Excellent food and friendly comfortable atmosphere.... I'll be back very soon! We had various burritos, chili verde and tacos! read more

Discrimination...maybe? I'm calling it here. Sure there's another side to this story, here's mine. My wife and I came in on a Sunday afternoon, there about half full. Definitely not overwhelmed. We sat ourselves after making eye contact with the server and the people at the counter since I had walked to the back to ask for a table. After five minutes of the servers walking to the other tables, slowly bussing, handing out straws and lazily filling water glasses. All the while making eye contact with us. Not a word has been spoken, no menus, no water, no chips and no smiles. Was this because were white, maybe? Was it because we were the only white couple in the restaurant, maybe? We both grew up in Watsonville and have lived in Salinas for 35 years. We have seldom felt so unwelcome as we did here. Another a few more minutes, nothing. As we got up to leave and another glance from the workers and there uncaring faces. Oh well... Salinas has dozens of taquerias and Mexican restaurants that will happily accept our money. Last word...pass. read more

My husband and I went to have lunch at Rafael's Grill. Now if your going to a Mexican restaurant in My opinion Spanish Rice & Refried Beans must be the easiest & flavorful of their menu sides. Not! Their beans were canned beans you could taste it ..... read more

Their quesabirrias are amazing! Their consomé is spot on. The people are nice which is a plus. Recommend.

We've come here multiple times and it NEVER disappoints!! Asada fries are amazing! And first time trying breakfast and I'll definitely be ordering again. Must try! Great service! Food comes out piping hot! And just saw they had applied for their alcohol license!! Delicious Mexican food, a soccer game and a beer. Sign me up! read more

Rafael Mexican Grill - Carne Asada Fries and Sunrise Omelet - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

This is a tiny little place but a very hidden gem right here in Salinas! Their food is really good and their prices are reasonable. Every time I've take a friend or family member there they rave about it. I highly recommend it, especially if you love enchiladas or super nachos! The inside area is small and cozy and they have 2 outside tables if you want to social distance a bit more. Staff is always friendly and prompt and food always comes out hot! read more

I was craving a Torta de Milanesa, so happy that I decided to try this place. The torta was so tasty, the guacamole was delicious and they added jalapeños and it came with fries! The portion was more than enough for me. I would recommend this place when you're in Salinas. read more

great music choice, good food! The perfect spot for a date. incredible service !! If you need a recommendation choose the quesa birria !!

We went to another taqueria in the area and when the took out my favorite dish, we went here and I'm so glad we did. The food here is some of the best we had. Very fresh and fast service. The staff is nice and attentive. Will definitely keep coming back. read more

Hands Down Best Michelada in Salinas. Carne Asada Fries were Delicious and Service excellent as Always!!!! read more

Rafael Mexican Grill - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

I love Rafael's! They have great tacos. I've tried a few other dishes and enjoyed them, but I keep coming back to the tacos. The have good chips and salsa while you wait. Small shop and lots of TVs on different channels so you won't miss the game. Quaint and they have good service and good prices. read more

We were a party of 6, and the place was busy but not packed. The waitress also doubled as a server and help in the kitchen and was over worked. We waited 15 minutes to have them take our order, they gave away our water to a couple that saw it coming out and the waitress handed one of drinks to them. Our food came out sporadically as it was made 5-7 minutes apart. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. Chill verde was excellent, carnitas - tasty but a little dry. The rice was flavorful and moist. The enchilada sauce was a little spicy and carne asada burrito had bits of bone and cartilage inside. Only 1 waitress that was overworked. Worth it? Meh... read more

This was a great place to come to eat after the kids played baseball, food was excellent really flavorful and seasoned. Service was great our waitress did an amazing job taking care of us just before they closed for the day. They allow us to finish our meal in the restaurant and didn't rush us out thank you and will be back again read more

First time trying this place out. Over all not bad. The service staff gets 4 stars for effort and attentiveness. The food was disappointing. I got the asada torta, it came with fries. The torta bread was soggy and fell apart as I was bitting in to it. The guac was super salty and didn't have much flavor. The meat was tough to bite into and had bits of tendons still attached. The fries were pale even after asking for well done. I don't think it's the cooks fault but the owners for not taking the time to do a quality check on the ingredients he uses. He definitely cheaps out and you can tell when none of the food has color. The prices were low and I can understand why now after this experience. read more

I ordered aguachiles and they tasted like pine sol, of course I've never had pine Sol but they tasted just like pine sol smell. The cucumbers were old and not fresh. Never again. read more

$7.64 out the door for a super Asada Burrito. Unfortunately the regular burrito $2 cheaper only had meat and beans so I went over what I normally spend. Burrito was huge and very good. A very nice little place with 4 televisions. Fast friendly service. No chips with to go order and IMHO a little overpriced, otherwise maybe 5 stars. Might repeat with a regular burrito next time I'm in the area at lunch time. read more

First time going here and the reason we decided to come here with my boyfriend was because it had 4.5 star. We ordered Asada fries and fish tacos. The Asada fries were good but the fish tacos were a disappointment. I was expecting the tacos to be a bit bigger and have cabbage on it. If you like simple small tacos then this is for you. Overall, the experience and waiter was nice. read more

