The “Water Cooler” is a feature on Claycord.com where we ask you a question or provide a topic, and you talk about it.
The “Water Cooler” will be up Monday-Friday at noon.
Today’s question:
QUESTION: We’ve asked this before but it’s been a few years, so we decided to ask it again. What’s your favorite Mexican restaurant in central Contra Costa County? (please, positive posts only, this isn’t yelp)
Talk about it….
I don’t have a favorite anymore since CC Ole’s closed. The last time I was at El Tapatio on Golf Club Rd in Pleasant Hill, they had wonderful Sunday Brunch.
My favorite sit down is also El Tapatio in Pleasant Hill (and they’re still open with outdoor seating and take out right now).
Favorite quick is Taqueria Las Palmas on Clayton and Salsa Verde on Detroit.
Lima in Todos Santos
Lima…. Sounds like Lima Peruvian to me. Not Mexican
It’s Peruvian but really good restaurant!
I believe Lima is in Peru…which would make this restaurant Peruvian food, Completely different From Mexican Cuisine. You should try real Mexican food next time.
Lima could also be referring to “lime” in Spanish, but we all know it’s the Peruvian restaurant in Todos Santos.
In Mexican Spanish, lemón is lime, and lemones are usually green. Perú is a separate ancient cultural, but ya’ll probably already know that.
Mercado del Sol
Yes! Perhaps not my very favorite (since I’m not sure I have one since CCOle’s closed), but I especially like the Chile Relleños there. Forgive my Gringo spelling, please.
Wet chicken burritos are great at Canasta.
Antler
My choice for chile relleno (no tilde over the n) or chiles rellenos, is La Tapatia, on Willow Pass. I’m not a big eater, so I always order just the al la carte version, one large chile relleno for $5, and they have outdoor seating.
“Masked”, yes, theirs are really delicious, too!
El Aguila!!!
Los Panchos in Pacheco… for decades.
Los Gallos on Todos Santos is a close second.
I do miss C C Ole’s as well as Casa Gourmet Burritos. Actually, I miss California’s Mexican restaurants in general. Here, the definition of authentic Mexican food means drowning in Queso.
Salsa Verde Cuisine in Concord past Costco on Detroit is the best! Their molcajete dish with homemade tortillas remind me of my mother’s cooking…you can’t beat that mi amigos!
http://www.salsaverdecuisine.com
La Pancho Mexican Restaurant in the BART terminal shopping center been going there for 16 years now. very good people, price is right, food is a killer.
Taqueria Las Palmas on Clayton Road. Family run.
We like El Molina’s (spelling) on Monument,…but will have to check out the others posted here today.
Roz, that’s one of our favorites also. And there really are quite a few suggestions here to look in to!
Along with Darwin, Taqueria Las Palmas on Clayton Road is our go-to Mexican restaurant. The Super Burritos are great, and their Super Tacos are loaded with the works. My mom always has the Fish Tacos. BTW- A family around the corner from us (both from Mexico) go there as well.
El Molino.
El Charro in Lafayette! Opened for 73 years. I like their sampler plate and the blue cheese garlic butter spread for their delicious chips. Very nice ambience and economical.
…. another vote for El Charro
That blue cheese/garlic dip is the best. Anyone know if El Charro has a patio set up for outdoor socially distant dining?
Had too many fraud charges on my credit card after dining there.
Beware foks! Check your bank statements carefully.
Just had El Carro ( to go ) last weekend. They were seating people to dine there. Just seems safer to eat at home these days. Never had the credit stolen problem. The garlic dip is the best. All quality products. My mother favorite is the chilli relleno.
El Tapatio on Golf Club Road.
Been going there for years!
Giving a shout out to Taqueria Limon in Martinez on Arnold by the Lucky’s. Their meat if very flavorful. Beans, rice. Everything is really good! Give it a try if you can. You won’t be disappointed.
Also I second the nod above to El Aguila. I do prefer the menu they had about four or five years ago, but very nice couple running it and good food!
I think I know what we’re having for dinner tonight…
Taqueria Autlan on Clayton Rd.
Yo quiero Taco Bell.
That salsa in the little plastic packages is just like what grandma used to make. LOL
They are also great for cleaning copper.
“They are also great for cleaning copper”
Who?…… Grandmas?
1) Taqueria Y Carniceria, on Pacheco Blvd, Martinez (EXCELLENT soft tacos. Don’t judge this place by its looks, LOL)
2) Cinco de Mayo off Center
3) Los Poncho’s
A second that vote for Cinco de Mayo off Center. I even think it’s a little better than their first location on Pacheco Blvd, but I’m splitting hairs. Their tortas de carnitas are the best I’ve ever had.
La Tapita on willowpass across from park and shop
Los Panchos in Pacheco for crispy tacos & huge burritos.
El Grullense in Pacheco for breakfast burritos & street tacos.
Los Arcos on Clayton Road for Steak Ranchero, Shrimp Ranchero, & Carnitas.
La Pinata for carne asada tacos on fresh-made corn tortillas & burrito bowls.
Los Pinos for the perfect lunch hour burritos.
Thanks to all of you for these great suggestions!
La Costa in Martinez.
El Torito in the Willows back in the 80’s when they made everything from scratch. I miss the Burrito Especial
OOOoooooo they made a spicy bacon wrapped prawns…. YUM
Only eat Mexican at El Charro and Taco Bell in Lafayette anymore, and I have to say I prefer El Charro.
La Pueblito Grocery Store on A Street in Hayward. Authentic Mexican food to go is so delicious. My mouth still waters when I think of it.
El Papagallos that was on Clayton Rd was the best.
@Anon
Agree 100% with the old Tia Maria a very close 2nd. Los Panchos in Pacheco is my go to now.
Taqueria Los Cachanillas on Monument, and Restaurant Los Cachanillas in Bay Point
El Molino for the bionicos.
Fresh-made and perfect!
Best Mexican food in California is La Fagatos in Walnut Creek. They haven’t been open for 6 months – I hope they hang in there
Los Panchos in Pacheco.
La marida in Pleasant Hill great people excellent food
Most restaurants seem to be Mexican.
Taco de pancho next to cvs on Clayton RD is great. My teen calls it the more expensive Mexican food . Around $15 for a combo plate.
The New Mexican place next to Safeway off Denkinger is great.
I used to be a huge fan of los pancho in Pacheco but lately the food has been very bland.
I miss CC Oles the most. If so many of us miss them and they were the best can’t we track down the family owners and asked them to reopen somewhere?
I miss Carlos Murphys in Pleasant Hill
AH… Tea for Two…..
La PrimaVera in Martinez hands down no exceptions!!!!
Many other fine Mexican restaurants out there! Been to Mexico 7+x’s and Love real Mexican food that comes for the heart but La Primavera is the place!!!!!