Cocina Michoacana

A fantastic little hidden gem on the way in or out from Yosemite. Cocina Michoacana is a heavy authentic piece of Mexico worth driving to. Offers an extensive and well selected menu of the best traditional Mexican dishes. If you’re staying in Yosemite, do yourself a favour and drive to this spot for an amazing meal and fantastic views on the way.

We ordered pick up for a cozy evening in after a long day of sight seeing. The staff was very friendly, and the food was good. The carne asada, and the nachos were our favorites, I personally think you can skip the churros.

This is a wonderful find while on vacation. The people are amazing. The place is cute, quaint and clean. Better yet, the food is the best I've ever had. Must mention that this is the first Mexican restaurant that I've ever been able to order a burrito and a taco together with beans and rice on a plate.

The best burrito in CA! Very delicious! Burrito asada with green sauce

Very delicious! I was here in 2017 the first time and it's still awesome. Everyone was helpful and friendly. If you don't know what to eat, ask. I am not an expert for Mexican food, but the meat, the sauces, the rice, and the beans were very delicious! Don't forget to take the Churros as dessert (it's enough to share)! :-)

A little quiet midday on a Friday, service was excellent and attentive, food was delicious and prepared quickly. Had the garlic sauce steak plate, filling and just the right thing for a long road trip! Super tasty horchata as well.

Awesome people, very friendly and professional, when you see the place from outside, you won’t believe its that comfy and clean and convenient from inside..amazing food , reasonable prices and great seafood options, the only thing That disappointed me little bit , is that they have only 1 kind of fish which is Basa 🥴which is not healthy and not great option to eat . But i was still able to enjoy the shrimp which was soooo good 👌👌👌👌👌❤️

I stopped in at 3pm on a Saturday and it wasn’t too busy. By the time I got my food the other three groups had left and I had the place to myself. Everyone I interacted with was friendly and the food was served quick and hot. Complimentary chips and salsa (the salsa was flavorful with a little heat) bottled coke and I ordered the tofu a la Mexican and an a la carte crispy potato taco too (requested no cheese on either item to make it vegan). The only thing I’ll do differently next time is request some guacamole on my taco or on the side.

I read other reviews from Yelp re how this place was the "it" place to eat... I think most forgot to put "it place for the town." If you've have had the opportunity to have eaten good authentic food, then sadly this isn't it. It was okay for the family to eat that night but it was just okay. The place was super cold, their AC was on full blast of just fair warning! Staff was friendly and prompt. My fajitas was just okay... and the same goes for the rest of what my family had. Plus, they were extremely overpriced. I don't quite know why but again, fair warning. We were all shocked at the cost of our dinner... lesson learned.

What a true gem in Groveland! It was super busy when we went in and it's a small restaurant. We ordered the Queso fun dodo as an appetizer and it was so yummy. I could have just eaten that as my meal. The salsa is SPICY! I couldn't eat it. I ordered the green enchiladas and they had great flavor. The beans and rice was also very good. My husband ordered a burrito that he said was fantastic but super spicy. We will definitely stop in again when in the area!

There was a good amount of seating in the restaurant as well as outdoor. There was no one greeting us when we first come in, but it's self seating. The servers were nice, but the food took really long to arrive. We were unsatisfied with the wait time. In fact, other tables that arrived/ordered after us got their food before us. I honestly think the waitress forgot to put our orders in, but there was no communication. Additionally, I asked for a straw and never got one. They asked another table if they were ready to order, and they hadn't even gotten their menus. Food was average -it is a small town. The restroom is through the outside back of the restaurant.

I have been coming here since 1993. The food is so good. We bring friends and family here and they are always delighted with the quality and selection. Service is great and always flexible with seating. Menus are a bit difficult to see on the background and color. I recommend updating the menu to make it easier to read. The tables are well made and solid. No wobbles here.

A definite stop when heading from Yosemite to sfo. Will review more once I'm back home

This restaurant should have a Michelin Star! The flavors are perfectly authentic and clearly ancient. I'm a San Diegan, and this is the best Mexican food I've had in the State of California outside of San Diego. I would drive from the East Bay just for the refried beans, the salsa, and the soup, but the tacos were great, as was everything else. Even the watermelon aqua Frescas was on pointe! I could hug the chef/owner. I hope she knows her talents make many people happy.

