Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Mexico Cafe

    4.1 (1.1k reviews)
    ModerateSalad, Soup, Mexican
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Order The Mexico Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    The Mexico Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    THE MEXICO CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Mexico Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    The whole restaurant is festively decorated for the 4th of July
    Shauna G.

    Came in for date night before heading to the casino, super impressed with the size of this restaurant. I really enjoyed the festive, patriotic decor and all the lights, albeit the mannequins were a little creepy. We got in early and beat the crowd, luckily for us as it seemed there was only one server covering all the tables in the dining room. The bus boy had a really bad attitude, not friendly or welcoming at all which was a turn off. Kind of just slamming stuff around and wouldn't even respond when we told him thank you each time he stopped by to pick something up off our table. The margarita flight was just ok, we only really enjoyed 2 out of 4, the carnitas was very dry, as was the carne asada. My husband's burrito was 75% refried beans, the rice tasted funky, my albondigas was 90% celery but still had a good flavor. The highlight of the meal was actually the homemade corn tortillas, sadly. Not a great first experience even though we were in before it got busy. Our service was decent, he only became really friendly after I left a big tip which I found a little insulting. All in all, a very average and underwhelming experience, probably wouldn't be back, nothing made it stand out or special for us and it was our 20 year anniversary.

    Dressed for America 250
    Mike H.

    We have a ton of Mexican places in Murrieta and Temecula to choose from and many are very good but I had a real delightful surprise yesterday at The Mexico Cafe. From the moment you walked in the place was totally decked out for the America 250 theme. They really went all out and it was awesome. This place is huge by the way. Many rooms with soooo much seating but wr sat in the bar to see the US take on Paraguay in the World Cup match. Lots of TV's to see from any seat. Our server was delightful, so attentive and just really good at her job. I wish I would have gotten her name. She was wearing a Mexico FIFA jersey though. The food was dynamite! Everything on my combo plate was fire. The taco, enchilada and the especially the chill rellenoes! The batter was so thick and moist it was awesome. My mango chili margarita was great too. Awesome place, go have some great food and service at the Mexico Cafe!

    Megan A.

    The prices were high and it wasn't as authentic as I wished for but I will say the bathrooms were clean and well maintained, the margaritas were amazing and the vibe was great. We chose to sit on the patio and it was relaxing being outside. Our server seemed annoyed with us but it could have been because it was a busy hour for the restaurant.

    Lunch with good friends.
    Amy C.

    Thursday, 2-05-2026: We met up with friends today for lunch. There was no wait and we were seated right away since our friends arrived before us. As usual the cafe elaborately was dressed up for Valentine's Day. Kudos to their decorators! This is a spacious restaurant that is very clean and it's beautifully designed & decorated. Their Halloween & Christmas decorations are off the charts and a sight to behold! We enjoyed great customer service, our friends' company, and fantastic food! I only ordered their flavorsome albondigas soup and everybody else got combo plates. This continues to be a favorite eatery.

    Combo plate.
    James B.

    Hi Sandy - it was pretty good. I ordered the three item combo plus albondigas soup (only $3.50 extra). The soup was good and hot - the way I like it. Service was super fast... almost too fast? For a graduation day I was surprised the place wasn't packed. I just get the soup it seems and the entree was already there! So the beans and rice got a little cold. The tacos were not that large but heck there was a lot of food after some nice chips and salsa. The chili relleno was the star. I took half of it home with the rice and beans (and salsa) and it made just the best left over burrito. The margaritas were super cheap and tasty - only $8.00 or so. My son lives just down the road near Pechanga so it's really close by. My question always is would I come back again? You bet. Great atmosphere, attentive service, good food and drink at a decent price.

    Travis C.

    We've been here a few times and love it. First off, they are always decorated to the nines for what every holiday it is and we love that. Second the service is always fantastic. We've had Isaiah C as a server a couple times and he is absolutely amazing. So courteous and attentive. We love him. The food is also great and the portions are more than I can eat so I get two meals for one. Lastly their margaritas are fantastic My wife loves the watermelon margarita and would go here just for that.

    Joy K.

    Since my original three star review we have returned several times. I branched out and tried different menu items. So with all fairness in mind, I am updating my review. I liked their chile verde. The pork was tender and flavorful in a spicy green verde sauce, served with fresh corn tortillas. And the albondigas soup is a new favorite of mine. The restaurant is huge, and we have never had worry about being able to get seated right away.

    Took the salad home. Please find a better brand of bleu cheese and ranch dressing. Your current dressings are horrible.
    Patricia T.

