adele!

    Esther W.

    Go-to place for happy hours! I love their prices for margaritas (tamarind, passion fruit flavors) and other yummy happy hour drinks. The interior is also cozy and colorful. Friendly staff and quick service as well. Was a big fan of their happy hour tacos and nachos. They also have a a house tequila brand that they gave out free samples for during one happy hour visit. Love the hospitality and happy hour, will definitely be back!

    Mole
    Vanni C.

    Love the food This place has been booked marked for a while My friends and I came as a group to celebrate a birthday they have extra seating in the back of thw restaurant a good mezcal selection and the food was really good and large portions Their staff were attentive and provided food service They have events and spirit tasting sessions

    Tiffany A.

    This place is really great. I must commend the staff. All the way around. From greeter, to waiter to bartender. Welcoming, friendly, funny. Just awesome. The food is fresh. Im guessing made to order bc ther was a little bit of a wait. And when the food came out it was hot. Both our meals were great, but I have to shed the spotlight on the fresh guacamole. Fantástico!!

    Taco a la carte
    Audrie J.

    I recently stopped by for brunch and here's what we got: -Flautas (chicken & potato) -Ceviche -Tacos de asada -Nachos -Nicuatole -Mezcal cocktails I'd definitely order the flautas, ceviche, and tacos again -- the gelatin dessert wasn't really my thing; it was a bit too sweet for me. The cocktails were well-balanced. Our server Jerson was awesome. We happened to be there during a Dia de los Muertos cocktail contest, which made the vibe even more fun. They also offer mezcal tastings throughout the year. I'll definitely be back to try more of their menu.

    Tlayuda
    Yutaka R.

    Service, Ambiance & food definitely pass the vibe check. My significant other & i visited for authentic Oaxaca food & were so blessed by the atmosphere & mezcal open house. Smiles everywhere, friends, family & music in the background made me feel right at home. I can rant on & on about the food so i'll let the pictures do the talking. Ie: the aqua fresca cantaloupe was so refreshing i didn't know if i needed water lol

    Jamaica -- I was thirsty then remembered the Yelp photo. It is really delicious. Made me want to look for hibiscus bushes.

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    2 years ago

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    4 months ago

    Finally, a really good Mexican restaurant (actually, Oahacan. Everything was fresh, and uniquely prepared.

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    8 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Excellent food, service and atmosphere. Went for dinner on a Sat night Seated right away. We'll be back. Good times.

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    7 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Cochinita pibil was amazing! it was juicy and flavorful and nuanced. Ambiance and service were also great.

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    9 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Fantastic dinner. The mole was especially delicious. Friendly staff and delightful bar. Loved the mezcal manhattan.

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    Page 2 of 6

    Mesa Maguey Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Mesa Maguey

    Do you take reservations?

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    Bar Shiru - Actual Proof - superb!

    Bar Shiru

    4.3(312 reviews)
    1.7 miUptown
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    This place is music nerd heaven. They have a section of their menu dedicated to their speakers and…read moreamps, ferchrissakes. I love the atmosphere in here. Staff are always cool, vibe is relaxed. Even the security guard at the door is a cool guy. The interior decor and lighting are gorgeous. Silent Sundays are pretty fun: they play an album from top to bottom, and everyone has to shut the hell up for the duration and can't order any shaken drinks. See? Music nerd heaven. I almost forgot to talk about the drinks: the menu is solid. Good cocktails, reasonable prices, well made.

    My sister and I were really excited to come here, but unfortunately, the experience was incredibly…read moredisappointing. We waited 15 minutes outside in the cold, where Taylor, the same hostess who later seated us, added us to the waitlist and then asked us to leave because there was "no standing room." After 30 more minutes, we finally received the text to come in. When we returned, Taylor didn't acknowledge us and told us to go to the back of the line. After showing her our text, she seated us. We noticed two open seats at the bar and asked if we could sit there. She said the bar was first come, first serve..yet moments later, she seated two walk-ins who had been behind us in line at those exact seats. The inconsistency and lack of hospitality made us feel completely disrespected. We were excited to finally get in, but ultimately decided to leave. Such a bummer!!

