BESTMEXICANFOODEVER! Salsa is addicting! If you don’t like the food well you must be crazy!
Henry C.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 Sunnyvale, CA
We’ve been going to Maria Elena’s for over a decade now, once every couple of months. This is our go-to Mexican restaurant, even though I no longer work close by to it now. We really enjoy the combo platters there, and the chips and salsa are super delicious. The chips are a bit thicker than normal(~Doritos, Pringles, etc.), and the salsa is also a bit spicier than average. Their menu is fairly large, and we especially like the enchiladas, beef tacos(though it is a juicy, so the shell melts and breaks if you don’t eat it too quickly), and fish tacos. The quantity of food on a combo plate is pretty generous, and I am always full when I leave there. The price is pretty reasonable for such a quantity of food. The décor hasn’t changed much over the years, although they did renovate their outside dining area so there is more seating that is protected from the sun. The interior is colorful with large pieces of artwork hanging. The restrooms are a bit spartan, a single stall with a sink that has a loose faucet. You can deduct a fraction of a star for this if you have to spend a meaningful amount of time in there. The wait staff is usually pretty quick, and helpful to refill drinks, chips and salsa. One of them knows our usual order as well, even months in between visits. Thanks!
Denis R.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 Santa Clara, CA
Tucked away in very old and historic Alviso sits some of the best and freshest Mexican food around. The inside décor is somewhat worn but has a very festive and cozy feel to it. I ordered the 3 item plate with a chile relleno, beef taco and cheese enchilada and it was delicious. Top it off with a stiff and inexpensive margarita and I left happy. The servers are very nice and attentive as well. If you’re in the area give it a try!
Ashu D.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 Danville, CA
I have been to this place at least 25 times. Last Friday I was there. Food rocks here … I have ordered Chicken Fajita, Chicken Mole, Chicken Santa Fe. Great quality food. Salsa also rocks, ask for spicy salsa if you like it that way. About drinks, I usually grab a beer Corona, Pacifico, Modelo. Also try Chavella and Super Chavella, both are great. I will come here again and again.
Ben S.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 Sunnyvale, CA
This restaurant is in a somewhat out-in-the-country area, does not feel like being in Silicon Valley. Customers are generously served complimentary chips and salsa. I believe the salsa is made in-house, quite flavorful. My friend and I ordered the fish taco platter(non-fried) and the chicken mole with rice and beans to share. This is the third time I’ve ordered fish taco. The fish was cooked in butter, and the seasoning was good. However, every time I’ve ordered it, I felt the fish was slightly mealy — not at it’s freshest. The chicken mole tasted somewhat different from others we’ve had. It does not have the distinctive chocolate flavor. Though it was still good, it tasted more like a regular chicken stew with mexican seasoning than chicken mole. The server was polite and pleasant. The menu was reasonably interesting.
Slava Y.
Évaluation du lieu : 1 Belmont, CA
Horrible service, rude hostess and manager; location — forget about it; food — nothing special. They did not honor our reservation because we were on-time(but other group with about the same number of people came in 5 minutes before us and apparently took our table — that was the excuse from manager). Avoid this place!
Ananya P.
Évaluation du lieu : 1 San Francisco, CA
Worst customer service ever. They cancelled my reservations and didnt inform me. After i reached there with a big group of my coworkers during lunch time, they misbehaved with us and were very rude. We ended up leaving the place. It looked like a legit Mexican food but after they treated us so rudely, i will never go there. They should LEARN how to behave with customers. I was embarrassed about the epic failure as i had organized a corporate lunch there.
Dean S.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Sunnyvale, CA
Me and my coworkers have been going here since 2001 but I actually haven’t been here in very long time mainly because other restaurants have opened closer to the office. This small hole-in-the wall is near North San Jose by North 1st St. and the Great America area of Santa Clara. Like others have commented, it is decent, and a bit better than Pedro’s or El Torito. The staff is friendly and the prices are reasonable. If you are in the area I’d recommend it. The fact that they are still in business means they are doing something right. It is right down the street from Ping High driving range for reference.
