50 Best Mexican Restaurants near Gold River

“I’m so upset that I’m just now finding out about this restaurant!! I went yesterday for 4 TJ carne asada tacos and I had to go back again today for more. The asada is flavorful and tender, the green salsa on the taco is amazing, and the ladies and gentlemen at the front counter had amazing vibes! I will definitely be returning regularly and letting others know about this place!!“

“The food is AWESOME!! We went two days in a row because the tacos stuck in our head too much😆😆. Sara the owner has a beautiful spirit and she remembered us from a year ago. We always receive excellent service and we will definitely come again.“

“Love my carnitas! Always clean and friendly! Thankfully on my way to family.“

“la comida hay esta deliciosa aparte todos son muy amables super recomiendo este lugar..“

“The tacos are amazing!! Great drinks too!“

“Best taqueria I have had the pleasure of eating at in this area. We moved from Phoenix and have searched for good tacos. Panchito was great, the owners were very friendly.“

“Shout out to La Placita ! I think it’s been about 5 to 7 years since I’ve been to the restaurant. My family and I have been eating there for over 20+years . I can’t tell you how excited I was to see some friendly faces still there. The food was off the hook like they’ve never skipped a beat. Same excellent service and same excellent food.“

“First time great food from out of town enjoyed it.“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Let me tell you right now — Javi at Jalisco’s Mexican Restaurant is not just a man. He is a culinary experience. A flavor deity. A benevolent food wizard sent from another dimension to bless us mere mortals with tacos and enlightenment.

The moment we sat down, we felt… watched. But not in a creepy way — in a *divine clairvoyance* way. Javi materialized from the kitchen like a spicy archangel with a spatula and asked, “You guys hungry?” Before my boyfriend could even open his mouth, Javi read his aura and said, “You want al pastor, huh?”

EXCUSE ME, SIR, HOW DID YOU KNOW?
It wasn’t even on the menu. And yet five minutes later, he emerged holding a plate of al pastor so glorious it looked like the sun itself had seasoned it.

The horchata? I am 99% sure there’s witchcraft involved. It tasted like childhood nostalgia, cinnamon dreams, and the tears of angels who just watched a telenovela finale. I took one sip and immediately reconsidered my life path. I would trade government secrets for another glass - thank glob I don’t have to, Jaliscos is right around the corner.

Then — THE CHIPS AND SALSA SAMPLER.
Oh. My. Jalapeño.
Each salsa had a personality.One was flirty. One was dangerous. One whispered, “Don’t tell your cardiologist.” I wanted to applaud. I wanted to cry. I called my mom to tell her I’d found purpose again.

And Javi? This man is the star, director, and entire cast of the show. He serves, cooks, taste-tests, and probably astral-projects between tables to make sure everyone’s happy. He’s humble, too — which feels illegal at his level of power.

If Yelp allowed more than five stars, I’d give him a constellation. Long live Javi. Long live Jalisco’s. 🌮🔥“

“First and foremost, the customer service is amazing. thanks to Jenny that she takes care of everything with a genuine smile. She Special .!!! food was great, aguas frescas ( melon ) was delicious and the right amount of sweetness. I'm definitely going to be a regular at this place. !!!“

“Salsa is perfect!“

“I loved it!! So good!!! Thanks to this beautiful couple Toby and Jack!! Always take me to the best burrito shop“

“The food and service here are fantastic! Everything is packed with flavor, and I always enjoy coming back. My only note is that if you’re expecting a typical super burrito size, it’s a bit smaller than you might anticipate. For the price, I wish it were a bit more filled. Still, a great spot overall!“

“Generous portions, perfectly cooked shrimp, and flavors that hit every note, pure magic! This restaurant is my mom's favorite (she and her bestie are regulars), and I was lucky enough to catch them before they left so I could place a to-go order. My go-to test at any Mexican restaurant is the Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (garlic butter shrimp), and I was thrilled to see it on the menu here. Ordering takeout is always a gamble since you're not at the restaurant if something isn't right but I believe quality should be consistent whether dining in or taking food to go. Thankfully, this place delivered in every way. The shrimp were succulent, large, not skimpy, and cooked perfectly. The garlic butter was rich and flavorful without being overpowering, and the sautéed onions balanced it all out. Even the refried beans stood out (something many places surprisingly get wrong). The rice was fairly standard...on the drier side but when mixed with the beans and that delicious garlic butter from the shrimp, it turned into a whole new level of flavor. That's how I made my burritos (that's how I eat this plate, I have to wrap it all up in a flour tortilla. Let me tell you, it was absolute magic! Portions were generous, I could tell the meal was thoughtfully prepared, and every bite was pure satisfaction. The only downside was the styrofoam packaging (I'm not a fan of that), but it didn't take away from how incredible the food itself was. This restaurant easily earns my seal of approval. I'll definitely be ordering from here again because when I say the food was amazing with a capital A, I mean it!“