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    Tallboy - Deli dog

    Tallboy

    4.4(186 reviews)
    0.4 miTemescal, North Oakland
    $$

    So been living in Oakland for going on 15 years now. I'm not what you would call a "bar" person. I…read moretend to enjoy my cocktails, wine, and beer in the cozy confines of my own home. That said I'm occasionally inspired to go check out the local watering holes for a good pour, some food if possible, and just to be in the presence of the human pulsation. Walking into Tallboy on a Thursday afternoon was a bit like Nirvana for me. There is a comforting vibe of neighborhood and after work people shedding responsibility and "toe the lineness" and transitioning to pondering true meaning and the other side of the elliptical bend over nicely crafted cocktails and HOTDOGS! I am a hotdog fiend, and Tallboy has a very creative range on the menu that does not disappoint. From a basic onions/mustard, an Elote Dog, an a Coney Islandesque (it has chili) version. Some folk go to bar and line up shots (or craft cocktails). At Tallboy you can do that AND line up their hotdogs which I intend on doing in the very near future. The pleasantries don't stop at the food (there are other delicious snack items on their menu to choose from too). Tallboy has a fully stocked bar, and the menu has a list of really unique and delicious signature craft cocktails. I'm not a Mezcal drinker, but I ended up dubiously ordering their Guava Martini which to my smokey surprise is made with Mezcal. I stayed with the smokey fruitiness of this Guava Martini as it was my mistake that I did not read in the description it is made with Mezcal, and ended up chasing it with their Tamarindo Cocktail which also has Mezcal. To those who really enjoy Mezcal the Tallboy Guava Martini and the Tamarindo Cocktail do not disappoint. Both have that deep Smokey Mezcal essence, but cut with the fruit sweetness. I personally think the Tamarindo balances well with the Mezcal. The Guava Martini the Mezcal comes through stronger, but both are just the tonic to release any existential pinging going on in your head. If you really want to kick in the hyperdrive pair either of these with an Elote Dog. I had their Deli Dog which sufficed. I think the Deli Dog would pair better with their standard Martini, but hey let's us not bring that snobbiness into Tallboy. Tallboy has an element of cloak and dagger or secret treehouse club about it. What I mean here is there is no signage on the outside (please keep it that way!). When you walk past all you see is this quaint beigeish/yellow brick façade of an establishment which begs you to press your face to the glass and scan what in the blazes is going on in here! Before you know it you are caught in the Tallboy tractor beam, and you find yourself sitting at the bar with some kind of craft drank and hotdog pondering the space and the very nice old fashioned wainscoting painted a shade of green circa 1930 (my description of winning in life). The cadre of bartenders are all really pleasant folk, very attentive (checking in with you to see if you need another round, hotdog, or snack), have tight shaker skills, and they know their craft and the menu. Tallboy also has SLUSHIES, and I did not do a deep dive on them, but I'm positive they may/do put spirits in them; or not. Also I noticed other patrons with a beautiful enticing thing that looked like an ice cream sundae milkshake hybrid (it had what looked like whipped cream on top) in on old timey soda fountain ice cream goblet. This could be a craft cocktail they make with the slushie, but major props for serving it in that goblet. I will investigate on my next visit which I intend to be very soon. Tallboy is the kind of bar establishment I could easily adopt as my after work living room for a couple of hours everyday.

    Had an amazing experience at Tallboy!…read more Sat at the bar on a sunny weekend and immediately loved the vibes. Bartenders were friendly and seemed to know a lot of the regulars. Can't quite describe it but it didn't feel like an SF bar, felt more open and like a community watering whole. On to the food and drinks. I'm vegetarian so was so excited to try the dogs - which are vegan. And I may be biased but you cannot tell that you're missing out on anything with all the flavor packed combos. The bun was fluffy and soft and you have multiple fun themed options to choose from. My partner and I ended up getting the deli dog and truffle meltdown. Deli was perfect - classic mix of spice and crunch with the spicy brown mustard and giardiniera peppers. And the truffle meltdown was so savory and decadent - totally different flavor profiles from each dog! We were only going to grab one drink but the menu was so inventive we ended up getting two. I ordered the banana hammock (which comes with a fire show) and espresso martini slushee which was is up there with the frozen Irish coffees I've had in New Orleans. Man writing this has my mouth watering... definitely coming back for more dogs, drinks, and vibes!

