The food tasted like a fast food mexican place. Very overpriced. The salsa was like pace at walmart. This place has gone down to what I remember. I won't be back. read more

Food, atmosphere and service was top tier. Had a wonderful lunch. Our ice tea glasses never went below half full. Israel was our server and was very friendly and attentive. Food was tasty and came out super quickly! Pretty busy crowd for a midweek day. Will be returning! read more

Mexicali - Hot and delicious food! - Mexican Near Me - Bakersfield, California

5 stars for service. Our lady was attentive and very accommodating. The reason for a 2 star is management. The issue is we are witnessing a transition of ownership from original ownership to the next generation. The two ladies who are taking over do not have a shared vision, and that is concerning for the future of Mexicali. The original owners were focused on family and quality. In my opinion, the second generation is focused on money. I have been coming to this restaurant for 40 years. I hope they reflect on their past and use that to plan on their future. read more

Years ago the food was top notch but not so much now. Went there for dinner yesterday and the food was horrid. Thick tasteless dark brown Mole sauce over everything. Salsa was a can of tomato sauce with something green floating around in it. Sky high prices! Will not go back ever. Bill our server was the best. Very attentive and friendly. read more

Stumbled upon Mexicali on Bakersfield stop. Bill was our honest server. Said fried chicken was best in town but took 30 minutes. True but worth it! We'll done, crispy & fresh! Salad was abundant and fresh. Margarita flavorful and sufficient. Husbands albondigas soup was great. His chili verde was so so. Guacamole looked cute in the tortilla bowl but was watery and flavorless. We liked the vibe and the cleanliness but would choose more carefully next time. read more

Way over priced! Small glass Margarita drinks are $13 and made with rot got tequila. Got a chicken tostada with no sour cream or guacamole for over $17 No wonder the place was completely empty. Server was nice. Only reason why it's two instead of one star. This will be the last time we go there. read more

After paying my bill and on the way out, I questioned the manager about the $23 price for a small 1/2 cup serving of guacamole. I wasn't asking for a comp or a discount. This woman (who apparently is the current owner) jumps into the conversation with remarks like: "it is what it is", "I pay $100 for a crate", "I don't care what you think," then adding in the "I don't care if you ever came back" statement. I'm granting her wish as I won't be. If she treats a regular customer this way I can't imagine how she treats her team. I knew the sisters who started this business decades ago would have never have treated anyone, regardless of how many years they were a customer, the way I was spoken to tonight. Too many choices to be treated this way. Buh bye now. read more

This place has been great ever since they first opened back in the day!! The Owner IRENE and Her daughter Nicole do a FANTASTIC job keeping the food consistent and so delicious the place has beautiful old world charm and ambiance in the downtown area of Bakersfield. We eat there whenever we can and have for years it feels like going home and having some good family food. Keep up the great work Irene and Nicole you girls are amazing! Thank you everybody for being so kind and taking good care of us when we come in we appreciate it so much. Blessings and best wishes to all and thank you for being there all these years! read more

The food was almost as delicious as the service was excellent. Jessica was gracious, beautiful, and attentive. read more

I love Mexicali as a kid we would go to the Nile's location which is now Rusty's pizza..I went to the west location on prom night and then when I was 20 in 1988 I worked at the west location for 5 years.. best years of my life! We were always packed and the food is still just as delicious! I miss Ester and all the sisters.. Rachel and lily.. didn't know Ruth too well. read more

One of my all time favorite Bakersfield spots - I was raised on their tortilla chips, salsa, quesadillas and pizzadillas and have a new soft spot for the shrimp nachos that you can get in the bar. I also love their chile verde pork (in a burrito or plain with tortillas), and cheese enchiladas. Totally crave-able! read more

Mexicali - Shrimp nachos (front) plus mini chile verde pork burritos (back) & salsa - Mexican Near Me - Bakersfield, California

I have been coming here since my childhood and will never miss going here everytime I come back to bako. Love the red salsa, cheese crisps, and cheese enchiladas! Love you, Mexicali, thank you for all the great memories! read more

