Tenoch Mexican Grill
Mexican restaurant · Beacon Hill ·

Tenoch Mexican Grill

Mexican restaurant · Beacon Hill ·

Central Mexican recipes prepared with love, fresh ingredients, homemade chips

Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null
Tenoch Mexican Grill by null

Information

2414 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144 Get directions

$10–20

Reserve a table
Order delivery
See Menu
Restroom
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Family friendly
Good for solo dining

Information

Static Map

2414 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144 Get directions

+1 206 485 7019
tenochmexicangrill.com
@tenochmexicangrill

$10–20 · Menu

Reserve a table

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Family friendly
•Good for solo dining
•Vegetarian options
•Comfort food

Last updated

Dec 11, 2025

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391,495 Postcards · 10,994 Cities

Get Drunk in Davis Square | Eater Boston

"A late-night taqueria option to grab a desperation burrito if you didn’t eat enough earlier in the crawl." - Terrence Doyle

https://boston.eater.com/2018/4/30/17262668/davis-square-booze-crawl
Tenoch Mexican Grill
@eater
391,495 Postcards · 10,994 Cities

The Torta Masters Behind Tenoch Will Open a Medford Restaurant and Tequila Bar | Eater Boston

"I know the Sandoval brothers co-own the popular Tenoch brand, which operates three restaurants and three food trucks and has a Medford Square location just steps from the new El Tacuba site. Tenoch serves Mexican food—most notably tortas served on telera bread and packed with Oaxaca cheese, avocado, chipotle mayo, and other fillings—as well as tacos and a few other items. If you're in the area, go eat a carnitas and ham torta at Tenoch." - Terrence Doyle

https://boston.eater.com/2018/3/13/17116512/el-tacuba-medford-tenoch-tequila
Tenoch Mexican Grill

Coco Shawn Calderhead O.

Google
Outstanding. Each dish is prepared with love by the owner. The food is fresh, flavourful and filling. The guacamole was the best ever - chunky and tasty. The tortilla chips are homemade and delicious. We also had the rice bowl with the beef marinated in orange and peppers, and the chicken enchiladas. The prices were very reasonable and the service was great.

Ecem O.

Google
We did a pick-up order from Tenoch Mexican Grill and tried the Pollo Adobado and the Grilled Chicken - both were absolutely delicious! This might just be my new favorite Mexican restaurant.

Aman A.

Google
This place has some of the best Mexican food around, with great vegan options too! The atmosphere is always friendly and inviting, and the lady owner is incredibly welcoming and warm — she makes you feel right at home. Highly recommend for anyone looking for delicious food and genuine hospitality. 🌮✨

Nidhi Anna Mary J.

Google
Tenoch is a beautiful restaurant in Beacon Hill. Loved all the plants and decor. 😍 It was a very clean restaurant and we loved how friendly everyone was. The food was good and reasonably priced. We recommend the Puerco en Pasilla, pork in a sauce made from dried pasilla chillis. 😊🌶️ Their salsas were really good too. They also have a bar if you want a more lively vibe.

Parkes K.

Google
Amazing food and the friendliest owner! We had a great meal here. The inside is so adorable and the food was well priced and delicious. We've tried a lot of Mexican food around south Seattle, and this is definitely one of the best. I absolutely recommend!

Andrew L.

Google
Wonderful place to get delicious Mexican food on Beacon Hill. The two women working there were very friendly and kind. My to-go order wasn't quite ready when I arrived, but the dining area was very homey and welcoming so the short couple of minutes went by quickly. I got the pollo adobada burrito and it was excellent. It was expertly wrapped in foil and the flavors had a lot of depth. The adobada had a decent amount of spice so you knew it was there but wasn't overwhelming at all. The burrito reminded me of the tex-mex California burritos sold at the big chains but was so much better. I'm looking forward to trying their other items and different meats and sauces for their burritos too! As a sidenote: not something I'd ever expect to mention but their disposable takeout bag has a great design - I'd never seen this one before.

Kelly J.

Google
I’m so happy this place exists. I ordered the pollo en pipidio and my partner ordered the steak burrito. Both were served up quickly by the very charming owner, Rebecca. The food was fantastic! And the price is perfect. We will definitely go back. Please support this local business ❤️

Sean F.

