Explore Empire's best Mexican restaurants, handpicked by Restaurantji.
“Food was delicious! Consume was so ? good, they made my food to order without cheese and labeled it very clearly. Worth the drive, looking forward to my next visit.Dietary restrictions: Birria was delicious I have dietary restrictions, unfortunately I am lactose intolerant and cannot have cheese. They made my plate with love and labeled it very clearly from every other plate. So happy and can't wait to return again“
“As a salvadoreña who recently moved to the states & have tried different “intents of pupusas” let me tell you this place is like going to a real Salvadoran pupuseria. They use the right ingredients cheese, beans & loroco. this food is made with loveI love this place it feels like home. ?I love the vibe and the plants too“
“You Can't beat 4 tacos for $5. The sauce is spicy and delicious. The tacos are worth the drive! The only catch is they sell you everything on the side if you want extra condiments but you can't really complain for great tacos at a very low price! These ladies making your tacos know what they're doing!“
“HANDS DOWN, This is my absolute favorite place to stop. I am the absolute pickiest when it comes to taco trucks or Mex food in general. Emily and her family put nothing but love into everything they make here , and they do it consistently! I’m actually getting hungry writing this review haha. Do yourself a favor and stop by, meet this wonderful family. It’s extremely rare to meet people that remember your name and treat every client with love and gratitude. Everything on the menu is amazing and then some. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! ❤️“
“Best seafood in Modesto! If you live in Manteca and are looking for high-quality seafood, I would highly recommend you come here. Prices are fair, and you get big portions. They also have daily specials. Must go for seafood and Mexican food lovers!“
“Wow!! Absolutely amazing!! The best Mexican restaurant I’ve had since moving up here last year. The carnitas were fire and my trio plate was perfect! Honestly, this place is the closest Mexican food to Southern California where I am from. Thank you so much for the great food and the great company. We will be returning!“
“The freaking best, on Friday, Saturday & Sunday they have a condiments cart outside with some really good salsas and condiments to go with your food. It's like being at a family party and you get to customize your tacos to your liking. I just found this place and love it, it's definitely going to be my go to. Plus they're open until 11 pm sometimes Midnight so for people who like late night eats this is the spot!Also the adds on the wall are helpful, it's cool they support local businesses by allowing them to post their add.“
“Every time I head over to Viva Taqueria, I know I'm in for a good time. The place is always buzzing, and the moment you walk in, you're hit with a bunch of great choices. I'm a big fan of Mexican food, so I make it a point to try something different every visit. Haven't been let down yet! The rice and beans? Spot on. It might seem small, but getting those right says a lot about everything else they serve up.Price-wise, it's perfect for me. I usually end up spending around $10-20, which feels just about right for the quality and the amount of food you get. It's my first choice when I'm out and craving Mexican.They've got this salsa bar that's always fresh, and catching a soccer game on the TV just adds to the vibe. I enjoy soccer, so this is a big plus in my book. Also, I must say, the staff are great with requests. During the Super Bowl, they switched the channel for some guests, no hassle, for them and their family & friends who all wanted some Mexican food and enjoy the game. It's those little things, you know?But really, it all comes back to the food for me—outstanding. I've even told the staff how much I enjoy this place. Everyone's got their own tastes of course, which I appreciate, but for me, Viva Taqueria definitely in the top 5 Mexican spots on my list. Great food, fair prices, in a cool spot where you can chill and maybe catch a game.So, Viva Taqueria isn't just another restaurant to me; it's where I head to when I want a guaranteed good meal and a good time. Definitely recommend it to anyone looking for solid Mexican cuisine in a friendly atmosphere.“
“I don’t know what else to ask from a restaurant. I ordered the Especial Burrito with chicken by the way. The atmosphere was amazing. It felt very homey, like you know you are in good hands. I believe this is run by a family, and they were very kind. They brought us anything we wanted with a smile on their face. The chips that they gave were hot and you could tell that they were made in-house. The burrito I got looked amazing (as a cheese lover, I was very happy with the generous amount of cheese on it) and tasted even better. I also tried the California Burrito, and they executed the flavors excellently. They had just enough flavors that you wouldn’t get a flavor overload, but enough that your taste buds will be filled with different tastes. Overall, I was extremely satisfied, and if I am ever in the area again, I will come back.“
