Alberto's Cantina

A Total Comeback — So Glad I Gave It Another Chance! I hadn’t stepped foot into Alberto’s Cantina in over 10 years. Back then, the food and service under the old ownership just didn’t cut it for me. But wow — what a difference new ownership makes! Since the revamp, I’ve been back at least seven times — and each visit has been better than the last. The new owners have seriously elevated the entire experience. The menu has been refreshed, but still keeps the spirit of the classics. And the best part? All the dishes now taste so much fresher. I’m especially obsessed with their new enchilada sauces — both the red and the green are absolutely packed with flavor. They’re rich, vibrant, and clearly made with quality ingredients. It’s great to see this Pleasanton staple getting the love it deserves. Whether you’re a longtime local or just passing through, Alberto’s is definitely worth a visit (or seven!).

The service can seem a little slow, but everyone works as a team and it is a European model where you seat yourself. The food is solid and fresh and many of the components including the flour tortillas appeared to be made from scratch. The street taco trio was a standout as were the steak fajitas. I truly appreciated how the peppers and onions in the fajitas weren't overcooked.

Food was as good as any decent Mexican restaurants and worth the money. Drinks weren’t great though for adults. But kids drinks were good. . Loved their fresh Nacho, was fresh and warm.. loved the sides provided as well. If just 2 we’ll- eaters, then their scrumptious sampler platter is awesome to go for. We were seated outside and the weather was lovely too. Not very crowded, but the restaurant was busy.. 75% full when we went on a Sunday evening.

The new owners have definitely changed the whole vibe of this restaurant. I highly recommend if you haven’t been here in several years to give them another try because the food has been beyond exceptional service has been way better and definitely much more nicer ambience than in the past, hi hello hello hello how are you?

Diego was amazing as our waiter tonight. He gave excellent recommendations, offered great assistance with clearing the table, and kept us engaged throughout the dinner. Truly outstanding service!

Came here on a busy Friday night. place was lively and food was great. Diego was our server and is a good guy, he was cracking jokes with us and gave a great experience overall.

Don’t Be Fooled by the 2.5 Stars—Alberto’s Cantina is a Whole New Experience! I can’t say this enough: the new ownership at Alberto’s Cantina has completely transformed this place. If you’ve been hesitant because of the old reviews, you’re missing out on what has become one of the best dining experiences in Pleasanton. From the moment you walk in, you can see and feel the changes. The atmosphere is brighter and more welcoming, the staff is genuinely friendly and attentive, and the food has improved beyond what I ever expected. Every dish tastes fresh and full of flavor—way better than it used to be. They’ve clearly put a lot of care into revamping the old menu and elevating the overall experience. You can tell the new owners take pride in what they’re doing, and it shows in every detail. They don’t have happy hour anymore, but honestly, it’s not a big deal because it was only just a dollar off one special type of margarita—it’s really not a loss compared to how much everything else has improved. If you haven’t been back in a while, do yourself a favor and give it another try. Alberto’s Cantina has definitely upped their game—and they deserve way more than 2.5 stars! Side note, they have OpenTable and doordash now!!

Went here over he weekend for a quick lunch. I had the veggie Chile relleno and veggie enchilada, it was bland had to add salt and pepper. There just didn’t seem to be any flavor in the dish. My wife had veggie tacos and she said the same thing, we needed to add some spicy to give it a kick. My daughter liked her French fries and the chips and salsa they put out, that’s the only reason I gave the food three stars. I ordered a sprite and to ask for it twice before it came out. I wanted a refill and had to ask for it three times, it never came. That’s why service got a two. They did not check up on us, we had to go to the hostess s number of times to get the waiter to come over. The atmosphere was too dark in the bar area but cool as they had all the fans on. In the dining room it was lighter but muggy as they didn’t have any fans on. I had to ask them twice before they put it on. Overall it was a disappointing experience. I have been here before and the service and atmosphere was good. This time I don’t know what happened. We decided to give it a second try because we heard their food had improved but it wasn’t. It’s a shame because it has a prime location on Main Street.

I've been coming here for 25 years and the service and food are always great!! They have both indoor and outdoor seating options. Love Albertos.

