Mi Nidito Restaurant

Mi Nidito Restaurant in Tucson has garnered significant attention over the years, likely due to its history and visits from notable figures. However, my recent experience left me feeling that the establishment is somewhat overrated. Upon arrival, I encountered a substantial wait time, which seemed disproportionate to the dining experience that followed. The service was average; while the staff was courteous, there was nothing particularly remarkable about their attentiveness or efficiency. The food, though decent, didn’t stand out in Tucson’s vibrant Mexican culinary scene. Given the long wait and the average service, I expected a more memorable meal. In summary, while Mi Nidito holds a cherished place in Tucson’s dining history, my visit was just satisfactory, and I believe there are other local spots that offer a more exceptional experience.

There’s likely a wait, but it’s going to be okay, put a drink in your cooler and prepare for the most delicious Mexican food!! This place is awesome! It took a while for the food, so bring company or be able to relax… it’s worth it 🤘🏽 The chips and salsa are top notch and chicken enchiladas are amazing heaven.

Located in South Tucson, this restaurant is famous for entertaining President Clinton during his visit in 1999--they even named a plate for him and you can see pictures commemorating the occasion throughout the dining area. The food is reasonably priced and authentic, special mention for the bean tostada which is actually closer to a bean boat and well worth ordering! They offer complimentary chips and salsa while you're waiting for your food and the whole restaurant has a down home feel to it, very enjoyable. Would be nice for a date night! They haven't updated their website recently and the prices have increased slightly but still worth a visit!

I've always loved the flautas here but today the flavor of the meat was off. I'm not sure if they added a spice like anise or if it burned or what but it wasn't good. The beans were great though.

Got there around 5 on a Wednesday. I was told it would be between 20 and 30 mins but turned into 40 mins or so. The waitress was nice and wanted to get my order less than a minute after giving me the menu. The salsa with the chips was tasty but very tomato forward. It was spicy but not intolerable. It made me think of bolognese sauce which was spicy after the inital strong tomato flavor. Their chips were fine, not memorable, either way, not bad, not exceptional, but forgettable. The michelada was very good. It came out quickly and had a good mix of beer to clamato (or whatever they used, not sure, but it was definitely tasty). I would return for one if nothing else. Onto the food: I ordered the President's plate. It consisted of a beef tamal, chicken enchilada, chile relleno, birria taco and bean tosada. The beef tamal by itself was awesome.  The shredded beef was great and the corn in the tamal came through in a lovely way.  The sauce complimented and did not distract from the other flavors. I think I would order a few of these separately on a return visit. The chicken in the enchilada was shredded and was well seasoned. It had a ton of flavor but was just a little dry. The chile relleno was very tasty. It was another highlight of the plate. The chile was stuffed of tasty cheese, and the batter was very good. However, I would've preferred less cheese on the outside of the chile to enjoy the batter more. The birria taco was full of meat and cheese. It was a taco durado, with lettuce, two kinds of cheese and beef. Be sure to eat that first, as the bottom of the taco will become soggy if you wait too long. It was tasty. It was what you'd come to expect of a good taco durado. With it being a birria taco, I would've appreciated some consome to go with it. The bean tostada suffered from the same problem as the taco, the bottom got soggy because of the order in which I ate it. However, the tortilla was nice and crunchy and was fashioned in a way that resembled a dish, not a flat tortilla. It was filled with very good refried beans, lettuce and two kinds of cheese. It was difficult to eat, in that it was a bit messy. There seemed to be many locals here, as they greeted staff like family, which was nice to see.  A family celebrating a graduation walked by, the doctorate student proudly walking as they exited, all smiles. The waitress was very attentive, especially, given the restaurant didn't seem to have too many wait staff and quite a few patrons. Mi Nidito is not a tourist trap but a fine place to get a delicious meal and I cant wait to return.

Great food, quick service even though they were busy. It's cool to see all the pictures of famous people that have visited throughout the years.

It was so so. The food was not what it seems to be. We were charged extra for the non spicy salsa. Margarita had very little to no alcohol AND it wasn’t good at all. Couldn’t taste the flavor and never mind the alcohol. Glad we tried it but will not be coming back! Food was not cheap.

