ANAYA'S RESTAURANT

At first glance, the restaurant is beautiful. The ambience of the restaurant was great, a beautiful blend of traditional Mexican decore with modern Mexican American art sprinkled throughout. I got the tequila pasta and my husband got the gobernador burrito; both were delicious. The food was so flavorful and well portioned. Finally, the service was great. Our server was friendly, attentive and prompt. He even packaged us up some complementary chips and salsa at the end of the meal because we enjoyed the salsa so much. It's rare to find a place that it great all the way around and this place here is one of those rare places.

Stopped in for a quick bite and a couple drinks (Modelo bottles and some 24oz draft) with friends and stayed for lunch and cocktails. They offer complimentary chips and salsa (verde) which really hits the spot on a hot day. We ordered a share plate, molcajete de carnes, and were very happy we did. The volcanic bowl comes with beef, chicken, cactus, avocado, cheese and some vegetables, plus bean, rice and tortillas on the side. Depth of flavor was amazing, and the tortillas sopped up every bit of the broth. Cocktails here are great, with pitchers of margaritas, mojitos, sangria, and multiple tequila flights for bigger groups or adventurers. This place also offer a MASSIVE list of premium tequila, mezcal and other spirits. If you’ve been missing refreshing, authentic Mexican drinks, this is definitely worth a visit. Flavors for margaritas and mojitos are a small charge, but the purée is well worth it if you’re not in the mood for lime. One of the finest bars I’ve been to, with full glassware and well stocked bar (including good wine options) for nearly any kind of cocktail you could imagine. The atmosphere is very relaxed and cool. Perfect for a regular day, and easy to upgrade your order for a special occasion. The real highlight here has to be the staff. Everyone was friendly and extremely efficient. Each seemed to know to make/pour drinks and also cover one another to run food out to tables as quickly as possible. Every drink arrived at our table quick and cold, and the food still piping hot. Absolute 5/5 venue and one of my most memorable.

Absolutely delicious steak tacos with side of grilled vegetables. Probably the best food I had in Pasadena, and we ate at some nicer, more expensive restaurants. Good margarita. Friendly service. Definitely recommend.

We went yesterday with family to enjoy good food and time together. My sister in law brought in her own food due to dietary restrictions. We all ordered appetizers, drinks and our food. There were no signs posted anywhere about no outside food allowed. The manager waited until after we all got our main dishes to come over to say that she couldn’t have outside food due to their policy. He didn’t ask why she had outside food. We asked for the bill and had them take away what hadn’t been eaten. We understand policy, but they could have said something before everything was brought out. The waiter was super sweet and apologetic. This was a race discrimination as we were the only table that was African Americans. The manager was welcoming and talking to every other table that was of other ethnicities. The portion that we got a bill for was not cheap. We left and went down the street to Amigo’s where there was a warm, comfortable atmosphere, they were accommodating with the outside food and the prices were much for budget friendly. If you want a good place to eat that welcomes everyone with good food, don’t go to Anaya’s go to Amigo’s

Stopped by here for lunch with our friends is Pasadena. This place was in old town industrial Pasadena and the ambience was nice and inviting. Several of us had Margaritas and they were perfect. Carefully hand crafted at the bar with top shelf tequila. For lunch I had some carnitas tacos that were better than any I had back in the Midwest. My wife had a noodle dish, but I forgot the name of it I’m getting old. Our friend had the verde enchiladas and I definitely will try that next time Staff was attentive and helpful when we had questions about popular items. The restaurant was clean and well laid out. I’ll definitely go back when I’m in Pasadena. The prices were reasonable and the food was excellent. Entrance and bathrooms were ADA compliant

Dining here was a truly enjoyable experience. Guests were greeted kindly and seated quickly in a clean, well-maintained space. The menu offered a variety of delicious options, making it easy to find something appealing. Meals were delivered at the right pace, fresh, and full of flavor. The staff remained attentive and professional, ensuring that every detail was handled with care. Drinks were brought promptly and refilled often. The overall atmosphere was lively yet comfortable, creating the perfect environment for a meal. It was clear that the restaurant values quality and service, making it a fantastic place to revisit again.