SanJoseSun D.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 San Jose, CA
This place has been around forever; it’s an old stand by in the area. The food here is fresh and the staff is always nice. It’s steps above Pedro’s and El Torito’s and is reasonably priced. This time I ordered the fish taco platter(#5s); for $ 9.99 you get four small fish tacos and a generous side of guacamole. Each taco is served on two the smaller than normal 3″ corn tortillas, with fish, onions and a green spicy salsa which was delightful. I should have asked for more of this salsa on the side. My friend ordered the #28 beef flauta with rice and beans. The flauta looked like an big eggroll. She shared some of her rice and beans and I shared a taco so it was the perfect amount of food for us. Maria Elena’s serves complimentary chips and salsa which are waiting for you on the table before you even sit down. The chips they use are not my favorite– yellow corn, not the thick, oily kind, but I ate some anyways– how can you resist? Their salsa is nothing out of the ordinary and a bit mild for me but always consistent and fresh. You can order beer or wine or sangria with your meal. The sangria doesn’t come with chunks of fruit and you get a pretty tall pour for about $ 5. I also noticed that they have a pretty extensive vegetarian menu that goes beyond combinations of beans and cheese. I think this is a family owned place and the staff is always nice; they know what they are doing. This is a good thing because it can get especially crowded during the lunch hour.
Bill L.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 San Jose, CA
I enjoyed eating at Maria’s and talking with Grace(waitress) but I feel sadly disappointed as if my patronage and my expenses were not appreciated, I was going 2 times a week, and at some point I heard a loud voiced individual making insultive comments towards frequent customers, and I thought they obviously do not deserve my cash or my good rating they seemed to be more rude than hospitable, thanks Grace if Grace is real,
Sherry C.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 San Jose, CA
I have been coming here for years and can’t believe that I haven’t done a review! Maria Elena’s is a hidden gem in Silicon Valley. Located in the town of Alviso — «What, where?» Most people are pleasantly surprised when they arrive at this place. The menu selection is really diverse including meat preparation-style, choice combinations, specials, as well as vegetarian entrees. What I have always loved is their complimentary chip and salsa. The good news is that they also sell their homemade salsa. Our party got the fish taco which comes with 4 tacos with the fish poached in ‘butter’ — that’s what the waitress claimed. We also got the chicken fajitas which is just absolutely tantalizing. The restaurant gets very crowded. They won’t take reservations for party of 10 or less or after 11:45. Also they have stopped giving our birthday desserts and performing the little sing-song. However, the food and the service are still great.
Jamie D.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 San Jose, CA
We have been coming here for years. They have the best Fajitas in the Bay Area. Real chicken(not that proceeded strip crap you get in most restaurants) and freshly cut crisp peppers and onions. Wait staff busts their butts to get everything right and fast. People with complaints need to keep in mind this is not a chain restaurant. If you want quality you may have a wait a bit!
Lindsey C.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 San Jose, CA
The first time I came was with co-workers more than 4 years ago. It’s a popular, secluded spot for tech workers in the area. Simple, inexpensive tacos are my go to. Service can be spotty whether it’s busy or slow. Still a good spot for decent Mexican food in the area.
Love K.
Évaluation du lieu : 2 Sunnyvale, CA
I’ve come here with a group of 9 people for a work lunch. We made reservations but as we walked into the empty restaurant, they were not ready for us. They soon managed to combine a couple of tables together and seated us. Once seated, they served chips & salsa. We placed several orders for guacamole as well; my favorite. When placing orders for our main meals, I noticed there was a lot of miscommunication between our group and the waiter. She could not speak proper English– I ordered a plain chicken burrito but ended up with a wet burrito. Everyone’s food took forever and one meal was forgotten. 30 minutes into our group lunch I didn’t think it was appropriate to correct my order. I picked at my meal and ended up not eating most of it.
Carmen V.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 San Jose, CA
Located in Alviso, that strange and lost paradise, this Mexican restaurant is both a salvation to your hunger(there are not that many around) and a little of deception for the small size of those tacos. Very generous, though, with the chips and salsa. That, by itself, was like a meal… and good for that, because we had to wait a long time to have our taco plate. We wanted to share a combo of tacos, some carne asada, some vegetarian. It seems very difficult for some Mexican restaurants to get that some customers want a vegetarian taco, and they don’t know what to put in it. I found it was OK but nothing to dream about. The restaurant looks very authentic, is big and everyone is friendly. You feel very accommodated there, but nothing too special about it.
