Angelou's Mexican Grill

Honestly the service was decent but the food, in San jose, not great. Maybe if you drink its better but we are not drinkers. My carne asada taco was good. The ceviche was pretty good, but the toastada was stale. My fish taco, bland. My partners nachos presentation was good, meat tender and well seasoned but they used liquid cheese. Didn't feel authentic at all. It was decent all around but I think we'll stick to food trucks next time for more authenticity.

Excellent birria burrito. Got a side of guacamole, which made it perfect. Trendy and relaxing feel inside the place.

I got two potato tacos and a mango house drink they had available. I got seated, had my order taken, and food/drink given in under ten minutes. The service was really speedy. The tacos are fried so be aware of that, but they are loaded and very good. For the amount of food I got the prices were more than fair. I got filled up fast and had to pace my last few bites. I def. recommend it! I recommend the green sauce over the orange sauce. The orange sauce was similar to la Vic’s sauce but a bit lighter.

Great tasting food, great savers, great drinks. I am a fan of spicy tequila drinks and I ordered the jalapeño margarita substituted dos vecinos mezcal tequila and best spicy tequila margarita I ever had! I had fresh ceviche and birria tacos they did not disappoint. The sauce was so good I took home a bottle. I’ll be back.

This place is extremely overhyped. I should've known the food would be mediocre when I didn't see a single Hispanic person eating there. I ordered a Super al pastor burrito, I am almost 100% sure it was chorizo, however, when I brought it back, the cook himself told me that it was al pastor and that it's supposed to taste like chorizo - huh?! Been slamming al pastor for years, and it's never, but ok. The "super" comes with beans, rice, salsa, and avocado. Never saw the avocado, and once I opened it to disect it, all I saw was rice and "al pastor". Popular spot for the club goers, maybe? Anything tastes good when you're hammered, I suppose. Don't come here if you enjoy REAL Mexican food.

Personally I feel that this is the best Mexican food I have ever tasted in the Bay area. The cal burrito was awesome and full, couldn't finish it. The carnitas plate was also great - served with hot corn tortillas, beans, salad, guacamole and sour cream. The staff were friendly and welcoming. Really appreciate the girl who took our order. Even though she didn't speak fluent English, she was very helpful answering our questions, trying to show us pictures etc. The place was warm and cozy, but had that old building smell. But it looks like they are moving around the block sometime in June 2023.

The refried / smashed beans were so salty they were inedible. This was my first time at this newer location, I won't be back. After spending almost $50 for dinner for 2, I know my money will be well spent elsewhere. Service that is lacking, mediocre food, salty beans (who is cooking back there?) To Go order took +20 minutes (the parking meter ran out of time) for 3 items and I tipped. Big mistake, huge......

Good service, food was ok. I prefer more seasoning, but that's just me. Cute little location.

Awesome. Great food, Friendly service with a Plus ! Had an issue with a forgotten item. Straight up honest. I will definitely be taking more visitors to this spot. Thank you for an enjoyable experience. Keep up the good work !

Was in downtown at Amazon doing a return and the family wanted lunch. I looked at what was available to near me and this place came up. It was a bit dark on the outside and wasn't sure if it was truly open or not. Walked inside and ordered two tacos, two burritos and two chicken quesadillas. I was not overwhelmed by the food It was just okay. I also ordered the ceviche and it was lacking acidity and salt. It was fine for a plain ceviche but not for that price. Service was okay. I wasn't really greeted. Just the person watched to the cashier and waited for my order. Waited outside for my food and the. Lady came and gave it to me and left. No thank you for coming or come again nada

I used to love Angelou's when they were at their original location. Ever since they opened up shop at the new store, my orders never seem to be right. My last order was a Super Veggie Burrito. I only asked for no zucchini and no mushrooms. What I got was a burrito with only rice, and a few bell peppers in it. Who orders only rice & bell pepper burritos?! What happened to the beans, salsa, guacamole, cheese, sour cream, and the extra orange sauce I paid $0.50 to add in it?! Non-existent. Also, I'm not sure why since moving locations...they have been a bit stingy with the sauce. One small sauce container for a burrito that needs at least two. I plan on giving them another try...but...if it goes wrong again...I might have to find another spot to fulfill my orange sauce cravings.