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    Lucuma Kitchen and Bar - Flor de Maiz

    Lucuma Kitchen and Bar

    4.6(297 reviews)
    1.6 miUptown
    Locally owned & operated
    Wheelchair accessible

    Wow. This place has it all! Such a cool vibe, great music, drinks. The happy hour is absolutely…read moreworth it and get just a scoop of ice cream for dessert to finish it off - you will be so amazed by how creamy it is. Can't wait to come back!

    I came here because of the high ratings and was excited to try it before my flight home…read more Unfortunately, the experience was a major disappointment. The space itself is attractive, with festive music and a lively atmosphere. It looks and feels like it should be a fun place to eat. I started with a Pisco sour, which was okay. Then I ordered the pulpo a la parrilla. The octopus seemed practically raw when it arrived. I sent it back, and when it returned it was incredibly chewy and still inedible. I'm not sure if the chef was having an off night, but something was clearly wrong with the preparation. I switched to the Costillas de Chancho, BBQ pork spare ribs with mashed sweet potatoes. The plate arrived with the mashed sweet potatoes literally steaming, in a way that made them seem freshly microwaved. The waitress tried to explain that the steam was from frying the ribs, which didn't really make sense, especially since the steam was clearly coming from the potatoes. Why are BBQ ribs being fried anyway? The ribs were also extremely chewy, and the mashed sweet potatoes were bland with almost no seasoning. The waitress had specifically asked about allergies or food preferences, and I told her I didn't like onions. The replacement dish then arrived completely covered in onions. Why ask if you're going to ignore the answer? Service wasn't great either. I had to take silverware from another table because I wasn't given any, the waitress wasn't particularly attentive, and the hostess seemed like she didn't want to be there. Then, to top it all off, the check had a 3% "operations fee" added to it. I didn't see this disclosed anywhere beforehand. Adding an unexplained fee at the end of an already disappointing meal just left an even worse impression. Nice-looking space and festive atmosphere, but unfortunately that's about where the positives ended for me. Two poorly prepared dishes, inattentive service, and a surprise fee on the check. I had high expectations based on the reviews, but I would not come back.

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    51 & Tel - Golden Girl: Vodka w/ lemongrass, hay liqueur, aloe, lemon, orange ($16) + Fuego: Tequila w/ mezcal, watermelon, italicus, habanero ($15)

    51 & Tel

    4.3(41 reviews)
    0.7 miTemescal, North Oakland, Rockridge

    Honestly, this is one of the better bars in Oakland. They have decently priced drinks, good djs, a…read morelot of space to dance and mingle, and an entire back patio with a photobooth. I think the back patio might be more spacious than inside. It's a great usage of space with plenty of space heaters and plenty of seats and tables. The security and staff are pretty typical for what you come across bars, but, overall, I had a great time and experience! There's also a ton of seating room inside and doesn't feel too crowded or compact. Definitely will be coming back!

    I visited a few weeks ago for the first time, and unfortunately, my experience started off on a…read morenegative note. After arriving, one security guard checked my ID and directed me inside. As I was walking in, I briefly stopped after recognizing someone I knew. At that point, another security guard began yelling at me and then grabbed me forcefully to move me along. I understand that security staff have a job to do and need to keep entrances and walkways clear. However, the way the situation was handled felt completely unnecessary. I was not causing a disturbance, and there was no reason for physical contact. Being grabbed so aggressively was uncomfortable and unprofessional. I hope management addresses this issue and speaks with the security staff about appropriate ways to interact with guests. First impressions matter, and this interaction immediately impacted my experience.

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    51 & Tel - People love to come and have a great cocktail  after or  before dinner.

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