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!).

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 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.

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.

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?

Wow, what happen to this place? I was in Alberto's yesterday and will probably be my last visit. I have been coming here for years, but the service and food quality has gone downhill. You can get better Margarita's at Applebee's. Staff seems a bit disconnected from the customers, and the food is just barely passable.

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.

diego was my sever for today, he was the best server i ever had. He had nice service and was very patient with us, and knows how to make his guest laugh. Best one yet, man deserves a raise.

Everything went well, as always. We come here often, although we don't live so close to Pleasanton., but we LOVE the food. All the dishes we have tried here are the best. My favorite is the Baja Shrimp enchiladas. The shrimps are cooked to perfection with the right flavor and a perfect tinge of spices. The service is excellent. Thomas, our favorite server, always take care of us and makes us feel at home. He is awesome. The ambiance is great. You gotta visit this place. You would love it too.

this man deserves a raise ive never been served as well as ive been served today this guy is cool

Alberto's has a low average, which I never understood. I'd go with 3.5 stars, rounding up as usual. We've been there many times, either getting fajitas or burritos, and it's always been pretty good. Service is slow at times, but not unreasonable. Brightly colored like Americans prefer their Mexican restaurants. We recently visited again after the management changed hands, and didn't notice much of a difference, still pretty good, with plenty of food. There were a couple of decorative items added, like pickled onions and a grilled lemon half. The latter was nice, as I liked squeezing the extra lemon into my shrimp.

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!

I had a really disappointing and dishonest experience here. While we were dining, the waiter came over and told us that the man at the next table had paid for everything. I was shocked so I asked him 3 times and he gave me the same answer. He even encouraged us to order another drink because it was "already covered." I wasn't planning to, but I agreed as he said it's paid for and I felt pressured After the man left, we thanked him and then the waiter came back with a bill. When I asked why, he said the man had only paid for one drink. That's not what he said earlier. It felt like a trick to get me to order more, and that's unacceptable. I left feeling taken advantage of, and I won't be coming back.

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.

Had another great experience at Alberto's on Friday. We always love sitting on the patio with a couple of tasty Margarita's. It was fun watching all the Ghost Walk groups walk by... it felt very festive. The food was quite good... the dinner salad has been much improved recently and the Chile Colorado was terrific. But what we really enjoy about Alberto's is the warm welcoming feeling we always get. We have been coming years, and much of the staff have been there every since we can remember. On Friday our waiter was Diego... a real favorite! He always greets us with a big smile and a cheerful air. Diego always makes our visits fun and enjoyable. He really takes care of us, and makes us feel appreciated... and we appreciate that. We will be back again soon.

Tomas was amazing!!! Sampler platter and Cadillac Margaritas are the way to go!!! Great place to meet after work or a fun girls night (my favorite)

Excellent food, prompt and courteous service, pleasant and festive atmosphere. A great experience all around!

Great food! Classic spot! Food always hits the spot and awesome vibes. Chile rellano is on point.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

My family's favorite Mexican restaurant in the Tri-Valley! Been coming here for years and definitely worth the drive from Dublin. As much as we like it, they are under new management and it's getting even better. Interior design and food presentation have been stepped-up. Can't go wrong with any of the burritos but Dana's and Austin's burritos are our go-to's. Super friendly staff too, and we always try to sit in Diego's section. Dessert Is included with kids's meals and for the adults, the Bunuelos are fantastic.

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

We had dinner here today and it was great! We had delicious cocktails and the guacamole was great! Our waiter Tomas is the best and was always checking in to see if we need anything! They have big screen tvs so it's a great place to watch all the games!

We didn't look at the reviews before coming here, while we were ordering we looked it was to late to leave already. We ordered Pozole and taquitos. For the pozole it wasn't entirely bad but the portion of the kernel it literally felt like it was just pure broth. It felt like the quantity of the pozole was counted for. For the taquitos it didn't taste like anything and the rice was dry but good service and the chips and salsa were super good.

Excellent service from Tomas and Diego. The appetizers, margaritas and dessert were delicious!!

Good food with a good selection of menu items. New drink menu with a variety of choices. Wait staff very attentive. Go to place for Mexican cuisine.

My family and I have been coming to Alberto's for around 20 years. We love it! Diego and Monica are amazing and make us feel like family! Food is amazing! Do yourself a favor and get the bean dip! Best ever!!

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Alberto's is the best!!! Food is amazing! The bean dip and chicken fajitas are the best you'll find in the Bay Area!! Diego and Monica are amazing! Alberto's

Fabulous food, drinks, service. And Tomas has always been a great server! Ask for him!

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.

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.

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

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.

- ** 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.

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

This is one of our favorite go to Mexican restaurants in the tri valley... And you can't beat the fact that it's been around for more than three decades and the quality and the level of service and the margaritas... The best ! I love the fact that you can sit on the patio and watch people strolling and cruising down Main Street

Our first time eating at this cantina. Restaurant was clean and staff were very polite. The food was delicious and authentic. It's worth checking out. Will definitely be back.

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.

The most disappointing Mexican Food. My husband really wanted Mexican Food but this was not it. They served us the most tasteless salsa and what tasted like store bought chips. I had the Fish tacos and they were so bland and drowning in cabbage. My husband got the most pathetic looking street tacos. Service was ok but definitely would not eat here again.

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.

Place and service is nice. The food is really bland. We ordered 5 different dishes and none of us liked the food we ordered except for the steak on the nachos. I ordered a pozole , the broth /caldo had no flavor .. it came with very little hominy and meat and they add the cabbage in there already usually it's served on the side with other toppings. Can't really say I'd recommend it but it's ok if you're passing through and need a sit down cantina /bar style dinner.

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.