Jalapeno Cafe

Whether you’re eating alone or bring a group, the chefs can accommodate (I’ve called 30 minutes ahead and brought in 20 students-​no problem!). It’s like Subway for Fresh-​Mex – spicy, wholesome, yummy and quick. My favorite is the soft taco (they heat up the corn tortillas with a generous layer of cheese in between them) with cilantro rice, black beans, green sauce, corn salsa, spring mix, salsa and olives. But you can fix it any way you want. A great place that vegetarians and meatatarians can agree on.

I am heartbroken. Jalapenos used to be one of my favorite places. But the last few months things have changed. The food and service not as good as it used to be. Then, last week there was a major screw up with my food and the prices had gone up. I didn’t even get an apology. The owners seem stressed out and things have really gone down hill. I see them going out of business or changing hands soon unfortunately…

The food was very tasty, service was very friendly, seating very clean. I will definitely return.

Have it your way. Lots of choices here to make the perfect burro, bowl, or whatever you desire. I love that it is a local shop, not a big chain. Hometown flavor at its best!

Every other review seems to compare this restaurant to Chipotle, so I’ll do the same. Unfortunately, it compares poorly. While Jalapeño’s is good, it isn’t quite as good as Chipotle.
Portion size: While portion size at Chipotle varies with whichever burrito maker you get, most of the time, I can get a bigger burrito at Chipotle. That said, the burrito from Jalapeño is quite large.
Meat: Chipotle’s meat have multiple dimensions of flavor with hints of citrus and smoke and the spices. Every bite of Chipotle meat feels new to my tongue and it doesn’t get old. Unfortunately Jalapeño’s pork had just one dimension — sweet. It was good and the meat itself had flavor and was juicy, but it didn’t top Chipotle.

Love it! Food is wonderful and fresh and the service is amazing. The portions are HUGE so come hungry!

Very Nice staff and great «Mom and Pop» feel to it… but. simply the food lacks flavor. I’ve been there twice and I won’t be going back.

Better than Chipotle, same style.
Step 1 choose burrito, tacos, bowl etc.
Step 2 meat choice
Step 3 type of rice
Step 4 type of beans
Step 5 toppings
Let me just say that if you’re a fancy pants foodie, you might be turned off by this cafeteria style assembly line Mexican, but think again.
Our party ordered a variety of dishes, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, bowls and salads.
Everything was extremely fresh and flavorful. The homemade hatch chili enchilada sauce was really special and just the right amount of spice. She really hooked me when she said I should try her homemade cilantro lime dressing. Yes please!
Seriously the tortillas were soft and the crisp shells were freshly fried.
I wish this place was in Phoenix. Everything was quality and there were many more options than a chipotle including shredded cabbage slaw, spring mix and homemade sauces.

Great food. Taste great healthy selections and very reasonable. Much like Chipotle only better. I will definitely be back. Everyone in our family of 6 loved it even the 2 Vegans.

Delicious and HUGE!
We were famished after a long hike in the White Mountains and turned to Unilocal to guide our dining experience. After reading all the positive reviews, we headed to the Jalapeño Café.
Following a chat with the very personable owners, we asked them what dish they would suggest. They asked a few questions to gauge our preferences, and then whipped up a couple delicious quesadilla/​burritos. Both the chicken and beef burritos were soooooo good and we took ½ back to the resort for breakfast.

This place has a very hard working staff and loyal customers. Everyone is very friendly. Great place for kids. Cute, colorful restaurant and low cost.
For a foodie, the pork was a little bit dry, the rice wasn’t cooked all the way through, and the red sauce was a bit bland.

A must stop for everyone in Sho Low. Stopped in on the way to Alpine and were immediately greeted by the owners Delena and Richard (I hope I got their names right). They are the 3^rd owners of this café and really turned it around in 2014. They have a lot of passion and truly care about customer experience and were super friendly.
My eldest son ordered a hotdog and fries. He said it was the best bun ever :) I sampled the fries which were great and didn’t bother my stomach like most fries do.
The rest of the family had burritos the size of Chipotle’s and tacos. Hubby says the sweet pork was awesome. Son loves the beans and rice. Everything was super fresh.
Don’t miss this one!

This is Chipotle on crack!!! So good! I stop here every time I am in the area. That says something because I live a couple hours from the Mexican border and I am ALWAYS burnt out on Mexican food!!! Eat here!!! Om nom nom

Wow!!! This place was delicious, Fresh, very reasonably priced, and service was superb! We might go back tonight for dinner!

We had the chance to visit this place on the way back from the White Mountains. As others have said, it is a very similar concept to Chipotle. However, their food has a little better flavor and there are more options to choose from.
When we were there, the owners were working the kitchen and counter. They were very nice and personable. You could see their passion. It was nice to see them.
I really hope this restaurant will be successful.

Holy Jalapeño’s Batman! Great food, fast and friendly… a bit like visiting friends… friends that know how to make a tasty meal time after time.
Extremely consistent
Great portions
Great variety
Unique flavor profiles
Friendly and professional
Not to mention the little Coca cola décor touches, how can you go wrong with that!
Visiting Showlow… this is a local favorite

Best Cheeseburger I’ve Ever had!!! No one on the mountain even comes close!!! Huge fresh hot fries come with w a incredible array of choices for the toppings!!! Oh My It’s Sooo good!!! Fresh beef buns n cheese have so much flavor. It’ll make your taste buds explode with delight!!! And the Owners and the staff make you feel like your their best friends!!! Great food Awesome People!!!

This place, as everyone says, is like Chipolte, only better. I really liked the chicken soft taco the best. I had a pork hard taco and tasted my hubby’s burrito, but the chicken had the most flavor. It was cooked on the grill and I love grilled flavor.
I would honestly give them 5 stars (because the owners do seem to take pride in their restaurant and everything is super fresh, not five stars because it is fine dining), but I have some input that I hope they listen to:
I would prefer that the MENU actually offered an option to buy one or two tacos and perhaps a side of rice or beans. The menu does not offer any smaller portions only three tacos, a huge burrito, or a large salad and nowhere did I see an option to add a side of rice or beans. I mentioned I was not that hungry and I was offered the option to buy two tacos. I agreed that would work. I wish I would have known I could downsize to my liking, making MY choices. I would have ordered ONE taco, a side of rice and a side of beans.
Well, I got two tacos but was charged for three. I will probably go back, but I’ll make sure I don’t pay for more than I order or I’ll order the full pop and take some home.

We needed a bite to eat on our road trip, and a consult with Unilocal pointed to this place. The exterior was typical Show Low, but the interior was full of bright colors. The owner explained the concept and reassured me that all the sauces and beans were truly vegetarian since they were made with veggie stock.
I got a fat veggie burrito with very flavorful refried beans. My husband and I didn’t believe the owner’s warning about the heat level of the green salsa, and but it was really spicy. Good stuff. My husband like his chicken bowl although the portion was a little small for my voracious eater.
Service was very friendly, and the café seems like a place that is loved by the locals. We will definitely come back the next time we go to the White Mountains.

I’m really indecisive about my food but this place is GREAT!
The owners are SUPER friendly and make you feel right at home.
The food is SUPER fresh and delicious!
Don’t miss this place!