Google
Tenoch is such a wonderful gem on Beacon Hill. I'm always so impressed with the food quality and neighborhold Cafe atmosphere. Either dink g in or take out I've been impressed. The selections available are great, I strongly encourage trying the Pollo en Pipian and Pisian Roast. There is also a good selection for meat free diats, with vegetable and impossible meat options. Also, brown rice is available! Don't sleep on Tenoch!
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Ryan W.

Yelp
My daughter and her husband moved into the building above Tenoch. I was excited they had a built in Mexican restaurant :). We've been in twice as a family. And, it is going to be a regular hang out when we visit. It's a cute, casual cafe, like ambience. Rebeca is a great host. The food is delicously simple, fresh, and the care is obvious in the presentation. I've had the fish tacos and chicken enchiladas. Wonderful. The salsa and moles are awesome. My favorite botanas are the choriqueso and roasted jalepeños. Only get the latter if you like heat.

Ryann D.

Yelp
This place has amazing food, a great staff, and a great ambiance. You know you'll be taken care of when you walk in the door and are greeted by the owner so warmly you feel like you're home. The bartender makes AMAZING drinks and the food is just as good!

Jake N.

Yelp
Best Mexican food I've had in Seattle, by far. Fresh, delicious, expertly flavored. The different stewed meats AND vegetarian option are all so beautifully balanced, and the margaritas are perfect. The guacamole is made fresh for you and you can taste the difference. The chef and staff are so kind and attentive. Prices are excellent. Will come back over and over. Don't miss this gem.

John L.

Yelp
I cannot recall a restaurant that compares with both the warmth and welcome of the staff and the delight of experiencing the cuisine. Its unassuming exterior cloaks the bright authentic glow of the interior of this secret treasure. Beacon hill is blessed with many Mexican food restaurants but no blessing is bigger than Tenoch Mexican Grill. My family and I have fallen in love with this neighborhood focal point and wish it many many years of successful service to the community. (Try the chicken enchilada with green sauce or tortilla soup.)

Ivory S.

Yelp
Omg this restaurant is soo good!! I wish I snapped a pic before I devoured my food. I ordered a bowl with adobo pollo with all the fixins. The presentation was beautiful and flavors were so fresh and tasty everything I was hoping for. I was originally on my way to chipotle and SOO I stopped here instead! Service was impeccable! Immediately upon entering the front door I was greeted with a warm welcome and asked how I was doing. The whole place felt warm and inviting and a place I'd definitely return to and will be bringing some of my family and friends too! So happy I found this new gem!
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Erik H.

Yelp
This place is that hole in the wall authentic restaurant you wish you could find. The food is absolutely exceptional. Immensely flavorful from all sorts of spices. It's just absolutely jaw droppingly good. We popped in here almost by accident on the drive home to get our kids fed; we are so glad we found it. The owner was our server and recommended the chicken pippien for me and it was insanity. I'm no expert on Mexican food, but it was incredibly fresh. The owner said that the region is central Mexican. We will be back as soon as we can for more!!!

James H.

Yelp
My first time eating here. The service is fantastic and then the food! Incredible! I had the enchiladas. Super tasty! The habanero salsa had the perfect heat. Not too hot just right. The margaritas are homemade not from a mix. Lime tart and delicious. I would highly recommend this place. Small and quiet. Now I am waiting for a churro which are made to order. Can't wait!

Christy P.

Yelp
The word I'd use to describe Tenoch is warm. I had a lovely time talking to the owner Rebecca about the artwork they selected. They even kept some art from the previous restaurant, Baja Bistro. I asked Rebecca for a recommendation and got the Pisinan roast. It was so tasty and balanced. Rebecca was attentive but also had a take it slow mentality (not rushing you). Stop by and enjoy the artwork and food!
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Allison D.

Yelp
Great neighborhood place I've finally gotten around to trying out. Very worth a visit. Casual and super friendly service from the owner who seems to always be on-site according to other reviews I've read. This seems to be the secret to the best and most consistent food and service. This time I had the shrimp tacos with rice and beans and found them delicious and satisfying. I will definitely be back to try other menu items.
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Se S.