    10/30/25 Dinner 5:30-8:30 My Grandson is born on Halloween. He decided to have our family gathering here. 20% automatic gratuity for our group of about 24. We were seated in the family room and waited on by a very efficient waiter. He deserved that 20%. From the looks of it, everyone ordered and was satisfied with their meal. Me? I had a salad. I chose bleu cheese dressing. I already know to have ranch dressing as a back up plan, because most places have horrible bleu cheese. Well, my only complaint: BOTH BLEU CHEESE AND RANCH were horrible!!! I had to take my salad to go, so I could use my own dressing at home. Otherwise, such a nice hidden gem in Temecula. I say hidden because we've lived in Murrieta for 30 years and NEVER heard of this place. It was decorated so nicely for Halloween We should have been charged an entry fee, LOL! I hear they go all out for Christmas, too..... so I'm sure we will revisit. All in all, 5 well deserved stars for The Mexico Cafe

    Guacamole Taquitos (3)
    Ashley W.

    This place was decorated so good for Halloween!! Loved all the decorations. This was my first time trying this place, the drinks were really good and the bar area was nice with tvs to watch the games. Then they have a dining area option which was a little more quiet and nice for a girls night. Our waiter Ramon was very funny and nice! He was great. The blackberry margarita was really good.

    paloma b.

    Love this place! Always a good time. The drinks are amazing, great food, and fun decor! I love coming back here! The staff is friendly and I appreciate everyone here!

    Gina M.

    I recently visited The Mexico Cafe in Temecula with a group of 8 friends to celebrate a birthday. The restaurant itself is very large, with several dining rooms, a bar area, outdoor seating, and a spacious lobby. It was quite busy the evening we went. The décor definitely adds to the experience. The ceilings are high, and there are different themed areas throughout the restaurant. There was a festive display near the fireplace with colorful lights and seasonal decorations, and the walls featured framed family photos that give the place a long-standing, family-owned feel. It has character and feels lively when full. We all ordered different items -- burritos, tacos, taquitos, enchiladas -- and I ordered the chicken fajitas, which came with rice, beans, and a side salad. The fajitas had plenty of onions and bell peppers, and the rice and beans were actually very good. However, the salad lettuce was slightly wilted and the tomatoes were mushy. Overall, my meal was just okay. Something about the seasoning didn't quite sit right with me, so I only ate part of it and took the rest home. One friend ordered taquitos as an appetizer and added rice and beans, but the rice and beans were never brought out. Some of the others really enjoyed their meals, especially the burritos and enchiladas. Drinks were a mixed experience. One friend ordered a Cadillac Margarita and felt it was overpriced at $23 -- more than her meal. I ordered an Arnold Palmer, which tasted good, but the cups were small so I needed a few refills. Service was attentive in terms of bringing food and checking on us, but there was an uncomfortable moment when a drink was set down rather abruptly at the table, which caught everyone's attention. One thing to note: if you have 10 or more people, there is an automatic 20% gratuity. We only had 8 people, but because we requested separate checks, a 20% tip was added to each individual bill. That's something you may want to clarify in advance if you prefer to decide your own gratuity. On a positive note, they did sing happy birthday and brought ice cream for the birthday guest, which was a nice touch. Overall, the atmosphere was lively and spacious, some dishes were enjoyed more than others, and the experience was average with a few service and policy concerns.

    It's hard to believe there's Mexican cooks in the kitchen here. First of all, this is the most American Mexican restaurant I've ever been to. Red white and blue everywhere! Flags lights, country music playing. When I walked in, I knew what it was. The food is flavorless and the guac is either store bought or they just don't know how to make it. If you're Caucasian, you're gonna love this place. It's right up your alley. 0/10 don't recommend if you're authentic.

    There Chicken Soft Tacos
    Christopher V.

    Service was super fast and friendly. Although we were there on Taco Tuesday everything came out quickly and tasted great!

    Shredded Beef Flautas

    See all

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of S P.
    24
    131
    3

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Lacey is amazing. 5 stars. Food is great. I can't wait to come back. It was an awesome experience.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lady L.
    2
    67
    15

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Food, service and ambiance. All was great! Our server was very knowledgeable and gave us great service!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of B R.
    0
    42
    0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    The food is disgusting. I tried every salsa and none of them were good. The building is nice.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike B.
    243
    581
    3223

    4 years ago

    Helpful 39
    Thanks 3
    Love this 33
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Carol G.
    301
    86
    53

    1 year ago

    My experience here every time is amazing. Atmosphere is wonderful. Food is delicious and always fresh and piping hot. We love coming here.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brenda H.
    95
    91
    99

    1 year ago

    The Mexico Cafe was excellent. I loved their guacamole. It's busy, but the servers are prompt and the food is hot and fresh. Tastes great.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tom G.
    29
    15
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Good food and good service. Was part of a private party and the service was on point.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Luke H.
    8
    54
    11

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Deborah S.
    137
    57
    17

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 3
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 4 of 28

    The Mexico Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Mexico Cafe

    What's the Sunday Brunch price for child? For seniors?