Came here during my lunch hour. They used to be on the north side of the same street across E Santa Clara, but the moved down. The inside of the store is pretty dark but we ate outside. Their tacos are very good but they're also very expensive. Not sure if I would recommend this place just from the price point alone.

Great spot. We came before a show. We had flautas, burrito, chips and salsa and the bolsa full of margarita. Loved it! Friendly service. Affordable price. Cute inside.

Not pictured was: Horchata & Super Burrito with Carne Asada The birria taco was great! I will definitely be coming back for that alone. The Horchata was equally worth coming back for. What i didnt love as much unfortunately was the burrito. My first couple of bites were wildly salty despite only biting into tortilla. The meat itself was okay, nothing crazy. Lastly, the salsas I got were green & orange. The green wasn't my thing due to personal taste, but I can see most people loving it. The orange was I ordered from Doordash, but I definitely want to come in person next time!

Angelou's is a solid lunch spot for me since it's so close to work, and I'm glad they're finally open again after the remodel! My coworkers and I kept checking to see when they'd be back because we missed having this as an easy go-to Mexican food option. The new decor looks great, definitely a nice refresh. I had the carne asada burrito, and it was exactly what I was craving. The meat was flavorful and tender, and the burrito had a good balance of rice, beans, and salsa. The portion size was filling and the tortilla held everything together well because it was HUGE. The salsa added a nice kick, but I wouldn't have minded a ten more. Those salsa containers are tiny. Service was quick, which is perfect for a lunch break. The cashier was really sweet. They always get your food out super fast which is nice when you're in a rush and have a million meetings. Overall, it's great to have them back in business, and I'll definitely be back to try more!

Came here on a Thursday afternoon for lunch after looking up nearby restaurants and I was craving a burrito and I found Angelou's. The place has great decor and it has a real nice vibe. The people were very friendly and it wasn't busy at all which was great for me. I got the asada super burrito and couldn't wait to try it, but I was disappointed. The tortilla was really soft and wasn't crispy at all. Looks like it was rushed even though it wasn't busy at all. The meat was flavorful and delicious, but the soft tortilla didn't make the burrito enjoyable. They do offer orange and green salsa and also there's nice bar set up as well. Overall not a place I'd go out my way to eat at if I'm craving Mexican.

Came on a Saturday to dine in during the day and ordered a burrito for a quick bite. It's actually rather a huge restaurant because it has more seating compared to other Mexican restaurants. Since we came in the day, the restaurant only had 3-4 other tables at the table and we were able to be seated quickly. They only had one waitress/cashier working, but I anticipate this restaurant getting busier and louder towards the night. Cali Moco Burrito ($14.25) - 5/5 stars. We only ordered a Cali Moco Burrito but it was great. The fries in the burrito were still crispy, the egg was runny, and the entire burrito was pretty flavorful. Also got the green and orange sauce which elevates the burrito.

I've come here a handful of times as I work in DTSJ. This new location is MUCH nicer than their original location. I can with some coworkers to order lunch to-go on a Monday around noon. I ordered (and paid for) the Beef Enchiladas ($22) with Green Sauce and a Mineragua Sparkling Water ($4). The Enchiladas were kinda pricey in my opinion for Mexican food. Minus two stars for giving me Chicken instead of the Beef I paid for. The presentation is sloppy. The rice and beans were meh and are just filler food. Service is just ok. The cashier isn't the best at giving recommendations/answering questions about the food. They appear to have a full bar so this might be the spot for Happy Hour or dinner.

Angelou's has evolved significantly from its humble beginnings as a small taqueria. Now, it's a charming sit-down restaurant with tasteful decor. We visited on a Saturday evening and were seated promptly. Our server was friendly and attentive, checking on us multiple times throughout the meal. I ordered the chimichanga--a deep-fried burrito--and found it enjoyable, though the pastor was a bit dry. Considering it was deep-fried, this wasn't entirely surprising. We also tried the Cali burrito, which my boyfriend thought was flavorful and one of the better options in the area. They offered two salsas: a green one and an orange one. The orange salsa stood out with its tangy, smoky flavor, which I loved. However, I would've appreciated a red salsa option to cut through some of the richness, though it seems San Jose has a particular fondness for orange salsas. We also ordered chips and guac, which were just okay--the chips tasted slightly stale, and the guac could've used more seasoning.

