El Novillero Restaurant

I did not eat here. I waited 15min to be seated, but once the menu was provided I noticed lard is in all of their food items "to preserve the authentic taste". As someone who doesn't eat pork I was a little disappointed to find this out after 15min. The staff was not rude, but there's also nothing to praise there. The atmosphere seems to mimic a Mexican vibe but its a little dusty. Wish I could have tried them out.

The food was flavorful and large portioned. The service was spot on. This place is filled with family history and Mexican themed nostalgia.

The food came out extremely good, it tasted great and it looked even better. The staff was extremely friendly and attentive with all the guests. The plates came out extremely hot so I had to be careful, this is a remarkable good thing because I know it was made on the spot. The music is the best part because it goes in hand with the theme of the establishment. I would definitely recommend this place and I hope your experience is even better than mine. This is once again a certified Cpl Lopez review.

This restaurant came highly recommended. I found the staff to be friendly and helpful and the environment was pleasant. The food came hot and quick with Texas sized portions. With that said I will not return. The food was so salty that it was inedible. No one would have been able to tolerate the amount of salt in my Super Burrito. To the cooking staff I say one star and if I can do less I would🤮

Delicious Mexican Food at El Novillero We were in Sacramento visiting family during a scorching heatwave. No one was in the mood to venture out for lunch. With errands to run, we opted for takeout and discovered El Novillero online. Mexican food was a unanimous decision! El Novillero stood out on Franklin Boulevard, a bustling street known for its mix of established family businesses and a reputation for crime. Founded by the Davalos couple, Jose and Esperanza, the restaurant is a testament to their 54 years of success (celebrating their anniversary on July 6th this year!). Stepping inside, I was struck by the authentic decor. The floor tiles, photographs adorning the walls, and arched entryways to the dining area created a warm, inviting atmosphere. Indecisive about my order, I sought help from a friendly waiter, Jorge. Mentioning it was my first visit, and that I wasn't picky, I requested a "must-try" dish. Jorge, without hesitation, recommended a combination plate with two items, including rice and beans. We also ordered carnitas and chicken soup for a family member who wasn't feeling well. As we waited for our takeout, we observed a steady stream of families leaving, expressing their appreciation for the delicious lunch. Twenty minutes later, we were on our way home with a beautifully packed box. Once back, we eagerly dove into the food. Everything - and I mean everything - was bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection. El Novillero has become a must-visit for a full dine-in experience on our next trip. Next time, I'll come with an empty stomach to explore the menu further!

This is a great place to celebrate something with a lot of people. The food was terrific and the salsa was big hit, they couldn’t keep it on the table as we were devouring it. There are a lot of of things to look at in the restaurant. Restrooms were clean and tidy. The staff were on there game, they were wonderful. Make sure if you when a large party you make reservations as this place is popular.

best Mexican food I've ever had in Sacramento, HANDS DOWN. It's remained consistently good for my lifetime of going there, over 30 years. HUGE dining room areas, outdoor dining as well. Was so impressed with what they offered during the pandemic to help feed people and continue to sell food so they could stay in business. I love the combo plate with the chicken enchilada and chicken taco. BEST tacos in town, love the lil bit of sauce they put on the top...YUMMY! Prices may be a little high but the you get SO MUCH FOOD, it's at least 2 meals for me, sometimes 3! SO WORTH IT. Wish I was there now. Friendly staff, too. Lots of parking but because it's so busy, go early so you don't have to wait.

The food here is good. My only disappointment is that the same sauce is used for every dish, including enchiladas, tamales, and chile relleno. It would be wonderful to see both green and red sauces added to the menu to offer a different taste experience. On a positive note, the servers are very attentive when it comes to water, chips, and salsa refills. The ambiance is nice, with decor and layout that enhance the dining experience. Overall, this place is good, but I would appreciate more variety in the flavors.

At El Novillero, the portions are great, as well as the service. Even though everyone might not think about it, the majority of Mexican restaurants do use lard, so it's appreciated that they plaster this notice all across their menu. I opted to have the "create your own" three items with a quesadilla, chiles relleno, and enchilada. Everything was good, and the portion was large enough for me to have a couple more meals from it. Dimly lit, but nice atmosphere and décor.

Place does not have Apple Pay, sign should be more visible for customers to know before they sit down. Food was okay nothing special ..