Yelp
I recently moved to the neighborhood and have really come to enjoy going to Tenoch. I feel such warmth and kindness from Rebeca each time I have dined here, which really adds to the ambiance and experience of the restaurant. I've had a hard time finding Mexican cuisine in Seattle that has the quality, flavor, and character of Tenoch; and just like Rebeca, the food feels so comforting and warm. I find myself describing a lot of restaurant foods as overly salty, but every dish I have tried here feels really clean, balanced, flavorful and therefore delicious. The habanero salsa is so excellent and a wonderful complement to each of the meals I've had as well. I hope many people will come to discover this spot and leave with similar sentiments. Thank you for making the food you make!
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Caroline W.

Yelp
There's both a restaurant side of this spot, and a bar side. Sitting on the bar side, we loved the cozy vibe and the way multiple groups ended up talking to one another throughout the time we were eating. I had the spicy orange margarita and it was the perfect amount of spice. Also ordered the burrito bowl with the verde chicken and it was delicious. Will absolutely be back. Prices were great and the staff were all supremely kind and welcoming. It was clear they care deeply about every guest!
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Stephen P.

Yelp
Been here twice now, once getting take out and once dining in. The food is so great! Did a customized burrito each time, got the grilled chicken marinated in lime with lots of extras stuffed inside the burrito. Guac is handmade when ordered and so good. The guac isn't smashed, but small chunks of avocado tossed with diced tomato and red onion. Also, the prices are great, left full and it was only $40 for the two of us
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Theresa L.

Yelp
Welcome to Beacon Hill Tenoch! I have never had their food before nor did I know they existed 15 years in downtown Seattle prior. Tenoch was forced to move since the building was sold. Yesterday, I asked Rebecca the owner of Tenoch about what to order to bring to a gathering of about 6 people. She cooked up something with chicken with a mix of mild spices along with rice. There was fresh chips and salsa also. My friends all enjoyed the flavorful meal. Earlier in the day my dad and a long time friend had lunch there. His friend recognized Rebecca and then said he had eaten before in her restaurant in downtown seattle. He ordered the fish tacos and said it was flavorful. Needless to say he said he'd be back. My dad ordered a chicken burrito which was packed with chicken, beans, rice, guacamole, corn, etc.... It was a big serving! While he was cutting into it I took a bite, fresh and flavorful is was came to mind when I took that bite. I also asked Rebecca for take out order like a carna esada meal for my bf dinner. When I got home from my meal with my friends he said he ate it all and it was so good! It's now his favorite new restaurant! Tenoch renovated the space they are in now to have all tables and chairs on one side and the other side a bar. Clean, bright and ready for customers! I can't wait to try their other dishes! Once again, TENOCH, WELCOME TO BEACON HILL!
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Enne S.

Yelp
The sign for Tenoch Mexican Grill went up outside their store almost a year ago, so when they opened up a few weeks ago we HAD to check it out and we're SO glad we did! In the sea of Mexican food up and down Beacon, this place is a standout! The owner Rebecca was very welcoming, the food was delicious, there are plenty of vegan options, and there is a bar attached! We started with the chips and salsa, which signaled great things for what was to come. They were super fresh and very tasty (although be warned, the medium packed a more significant heat than the hot!). For our mains, we split a Pollo En Pipian burrito and the kale/mushroom chilaquiles. Both were absolutely delicious. The chicken was juicy, and the kale and mushrooms flavorful. The mushrooms were especially well-cooked, and tasted almost meaty! All in all, we are so happy to live near this place! They used to exist in the ID, but lost their original space due to gentrification three years ago. However, we're so happy Rebecca and her team are here. We will be back many times, with many friends, and I suspect we'll end up taking more than a few tequila shots there too

Ross M.

Yelp
Excellent food (have had the mole and tortilla soup). good service. not crowded, which hopefully will change soon.
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Jason S.

Yelp
This place is great, stopped by with the kids the other night and the lady there was super nice! Love the authentic feel and chicken enchiladas were amazing!
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Jia Y.

Yelp
Amazing food with great people! It's wonderful place to gather friends and family or just grab a quick bite with your best furry friend (there's a dog-friendly bar!). Rebeca has brought this lovely going to grandma's house vibe to the hill. She is so personable and puts so much care, thought, and love in every one of her dishes. The food is fresh, and the drinks are good. Definitely give the shrimp tacos and the orange margarita a try!

Jude M.

Yelp
Amazing service, feels like home and the owner is such a kind woman. The food is fantastic as well!

Fernie K.