Food was good. But gave me an uneasy stomach for the remainder of the day. Had the quesa birria tacos.

Ordered a Super Carne Asada burrito from Door Dash. The burrito was huge and so filling! Also came with salsa and chips. I loved the orange sauce. It was a pretty solid burrito- my only complaint was there were some fatty tough parts of the meat that threw me off. Everything else was great!

My boyfriend and I were in downtown and wanted Angelou's since they reopened at their new location. We walked over and ordered one carne asada super burrito togo and a michelada there to drink while we wait for our one burrito. I was waiting outside with our dog and my boyfriend was inside drinking his michelada waiting for the burrito. About 10 minutes passed by and I asked my boyfriend, "the food isn't ready yet?" He let me know that it looked packed inside so we get them some time. About 25 minutes later... I told my boyfriend to ask because it shouldn't take that long for one burrito togo. He went up and told the cashier and she said, "oh they aren't making it yet, this is my fault." Uhm, no apology or anything? We were disappointed about the customer service here. The burrito was good, but that one experience with the service kind of put a sour taste in my mouth that I don't think I'd want to return any time soon.

Grabbed takeout and didn't even get a napkin with the bag for two tacos! Huh?! C'mon, I left a full tip. That's not nice. Place was near empty as they were less than an hour before closing. Good selection of beer and drinks. Place was bright and welcoming. Signs were up on the wall and menus. Fish taco was great with fresh avocado atop. Batter had a nice crisp taste and pico a nice freshness. Shrimp taco was good but I'd take another beer battered fish over here! Enjoy!

Angelou's has my favorite Carne Asada fries north of Los Angeles. I've tried many dishes here and never been disappointed as well. I was going to a show at the improv and was shocked to see they were right behind it now. The location is great and beautiful inside. Service was quick but was focused elsewhere, not a dealbreaker for me ‍.

Absolutely loved the tacos from there. They had an amazing deal for students today as well. The people who worked there were polite. The restaurant had a very welcoming vibe and good music playing.

It's been awhile since I've been to Angelou's. They moved to a new location, 78 S. 1st St in downtown, after closing the old place 6-7 months ago. The new location is sooo much better and the restaurant...what an improvement!!! It is bigger, trendier and the staff seems a lot more happy. I am in love with the atmosphere of this restaurant. Great service, not 1 waitress for themself but everyone helping out. Smiles on all of their faces. The food...delicious! I judge Mexican restaurants on their Michelada...some have it with shrimps and some don't. These shrimps were incredibly flavorful and the glass was rimmed perfectly! My chili relleno was so tasty too! Ordered pazole to take home...so eager to taste it since it has been awhile. Totally recommend with place when you in downtown.

I haven't been to Angelou's since 2021. Used to be the staple after a night in DTSJ or just when we wanted a Cali burrito. But sheesh, times have changed. Today's carne asada Cali burrito was just not the same. First off, just by size and weight of it, already -.5 star. This was lighter and smaller than before. Next up, I see so much tortilla wrapped around. Had to tear off a good amount off. They use a big ass tortilla but with little filling. First bite in, all tortilla. Come on mannnnn. -.5 for that. Took me 3 bites in to get to something and it wasn't even the meat. 4th bite and I finally struck gold. Taste was definitely not the same but some orange and verde sauce helped it out. -1 for taste. I guess my taste buds have matured. Before I could only finish half but today, I was able to eat it all. Burrito did come with chips, but they only give you one each of verde and orange sauce. I guess that's enough since the burritos are small now, huh? For a $14 burrito, I expected more or at least the same as 4 years ago. 3/5

This is one of my favorite places to get a burrito. My favorite is the Cali-Moco with chicken. It's basically a California burrito with a fried egg. I have had this item at other places, but nobody packs it in Angelou's. The ingredients are solid and the proportions are satisfying. The service is always excellent, and the ambiance is very casual. Glad to see that they reopened.