The place is good. Food tastes like home cooking food. I got the presidential plate to try a little of something. Tamales are really good. I am not a big fan of restaurant tamales. But this was really good. The chicken enchilada was delicious. The hard tacos were really good. Chile relleño was outstanding. Flour tortillas were really good. The only thing is the wait is long and they keep saying twenty minutes for everyone but it's not. Beside that it's a good place to eat authentic Mexican food.

I love enchiladas. I live for it and it's my go to order and my benchmark as to whether the restaurant is good or not. I mean, the sauce, the tortilla - is it homemade, the chicken and cheese mix, is there salad? It's a delicate balance to get it all right and get it all delicious on a plate. Well I can tell you, I really really like the enchiladas here. It's almost perfect. If there was just more sauce it would be perfect. Parking is relatively easy but I was scared by the homeless man who approached me. I ended up giving him my leftovers, but scared nonetheless.

On my third attempt here I didn't have to wait over an hour. It was a Sunday evening on a long weekend and we wait 20 min. I spent the time looking at all the celebrities on the walls. Their biggest celebrity is former President Bill Clinton. There is a presidential table marked where you large party can sit too. The ambiance is great here. Colorful art snd tiles on the walls. Definitely had a great Mexican vibe going on. After being seated we got our chips but no salsa. I found that strange. I was using a bottle of hot sauce on the table which is a bit of foreshadowing. A short time later our waitress came out. She noticed the missing salsa and got some for us. We had questions on the menu about if dishes came with beans and rice. She answered what you see odd what you get. I can see she was tired and overworked probably, so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. She did provide great service filling up our water and replenishing our chips. Note: that you only get one refill on chips before they charge you $0.75. I ordered the three chicken enchiladas and was able to get my request for half green and half red sauce accommodated. My friend really wanted a burrito with avocado and beans and she was able to do that request. The food didn't take that long before it arrive, but the problem was mostly with the food itself. My enchiladas were bland. Moist, but bland. I had to dump the bottle of their Trappeys hot sauce to give it some flavor. My friend's burrito had beans in it but it was so dry. I've had better tasting food at other restaurants unfortunately and this place, I'm told, is the best. There used to be also a 3% service charge on the bill which I couldn't figure out. It wasn't a big deal but no idea why it was there. We were only a party of two and didn't split any dishes. Weird. A side note, if you pay in cash, then you save a 3% credit card processing fee. Oh and parking is always a problem here. I've had to wait for someone to leave. There is nowhere else to park.

Rich in history going 72 years strong with the original family selling this cute place in February of 2024. The food was classic Mexican food with no frills here. You wont find many regional dishes here. Just the basics to keep it simple and good. Love the ambiance with lots of character and soul reflected through the years. The service was fast and efficient. Before a U of A game this is Wildcat country no doubt! I like it. But I didn't fall in love with the place. It's not you El Nidito it's me . But this is a place you owe yourself to visit just to know "Slick Willy" had a mucho hambre grande el presidente VIVA plató ! Si señor !

While attending Tucson Navy Week, it was recommended that I visit Mi Nidito, and it did not disappoint. Typically reservations are not allowed, however, the restaurant went out of their way to make accommodations for my group at the request of an amazing colleague. The food was absolutely delicious! I enjoyed the chicken enchiladas with the green sauce. I would say that the only downside would be that I couldn't finish it all! Great service, great food, and an overall excellent experience here in Tucson! Highly recommend!

Food and service was excellent! The amount of flavor and effort on these dishes is fantastic. We had the enchiladas and my favorite the barrio tacos!! Highly recommend you give these a try! Mi Niidito never disappoints only delivers!! Love this place

Here in Tucson for a medical conference and this place was recommended by a friend as it was made famous by former President Bill Clinton's visit where one of their specialties bears his name on the menu. This place did no disappoint at all. Love the vibe of this place but the food was legit. Got the beef soup and it was homey and delicious. It tasted so good even in triple digit weather. Then I tried their birria tacos and was the bomb. For only about $14 you get 3 huge tacos that you can split up with someone coz it's really filling. Highly recommend this place.

