50 Best Mexican Restaurants near Lake Balboa

“Very good food Tasty, pretty good everything“

“The food is always super fresh & tasty, absolutely recommend you try them out, best mariscos around👌“

“Wonderful place Great drinks and food“

“Best shrimp tacos I ever had, and my partner was in love with her ribeye tacos!!! We also had the most amazing server today. Overall, while a little expensive, I definitely felt we got the meal we paid for, and right in the middle of the Grove! The great drinks and tres leches cake were also delicious and very well made. We shall be back!“

“So glad my daughter and I stopped here. We each had breakfast burritos and they were excellent. Not only delicious, but big. We both tried the hot salsa and liked it. The atmosphere was very inviting. The service was the best I've received in a very long time. The server was very attentive and sweet. The cook came out and asked if we were enjoying our meal. He was interested in our feedback. We both decided we would be back even though we don't live in the area. It was definitely worth the effort of finding parking. Don't pass this place up
PS, the cook let us try the birria. That's what I'm ordering next time. Yum“

“When I tell you this place is incredible… on every point! Food amazing, atmosphere is such a vibe, service and staff are so welcoming and accommodating and QUICK!

We ordered the following for 3 people and were stuffed and had plenty of leftovers:

- chips and trio of salsa: I am still mind blown about the variety of salsas, the flavor complexity, the range of spice and ingredients in each. 10/10

- squash blossoms (forgot to take picture): so delightful, stuffed with a cheese mixture and the perfect consistency and crunch on the fried blossom. 10/10

- 3 mole plate: loved trying the different mole options, my palate is not quite as seasoned when it comes to mole so I favored the “traditional” sweeter brown mole. Would just get this one next time (forgot what they called it) 8.7/10

- carne asada plate: an assortment of Oaxacan cheese, grilled cactus, beans, mole enchilada, and the most tender, flavorful and juicy steak. Just wow 10/10

Churros: omg…. Just omg. Melt in your mouth churros, most DELECTABLE Mexican dark chocolate to dip them in… I dream about these 10/10

This is now our go-to Mexican spot. Such an elevated take on our traditional Mexican food outings. Prices were very fair especially for the quality and ambiance of this places picking up a to-go order as we speak.

It’s worth noting that we went with our friend who was born in Mexico City and has had the best of the best Oaxacan food and she was floored by this place!“

“Clean is my utmost priority when I go to eat out. This place is spotless. They take your plates from you as soon as you are finished. They ask politely to remove them. Taco Tuesday is my favorite night to go. 3 tacos about 10 ish. The shrimp n chicken tacos are my favorites. Cool music and not too loud. Must try the cucumber drink easy ice. lol. . I ate so fast I forgot to take photos. But hey. Next Tuesday I’ll play Ellen Von Un.

Dietary restrictions: Fresh rotisserie chicken is delicious. Great flavor.

Parking: I always get a spot. Butbb be on taco Tuesday it’s crowded. But hey. It’s taco Tuesday.

Kid-friendliness: A few kid portion items are reasonably price. Good portions.“

“Delicious food and drinks!!!“

“This restaurant has the most delicious homemade food I tried. My wife loves the posole and I love the Menudo. We try to go there every weekend to eat some of their delicious food they make. I recommend it 100%.“

“Love the people and food is amazing!!“

“This is a family favorite, I’ve been coming to this restaurant since the early 2000s.

Excellent comfort homade style meals. Portions are big, prices are low. Service is fairly fast even when busy.
Employees have always been kind & patient.“

“We had an absolutely fantastic experience at Casita! Brittany, the concierge, and our server Delilah provided exceptional, warm, and professional service that truly stood out. The food was not only delicious but also incredibly flavorful, and the atmosphere was simply stunning—inviting, elegant, and perfectly suited for a memorable evening. We can’t say enough about how much we enjoyed every moment. This was an experience to remember, and we’re already looking forward to coming back soon!“

“The service is friendly and fast and delightful. My daughter loves their salsa for chips …it’s the only salsa she likes. Service is so sincere and attentive. It’s our first time here and it’s super cozy and the food is absolutely the best Mexican I have had. There are lights on the ceiling and it’s super Duper beautiful.“