Angelou's is a great spot and would've been 5/5 stars, except for a couple of things that need improvement. We have eaten here a couple of times but we get burritos to go all the time. First the good stuff - the food is delicious and the prices are reasonable. The ambience is good too (there is a bar area, tables, etc.) Unfortunately the service can be hit or miss too depending on who is working. They are not very friendly or welcoming but there isn't much interaction with them once you order at the counter and sit down so it doesn't matter too much. Also, they charge 50 cents for each small salsa container which is fine, but it's free if people sit and eat there (there are salsa bottles on the table). For two big burritos, we need a lot of salsa especially since the containers are so small, so it ends up being at least 5 dollars more. I really hope they can reconsider the price of the salsa or maybe use bigger containers.

Had a great meal and experience at Angelou's Mexican Grill. Definitely recommend the horchata, which is refreshing and comes in a HUGE glass. The birria tacos were very flavorful, although definitely falls apart in your hand. I also recommend the tortilla soup. My server Gianna was super nice, attentive and helpful. Service was quick and the restaurant was clean and pretty spacious.

A great little Mexican restaurant with delicious food, attentive servers, and friendly atmosphere.

We live at South Sj, Came here randomly as we keep trying new places for a burrito, that is what we like. we took a Shrimp and a Super Veggie Burritos . At least what we found was the burritos are extremely flavorful and not bland like most other burrito places around here. Like they dont just stuff in Beans and rice and rubber shrimp in there. The food tastes fresh Cannot say much on service as we do not dine ever, we always do pick up only. Do Note, it's in Downtown, so parking is a tough thing right there , I went on a Saturday night so it was a bit tricky. Other than that I will surely revisit.

Had the carne asada fries and it was good. Sauces were all good and the horchata was very heavy cinnamony.

Have someone who can at least take the order. I ordered a vegetable quesadilla with shrimp added to it to-go. All I got was cheese and shrimps. No vegetables at all. I was longing for this for weeks. At the end when I get it, can you imagine my disappointment???

Angelou's is located in downtown San Jose, and has some great Instagram posts showing a vibrant and beautiful interior and some amazing drinks and Taco Tuesday specials. Don't fall for it! It was quiet, and on a Tuesday, I came in to give it a try. When seated I asked about the Taco Tuesday specials and was told tacos were $2. We ordered 6 and a coke, a very small side of guacamole, and the bill was $42+ dollars. Even though I specifically asked about the Taco Tuesday, the tacos we ordered were not on special. Only after the bill comes do they tell you this. No utensils were given, the guacamole side was forgotten and we had to go ask for it. Also, for you taco aficionados out there, who puts beans in tacos? Businesses that are trying to puff up their product with cheap fillers, that's who. The Baja fish taco comes with a piece of fish that is about an inch long and all batter, heavily over-fried. The carnitas tasted old and the tortillas were cheap and basic. Definitely would never come back.

I hate to say it, but Angelou's has gone downhill since they opened. The last time we were there, the food was mediocre, especially the Ranchero steak we ordered. Their burritos are pretty good, but it's not hard to find a good burrito in downtown San Jose.

I used to absolutely love the food from Angelou's, but it started to drop off about a year or so ago. The carnitas would have huge chunks of fat when it didn't before. You would have to pick through the meat prior to eating it unless you are ok with chomping down on a huge, gelatinous piece of fat when you are eating. The quesadilla barely had cheese. The Chile Relleno had a weird spongy texture, etc. So when they shutdown for a little while I thought that maybe it meant they were going back to taking pride in the quality of the food they were sending out. No such luck. I just wanted a simple carnitas quesadilla. There were huge amounts of fat in it. It was so bad I couldn't even eat it. I thought maybe I could pick the cheese out, but there was hardly any cheese in the quesadilla. Maybe I am missing something, but I thought the point of a quesadilla was the cheese melted in the middle of the tortilla. We also ordered the nachos and the chips were stale. The orange sauce was still good at least (the reason for two stars). But the meal was just a huge disappointment. I think I am giving up on them finally.