“Taco truck on Geer Road. Nice painted red tables. Nice touch when near CSU Stanislaus. Supreme burritos tasty, but does have cilantro. I love it but not everyone does. Know that so you can ask for the burrito without it. Tacos $2 each and tasty with good tasting tortillas. I asked for two salsas and the gave to me without an additional charge! Taco truck on East Ave. charges 75 cents for each salsa! I think one salsa per plate should be free so I really liked that they were free.“
“Absolutely obsessed with their Salchipapas, one of the many delicious plates they offer!! Their "Salsa de la casa" is so top just like the aguas frescas especially the Horchata my favorite. Amazing environment to chill after a stressful day with bomb music. The service is one of the many things i love about this place, so well maintained and clean. We noticed some changes in the ownership, and it's honestly the best thing they could've done! 10/10 recommend.“
“Had brunch on Sunday-and fabulous! All your brunch favorites and some with hispanic influence. Plentiful, tasty and fresh and excellent service even for our larger party of 8. Great value and they had a senior menu for those with smaller appetite. Highly recommend for this popular locals spot.“
“Great food and friendly staff. If you want to get away from chain restaurants then this is the place to go. The inside is clean comfortable. The music and picture of Chalino on the wall let you know this is the right place for Mexican food.“
“Ordered doordash from Frida’s. Wow I haven’t had such good street tacos in a long time. The carnitas is phenomenal so much flavor and goodness. The pickled onions on the side were sooo good and made the tacos even better along with the small slice of jalapeño. This will be my forever local taco spot. They did not disappoint!!“
“Ordered thru DoorDash and wasn't missing any items, lol. This is my first time trying the place a friend recomended. Everything was really good! The birria tacos were pretty flavorful I would say. The quesadilla was pretty good and the nachos were delicious!“
“Huge burrito. Great salads. Staff is very friendly. Have been here about 10 times. And 2 of the times the food was over done with condiments. Salad was drenched with dressing and the fajitas had way too much seasoning. Was to hard to eat and taste the meat and salad. I do love this place tho and will return“
“This is the BEST asada TACO I have had in a very very long time. The asada is perfectly cooked, cut and seasoned. Thank you for making an asada so flavorful. The taco is lightly crisp, EXACTLY HOW I LOVE IT.l! The hot sauce is exactly what it states hot, but very flavorful it will give you a lil burn but does not take the flavor from the meat. I recommend this place. You can fill up with 76 gas, pick up some snacks and drinks. They even sell hard liquor and beer WOW? This place is a MUST STOP FOR ASADA TACO'S!! Sorry about the pics try zooming in. Regarding the HOURS the cook said it closes at 10 pm. I went on a Wednesday so I don't know if it's the same every day.“
“THIS IS THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD IVE TASTED IN ALONG TIME THEIR PASTOR IS SO DAM GOOD ITS LIKE GRILLED AND ITS NOT GREASY. THE CHULPA,ASADA FIRES,HAND MADE TORTILLAS FOR THE TACOS WERE FIRE????????????? THE TORTA WITH AVOCADO AND PANELA GRILLED CHEES WAS AMAZING.. IF YALL HAVENT TRIED THIS PLACE YET GO SUPPORT THEM I PROMISE YALL AINT GOING TO WANT ANY OTHER TACO TRUCK OR RESTAURANT. THE HORCHATA WAS MADE TO PERFECTION NOT SUPPER SWEET AND THE STRAWBERRY CHEESE CAKE AND FLAN ? WAS KILLER. THANK YOU LADIES YALL ARE GOING TO BE SEEING ME AND MY FAMILY A LOT.“
“Dora made me a great margarita! Then surprised me with a peach margarita on my 2nd round and it was amazing!! Service was great! She had a smile that helped me have a better day! I had to get a tire fixed and enjoyed the much needed drink food and atmosphere!“
“The is small business w/a cozy atmosphere. There's both table & booth seating. Complimentary chips, salsa, cabbage & bean dip. Service is friendly & prompt. I ordered the steak Drea's Sweets Salad. Very fresh & made to order. I'll definitely go back. Recommend.Dietary restrictions: Low carb, diabetic.“
“I've literally never had a better nacho anywhere, ever, in my life. I didn't think I would like it being topped with pickled jalapeños because I don't like super hot stuff, but they are SO good, it adds just the perfect amount of spice. Good beans & cheese. Just overall excellent. I'm vegetarian so haven't had any of the meat options, but this is so good I'm happy forever. Nice staff too.“
“There are a ton of these food trucks/trailers around town so plenty of opinion's floating around.... My favorite was the one in Salida across from the Mexican market but it is no longer there. This one is my new favorite and by far the best one in the Modesto/Salida/Ripon area for my taste at the moment.“
“Have you ever had food that put you ina great mood??❤️?I was looking for a good taco truck and i came here one night and had the best customer service and food!!❤️? The car ride home smelt great haha and when i took my burritos out the foil they were huge!! Felt like five pounds which was amazing!! They give jalepenos,radishes,lemons,grilled onions, and forks and all that with every plate! ??So satisfying. I came back again today and the food and service were still amazing ! Thank you so much to the owners, this is my new favorite taco truck!!❤️❤️ I ordered two chicken burritos and ten asada tacos and i would definitely order more!“
