Esmeralda Grill

748 E Chatham St STE J, Cary
(919) 377-2455

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Customers' Favorites

Taco Platter with Rice and Beans
Vegetarian Burrito
Chicken Fajitas
Tejanas Fajitas
Chips and Salsa
Burrito Pollo
Cubana Torta
Mole De Pollo
Carne Asada
Enchiladas

Menu

Tortas
Torta Asada
Grilled steak. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Mexican bread sandwich filled with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado, jalapeños, mayonnaise, mozzarella cheese, and your choice of meat.
Torta Cubana
Ham, hot dog, pork, and egg. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Mexican bread sandwich filled with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado, jalapeños, mayonnaise, mozzarella cheese, and your choice of meat.
Torta Jamon Y Queso Blanco
Ham and white cheese. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Mexican bread sandwich filled with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado, jalapeños, mayonnaise, mozzarella cheese, and your choice of meat.
Torta Pollo
Chicken. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Mexican bread sandwich filled with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado, jalapeños, mayonnaise, mozzarella cheese, and your choice of meat.
Torta Milanesa
Breaded beef or breaded chicken. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Mexican bread sandwich filled with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado, jalapeños, mayonnaise, mozzarella cheese, and your choice of meat.
Torta Al Pastor
Marinated pork. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Mexican bread sandwich filled with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado, jalapeños, mayonnaise, mozzarella cheese, and your choice of meat.
Torta Chorizo con Jamon
Ham and Mexican sausage. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Mexican bread sandwich filled with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado, jalapeños, mayonnaise, mozzarella cheese, and your choice of meat.
Torta Salchicha Y Jamon
Ham and hot dog sausage. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Mexican bread sandwich filled with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado, jalapeños, mayonnaise, mozzarella cheese, and your choice of meat.

Tacos
Taco Platter
Three tacos served with rice and beans. Topped with onions and cilantro. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Topped with onions and cilantro. Any extra topping will be an additional charge.
Taco Asada
Grilled steak. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Topped with onions and cilantro. Any extra topping will be an additional charge.
Barbacoa Taco
Braised beef. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Topped with onions and cilantro. Any extra topping will be an additional charge.
Taco Pollo
Chicken. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Topped with onions and cilantro. Any extra topping will be an additional charge.
Taco Al Pastor
Marinated pork. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Topped with onions and cilantro. Any extra topping will be an additional charge.
Carnitas Taco
Pork. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Topped with onions and cilantro. Any extra topping will be an additional charge.
Cachete Taco
Cheek. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Topped with onions and cilantro. Any extra topping will be an additional charge.
Taco Chorizo
Mexican sausage. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Topped with onions and cilantro. Any extra topping will be an additional charge.
Camaron Taco
Shrimp. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Topped with onions and cilantro. Any extra topping will be an additional charge.
Lengua Taco
Beef tongue. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Topped with onions and cilantro. Any extra topping will be an additional charge.
Tripa Taco
Beef tripe. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Topped with onions and cilantro. Any extra topping will be an additional charges.
Pescado Taco
Fish. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Topped with onions and cilantro. Any extra topping will be an additional charge.
Buche Taco
Pork stomach. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Topped with onions and cilantro. Any extra topping will be an additional charge.

Appetizers
Appetizer Cheese Dip
Melted Monterey jack cheese, cheddar cheese, and white cheddar cheese. Served with nacho chips. Add choriqueso for an additional charge.
Fresh Guacamole
Fresh avocado, onions, tomatoes, serrano peppers, cilantro, fresh lime juice. Served with tortilla chips and pico de Gallo.
Chicken Nachos
Crispy tortilla chips covered with melted cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, salsa, guacamole, and onions.
Appetizer Quesadillas
Flour tortillas with cheese, grilled onions, and peppers. Served with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. Add chicken for an additional charge.