Over priced and hyped for my taste. Find a local taqueria if you can. The shrimp taco was phenomenal. Loaded with shrimp and the salsa was on point. The fish taco had one fried piece of shrimp thinner than my pinky and I'm a tiny woman. It was probably half an ounce of meat and the rest cabbage. I came into near empty restaurant and music was blaring. Left early to go next door and grab a coffee because it was giving midnight vibes and was a bit much. Oh last note, beer is $7 a bottle

Angelou's is now at a new location at 78 South 1st Street in Downtown San Jose. More space and they now have a bar! My favorite dish is the Chicken Flautas plate served with 3 flautas, side of Mexican rice and beans, and topped with lettuce, tomato slices, cotija cheese, and crema.

Would definitely recommend if you are in downtown San Jose. I was staying at the Marriott and was looking for good Mexican food. Found Angelou's on Yelp and decided to try. Short walk from many hotels. Good food!

If you want good Mexican food do not come here I tried a Burrito and Quesadilla both "asada". Not good at all. Service was great. Atmosphere great.

Update now that they finally opened their new location. This is one of the most dramatic upgrades I've seen in a business since I can remember. Night and day transformation from a humble hole in the wall to a stylish new updated and modern interior that stands up to recent Downtown additions. What hasn't changed - the menu. To test it out - I ordered the same moco-loco burrito from my previous review and was so happy that it tasted EXACTLY as I remembered. I have been craving this burrito for so long, and I am glad to have it back. One thing I will have to say - they went from counter ordering to now offering sit down service. This is new for them, and you can tell they are still getting off the ground with this new dynamic. You can see the hiccups as they learn to expand their service - but I still applaud them for this ambitious new venture. It's crazy to see a business grow up like this before your very eyes. Good luck guys - wish you the best.

Ordered Chile Relleno. The quality didn't match the price. It was crunchy but not in a good way, and tasted oily. It seemed as if it was pre-cooked and fried again when ordered - I don't know, it's just what it tasted like. It was covered in what tasted like enchilada sauce which was not so great. Beans were bland. As far as service, food is just brought to the table and that's it. Ambiance is nice.

Authentic, flavorful, and amazing food! Such a cute restaurant too and the staff was so kind. The quesa-birria cali burrito was amazing!

First would like to say this place has had a big upgrade from their previous location. Right in the heart of First Street they're close to all the downtown bars. There hours don't reflect well for the area in my opinion, they do have the potential to be the only food spot in the area open after the clubs and bars close. Could be something they look into in the future, a lot of business they can bring in. Horchata: had good flavor, i like horchatas that don't have an overpowering taste of cinnamon. This was fine California Burrito: it's a preference thing but wish the tortilla was toasted after closing. Overall the carne was tender and the fries were fresh and crispy, gave it a good crunch. Also came with orange (SJ famous sauce) & green sauce. Orange was okay, green salsa was great just wish had more spice. Flautas Plate: It's hard to judge rice and not be biased of rice we have at home. I understood it was around closing so the rice was drying out, I do think it was made fresh in the morning just bad timing for me. Chicken wasn't dry. Wish the actual shell had sour cream. Toppings kind of just fall all over the place so it can be dry Overall, this place has great upside. A full bar, middle of 1st street, good food. The inside was very nicely decorated and the service was attentive.

First time here and very picky Mexican food eater. Discovered their green chili pork pozole You don't see too many restaurants that have this. It is very good. Usually pozole have big chunks of pork that takes forever to chew on. These are cut in small pieces and they are not just the loin which is dry. Theirs has a slight trim of fat on the meat, which gives it a very tasty broth and a delight to eat. Overall, the food is very good. Also, the drinks they serve are very good. We ordered the flight of tropical drinks, which I recommend. They have a few versions of them and are worth the price. Great service and great atmosphere and highly recommend this place.

My husband and I had diner and drinks today. We had great food and drinks. The customer service was excellent, the waitress was super friendly, the bartender explained what are drinks were made off and the meaning of it. The owner Sergio greeted us and welcomed us to his restaurant. I recommend this place for date night with your honey.

I had a surf and turf burrito the two things in life I love seafood and beef. The combination sounds appetizing but fell short of expectations. The ingredients didn't marry well the beans and rice felt out of place. I will say what brought the burrito up a star was the orange sauce. If I could purchase I would buy it.

Very tasty food and great ambience! We stopped in for a quick bite so we sat at the bar. The food came out quickly and it was super delicious. We will definitely stop in again!