Yelp
Amazing food and the friendliest owner! We had a great meal here. The inside is so adorable and the food was well priced and delicious. We've tried a lot of Mexican food around south Seattle, and this is definitely one of the best. I absolutely recommend!
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Devon C.

Yelp
A hidden gem of Seattle restaurant scene. Some of the best chicken, orange-infused roasted beef, steak. Very affordable. Great atmosphere. Go there asap
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Yes S.

Yelp
Hands down the best Mexican food in all of Seattle. This Mexican food slaps and their service makes it feel like home. If you are looking for a spot to grab some comida with some tasty cervezas, while also supporting a local Latina restaurant this is the place! It's all in walking distance from the Beacon Hill light rail station.
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Nick P.

Yelp
I use to visit their location in ID before they had to close their doors and were forced to move. Was so happy to hear they recently opened up in Beacon Hill. Today my partner and I went for lunch and it was absolutely amazing. The mom and daughter (Rebecca and Laura?) duo were there and so good to see them. They have an amazing location there and were smiles the whole time. Amazing service and even have drinks at this location. Nice seating area and sit down service. Great portions and the enchiladas were 10/10! In fact, everything was 10/10! They also offer catering so keep them in mind for your next gathering!
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John L.

Yelp
I will start with saying I am normally not a fan of Mexican style of cuisine. Rebeca and Laura has made me a believer. Their recommendations has so far been amazing, the flavors and experience I will not forget. I try to go as often as I can. It's definitely a hidden gem in Beacon Hill.

Anna N.

Yelp
the food is excellent. great vegetarian options! the owner is incredibly kind and the vibes are perfect.

Jonathan C.

Yelp
Amazing vibe and delicious food. The staff are incredibly friendly, welcoming, and attentive - there when you need and dedicated to good service. The fact they have a specific set of clearly defined vegetarian options was key for my partner. It's such a cool place for local and high quality family Mexican food. And the spicy margarita was the bomb! Had to have two. Will definitely be back here.
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Brian W.

Yelp
I've gotten food from here twice now and I must say it's been delicious both times. I'm a vegetarian so I appreciate the multiple options they offer. The burrito I ordered today was tasty and wet, as I had requested with the things I asked to have put on there. The potatoes were tender and it was altogether enjoyable. They conscientiously added napkins and a fork so I could harpoon pieces that fell away as I was devouring it. You just have to be reasonable and realistic and be sure to eat above a plate. The service has always been with a smile. In fact, the woman who helped me both times exudes a positive, friendly aura. It's always been a sincere pleasure interacting with her. She's of few words, which is fine by me, as I get what it's like being in her shoes, working as hard as she does. The salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo all tasted authentic to me and I've lived in San Diego for many years which is a 20 minute drive from the border. Thank you for the good food and great vibes. Keep it up!
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Epi L.

Yelp
Healthy, fresh prepared Mexican food is right here! One of my favorite dishes is their rice bowl. You get rice, a choice of beans (black or pinto), topped with your choice of meat (Pollo Adobado, Steak marinated in lime juice, Ropa Vieja,Puerco en Pasilla, Mole Verde (Chicken), Pollo en Pipian,Pisinan Roast) and toppings (lettuce, cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo, salsa, guacamole). It's very filling and delicious and usually makes for 2 meals for me. They also have more traditional fare such as quesadillas, enchiladas, and chileaquiles. When they have the tortilla soup, it's very yummy, although they don't always have it during the summer. They stock a number of different sodas, including Coke with sugar cane, and traditional drinks seen in Mexico. The seating area is small, so go early or late if you're eating there. They also do take-aways. It's a family run restaurant, and the service is quick, and always with a smile. They are very nice people, and are recommended for a healthy, cheap, quick meal downtown.
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Josh P.

Yelp
Tenoch has been a favorite of mine for many years, and every person I've introduced to the restaurant has raved about the quality and flavors. They're a small, family-run shop. Sometimes that means the food isn't consistent, but I've never had a bad meal here. Highlights: Puerco en Pasilla - perfectly spiced, cooked to the most tender moment where the pork pulls apart naturally - amazing every time! Pollo Adobado - a hint of heat brings the chicken alive (with flavor, the chicken does not actually rise from the dead) Pisinan Roast - this is a very deep flavor that is easy to overlook on first taste but has risen to be a favorite of mine. Don't miss out on the best Mexican food in the area and a fantastic Mexican restaurant in the Seattle area.
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Mary K.