“Hole in the wall mexican place ive been coming to for a few years now. Ive only ever had the mixed breakfast burrito and its one of the best ive ever had and comparatively affordable. All their food ive seen looks good though. Service has always been friendly and im glad to see covid didnt kill the place. My only minor complaint is their salsas are rather bland. Skip the grove/farmers market, head to franks for a good meal.“

“Possibly the best burrito bowl I've ever had in my life. And the workers are really nice! Honestly it is a must try. You won't even notice you're in a gas station. Don't forget about the salad bar with the roasted jalapenos either. Thank me later.“

“My Family And I , Really Enjoyed, Pablo, Gave Us A Great Experience!!!! Will Be Back!!! Love It, And Great Food!!!“

“good test 👌 good service“

“Fantastic food and great service“

“At Villanueva Mexican Restaurant, embark on a salsa odyssey that elevates the ordinary to extraordinary! Their legendary salsa bar, a carnival of flavors, turns each bite into a fiesta. The shrimp fajitas, while promising a flavor explosion, waded through a sea of gravy, a twist in our culinary tale. Though this unexpected plot thickens our journey, the salsas alone make Villanueva a treasure worth exploring. It's a solid four-star adventure, where every dip transports you closer to Mexico. Dive into Villanueva for a taste escapade that’s almost perfect – just watch out for the gravy waves!Recommendations:Their salsa bar!

Vegetarian options: Few vegetarian items“

“Although I was sitting in Van Nuys, California, due to the authentic-ness of the food, I could’ve been in Mexico. Every bite was so flavorful and scrumptious I couldn’t believe how good it was. The rice, the refried beans which were more like a thick liquid and the three different tacos were so delectable my taste buds were exceptionally happy! The customer service by Pedro and his team were also exceptional. They are like a fine-tuned instrument. It was my first time but it will not be my last time. I work for HappyCow so I gave them some of our little stickers and an excellent review window decal. Updated from previous review on 2025-03-19“

“Place is great, good service portions quality and service.

It’s hard to find a place that has seafood burritos and I’m excited to try the 6$ breakfast burrito..

Vegetarian options: There are good options, labeling on ingredients for beans and rice could be emphasized for lard and chicken stock.“

“Amazing food! Made to order, clean and beautiful dining area, excellent customer service. Tacos Al pastor, tacos de chicharrón, gorditas Xochipilli, chilaquiles, a few of my favorites. The best spot in the valley for authentic Mexican food.“

“I just moved to the area and I saw this little spot. I have lived in the valley for 30+ years and was very disappointed with the choices of Mexican food well I'm so happy I found this place. 30 years in the valley and I just found this place. I will definitely be going back again and again. The gentlemen running and cooking were so nice and on it.“

“Hands down, the best Mexican food in the area!! Favorite dishes include Carnitas (soooooo good) Chile Relleno (they make it the right way) Enchiladas Suizas (full of flavor)“

“Absolutely a must visit and repeat visit if you live here! Everything was amazing. Our waiter was so friendly and everything is freshly made. Good portions, exciting menu, and great happy hour selection. We didn’t get a picture of our food lol we were too busy eating. Outside/inside seating and decorated beautifully. Support, support, support they deserve the business!

Parking: Smaller shared parking lot but it moves easy, and people respect that spots are for the businesses

Kid-friendliness: Family friendly“

“The food is absolutely fantastic here! We ordered the asada curly fries and shrimp tacos and both were delicious and generously portioned. My only complaint is I wish they were open for longer but definitely worth visiting if you're in the area. Well priced and friendly staff as well. I hope they stay here for a while!!“

“fantastic service! burritos were amazing. small and intimate. thank you! we'll be back again.“

“Why not go straight to the manufacturer for the areas freshest tamales. Factory is in the back, and they have a modest little front facing store to purchase your favorite flavor tamales, soda and a small patio in the back if you want to eat it there.“

“definitivamente el mejor lugar 😉“

“Loved this place. Tacos were some of the best we've had. Super flavor, homemade tortillas, decent prices. The tamale was light and delicious, too. Be aware, that their spicy is super spicy. Parking lot is expensive but there are a few metered parking spaces on the street. Everyone working there were super nice. Would definitely go again.