I ordered the 3 item combo with a chile relleno, birria taco with crispy flour tortillia, and birria chimichanga. All of the items were delicious! Although this meal was expensive for $24, there was a lot of food. The chile relleno was delicious as it was topped with grilled veggies. The birria was very flavorful and tender. The flour tortillia chips were disappointing as they were not fried long enough so they were soft instead of crispy. Service was excellent and the staff were friendly. The cost of the menu items are on the pricier side, but the food is delicious.

I haven't been here in years. This was a restaurant that my family used to take me to when I was younger and let me say it never disappoints. The portions are still huge. The quality of the food is still amazing. I can say for me. This is the best Mexican restaurant in Sacramento. I always has been The flout tortilla chips. You have to get they do give you free corn tortilla chips, but you have to order the flower tortillas. I got an enchilada, a beef, taco and beans and rice. It was so delicious my friends and I couldn't even talk and don't even get me started on the delicious margaritas. We had The best service ! Top notch! Ambiance is like you stepped into another town to enjoy your favorite meal!There was a little bit of a weight because you cannot make a reservation but definitely worth the weight.

I'd been wanting to try El Novillero for a while, and it was definitely worth the wait. I visited on a Thursday night with my parents, and we were seated right away, which was a pleasant surprise. From the outside, the restaurant looks relatively small, but inside, it's massive, complete with an extra waiting area. I can imagine how crowded it gets during peak dinner times, but we got lucky! As soon as we sat down, we were served chips and salsa. I ordered the #24, which is their carnitas enchilada dinner. My dad went with the chili verde plate, and my mom opted for the two-item plate with a crispy taco and a soft taco. I really enjoyed my enchiladas, but the portions were so generous that I only managed to eat one. The carnitas were flavorful with a rich, lardy taste, and it's clear they're a specialty. However, I was a bit surprised that you can't choose your type of beans. My dad's chili verde was also excellent, but my mom thought the tacos were just okay. The chips were decent, though it was clear the oil used could've been fresher. The salsas were mild, which was nice for those who prefer less heat. The ambiance was warm and family-friendly, though the service was a bit slow. Our waiter seemed unsure about some of our questions regarding the spice level of the dishes but was helpful in the end. I'd definitely come back to explore more from their massive menu and enjoy another sit-down meal here.

I heard about El Novillero through a fellow yelp and we decided to eat here for dinner. I ordered the enchilada dinner and it was so delicious and the servings a huge you will definitely have a good amount of leftovers. The service was great the waiter answered all our questions. The interior is nice and the have plenty of seating. I will say it was a little bit of a wait but is well worth it. I have been back since this review and I highly recommend coming by and trying them out.

Great authentic Mexican food. Their dishes are plentiful and full of flavor because they don't cut corners. In fact, they note that they use lard in their refried beans. I ordered the beef enchiladas and my friend ordered the carnitas quesadilla plate. The servers are very efficient, and the food comes quickly. It's a family run business of which has grown from a small restaurant with so much business that they had to expand to accommodate a large and beautiful dining area, and still stays full. There is plenty of parking in a lot across the street, and a smaller lot behind the restaurant.

I love a classic spot with lots of local history, and this family restaurant has a ton of charm. But the food we tried REALLY didn't measure up, unfortunately. We've been to a somewhat similar establishment in Citrus Heights, which I would consider not excellent but solid, and El Novillero's food pales in comparison. The service was middle-of-the-road, as were the prices, so 3 stars is probably generous considering I won't be back.

Great, authentic Mexican food in a pleasant, sit down environment. Good value for money. You will likely be bringing home leftovers. Excellent service and piping hot food. Nice place to meet with a group. Definitely get the flour tortilla chips and excellent guacamole for an appetizer. The free chips and salsa are yummy also. Recommend the enchiladas (cheese or chicken), rice/beans and salad plate.