Yelp
The slow roasted and shredded meats here definitely offer a distinct flavor, much like a home-brewed version of Chipotle. It's a small fast-casual restaurant that mimics an adobe style interior, with some poorly framed photographs/posters that relay some historical/cultural references. It feels like a mom & pop place with some great potential. The food is quality but some technical aspects hold me back from really enjoying the food- like the lettuce is chopped too big, the meats drip juice everywhere, the layout that recedes to the back is crowded because it's the same hallway used to gather utensils, drinks, pay, etc. I would rate it 3.5 stars at best.
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Von D.

Yelp
Authentic Mexican food made on the spot. Pricea are affordable, and food is healthy. You actually taste the flavors, because it's not overwhelmed by extra oil or too many spices.
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Kari R.

Yelp
Good, quick lunch. The chips and guacamole are awesome. I got the tacos with pollo verde and the meat is done well. What would have made the tacos 10x better homemade tortillas or just a better tortilla. Next time I'll try a bowl which seems to be popular.
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Veronica S.

Yelp
I found this place which is walking distance from my work office so I estimate I will be a solid 450 pounds by the end of the year!! I called in to place my order to avoid a long lunch line as I had read reviews prior to trying this place out. I am glad I did, the line was not terribly long but long enough I am glad I did not have to wait. I ordered the carne asada quesadilla and it was fantastic!! Well flavored steak, nicely melted and portions were more than enough. If you are not familiar with the area it can be a little intimidating with the homeless population but nothing that altered the restaurant. Try it for lunch! It is worth it!
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Ella L.

Yelp
I don't what's up with these people giving crappy reviews because of service. It's a lunch place and quite honestly even if they were rude to me (WHICH THEY ARE REALLY NICE!) you can order delivery! This place is BOMB.COM! The burritos are jam packed and full of flavor. The veggie tacos are also super legit. I crave this place on weekends and am bummed they aren't open for late night fare. Go!!!!
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Alden C.

Yelp
One of my favorite neighborhoods (thus far, I haven't been to all of them yet and most of the ones I have been to rock, FYI) in Seattle has got to be the International District. I always feel like I am getting a good, authentic experience when I go to the restaurants and shops here. I was interested to find that there was a Mexican restaurant in the neighborhood since most of the food specialty is Chinese and such. Never being able to tear myself away from a possibly good experience at a new Mexican Restaurant I went ahead and gave Tenoch a try. The food choices here are different and intriguing. Many of the menu options are Mexican style but served in an unconventional way. A good portion of the choices are served in bowls, very similar to getting a noodle bowl. The food itself was not bad. It was fresh and the bowl concept kept up my int rest. What I got was kind of like a bowl version of nachos and tacos. Aside from the chips the dish appeared to be pretty healthy to me and did not overfill me for the rest of my afternoon in the International District.
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skye s.

Yelp
Now THAT was a burrito! I'd like to think of myself as a burrito connoisseur, after my time in Texas and New Mexico. Here in Seattle I was pleased by the Columbia City taco truck, entertained by Rancho Bravo (truck on 45th better than the Cap Hill shack), and sustained by Chipotle in the U-District -- multiple times a week. I can get a mean burrito from Chipotle. But they're all pretty much the same, and not terribly exciting. Tenoch, on the other hand. Wow. Two veggie fillings -- garbanzo &tc, and potatos &tc. Wow! I got the potatos, along with generous rice, beans, salsas (tomatillo: excellent, and some seriously real guac). It was so big it exploded the tortilla. Not a problem. It was delicious... but it was filling. New favorite lunch burrito in Seattle.
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Sam P.

Yelp
I've finally found really good Mexican food in the city of Seattle. Not Cal-Mex like Gorditos, but fairly authentic Mexican food (even if they've had to add some gringo touches like cheddar cheese). What's there to like about Tenoch? The meats! The Pollo Adobado is chicken in about the best marinade one could ask for. Their Green Mole chicken eschews the dark chocolately mole sauces that one usually finds in favor of a lighter green sauce that still tastes fantastic. The portion sizes! For $6.99 one gets a very generously sized burrito. Not ridiculously sized like at Gorditos, but generously sized. Perfect for lunch without a food coma waiting for you in the afternoon. The rest of the ingredients! Fresh and vibrant - unlike those at other Mexican restaurants, which sometimes taste like they've come straight from a can. Tenoch does get crowded around the lunch hour, so try to beat the rush by going early.
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Michael M.