Vegetarian options: 4 different vegetarian tacos and 2 vegan“

“Guillermo was our terrific waiter/server.😉 Thanks, Guillermo!“

“Best authentic Sri Lankan food I've come across in US. They serve a variety of Sri Lankan specialties including regular home-style rice & curries, lamprais, kottu & Sri Lankan short-eats. Huge portions for the price we pay. Looking forward to trying their Mexican food as well. Heard their Mexican food is so authentic & tastes great!“

“las redes sociales tienen un potencial enorme...quise venir a disfrutar quizas parte de comida tijuanense...es una lastima que empleadas como esta echen a perder todo...pedí 3 tacos y una coca...y no me puso la coca en la orden...me hizo esperar el tiempo que quiso para darme mi cambio...mientras esperaba vi como le hizo mal otra orden a un señor con discapacidades...y argumentaba que no podía cambiar la orden hasta que viniera un manager...y no somos perfectos..lo se..pero la actitud es muy importante...al estar apoyando al sr en silla de ruedas...ella volteo hacia a mi y me dijo que no me metiera donde no me llaman..total..me voy decepcionado“

“Great food and great service ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“

“😋 their sopas a very delicious….“

“Forget about Acapulcos, El Torito or any other mexican chain restaurant, COME TO THIS PLACE!!!! food is excellent, taste to perfection!!! By taking one bite of their tortillas chips, you will immediately notice the freshness and quality of their food. Their salsas are all homemade.. I would suggest trying their Queso fundido wt chorizo, fresh guacamole, their amazing mulitas and tacos!!! Dollar per dollar the best delicious mexican food you can ever tried. Don't waste your money n time eating below quality food from chain restaurants, this place is the right place. Service is exceptional as well!!!“

“the place are so good food and service the best l love this place Plus the taco Tuesday are really good came end try“

“Great waters and friendly staff :)“

“I’ve been here a few times. It’s my favorite Mexican food and margaritas in Beverly Hills, alongside their other one just south of Wilshire. Appreciate the vegan options too.“

“we have been going to this restaurant for a long time. we love their food But we noticed that they changed the portion size! We understand that everything is getting expensive but they made portion size way little. I ordered vegetarian quesadilla and always ordered and my husband ordered torta and both orders came out too small!! they barely put vegetables inside so we really did not like it!“

“I revisited this place after years, having been a regular from 2007 to 2014 growing up. Surprisingly, nothing much has changed, except for the owner sporting grey hairs and the welcomed addition of card payments. The familiar great taste of the food, horchata, and salsa remain the same in a good way.“

“I arrived at this restaurant because I saw that they serve Peruvian food, however I tried their carnitas burrito and fish taco, It was delicious, I look forward to try their Peruvian food in the future, friendly people, bendiciones y gracias“

“Great for meal prep ideas, healthy options and home style authentic Mexican food for sure.“

“One bowl (comes with chips) will fill you up for around 14 dollars before tax. The food is well made the assorted components work together well. The fried pork belly here was nice, crunchy and oily - a generous portion as well.

Tacos are quite pricey (5-6 each) in comparison, but that's mainly due to bowls being such a good deal.“

“Costa Grande Restaurant has received positive reviews for its authentic Mexican cuisine. If you're looking for fresh, handmade tortillas and flavorful dishes, it might be a great choice. The restaurant is known for its tacos, enchiladas verde, and burritos that impress even California transplants1. If you're in the Los Angeles area, the Van Nuys location also has good ratings, with customers praising its fish tacos and friendly service. Would you like more details on the menu or customer experiences?“

“Ricas enchiladas la birria y por supuesto los huchepos 👌👌👌“

“Happy Hour is a great time to experience this place! Delicious items on the Happy Hour menu, of course you can order from regular menu as well. Mix and match! We love the Ceviche and Carnitas tacos. Shot of Tequila and a Modelo hit the spot. Friendly people and atmosphere.“

“Great, creative menu and very personal focused service. Jose and his team are amazing“

“Casa de Papi Mexican Restaurant Grill. l liked the customer service, there is small but clean place, their ranch style dishes the seasoning is quite good, l recommend it if you want to try something peculiar.“

“La birria está muy rica ...!!! (chivo) RECOMENDADO!!!“