- ** A Perfect Summer Evening at Alberto's Cantina** We had such a wonderful experience at Alberto's Cantina! Diego B. was our server, and he was absolutely outstanding--attentive, warm, and even remembered us from a visit a few months ago with my 96-year-old mom. That personal touch meant so much. The atmosphere felt straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting: a warm summer evening, families and friends out enjoying the downtown charm, kids laughing, dogs strolling by. It was all so welcoming and heartwarming. The food and drinks were delicious and very reasonably priced. Every dish came out fresh and flavorful, and the margaritas hit the spot! We're already looking forward to our next visit. Thank you, Diego, and the entire team, for making our evening so special. Steve & Clara W.

This is our favorite Mexican restaurant anywhere. Great service, great food. Great margaritas! We our love our server, Tomas who always remembers us and knows our order.

I have been coming here for a couple years. The food is good, drinks are amazing and the service is stellar (looking at you Diego)! After a long day it was always a great place to go for some comfort food and a tasty margarita! They have indoor, outdoor and bar seating. Wanna bring your fur baby?! Well no problem! The outdoor dining area is pet friendly and they'll sometimes even bring a bowl of water. They also have some screens for catching a game! Love me some downtown Pleasanton. This has always been a fun and casual place to enjoy good food and good company.

Alberto's Cantina has definitely leveled up under the new ownership! The vibe feels fresh and inviting, and the quality of the food has truly improved. You can tell they've put a lot of thought into elevating the experience while keeping the classics we all love. The most delicious thing I had here was the Fajita Burrito--WOW. The chicken was so moist, perfectly seasoned, and packed with flavor. Every bite was satisfying and absolutely delicious. Highly, highly recommend if you're visiting! If you haven't been back since the ownership change, you're missing out. Great food, great atmosphere, and even better quality than before. Alberto's is back and better than ever!

Six years later and I tried to give this place another shot but it's another miss for me. The service was slow and the waiters really don't know how to respectfully talk to people. Our waiter checked on us about three times in five minutes to get our drink orders and meals. Then I never saw him again until it was time to pay. Mind you, there was maybe four tables dining at the time with several waiters. I saw another tables waiter checked on them several times and even brought out additional chips and salsa. The women's bathroom was pretty dirty and could use some TLC. The food here is very underwhelming and the only redeeming thing is the long list of margarita options. I would not recommend this place to any friends.

Don't let the low rating fool you. This place is awesome. They started us off with some free chips & salsa and they were delicious. The chips are warm and salty. The salsa had a subtle hint of oregano which made it unique. I ordered a chile relleno and it was super tasty. There was a mix up in the kitchen and my wife received the wrong order but they immediately apologized, took it off the bill, and gave us a free replacement. We were very impressed by the customer service and especially on a busy day for them. We can't wait to go back. Kudos to Sarah and Ella for great service despite an extremely busy lunch service and mix up with the entree.

Food was overpriced, did not taste authentic at all. Salsa tasted like it was straight out of a jar, chips were stale. Our server was sweet, but we won't be going back. Patio area has good ambience, however you'll most likely be swatting flies away the whole time. Would be nice if they had those table top blades that keep flies off of food.

I had my favorite a Chili Rellano. Excellent. We were there for my daughters birthday and given special attention. The restaurant looked great.

Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice... well you know... We decided to give this place a shot since it has been over a decade from our last visit which was abysmal to say the least. They are able to pull in their patrons simply because this place is located right in the middle of Main Street and has a good sized outdoor seating area... easy pickings...The interior is dated, floors dirty, as in, we watched as the owner/manager person was standing in the front doorway completely oblivious to the pile of leaves he was standing on. The table was sticky, as were our menus. Which by the way, the plastic menus are so overly used, that the ink is worn off so you have to guess what the correct prices are...Servers are sort of haphazard and emotionless/robotic. And, the food... UGH... worst ever. It's just not even worth describing how Sysco pedestrian and flavorless it all tastes (sorry Sysco)... We called it the "Don Joses" of Pleasanton. If you know, you know what I mean.

Sunday afternoon excellent service the most awesome margarita and great food. Enjoy this anytime during the day great atmosphere you can sit outside people watch which I love to do. Excellent tacos

Great Tequila selection. Fajitas and Chile Relleno were great! Thomas is a fantastic server!