My husband read about this place so we decided to drive down to Tucson to give it a try. The place was packed and we had a 30 minute wait. After we were seated our waitress was very prompt and professional. We split The President's Plate, which was huge!! It had a chicken enchilada, beef tamale, chile relleno, bean tostada and birria taco. It was delicious and very filling!! So glad we split. It wasn't quiet but it wasn't super loud either.

We came here on a Sunday at 2:30 hoping they'd be slow; that didn't happen. There was a very long wait and for good reason. The food here is amazing. I couldn't stop eating. I ate until I couldn't fit any more into my belly. The ambiance makes you feel like you're in Mexico. Server was very nice. If you want amazing Mexican food then look no further.

Mi Nidito, famous for hosting President Clinton, lives up to its reputation as a Tucson staple. Despite arriving for a late Friday lunch, we still encountered a considerable wait, which speaks to how popular this restaurant is. Once seated, the service was attentive and friendly, making us feel welcome throughout our meal. The food, while good and authentic, didn't quite have the wow factor I was expecting given the hype. Overall, Mi Nidito offers a solid Mexican dining experience but be prepared for a wait and temper your expectations slightly.

You know this place had a lot of potential. I was exited to go to this knew place. Bill clinton has been and ate at this establishment. How special. The food was pretty good. However, the rice and beans were not included with a burrito. That is a bit sillly, no? The service was pretty good. Wanted a regular marg but I accidently ordered a frozen one. Can't really blame them on that. Ambiance was the best part, Bill Clinton had eaten there. How cool is that?!

This is a Tucson staple if this style of Mexican food is your jam. It is authentic for this area and their is a lot of history with this restaurant. The food was decent and the chips and salsa were good. Service was outstanding. If you are in the mood for Mexican while you are in Tucson this is a must stop. The nachos were drenched in sauce and not your traditional nachos, everything else was tasty.

First Time, in a long time that I have given a restaurant a 5 star rating, the wait was an hour BUT that did not stop us, (we could have made reservations but choose not to) the service was great, portions were plentiful and the pricing was VERY affordable for what you received on the plate, highly recommended, I came from Mesa, Arizona and it was worth the drive.

Great food and good service! The perfect place to bring family and friends from out of town.

How is this place not a 5 Star on everyone's reviews? This is the most popular Mexican Restaurant in all of Tucson. The wait is 30-60 minutes every single day to get in for dinner. The food is great. Prices are reasonable. The staff is amazing. It's a HUGE 5 star for me.

Food was outstanding. I had the deluxe. Burrito no no meat. Enchilada style green sauce. Outstanding! Service felt like she already knew he day was going to suck. We arrived waiting for them to open at 11:00 and we were her 1st customers. Coy

Food - Presidents Plate - overall a 4 star, it would a 5 but beef in beef tamale and taco were a bit dry (but still "okay"). Will modify order next visit. The other 3 options on the plate were exceptional. So I loved it b/c of the other items. This is what Bill Clinton ordered when he visited... This plate was good enough for a President! Chicken Topopo - (spouse) - 4 star. Chicken was good and salad was fresh!.. but slightly bland. Good w/ dressing. You can't go wrong if you like salads. Service - 5 star. Excellent service. I was high maintenance asking for extra sauce, chips, ranch dressing... multiple request filled quickly with a great attitude. It was a pleasure to leave a generous tip. Ambiance 5 star - Cozy and in an old building in an older part of town. I probably rate higher b/c I love longtime local joints (since 1952). This added to it for me! This place has been "around" for a long time and is an old local favorite for a reason. Great character. I'm overall rating a 4 star. It could probably be a 5 next visit as I will modify my order. If you're deciding on Mexican, this is a sure thing! Don't let the 4 star fool you - It was very good but I will go hit this place my next trip to Tucson (vs trying another place). Solid!

Came here on a recent golf trip with my best bud, who lives in the area. He said we gotta try this place as it was made famous by a former president (amongst others). I got off the plane and we headed straight there. The wait was not terribly long and we settled in to our booth with chips and salsa. I ordered the President's Plate (which Bill Clinton's famous meal) made up of a sampler style platter including a bean tostada, birria taco, chile relleno, chicken enchilada and a beef tamale. I did my best to get it all down...man , that was a lot of food! My favorites were the birria taco and the chicken enchilada but it was all good. Glad to have given this place a go!

