50 Best Mexican Restaurants near Portola Valley

“Local mex restaurant. They also have a food truck that's goes around.
Try the fajita quesadilla.
They fry a whole corn tortilla as their chips with bean/chorizo dip.
Lots of sauces to choose from at the sauce counter.“

“Amigos in Portola Valley totally won me over. We went on a busy Sunday and even with the crowd, the service was quick and super friendly. The dog-friendly patio was a huge plus—such a nice spot to hang out, especially on a sunny day.

The food was great across the board. I had the chicken mole and some tacos, and both were packed with flavor. The mole had that rich, layered taste you hope for, and the tacos were super fresh. Their homemade hot sauce is seriously next level—spicy, balanced, and honestly something I’d buy if they bottled it.

The vibe was really relaxed and fun. There were a bunch of people watching the game, but it didn’t feel like a sports bar—just good energy, not too loud, and still felt like a place to enjoy a proper meal.

Can’t wait to come back, especially when the weather’s nice again. Definitely a new favorite for a casual, delicious meal with a chill atmosphere.“

“Amazing food and excellent service - highly recommend“

“Just happened upon Paper Platez, so very glad we did!! Food was phenomenal service was great. It was fun talking to the owners.“

“I love Cuco’s!! All women staff. They do everything right.“

“The portions are large and cooked with love. Everything on the menu is fantastic. The staff is friendly and actually cares about their customers. A really fantastic secret little jewel to go enjoy“

“Got a burrito was really good. Our server , Sylvia recommended a margarita…it was great. So…great food, great drinks and great service.“

“Hole in the wall Mexican with a mol`e sauce that is fantastic. I always go for a taco salad with carnitas. Guacamole can be done to taste jalapeno wise. Family run and they are lovely. Spanish language tv inside, nice garden to sit in outside“

“The food was really very tasty. The staff were very humble and courteous. Food was served in an excellent way.“

“I’ve been there a few times and is always very good I highly recommend“

“I loved my experience there - great food and cocktails.“

“Great tacos! The buche, carnitas, and cabeza were all really good (and large/meaty). Each one had a different delightful texture but cabeza was my favorite.... so tender! Fresh salsa bar and free chips are a huge plus. Also the free deep fried jalapenos was a nice touch. Next time I've gotta tried that awesome looking giant fried fish plate.“

“The food is delicious. The sauces really stand out here at Palo Alto Sol. See my review at EssentialPaloAltoRestaurants.com“

“este es lo mejor de lo que probado la recomiendo por editor de facebook el bagabundo i ueces el cobi 19 i Rigoberto Muñoz ochoa ide las páginas del amor de mi vid“

“Kindest family-owned business with excellent reasonably priced Mexican food. We’ve been coming here for 15 years and my kids are raised on their food. Unlike many places that up charge for chips and salsa, they have kept the salsa bar free — it’s so good that I would pay. I think there’s now 8 salsas with plenty of fresh radish, lime, and jalapeño. We never go anywhere else. Favorites: kids pollo asado plate, tacos/burritos, and chicken nachos. Excellent beans and rice and lovely trays for catering, too.“

“recuérdame reservación taquería por chiquitas buenor por editor de facebook Rigoberto Muñoz ochoa“

“The bistek asado. omg! soooo tender. we ordered it medium. it was perfect. We also ordered the pollo rostisado con mole. it was tender and tasty. Thank you for accommodating us with no reservations. make reservations. place gets packed quick.“

“Lowest priced taco truck in Mountain View. Fast service, accept Zelle and major credit cards. Accept phone orders, great tasting food. As of 7/3/2025, they moved locations and are now near the corner of Latham St. and Showers Dr. Across from Target and DMV.“

“Having a restaurant focused on corn is a novel idea. Food is good, sometimes spicy, and ask for more spice if you need it, and it's easy to be gluten-free here if you need that, and vegetarian if you need that. This is a small place, kind of a lunch spot and a take-away place.“

“The best Al pastor I’ve had in the Bay Area! I’m from LA and miss the street tacos at every corner but this place definitely scratches that itch. They grill their burritos and fill them with the perfect amount of each ingredient. I keep coming back!“

“Good food taste and great service.“

“delicious food. very kind staff. will definitely be back.“

“Beautiful place, nice service! It’s my first this place,maybe soon again!“

“buenísimo 👍lo recomiendo 💯💯💯“

“Excelente atención los tacos 🌮 de pastor y zuadero riquísimo el agua de horchata riquísima 100%recomendado“

“This is the first time I have ordered food from here. My daughter had recommended it so I thought I would give it a try. I ordered a shrimp taco. It was really good! It was generously packed that I had to use a spoon to eat my taco. It was so full that I was unable to fold into a taco shape. I will definitely be returning.“

“Not fancy just great Mexican food done right I go from San Jose just to eat here. The best and I mean best tripa and lengua tacos in the bay. Get extra green sauce and a little red to go. And carrots and lemon. Squeeze the lemon. Hit the salsa and enjoy“

“It's one of the best Mexican food restaurants in the area. They offer many home style cooked meals, but I usually go on the weekends to eat their beef barbacoa. They serve it in tacos or as a stew in a bowl to which you can add the salsa, onion, cilantro and lime. In addition they provide hand made tortillas which is the best way to have it. With great service and ambiance it no wonder people keep coming back for more.“

“Everything here is good but I have to say the Huevos Ranchero and the birria tacos are the best on planet earth. The handmade tortillas are absolutely delicious. The young lady who works at the front is so kind and has a warm welcoming personality. I live in Sunnyvale but I try and eat here any time I'm in the area.“

“favorite place to go with friends“

“Astoundingly delicious and gigantic Shrimp burrito (with generous shrimps!), perfectly hot and fresh thick-cut fries, and super friendly service. At $20 flat all-in with a drink, can’t beat the value. Yummy mild burrito side sauce too. Zero complaints, I’ll be going back!“

“We hosted our barbershop holiday party at El Comal Restaurant in Los Altos, and the experience was outstanding from start to finish. The food was absolutely delicious, and the service was top-notch.