No reservations, and they close at 7PM now! They have their own fenced parking lot across the street if the one behind their restaurant is full. Got a booth, party of 4 around 5:45PM on a Wednesday evening. Must order the freshly-made basket of fluffy flour tortilla chips ($5.95 each basket) which are far superior to the default basket of corn tortilla chips and salsa provided. Note that they do cook most everything with lard; check the menu for specific vegetarian items though. I got the Choose 2 Items plate ($17.95), with a carnitas (their specialty) chimichanga (small) and a verde pork enchilada. Certain meats do have an upcharge, like ground beef. This comes with rice, refried beans and cheese, and shredded lettuce salad. I didn't get the pickle and olive garnishes like before, but did get the lone corn tortilla chip, guac, and sour cream. You can also ask for guac/sour cream on the side, extra rice sub for salad, etc. Because we started with not one but two baskets of flour tortillas, I could only finish one of my two items in that sitting. The verde pork enchilada was yummy...the chimi was leftovers to take home. Next time I might try the tamale, quesadilla, or crispy taco!

Ok first of all let me say this is the first time we have been to this place. When we were in South Carolina ( Myrtle beach ) we have a uber driver say his family is from this area and he loves the food here!! He said the carnitas were the best he's ever had!! And honestly I'm saying this also!' I've eaten Mexican food all the way from Cancun to Chico cal and this was the best!! I rarely give 5 stars the first time but everything about this place hit high marks!!' Service was excellent!! Jorge Garcia from tepa did a great job! Made us feel like family!!! Ambiance was excellent!! The place had a lot of family history and beautiful inside and out!! You need to come to this place!! It is worth the drive!! Guarantee to be a great experience!!i will put pics up so you can check it out!!! Thanks to everyone there and we will definitely be back again!!

Stopped by today after golf. Wasn't very busy so we were seated right away. Miguel was our waiter. He's the best, very mellow but don't let him fool you. He has a sense of humor. My brother was tipsy & spilled his beer so Miguel offered to get him a sippy cup LOL. I had a chile verde burrito & I loved it. Hubby & brother both had carnitas. Other brother had beef chicana. Everything came out hot & was very good. The restaurant is very big, with booths or tables. Clean bathrooms. Plenty of free parking too.

Took a drive from Richmond to my favorite mexican food rest. friend ordered soft chicken taco dinner & me 2 item gr. beef taco & cheese enchilada dinner w/side of guacamole everything was delicious except my taco barely had shredded cheese seems like they cut back on shredded cheese so I ask for extra & they didn't charge me. For food to go I ordered 2 item cheese and 2 item chicken/cheese enchilada dinner all was delicious as always. Worth the drive for real authentic tasting mexican food. Friendly staff always on time to replenish chips/water, etc.

Always consistent Mexican food. It's a south Sacramento institution. The fresh guacamole with fresh hot flour, tortilla chips are to die for. The staff has been there forever . Quality quick and efficient Service. Always filling drinks, chips and salsa before you even think to ask . Big full plates always more than you can finish .

El Novillero is my absolute favorite Mexican restaurant in the Sacramento area! I've been coming here since 1986 and the food is always consistently excellent! They have an extensive menu, but if you don't see what you want, just ask. Chances are, they can accommodate your needs. El Novillero is always full of smiling customers. The staff is friendly and the ambiance in the restaurant included music from the 70's on Valentine's Day 2025. My friend and I were vibing to the tunes, that for me were from my junior high and high school days. I usually orders the Carnitas Quesadilla dinner, but today I went with a yummy Chile Relleno. The pepper was soft and the cheese was melty. The authentic rice was yummy, too. I was add their homemade salsa before eating it. El Novillero has THE best refried beans I've ever had! No doubt the Manteca assists in making them so savory and umami. Although it was Valentines Day, the service was fast and friendly. We ordered their flour tortilla chips and each of us took home leftovers. Don't miss this South Sacramento gem! There's plenty of parking! What are you waiting for?

We came on a Sunday night, there were 3 of us. Chips weren't very good, salsa was okay. My husband's food came out a long time before ours, he sat and waited until ours came out-even though we told him to start eating. Ours came out and everything was good, but not "oh my gosh it's so great!" Plus, the waiting at the beginning was really uncomfortable and weird, they were not super busy, just mid busy. No offer for a drink or a discount off the check. Decorated inside nicely with holiday decorations still which were cute. It's been about fifteen years since I've been here, maybe this was why?

El Novillero is a South Sacramento staple. My family has been coming here for years and I always look forward to when we get to go! I usually get a 2 item combo--pictured are the chimichanga and burrito, but you genuinely can't go wrong with anything on their entire menu! Everything is great! I have absolutely no complaints about this place, the food is amazing and the staff is very kind and friendly.

