Olivia's Mexican Restaurant

Each time I come down to SoCal I try a different Mexican restaurant and Olivia's is by far the best I have had so far. It was so good that I went two days in a row before I left. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. I will definitely be coming back each time I come down.

The service is amazing! We had a party of 12, the restaurant was super busy but everyone was so attentive! I think Olivia herself was at the front desk and later I saw her rolling napkins. I had the chile verde, was really tasty but we could feel some fat. I had the carnitas tacos too and that was amazing. The shrimp burrito looked good too. Will definitely come back if I am around town.

I’ve been coming to Olivia’s Mexican Restaurant for over a decade. When my wife and I first started dating, this was our weekly date night spot. It became part of our story, a place tied to some of our happiest memories. Fast forward to today: after a nearby graduation, I suggested we come here with our three kids and a party of about 20 people to celebrate. Unfortunately, this turned out to be the worst customer service I have ever experienced anywhere. We arrived to a mostly empty restaurant, maybe four other guests total, and were seated fairly quickly, which I appreciated. Drinks, chips, and salsa came out after a couple of minutes. The first server we interacted with (the one who took our drink orders) started off reserved but warmed up and was genuinely pleasant. Then the experience took a turn. The waitress who took our food orders was impatient, short, and visibly irritated with us from the start. Not once during the entire meal did we have a positive or even neutral interaction with her. Our food arrived in a reasonable amount of time, and a longtime staff member I’ve seen for years helped serve it. He was friendly and welcoming as always, one of the few bright spots of the evening. We had about six kids in our group. They occasionally got a bit loud (as kids do), and we reminded them to settle down. Then Olivia herself came over. Instead of approaching us politely or with any understanding, she was blunt and rude, telling us we needed to quiet down because “other guests” complained. Keep in mind, the restaurant was far from full. She even made an odd comment about having one lollipop to give to “whichever kid was the whiniest.” It didn’t come off as a lighthearted joke, it came across as condescending and unnecessary. That moment ruined the entire dinner. We finished our meals in a cloud of discomfort, and my family decided right then that we will not be coming back. I understand Olivia’s has been around forever and that losing us as customers won’t make a dent in their business. But after 10 years of loyalty, date nights, and memories, it’s disheartening to see how quickly all of that can be overshadowed by one rude encounter. Thank you for the good years, but after today, I hope the memories fade.

Got the posole and the ensalada de nopalitos. It was so flavorful and satisfying. The salsas with the chips were also tasteful. Good flavors with a nice spice. We were greeted and helped immediately. Everyone was efficient in their roles and accommodated our spontaneous, last minute add ons. It was a little loud and a little hard to hear the servers, but overall great meal and experience. I would recommend.

Excellent service, very friendly. Chili verde was delicious and good flavor. Chips and salsa, yumm

The food quality seems to have slipped. The chicken fajitas were tough, stringy, and loaded with sodium. It is too noisy for a date or a family gathering. And the passive-aggressive signs about "artifacts" are tiresome.

If you like Los Compadres at Pine in Long Beach, you'll like this place too.

This place is AMAZING!!!! I never had been here. I never had heard of it. It came up on my Google search. The staff was so friendly. It's family owned and run. The actual "Olivia" was there. The food was amazing. So flavorful. The prices were reasonable. If I had one thing negative to say it was just that I wish the portions were bigger. Definitely try this.

Was recommended by friends and decided to give a try. Food and service was amazing. Will be back!

Foodie Moment We parked in the back lot and walked in from the back to the front to let them know our party size. Waited a little, and they sat us shortly after. I was torn between the menudo and the stacked chile verde enchiladas with 2 eggs--but I went with the enchiladas... and BOMB.COM is an understatement. So delicious. The rice? On point. The beans? Flavorful. But that chile verde? WHEW. Next level. I surprised even myself--I left nothing behind. Not a grain of rice, not a drip of sauce.

Carne asada needs a little more seasoning. Tortillas shouldn't be heated in microwave From our order, the best part were the fries. Carnitas and carne asada should be seasoned with a little lemon Lemonade wasn't good either, I guess I was just expecting more of a homemade touch

This place is a hidden gem in Riverside for authentic Mexican food! We celebrated Mother's Day here with a big group of 13, and the restaurant went above and beyond to accommodate us. The service was fantastic, attentive, friendly, and patient with our lively family. The food? Absolutely *delicious*. Every dish tasted fresh and full of flavor, just like homemade Mexican cooking should. And the leftovers might've been even better the next day (which says a lot!). The ambiance was cozy and inviting, clean, and exactly the kind of spot where you can relax, laugh, and enjoy a great meal with loved ones. If you're looking for authentic Mexican food served with warmth and great hospitality, this is the place. We'll definitely be back!