Review for Anaya’s Restaurant, Pasadena February 13, 2026 I avoided Anaya’s for a while because I had heard mixed reviews, but I was in the area tonight and decided to give it a fair shot. I truly wish I hadn’t. I walked in through the back entrance around 7:00 PM and approached the host stand. The hostess was collecting cutlery, walked around the stand, and casually asked how she could help me. I asked for a table for one and was seated. And then… nothing. It took about 15 to 20 minutes, so around 7:25 to 7:35 PM, before anyone even acknowledged my existence. I could see staff talking and eventually discussing who would be serving me, but no one actually came over. I waited patiently. About five minutes later, a man brought chips and water. Then again, nothing. Another 20 minutes passed before anyone came to take my order. By that point, I no longer had time to eat. When someone finally approached the table, I told him I would just have a drink. He apologized for the delay. I ordered a cocktail called “La Passion.” It was $18. What I received was hands down one of the worst drinks I have ever had in my life. It tasted cheap, poorly mixed, and nowhere near worth the price. Certainly not mid grade liquor, let alone anything premium. After finishing what I could tolerate, I asked for my ticket. No one came. My card sat on the table for at least 10 minutes. No server. No check presenter. No acknowledgement. Eventually, I got tired of waiting, put my card back in my wallet, and left a $20 bill on the table just to close out an $18 drink and get out of there. I originally wanted to try the food. I never even had the opportunity. And while I never want to immediately attribute poor service to race, it is hard not to notice when you are the only person of African American descent in the room and also the only person seemingly invisible to the staff. Everyone around me was being helped, served, and checked on. I was not. This was not just slow service. This was neglect. From start to finish, it felt disorganized, inattentive, and frankly disrespectful. Anaya’s had one job tonight, serve a single guest. They failed at that completely. I will not be returning.

It’s one of the hidden gems of Pasadena, I’ve been there multiple times, for special occasions or just a crave, the food itself makes an statement, flavorful, rich in contrast of taste, delicious, and the portions are very generous, from appetizers to traditional Mexican American food it has it all, perfect for a date night or evening the atmosphere is quite nice, nice background music, it has a bar with many options of drinks and beer, comfortable seating very intimate, the service is great, very attentive and welcoming, you can’t miss the opportunity to try the side served freshly made guacamole with chips. Overall a great experience.

Really great, authentic Mexican food everything tasted fresh and homemade. The staff was incredibly friendly and made the experience even better. Will definitely be back!

If you're looking for a solid Sunday brunch deal, this is it. The beverage program is on point; the café de olla has that perfect spiced warmth, and the horchata is refreshing and clearly made with care. I opted for the Chilaquiles Verdes. The green salsa is the star of the show--rich in flavor without being overwhelming right out of the gate. However, the heat profile is deceptive! It starts mild but gradually builds into a satisfying spice by the end of the plate. Great portions, great prices, and even better flavors. I'll definitely be back to explore more of the menu. The service was impecable and everyone was really friendly.

Best refried beans this side of Mississippi. I mean the best. Ever! Get over here before they run out of the refried beans. #loveit Update 10 min later: The women's restroom is permeated with the most unbearable cat litter odor. Soooo gross! WTF?!?!

It was my first time today! We went during lunch so it was semi busy. Jorge was our waiter and he was super happy and funny and made us feel welcomed. I ordered a chicken enchilada from the lunch special menu and it was delicious! A little bit of a big portion so I was able to save the other half for a later meal. Had to get the churros for dessert! I will say they were small and came on a plate of 6! As you can see here, they were completely devoured. Prices were not bad and it was clean and I heard it gets packed on the weekends!

I generally prefer supporting non-chain restaurants, but Anaya's unfortunately fell short of expectations. The space is large and well-decorated, yet surprisingly quiet; even during Friday happy hour, seating was plentiful. While the drinks were decent for the price, the food definitely needs some refinement. I've often wondered why this spot wasn't more crowded when passing by--after finally stopping in, my curiosity is satisfied, but I don't think I'll be back.

