Jalisco Cocina Mexicana

Had a great dinner here! Started off with delicious homemade chips and salsa and very attentive service. Loved that they had vegetarian options and the food was fresh and super flavorful. The service coupled with value made this a 5-star experience!

The place is pretty. Yes very Instagram-ish. Located on King street makes this place popular. The food was okay, like others said the food looks pretty good! My breakfast burrito was cooked well but could have used just a pitch of flavor. It was cold inside, the server was also a little indifferent. This was our second time there- we want to like it, but it’s missing flavor and warmth ❤️✌🏽both figuratively and literally. The rice was good 😊 hence the four stars ✨

Tacos and drinks were both superb. Big portion of food and the drinks weren't watered down. Every time I visit the city I'll drop by this place. It was kind of hard to find via Google maps, but it's right across from The Majestic theater. I sat outside (five tables) and enjoyed a nice evening. Staff was fabulous.

This was a true downtown Madison experience! A little small and not super fancy but the food and service were top tier! Best mole I have ever had and the owners mom still makes it! Queso was so unique and yummy! Chicken Mole and 3 taco meal so amazingly delicious! The fish taco is a new obsession! Prickly pear margaritas were really tasty! Even the fried ice cream had special touches that make it special! A must go to and definitely make a reservation.

The food was amazing, and I highly recommend the shrimp tacos! The margaritas were too sweet, but refreshing! If I had to be picky, the chips weren't warm, but the salsa was great!!

We came here on a whim after looking around downtown Madison for somewhere to eat that wasn't absolutely packed, and we were very happily surprised!! The food came out hot and delicious, the staff was very kind as well. I ordered the 3 taco combo with the pastor option and it was fantastic!!

As others have said food and service both top tier. And the biggest margarita jug I have ever seen in my life. Really creative plating of all their food. The burritos, chimichanga, and salads were all to die for. And the beans and rice which we all know sometimes nobody wants to eat were both delicious. Will definitely return!!

Delicious Baja fish tacos and shrimp tacos! Yummy refried beans with epazote flavor and good Mexican rice. Didn't order drinks. The service was fast and nice! I ate outside so not really sure about the atmosphere

Best Mexican food in madison, visit weekly! Friendly staff and quick at lunch most times

This was a tough one to decide on the stars. BLUF - my food/drink rating is a 5 and my experience/service rating is a 1. And thus the three stars. So, I came here on a weekday with a group of 6. I was the first one to get there and we were very early in the afternoon, like maybe 4pm. The place was empty except for one table of 3. That table of 3 was SO LOUD that I could barely hear myself think. And then they ordered shots and were constantly walking between the bar and their table. This started my experience on a low. Then the service was very intermittent. The place is small, and while they did start to get really busy as the evening went on, nobody ever checked on us. We all ran out of water a good way through and it took until we got our check (which was also a challenging thing to get from anyone) to finally get some more. They also must share a wall with Maduro the cigar bar, as we all started smelling what smelled like cigarette smoke (not even cigar smoke smelling) and asked staff about it. They said that they're near a cigar bar so sometimes smoke just comes through the vents. I have been to multiple restaurants within this building complex and never had that problem. So, my experience was really not great and I actually couldn't wait to leave. I never want to sit at a table at this place again. That said, my mezcal margarita and my al pastor tacos were DELICIOUS!!!! The drinks were nice sized for the price, and the tacos were overflowing with the meat and not just random filler. These are some of the best tacos and margs I've had in Madison in quite some time. If driving downtown for takeout wasn't a horrific thought, I would definitely come in here for takeout because everything is yummy. Overall, I'd say give them a go and judge the experience for yourself, and at least you'll have tasty food and drink.

Delicious tacos!!! Wish there was a little more flavor in the meat itself, but the birria taco sauce was really good anyways. Service was friendly and fast.

We decided to try Jalisco while in the area for a show at the Majestic. We sat outside, which was a great location to watch the line at the venue before doors opened. We made a reservation for early Saturday night through their online system and were sat right away. On Saturdays they have a happy hour until 5. We ordered 2 rounds of drinks at 4:40 ish and only one of the rounds was charged at happy hour price. I wish we could have had the happy hour price but didn't want to complain. The drinks were really good, the Paloma was my favorite. We started with the guacamole which we also really liked. Super flavorful and had lots of tomatoes. For entrees we had the shrimp tacos and chicken mole. The shrimp tacos were so good. Shrimp was cooked perfectly and the mango added a fresh, sweet taste. The chicken mole was not as good. The mole itself didn't have a ton of flavor and was a little bitter. The chicken seemed greyed out / overcooked and just overall not fresh. Would probably try something else if I came back. I thought the portion sizes were generous. Lastly, the way they handled payment was a little odd. When we got the first bill (before giving our card) the total was 56.31. Then after the staff came back with the card they charged it for 70.31. I understand if maybe the first bill was missing an item, but I think there should have been some explanation or notice of the extra charge when they took my card. I would have preferred a corrected receipt prior to providing payment.