Rafael Mexican Grill - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

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I've visited this location a few times in the past, but never took the time to fully review and analyze the food and my experience here until my most recent visit a few days ago. In short, this place is the real deal! First off, the staff is awesome. Every person that's attended me has always been very kind and attentive, they really make you feel welcomed. They'll kindly answer any question you have regarding the food and have no issues making adjustments or changes to your order. As for the food - top notch. My personal favorite items are the Asada Quesadilla (as is with most Mexican spots if you've some of my other reviews) and their Asada Burrito (regular, not super). Their tortillas are perfect! I've often came across flour tortillas (particularly for Quesadillas) that were a tad bit too crispy around the edges and burnt up, but not at Rafael's. At first bite I immediately realized how perfectly made the tortilla was - it was an incredibly smooth bite that damn-near gave me chills. The asada was cooked to perfection and was NOT completely dried out like many other spots have been guilty of. Well-seasoned, it complimented the tortilla perfectly and each bite was a delight. I would however, have preferred a slightly higher ratio of cheese, but that's just me, I love cheese. Exceptional Burritos. Some places have a bad habit of exaggerating on the sour cream but the opposite for guac, but not here! Just the right amount to have perfect layers upon each bite. Even my (quite picky) parents (who are from Mexico) gave nothing but high praise, and they aren't the easiest to please. Ok I might've gone a bit far, but it was only right for me to show my gratitude and appreciation for a great place with a great staff and great food. Your day will instantly become better eating here. You'll see the light, you'll see the stars, and you'll thank me later. Oh, and don't forget to get some chips and salsa! read more

Based on taste , dinning cleanliness and staff service. Used to come here when it was Olè taqueria and stopped coming because options , flavor and service lacked a little . Different owners came in a couple of times and I think the place found the right owner, good job!! Y gracias. read more

Rafael Mexican Grill - Enchiladas and waffles, good selection for everyone. - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

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Staff: amazing. So friendly. They make you feel like family even if you're just ordering to go. Food: tastes like homemade. Brings me back to when I was a kid and my grandma would cook for me. Salsa: authentic. Hot is hot and mild is mild. I'd go back. Enjoy. read more

Awesome Mexican restaurant !! Authentic Mexican food at a great price The staff was super courteous and very helpful And the restaurant itself was immaculate Highly recommended if you want some great Mexican food and great service read more

I've never felt so much at a friends house or something. The service is impeccable! Why? Because I have work in 45 mins and got my food in less than 15. I don't eat land animals... with that being said... their seafood options are Long and flavorful. Although the super burrito is not as big as la costas... it is still very good. They don't skimp out on the shrimp fam. Plus the horchata is not too sweet and tastes homemade read more

Rafael Mexican Grill - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

this is a great place to come and have original mexican food and the employees are very friendly and helpful and nice i would recommend them to everyone read more

Rafael Mexican Grill - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

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This place is honestly incredible. Service is awesome and it is a very warm atmosphere. Great prices too!!

After really loving this place, the last 2 times I've gone, the food was not good at all. The prices have also gone up by a few dollars for each item. Super sad that something so delicious is going downhill. read more

Wow, never have been here before but I was at the bank next door and was hungry. Ordered the machaca and huevos breakfast burrito. It was delicious! Saucy, cheesy and full of flavor. I'll be back! read more

Very nice! My wife and I truly enjoy eating here. It's fairly simple. The menu is straightforward. We have tried carne asada tacos, mixta tostadas, carne asada super burritos, enchiladas with beans, rice and salad. So far, everything had been great! Great flavor and reasonable price. The horchata is priced well. I'm giving it 4 stars because it doesn't have anything, that I noticed, that is absolutely awesome and jaw dropping. Still, everything we tried was superb! read more

Rafael Mexican Grill - Delicious carne asada fries! My phone does not take flattering photos. But trust me, it was so good! - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

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For the first time coming here I would imagine it would be good . Turned out to be no Bueno :(. At least the chips where not greasy

I got a Pastor Super Burrito with no rice and no beans. It was one of the best burritos I've ever eaten. So good!

This place is a hidden gem. The location is in a small strip mall. The food is fresh and delicious. The prices are inexpensive and the portions are big. The staff is welcoming and friendly as well. Highly recommend! read more

Great chips and salsa! I got tacos, my husband got enchiladas. Excellent food!! Close to home. I'll definitely be back! Great service as well. Friendly staff. read more

Rafael Mexican Grill - Delicious! - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

Each time I come to eat here, the food is excellent and o love the salsa ... just the right amount of kick to make me want more.. working my way though the menu.. one dish at a time.. you have to try this place. Great service and great food read more

The food there is so good recommend it The staff is always on it my favorite food over there is the super burrito with extra guacamole they never fail to surprise me how good the food is true me read more

This place always delivers. The food and service is always great! The four stars is because I am not crazy about their asada. It is gritty every time I get it. Everything else is wonderful with amazing flavor! read more

Food is always on point as well as the service. The young man at the front is always friendly and promptly takes care of my orders.

Was craving some tacos and crane asada fries. I saw this place had some good reviews for tacos and asada fries. Well turns out these are worst tacos and asada fries I've ever had. The meat wasn't even seasoned properly or not even seasoned at all it taste so plain. I couldn't even finish my food. I think the owners need to take a trip down south to taste some real carne asada fries. read more

This place is so good. Food is excellent everytime. If i order over the phone or through DoorDash or even walk in the experience is always the same and its GREAT!!! read more

We eat at least once a week at Rafael's, we feel welcomed like family. We often order takeout and our orders are always correct and complete. We've never been disappointed by the quality or value of the food. A little known secret is that they serve a delicious breakfast as well, starting at 9 am. read more

This place was nice and clean. Staff was nice and attentive. I got the 4 tacos for $5 daily special. 2 chicken and 2 carne asada. They were good and filling. Prices are very reasonable. I'm going back! read more

I was working in Salinas and stopped by to try this place out. The guy who took my order was friendly. I ordered the chicken super burrito to go (minus the cheese and sour cream). It was good just not enough chicken and they forgot to add the guacamole. I'll try them again and dine in next time. read more