We went to Albertos Cantina for a family dinner. We ordered two beef fajitas. When the food arrived, I tasted the toughest meat I've ever eaten. I called the waiter and told him the meat was extremely tough. He said he would replace it, and I asked for chicken instead. When he came back, the plate was missing the onions and peppers, and he brought just a few pieces of chicken. The waiter was very rude. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. restaurant is quite clear from the plate. Rather than apologizing to the customer, you seem to be placing blame -- all while speaking about honesty. A more polite and customer-focused approach could help your restaurant receive better reviews and attract more guests. Making customers feel valued, instead of blamed, goes a long way."

Don't Be Fooled by the 2.5 Stars--Alberto's Cantina is a Whole New Experience! I can't say this enough: the new ownership at Alberto's Cantina has completely transformed this place. If you've been hesitant because of the old reviews, you're missing out on what has become one of the best dining experiences in Pleasanton. From the moment you walk in, you can see and feel the changes. The atmosphere is brighter and more welcoming, the staff is genuinely friendly and attentive, and the food has improved beyond what I ever expected. Every dish tastes fresh and full of flavor--way better than it used to be. They've clearly put a lot of care into revamping the old menu and elevating the overall experience. You can tell the new owners take pride in what they're doing, and it shows in every detail. They don't have happy hour anymore, but honestly, it's not a big deal because it was only just a dollar off one special type of margarita--it's really not a loss compared to how much everything else has improved. If you haven't been back in a while, do yourself a favor and give it another try. Alberto's Cantina has definitely upped their game--and they deserve way more than 2.5 stars! Side note, they have OpenTable and doordash now!!

The new owner has already transformed the food, portions were generous and the service was excellent!! We sat on the large outdoor patio, it was a perfect summer evening downtown. Thank You for bringing Alberto's back with fresh ingredients.

We've been coming to Alberto's for years and years and years. i had my rehearsal dinner on the patio ages ago . The familial atmosphere is what has kept us loyal. we love our regular server Diana - she has become a friend- and Tomas, of course. Alberto's has recently acquired new management which has really upped the game! The food presentations are simple and beautiful. I am excited for the restaurant's future with a few good additions to the familiar favorites. please, if you haven't been there for a while, try them again. enjoy the patio on a warm summer evening with a delicious margarita and wonderful company!

Alberto's is a Pleasanton favorite for a reason! The food is fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with love. I had the fajitas, served on a sizzling skillet, and they were absolutely delicious -- perfectly seasoned with tender meat and crisp veggies. The staff is always friendly and welcoming. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or dining in with family, Alberto's never disappoints

There are meals that nourish, and there are meals that teach. Tonight, I was taught a lesson in disappointment. I entered Alberto's Cantina with hope in my chest and mezcal on my mind. The tequila list? A dazzling, leather-bound fever dream--rare selections lined the bar like forgotten promises. Clase Azul. Tears of Llorona. Fortaleza Reposado like liquid memory. And then... the food came. The chips were stale. The salsa? Like a whisper from a tomato that gave up halfway. Each dish arrived lukewarm--both in temperature and spirit. I ordered the enchiladas. They tasted like a memory of enchiladas, passed down by someone who once watched a cooking show through static. The rice was pale. The beans were emotionally distant. Somewhere between the appetizer and the alleged "entrée," I felt my ancestors turn their backs on me. And yet--this place has endured. For decades. A monument to mediocrity. A defiant shrug against progress. Like a fax machine in a Wi-Fi world. The server was sweet. I tipped well. This wasn't their fault. This was structural. I left full, but not fulfilled. I walked past Blue Agave and almost wept. Only return if you're doing a tequila flight and need somewhere emotionally safe to cry about the state of your entree.

This place was easy to access and in downtown Pleasanton so lots of parking around. We were seated immediately. The waiter gave us chips and salsa as soon as we ordered and handed the menus back. I ordered a shredded beef enchilada and my friend ordered chile rellano. This plate was filling. I was very full for a reasonable cost.

We were seated at a sticky table with sticky menus, about to order Cadillac margaritas. Then we saw the price for the margarita was $24! That's a ridiculous price. Come on guys. We decided to leave and eat elsewhere.

The food here is great especially their black beans. We also love their chips and spicy salsa. For downtown Pleasanton it is one of the better restaurants with delicious food, reasonable prices and friendly staff.