Cozy spot on King Street with lots of seating. Cool decor, kinda dark with little lighting but depending on the occasion that can be nice! Great service & really good tacos!

Wow!! I stopped her for lunch with a friend based on her recommendation. I don't normally work downtown so I didn't know about this gem! It's decorated beautifully and has a great ambience. As others have stated it's a little dark for a lunch but not unbearable. The neon taco sign is a cute touch. Our server was super friendly. We were seated quickly with chips, checked in on frequently, and had an overall great experience. The food: WOW. The best fish tacos I've ever had. They were soooo fresh and juicy. The salsa verde is a must try!! All the salsas were great but this was top notch. My friend got a burrito and it was HUGE. Enough for two meals or to split. So happy to have found a New Mexican restaurant on the square! I'll have to come back after work hours to try a margarita!!

Cute little place tucked away in downtown madtown. Youthful vibrant and hip. We just stopped in for an 'appetizer marg' before heading to dinner. The service was good, the vibe was great, the bar was small, and the marg was OK. We did not try the food on this visit, but it looked good. We'll come back another time to see if the margs are more than OK and if the food is as good as it looks.

This place was surprisingly quiet for Sunday brunch with lots of open tables. The chilaquiles and juevos rancheros were delicious. The salsa and sauces had great flavor. Service was good (attentive, fast).

Great service, good food, and a welcoming atmosphere. Highly recommended. We stopped in after 6:30 on a Tuesday evening with a group of 8 and were seated quickly. The meals were cooked well and the portions were reasonable to large. Drinks were good as well

The servers were very friendly and helpful and kind to the kids. The food was all flavorful and delicious, including the sauces. The mocktail our table ordered was yummy and cute. Would return!

Easily the best Mexican restaurant in Madison! Convenient location and the food comes extremely quickly. I've had these birria tacos a number of times now and they never disappoint. Great flavor and the consumme is to die for! They also have great drinks and friendly servers !

In Madison, WI for a conference and stopped here for dinner. I am so glad I did. The food was absolutely amazing. The bartender and server were amazing as well. I was very pleased with the presentation of the ceviche. The restaurant is not that big but was not overall crowded. I highly recommend giving it a try.

Good food. Nice atmosphere. Tasty strawberry margaritas. Inside is nice. Plenty of outdoor seating. Good place to

Jalisco is a cute spot on King Street, just a short walk from the Capitol building. It's kind of dark inside, but we sat up front by the very Instagrammable "Feed me tacos and tell me I'm pretty" sign. You get free chips and salsa which is a win in my book. I ordered the jamaica aguas frescas. It was tasty but a little too sweet for me. We went on a Tuesday which offered $5 margaritas and $3 a la carte tacos. Unfortunately, the vegan cauliflower tacos did not qualify for that deal. So I got the $15 vegan cauliflower plate (2 tacos with rice/beans). They were pretty tasty, but a touch expensive. I appreciate any delicious and clearly labeled vegan dish, but I would love to see a couple more! Service was speedy and attentive enough.

Food was just excellent. I sat at the bar, service was outstanding. Margaritas were good. place has a very cool vibe. very authentic food, highly recommended. had the enchilada de mole!

Just hit this place last night as a walk in. Ordered to go order and it was done in less than 5 min. Great food with an upscale Latin feel. Great experience

We're all San Diego locals and loved the food. Top picks were the cochinita pibil and the enchiladas with mole sauce. Service was great and the decor was cute.

Visited Madison for the first time, and had the best birria tacos I have ever had! It came out so quick, and thankfully the tortillas were crisp and not soggy which sometimes happens with these types of tacos because of the consome. The meat was good, and the consome was flavorful as well. The prickly pear margarita was also good, and I added Jalepeño's for a little bit of spice. The service was quick, and our waitress was so nice. She did a great job too with splitting the checks since we were a bit difficult having to split things up as well! The restaurant is small and dimly lit on the inside, which was nice. I would come back if I came back to Madison!

This place is amazing !! Great food and the staff is amazing!! Do yourself a favor and stop by!!

No go on the drinks. Los cantaritos están feos. Stopped in for a Cantarito and it was the most disappointing one I've ever had. The orange juice tasted spoiled, there was no grapefruit soda added and barely any tequila. No mmn....

Wonderful food, excellent unique drink and service was fantastic! Will definitely come back!