Andrew H.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 San Francisco, CA
If you find yourself in the Alviso neighborhood during lunch hours, Maria Elena’s has a shaded outdoor patio that is an excellent choice to spend an hour or two. The salsa and hot sauce is fresh and a great compliment to any of the dishes.
Jim P.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Los Altos, CA
I’ve been visiting Maria Elana’s since 1996, I watched it swell in size during the Tech Boom(code compliance questionable) and offer AYCE Buffett for lunch then shrink in size and back to a standard menu. I had the pleasure of meeting Maria Elena and loved her energy(God Bless). Throughout it all I have always loved the authentic feel of the place and the solid Mexican food. Not fancy, not pretentious, just good honest food and service. They are still super busy for lunch due to all the tech companies nearby, dinner is much quieter. Ample parking in the street or lot down the street. The Baja Fish tacos are awesome(cooked and smothered in butter with a little cabbage, onion, tomato, salsa verde and corn tortillas). I can see where some might struggle with the tortilla chips but I’m loving the stone ground maiz chips and the salsa is the best I’ve had! I affectionately call Maria Elena’s a Hole in the Wall, but there is no other HitW I’d rather eat at. Cheers!
Colin D.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 Washington, DC
I’m torn about Maria Elena’s, but I think I wind up falling on the«there’s better Mexican» side of the fence – especially given that I’ve spent time in Austin and that the bay area in general can do better. The good parts are that the atmosphere is nice and casual, but somehow authentic and the fact that it’s right by the assortment of tech offices on North First street near 237 in San Jose. The only so-so parts are they food. They have chicken mole, which usually amazes me because mole is one of the best foods in existence, but it is only OK here. Beyond that, it’s pretty standard tex-mex-style food and it’s all slightly below my expectations. That, unfortunately, also includes the margaritas.
Becky W.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 San Jose, CA
My coworkers sort of hyped this place up. It is definitely a hole in the wall so I was expecting big things. Or maybe my expectations were a little too high. The ambience was nice, I ate outdoors and the weather was great so I do recommend that. It is shaded and typically cool outside since you are right by the water. The food there was pretty good. We ordered the guacamole to come out in the beginning to have with our chips and I would give that guac about a 7 out of 10. As for the chips, they were pretty average. Something you could buy at a store in bulk; definitely weren’t fresh. The salsa was very good though, it was fresh and had a nice amount of spiciness to it. I ordered the traditional Maria mole dish and I wish I hadn’t because others seemed to enjoy their meals a lot more than I did. For example, the shrimp fajitas are good so I definitely recommend that. However, my dish didn’t really taste like mole. I love mole sauce so this place just didn’t do it for me in that regard. The margaritas were great though! Cannot go wrong there! Also, as a side note, the waitresses were great! Very helpful and on top of things!
Jon S.
Évaluation du lieu : 3 Campbell, CA
3.5 but the LONG wait for my 4 Tacos rounds it down to a 3. Met up with my pops for a quick driving range sesh(at Pin High) and lunch at Maria Elena’s. After hitting a large bucket we were famished and quickly headed over to the restaurant – it was 2 so we missed the lunch rush… thankfully. We were seated inside(outside was unbearably muggy) and given much needed Water and Chips & Salsa. I ordered the 4 Taco Plate, 2 Tacos de Carne Asada and 2 Tacos Al Pastor, but the waitress informed me that they’re version of Al Pastor is «the lazy version and not authentic» and recommended the Carnitas instead. I appreciated the heads up b/c the Carnitas were some of the best I’ve had in the area. Pops also went with a Taco Plate and we split a side of Refried Beans, which were fatty and creamy and on point. So I dipped my Chips in there ALLDAY. Service was nice and food was solid. We did have to wait a solid 30 minutes between ordering our food and receiving it, but oh well. Will be back again.