El Mexicano Restaurant & Cafe

The food is good made to order so there is a wait but it’s fresh. The only complaint from the entire table is that the beans were a bit salty rating from the group plato mixto 4/5 small tacos à la carte 4/5 (carnitas ones are 5/5 in flavor the other ones are okay ) plato de carnitas 4/5 coffee 5/5 Fresas con crema a more liquid style with granola and some whipped cream on top parking can be difficult but there is street parking

I recently visited a local taco restaurant and decided to try their tacos. The food itself was decent—not exceptional, but satisfying enough to enjoy. What stood out to me more was the overall atmosphere of the place. From the moment I walked in, I felt as though I had been transported to Mexico. The vibrant décor, warm lighting, and authentic ambiance created an inviting and enjoyable dining experience. One thing I always pay close attention to when visiting restaurants is cleanliness, particularly the state of their indoor restrooms. To me, a clean restroom is a reflection of the establishment’s overall hygiene standards, and this place passed with flying colors. The restroom was spotless, which gave me confidence in the restaurant’s commitment to maintaining a clean and pleasant environment. The owner also left a positive impression on me. They were welcoming, friendly, and attentive, which added to the charm of the experience. It’s always refreshing to see business owners actively engaging with their customers and ensuring everyone feels comfortable and appreciated. While the tacos didn’t particularly stand out compared to some other places I’ve been to, the combination of the inviting atmosphere, cleanliness, and excellent service made my visit worthwhile. I can definitely see myself returning in the future, not only for the food but also for the overall experience. If you’re looking for a casual spot with a bit of Mexican charm, this is worth a visit.

I have no words to describe how incredible I felt drinking the cucumber lime drink. It is hands down one of the best drink I have ever had in decades. It took me back straight to childhood, one sip of the drink and I am floating in Paradise. Thank you Ulises for manifesting this paradise through your incredible craft. This, this drink, this is it. Folks, this is the helm, of refreshers. And the music? Perfectly complimenting each other. Food is good, respects Mexican cuisine quality standards. The star: This absolutely elegant piece of art: Cucumber-Lime drink! Wow! I will never forget this moment. I am writing this review as I am inside the restaurant, and I am elated. 100%. I am so glad I found this place. Wow.

Tried the Cuban and Asada Torta, and an Asada burrito. Food was delicious, prepared w care, and portions were plentiful at a very reasonable price. Street parking sucks. Recommend.

After eating dinner with my lovely wife at this mom n pop restaurant, I can say with a full stomach that this place is truly magical and will have a special place in our hearts. The food was delicious and super filling. It has that nostalgic childhood taste I grew up with and it was just a pleasant experience to have spent time here. I had the super asada burrito which was incredibly hefty and was filled with meat, rice, beans, the works! My beloved had a chicken torta which was equally delicious. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants to try some authentic Mexican food and be greeted by friendly customer service!

Delicious steak tacos from a friendly owner

Amazing tacos de vapor. Just needs salt but otherwise its great.

My boyfriend has been going here since 2020 and me since 2022 this place is amazing. Great customer service, great food, don't let any other reviews fool you this Mexican food is top notch

I read about this taqueria in a newspaper article about the "Richmond tacos corridor" pm 23rd St. and I decided to give it a try. First thing I noticed was that they no longer have the bar with the wide spread of vegis and salsas that was described in the article, so I was a bit disappointed. We ordered the al pastor tacos, suadero, and carnitas al vapor. The tacos were good, but the meat proportions were a bit slim. Be careful with the red salsas as they were pretty spicy! The tortillas all tasted the same, even though I asked for al vapor (Jalisco style steamed tortilla) so maybe the server didn't quite heard me. I did liked that the chips and salsa were complimentary, and the pineapple aqua fresca we got was super refreshing! Prices were reasonable

Sometimes good things come in unexpected looking storefronts. Was in the area and needed grub and this place didn't disappoint. Chips and the hot salsa were totally on point, as well as the quesadilla with al pastor. The super burrito carnitas was a huge meal- like more than my kid could possibly eat. Tons o pork. Liked it more by adding the red salsa served table side. Totally fresh food and great service.

Rating the food here a 3.5 outta 5... maybe 3.75. Decent sized burrito, but considering the $12 price not so much. For a super burrito it tasted pretty simple. It was good enough, not great. The meat was very chopped up, also like a soft ground beef. Barely any sour cream. Some avocado. Rice inside was REEEALLY GOOD. There was a lot of rice in my burrito compared to the meat & sour cream I got. Also came with chips & a bag of 2 cucumber pieces, a 2-3 radish slices & a grilled onion. It was good, I wish there was more and that it was pickled. My cucumber lime agua Fresca was pretty, nice and fresh! I'd eat here again to try other meats. Looks like they've got a few options.