Alright, still my favorite...You win again, every time, chile verde burrito supreme! I'm grateful for their many locations, too. I love to see this business doing so well.

Ordered a "La Patrona" burrito for takeout, and it came out to $20. I'd ordered based on an image of an old version of the menu with an outdated price. The burrito was delicious and spicy and just what I needed after hiking Vernal Falls. The pork was well seasoned and fillings were generous. However I can't confidently say that I felt good about spending $20 on a burrito. I would've preferred if the complimentary chips and salsa were optional and the burrito was smaller for a more reasonable price. There aren't a ton of food options in Groveland, so I would recommend this if you're staying nearby (plug for Chris and Brittany's B&B, the Berkshire Inn) but set your expectations appropriately!

Authentic food. Okay service. Typical ambiance. There aren't many food options in Groveland, so if you do want to make a stop for a meal, this spot will satisfy.

I'm from Utah and come to Groveland a few times a year... This is my go to place when in town. At times it gets busy, but I am always willing to wait. I have been here a dozen times, and haven't had a bad meal yet.

This place has legit some of the BEST Mexican food I've ever had. Ambiance - we noticed immediately that this place had a cute motif going with their paper picados decorating where you walk in. There's not much of a waiting room but that's because it's not a big restaurant. Service - we had a great server. Our food came out fast - like maybe a 10 min wait after ordering. He even recommended the plate I ended up ordering. So glad he did. Food - what really shines is the food. I ordered the coco chipotle dish. I got it with shrimp. It was the best thing I've had at a Mexican restaurant period. Soooo good. But it wasn't a fluke. I tried my daughters pork tamales, my husbands burritos, and my sons chimichanga. All were just as good. Their sauces are homemade. How does this exist in Groveland?? This place is a gem. I am thinking of going back to Yosemite just for their food. That's how good it is! Highly recommend!

The food is great here, all the plates were better than we expected. Everyone is nice and took all of our special requests.

We loved this place while staying in Groveland. Super friendly with good food. Everyone was happy with their meals and it was reasonably priced. It's a homey place and from what I could see mostly local people eating there, which is always a good sign. We got right in even with 6 of us.

Ate here on Halloween. Great food. Fast service. Had two chicken enchiladas with rice and beans. My husband had a chicken taco and carne asada burrito with beans and rice. Loved it.

This is a wonderful little restaurant, with a great menu! Our waiter was busy, but very quick and accommodating to all customers. The seating was comfortable, and not too crammed together. We started with chips and salsa. Chips were warm and salsa was perfect, just spicy enough. We both had Chimichangas, one beef, one pork. They were large and stuffed fully with meat and cheese. Both were topped with loads of sour cream, guacamole and cheese. The refried beans and rice on the side were also delicious! My husband had a beer and I had a huge lemonade with a free refill! All for a great price of $46! Definitely a great place to go if you're hungry!

Food was decent. Carne Asada was underwhelming. Annoying that there is a 3% surcharge to all food purchased, and even worse, gratuity is added to parties of 6 or more but there is no mention of that anywhere on the menu or at the restaurant. Felt a little shady.

Super friendly owner/employees. Owners have been running this since 1997, and many say it is the best food in town. We agree!

Get the birria tacos (omg - I'm probably hungry a few days of hiking but dayum they were good). I sadly only got a taste since another member of my group ordered it but next time.... Ordered enchiladas with mole sauce. Still so good. Small place (about 10 tables) but worth a stop.

This was by far the worst dining experience I've ever had. Upon arrival, we were seated immediately, only to be told a couple of minutes later that there had been a mistake--they actually had someone else on the waitlist and we needed to give up the table. We were asked to move to the lobby and told it would only be a two-minute wait. However, that two minutes turned into over 15. When we expressed our concern about the situation, the staff became loud and rude, questioning if we even knew what a waitlist was. To make matters worse, they refused to serve us altogether. Not once did anyone apologize, and we were never informed about any waitlist when we first arrived. The entire experience felt discriminatory and deeply unsettling. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant to anyone, as their behavior was not only unprofessional but also felt racially charged.