Yelp
Tenoch is a little hole in the wall restaurant with very friendly and outgoing employees. I for one love this place for the simplicity and basic food. This is the best Mexican restaurant I have visited and will continue to. Great food, service, and employees. I wish I could give a higher rating, but 5 stars is it.
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Shane B.

Yelp
Where is the love for Tenoch?This isn't fine dining -- it's a burrito bar, like Taco Del Mar, La Vaca, or Chipotle, but their flavors and consistently high quality will make you wonder how you ever allowed a Taco Del Mar burrito to enter your mouth. I discovered the magic of Tenoch when I was working in the Columbia Tower for a business with another office in the International District, so I often found myself walking past Tenoch on my way to and from meetings. Even so, I must have walked past the place more than a dozen times before I noticed it one day...the storefront is pretty subtle. The restaurant is in a weird no-man's land...south of downtown, north of the International District (just a block north of Japantown), and east of Pioneer Square. Blink and you'll miss it. There's another restaurant next door that has changed owners (and cuisines) several times in the recent past, yet Tenoch persists. That should tell you something. As for the reviewers who argue that this isn't "authentic Mexican", I'm sure that Rebecca, the native Mexican who owns the shop, would disagree. What is Mexican anyway? Mexico is a big country with many regional cuisines. Just as Chinese food is subdivided into various (and very different) regional cuisines, so is Mexican. I can't remember the name of the state Rebecca is from, but there's a Mexican map on the wall and she'd be happy to show you. True, getting a monster-sized burrito or a bowl (a burrito sans the tortilla) may not be authentic presentation, but this is simply a case of "giving the locals what they want". If you'd prefer your meal in a more "authentic" style -- on a plate with meat, rice, and a stack of tortillas on the side -- I'll bet they'd do that for you, but the low-carb folks want a tortilla-free option, so the bowl is a practical solution. When I look around the restaurant, I usually see more than half the diners eating from bowls, so this variation from the norm seems like a clever one. The meats here are the star attraction, and they make other burrito joints seem pretty pathetic. "Chicken Mole Verde"? "Ropa Vieja"? "Puerco en Pasilla"? "Pisinan Roast"? "Pollo en Pipian"? This is a far cry from the "chicken or beef" you can get at the typical burrito joint. Even their plain ol' grilled chicken is flavorfully marinated in beer. The sheer variety of flavors is impressive. Bored with your favorite? Go out on a limb and try something different. Although I enjoy the monster burritos, I'll typically encourage newcomers to try 3 or 4 tacos with different meats in each just so they can get a sense of the wide variety of flavors. You'll typically find 3 ladies behind the counter. When it's busy (near noon), all 3 are working the assembly-line putting together orders. However, whenever the traffic slows, the ladies head back to the cutting boards and start cut-cut-cutting the ingredients. Everything is made fresh here every day, and most of the meats are stewing for hours before they're ready. It's all from scratch, all home-style cooking, with no shortcuts. The cooler has cervezas, Pellegrino lemon and orange, Jarritos, and Cokes, and there's also a pitcher with ice water. If you enjoy tacos or burritos with fresh ingredients that are made with love, Tenoch deserves a visit -- especially if you work near the International District and are looking for a break from the Asian food.
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Ian B.

Yelp
I went back for an order of tacos and a Jarritos de limon yesterday. Geez, the guajillo chile pipian here is really good, and the tacos were tasty overall. I downed them pretty fast...too fast. The reasons for 3 stars instead of more remain similar as before. I'm for scrapping non-authentic Mexican items: cheddar cheese, nachos, etc. Why not put something authentic onto the menu instead? Plus, as I mentioned in the previous review, they need to use real tortillas for the chilaquiles. But, damn the pipian is good. That alone will bring me back to this place; I crave it.
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Matt J.

Yelp
The food here is just ok. Nothing like authentic Mexican but much better than Taco Del Mar or other fast food crap. The staff are great, seems to be family run. Think monster burritos with all the fixings that run about $8.00. Not bad. If you work near by a good lunch place.
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Daren D.