Cozy, perfectly lit, cool and funny decor. Service was swift and attentive. Food was, in my humble 320lbs opinion, above par. Would go out of my way to try again.

The food was very, very good! I had the Birria beef plate, along with a margarita. The service was awesome! The food was delicious, and the portion size was incredible - go there hungry!! We will definitely be back when visiting again in Tucson. Great mom & pop family restaurant!

Considering we came on a Sunday afternoon, parking was full and the waiting room is packed, the wait was not too bad. Dining room is full. I think it was the perfect timing, people are done with lunch and half way into dinner time. We were seated and waited right away. Our server was very attentive, although not on the sweet side. But good enough...she checked up on us a couple of times. The wait was for the main course, which we understand because it was cooked fresh according to the customers order. And the wait was worth it!! Everything was good!! We really enjoyed our dining experience here, and we can recommend this place.

Even at 4:30 there was a 30 minute wait, which considering the food quality I was quite baffled. Heard that usually the wait is even more than that. I ordered the Nopalitos plate and it was okay, I would say that it was yummy while I was hungry but nothing to write home about. Service was really slow and even when I clearly expressed we were in a rush towards the end, no response was given. We ended up having to pack our food to go almost as soon as it was brought to the table since it took so long. I will say that they were pretty attentive with refilling chips and salsa, though the menu says only the first two servings are free. I have a hard time justifying a high rating for places charging different prices for cash vs. card, and Mi Nidito had this issue.

Took some friends from back east on a Sunday at 4pm to beat the rush... we had a 45-minute wait to be seated. It took another 6-7 minutes for a server to come to the table and once we ordered the food took another 25 minutes to arrive. While our friends were gracious, I was so disappointed in the caliber of service. Not to mention, the food was bland... we were stunned that it didn't have more flavor. I had talked this place up as a celebrity haunt and it really let us down.

We decided to have a friends mid-week dinner at Mi Nidito after hearing that the restaurant has been sold to a new owner. We arrived at 3:30pm and there was still a 35 min wait ! Seems like they always have a wait. The place is very small and our group of 6 was "shoehorned" into a booth. The menu is Sonoran style and has a great variety of tacos, burros, chimi's, and platters. We ordered our drinks - a "shout out" to the great margaritas they have ! A note here on the service - our wait staff was excellent as she continually checked back with us all through dinner. Extra tip here ! Our group ordered the Presidents platter (Bill Clinton's order for his visit), Flat Enchiladas, and a couple of orders of various Enchiladas. All were excellent ! (Pictures attached) I'm glad we took the time to go back here - great meal ! Hope the menu & quality doesn't change under the new owners.

Pretty authentic Mexican restaurant in not one of the best areas in Tucson but worth going. If you go during lunch, be prepared to wait a long long time.

Came in on a Saturday with family. It was a 25 minute wait for a table for a party of five at 1:30pm. The place is very nice. The tables were clean the ambience and the atmosphere are very welcoming. Our waiter was very nice. However, the service was extremely slow. It took us quite some time to get our food. However, it was definitely worth the wait. I ordered the number three a taco, a cheese enchilada, And a tamale it also came with beans. I'll start with the taco. The taco was basic with some meat, some lettuce and some queso Fresca and I put some salsa on it and the tortilla was excellent. Very crispy and crunchy and the meat was delicious and tender. I almost wished I had ordered just tacos. The enchilada was great. The sauce was like my grandma makes. And the tamale was perfect not too dry not too moist cooked just right very delicious and the beans I think they put chorizo in them. They're great with some chips and they put plenty of queso fresco all over your plate so that you can enjoy it with each of the items. You get a lot of food too, and nobody at our table was able to finish their plate. Some people at our table had chimichangas some burritos some had flautas. All of their food looked excellent. I did try their green sauce and this is the one thing that gotme. I am the only person who I've ever come across who makes green sauce the way that I do. I learned it almost 30 years ago from a friend who lives in Northern Arizona. This restaurant makes their green sauce exactly the same way that I do. It was like eating at home at this restaurant. My son had the chili Colorado burrito and I did take a bite of that and their meat was so tender and the spices on the Colorado was perfect.