First Gorge was our server & was fantastic! He made us the best Margarita ever! He also made us great guacamole. Truthfully by the time the food came out I was already full! What I tried was very good. Y husband had a combo tamale & shrimp enchiladas that he really enjoyed.

Stopped by on Friday, 10/17/25 for the first time! Boyfriend and I ordered from the Happy Hour Menu (Monday - Friday from 3pm-6pm): - 4 carne asada tacos = $15 - 1 6-piece jumbo wings = $10 - 1 margarita de la casa = $9 - 1 16oz draft beer = $10 SUB TOTAL = $44 TAX = $4.62 OVERALL TOTAL = $48.62 The prices were great and affordable. I will say that the overall menu prices that are not part of the Happy Hour menu seems to be way over priced. We watched the Dodgers game and there wasn't a lot of people at the time.

Took my girlfriend here for a romantic date night. The ambiance inside the restaurant is so dim and beautiful. They had live music playing and the decor makes this restaurant so special. My burrito was really good and drowned in the amazing sauce and covered with melted cheese. Their drink options come in tiki cups that are also a very nice touch. We came on a busy night so the parking was a bit difficult to find. Parking down the street and just had to cross the intersection to get to the restaurant. Overall a great experience and will come back.

Walked by on a Wednesday and was seated quickly! Free chips and salsa brought to your table. They have a good lunch special that includes either a agua Fresca or classic margarita for $20. Food overall 9/10 on flavor scale

Popped in on New Year's Eve for some margaritas. What a treat! We loved the ambiance and the decor. We had a wonderfully tasty Anaya's Margarita pitcher. The complimentary chips and salsa were very good. Our server was friendly and made recommendations. I highly recommend coming here! I'll definitely be back. Mr and Mrs Anaya are the nicest people and I love to see their personalities come through so nicely with this restaurant.

I have dined at Anaya's Mexican Restaurant in Pasadena Playhouse district once before for a birthday celebration. I loved it so much that I recommended it to my work colleagues for a team lunch recently. We came here on a Wednesday afternoon. Prior to arrival, I easily made reservations for a party of 8 via online. I got a few reminders before our arrival which was great. Please note for a party of 10 or more, you'll have to call them to make reservations. Good ample inside space with solid dark wood tables, chairs, bar stool, and bench seating. Limited outside seating available. Interesting industrial-chic inspired decor. They also have a full bar area. They weren't super busy for lunch maybe 3 big parties of 8 or more with a few smaller parties of 3 or less. Unfortunately, they had only one lady server and one gentleman barista who also helped with table service. This didn't make sense to me. They should have at least 2 full-time servers. Anyway, despite of the slow service due to the very limited staff, the staff members were friendly and did the best they could. We got complimentary chips and green salsa... just one note, there was not enough of green sauce for the amount of chips given. As for drink, water for everyone. As for food, I ordered the Anaya's Fajitas with shrimp. You can get it with steak, shrimp, chicken, or a mix of all 3 at different prices. I was expecting it to come out on a sizzling platter instead it was just on a regular plate. Slightly disappointed. It had about 7 good size shrimps along with sauteed garlic, bell peppers, onions, tomato, and white wine served with rice, beans plus 2 tortillas. Flavors were just okay nothing exceptional. Btw, I needed at least 3-4 tortillas. And what happened to the guac, sour cream, and pico de gallo? For $27.95, it needed more bells and whistle (just an analogy). Probably will not get again. We also got two guacamole appetizers that came with lime juice, jalapenos, white onions, and cilantro. All was mixed right in front of us. I was so bummed that it didn't have any taste to it. It was the blandest guac I have ever eaten. I felt like we were eating plain avocado. Just not enough salt and lime juice. Our entire table had the same feedback. Very disappointed. We also got 2 orders of churros served with caramel and whipped cream. Since we had to return back to work, we asked them to pack them to-go. We had already finished eating. It took them literally another 15+ minutes to have it out to us. We extended our visit longer than we should have... not by choice of course. Btw, churros were very good. At the end of our meal, I was not a very happy camper especially when it was a restaurant that I recommended. The slow service, the long wait on food, the bland guac, and the non-sizzling fajitas platter + lack of condiments was NOT the dining experience I was hoping to have with my team. I'm only giving it 3 stars because of the hardworking staff on the floor. Thank you for all that you do. I can't say I will recommend Anaya's again in the future which is unfortunate. Good luck Anaya's!