Cocina Michoacana is always amazing, we lived in Groveland and was always our go to spot to eat out. We have moved away since but every time we are in town or anywhere near the area we definitely go there to eat and the food is always Incredible. The service is always top notch, anytime my drink got low it was always filled promptly and the food was out quickly as well. I love the coziness of this restaurant, it is perfect for a date and they make it work if you need it for a large party as well just make sure you call ahead or be prepared to wait. Can't wait to go back and give them our business! Thank you guys!

Get the Molcajete. Make sure unless you're 300 and a huge eater, you have help. Just thinking about it makes me wanna go there. Everything else is good, but this dish sticks way out. Can be crowded. Be prepared to wait. There isn't much going on in Groveland, so it's amazing to find a place like this. Every time I've been I've had to wait. But get the Molcajete. Do I need to say it again? Ambience is good. Relaxing. Totally not corporate. Reduced lighting. Adequate service.

Great spot with a dog-friendly back patio! No table service--you order to go and bring it out. Food was good, and the staff was super friendly. Would visit again!

Vegan menu is so appreciated! I got dos sopes with the soy protein, which was juicy and well seasoned. I also got the vegan bean dip (came with cheese and sour cream!) which was suuuuper good! The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is cozy. They've got a lil bar in there which is cool, too.

Really good food. We tried the molcajete and it was really delicious and very flavorful. The place is cute and very home-y. Service was amazing, we asked our waiter for their customer favorites and his personally favorite which he gave us quite a bit of options and ultimately decided on the molcajete. Food did not take long to come out even though they were a little busy, servers were very attentive and the prices are reasonable for the quality of the food, the service and ambiance. We are in Groveland for a few more months for work and will definitely be going back.

This restaurant is the best! When we were ignored for 20 minutes waiting for a table across the street, we decided to try it out. We were seated even though the dining room was closed. They only do take out late, but the owner said come on in after hearing about our experience across the street. What a great meal! I'm local, so I've been back twice and it's ALL good! The guacamole, the Chile relleno, the Chile Colorado, all fantastic! Too bad no margaritas-beer and wine only. So, if you're hungry in Groveland, I'd go here!

Pretty good place overall. Went there for dinner and everyone had something different. Everyone liked their food which arrived quickly. Our server was very friendly and attentive. Some prices were reasonable while some were pretty high. I had a side of fries and they were $4.95 for a pretty small serving. Also a soft drink and ice tea were $4 each. Restroom was out the back door and was fine. Everyone in the family was happy, although I feel prices are a bit on the high side.

We were passing through Groveland on our way home from Yosemite last week and found this gem! I ordered the #36 on the menu. It was chipotle garlic sauce with chicken. I am still dreaming of that sauce. It was incredibly delicious! It was a great experience and the staff was kind. I wish I lived closer because I would love to keep trying other menu items. Until next time......

Food is always consistent and it very good. We usually do takeout, the enchiladas are great, Their Colorado is very good and their Super Burritos huge. A little difficult to find their menu, But it is worth the search. Service is good and the ambiance is a bit lacking, but it is fine for a small town restaurant.

We were staying in Groveland to visit the national park and we tried Cocina Michoacana one night. I have grown accustomed to good Mexican food in California so my expectations were a bit high and ended up being disappointed. I tried the horchata water and it lacked flavor, it was very watered down and had probably been sitting there for a while with a ton of ice melted on it . For my main meal I had the poblano chicken enchiladas, the sauce was not very flavorful and was rather scant. The dish was overall very dry and the chicken inside of the enchiladas was dry and had some crunchy/freeze burnt pieces. Not a great meal sadly.

Food was fantastic and very real. Not some cal-mex or Tex-mex. Service was excellent, but we did take out. Thanks much. Will be back

I live locally and stop in every so often. Most times I will order to go on my way home. Food is fresh and yummy. Service is always stellar. Great place to stop!

BEWARE!. THEY HAVEN'T UPDATED THEIR ON-LINE MENU PRICES IN A DOZEN YEARS! I looked at their online menu and decided to go in for a bite to eat. A 1 item combination is listed at $12.95. A single import beer's listed at $4.95. I took in $21 cash. Wasn't much of a tip, but it was a tip. When I received my bill it was $25.73. I inquired about my bill stating it was incorrect. They told me it WAS correct as they haven't updated their menu prices in years. I didn't have enough money to pay for my visit. I pulled out my credit card and they now told me their credit card machine is down and I would have to come back. Next they're taking my personal information to write on the bill! It was actually $17.95 for 1 item combination, and $6.00 for 1 beer. I would never have gone in if I known that. TOURIST PRICES....