We waited about 20 minutes but it's worth it! The place makes you feel like you're in a village in Mexico! The food is amazing and portions are large! TVs in the front and back if you get bored! The decor is from the 70s! The pozole is great I just have to let it cool down a little!

I have nothing but good things to say, the food was delicious and the service was great. All the food is homemade and comes out fresh. Small place but they are quick we didn't wait long for a table. The only thing missing is a bar for cocktails.

Recommended by a friend & I have to say "thank you"! It's hard to find really good Mexican food & we found it! Highly recommend! Staff were friendly & attentive!

We were recommended to eat here by our friends. Today we came here. And we love it! Servers are wonderful!!! I had quesadilla burrito (Olivia's favorite). I chose shredded beef. Wow they cook it beautifully!! My husband had Gary's special. He love his food. I was so impressed with their rice and beans. They cooked perfectly. We decided to come back again! The place is simple and Mexican-style. I would recommend you to go there!

Great service and authentic tasting Mexican food. I love that it's family owned and you see the same faces when dining. Olivia's salsa recipe is really good. It's also available for purchase to take home.

Olivia's food is always great. I haven't had anything that was bad. Service can be a little slow, especially during times they are super busy. This is a local mom and pop shop. They definitely have a mom and pop feel when you dine here.

Very average Mexican food. Too much salt. The chips were stale but at least the salsa was decent. $19 for breakfast enchiladas is a bit too much as well for the quality we recieved. If it was $12-$14 a plate I would be more understanding but for the price I expected something good. Unfortunately won't be back there's a lot better places for similar cost or even less.

Ive been here a few times and the last time was for a birthday party. To me the food is very average. Nothing really stands out as having the wow factor. The service is usually pretty quick which is nice if your in a hurry. The women's restroom was broken on this day which was a huge inconvenience for our large party. We had to get a employee to take us next door through the parking lot to their storage building to use the employees bathrooms. The men's restroom only had a urinal and the toilet was broken in there also.

Was pretty empty on a Sunday afternoon but the reviews are on point. Our server was extremely nice and the food was delicious it's an older spot but try it anyway! I'm glad we did! Sorry my pictures don't show the food when they brought it out but we were excited to dig in!

Our favorite Mexican restaurant! Drive all the way from the high desert to eat here! The Chile Relleno's and chips and salsa are the best! Also, so good with my kids!

Delicious We came in with a larger party--6 adults and 2 kids--but the team handled it smoothly. ordered the Huevos Rancheros they were very flavorful--bold, savory, and everything you'd hope for in a classic dish done right. Solid spot, great service, and the flavors really delivered for both of us. Definitely coming back!

Me and my husband went to Olivia's last night for the first time. It was packed for dinner.. First we were greeted by Mrs. Olivia and she was a gem.. Our server was so sweet and gave us helpful suggestions because all the food look soo good! We were soo impressed!! The salsa alone was soo good! I got full of that. I had the chile relleno and taco and my husband had enchiladas. We will definitely are going to be coming back as regulars. Mrs. Olivia even gave us some history on how she came to make some of the recipes and gave us a free taco to try. It was delish.!! Great food with a family vibe.. Love it !

What an authentic meal. I wanted to drink their salsa that had the perfect amount of citrus zest in it. I ordered a combo plate #22. My husband ordered a wet burrito and kept it simple. The chile relleno was good the enchilada was also good. The star on my plate was actually the beans that had perfect flavor. We loved the atmosphere and the family feel of the place. Service was quick and they were on top of making sure we didn't run out of chips and salsa or water. I enjoyed reading their story on the back of their menu and it really is a family affair that warms the heart. We will be back to support!

The food and service is always excellent. When I eat there its like being with family. They take care of all customers whether its dinning in or take out. When you say a meal its more than that its excellence at its best. The food is cooked to perfection and always hot upon being served at your table. Its like it came off Mommas stove and talk about delicious its a 100 percent delish. Atmosphere is freindly conversationable warm and comfortable...! If you havent been there its time to visit, eat and enjoy as I always have. Thank you Olivia..just awesome.

Positive things. Great and attentive service! Staff was super friendly and the restaurant looked very nice. The salsa served with chips at the table was delicious. Food overall was done well and flavorful. Burrito was a great size. Constructive feedback: really hard to get a burrito that has everything you want in it. For example there was a burrito with carne asada and beans but no rice, then lots of other all meat burrito options with only meat and no rice and no beans. Then the combo burrito has both beans and rice but no salsa, or anything else to make it more flavorful and no meat option for carne asada, Just ground beef? It's like they don't want you have all the good stuff in a burrito like most people would want. Also my burrito came as a wet burrito which I had no idea it would come like that. Over all it was a good burrito. Again it's just feedback. But I will say the flavors of the rice, the beans, salsa, and meat were all done very well.