They have a bar. I needed to mention that first because that's a rarity for a more casual restaurant like this. I've never been to the original location but my friends raved about it. They have a unique variety of burritos. I tried the Cali moco and the birria cali burritos. Both were really good. The Cali moco (ours was with pastor) was super flavorful. The pastor almost tasted like chorizo in my opinion. I liked the birria burrito a little better because I could taste the orange sauce better. Their orange sauce is smokier and more intense than others. It was great.

Got the Spartan surf and turf burrito and it was so good! Perfect amount, perfect flavour even without the additional sauces, & good distribution of ingredients. Would've given 5 stars but my takeout order had absolutely no guacamole unfortunately.

The food was delicious, my husband ordered an asada burrito and I had the birria tacos. Friendly staff provided prompt service, and the ambiance of the restaurant was quite nice. I'll definitely go back to this place.

Angelou's was ok. Pretty pricy for what you get. I guess they do have to up charge due to their location in downtown San Jose. I ordered flautas plate with rice and beans. Came with 3 beef flautas. Taste was ok. Rice and beans were ok. Cost with a Mexican Coke and tip was $25. They didn't even serve chips and salsa at the table ‍. Super Taqueria has beef flautas that are way better. Their rice has more flavor as well. With a bottomless drink and tip it will only cost you around $12.

Crystal and Abby did an amazing job with helping me take my order. Delicious food. Amazing customer service. I will be coming back!

I got an opportunity to try this place last week when they were catering lunch for our office (large scale). I have added the menu pic in here too for u to see what a wonderful spread was offered and our tummies were happy and full after this yummy food!! - southwest salad - was so so good and it paired perfectly with their chipotle sauce (had a spicy kick). Personally i am not a fan of salads, but for this one, i went back for seconds :) 5/5 - cheese enchiladas - nothing to rave about but also not bad. I believe this might be more hot and cheesy if u try it at the restaurant in an a la carte setting rather than as part of catering (sitting there cold) 2/5 - chile rellenos - good veg main- it was delish! Cheesy, soft, juicy and with a hint of tangy and spicy. Loved it 5/5 - refried beans - didnt look appealing to me so i skipped it (do see pic attached and decide for yourself) - Grilled vegetables - perfectly charred and paired well as a side or u can add it to a taco and make it a dish 5/5 - grilled chicken - good quality meat but less juicy. I paired it with their red salsa and then it was heaven 3.5/5 The sauces green and red were my favs. The orange salsa sauce was just ok. Definitely planning to go to the restaurant one of these days!!

Came by for lunch the other day and it was a crispy and dry experience... Angelou's is off of 2nd and Market with a city-owned lot across the street on 2nd. Downtown SJ is still deserted during the week for lunch with just mainly derelicts of society hanging out on the street. Entrance to the restaurant was a tripping hazard with a huge step up along with a super low door handle... The line cook was wearing a mask covering their mouth and nose along with gloves. Another employee wore a glove. Ordering was done at the counter with beverages in the fridge along with a soda machine next to the register. There is an option to leave a tip on the ordering kiosk. Ordered the super carne asada quesadilla which was brought out to my table by the cashier. The carne asada quesadilla was huge and quite cheesy. The tortilla was fresh, flaky, and crispy. The carne asada was cooked to a well done, dry, and had quite a bit of gristle... ~$11 for lunch after tax. They take credit cards and also have hand sanitizer by the cashier.

Been waiting for Angelou's to open after relocating and finally went today for lunch. It's very aesthetic and pretty inside. The location itself is a bit small so seating is very limited especially during the busy lunch hour and I would assume for dinner as well. The menu is extensive and they have a bunch of appetizers and desserts and a full bar. I ordered the taco salad with carne asada and an horchata. The horchata tasted like cucumber water the first several sips so not sure if maybe they rotate agua fresca flavors and they just didn't clean the container out very well but eventually it started tasting like horchata. The taco salad came in an edible taco bowl. The salad itself was delicious and I thought it was a very good amount of food. It had a ton of carne asada! Even though it was busy, my food was ready quickly which is always appreciated. I will definitely be back as I saw they have choriqueso on the menu and I'm a sucker for any type of queso fundido.