The burritos are packed with meat and the margaritas are to die for. Love this local spot. Also, if you get the chance order the flour chips, they're an off-menu item but well worth the trouble of asking for. read more

Our family has been coming to Mexicali for generations and it is truly a favorite. The food is fresh and so yummy. I wouldn't say it's the most authentic Mexican food, but nonetheless it is delicious. We love to sit in the bar area which is always cutely decorated for the time of year and a great intimate setting. The regular dining room is also great to sit in as well. Our favorite servers are Jackie and Diana in the bar area as they are truly the best and so attentive. I don't personally drink, but everyone I talk to says they have the best margaritas in town! We will continue to return. read more

I was in Bakersfield on a connecting train, and only had half an hour to get food for my 3 year old, my wife and I, and so I sprinted to the nearest place. Out of breath and in a hurry, I quickly explained that I needed my food fast in order to make the train. Yvonne was the server I spoke with, and she offered me ideas of what could be done quickly. surprising even me, the food was ready in a matter of minutes, hot and fresh. I only wish I had tipped more, but hopefully I can make up for it with this absolutely glowing review. We all loved the food we got, two beef burritos and a quesadilla! read more

I want this place to be what it once was but it isn't. The service is really laid back and if you aren't a regular, you will not like this bar area. Food is whatever, nothing to crave. I've came twice in the last 2 years and I don't know why. The 3rd time I tried, I sat for 20 mins without any knowledge I existed. Had to walk out. I support local but at this particular moment in time I cannot recommend this to friends & family. read more

The food was excellent, and the service was just as good. I had a quiet booth in the corner, it was very relaxing. The prices on all the menus here on Yelp are very outdated. I paid $22 for the #9 2 enchilada plate with chicken. The food was very good, but I think it's a bit overpriced. If I'm ever visiting Bakersfield I will definitely come back again. read more

Service was great, but do not order the fajitas, worst in Bakersfield. Chicken fajita was just OK but the steak fajitas are like shoe leather and tasteless. Also, $30 for two regular margaritas... a bit much. read more

Had dinner here with a group of friends planning to have a great time but left with one of the worst experiences in Bakersfield. There were 10 of us and none were satisfied. One of us didn't get a meal until everyone was ready to leave, orders were wrong, mixed drinks were terrible and the service was the worst. I ordered a quesadilla that looked and tasted terrible. Other meals looked like they came from a can. We complained and the waiter stated we were obligated to leave an 18% gratuity. Overall, I do not recommend. read more

Mexicali - Mexican Near Me - Bakersfield, California

I don't know how this raggedy old place has three stars when you walk in it reminds you of kitchen nightmare. It's super old and cluttered, looks like a dusty old persons house. The menu and food looks like my dogs bowl. I paid $20 for a salad that had 6 shrimp! Wtf. I counted them twice just to make sure. I asked for a water to go and tipped the guy $20 for a $20 salad that wasn't worth it. Service terrible, food terrible, restaurant old and ugly. Any place is better than that place save your money go anywhere else in Bakersfield. Also the clientele alone is made up of one demographic so that alone tells you all you need to know read more

See all

We go here for the atmosphere and great margaritas! The food is ok. The service is good The prices are now ridiculous I hope they can hold on to clients even though their food is mediocre and prices have gone up. it's all about the drinks and atmosphere in the Bar that keeps them going in my opinion and I've been coming here for over twenty years! read more

I was hesitant about going to Mexicali but when we walked in, it felt a little bit like Mexico. The staff was friendly and the service was great. The Pollo Margaritas and Margaritas made with Don Julio and Grand Marnier was very good. The margaritas was by far the strongest I've had at any Mexican restaurant. The menu on the other hand seemed very Americanized, I was looking for street tacos with protiens like tripas, lengua, cabaza, etc.... but it isn't as authentic as I would like. Still very good. read more

We decided to have dinner her before seeing JoKoy at the Mechanics Bank Arena. The decor was typical but nice and fun. The staff was very nice and welcoming. The restaurant was busy. We were however disappointed with the food. Probably because my expectation was high. I had the chile relleno, and enchilada with rice and beans. The chile relleno barely had any cheese, the sauce was bland. The enchilada was ok. The rice was also bland. The beans were actually really good. read more

Stopped by on the 24th of Jan. '24. Got my fav #9. My wife got the Chicken Tosatada. Both of us were very satisfied. Just like I remembered. read more

See all

Great family restaurant, it's been a family favorite for many years. I'm meeting my friends tomorrow for lunch.