As a long-time Pleasanton resident, my friends often call me the "go-to" person for restaurant recommendations in P-town. Over the years, I've suggested many spots, and this time I recommended Alberto's based on some good past experiences. Unfortunately, today was a major letdown. The salsa lacked flavor, and the service was incredibly slow -- we waited a long time just to place our order or get basic refills. Most of us ended up filling up on chips while waiting. The beans and guacamole had an off-putting smell and tasted stale. Quesadillas were okay, but nothing memorable. Overall, the food felt average at best. The biggest shocker was the price. The drinks were overpriced, and the gratuity and charges under the new management felt excessive. We walked out with a $400 bill for a meal that simply didn't deliver. In the past, I remember spending around $100 for a large group with plenty of food and drinks. When prices are raised so drastically, the quality and service should reflect that. Sadly, none of my friends were happy, and many felt it was a total rip-off. Really disappointed -- especially since I was the one who recommended it.

My sister Kathy and I had lunch at Alberto's today and everything was fantastic. We ordered two Cadillac margaritas and fajitas chicken and steak combo. Delicious tender, and we even added jalapeños to it which added hotness. I would highly recommend Tomas as your waiter.. attentive, knowledgeable, and even the owner Ali came by to say hello and asked us how our meal was and what they could do better in the future. We would highly recommend Alberto's for the best Mexican restaurant in Pleasanton.

My husband and I were on our way home from a mini golf day date in Castro Valley and decided to stop off for a drink in downtown Pleasanton. Margaritas sounded perfect so we stopped in. The menu is a little overwhelming because they have so many different types of margaritas but the one we chose was great. Oddly enough the margaritas weren't super cold. I added an ice cube from my water each time I had a sip and eventually it was chilled. Enjoyed some nachos as well. Quick service.

Not sure why the reviews aren't higher for this place, we've always had a great experience with the food and service. There's plenty of seating inside and out.

Wow, what a difference the new owners have made! The fajitas were so good you could clearly taste the upgrade and quality of meat. The service was amazing as usual and seeing employees wiping the menus which seems like a very simple thing is huge in my book, it clearly states the importance of cleanliness. Five star improvement!!! We will definitely be back ;)

This is my first visit here, I came for a pitcher of margaritas and a plate of nachos with a friend. Safe to say the margaritas were refreshing and the perfect amount of Tequila. The nachos are the best nachos I have had in a long time. They use real cheese! I know that's not usually a flex but right now it is. The carne asada was top notch on them, cooked a beautiful medium. Tomás truly made the experience what it was, he was excellent and walked us through the menu and pricing options. 10/10!

We've always enjoyed coming to Alberto's for its environment, food and drinks. The food has improved a lot and drinks have gotten even better! This restaurant has a very nice ambience that feels very family-oriented and fun!

Been coming once a month for years. Service is excellent. Food is yummy! Will keep coming back.

Albertos has one of the best locations on Main Street in Pleasanton. The food has never been spectacular, but it's a fun place to meet folks for a bite to eat and a drink. I understand there is a new owner, so I was pretty excited to try it out. The menus have changed, it looks to be a more scaled down version. We order the Carnitas Nacho's along with a couple of Pacifico's. The beer was cold and refreshing, but the nacho's left a lot to be desired. I don't know how to describe it other than to say it was tasteless processed food. The service was good; they were quick to replenish the chips and salsa. I'm sure they will do well based on the location and drink menu, but I can't say I'll hurry back for the food.

We've gone to Alberto's a lot over the last couple of decades. Their food was always fine, the Margaritas delicious, and the atmosphere lively. Since the new owners took control, there have been some upgrades. Our Santo Coyote Margarita was no longer on the menu but we still got them and they were still delicious -- now in a fancier goblet with more fruit. Lots of new margaritas to offer -- I'll have to try something different next time. The chile relleno was crisper and spicier than before, and the guacamole chunkier. The rice no longer has the vegetable bits in it but it's more elegant and quite tasty. Along with the refried beans, it's still my comfort food. It's still Alberto's, now with a bit more flavor. And as always, Diego took good care of us!

Diego was an amazing server. This is the best service I've had here in years. I will be coming back!

