50 Best Mexican Restaurants in Salinas

“Incredible food! The chicken mole was on special today and the chicken was literally falling off the bone, and the mole was some of the best I've ever had. We also got pupusas, which were yummy. And high quality chips and salsa. My partner wanted grilled jalapeños, which were not on the menu, and they agreed and then didn't charge us. Prices also very reasonable. We spent $30 with no drinks. At lunch on a saturday, the place was busy but still plenty of seating. Clearly the locals love this place too. And the waiters were all super sweet.“

“Muy ricas las tlayudas recomendadas“

“la comida muy buena. La atención excelente 😉😉“

“We were passing by to take freeway and turned around to try these tacos .. boy were we surprised how good they are and beat part is home made tortillas on the spot A+ Absolutely going back next time in town Recommended takes a little time to get food but well worth it“

“Man the food was amazing... Got 3 tacos, and a bean burrito... For $24 sounds like a lot, but the burrito ? was huge, and the tacos were fresh. Being from Alabama and I love these food trucks, this the only reason I'll come to California. Even though I hate this state, but the food is worth it“

“Amazing place food is well prepared and tasty!“

“Tried this place today for lunch and the service was quick! The staff weree genuinely friendly and happy.
I ordered a super asada burrito, chile relleno , and a taco bowl.
The food is amazing and great quality. Also I love the salsa bar they have !
I will be coming again for lunch to try different items on the menu!“

“I'm not from Salinas. So it's not fair to rank or rate this restaurant to others nearby. But I'd say it was quintessential and has an authentic style for California Mexican restaurant.How can you go wrong with local, small business?First time eating a pickled carrot. Tasty, tart and a hint of spice.The four Tacos #1 was amazing.AMAZINGIt's off a main road so easy access but also traffic noise.

Parking: Plenty of parking for the size of the restaurant.

Kid-friendliness: Kids like food too, you know? Feed them

Wheelchair accessibility: Access.“

“Awesome food my favorite every time I go Salinas 🏅“

“We have lived in Salinas for over 50 years and can truly say Taquitos is amazing. The food is always on point perfect! The restaurant employees are always so nice. They make you feel at home. We highly recommend Taquitos Restaurant. Today was Father’s Day and the Fajitas were delicious! My husband had the best Father’s Day dinner out. Thank you Taquitos you are the best!“

“Muy deliciosos los tacos de canasta. La salsa esta muy deliciosa igualmente! Muy recomendados!“

“Always have great food“

“Few things in life are as satisfying as tacos crafted with care, and the combination of tripa or lengua on handmade tortillas is a culinary experience worth savoring.

The tripa (beef tripe) is perfectly prepared—crispy on the outside yet tender and flavorful inside, with a rich depth that only proper seasoning and technique can achieve. The lengua (beef tongue) is melt-in-your-mouth tender, subtly seasoned to highlight its natural buttery flavor. Together, they create a perfect balance of textures and taste. Highly recommend them“

“First time me and my husband went to try this restaurant. We were beyond pleasantly happy with what we had and everything was perfect service, food, ambience. definitely recommend it to anyone“

“never been disappointed with the food here ! everything always tastes delicious and prices are good. amd the customer service is always friendly and awesome! my #1 go to place for some delicious Mexican food !“

“I came to Mama Lupita's for lunch one day after several hours in the court room listening to juror selection procedures. So I had pretty high expectations and an empty stomach.
There's not too much to say about the restaurant itself. It's somewhat bare, but it's the kind of raw, undesigned design where you can be pretty sure you're about to eat some incredible Mexican food.
But let's verify that. How good really was it?
To begin my meal, I was provided the standard chips and salsa, as well as a consommé that was more like a fiery noodle soup and was quite enjoyable. The chips tasted fresh and rich. But I was let down by the salsa. It really just tasted like watered down cayenne powder, with no interesting notes in flavor or texture. Thus it was also unjustifiably spicy, which is a terrible sin for a salsa to commit.
I ordered the costillas con nopales, and they arrived on an enormous platter with fresh, housemade corn tortillas. The dish was also quite spicy, but this time it felt earned. There were layers in the rich scarlet broth (it looked much brighter in person), some of which were supplied by the meat and nopales. It was a cohesive dish, and not like anything I've had before. The beans and rice were surprisingly good, as I thought they had an anemic appearance. The tortillas were intriguing as well. Not as succulent as a typical housemade corn tortilla but with a curious chewiness and leathery exterior that gave them a delightful mouthfeel. I wish I could have had a few more.
I had a pretty good lunch, and I had the good fortune to discover that Mama Lupita's also has rather comfortable bathrooms, which beat the courthouse stalls by a mile.
If you're looking to beat the jury duty blues I wouldn't off the bat recommend this place (there are plenty of others to try, and I have found better not too much farther away) but given the short walk and decent food I wouldn't tell you not to give it a shot -- just don't take that as legal advice.“