El Mexicano Deli Y Taqueria is a mexican juice stand on the left and a taqueria on the right. no dine in, order inside, no outdoor seating. offerings: tacos, burroitos, quesadillas, tortas, flautas, sopes, enchiladas, plates, fruit juice, fruit bowl, smoothies, milk shakes, aqua fresca eats: lengua, cabeza tacos (total 4.95) -came with grilled onion, jalepeno, red salsa, lime squeeze, radish slices. -generous portions on regular sized flour tortillas. -tasted fresh, great price! take outs: -specials on listed street tacos, burritos, M-F, 2-4 p.m.

Bummer. I've been searching for tacos de canasta since the one time I tasted their deliciousness in Mexico and since their spotlight on Netflix's Taco Chronicles. Full disclosure I am not Mexican, but have a Mexican stepdad. Also, I was told that Tacos de Canasta and Tacos Al Vapor are the same thing... AKA steamed. Maybe I was told wrong and should have better managed my expectations. I came here one Taco Tuesday starving. I hadn't eaten all day and thought I would treat myself. Typically this results in a positive bias and the lack thereof is quite concerning. The spot itself is a cute hole in the wall. The staff was friendly enough. Parking was street parking only and can be a pain, also so can traffic. Worth nothing, the yelp page has a different name than the advertised name which is El Mexicano Deli & Taqueria (perhaps new owners). I asked if they had tacos al vapor and I was happy when they said yes. I was hoping for more variety but they only had cabeza (head) and lengua (tongue). I ordered two de lengua. I was super excited. Got my two fairly quickly. Tried it as is. Immediately, I was surprised with how dry it was. Squirted some lime. Helped but needed something more flavor. Added hot sauce and that helped it go down easily, but a good taco SHOULD NOT need hot sauce, especially if claiming it to be the house special. I'm a teacher and think that my school food would have been better than this. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be coming back.

If you've every wondered who's got the best carnitas in the bay then I'm here to tell you that this is the place.

Came for lunch and was very happy with results! Ordered a carnitas torta per an online review - made to order with amazing soft bread and perfectly crispy carnitas. Staff is so friendly and kind! Such a good find! You should go!

I just ordered 1 chicken taco with everything. The cashier asked if I wanted dollar tacos or regular. I replied regular. I paid around $2.50 for this tiny taco. They did not provide any fresh made salsa. There was salsa bottles on the table though. I guess you have to ask for salsa or get none. I may visit again and try something else but the taco was too tiny to be $2.50. The taste wasn't bad but it also wasn't awesome.

Fire spot for any type of Mexican food. Super friendly and very attentive. The agua frescas are a must. Portions are big at a fair price. I would recommend this place to anyone when they come to Richmond. They accept debit/ credit and Venmo.

Love this wonderful hole in the wall. You'll miss it while tooling down 23rd from the BART/Amtrak station. But, I highly suggest you make a pit stop on your way. Tasty traditional Mexican fare... complete with radish, PEARL onion, grilled jalapeño, and lime. I usually order the flautas - two chicken and one papas. Comes with very tasty refried beans and rice. While waiting for my to-go orders, I get to watch the staff hand JUICE, FRESH orange juice. They also offer other Agua Frescos. Highly recommend.

I ordered a carnitas torta and it was very good with a licuado de fresa. The carnitas were a little dry but still good. It was a big torta. The licuado wasn't very tasty but maybe it was because the fresas weren't sweet enough. I will go back to give it another try. They now take credit cards, they didn't before. I came back to try their tacos and they are sooooooo good.

The food we had was good. Seemed limited in aqua Fresca flavors (Jamaica only), but they offered licuados and juqos as well. A rush of people came in mid afternoon on a Tuesday, as a result the super burrito I ordered ended up being a regular as they forgot the crema and cheese. Thus the dropped star.

Love it!! Love their carnitas! Always fresh! I also love that their tacos actually have meat, a lot of meat!!! You can also buy carnitas by the pound!

The food is salty. Worst party they took for ever with my order and served food to people behind me. Took 35 minutes to get 6 tacos. Don't recommend it.

This is a small place but worthwhile to stop and enjoy a great Mexican meal the food was excellent.