“I recently had the pleasure of dining at El Jardin, and it truly lives up to its name. The inviting atmosphere is enhanced by an array of plants, creating a green oasis that adds to the overall charm. The staff is friendly, the food is exceptional, and the plant-filled environment makes El Jardin a unique and memorable dining experience. This is our little town's, hidden gem. It's now my go-to spot to grab a drink. I can't wait to go back!“
“The truth is, the first time I went I really liked the pressed chicharron ones, the second time they were a disappointment, who knows what they were, they seemed like leftovers, they looked like anything but pressed chicharron, they had pieces of meat, pieces of potato, ?“
“I was at this restaurant yesterday afternoon. I waited on promptly. Ordered the steak off of the senior menu. One of my sides was baked potato. When my meal arrived I had mashed potato's with gravy. I told the waitress I had ordered a baked potato and she told me they were out of them would this work. I said yes since it was sitting in front of me and I shouldn't have since I am not suppose to eat this type of food. I feel I should have been told they were out of baked potato's and to choose another side or maybe even a different meal. This is not my first time there but the first time this happened and I really wasn't happy about it.“
“A must try. I work across the street, and my coworkers and I eat from here often. Never disappoints! Food is full of flavor and not bland like some places, and the salsa they use is phenomenal. Their asada burritos are a must, and their service is quick for how busy they can get. Anyone saying their food is cold when receiving it is a liar. Only way food gets cold is if you take it to go and don't touch the food until arriving home. That goes for any takeout!“
“Food is excellent. Been going for many years. Never have had a bad meal. Fajitas, burritos, tacos and nachos are all good. Great atmosphere and friendly servers. They are always attentive to your needs. Only downside is the days and hours open.“
“I came in with family as they wanted to try this place. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was! I'm always skeptical of Mexican food. I ordered their super tacos plate, which is something I would recommend. I ordered the carnitas, Al pastor and chorizo. Personally, the carnitas was the best tasting taco. The family ordered chicharrón and they really enjoyed it. Other family members ordered asada tacos. They said that they liked it, but it wasn't something they would get again as the carnitas was better tasting. A plate of BBQ ribs was ordered as well. They enjoyed the plate, however, they also ordered a super taco on the side. After that taco, they said that they would recommend the super tacos over the BBQ ribs. Even though the meat was super tender. The parking lot is small, and so is the inside. When we arrived, there wasn't many people eating in, however, there were several orders to go. It seems that most people go for their carnitas and the chicharrones. Would definitely be going back for more super tacos!“
“Finally tried this place. Hard to want to try a place that people review bomb negatively for no reason. Wife and I shared an order of fajitas. I had a Modelo Chelada. Everything was great including the service. There could have been more meat than veggies though. Otherwise, it was a pretty good experience. We also had the fried ice cream! Delicious!! I'd give it 4 stars but giving it 5 because people are ridiculously critical.“
“Love this place! There's a reason they have been in business over 20 years. Great food, amazing service. One of my all time favorite places to eats in this area. Definitely a must try!!!Kid-friendliness: Definitely a family oriented location“
“Best Cream of Broccoli Soup ever! The service was outstanding! I was craving soup. My friend took me for lunch. I had the grilled ham and cheese with soup. The sliced ham was thick and the soup had lots of broccoli. A definite must place to eat. I'll definitely be back!“
“Tried this truck and really liked it, the chicken burrito is very good and it's only $8 not $11-$12 at Taco mi Jalisco where we used to go. Seems every time you turn around Tacos mi Jalisco has another price hike. I gave it 4 stars only because I've only tried the burrito. Highly recommend“
“My favorite taco truck in all of central valley. I especially love the asada tacos and sopes. Make sure to go in the morning because the woman working, Lorena, is very kind and makes the food DELICIOUS. Don't let the outside fool you, the food is delicious.My favorite lunch box in all of Stanislaus. I especially love the asada sopes and tacos. Make sure you go in the morning because the lady who works, Lorena, is very friendly and cooks very DELICIOUS. Don't be discouraged by the way the lunch box looks, but try the food.“
“Here Is a hidden treasure in Waterford Ca. Su Casita serves some of the finest Mexican food in town. Great atmosphere, and the meals are well worth the price. Great selection of fine spirits. Loved each visit, the service is kind and welcoming. Everything that I have tried on the menu was superb and I never left feeling hungry. Great portions, great family run and operated. Highly recommended!!“
Salvadoran • $