We came in for brunch on a Saturday afternoon. We sat in a booth. We ordered a side order of nachos without meat it was more than enough for 4 people. They were excellent and I really liked that they had lettuce on the top which made everything crunchy. I ordered the parrillada platter with steak and shrimp, the meat had lots of flavor, I liked that the veggies also had zucchini on it that was great. The portions are huge. I could have shared mine but took leftovers home for dinner. The service was fast. Friendly waiter. The music was a little too loud but we sat a at booth which made it easier for our older parents to hear us better. My husband had a combo plate with a crunchy chicken taco that was packed with chicken and a chicana enchilada that had very flavorful and tender meat.

Love the authentic food here!! Highly recommend an order of the flour tortillas and the chimichangas, which come in a huge portion. There's two parking lots and plenty of seating, and I can see why it's always so crowded. I took home leftovers, which tasted good the next day!

The chicken tacos were delicious! Crispy, shredded chicken served with refried beans and rice. Come hungry because the portions are pretty large. Excellent service. In fact, each time I've been here, the service is efficient and friendly. This restaurant has a fun atmosphere and is decorated with photos and articles going back decades. Definitely worth trying if you haven't been here.

If you want real authentic, Mexican food, please make sure to stop by this restaurant. The food is absolutely amazing. Some of the best Carnitas I've ever had also, the crispy tacos, or with tender beef and wonderful spice, with a homemade crispy shell. The ambience is authentic and beautifully decorated. The surface is excellent great margaritas and a wide selection of beer. I definitely recommend.

Went to El Novillero for lunch with my husband. The restaurant was very nice! I ordered the chile rellenos and chicken taco.My husband ordered the tamale and enchiladas. The food was excellent! The chips and salsa were so delicious. Our waiter was so nice and very attentive.

The restaurant is lovely inside, with family photos and bull fighter decor. The service was outstanding: one waitress was devoted solely to making sure the baskets of chips were never empty, and the waiter was polite and attentive, anticipating needs before we even asked. The food was phenomenal - the chile verde was so tender and flavorful. We will definitely be back!

Came here on a Friday at 5:45pm and saw they have new hours and close at 7pm so don't come late or you're not having dinner here. They have an impressive selection of items to choose from most items can be made with your choice of meat but keep in mind carne asada here is going to be extra. You won't leave hungry that's for sure, free chips and salsa when you're seated and they constantly check on you . Can tell the servers here care about their customers and Turkey want to make sure you're taken care of. Everything here is made with lard, they want to keep the flavors real and authentic soo if you're trying to be healthy this night not be the best option. I ordered the make your own combo with choice of 3 items, but 2 would have made me full enough. I got the chimichanga, burrito and quesadilla. Food comes out piping hot and we only waited about 5 minutes from ordering until food arrived. Chimichanga was light and crispy and flaky. They don't fill it with a whole bunch of other ingredients besides the meat and guacamole. Soo if you're trying to get a deep fried burrito like most main stream places, this isn't it, but it's still delicious. The burrito here is not rust you would expect it was almost like a taco just meat and a bit of guacamole, and the quesadillas was basically the same as the burrito but with cheese. Flavors are good you will leave stuffed, just don't expect the food to have all the bells and whistles that you'd expect at a burrito or taco stand. Would come back for sure.

If you are from the bay area and miss El Burro from back in the day, this sis where you want to go. Amazing food with great service! Totally takes me back!

Who the hell closes their restaurant at 7 for dinner? Makes zero sense - do you want business for dinner or not?

I recently ate at El Novillero for an early dinner. Luckily we went early because it was so crowded! We didn't have to wait and got seated immediately. But when we were leaving, there must've been around 10+ people waiting for a table. This restaurant is a must try Sacramento restaurant, it's been family owned for 50+ years! It's rare to find gems like this. I ordered the Chimichanga grande with carnitas. The carnitas were perfectly cooked and sooo flavorful. The chimichanga came with rice and beans which was delicious as well. The waiters were so kind and helpful, they asked if we needed a water refill every 10 mins! We love the service here, and the amazing food is an extra cherry on top!