I loved everything about this place. It was empty in a nice way. Not packed or extremely busy. The people there were so nice. I enjoyed all the food we ordered. There was no issue. I am definitely coming back and bringing friends and family,

Anaya's delivered a wonderful dining experience. The food was exceptional--my chicken fajitas were perfectly prepared and served with beans, rice, and freshly made corn tortillas. My husband's beef burrito and my son's beef tacos were equally enjoyable. The service truly stood out. George I think he was the manager was attentive, gracious, and consistently checked on us with a warm smile. The ambiance was inviting and comfortable, making it a lovely place to celebrate my birthday. Dessert--churros served with ice cream and flan--was the perfect ending to a memorable meal. I highly recommend Anaya's for both lunch and dinner.

Tried Anayas for the first time for a birthday dinner and was extremely underwhelmed. We had reservations for 5 pm on a Friday night, and upon arriving, the restaurant was completely empty. The restaurant seemed a bit run down and not taken care of. The restaurant attempted ambient lighting, but it was dark and the lights above our table were constantly flickering throughout our dinner. I ordered the enchiladas de carne for $27. The food was just okay, nothing special. The price is definitely extreme for what I received. The other guests in my party had similar opinions. The chips and salsa were at least good. On top of the food being mediocre, the service was horrendous for it being an empty restaurant. We had to call our server over 3+ times due to him being inattentive. It was also disappointing that despite notifying the restaurant of this dinner being for a birthday, my guest never received a single happy birthday and their special occasion was essentially ignored. Overall, I don't recommend Anayas. The restaurant lacked liveliness and the service and food both need serious improvement. There is much better Mexican food for a better price in the surrounding area.

Foods gone downhill, overpriced & dry, never going back, buss boy tried taking our empty plates across the table while we were all still sitting there instead of waiting for us to leave which we we're getting ready to! Ridiculous & just plain rude, along with the hostess, never going back. Waiter was the only thing decent

Love this place. Fell in love with the Diablo pasta. Creamy and spicy with shrimp or chicken. Great drinks. Had almost all of them.

I visited Anayas earlier today to celebrate my daughter's birthday, and we had a fantastic time. We arrived much earlier than our reserved time, but this was not a problem. The hostess greeted us with a smile and sat us immediately. Also, our waiter was attentive and professional. The food came out fast and hot. My daughter's chicken flautas and my enchiladas con mole were absolutely delicious. Generally, I'm not a big fan of rice, but the rice here had a distinct brothy flavor which I enjoyed. Once we finished, I requested the check. Just a moment later, a group of employees approached our table, placed a sombrero on my daughter, and sang Happy Birthday to her. For the final touch, our waiter surprised my daughter with a slice of flan that was creamy and topped with a bit of cajeta. I appreciated how they helped make my daughter's day a special one.

ANAYA's MEXICAN - REVIEW FOR JUNE 2025 Staying at the nearby AC Hotel, I was looking for a quick mexican restaurant nearby. Surprisingly, this restaurant is larger than expected and something i was looking for in Pasadena. *Food - Order = Beef flautas with beans and rice = 25$ with tax and tip - I would order again! A little pricey but substancial amount and considering location. It was packaged well, although make sure to ask for cutlery if you're staying at the hotel *Different than most mexican spots in Pasadena - - Aside from El Portugal nearby which is great for outdoor seating and the food isn't out of this world-- there isn't many big family seating mexican restaurants in pasadena; There are many hole in the walls along with taco trucks but not too many like Anaya's. *Other - outdoor seating right on colorado + large indoor seating - happy hour specials - parking? = since i walked.. can't comment and seems like it may be street parking on colorado only which may be hard I'll definitely check this place out for dine in! Heard the margaritas were worth trying pre a coworker! Shout out to Joanna for being extra kind on the phone and staff seems very friendly.