This is definitely the best Mexican restaurant in Madison! I've been here a few times and this place never ceases to amaze me. The service is very hospitable and the restaurant is very clean and nice. I had the fish tacos last time and they were absolutely phenomenal. I have been craving them since and I want to go back just for the fish tacos. Highly recommend this place.

We were not impressed with the food or service here. We came in on a very slow day, and still received very little service from our waitress. The food seemed like low quality bar food. The tortilla chips tasted like cheap out of bag type. I also had the fish tacos which seemed like a microwaved fish stick. Will not go back. Too many other good options in the area.

Th staff we as so friendly and the food delicious! Try the mole'!! The drinks and salsa top notch, too.

Colleagues took me here for a birthday lunch, and they knocked it out of the park! Delicious food, fast enough to meet the needs for downtown workers to get lunch done within an hour, but not fast-food quality. I had the Cali Burrito wet, meaning sauce and cheese on the outside. Was it authentic Mexican? Of course not. Was it absolutely delicious? Yep! Had a choice to add a mild green or a spicy red sauce on the side. Both were delicious. While the spicy was not mind-blowing my hot, it had a nice kick and delicious flavor. Had a bite of the birria tacos, and they were delicious. I was unaware they knew it was my birthday, and they came out with free piping hot, delicious churros, but (thankfully) no songs or sparklers. Definitely will go back to try more of the menu.

We stumbled on this gem when walking down King St. downtown a few weeks. The chips for the chips and salas were a bit too thick but we loved the salsa. I ordered the Mar Y Tierra Burrito which was gigantic and delicious. The shrimp tasted fresh and overall had great flavor! I do wish the margaritas were in bigger glasses (small rocks glasses) but they too were tasty. We will definitely be back as there were other things we wanted to try. The service was amazing and we sat outside.

Consdering they are relatively, Jalisco is off to a decent start. Attentive staff. Wide selection of cocktails and food options. Their Queso Fundido needs some work. Lack of creaminess made it very difficult to dip our chips into. Birria stew was above average but their $2 charge for extra corn tortillas was a little off. Shrimp tacos were on point. Definitely will be back. Question that needs tk be answered: With 4 mexican restaurants within a quarter mile, what will make Jalisco rise above the fray?

Amazing staff, salsa, and drinks!! Cute atmosphere as well. Rosie the bartender rocked. I'll def be back l!

Very pleased with this spot! The inside of this restaurant is gorgeous, especially the cute sign "feed me tacos & tell me I'm pretty" perfect photo op! The staff was very pleasant and food came out very quick. I made reservations but didn't need them at the time.. but soon after it filled up quickly. Special mention to the shrimp ceviche that is so large it could be your whole meal. Definitely check this place out if you are downtown!!

Having just moved from LA to Madison, we have been looking for good Mexican food and came upon Jalisco Cocina and wow! We have found our new go to legit Mexican food spot in Madison! Great food, service and drinks with super friendly staff. Starting with really good salsa and chips, had the queso fundido that is very flavorful and authentic. Then ordered the chilaquiles with salsa verde that was just spicy enough and my wife had the mollete which was delicious! Even our kids have come already twice and love the quesadillas and agua de Jamaica that tastes like we are in Guadalajara! Great atmosphere with modern decor and a cool front window area of tables for people watching. This will be the one restaurant we say when people ask us about the best Mexican restaurant in the city!

Update: Last time I went there again I was blown away with the California burrito after just getting back from visiting family in San Diego. I mentioned this to the waiter and he brought over Brooke, the owner. She said she is from California from a town close to where I'm from, and she lived in San Diego with her husband for a period of time. Her husband is from Jalisco, and they wanted to bring authentic Mexican food to Madison. I was blown away by her hospitality and pride to bring amazing Mexican food to Madison. This place is my #1 spot for Mexican food that I've had in Wisconsin. It's as legit as you can get.

We went here for an early dinner on a Tuesday. We were seated promptly and the food was phenomenal. The staff were friendly. The interior could use some elevation if that is something you are looking for in your dining experience but I personally don't pay attention to that much.

Love this new addition to King Street! Service was friendly and efficient. The Spicy Pineapple Margaritas are sooo good! The guac was fresh and flavorful, the Queso Fundido was thick and stringy and great when wrapped in the warm tortillas and dipped in the salsa provided with the complimentary chips.I had the taco combo. I opted for a chorizo, a grilled shrimp, and fish taco. The grilled shrimp was my fav but all were extremely good, full of flavor and full of filling and toppings! My husband opted for the chimichanga with chicken which was beautifully presented and more than he could eat! We will be back! We live just a few blocks away and with several Mexican restaurants downtown, this place is the standout for us!