“Delicious and authentic food!“

“First time diners, Fajitas were outstanding and could be shared by folks with smaller appetite. Taquitos combo was also delicious with a little spicy kick. Dined on late Sunday afternoon not crowded, someone was sing Karaoke, which was a little bit louder than necessary. Restaurant was clean. The staff was attentive and friendly, will come back“

“Great food, friendly staff great atmosphere“

“Been going here for mnay years..10+? Favorite spot for Torta's. My sons first torta was here: ) Salsa bar is excellent, the pickled onions are on fire , guessing habanero or more . Always great service and they sell beer, hard to say no. Thank you for being here. think they need to expand as seating gets a bit tight : )“

“We met Eli who was great to work with regarding our First Responders fair in Hidden Lakes Estates on Aug 9th. In addition to First Responders participation, we had a Fire Safety fair raffle and Eli donated a dinner certificate. We are grateful to Eli and Casa Del Lago for partnering and supporting our event and our community. Our HOA recognizes Eli's support allowing us to bring the added excitement to our fair. This is a shout-out to Eli and Casa del Lago. We continue to enjoy dinner with our friends and happy hour specials as well. Thank you again Eli and Casa del Lago!“

“Once again, R Vida has first class service, plus exceptionally delicious food. The menu is extensive with many original Mexican recipes. Check out the tortilla soup! It is full of tender chicken in clear broth topped with cheese. We will be back soon!“

“Best in town“

“First time eating there today. Local people recommended this restaurant. Great service, Delicious food!!!!! Will definitely be back!!!“

“Los Zarapes Mexican Restaurant #### Atmosphere: ★★★★★ Los Zarapes boasts a lively and colorful atmosphere that immerses you in Mexican culture from the moment you step inside. The decor features vibrant murals and traditional Mexican art, creating a festive and inviting environment. The seating is comfortable, though the space can get a bit noisy during busy times. #### Service: ★★★★★ The service at Los Zarapes is warm and efficient. Our server greeted us with a smile and provided excellent recommendations from the menu. Despite the restaurant being quite busy, our food arrived promptly, and the staff checked in regularly to ensure we had everything we needed. #### Food: ★★★★★ The food at Los Zarapes is exceptional, offering a true taste of Mexico. We started with the camarones al coco, which was perfectly crispy. For the main course, the camarones a la diabla were standout dishes. Each dish was well-seasoned and accompanied by delicious homemade tortillas. The chips and salsa was also a nice touch. #### Drinks: ★★★★★ The drink selection at Los Zarapes is impressive, featuring a range Mexican beers. The Non-alcoholic options like the agua frescas were also a hit, particularly the hibiscus and tamarind flavors. #### Value: ★★★★★ Los Zarapes offers great value for the quality and quantity of food. The portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable, making it a fantastic option for both casual dining and special occasions. #### Overall: ★★★★★ Los Zarapes Mexican Restaurant delivers an authentic and enjoyable dining experience. With its vibrant atmosphere, attentive service, and delicious food, it's a place that will make you want to return again and again. Whether you're a fan of traditional Mexican cuisine or looking to try something new, Los Zarapes Mexican Restaurant is a must-visit.“

“There are many weekend menudos from Greater Sacramento to my home in El Dorado county, but Hermanos is the clear #1. See the chile de arbol oil tucked in the back left? It elevates the broth to a whole new level. Once you’ve had theirs, you’ll be ruined on menudos elsewhere. I make this stuff at home, and when I’m too lazy - this is my go-to. Also, you won’t find tripa or buche tacos that are better in a restaurant for 100 miles“

“The best part about this place? The staff! They have the most wonderful hospitality and go the second and third mile for their customers. Once you walk in, you’re all comrades and family here. Everyone enjoys a great meal with good people.“

“The awesome mangonadas, homemade ice cream and fast and friendly service.“

“Great food! love the Pozole and the enchiladas! super friendly staff!! :D“

“Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant offers a delightful dining experience with authentic Mexican flavors. The ambiance is warm and inviting, making it a great spot for both casual meals and special occasions. The menu is extensive, featuring everything from classic tacos and enchiladas to more unique dishes that showcase the richness of Mexican cuisine.

The food is consistently delicious, with fresh ingredients and well-balanced flavors. The margaritas are a standout, perfectly mixed and refreshing. Service is generally attentive and friendly for the most part, though it can be a bit slow during peak hours.