Love this place it's my go to for the Big Burrito it's are family's favorite we always order the green chile one and the staff is always very nice

My husband has ordered take out from here a few times already and Olivia's has become a family favorite. The chips and salsa are sooo good! The salsa is fresh and spicy and oh so yummy! Their dishes are filling and delicious, and you can't go wrong with whatever you order. So far, we've tried the burritos, enchiladas, taquitos, chile relleno, tamale and rice & beans. Food is a little pricey, but portions are huge and definitely shareable.

I have been coming to this restaurant for at least 40 years. If you love classic Southern California Mexican dining, this is a staple in Riverside. The family is such great hosts. Definitely a family vibe. If you grew up in SoCal and went to classic Mexican restaurants, you will love Olivia's. The service is personal, and the food is always the same. Which, for me is a good thing. Great guacamole.

Easily the best Mexican restaurant in riverside. Family owned business with the most warm hospitality. Food is amazing!!

Classic fare & awesome service at this place. Huge variety on the menu & it's a great place to catch a game on TV while breaking bread with friends & family.

The ROMEOs met for their Friday fiesta. My first impression after several years is they still have ample experienced servers. Orders were taken, separate checks without hesitation and an easy answer for any menu questions. I started with a Corona Michelada. A rim of chamoy, a glass full of beer, fruit and tomato juice. With the rest of my bottle on the side. Unique and good looking out. Chips and salsa were brought and the salsa was just spicy enough and the chips freshly cooked. Great value. The menu is extensive and most of us stuck to the lunch menu (two item combo) and the portions were good sized. I had the #3 dinner-ground beef taco, cheese enchilada, bean tostada, beans and rice. I can't believe I ate the whole thing. The ground beef tacos were impressively stuffed with meat. Crispy and flavorful. My brother said he'd come back for the tacos alone! The salmon looked moist and perfectly cooked and my brother agreed it was tasty. We all had an enjoyable experience and thought it was a good value overall. To get to Olivia's I drove past 6 Mexican restaurants that I truly enjoy. To have the longevity and reputation that this place enjoys tells you about its quality. Food-5 Service-5 Value-5 Retired Old Men Eating Out.

This place is amazing. I've been coming here about five years. The service is outstanding! I've never waited too long for food and everyone makes sure your drink is always full. Friendly staff. They seem like they really love their jobs. The food is exactly what you'd expect with very reasonable menu pricing. It's a cute, quaint family restaurant. Love this place. Even the chips and salsa are good. I have recommended this place to friends, and today I took my husband here for lunch and he liked it a lot.

Just went there this Saturday morning for breakfast. First time here. Not even a good morning greeting. They just asked how many, it was just 2 of us. She said come in to the first table. We sat down. Server came and asked what did we want to drink. We had our own coffee from home, therefore we only ordered water. We were then confronted by another server who proceeded to bring a sign to tell us- No outside drinks allowed and to put our homemade coffee in our car. We just got up and left. The service here is unwelcoming and unprofessional. Drove 30 minutes, as we were highly recommended to try this place- just to get here and receive this unpleasant service. No thank you. Go elsewhere. The food is good (as I tried it from a catered event, but the service is wack)

Absolutely the worst service I have ever received. My husband ordered the tostado salad, the tostado had to be a day old he couldn't even eat any of it, the meat in the salad was cold, and our waitress was absolutely horrible. Served our food, never came back and checked on us, we sat there for 20 minutes waiting for her to bring us a bill, I finally got up and located her sitting in the lobby talking with the hostesses. After I asked for the bill it took 10 more minutes to get it. Food was subpar and service was terrible. Never going there again.

Food was decent but the service was horrible. Ambiance is odd which I could look beyond if the food + service is excellent but that's unfortunately not the case. Might be worth a take out order here if you live near by .. but would not come back here to be "served" - it felt like a major inconvenience to everyone working to have to tend to our table. Bummer!

I would never go back. Awful service. Bad service and awful communication. Food is not great and the bill is way too high.

A friend of mine brought me to Olivia's while I was visiting inland Empire (I live in Long Beach). The food was good. I left with some salsa and would then continue to come back and purchase the salsa on a few separate occasions after my first visit. This was until I tasted the last batch I had gotten. The salsa was extremely salty, nearly inedible and not at all like the last batches I had purchased. Tbh, I have no idea why the team there would have decided to sell this batch because upon tasting, anyone would have agreed that it was too salty. What made it worse was not receiving any sort of response from the restaurant after filing out the contact form on their site asking why the batch I had gotten tasted this way. I don't understand why you would have a contact form at all accessible to customers if you didn't intend on addressing concerns you received through said form. Eh I guess I will be hunting Long Beach for some good salsa. My friend did tell me that their service has been suffering for a while lately and I hope they make some changes because the salsa was, at one point, a favorite.