We discovered and enjoyed dining here, yesterday. I ordered the Mar Y Tierra (surf & turf) Burrito which was delicious. Although a little light on the shrimp. My partner got the Classic Taco Combo, which he enjoyed. Along with the food, service was great! Definitely plan to return.

I came here Friday night for dinner with my boyfriend. We ordered the Queso Fundido - super tasty and the cheese pull was insane but we wished it was a bit thinner to more easily dip the chips. Conversely, I wished the salsa was a bit thicker, but it still tasted good. I had the classic taco combo with chicken, chorizo and pastor tacos. All were good but the chorizo was my favorite! I also really enjoyed the rice. My boyfriend had the Quesa Taco Combo and enjoyed it. We also had the margaritas which were great. The inside of the restaurant is very cute - loved the little area by the front windows. Staff was attentive and friendly. Overall, our first impression of this newly opened restaurant was great! Looking forward to coming back to try their brunch

We dine out frequently around Madison and enjoy Mexican food. We've found plenty of good options, but Jalisco Cocina is next-level. The margaritas, taquitos, birrio tacos and chimichanga were all superb. And the service was friendly and efficient. We will definitely return!

Food was flavorful & fresh. The house margarita was on special and was really good too. The ambiance was great, our service was super quick and attentive. Only thing is I wish the bathroom was a cleaner - but overall highly recommend.

Guac was fantastic, salsa was OK. Really attentive server. I got the Barbacoa Con Consume and it was fantastic.

Madison is fortunate to have this tasty option for Mexican food and margaritas that hit the spot. I recommend the Barbacoa Con Consume or the Campachano tacos.

I stopped in with a friend about 2 weeks ago because I had been really excited to find a good taco place. It was a very slow day, only two tables were there when we arrived. We were seated and given menus and waited for over 20 minutes, but no one ever came to bring water or ask to take our order. Another table came in around the 10 minute mark and was seated right beside us, brought water & chips, drinks came, and food orders were taken, but no one even looked at us. We finally just left because we had places to be. Very upsetting as it looked very cute and we were excited to try it out.

Good service, Celia the GOAT. Food is well worth the price. The restaurant is nice as well.

Delicious new addition to downtown food scene. Reasonably priced , well seasoned and presented authentic tacos and Mexican flavors . Our sever Drew was an absolute gem. Kind, prompt and checked on us several times. We had the shrimp ceviche which was refreshing , flavorful and beautiful . Great portion size too. We had steak and chicken tacos - both cooked well, good cuts of meat and not greasy . Highly recommend !!!

loved our meal at jalisco! i got the vegetarian fajitas and they had great flavor and the sides were amazing. salsa was a big thin but still good. the service was very fast and the restaurant itself is super cute. confused why this place only had like 3 people dining in when every other restaurant had 2 hour waits--very underrated

All of the food was absolutely amazing!! Our group had the Birria tacos, the surf and turf burrito and the trio fajitas. We also had the queso fundido and ceviche for appetizers. Unbelievably delicious!! We will be back!

Everything about my first visit was amazing! All tacos were great and hard to pick a fave... Tre leches is always a must

Full disclosure: we left here before eating, so cannot comment on the food. We arrived and were seated and promptly given chips and salsa, and that's where the positives end. We were sitting there for 15 minutes and no one even brought us water. When someone finally came to our table, they asked us if we were waiting for food, even though our menus were still on the table and we had no drinks, so obviously hadn't ordered. I told him he was the first person we had even talked to, and he then told us our server (not him) was super busy (???!!), but he could take our drink order. We ordered drinks, waited another 10-15 minutes and overheard the tables behind us and next to us both complain that they had been waiting an HOUR and still not received their drinks. At that point, we just left as it was clear things were only going to get worse, not better! Hope they can get things together, as the food that was going out to other tables did look pretty good!

Well, too Americanized "Mexican food ". Mile sauce ok, but the lack of the proper cooking time gave us heartburn. The "cochinita pibill tacos" were soggy, greasy, and poor in anando seeds [achiote] flavor. Black beans ok,and rice too garliky. The tortillas for the enchiladas needed to be fried, once fried they needed to be bathed in the mile sauce [ none of these in the restaurant enchiladas], it was also a mess between chiken and melted cheese inside of the enchilada. There was no crumbled cheese on the top, as the menu says. Many misspelled words in the menu. So after paying more than 40 dlls for a dinner that we barely touched, there was not a good food experience for us (Mexicans). If you want real Mexican flavor food. Go to Taqueria Guadalajara, La Rosita, El Pastor , El Jalapeño. Other wise for the convenience of the location, and for non Mexicans; the food will be ok.