I was here for dinner with three friends. We were seated without delay. A friend and I split the President's Plate ($20.25) and it was enough food for both of us. Service was good, and I liked the food, including the chips and salsa. It wasn't too noisy or crowded, but this was at 5:30 on a Wednesday in August.

When we sat down we were immediately served with chips and dip. Upon consumption, chips and salsa refills came fast! I ordered a strawberry margarita and was served a lime margarita instead. Waitress was very apologetic and quick to switch it. The rest of dinner came out perfectly. The margarita was amazing and the chimichanga was so huge I had to take most of it home! I actually can't wait to have it for dinner soon. Food was excellent, staff was so fast and friendly, atmosphere was great! If I lived in Tucson then I would definitely make it my go to Mexican restaurant!

We had a pleasant experience at this restaurant. We stopped by on Saturday night right after a big party of 6. The employee that was working the counter was friendly and told us to sit and wait a few minutes. The waiting area is filled with tons of pictures from famous victors. This was interesting to look at. We didn't have to wait too long and we were seated at a booth. The server quickly came over and took our drink orders. I asked for what their best selling margarita was and he recommended the mango flavored one so I ordered one on the rocks.. We ordered our food. I had the chicken flautas, my mom had a shredded beef chimichanga, and my sister had the red chili enchiladas. We also ordered one tortilla soup to share. Chips and salsa were complimentary and they kept bringing them downnnn. Food arrived and we had no room at our table. These plates were huge and hot and all of our dishes were loaded with a mountain size of lettuce. My flautas were good but my only compliant was that the chicken was dry and bland. The chimichanga was enormous and the beef was seasoned just right. My sister really enjoyed her enchiladas. The soup was the highlight of our meal, we were obsessed. It was delicious! The mango margarita was a little too sweet for my liking - it tasted like straight up syrup. Service was excellent. Both workers who were helping us were friendly and attentive. Prices are reasonable for the amount of food that you get! The inside décor is fun and bright and the music was lit that night.

We loved our food. We took it to go. It had been a minute since we had eaten there, but my husband loved his chorizo burrito.

I went here when my grandparents were visiting town. There were 6 of us and we had a loooong wait about 45 minutes. We took it as a good sign since it's busy. My mom and I shared the president meal, you get to try a little if everything and the portion was huge. Everyone else at the table got birria tacos which they said were good. Our president plate was good as well.

Always a wait. However always worthy the wait. Ordered Cocido and tortilla...delicious!! Salsa delicious. Service wonderful. Yay. Good.

Mi Nidito is a Tucson staple! We love coming here for the consistency in the menu and the great service. It's hard to not get full off of the fresh chips and salsa. The cheese crisp is good and cheesy. The flat enchiladas are always delicious. The nopales were also so good! We wish we ordered more! They also have a great michelada mix that is perfectly savory and lime-y. The cherry on top is the decor that shows the history of the restaurant. The photos displayed are always fun to look at.

This is my go to Mexican restaurant every time I visit Tucson. Amazing Chimichanga. Friendly staff and festive environment.

We got here right when they opened and were seated shortly after. chips and salsa were scrumptious. waitress was attentive. Our food was fresh and hot! it was all so good. will be back again!

First time to this Tucson landmark eatery. It was recommended by everyone I talked to since my move here and it lived up to all the hype. Expect a wait when you get there but you will be glad you did. Very flavorful and authentic Mexican cuisine. Of course being my first time I had to try the Presidents Plate made famous by Bill Clinton. While I wasn't a fan of his politics or personal behavior I will give him credit on his choice of foods. That plate has it all! For $20 you can't go wrong with this one. It was enough for two people or one real hungry person. The only problem was I wasn't able to save room for dessert. Oh well, next time I will. If you haven't been here, go. If you've been here I know you will go back. It's that good!

Nope, was not impressed. Not even worth the wait . Everything was extra. We drank a margarita ( very small) but tasted good. We left.

There was a decent wait, but it was a Friday night. We had a sweet server who made sure she checked on us often. The food was delicious. Highly recommend.