Yelp
Busy lunch spot downtown. I got the fish tacos with black beans... pretty much as expected but it had a hint of a slightly more kick (beans?) than I'm used to. It's good. I mixed it up. They have recycling bins.
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natalie n.

Yelp
My former coworker who's Mexican introduced me to this place, and if it's good enough for him, who am I to complain? Of course, this may be a function of there not really being many other non-Asian alternatives around where we work. He loves the tacos here as being authentic, while I love the burritos. I'm admittedly not so picky when it comes to Mexican food (because who am I kidding, I love Jack in the Box tacos), but the burritos are tasty and very filling.
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Sarah W.

Yelp
Maybe the cooking methods and sauces are authentic Mexican, but huge burritos and bowls are definitely not. Authenticity aside, this was a great lunch stop. A local, more homemade version of Taco Del Mar. The two ways we had chicken prepared were flavorful and the tortilla was fresh along with all the ingredients. And the people behind the counter were very friendly. Who orders an enchilada plate at a takeout looking place like this anyhow? (There were Coronas in the cooler)
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E. P.

Yelp
Tenoch achieves the atmosphere of a taqueria but lacks a lot of the basics. The good part: 1. Friendly service and accommodating to special requests (vegan, no onion, extra chile, etc) 2. Great selection of meats in unique sauces and preparations (ropa vieja, pollo en mole verde, pollo en salsa pipian) 3. The "bowl option" with lots of beans and veggies and salsa. 4. Open kitchen with ladies cooking up food from scratch Could be better at: 1. Traditional grilled meats such as asada, pastor, arrachera. These are not on the menu currently. 2. Ideally, corn tortillas should be grilled, not warmed in microwave. 3. Salsas need more bite. 4. The toppings for tacos were romaine and cheddar cheese? Where are the chopped onions and cilantro? 5. At almost $8 for three tacos without sides, I felt a little shorted. All that said, they certainly had some good things going on. I will head back to try the fish tacos, and more bowl action.
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Bob Z.

Yelp
I work in the ID, so Tenoch was a nice non-Asian food find. Not that I have anything against Asian food, but there is so much of it around me that it's nice to mix things up every so often. From the outside, there is an easy-to-overlook greasy spoon kind of vibe, and when I went in, my first thought was 'oh great, a cafeteria.' But the food was great, it came up quickly, and there was plenty of it. I got a burrito that was so big it became my lunch for two days in a row. There are a bunch of meat options, so I should probably get back here some day soon and check out the rest of them. There isn't much seating but I don't worry about that because I work two blocks away so I can just take it back to the office and eat in our lunchroom.
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Will D.

Yelp
The food is good and authentic. Burritos are a standout. But the new preorder system through Yelp leaves much to be desired. My food was not ready any quicker than if I'd stood in line. Four stars for the food regardless.
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Eric A.

Yelp
From the outside, it looks pretty scuzzy - they really need to get the graffiti off the awning - and you might wonder if it's even open or just another one of those run-down restaurants in the area, except for the line out the door at lunch. They've got a great selection of marinated meats - so many to choose from! They do a conga line of prep work like Chipotle - tortillas on the grill, scooping up rice+beans then adding meat and toppings. I had a chicken adobado burrito, a puerco en semilla taco and a steak taco (love to sample!). The adobado chicken was pretty dry - I imagine it doesn't hold up to sitting in a warming pan for very long. It was flavored beautifully though.. a shame. Both of the tacos were good - not spectacular but very solid! There are quite a few things on the menu that I plan on trying in my subsequent visits. It's long and narrow, not many tables, was there during the lunch rush and it was really crowded, but the food was definitely a notch above, and they deserve to be successful with this joint. This definitely gets put into my downtown lunch rotation..
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Laura L.

Yelp
This place is so yummy and the ladies that work here are super friendly! Chipotle is absolute crap compared to this place. It is served in the same format but this is actually fresh unlike Chipotle's vending machine taste. The mole verde and the fish tacos are to die for! Also, unlike Chipotle, the chips are made fresh and you can taste it! Yum, yum, yum!!!
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Eric R.

Yelp
Definitely a big step up from your typical burrito place. I had the vegetarian burrito with garbanzo beans and spices. The chips were also great -- they fry them there. The staff weren't exactly talkative, but they did their work.