Fucking LOVE the tacos dorados and cueritos. Cueritos over carnitas, hands down. #soyputaparalostacosdecueritos

Came here on a Tuesday around noon. I ordered a carnitas and al pastor torta. The torta was really good. They melted the cheese on a flattop till it was crispy and added to the torta... wow. Staff was friendly too. Highly recommend. I saw a lady order pork skin tacos and they looked awesome, gonna order some of those next time.

Favorite place for tacos and burritos! Food is fresh and oh so good! Highly recommended!

This place is great! I've been coming here for years. I always get the super burrito al pastor, probably the best burrito I've ever had. Always ask for both salsas, the green and the red. It's a small place, cash only but there is an atm next door. If you're looking for real Mexican food, this is the place to go.

Dude this place is terrible, service is whack and the food comes out of hot metal pans and makes the meat taste hella weird unless they serve food leftover from the previous days and that's where the unpleasant taste comes from, I ordered some tacos on a slow day and the a$$hole that makes the food was standing next to the cashier lady listening to what I ordered I specifically asked for 3 tacos with the meat extra crispy which means you put it back on the grill and fry it a little more well this mf just heated up tortillas and those tacos were served to me in less than 2 minutes which was nothing of what I had ordered, the meat was pale, lukewarm and with a weird taste, I'm mexican and I know REAL mexican cuisine quite well and this place is an embarrassment to Authentic Mexican Restaurants, I wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy if I had some of course, and definitely wouldn't come back for this type of low quality cheap crappy food I would much rather take my a$$ to the grocery store and make some REAL mexican food at home lol fuccc this place and their employees I definitely give this place a kick to the curb!!!

My favorite Mexican food in this area, hands down. My favorite is their Carne Asada, but you can't go wrong with any of the others. I've tried the Carne Asada (Steak), Al Pastor (Marinated Pork), and Pollo (Chicken), and Carnitas (Fried Pork) Super Burritos and Tacos. The Tacos come with little grilled sweet onions that go so good together with every bite of your taco! The Carne Asada Wet Burrito comes with enchilada sauce, I think, topped with melted cheese and Sour Cream. Soooo good and moist!!! Chicken Quesadilla was good but nothing out of the ordinary. Their Mango smoothie was soooo good but I don't think they make it anymore. Street parking with a small spot in the back. Give this hole in the wall a shot and you won't regret it! CASH ONLY UNFORTUNATELY. Too bad because they could have so much more business.

Wow these tacos remind me so much of those from Mexico City. They are absolutely no good tacos where I live so my husband and I have traveled 45 min to Richmond to have these. Their sopes are delicious too. I like their tacos al pastor, carnitas, and asada with a cup of agua de horchata. Their prices are reasonable too.

Overall my experience was unpleasant.. I ordered a shrimp burrito and a pineapple Agua Fresca. When they brought me my drink there was a small cockroach floating at the top of it. When I spoke to the manager he asked me if I wanted another instead of throwing out the entire batch and offering me a different drink. What's even more disturbing is the fact that I watched him serve that same batch to a different customer and that's when I got very angry and demanded that he throw out that batch because it's very unsanitary. The only reason I gave this place two stars is because the shrimp burrito I ordered was really good. Go here at your own risk.

Husband and his worker went there on Tuesday for lunch. They ended up sick with food poisoning. The worker went to the hospital he was so sick. Both had to miss work. PLEASE wash your hands, cooking stations & cooking utensils thoroughly!! It's too bad because they had liked the food but never going back now.

These are the best tacos al pastor I've had in the bay. Really fantastic tacos with cebollitas and grilled chiles. The tacos are made al vapor style, which adds to the mind-blowing flavor of the tacos. The other food is good too, but I have such a hard time not-ordering tacos al pastor when I go there.

This little shop is down the street from me. The food is soooo delicious! High quality, big portions and a great price! The super burritos are very tasty and filling! Great little restaurant!

What a great find! This place has the most tasty tacos ever. Parking is easy. The neighbourhoods kind of funky. Ask for extra boiled onions. They are delicious.

The only thing I've had here is the torta de jamon which means ham sandwhich - it was slammin! I'm half through my torta as I type and am already full. Comes fully loaded with healthy veggies, avacado, queso fresco, jalapenos, and all the other fixins'. This place also sells tostadas, banana splits, aguas frescas, nieves. The lady here told me that they're planning to get a frozen yogurt machine - I'm def. going back for that. So far this place is one my 23rd street favs.

Great Mexican food. I got the tacos dorados (4 fried tacos) for $6.00 at it was great. Cash only.