Extremely unassuming place, loved the old school vibe with all the famous people pictures around the place. Food was really good, huge burritos are well worth the price. We did have a 45 min wait for just the 2 of us but it definitely was worth waiting for. The workers were all great and welcoming. You can order a drink at the front if u are waiting for your table. Parking lot is not that big so you may need to park in another area but we found parking easy and close by.

Now that the Lopez Family has sold the restaurant to Guillermo Double L (right across the street) the food quality has gone down down. Their salsa today had a weird chemical taste and was thicker than normal. Refried beans were not that great today. Servers were great and ambiance still the same. They say they are following the recipes from the Lopez Fam but all new kitchen staff who apparently are not following the recipes. I do hope they are able to turn it around we have been going there for 24 years and were sorely dissapointed today.

Fabulous food and atmosphere, and all at such a reasonable cost! I took my wife here to experience the nostalgia of decades past when I lived in town. Now it's always a "go to" when visiting Tucson!

The wait is ridiculous! Their goal is to sell as much drinks as possible while you wait. No one should drink on an empty stomach, IMO. But they offer to sell you drinks as soon as you put your name on the waitlist, 40 minutes later, we asked for chips to go with the drinks, they declined. I told them we are starving, can we just get some chips to go with the our drinks. The answer is no. After another 5 minutes, they finally gave us some chips, turned out to be all crumbs, for real! We finally were seated after more than an hour of waiting, we sat down and was served with some real chips this time and we were able to order the food right away and more wait. Unfortunately, chips were no good, salsa meh, entrees was not good, bland and dry. Even the Enchilada sauce was disappointed. We had better Mexican food in Vegas, CA and phoenix area. Would not recommend

I think there was a bit of a transition with the change of ownership. but they are back to serving great food. One of the best Mex Restaurants in Tucson for sure.

Excellent food. Great service. Had the chicken enchiladas & they were fabulous, the red sauce had a great flavor. The salsa had a nice bite to it. If you're in the area a great place for really good food. Nice decorations too.

Food was bland and the service wasn't any better. Don't see why this place is a fav it's really not good...

This restaurant was recommended by our hotel. A bit of a drive but well worth it seems this has been a favorite of President and locals for years. The food was absolutely the best, and the margaritas were super tasty.

A much touted Mexican restaurant in the Tucson area we decided to try Mi Nidito. We arrived mid afternoon on a weekend and were informed that waits would be approximately 45 minutes. We also found out that you could enjoy cocktails while you wait which makes the time go by pretty quickly! Having a cocktail in the waiting area allows you to check out all the celebrities who enjoy a meal at this particular location, including Bill Clinton (a special dish has actually been made in his honor and is available on the menu), Madeleine Albright, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, just to name a few. We were seated in less than a 45 minutes that we thought that we might have to wait, and we were promptly greeted by our server. Chips and salsa were quick to materialize as well as menus and drink offerings. The restaurant offers beer, flavored, margaritas, and soft drinks. We enjoyed margaritas, but I felt that they were a little small for the price point. There is a standard offering of entrées and side dishes that you would find at any typical Mexican restaurant. The food was good, but nothing exciting or differing in flavor. We were a little surprised by the prices of the entrées at this location, which were a good 20% higher than many of the area restaurants. We enjoyed a nice dinner and watch the server navigate the entire room on his own. There are dessert offerings, but we passed as we had had our fill for the day. A nice restaurant, an interesting history, and a decent place to stop if you're looking for standard Mexican fare.

Great food. From out of town, second time here and they didn't disappoint. Good service and very friendly restaurant staff.

We expected a long wait but only waited for 20 minutes for a party of five. The chips and salsa were good which came free. The portions are huge. So needless to say we did not finish all our food. My favorite dish was the Chile Relleno. I would go back just to have that again. The birria burros is loaded with meat.

Great restaurant and great food. We had enchiladas, chimichangas and tacos. All delicious. Why the four stars? They automatically charge a service charge and charge for salsa. Server asked if we wanted salsa with my food and I assumed it was free like the initial chips/salsa. Nope, a charge later on my bill. Should have at least been told about the hidden charges. Food was good and now that I know what to expect, will still go back.