“muy rico en verdad les doy super like fue exactamente lo que quería 😍 un desayuno como en casa“

“100% Delicious, Comfort food ! it tastes like my Mama's home cooking to go! My son loves the quesabirria tacos and the walking Taco. Loved the homemade tortilla tacos, the flautas, and the Gorditas. It's worth the drive to pick up my order. I call my order in ahead, and they have great customer service.“

“I like to go on Sundays for the barbecue. The truth is that it is very good and they serve you well. You can almost always order a small glass of consommé to enjoy it while you wait to be served with handmade tortillas and it is very delicious.“

“Had a wonderful experience! 😊 Claudia was incredibly kind and welcoming, making sure our group felt comfortable throughout our visit 💕 The food was great 😋, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting🌟 I truly appreciated their hospitality and will definitely be coming back🤗 Highly recommend🙌🏽🙌🏽“

“places is FIRE!!! I had broccoli I also had some chicken three pieces two legs and a breast and some rice 🔥🔥🔥“

“I go here for Caldo de res, and imo they have the best fried breaded chicken around. Their Menudo broth is a little fattier Mama Lupitas and Fish n Chips but comes with more than just tripe which I love, and its available regularly everyday. The lady at the register is always super nice and service is always quick. Prices are very fair for what you get.“

“Bacon Breakfast burrito is dang good! Loved the beans. Didn't like the salsa. Didn't have flavor. Torta carne asada was not great. The meat was chopped up so tiny. And it has lettuce and tomato.. not much going on. The bread was good. The food took awhile..but that didn't bother us. It means they were actually cooking it.
This store is clean and has a lot going on. TVs to watch while you eat. Tons of drinks and Liquor and even non alcoholic. Snacks, chips, candy, and things. Very cool little store.. customer service was good. I'd definitely go back.“

“Best Mexican Seafood I have ever had! 5⭐️’s“

“I lived in Salinas many years ago, discovered Eva's Cafe by accident and was truly overwhelmed with the food. the atmosphere, and the service. So much so that I brought my friends at every opportunity. I left the area for about 15 years and upon my return, the first chance I got, returned to Eva's. I was so pleased they were still there and again bring my friends over and over. I have traveled the world in my career and can say with honesty Eva's has the best Mexican food on the planet.“

“A taco wagon permanently parked on highway 1 south of Salinas. A little bit dusty but well worth the stop. Try their spicy pork burrito... it's actually more savory than spicy and it's delicious. The lady who cooks there makes sure that you leave with plenty of food for the road home!“

“muy rico en verdad les doy super like fue exactamente lo que quería 😍 un desayuno como en casa“

“Base on my criteria this place earns the full 5 stars! I havent found a place like this anywhere around the area! They also have another location ! And they both do great! From hot mariscos to fresh sea food!.😛😛🔥🔥“

“I had flautas and it was awesome food. Also the staff was very polite and cute lol. Can’t believe I been driving past this place for years and never tried it till today I have been missing out“

“good food and Service and the waiters are nice and Ploit“

“Delicious food, they are very welcoming, if there is something wrong with the order they don’t hesitate to fix it. We come here often. I usually order a quesabirria or quesadilla. My daughter loves the sopes and tacos. My husband likes their asada burrito. I’ve had many of their plates and they’re all good. They also have Taco Tuesday. My dad’s favorite. Their food trucks are also good. One thing I do recommend is that they make more aguas frescas since they run out quick every time I go to the restaurant they’re out.

Kid-friendliness: They like having my toddler over. Always talking to her.“

“Stopped on a whim and found a great new place. Delicious food and great prices, Staff was friendly and accommodating. I will be there often.“

“Came to Salinas and asked about a good taco shop nearby. Multiple people told me "Tacos Don Beto". I'm glad I listened. The waitress was very friendly and made a great recommendation of the chile verde super burrito. The atmosphere was nice and clean. Clean enough to feel comfortable eating here. The burrito, man alive, was delicious. The meat was tender and juicy and well seasoned. Top it off, the tortillas here, both corn and flour, are homemade. I'll be back.“

“It reminds me of the "cheap kitchens" of Mexico. Typical foods that are not of such high quality but are good and cheap. The difference from the cheap kitchens of Mexico is that here they serve very large portions. Several dishes are enough for 2, almost 3, people.“

“🌮 Ka Costa Taqueria — a flavorful gem in Salinas!
If you're craving authentic Mexican bites with no frills and all flavor, this spot delivers.

