27 Best Mexican Restaurants near Exeter

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Game-Changer of a Torta: Flautas El Bandido Delivers

I’ve been to Flautas El Bandido a few times now, and they hit the mark every single time. Consistency is key, and it certainly helps that they are the only food truck holding things down on the stretch between Exeter and home. Honestly, it’s one of the very few places in the area that I consider to be truly authentic Mexican food.
On my latest visit, I tried their Grilled Cheese Torta with Asada, and it might have just changed the game for me.

The Breakdown

The Travel Test: I had a 30-minute drive from pickup to home, and I was thrilled to find it was still perfectly warm when I unwrapped it—no sad, cold sandwich here.

The Bread: This is where many tortas fail, but Flautas El Bandido nails it. The bread is firm yet soft, and wonderfully filling. It’s not that overly airy bread that causes the whole thing to structurally collapse before it even reaches your mouth. It holds its own.

The Fillings: It came loaded with a generous amount of melted cheese, perfectly seasoned asada, fresh pico de gallo, cabbage, onion, and creamy avocado.

The Verdict

While many places make their own version of a torta, this specific grilled cheese style was a first for me. I think I’ve officially found a brand-new way to enjoy a torta. To top it all off (literally), it came with a classic pickled jalapeño on the side for that perfect kick.

If you're driving through, do yourself a favor and pull over. This food truck is a local treasure.“

“Dear Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My family and I are on a road trip from VA to CA and back, and THESE ARE THE BEST TACOS WE HAVE HAD ALL TRIP!!!!! Estos tacos estan tan sabrosos que me hicieron llorar. Al Chile. Order the TACOS DE CARNE ASADA CON TODO. They are big. I am 5' 11" 177lbs all muscle and I barely was able to finish 4. My wife had the torta de carne asada con todo and that also was incredible and my kids the bean and cheese burritos and they could not believe how big they were! Gracias a los que preparon la comida. Dios los bendiga y Les de mas para mi nomas.“

“Not sure what wizardry is happening in their kitchen, but holy Hera the food is fabulous. We are on the road for about 6 hours and rolled into Exeter for work late… starving about an hour before closing. Dinner was most excellent.. that potion they call salsa is fantastic… we went back the next day with our client in tow .. :-) .. but that salsa … got a tub to take home (safely cradled in its own seatbelt all the way back home). I’d say this place is well worth the drive and overnight stay in town 😎. As to what to recommend… all of it ..“

“Love it it’s clean and the best service love my one sope just one hits the spot every time !! And my boys love it to ♥️home cooking real authentic!!!“

“Everything was delicious. My in-laws, my wife and me were pleasantly surprised. Glad we stopped at Exeter for dinner“

“Best menudo ever!💛 I love this place“

“I just went through drive thru about 30 minutes ago to get my nightly chicken quesadilla with avocado ranch double toasted with a Mexican pizza, let me tell you the freshness and bombness it was!! Props to the chick prepping the food and Ngl the drive thru chick she was very pretty made me nervous 😬 lol.“

“Made a stop for lunch on the way to Sequoia and it deserves all the rave reviews! Enchiladas are my favorite Mexican dish and theirs was so good, fresh and amazing tomatillo sauce. The owner is also very friendly. His restaurant is clearly a labor of love.“

“Yo los recomiendo , muy rico sazón y bien servidos los platillos, con su cebollita guisada, chili to toreado, Sebollita morada curtida, cilantro y cebolla y su respectivo limóncito y sal citas, en muy pocos lugares los sirven , muy limpio y la comida del día y sobre todo te reciben muy alegres y en cambio en otros lugares que he ido la gente mula y Getona como q pareciera q me están haciendo el favor ami…“

“Best homemade tortillas around... Every sauce is homemade and prices are very reasonable! My favorite Mexican/ pupusaria ever! Worth going to Ivanhoe EVERY TIME! (& The local gas prices are the cheapest around!) 2 for one Everytime! 🤗“

“food was so delicious did not leave anything on plate.“

“The service is good friendly people and the food is very delicious. If you’re looking for something to eat after church on Sunday please give this place a chance Anna Mariais bomb.com“

“Best seafood ever!!!! Every thing was great!!“

“Nice job Ruben, to you and your workers. Place has been great since your grandmother ran it.“

“Greatest food in the central valley and all the 559 area!! Their food tastes great! The salsa is amazing and will make you wanna get a delicious home made natural rice water (Horchata) go check them out. Say David & Richard sent you!????“

“I just love the place..everything about them. I used to live across the street from them..I loved being that close..they're great people and food..“

“With the reopening of super taco I've got to say the food and service has improved and they really improved on the remodeling of the inside. There manager she's on point with her customer service acknowledging the needs of her customers A+👌 I recommend this place and I look forward to coming back.“

“Stopped by this taco truck named Jenny's tacos in visalia ordered 6 tacos an were they the best beef tacos I've had in along time an the service was awesome just a young couple starting out their business I high recommend you all to stop by an give them a try.“

“I have been coming here for years and maybe even decades. The food still tastes the same if not even better than I remember it. Only taco truck that still sells tacos for $2 each. The people are nice and they always get your order out quick. They also do phone in orders if your in a hurry.“

“Todo lo que venden esta riquísimo 👌🏻“

“Deliciosa la comida y el servicio impecable“

“Food and Service are both excellent.“

“This is definitely one to Visit.. Tripitas 🔥 crispy, clean and on a homemade tortillas ♡♡ Fish tacos same delicious 😋 can't wait to try more menu items... the place is fabulous really enjoyed the seating they have... very cool vibe to it 😎 👌 Have a excellent day and go get some Food...“

“Best place in town I've found so far. Will befinetly be eating here again. Having fresh condiments to add to the base burrito is a plus. The only down is size of the tortilla, it was well stuffed but after adding condiments was a bear to reroll.“

“this truly is an amazing restaurant. This is a hole in the pocket restaurant definitely a mom and pop shop. The service is top-tier accommodated for a large party with small children under four. All food came out hot delicious and well seasoned.
I had the “campachana” everything was well cooked and delicious. My family ordered the seafood Molcajete and the beef Molcajete. It was spicy, plenty of food, wash it down with cold beer. There’s children cups, soda has a free refill, they had aqua fresca. Another family member to order the deep fried fish. They gave us plenty of tortillas and chips with salsa. They have breakfast lunch and dinner plates. They got a digital music player and lots of authentic Mexican songs to play. If you’re missing some real Mexican food, this is an amazing place, amazing people, amazing food.“

“Taqueria El Tapatio, Monday September 2, 2024 I was wanting some ? tamales but they don't have any ? tamales here but it's all good! Because there are so many other food choices & combo plates ?️ & plus some desserts & different kinds of ?soft drinks & different kinds of waters & some glass bottles also (soft drinks) Mexican Coke & some other flavors also. Plus tortillas chips & salsa or quackmole. I ❤️ flan ? my daughter not so much! ? & "Thank You" the food was so delicious. ? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'s

Parking: Handicap parking & free parking lot

Kid-friendliness: Yes

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes“

“Great tacos. Food truck with great alien themed Mexican food: tacos, burritos, tortas and more! Had carne asada with corn tortillas and green tortillas made with nopal. Meat is well done. Salsa is delicious. Also had a strawberry horchata. Great place to stop by for a late night snack or a full blown meal. They post up here wed through Sunday. Corner of 44 and Jackson.“