David and Jaime, the owners, along with their entire staff, went above and beyond to make sure our group was taken care of. Everything was well-organized, welcoming, and seamless, which made the night even more enjoyable for our whole team.

We truly appreciated the hospitality and attention to detail. Highly recommend El Comal for group events, celebrations, or just an amazing meal.“

“Simply Amazing! Love this place!!“

“The carnitas was wonderfully flavorful, juicy, and smoky BUT a little too salty on its own. I liked their taco as I think everything is more balanced—would absolutely recommend. Combo #3 was overall too salty to be enjoyable for me as I found the sides of #3 to be quite salty, which was too much in addition to the salty carnitas.“

“I saw a worker from another place come back from break holding a churro. I had to ask where, this shop was two doors down. First I ordered the churro and then I saw the fun ice cream varieties. Settled on a refreshing soursop, it had seeds! My friend got a dried fruit and he said that grew on him. There are many other flavors to try next time. Service was nice, there are a couple of tables to sit and eat other snacks that they make as well. PS the churros were OK, crispy and sweet but the middle was not as crispy as fresh out of a fry vat in Mexico.“

“When a place has been around as long as this, there must be something good there! That's the case here. Been coming here for years and won't stop coming since we always have a great experience, great service and delicious food. Came here for an early dinner so right when the opened and allowed us to get great service, enjoy the outside patio and the quietness of the street.

Great dinner, will be back again“

“food was good, bu the person seating people was very rude ! like you were bothering him when we asked if the patio was available, other service was good.“

“We love this place - best tortillas so fresh! This friendly family oriented and super flavorful business deserves your business. Enjoy! ❤️“

“Wow! First time here and I was blown away by the excellent food I was served. I was not expecting this level given the location and the humble appearance of the restaurant.

Out of their huge menu, I selected three dishes and they all came out within 10 min! All the food tasted delicious. Seasoned perfectly. Cooked perfectly. The orchata drink w/ coconut was excellent too and loved that it was lightly sweet.

I ate half of everything and took the other half home in clear plastic containers. I ordered a second orchata to go. I never take food home from a restaurant. NEVER. I always leave a lot of food behind and let it get thrown away. Always. But I scrapped the plates clean off of all the food that was left because I wanted to eat it all later for dinner. It was all that good. The only thing I left behind was the massive random onion (?).

Overall, outstanding food.

The waitresses and bartender were welcoming and courteous and always ready/available.

Will definitely return.“

“The Bay Area has some of the fiercest competitive markets for Americanized Mexican food in the world. Of the many fine burrito-centric establishments I have tried here, Alva's is one of the best.

In other words, you can step up to a truck and minutes later be enjoying literally one of the best burritos in the world. Truly a silver lining of the modern world.

Bonus: Quesabirria and churros on demand.“

“Holy underrated spot. 27 lived here my whole life and never been here til today. The chicken spot next door is legendary but this is overlooked. Big tortillas made by hand and good prices. 2 tacos here is 4 anywhere else and flavors are bomb. Maybe it's just a well kept secret but had to let yall know. Goated birria too“

“Fresh delicious pupusas and tasty, good sized burritos at a reasonable price.“

“For $16 in current times the burrito I had was a good value. Very big (enough for a second meal for me) and good quality. I loved the grilling of the shell to make it crispy. That said, having mayonnaise or some kind of creamy sauce on my fish burrito destroyed it for me.“

“A lovely afternoon at LULU's. The food so refined in delicious Springtime bites; the drinks complimenting through individual choices; the staff, warm, friendly, in the present, not over shadowing. Nathan Ray, Maitre d', accommodated, facilitated in managing in the most professional styling. A true magnificent afternoon. In Gratitude and Thanks, Susan“

“buena servicio y buena variedad en el menu“

“This is a reliable spot for us. Our kids can be picky, but they love eating here. The team is always flexible when we need to adjust an order, and the service is quick. We have tried different dishes and are happy with the food every time. We're glad they're here in San Carlos!“

“I live at the top of the road and I passed this for a year. I thought it was there because we have had a ton of construction on the road. Thought I’d give it a try… oh sweet baby Jesus I’m glad I did. The tortillas are made from SCRATCH!!!!! The meat is not grease the flavor is a chefs kiss amazing. Tacos are $3 a piece, that’s all I’ve tried but the my dying to try more. They have burritos and tortas. Def give this truck a taste you won’t be disappointed.

Parking: It’s a dirt lot“

“Tasty and authentic 🇲🇽 with reasonable prices. Family-run business 😍“

“Tried 4 tacos, Asada, Pollo, Pastor, Carnitas. Carnitas was the winner, decent portion, decent price, convenient location, easy parking today but I can see it being challenging. Good pickled peppers and carrots on the plate. Good, solid paper plate and foil. Could use some flavorful salsa and a fork for the bits.“