    Kids 5-12 $15.99 Seniors 15% off any item . So 15% off of $34.99 or $44.99 (Unlimited Mirmosa)

    Do they charge a 20 percent automatic tip on Sunday brunch days?

    No, they do not. At least not for small parties.

    How much is the Sunday brunch buffet?

    35.00 dollars a person

    Is there happy hour at the Temecula location?

    Yes there is. 2-6 Mon- Thursday. Great Margaritas. 😋

    Is there a senior discount?

    Sorry, no discounts for us youngsters.

    How much is the Sunday brunch?

    $22.50 if you have senior or military discount otherwise $25. A bargain considering all the meat and shrimp, desert bar (love the crepes with strawberries, chocolate, and whip cream), taco bar, omelet bar and much more.

    Do you have a mariachi ? If so when?

    No mariachi

    How much is Sunday Brunch?

    24.99 and 34.99 w mimosas

    Do they have a kid's menu?

    Yes they have a kids menu

    Is there a Sunday brunch or breakfast? Price for brunch?

    As of 2-03-2024: $34.99 for adults and &15.99 for children ages 5-12.

    Can you accommodate a party of 10? Do we need reservations?

    We can accommodate this size party yet we do not take reservations for parties less than 20 unless there are special circumstances.

    Can you make reservations?

    I don't think you need there is plenty of room

    Is there outdoor dining?

    Yes a few outdoor sections

    When will you be open?

    Me ? The restaurant every day except Sunday 11 Am

    View All 18 Questions

    You might also consider

    Guadalajara Mexican Grill

    Guadalajara Mexican Grill

    3.9
    (1.6k reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Full bar

    Guadalajara Mexican Grill is one of those spots where you know what you're getting--and honestly,…read morethere's something to be said for that. Is it the absolute best Mexican food I've ever had? Probably not. But the food is solid, reliable, and always enjoyable, which is exactly why I keep coming back. Now, if you're a fan of drinks, music, and a festive atmosphere, this place definitely brings the party. It has that lively, colorful Mexican restaurant vibe, and I personally love that they have live music on certain days. My little one and I especially enjoy sitting outside in their enclosed patio area. It's such a nice little setup! Depending on the day and time, it can get pretty packed, but I've honestly never had a bad experience here. The staff is always friendly, the atmosphere is fun, and the food is something you can count on. So no, I'm not going to crown Guadalajara the king of all Mexican food--but sometimes you don't need culinary fireworks. Sometimes you just want good food, a fun atmosphere, some music, and a place that consistently delivers. And Guadalajara does exactly that.

    I found this place when looking for a restaurant that doesn't close before 10pm on Saturdays. I…read morewalked in at 9:30pm and was immediately seated. I got the tamale plate which comes with generous sides of rice and beans...I would have preferred more tamale for my tamale plate. The rice was dry and gritty but paired decent with the very mushy beans. The tamale was a bit bland as well. I did enjoy the chips and freshly made salsa though that comes free with the entree. There are no single menu items like you can't order just one taco or one tamale by itself without getting a whole platter of other things. The server was friendly and didn't rush us even past 10pm.

    Photos
    Courtyard patio
    Courtyard patio
    The Mangoneada Margarita: made with mango and chamoy
    The Mangoneada Margarita: made with mango and chamoy
    The Coconut Margarita: made with 1800 coconut tequila, fresh lime juice, agave syrup and topped with coconut flakes on top!

    See all

    The Coconut Margarita: made with 1800 coconut tequila, fresh lime juice, agave syrup and topped with coconut flakes on top!
    Espadín

    Espadín

    3.7
    (1.3k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    Yesterday was my second time at Espandín. Let's start off with the environment. Espandín is located…read morein Old Town Temecula and has a central location on the corner. With that being said, parking can be difficult because Old Town tends to get very busy on a Saturday. We walked in and it was not busy. The host/server told us to pick any table we would like. We chose outside, but they had just cleaned up the area, so our chairs were stacked. The host/server quickly helped us get the chairs down and place them at our table. The server was attentive and kept checking in on us. Now the food. When we were sat down, we were given complimentary chips and salsa. The chips were perfect and not overly salty or greasy. The salsa was very mild and had a great flavor. I ordered a 2 taco combo plate ($14.95) with carne asada and carnitas. The carne asada was just okay, it was cut into thicker piece, which is not my preference. It was also topped with guacamole, which was not the best I've had. The carnitas however were magnificent topped with pickled onions, cilantro, and salsa. The rice was not traditional Mexican rice and did have a bit of a crunch to it rather than a toast before cooking. The beans were just plain pinto beans, not refried beans, but they were good. While this place, is not extremely traditional, it is a great spot in Old Town Temecula with fairly good food. I'm looking forward to coming back again.