This place has an awesome, affordable Sunday brunch. Definitely a standout, with great options like chili rellano, chilaquiles and ceviche. The atmosphere is beautiful and relaxing, and the staff are very helpful and accommodating. Definitely recommend!

Great service and food on Cinco de Mayo. Friend and I shared a hearty Oaxacan stew of Molcajete de carne (with shrimp add-on) The steak, chicken and spicy sausage all cooked perfectly. I thought the Molcajete I had in Santa Barbara (Los Agaves) was good, but Anayas' high-end version takes it up another level. We assembled the ingredients into various tacos (beef, shrimp, surf and turf, etc.) it was so fun to eat! Btw they make their tortillas fresh so new orders take a while to come out. We poured the leftover broth, rich in umami flavor, over the rice and it tasted A-mazing! $70 total damage but would definitely do it again. Happy Cinco de Mayo!

I was able to enjoy a nice dinner here at anayas! The meñu had so many options from burritos to Cameron's a la diabla to fajitas. I was in the mood for beef so I went ahead and ordered the costillas norteñas dish. This dish came with braised beef, rice, and beans served with a little bit of onion and cilantro on the side to add to your dish. They did serve it with a small side of red sauce, which personally I was not a fan off. The meat was so tender and juicy and the taste was immaculate ! although the portion seemed small in the beginning I definitely got super full. Before my Main entree came I did order guacamole and chips in which the GM mixed all the ingredients together at my table. It's made in a molcajete and they do serve a decent amount of guacamole! Shout out to the GM for being so kind!! The location is very wide, clean and modern. The restrooms are nice. I enjoyed my dinner here. I'd definitely recommend. PS they do have brunch here on Sundays and live music. According to the GM. I plan on coming here soon for that!

Anayas is a gourmet Mexican restaurant located in downtown Pasadena. They have a great variety of food and drinks. I loved the inviting ambiance inside. I ordered the Costillas En Chile Verde (pork baby back ribs, rice, beans, and homemade corn tortillas. It was so good, especially the tortillas!! For $24.95, I felt like the portions were reasonable, and I had enough leftovers for a second meal. Dishes from our appetizers were picked up right away after the entrees arrived. Glad I stopped by!

We went here after going to the Art Walk for lunch. They had a special that if your purchased an entree, you would receive a free margarita. With all the decent reviews and the margarita deal, we thought giving this a chance would be worth it. Unfortunately, the food was pretty disappointing. We got a breakfast burrito and a 3 asada taco plate. My son got the bean and cheese burrito. The breakfast burrito was all egg and didn't have any meat such as bacon or sausage. For that, I would give it 2 stars especially for the price. The bean and cheese burrito was even worse and also cost $17. That's 1 star. I would say the asada tacos were the best but nothing amazing. We would definitely never come here again. Also, service was mediocre. They were understaffed so that might have been the reason but it wasn't great overall.

Fantastic service and great vibe. Strawberry margarita was small but mighty. Great flavor. Mexican Caesar salad with grilled chicken was substantial and filling. Additional of corn kernels and black beans added an additional layer of flavor and tortilla chips added some extra crunch. Place is clean and well maintained and overall very inviting

Our food fell extremely short of the reviews that hype them up. The chips came out super cold which was a hint as to how the guacamole would be...so we didn't order it, then my gambas al ajillo had chewy, overdone prawns so when sending back, they asked if I wanted something else. I asked for the enchiladas Del mar which also had shrimp but they said it was cooked differently. The dish was SO heavy. Drenched in a white queso type of sauce, the tortillas were thick and tasteless and the shrimp were these baby shrimp which were also quite bland. Our boys had the quesadilla with refried beans (bc they said they don't have black beans), and cheese enchiladas. Both dishes were just ok. The prices given these were just insane. I think the enchiladas are close to $30. The fried ice cream - $15 was probably the worst. It came out with the shell cold and dry. The staff was nice but for a nearly $200 Mexican dinner in the LA area, this was so disappointing. Wouldn't go back :(

Food here is decent, got a steak burrito. The burrito lack flavor and was kind of small for what you pay for. Service here was okay.