Overall, Carmelita's delivers on taste and atmosphere, making it a solid choice for anyone craving quality Mexican food. A few small improvements in service would easily make this a 5-star experience.

Parking: Parking can be hard to come by. You'll probably have to park about 100 yards down“

“I enjoyed eating here when I lived in the area and it was nice to stop by for a hungry bite again. They have a next level salsa bar and their plates are generously portioned. Prices have gone up noticeably since I last came here to enjoy some Mexican food. It's not quite the value that it was. Their plates used to be $13.99 and that's gone up to $17 for comparison. That said, they offer overall quality food.“

“We absolutely love Zocalos & our favorite server is Kendyl! He always goes above & beyond in every way. We will request him every time. The food is incredible & the margaritas are sooooo good that we crave them.“

“Michelle our waitress was amazing super helpful friendly, everything was dished out with a smile! Rockstar!!“

“Great food, good prices. One server is on it, always. The others? Not so much.
As we had a toddler with us, we weren't offered a table away from the door, which gave us a blast of chilly air as the dinner crowd kept coming.
The difference between a good establishment and a truly Great one, the little gestures which keep people EAGER to come back. Observing customers and what their needs might be is a Hallmark of public service. Well actually service of any kind.
I will be back, I do enjoy the food there.... guacamole is a really good one, and fresh chips which aren't stale nor over salted or oiled/greased.“

“We visited Tres Rios by word of mouth and people telling us how great the food is. Stopped in today the food is excellent, service and atmosphere was very delicious. The staff was very thoughtful and helpful too.“

“best ever, people, food, patio.“

“Muy delicioso su sazón Muy recomendado Riquísima comida“

“I’ve been to El Cantaro in Monterey about 10 times! I’m looking forward to going to the Sacramento version of this restaurant today! That has some of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had. I love the fact that it doesn’t say vegan plant-based and all that stuff everywhere. It’s basically just a Mexican restaurant that happens to be Vegan. Can’t wait to come and visit!“

“Food is great. My preference, however, is to have someone take my order at the table. Ordering at the counter makes me feel as if I'm at Taco Bell.“

“ordered the quesabirria taco plate and my friend got a large burrito.. everything was absolutely delicious. The tortillas tasted homemade and made the food even better. The atmosphere was welcoming and enjoyable, and the service was very kind and attentive. We also ordered two horchatas, which were freshly made and so good. On top of that, we received complimentary tortilla chips with a variety of salsa options. Overall, a great experience and definitely a place I’d come back to.“

“Best spot in town! The food is AMAZING. Priced appropriately. And not a full sit-down so I feel my kids can still be excited about the sticker machine with Grandma.
The chips are not warm and slightly stale but I've never had a negative thing about the food“

“Best Tacos ever. love getting them here everytime I come“

“I don’t even know where to start! I was waiting to post my review when I got home to take pictures of my tacos… that didn’t happen because I ate them right away! Their food is so good, closely resembles the ones from Mexico! They have a self serve table with different salsas (which are very good and not watery at all!)“

“Absolutely incredible. It's always these hidden gems that serve the best. Entering the place for the first time, you have a good selection of options to choose from. The price may seem a bit crazy at first, but here's the good part. In about 10 minutes or less, they come out with a fresh, hot meal (in my case a super burrito, my family got chimichangas) the size of bricks. Every bite was just an explosion of flavor down to the vegetables, and I think I felt a third eye opening. The price is absolutely worth it once you see the sizes for yourself. If you live around or are just passing by, definitely consider choosing this!“

“It's a hole in the wall, but aren't those always the best places to get amazing tacos?I was referred to this restaurant specifically for the fish tacos and they didn't disappoint. The adobado (similar to an al pastor) was also phenomenal.One other important point to make is that in these times of excessive food prices (really everything prices), you can come here for a reasonably priced, extremely yummy meal. Hard to argue against that!“

“Great small restaurant! Our favorites are the quesabirrias, so delicious!! Great service too! Totally recommend.“

“Good food and service. We’ll be back.“

“Great food.. my mother enjoyed her meal.. thank You“

“everything i have had here is delicious Nd authentic. keeping me coming back time after time. highly recommend if in the area. fair oaks ,ca“

“The alpastor is super flavorful! The torta is sizable and the ingredients taste fresh, the bread was soft and soaked up the alpastor well. The salsa is absolute fire. Horchata was less flavorful or sweet, but that made it a lot much more of a refreshing beverage vs a sweet drink like a lot of places do. Will definitely be here again“

“ONLY one time not so great friendly service rest of the time great.“