The parking lot is behind the restaurant and kind of small. So I normally just park in the lot across the street to save myself the hassle. The service is great, the food is great, and the ambiance is inviting. If you come in a group, or come alone (I've done both), you will be treated like a priority. Oh! That margaritas are on point!

The food was okay. I tried the chicken - it was a little on the dry side and could use more flavor. I usually prefer beef/carne asada tacos though so perhaps that had some influence. As far as the service, our server was not rude but there was a sense of urgency...when they were not busy or near closing time. Our server was just okay. Over all the customer service was not negative, but lacked warmth. That's the best way I can put it.

4 out of 4 of my Mexican coworkers said that this was the BEST, most authentic Mexican food that can be found in Sacramento. They were right! This gem of a place has been around for 53 years! My husband was delighted at how delicious and flavorful his chorizo and eggs were made. I loved my cheese enchiladas. Portion sizes are huge. The inside is unique, pretty, decorated with the owning family's memorabilia. I loved reading about the owner and his wife in the entrances wall. Wait time was short on a Friday night. Great for date night, large groups and family dinners. Prices are reasonable. Do note that they close early at 7:15pm. We will certainly be back for more!

This local staple has been consistently dishing out huge portions of traditional Mexican food since I was a kid. The staff is very friendly and the place has an old restaurante feel that is very unique nowadays. The fun starts off with delicious chips and salsa. I pour the salsa on everything I order. I usually get a 2 or 3 item combo plate just so I can try a few different things. There are so many good choices here and everything is solid. The enchiladas, tacos, and chimicangas are my go to. The plates come with a heavy serving of beans and rice. Most times we have a bunch of leftovers so that's a plus. A great place to have a meal with a group large or small. Definitely worth a try and make sure to check to see if they are open as they are not open too late.

ABSOLUTELY the BEST Mexican food we ever eaten in the Sacramento area. And we have tried many Mexican restaurants. The restaurant itself is incredible. Great ambiance, feel, look, and decor. The two story restaurant has the perfect look for large parties to meet up in. The service was FANTASTIC. The drinks top quality Then came the most DELICIOUS tasting Mexican food we've had. It tasted just like the homemade food Grandma would make. The plates were well stacked with this Amazing tasting food. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND El Novillero to EVERYONE

Ordered the Enchiladas Deluxe with carnival, Chile Colorado, and Chile Verde. The verdict: SO freaking good. The portion was huge and the beans were flavorful. The food was hot and tasted fresh. Came in right before they closed and the service was awesome, as I didn't feel rushed. Highly recommend for great Mexican food in Sacramento.

Caballero is better But this place is pretty good I would definitely go back And try more stuff

Met a group of friends here for dinner and didn't know what to expect because I hadn't eaten here in many years, primarily because their menu states they like to use lard. I prefer not to eat lard I don't care how good it tastes lol. Anyway I ordered the one item combo of a chili colorado enchilada, beans and rice, which the server said avoided the use of lard. Serving size was surprisingly large and the food was hot and quite tasty. Overall I enjoyed the food, service was fine and at $11.95 for my meal, felt it was reasonable. Other menu items seemed overpriced so just be careful how you order.

This is one of the best Mexican food restaurants I've ever been to, thank you to JORGE our server he was very kind and professional and had a big smile on his face the whole time! he recommended great plates for me and my fiancé. Thank you again Jorge!

The ambiance is very nice. The food portions were great but pricey, and they don't allow splitting a plate. I would rate the food taste as fair. I have tasted great food at Garabaldi's or Nueva Vallarta. This restaurant I believe caters to patrons that prefer less spicy food?

I used to come here all the time when I was in college so when I was in the area for a visit, I totally had to stop in. It was like a blast from the blast, (literally) and nothing really has changed except the area where there is water, they filled in with decor. But as for the food? One bite and whooosh... it brought back all the delicious memories I have of eating here. What I swallowed: * COMBO PLATE: 1 cheese enchilada, 1 chicken enchilada, 1 beef taco. I always used to mix the cheese and chicken enchilada and it was so yummy. It was like I was in enchilada heaven. Mind you, these enchiladas are to which all enchiladas in my life are measured so... just sayin'. *LEMONADE: Not too sweet, not to sour. Refreshing. As soon as we sat down, our server gave us our chips. He was super nice and after talking with him for a bit, he shared that he's been working there for a very long time, long enough that I think he may have served me back when I was eating there often during college (and that's a LOOOONG time ago). lol Great service, great food, El Novillero will always have my heart.