- Chips and salsa (so yummy) - Appetizer sampler (okay) - Shrimp diablo pasta (so good) - Carne Asada wet burrito (so good) - Coconut flan (good) but needs more coconut flavor Service was very good. Waiter was attentive. Never needed to wave him down. He made eye contact all the time which was refreshing. Interior is nicely decorated and they seem to have different themes for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Picked this spot for a coworker team bonding after watching movies at landmark theatre bc it's walking distance thinking that I'm they might have specials and not too pricey...but was shocked at our two pitchers of margarita prices which was served with a lot of ice not that much drink and would have been same as us getting 10 separate classic margaritas individually. The waitress didn't tell us that it would cost the same but we assumed it would be less than getting individual ones but it wasn't not even by $1...when we told them about how much ice was in the first pitcher they responded that if we get a second one w less ice it will just have less liquid. What!??? It's a fun vibe w lively decorations we made the best of it but prob won't do pitchers of margaritas here anymore when we can go elsewhere for less...similar food. comes w lots of ice barely any liquid... Better off ordering 8/10 individual margaritas then vs pitcher no value in that at all...they didn't seem to care & got charged w $20 cake cutting fee we weren't expecting...we cut ourselves but they brought us plates

This place never disappoints. The food is truly amazing. On a cold day I as able to grab some Pozole. They bring all the ingredients for you to make as you need for your taste. The service continues to be fast and ambiance welcoming.

Review of bar only. Stopped in for a nightcap just before closing. Vinny was bartending and couldn't have been more friendly and helpful. The kitchen was about to close, but I'd already eaten elsewhere so no issues here. I was looking to get an Old Fashioned with an anejo Tequila instead of whiskey, but Vinny recommended I try his personal specialty, a "Oaxacan After Midnight" ($24), which was somewhat similar. He used a reposado Mezcal and Gran Centenario Christalino anejo Tequila, with flaming lemon and lime twists over an Anayas' stamped cube of ice. I'm not a fan of mezcal, but this cocktail was incredibly smooth and very tasty. Glad I took his recommendation. One of the other bar patrons informed me that I just missed the live music, which is always a nice touch to the ambiance. Overall, a much better experience than my first visit. Still need to come back and try the food.

Beef flautas were 10/10! Margs were strong & so good!!! A little pricey but worth it!

The ambiance and the food is very good but the service was slow. It was a Saturday night but it was frustrating not to get updates from the server. I believe it was the bartender who was our server.

Pros: service was great. Cons: Extremely underwhelming for the price. Tasted like a mediocre Mexican chain restaurant. Much fresher and better-tasting food for less at La Cabanita, Salsa and Beer.

I was craving ceviche so my friend recommended to try this place. We got seated right away despite not having reservations on a Sunday afternoon. The service at first was really good, they seated us and gave us waters and menus. However, it took a while for them to then take our order. We probably waited around 20-25 minutes before they came to take our order. They gave us complimentary salsa and chips which helped with the wait time, but we were unhappy with the time it took for them to attend to us. We ordered the ceviche de camaron and it was delicious! It came with two tostadas, which paired well with the ceviche. I liked the avocado as well, as that's not typical in a ceviche dish (from my experience). I also tried the ceviche with the salsa they provided from the complimentary salsa and chips, which tasted well with the dish. Overall, 5/5 on the food and the portion was sufficient for the two of us. The ambiance of the restaurant was nice. It was big inside with ample seating, dim lighting and cozy decor.

We went on a Thursday evening. It was only about 1/3 full, with a few large birthday groups. Service was excellent, David was fantastically obliging. The drinks flowed and the food was mostly really good. Green salsa and chips, 5/5 All of the salsas were tremendously flavorful. Roasted tomato salsa was my fave. Queso fundido 5/5 Rice and beans 4/5 (good but nothing special) Ceviche 5/5 Carnitas 5/5 Flautas (beef & chicken) 3/5 Flan 4/5 Guava martini 5+++/5 this will definitely be my go to drink when i go back.