Always come here for the great margarita pitchers and appetizers! Great for a weekend with friends to hang and chat:)

Food quality specifically rice and meat has improved since new ownership. Chili Colorado is excellent. Food and drink presentation has improved. Thomas is awesome as always!

Great service, love the free chips and salsa. I had a combo plate with an enchilada and a tamale. The tamale was the best! Presentation was appealing and the outdoor seating is really nice for the downtown vibes

My wife and I have been coming to Alberto's for years. We enjoy the weight staff and their food menu. We have always had an enjoyable meal here and recently we have noticed the food upgrade that has even upped our pleasure coming here. The recognizable and consistent staff Are wonderful to deal with and Bakersfield at home. This is an institution that is only growing better with age here in town.

Alberto's has been our go-to for years. We love dining on the patio. Wait staff is second to none! We can enjoy margaritas in the afternoon or bring the kids for dinner-- there's something for the entire family. Food's delicious, margaritas are tasty, atmosphere is relaxed and fun. Can't recommend more highly!

As a frequent patron to Alberto's, I was very unhappy to discover during a recent visit that not only did the new owners take away happy hour, but also have significantly increased their prices, and the food I ordered was not as good as I remembered. More importantly, the service and atmosphere is definitely not Alberto's.

We went because of new ownership. Unfortunately, our food and service showed no signs of improvement. Waiter was unable to answer questions about menu items; service was slow; food was mediocre, at best.

Poor service from a very careless waiter. My diet soda smelled and tasted like soap. The paper towel dispenser in the restroom was broke and the restroom itself was dirty. The front area of the restaurant was very very dirty. I decided not to stay for my meal after my soapy soft drink.

We have been coming here for a decade and every time we visit it has been delicious, timely and fun. Diego our server today was patient and attentive and super friendly! Love coming here. Never had a bad experience EVER! Idk, what the 2.5stars is for. But I can be sure those Karen's have not been here before

Having a hard time understanding why this place only has 2.5 stars it is excellent. I have ate a lot of Mexican restaurants and I have to say this is one of my favorites. I have the chimichanga my friend had enchiladas and my husband had the Carne Asada. We all loved our food and I am super excited that they now have a dog menu and that the dogs are allowed on the patio. This is an extra plus for me one of my favorite Mexican restaurants it should have five stars

We've visited here for years- service is great and attentive. Our kids love it and look forward to the fajitas.

Don't let the negative reviews deter you from eating here! This restaurant has great service, good food, good drinks and a fun atmosphere. Shrimp tacos are amazing.

Slow service, less than mediocre food and just a real downer experience. We had hear they were under new ownership so decided to go for Cinco De Mayo. Not super crowded so not sure what was going on. Poor planning on management as the server seemed stretched on some outdoor and indoor tables. We had 1 margarita with dinner and walked out..planned on partying but opted to leave. Very sad. We really need an elevated Mexican restaurant in our town (and this isn't it) Haven't been here for 10 years...will take another 10 years to go back

Diego was a wonderful server and helped elevate the experience at dinner with his humor and kindness!!

Diego was the best! We had such a good time and great fast service! Has been serving my family for years and always had a great experience!

I'm not going to lie I was a bit scared when I saw the reviews of this place - I came unplanned so I didn't have the opportunity to check and make an alternative decision. For what it's worth, I would say our overall experience was good but I'd still give it 3 stars since I probably wouldn't choose to come back. They gave us complementary chips and salsa which was nice. While I enjoyed the salsa, the chips felt like they were just plain grocery store chips which you could get anywhere, rather than the house made thick ones that I'm used to at nicer mexican restaurants. For my entree, I got the street taco trio. I actually really enjoyed the tacos - the corn tortillas were soft and had great flavor, and I appreciated how there was one of each kind of meat to sample. Out of the three, the chicken was by far the best - well seasoned and juicy. The chile verde was average, and same with the carne asada. The asada one especially didn't really taste right. I also got to try a bit of the guac which I felt was bland and not as good as most other places I've been to. For the price I don't think the quality is up to par. If you do get one thing though, I would probably recommend the street taco trio.

My go-to breakfast here is Huevos con Chorizo - fluffy scrambled eggs with chorizo & onions, served with beans, rice, tortillas and a salad garnish. Everything on the menu looked good, but this is my favorite. Friendly atmosphere & staff!