Did not like it ordered enchiladas and they gave me flour which I thought they should ask any way I wouldn't go back for that reason they are supposed to ask what type of tortillas you prefer and they didn't so

This place is a historic restaurant that caters to many Sacramento locals. Generally very consistent with their entrees. probably the worst item in their menu is the chips and salsa that arrived on your table. very mediocre. But let's judge this place for their cuisine. They are very proud their entrees are prepared with lard. Yes, that rendered animal by-product that adds so much flavor. So what did we order: 1) chili verde: large serving of very tender pieces of pork in a flavorful sauce. Just a hint of spiciness. the rice and beans are also very good especially the beans which were probably made with lard. very hearty dish that also comes with flour or corn tortillas-but no longer home made. 2) 3 item combo: 2 homemade pork tamales with tender pork filling wrapped in a very moist flavorful masa. What helps these tamales is the homemade tamale sauce. yum yum yum. The accompanying beef quesadilla is also very flavorful with ground beef and cheese and grilled on a flat top. another tasty item The food here is very good. But i also sense my arteries are clogging after having this meal. Be prepared for taking food home because the portions are large.

Huge servings, Generous portions We don't come to this side of town often so this was our first time dining here at El Novillero. We had just finished attending an event nearby and I saw this restaurant on the corner of Franklin Blvd and 18th Avenue. We had an early dinner on a late Sunday afternoon. We ordered the Super Burrito (chicken) and luckily we only ordered this one dish because the burrito was muy grande!!! Hubby and I split it and my half was just right for me. The generous serving came with Guac, sour cream and salad (w/ slices of pickles?). Lots of sauce with melted cheese! The chicken was shredded. While the burrito wasn't bad it didn't appeal to me that much. It had lots of chunks of tomato and slivers of onion. I've never had a burrito made this way. For this I didn't enjoy it. The restaurant was busy. Service was okay, not too friendly. There was some wait time but not too bad. We were seated in a booth and on our way out I noticed the beautiful staircase in the main dining room. The next time we're back in South Sac we will give this restaurant another try because I wasn't impressed with this super burrito. Lots of parking on the side of the restaurant and across the street (18th Avenue) Review #2984

What fun this place is! If you want authentic experience and food come to El Novillero! The carnitas is what they are known for and boy, it was the best I've had. Talk about lots of food! A full plate will help with leftovers at home. Decor is spot on and menu has something for everyone. I will be back, and bring a friend .

Best traditional Mexican food! And portions bigger than your head lol the vibe is so on point... we always come here for special occasions because it's not super close to us, otherwise we would be here every weekend lol

I know a restaurant hate to see our family coming We went to dinner for my mother in laws birthday and it was 20 of us. This was the first time in YEARS we had no issues. The service was AMAZING the food was good.. Our waiter Miguel really did an amazing job. He was so helpful, patient, and tentative.

No vegan options. Menu notes everything is cooked in lard. When I asked waiter if there was any vegan, he only knew vegetarian items and also confused the two. Went for a family dinner and they liked it. But due to the zero vegan options and waiter who was not very nice by telling me their vegetarian dishes were vegan and made comments under his breath after each person ordered, rate is lowered.

The salsa here is addicting, I had not been here for so long. My wife and I went for lunch, the team working, was all very nice. The restaurant is authentic, and it looks like you are in Mexico. Our waiter was exceptional, I did not get his name, but he was amazing. He was very nice to our daughter. I ordered the cheese enchiladas. My wife ordered the crispy tacos. Both plates came out fast and hot. The food was so delicious and fresh, we loved both dishes. We put this restaurant back in our rotation because it was so good.

Food is fabulous! I ordered the two chicken enchiladas, amazing flavors! The service very polite and friendly. Beautiful restaurant! I will definitely come back! The food are large plates you can bring some home too!

By far the best Mexican food I have had in years always heard about this place. Wanted to try it. Glad I did. I would highly recommend service was wonderful. People are super nice. Food is fantastic.

Food was really good authentic taste. I ordered a quesadilla with Carnitas. It was really good I don't recommend coming for drinks if thats what you want because they have no bar. Great overall