I've been wanting to come here for a few months now. I've seen mixed reviews on this place but finally decided to go. David was our server. It wasn't busy when we went on Saturday night. We ordered Anaya's fajitas, potato tacos and shredded beef taquitos. For dessert, fried ice cream and churros. All delicious. Service was great. Empty dishes picked up promptly. No one hovered over us but we also weren't forgotten. My husband loves IPA's and David had great suggestions, especially the Mexican ipa. Loved the decor and ambiance. Great place. Will definitely add it to our favorite places to visit again

We decided to give this place a try based on the reviews I saw online so it made reservations on my birthday Friday and rolled into the location about 5 PM. It was dead, but it's still early. So we sat down and looked over the menu. We were the only family in this one room. We sat for a few before we got service. I think the manager came over and took our order. My family ordered food and I got a margarita. The drink was delicious. We ordered a sampler platter and it was good. Next the food came and it was just ok. Not awful but nothing great at all. Just okay. My family ordered the beef enchiladas in my wife ordered the cheese enchiladas. My daughter said the beef enchiladas were pretty good and I tried it. It was fair. The cheese enchiladas tasted weird and had some type of sweet and odd tasting sauce. They were not that good. I ordered the tiger shrimp enchiladas and they were OK. The food was average. We were the only family in this whole section. The service was just poor. I had to keep sending my son-in-law to wave down a waiter to get us more water or to get me a second drink and the place was not busy. They were just hanging out by the bar. I will not be back. My impression was not that good not worth the drive and the food is not worth it overall they got about a 2.8 out of five just not that good not worth recommending.

While heading to a new-to-me movie theater in Pasadena, I figured I'd grab a bite somewhere nearby--no plan, just vibes. That's when I spotted Anaya's Mexican Restaurant. What drew me in? A sandwich board sign out front advertising lunch specials. It worked. I walked in around 11:40 a.m., only to find out that the lunch specials don't start until noon. No problem--I grabbed a seat, munched on complimentary chips and green salsa, and passed the time on my phone. The chips were fresh, and the salsa had a nice tangy kick--simple but satisfying. With a little time to spare, I decided to try their signature margarita. Good move. It was strong, well-balanced, and definitely not one of those overly sweet pre-mix types. A proper margarita. Once noon hit, I went with the chicken enchiladas with red sauce, skipping the refried beans in favor of just rice. (I'm not a refried bean person, and that's okay.) The rice was perfectly cooked--fluffy, with every grain holding its own--and the enchiladas were generously stuffed with shredded chicken. One note of caution: the red sauce is delicious, but messy. If you're like me and didn't think to ask for an extra napkin, you might leave with a souvenir or two--in my case, a few red stains. One napkin for the lap, one for the fingers next time. Bottom line: Anaya's is a solid neighborhood find--great lunch spot with strong margaritas, flavorful enchiladas, and a welcoming, relaxed vibe. Just keep an eye on the clock if you're after a lunch deal and maybe wear a dark shirt if you're going for the red sauce.

I came here for taco Tuesday and it was perfect. 5 tacos for $15, nice bar seating, friendly atmosphere. And did I mention 5 tacos for $15? Can't be beat!

This review is for their Sunday brunch buffet. What a great deal! A chill and relaxed atmosphere (would like the music a little quieter but it's not a big deal). The service was amazing, we were frequently checked on for refills or if there was anything special we wanted to order. The star is the huge selection of food they have, from barbacoa to chicken mole to salmon. They have mini enchiladas, aguachile, and two different kinds of ceviche. Pozole and menudo with all the fixings available as well. The dessert bar had fresh and crispy churros and a whole chocolate fountain. All of it tasted fresh. You could also order your own omelette or chilaquiles made to order. Agua fresca and cafe de olla were included. Can't say enough good things about this place, glad we stopped in!

The first time my boyfriend and I tried this, we loved it immediately. All the dishes are so flavorful and the staff was super friendly. This is our go to spot when we want a nice meal!

