Mendez Restaurant

I’ve been coming to this hidden gem for years, and I think it’s finally time to let visitors to Pasadena in on the secret: the food here is absolutely delicious! 😋 Everything on the menu is good, but my go-to is always the barbacoa con consomé. Every now and then, I treat myself to a bowl of their menudo — and let me tell you, it’s the best I’ve ever had. It’s clean, flavorful, and you can taste the love that goes into making it. The spot is located inside a liquor store, which might throw some people off, but don’t be intimidated — it’s completely safe and welcoming. There are about four tables if you’d like to dine in, but I usually grab my order to go. They don’t sell drinks themselves, but the liquor store has everything you need. I highly recommend this place to anyone craving authentic, homemade flavors. Just make sure to call ahead for store hours and to confirm they have what you're craving that day.

Love the barbacoa and consomé. A little hole in the wall inside a liquor store. Fast service and delicious food that melts in your mouth. Underrated gem in Pasadena.

IYKYK kind of place! This gem is hidden inside a liquor store and serves a great birria and consomé. That’s what I usually go for. They also offer other Mexican breakfast options like chilaquiles and huevos rancheros. Mom and pop vibes for sure.

The birria is so juicy and tender. The soup was so flavorful yet felt light and fresh with the cilantro added in there. The folks behind the counter was very generous and kind. Will be back!

Best menudo in Pasadena. I always get it to go and add hominy at home, the way I like it.

The sort of hole in the wall you kind of dream of finding, Mendez Restaurant occupies the back corner of Super Liquor with just a counter and a few tables. They have a limited menu of breakfast items, tacos, chilaquiles, menudo, but what they specialize in is Barbacoa, slow cooked lamb served with consomé (broth) plus salsa and tortillas. Recommend the chilaquiles and barbacoa combo plate.

Barbacoa and Menudo are heavenly, I know this place for about 15 years and haven't try any other than Barbacoa and Menudo because I'm still loving these 2. It's great, like no other places...

Little hole in the wall best birria de barbacoa ...I recommend it. Get take out.

Still a pretty tasty spot. Not always consistent though. Sometimes too much rice in the burrito. My main gripes are they could take things to the next level with homemade tortillas rather than manufactured (as others observe). Especially since the barbacoa is good...Manufactured just doesn't do it justice. My other gripe is last time we went, we ordered consome and for that price we expected a bit of meat (got none) rather than just a bowl of watery consome by itself.

Please note Yelp's listed business hours is incorrect, the correct hours of the Restaurant are. Mon - Thur 8:00AM - 2:00PM Fri - 8:00AM - 3:00PM Sat - Sun - 7:00AM - 3:00PM Have I found a hidden gem? I've driven up and down Orange Grove Blvd HUNDRADS of times and never knew Mendez Restaurant was there until today, it was a HOT day and I was thirsty so I saw "Super Liquor" and decided to stop in and grab some water, what do I find inside of this Liquor store tucked away in a back corner.... Mendez Restaurant. Restaurant might be a stretch they have two tables and a few chairs, but a pretty decent menu including Barbacoa de Borrego! I ordered food to go. Tacos ($2.25) https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/mendez-restaurant-pasadena-2?select=TCuPUaEoJII0Zt05Ev3KnQ Asada https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/mendez-restaurant-pasadena-2?select=uc6k2ooKqj43aAkgph66Ag Nice lean and tender beef, but lacking in flavor, it was most likely cooked on a flat-top grill and not well seasoned, corn tortillas fresh but out of a bag. 3-Stars Al Pastor https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/mendez-restaurant-pasadena-2?select=oxMrCTo_pa88EUsV0wmuMQ Another taco that was just ok, not bad just not the bold flavor you should have with al pastor. 3.5-Stars Torta Barbacoa de Borrego ($9.00) https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/mendez-restaurant-pasadena-2?select=x4glqudTC3Wl21NWm7WqIQ Look at the size of that Telera roll, not only is it big, it's soft and fresh, filled with plenty of Barbacoa de Borrego "Lamb" Beans, Lettuce, Tomato, Jalapenos https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/mendez-restaurant-pasadena-2?select=fQlu9sEbai_yjIAjJZdC1Q fantastic torta. 5-Stars

Man oh man is the lamb barbacoa good!! Neighborhood is a little rough, but don't let that scare you away. This place is legit, family run.

Really good Barbacoa tacos! Great service, super hospitable (brought over some spicy chiles halfway through my meal since I said I liked spicy food), and unique set up with the shared space. Will definitely be back again!