Restaurants are always kind of a crapshoot when you're in a small town, but with Cocina Michoacana, we hit the jackpot! It's pretty small inside, with maybe 8-10 tables, so make sure you get there by 6 or else the post-hiking crowd will beat you there. Service was great! Everyone was very friendly, attentive, and fast. We ordered Coronas, but our server suggested Estrella Jalisco instead and it was so refreshing, exactly what we needed after a hot, dusty afternoon. When asked, she also recommended the molcajete, which is a huge mound of meat and shrimp with melted cheese in a delicious spicy, tangy sauce that comes with rice, beans, and tortillas. It is $40, but it's meant for two people and it is more than enough food! It comes out sizzling, so be prepared for everyone in the restaurant to stare in envy! I've had molcajete in La Paz, Mexico before, and that was delicious, but this was even better! If you're hungry after a long day of exploring Yosemite, this place will fuel you right up for the next day.

I very much enjoy and think about the queso!!! My kids loved it too. Only downside is no margaritas.

I look forward to coming here every time I come to pml (about 3-4 times a year)... and sometimes I come to Groveland just for their spicy grilled onion chicken burrito

The service was nice and the restaurant was very clean. The problem was we ordered shrimp burritos and they were all just stuffed with excess beans and rice and only had like 2 pieces of shrimp in the burritos each. Wtf is this???? Why even call it a shrimp burrito and for 17 bucks each what a damn rip off.

We visited today and the food was delicious and service was superb! Let's be honest this is a little town and I didn't have great expectations but my party of 5 was satisfied

Relaxed and friendly place Welcoming staff and attentive to details. My husband and I were pleasantly surprise by how good all the food tasted and how cute the decor was. Small but sweet. My dish was yummy and when was brought to the table the waiter noticed something was missing with the order. He took back the plate to the kitchen and the re made it fast and just how I ordered. I honestly would of taken the grub as is, but he insisted. Great customer service! Will come back again when ever we visit Groveland.

The space is a little cramped, but the food was spiced very well and made exactly to order. Service was prompt and friendly. Would definitely come back.

Its slim pickings on food options as you near Yosemite. Thank god for the existence of Cocina Michoacana! This is a small, family-run business with great service. They have a good selection of both Mexican and American beers at $5 each. We had the chicken mole enchiladas and chicken mole poblano, both come with rice and refried beans. Food was hearty and flavorful.

Cute spot and varied menu, however our entire party had the worst reaction to the food within an hour or so. Regularly enjoy Mexican cuisine, but for some reason this place's food didn't sit well with us. I also felt their chips and salsa was a bit stingy (barely filled the bowl of salsa & had to pay for refills). Finally, when asking what the ingredients were in the burritos (because it wasn't written out in the menu) the waiter became a bit impatient.

SO happy with this stop outside of Yosemite. Internet was down but they accepted Venmo, PayPal, and cash so we were able to pay with no problem. My daughter and I split enchiladas verdes, chile rellano, and shrimp/grilled fish tacos and everything was bombastic!

Updating review after we experienced possible food poisoning. Product is stored in the bathroom next to the toilet and noticed safe food handling not maintained, touching money and preparing food, no soap in the bathroom and dirty utensils

Great chille rellenos great service not terribly crowded. The chips and salsa are plentiful

Great food! I love the shrimp tacos and nacho supreme. Fast and friendly service We try to go once a week!

Stopped by this place about a year ago and I still haven't forgotten how good the mole enchiladas were. Planning on making another trip up to Yosemite soon and I will definitely be making a pit spot. This is as authentic as it gets!

We love Cocina Michoacana! It is our go to take out when in Groveland! Great quality food for a great price!

Got chicken fajitas and cheese nachos. Was about a 20 minute wait. For small town Mexican food this place gets a 5 out of 5 for flavor and authenticity. For LA MEXICAN restaurant rating about a 3.5 out of 5. Quantity of food was average to good. Except for side of sour cream and guacamole was excellent..

Food was delicious We were able to place an order and pick up food to go within 10-15 minutes. The vegetarian options are a plus Salsa was very different and spicy. The waiting area had some flies flying around which questioned the cleanliness of the restaurant.