My family brought my mom here for Mother's Day and everything was delicious. They have great portions, a number of different food selections and a good drink selection as well. Recommend: -Sample platter -Salmon Plate -Molcajete -Fish tacos -Enchiladas Our server was very kind and attentive to our table. The space itself is beautiful, lots of seating and cozy vibe inside. An added plus is they have parking in the back of their building! Overall great experience.

Decided to try Anayas after a friend's recommendation. Plenty of street parking and a lot behind. The place was jumping but it was happy hour, but they were able to seat us right away. Super friendly staff, lots of checks with the table for drinks, water,chips etc. Green salsa and very good tortilla chips on the table while getting drink orders, so great service. Got the sampler to try out all the apps, all tasty especially the taquitos. The enchilada del mar was also very good. Overall, will return to check out the rest of the menu. 5 stars

Came here for their happy hour and thoroughly enjoy their food and beers. It was a hot day and my thirst was quenched. Come and support this business!!! The staff were friendly and helpful too.

Great food! Wet chicken burrito - YUM. Add the side green salsa for a good kick. It's a nice fat burrito for about $21. Steak plate - delish. Peppered chicken - too sweet! I had trouble eating it so picked at my friend's steak plate. I would come back.

Food inflation, tip inflation. A week ago on Friday 8/16, my wife and I craved Mexican food. I love the chicken mole and my wife loves grilled fish tacos at Anayas. We looked at the menu and saw their lunch specials are Monday-Thursday. We are here on Friday. No senior or AAA discount. We paid full dinner prices for lunch. The food was good. I enjoyed my chicken mole. My wife enjoyed her fish tacos. When I got the bill, I was shocked. The bill I expected. What shocked me was the "suggested tip" at 20%. The service was not great with one person working as host and server for the front end of the restaurant. That's outrageous to expect patrons to spend $70 for lunch. It will be a long time before we go back. They have lost our business. DJ's rating: 2.10/5.00 Would we come back? No.

1st time here. Was not liking it at all. At 1st the gentleman at the front seat it us quickly that was good. Place was dark, not enough light to read the menu. I had to look at the menu with my phone light. Food was ok and food was expensive service to my standards was not good at all. I had better food for cheaper price. The restroom smelled horrific like if there was a decomposing body mixed with ammonia. The waitress asked if she should bring my change back. I dis like for anyone to ask me should I bring u your change. I'm not going to reward a bad service.

Wow, Anayas had us all impressed! My family and I made last minute reservations for Sunday brunch to celebrate two birthdays. We called the same morning around 10am and got reservations for 1pm for 12. Service was great. Our waitress was on top of everything and was very attentive. I wish I got her name to give her credit. As for the food, this is authentic Mexican food! The Sunday buffet had so many options. My favorite was the agua Chiles, posole, and the barbacoa. You can also order omelettes, chilaquiles, and waffles that are made fresh in the kitchen upon request. These are included in the buffet. We ordered all three and they were so flavorful! The green chilaquiles were my favorite. I 100% recommend the margarita! Perfect balance of alcohol and not too sweet. The live music gave the place such a nice atmosphere and wasn't too loud/overwhelming. We will definitely be back to Anayas!

Where to start. We arrived at 10 am. Stood by the door a few minutes while they decided to sit us. Waitress did not seem happy to see customers. They had a buffet going on so we stayed. Got a mimosa and an agua the agua was really good. A few reasons I will point out, being why they got a 1 start from me. Service is horrible, young lady does not want to be here. Good is below average. We didn't have drinks for a while young lady was polishing silverware eight infringed of us and could not turn around to see we did not have drinks. Lastly price is over prices . We paid $100.20 for 2 of us. Not many options for food. Very basic. We have the girl $105.00 and she asked if we needed change . We said yes because I was not going to leave her a tip. She took it came back and asked again if we wanted to break the $5. Again I said yes. Rolled her eyes and I've had enough so we left. Coming from a service industry back ground for years I can say she should not be a waitress. Tho is not the first time she waits on us and it's not good. I don't think I'll be coming back. Service is very important and she made the entire expensive even worst.