“Stop looking for a pupusa Place!!!! do yourself a favor and try this place out! Honestly, the customer service was above and beyond the call of duty, the ambience was perfect and they have lots of space where you can sit down and have a meal with your whole family very clean, I will definitely come back and recommend this place to my whole family. If I can bring at least 30 members of my family to this place I will call it a success. We got some pupusa's and some tacos and a torta. Everything was very tasty and delicious lots of food in the meal and meat, etc., they give you the right amount for what you pay. They even give you utensils, napkins, and extra curtido for the pupusa's. I don't think five stars gives this place it's justice!!! if yelp had 10 stars, I will give them every single one of them ! Keep up the good work you guys because you just gained a new customer as of today I appreciate your professionalism and your kindness as I was there getting dinner for my whole family, I bought 18 pupusa's, and boy were they delicious!!!!!!! Can't wait to be back SOOOOON !!!!“
“Started out try a Jimmy John's sandwich. But didn't have. What I wanted. So I ended up. My to go Place in Turlock. For good Mexican Food. Ordered a Sausage egg beans Breakfast Burrito. As I been writing about. In other Reviews. Still the same Delicious Mexican food around. Can't help but give a big 5. On taste. Come by give them a try. You won't be disappointed.“
“THIS was a pleasure to Eat Here. OWNER, Cheerful, upbeat; food Delicious, Healthy; Chose a health bowl, with chunks of Darkened salmon, some of Avocado, with strips of sautéed bell peppers, on A bed of special Rice> I love the place > Right on the corner with lots of natural lighting from outdoors. Now have sm tables outside too like European Style> New Management!!> I For sure, going Back!!“
“My boyfriend kept hearing about this place from his coworkers so we decided to give it a try! And we are soo happy we did! It's not close to home but worth the drive! The quesobirria was juicy and tasty! And the carne asada fries were delicious!“
“Was looking for a bomb chicken burrito, something different than my normal spot. So, my barber said to try them and that his sons always get the chicken burrito. Got there late, but when I seen a lot of people waiting, I knew this was the truth. They have the salsa bar and that green avocado sauce “
“Food is great but watch out if u pay with card..ask for a receipt. They over charged me then wen I brought to their attention the guy was upset and practically threw the money at me. Poor customer service its a shame because the food is so good..“
“An absolutely incredible amazing experience. It’s a whole trip within itself. The place itself looks amazing but the service is even better, my bus boy, Ulises was extremely kind and talkative, I saw him do an amazing act of chasing down a car after leaving when he found their wallet left on there table. All in all an amazing experience 11 out of 10 I will definitely go again and recommend that you go.“
“Got me doing experiments in the kitchen tryna find their ASADA recipe. Not no hispanic food expert but i grew up in the bay where theres hella good hispanic foods and tried many SoCal hispanic foods but this one gotta be the best in california. Anything ASADA is a must try!!! Their meat is seasoned so good. The price went up recently but still a good price.“
“Rice & Beans had excellent flavor! The texture of the masa on the tamale was also good.. it wasn't dry. Took off a star for the green sauce- it was too bitter. Other than that everything was good. It was our first time here and we'll be back.“
“Best Mexican food I've ever had. Horchata was perfect, not too sweet and it wasn't grainy at the bottom. The free chips and salsa was fresh and spicy. Carne asada burrito was incredible. Rice was perfectly cooked and everything was well seasoned. Our takeout order was labeled and ready when they said it would be. The only Mexican food I'll ever eat.“
“Went in to get family dinner everyone satisfied except for me! Got their chicken wet burrito. Terrible! Don't recommend! If u want a good wet burrito go to LA Morenita restaurant. It had very small diced chicken marinated in something nasty! Really garlicky, salty & hard! To top it off it was all rice! Could only stomach 1/4.“
“I was planning a surprise birthday party for Roxanne my wife's 60th birthday. After contacting several restaurants none would make me 50 enchiladas. When I contacted these guys I was told "I really don't serve these in my restaurant " I thanked him and was about to hang up but then he said he would make them for me. They were fantastic and a big hit. Thank you so much for helping make her night a success. I look forward to eating in your restaurant very soon Ken“
“Probably some of the best two tacos I have had, they are not your $2 tacos but the size is absolutely worth the money. I would say go with 2 if you do three that would be a pretty large meal. Never had a keto taco all cheese no tortilla, and the quesabirria El pastor off. The chain, nothing but fire here.“
“I like to go with friends to this restaurant with my highest recommendations. I visit this place often. I get very good feedback from my friends. The meals are delicious and the team is very friendly and cooperative. always when we visit this place we have a gorgeous evening. I recommend this place with pleasure.“