My husband brought me to Mexicali in 1971. Love the food and staff so much we are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary there tonight.

Have been going probably about 20 or 30 years grew up in Bakersfield.. Metting in town for a family reunion and naturally would choose Mexicali.. food was mediocre and service was worse... said they don't take reservations but had several big parties ahead of us... won't come back and don't recommend you going either ... they were busy but don't know why.. guess it doesn't matter.. read more

This place has been here for years. My father used to take me here for chili verde when I was a kid. That's what he always ordered. Chili Verde and Margaritas. I now carry on the tradition and I Judge most Mexican places against this place, Red Peoper and Celito Lindos (long gone). When you grow up eating from these restaurants, it sets the bar high for Chili Verde. Very authentic. I spent a year in Morelia (Michoacán) and still wished for the chili verde from Bakersfield. I wasn't disappointed. Great dinner, my Aunt had the combination dinner with Enchilada, taco and Chili Rellenos. The Rellenos was really good. The Margherita was 'white lightening' as my aunt called it. Really strong lol. Casadores and Grand mariner! My aunt had a Mango Margherita. We sat at the bar and Mauricio, the bar tender waited on us also. He was great! Really friendly and helpful. read more

See all

I grew up going to this restaurant. So many memories. I could eat a pizzadilla a day. I am looking forward to combining again soon so I can have some nostalgia. read more

This is a very popular spot for Mexican food in downtown Bakersfield. Service is great, food is served fast and hot. Portions are large, food is tasty. The restaurant was fully staffed as far as i could see which is usually not the case at most restaurants these days. I will be back again. read more

See all

awful meal Sun. evening....nachos were soft and just warm; burrito dorado had big piece of cheese inside not even melted. The 3 of us felt the food was definitely under par. Unfortunately, this is second time (and now the last time) we've had a poorly prepared meal there. Not going back!! read more

When I go out to eat and all I'm thinking about is how much I spent generally means I'm not enjoying the food. Not the case with Mexicali. I enjoyed the food and just enjoyed the food not thinking about how much the meal was read more

this place is actually so iconic! I've been coming here my whole life and so has my family we never even open the menus all together just great food and great vibes! read more

Really enjoyed the service and food. Ample dining area for intimate and large parties. Local gem, would dine again.

I've enjoyed Mexicali since childhood and I don't think I've ever had a bad meal there. I love their salsa and margaritas as well. Service is always good and I do love the decor and ambience. read more

Service was friendly and waitress was very attentive and efficient. Food was piping hot and good but nothing extra-special. It's a good place to meet up with friends for lunch. Salsa is good too! read more

I had two drinks and the bartender on the MainStage over poured me (Chente looking man. Salt and pepper hair. A man's man) you'll be struck by his charisma behind the bar. A tactical operator, if you will. I was able to walk in but after an hour I was rolled out (I have good medical insurance). No big. I forgot about the pain I had in my knees, elbow and heart. read more

Mexicali is always delicious. The chips were fresh with just the right amount of salts. Our food was delicious the service was very friendly. My tea was never empty. Quite a pleasant lunch with a friend. read more

Mexicali - Enchilada Especial - Mexican Near Me - Bakersfield, California

See all

I asked our server three times if they dish I was ordering had bell peppers in it. I hate bell peppers. He said no. When it came out it was ALL bell peppers. He never came back to ask if everything was okay. When he came back to pick up our dishes, he showed no interest in my untouchable plate. I tried to find a manager. There wasn't one. read more

I was passing by town and saw this on our route. Order the chicken Flauta on a flour tortillas which lacked flavor, the side beans where better. They had no agua frescas, just soft drinks & cocktails. Oh and the salsa is definitely canned. Staff members are great! read more

See all