✨ Highlights:
- 🐷 Al pastor tacos that hit the spot
- 🍤 Shrimp ceviche that’s fresh and zesty
- 🌯 Burritos so big they deserve their own zip code
- 🪑 Outdoor seating with a casual, local vibe

💸 Heads-up: It’s cash only, so bring those bills or be ready to sprint to the nearest ATM!

📍 Located at 1306 N Main St, it’s a local favorite for good reason.
Fast service, generous portions, and a menu that keeps you coming back“

“Okay I actually don't leave reviews for fast food restaurants, but I couldn't help it for this one time. Whoever is in the kickten right now at 12:45pm is a complete master at cooking. I have gone to many different pollo locos and ask for the same burrito, and never have I had one like this. Seriously, I can't even put it to words.

The Chipotle chicken avocado burrito felt like it was made by a holy entity. The only regret I have is that I didn't take a picture of it. If I had a chance, I would gladly shake everyone's hand in the kitchen and thank them for their excellent work.

De veras que rico estaba ese burrito wow. Pero si los con estan en la cocina esta fijándose mucho en el cualidad de la comida que sale a los clientes. Lo agradezco mucho.“

“Muy buena comida. En especial. Las corundas. Y pambasos pero toda la comida muy buena!“

“It's a tiny restaurant, but the tacos are decently priced at $2 and $1 on Taco Tuesday. The tacos were delicious, especially the Al Pastor ones! Plus, tortillas are handmade fresh when you order your tacos, making them even more delicious. Would come back again to try different items on their menu.“

“Comida mexicana tradicional y sabrosa! El Chaparrito and his wife catered our son's party, and they did a great job! The food was fresh and tasty, and ready to be served when they arrived...a very brief wait for setup and preparation. I loved the grilled onions and serrano peppers the best. Spicy salsa too! Very friendly, professional service too. Highly recommend!“

“Love their Menudo and Cajun Shrimp!“

“lez recomiendo era mi lugar faboruto.mucho ancient mui amable don Roberto. lo malo k me made a Houston sino aunestu iera ye do q bqilar selos recomiendo.“

“Made with love! This is definitely a go to for me in Salinas. Not my first time going but the first time I’ve felt the NEED to let other people know about a food spot. If you want homemade tortillas, good cuts of meat and awesome service this is the spot! Ps. I’m picky when it comes to taco trucks so if you are too this one won’t disappoint.“

“This place has been around for years , what I love about this place is that they have tamales just about every day they have pork , chicken and cheese plus if you want to make them yourself they have masa ready they also have pastries for your morning needs .“

“me encantó, el lugar muy agradable y la atención ni se diga y el barril ni se diga👍“

“Cannot believe I never tried this gem before. Came over to get the oil changed across the way. Decided to check out the shopping center and glad I did. This eatery is very clean, welcoming and friendly. Left side is all pastry, cookies, breads and pan to die for. Right side is table seating. All back side is kitchen. The menu is extensive. Get plates or a la cart. So many options. Being a first timer, I asked a few people who were waiting if they had ordered. Yes. A kind man took me over to where I could order food. Gracias! The chicken nachos contained a base of stone ground tortilla chips, freshly grilled chicken, pinto beans, cheese, pico de gallo, crema, pickled jalapeno and freshly sliced avocado for $10.98. It was incredibly delicious. Stopped by the bakery counter and took home some cookies. My husband and I both loved them. Honestly, I need to find a reason to come over here more often. Its that good.“

“very good food and friendly service. this is a good place to enjoy some good Mexican food.“

“I stopped by this place on the way to the Laguna Seca raceway. I really loved their tacos. Ordered three because usually it’s my normal size in SF, but their tacos were huge and very tasty. The service was great. I will stop there again for sure.I read many reviews about the price. Probably, it was a good price for me compared to the city prices“

“Delicious in Salinas, California. The micheladas are another dimension. There will never be better ones, but the corn tortillas are disgusting, they are like a package mission for 2 or 3 weeks on the market. Good fresh and well-seasoned food, and the tortillas ruin the concept, I almost took off a star, but NOT for the micheladas.“

“I had the Fajitas Rancheras! Let me tell you what, the plate was freaking good! My wife had some Flautas and those were great too. Worth the price because the servings were large. Great service too! Hospitality from the manager was excellent.“