Food was just okay. Good service is the best I can do for this restaurant. I expected more considering other reviews.

Most overrated Mexican food in Riverside. Salsa is very good. Their service fails. The guy at the counter taking names and payments is brash and cocky. Needs to tone it down. The server we had was abrupt and impatient. My friend who goes there often confirms they aren't warm there at all. Don't recommend it

Olivia's is soooo bomb, definitely a riverside staple I love their cheese enchiladas, and wet burritos! Great welcoming vibe when you step in and the salsa is amazing!! Service is great. Definitely a must try!

Good food. Good service. Prices are good. It's a busy place and the main room gets a little noisy but when the food and service is good does that really matter?

This is the best Mexican restaurant in my opinion. The food has always been fresh. Not terribly spicy which makes it appealing to those of us who cannot handle too many spices lol. The service and prices are excellent. The albondigas soup I ate today was value for dollar. Very filling. Meats and veggies were cooked thoroughly. I emphasize that because I have eaten Mexican food that was not cooked well so this place gets both thumbs up.

Enjoyed several items they all had a great taste to them. Really enjoyed them. We had Pozole, Shrimp Cocktail, Chili Verde And Some Rice And Beans. .

I went with my girlfriend and was quite pleased with the food and service that we received. The food was delicious and it was served to us quicker then other places I've been. It is a place that I will be going back to again and again.

This restaurant was such an amazing experience, great family atmosphere. The food was super delicious I just moved to Riverside and found my new Authentic Mexican food Spot!! Thank you Olivia for your beautiful hospitality

Food was adequate, service was good, once order was taken food arrived fairly quick, very clean and good ambiance little over priced for the quality in my opinion, beware of service charge added to bill, overall 6 out of 10.

Best chips and salsa I've ever had. They're perfect. Outstanding. Tried their L4 - Cheese enchilada and chili rellano lunch special. Very good. Food is fresh and homemade. It's authentic. Service is really good. Nice staff. Prices are very reasonable. Try Olivia's for yourself. Support local family restaurants.

Looking for an amazing single Mexican food restaurant you have it right here. Olivia's in Riverside is amazing. The staff is friendly helpful but the food oh my God absolutely worth every penny if you have been looking for a place to get salsa, there's is the best in the IE challenge anyone to compare, if you have never been to Olivia's, you are missing out. Lots of love to Olivia her family /staff , I am for sure excited to come back.

I really wish the chips were warm!! Salsa great, drinks are meh( could be better ) good food though.

Ordered Olivia's enchilada Trio with shrimp as the protein. It tasted vile. I couldn't even finish my food and I definitely did not want to take it to go. I would not recommend.

We decided to come here to eat on Easter weekend. It was a hidden find but one we were delighted to have found. We came here with another family to hang out. The customer service was good ! The ambiance was decent, but more so, the food and prices were equally good. The only reason I gave it a 4 was because of the nachos I ordered. They did not taste good. However, everything else - especially my husband's fajitas that he ordered was a hit ! Will be back again !!!

Great food here at Olivia's! I had the lunch two cheese enchiladas with rice and beans since pictures looked good and it didn't disappoint. Authentic style home cooked flavor. Support this family owned restaurant they are very friendly and deserve the business, you won't regret it... You may even run into Olivia herself there, a very sweet lady

We love this old school scratch made restaurant. My family has been coming here for decades. I tried something new for lunch today. I ordered off the breakfast menu. I had the scrambled egg and chili Verde enchiladas wow are they good!!! I also had to have my favorite calamari taco. I have to get that every time I go to Olivia's. The service is always great they come by frequently to fill up your ice tea, or water glass and bring more salsa before you ask for it, everyone works together and are always so friendly. You can tell this is a well run family business. You feel like you are eating at grandma's kitchen table. Sorry no pictures today. We were too hungry and we just wanted to eat!

Best salsa and chips and the food is truly so fresh! The servers are so attentive and I definitely will be back here!

I haven't been back to Olivia's in over 10 years and may I say it's still the same good Mexican food as I remember, if not even better. I took my family for the first time after church. I use to come here with my work crew back in the days. We had their Carne asada nachos, small bowl of pozole, and chili verde fries. All of it was great. We will be back again. So much options and the service was very friendly and quick.