    So it's no secret finding a lunch spot on Mother's Day is hard! We walked through Old Town and most…read morerestaurants had over an hour wait. I noticed Espadín had tables and thought it was worth a shot. Also, it was getting really hot and I was ready for some air conditioning. We were seated immediately and our server got our drinks. We ordered a grilled Caesar salad, green chilaquiles with eggs, and guacamole. The guacamole was so fresh and had a great lime flavor. The grilled Caesar was the star of the show! The dressing was amazing. The chilaquiles were also good. I was a little nervous at first since they weren't busy when we walked in compared to the other restaurants on the street, but it ended up being a great surprise how good everything was!

    Photos
    Espadín
    Espadín
    Espadín

    See all

    Aztek Tacos

    Aztek Tacos

    4.1
    (1.2k reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    When my family comes into town, we make it a point to come to Aztek Tacos as my brother enjoys…read morecoming here. They have a wide variety on their menu. I always order their shrimp and steak burrito which has skirt steak, shrimp, cheese, mushrooms, guacamole and their house sauce. All the flavors mesh well in this burrito though from time to time I've noticed they don't cut the steak and its one huge piece of steak in the burrito, which can sometimes make it a little difficult to eat. Other than that, its flavorful and the tortillas they use are fresh and delicious! Service is usually pretty quick and friendly. They'r e always great with recommendations. There is good amount of seating and its always pretty clean when we go. If you wanna do a quick pick up, you can even order ahead online! Always a pleasure visiting for some good mexican food.

    Aztek Tacos is amazingly delicious! Homemade tortillas for their tacos and burritos. Their Chile…read moreRelleno burrito has rice and beans wrapped in a fresh flour tortilla, and it's a hefty burrito. Anything on their menu is delicious and they have a salsa bar! We're always greeted as soon as we walk in and as we're leaving. Whether you're staying and dining in, there are TVs in the dining area to watch your favorite team, or if ordering to go, this restaurant always provides the best quality of food and service. If you're looking for a restaurant that tastes homemade, visit Aztek Tacos!

    Photos
    Salsa bar!
    Salsa bar!
    Chile Relleno Burrito
    Chile Relleno Burrito
    Aztek Tacos

    See all

    Los Panchos Mexican Grill & Seafood Cantina

    Los Panchos Mexican Grill & Seafood Cantina

    3.4
    (614 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$
    Catering service
    Happy hour specials

    I've been coming to Los Pachos in Temecula for a while because the food is genuinely good, the…read moremusic and atmosphere are always on point, and it used to feel like a solid Friday spot. But recently... things changed. They removed their Friday happy hour, and honestly, that was the main reason I'd choose this place over others. Without it, the value just isn't there anymore -- especially when their cocktails run about $16, which is noticeably higher than the $11-$14 range you'll find at most comparable restaurants in the area. When I go out, I'm usually spending $120-$140 per visit, and that used to feel worth it here. Now? Not so much. The drinks are okay, not amazing, and definitely not worth premium pricing without any kind of incentive or happy hour. I still think the food is great and the live music vibe is unmatched, but removing happy hour while keeping drink prices high makes it hard to justify coming back as often -- if at all. Great spot, but the value just isn't there anymore.

    Copa Mundial Watch Party? Save Your Time and Go Somewhere Else!!…read more I made a reservation specifically for the football watch party and even noted in my reservation that we were coming for the game. We arrived 15 minutes early, only to be told by the manager that we weren't on the reservation list. After showing her my confirmation, she eventually "found" our reservation. We were then seated at what she said was the last available table, which wasn't near a TV at all. To make matters worse, the TVs throughout the restaurant were so small that I couldn't comfortably watch the game from where we were seated. I asked if we could be moved, and while I UNDERSTAND there were no other tables available, what really bothered me was the explanation that followed. The manager asked how I had made the reservation. When I told her through Yelp, she said she hadn't closed reservations in time and had been too busy the day before to check the Yelp reservations. Respectfully, that's not the customer's problem!!!! MY issue is the false advertising. This was promoted as a COPA MUNDIAL watch party, yet there was no reasonable way for us to actually watch the game from our table. Had I known that beforehand, I would have chosen one of the many other venues available. By the time we arrived and the game had already started, my options were extremely limited. PLEASE If you're planning to come here for a watch party, don't. this restaurant is not equipped for that. Save yourself the disappointment and watch the game somewhere else. HOPE THIS HELPS ANY FANS OUT THERE.

    Photos
    Restaurant
    Restaurant
    Camarones Los Panchos
    Camarones Los Panchos
    Cactus Salad (Ensalada de Nopales)

    See all

    Cactus Salad (Ensalada de Nopales)

    The Mexico Cafe - salad - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...