Valentinas Restaurant and Cantina

I was shocked one day as I drove by my favorite Mexican restaurant La Casa Vieja only to discover it was under new ownership. Family and gave it a try. We ordered salads, soups, rice, beans, enchiladas, tacos and my personal favorite chicken fajitas. When the chips and salsa came out, I was surprised the tomatillo salsa had changed to a much different texture, which actually was good. Tortilla chips were greasy. As our food came out we all noticed the same thing– every dish was smothered in chipotle sauce! My fajitas came sizzling down the hallway and was delivered with a roasted chipotle sauce on top. The chicken was juicy and vegetables were good, but the sauce was super salty and strong. I get you’re trying to be different from the past restaurant, but you don’t need chipotle on everything. And no more albondigas soup??? That soup was delicious! I wish they would have kept some of their old menu items that were popular to keep customers some familiar and popular choices with a new twist. Won’t be coming back.

This place is really awful, it’s not the same ownership of casa vieja. It’s a waste of money and I got sick after eating their food. This place also accepts ebt. Wow lol

I gave this restaurant 2 chances since new ownership. The first time we were seated and waited 15min no one came so we, walked out. I went a few days ago and menu was changed, not much of a selection. The waitress came to ask order and could not speak English. They have only good chips and salsa. I will Never step foot in that place agIn. We walked out again. It’s horrible!

Well the food was pretty good but the service was a little slow. they treated us good but our waitress didn’t even bother asking me if I wanted a refill… and everyone there can barely even speak english!

Food and Service were Great but man after eating and walking into the ladies restroom Eeks it smelt horrible like sewage

So after hearing about how the food was good I decided to give it a try today and man I went with an appetite and left the same way chips where made in old oil and had a funny taste I ordered a shrimp cocktail and the shrimp tasted old and freezer burned I was disappointed… I will not return although the waitress was nice and attentive

Best Margaritas in town!
Am giving Valentina’s 4 stars because the chips they serve always smell bad (they need to change the oil they fry the chips more often) besides the chips the food is delicious!

My husband and I would go here once a week when up here in Hemet. They changed owners and in the beginning it was same menu and prices. We went again last night and was VERY disappointed.
They changed the menu and less options now to choose from. Then The Burrito that we used to get for $ 5.50 is now eight dollars and it’s a wet burrito. Not the good combo plate we used to have and the food wasn’t good. Husband and I both felt yucky today with the stomach. I personally ordered cheese enchiladas and the sauce tasted burnt. The chips were stale. Service sucked. The waitress never came back to ask how our food was or if we needed anything else. Don’t think we will return. If you drive past it would you think Valentina’s is a Mexican restaurant? No I know many who thought it is Italian. Also our food was NOT hot only warm. Took too long for drinks. They were not busy.

Took a date and split the molcajeta and it was outstanding. Wish they had more choices for salsa. We personally like it hotter then what they had, however the two choices were both good in flavor (a rojo and verde). Staff was very friendly, helpful, and attentive to all you needs. The cantina looked great but we didn’t have to hang out, will be doing soon.

Would not recommend this place to anyone! Took forever to order a simple drink from the bar. When I asked if they had a specific drink the lady asked me to go ask the manager, who was serving a Christmas party in the other room. Food was just okay nothing to rave about. El Patron is now our New Mexican restaurant in town!

Worst place to eat in hemet. Food was not that good at all and the bartender didnt know how mix a drink.

Gave them a try since it is a new place. Exterior has been redone (paint) and interior looks new also. Service was good even though there weren’t too many people there. Food was ok but kinda bland. Chips seemed a little burnt or maybe it is just how they serve them… can’t tell with only one visit. Server warned us the plates were hot… but mildly warm was more accurate. Food was only warm also. May try them again in several months to see if things improve as they work things out.

Good food. I ate at the bar. The bar has great ambiance, just needs more people! Food arrived quickly.
I will be returning.

My red hat chapter went to Valentina’s for lunch today. The place looked nice and they were all set up for us. Took a long time to get our drinks, which was strange because there were 3 people working and only one table with two customers in the restaurant. She finally took our orders and when the meals came out, most of us had to tell her that wasn’t what we ordered. There was much confusion over whether the lunch specials came with rice AND beans or one or the other, and one person asked if it was refried beans and the waitress said NO it was pinto beans but when the meals came it was refried beans. I think there was a bit of a language barrier, which caused most of the problems.
The ladies bathroom was a disaster. Water pooled around the drain, and it was very smelly. Looks like they need to spend a little money renovating the restrooms.
If you’re not in a hurry, give them a try.

I have no idea why this place only got 3 stars… We were blown away at how amazing they were!!!
$ 2.50 happy hour margaritas!!! Amazing and accomodating server/​bartender/​busser Jorge!!! Um, yes please.
The food was also great. They start you off with chips and salsa. The green salsa isn’t spicy but is so delicious you could eat it with a spoon. We asked for a cup to take home! Haha
They have combo platters that come with rice and beans for people like me who are indecisive. My sister and I shared the chili relleno and chicken enchilada suizas. The rellano was good but the enchilada… Well, let’s just say that has been one of the best chicken enchilada suizas I’ve had in a long time! The meat was super moist and flavorful and the the suizas sauce had such a bold flavor.
My brother in law got the pork and my nephew got a cheese quesadilla. Both were made perfectly and was a hit with the family.
We all agreed that this is our new favorite Mexican Food place in Hemet now.

We had mixed feelings about our experience at Valentina’s. We came for my grandmas birthday, who lives in Hemet. She mentioned that she loved this restaurant, but she hadn’t been since they changed her name (she was unsure if they changed ownership or just the name).
We had margaritas and a ton of food. Everything was delicious.
Our waitress was super sweet, but the service was reeeeally slow. It took a long time to get our drinks, and a long time to get our food.
We still think they deserve 4 stars because the food and drinks were great. If they focused a little more on their service they would get a 5!

I’m in town for a softball showcase and came here for dinner. This place is GRUB !! I am babysitting a margarita that is so big I think I’ll be here all night.
Great food Great service. I can only wish we had one in Ventura.

Came back to try their molcajete, we weren’t starving so we figured sharing it would calm our munchy cravings. It was really good! There really is a good amount of food inside and it’s perfect for sharing, you don’t even need the beans and rice they give you.
The chile was so good, spicy but not too spicy and bursting with flavor. Their chips didn’t last long at all and as always their corn tortillas were yummy. Service was a tad slow though when it came time for us to get the check but, our drinks were filled quickly during our meal multiple times. After we arrived though there was a steady stream of people coming in.
They finished renovating too and the place looks great! Even though I loved La Casa Vieja the décor wasn’t that bueno lol.

HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE SERVICE… didn’t get service for 20 mins till after we sat down… then after we order which my boyfriend had to order cause our waitress didn’t know English and never even recognized or acknowledge me… anything that came to the table went to him reguardless if it was for him or not… when my margarita finally came which was the house margarita it was tasteless tasted more like water… so I asked for another which would have been the typical one but it never came… nor did my torillas which come with the meal.
When the food did arrive it was good but I won’t come back

Yep should have listen to the reviews !
Not only was it hot inside I also has to play shoo shoo fly! Chips ok, salsa ok, guacamole good, chicken fajitas ok, homemade tortillas good. Carne asada funky taste. To many others in town to choose from will not go back sorry.