Antojitos
Sopes
Three thick fried tortillas topped with your choice of meat. Served with lettuce, sliced tomato, onions, crema, avocado, jalapeños, and cheese. Delights typically sold on the streets of México.
Taquitos
Five deep-fried rolled tacos filled with chicken picadillo. Topped with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, cream, avocado, and jalapeños. Delights typically sold on the streets of Mexico.
Empanadas
Three corn tortillas filled with your choice of chicken picadillo, cheese, bean and choice of meat. Topped with lettuce, tomatoes, cream, mayonnaise, onions, cheese, jalapeños, and avocado. Delights typically sold on the streets of Mexico.
Huaraches
Two thick handmade tortillas stuffed with refried beans and cheese, then topped with your choice of meat. Served with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, crema, cheese and avocado. Add choice of lengua or tripa extra for an additional charge. Delights typically sold on the streets of Mexico.
Chimichangas
Filling with chicken or beef topped with lettuce, pico de Gallo and cream. Delights typically sold on the streets of Mexico.
Enchiladas
Four chicken picadillo enchiladas with your choice of red mole or green sauce. Served with onions, cream, and cheese. Delights typically sold on the streets of Mexico.
Tostadas
Three fried tortillas topped with chicken picadillo, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, avocado, crema, cheese, and jalapeños. Delights typically sold on the streets of Mexico.

Salads
Mexican Salad
Mixed greens and iceberg lettuce with our lemon dressing. Topped with grilled chicken, tomato slices, black bean and grilled corn. Garnished with avocado, crispy tortilla chips and queso fresco.
Fajita Salad
Romaine lettuce and mixed greens tossed in our creamy dressing. Topped with grilled peppers, grilled onions, tomato, grilled corn, and queso fresco. Add chicken, beef, shrimp for an additional charge.

Burritos
Burrito Asada
Grilled steak. Stuffed with rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, jalapeños, cheese, and crema. Then covered with your choice of green or red sauce and topped with pico de Gallo, cilantro, and queso fresco. Cheese dip sauce with an additional charge.
Burrito Pollo
Chicken. Stuffed with rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, jalapeños, cheese, and crema. Then covered with your choice of green or red sauce and topped with pico de Gallo, cilantro, and queso fresco. Cheese dip sauce with an additional charge.
Burrito Al Pastor
Marinated pork. Stuffed with rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, jalapeños, cheese, and crema. Then covered with your choice of green or red sauce and topped with pico de Gallo, cilantro, and queso fresco. Cheese dip sauce with an additional charge.
Barbacoa
Braised beef. Stuffed with rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, jalapeños, cheese, and crema. Then covered with your choice of green or red sauce and topped with pico de Gallo, cilantro, and queso fresco. Cheese dip sauce with an additional charge.
Burrito Chorizo
Mexican sausage. Stuffed with rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, jalapeños, cheese, and crema. Then covered with your choice of green or red sauce and topped with pico de Gallo, cilantro, and queso fresco. Cheese dip sauce with an additional charge.
Burrito Buche
Pork stomach. Stuffed with rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, jalapeños, cheese, and crema. Then covered with your choice of green or red sauce and topped with pico de Gallo, cilantro, and queso fresco. Cheese dip sauce with an additional charge.
Burrito Chorizo con Huevo
Mexican sausage and egg. Stuffed with rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, jalapeños, cheese, and crema. Then covered with your choice of green or red sauce and topped with pico de Gallo, cilantro, and queso fresco. Cheese dip sauce with an additional charge.
Burrito Jamon con Huevo
Ham and eggs. Stuffed with rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, jalapeños, cheese, and crema. Then covered with your choice of green or red sauce and topped with pico de Gallo, cilantro, and queso fresco. Cheese dip sauce with an additional charge.

Platillos
The Perfect Trio (El Trio Perfecto)
Grilled steak, chicken breast, and marinated pork. Served with rice, beans, lettuce, sour cream, pico de Gallo, and guacamole. Served with an order of four handmade tortillas.
Grilled Steak (Carne Asada)
Served with salad, rice and bean, guacamole, sour cream, lettuce, and pico de Gallo. Add shrimp for an additional charge. Served with an order of four handmade tortillas.
Roasted Chicken (Pollo Rostizado)
Served with salad, rice, and bean. Add half chicken for an additional charge. Served with an order of four handmade tortillas.
Barbacoa
Beef or goat slowly cooked in a special red sauce. Served with rice. Add beef for an additional charge. Served with an order of four handmade tortillas.
Molcajete
Grilled steak, chicken, pork, shrimp, cactus, hot sauce, grilled cheese, lettuce, guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. Served with an order of four handmade tortillas.
Pollo a la Plancha
Marinated grilled chicken served with rice, beans, lettuce, guacamole, pico de Gallo, and sour cream. Served with an order of four handmade tortillas.
Alambre
Bell peppers, onions, chorizo, bacon and melted cheese. Served with rice and bean. Served with an order of four handmade tortillas.
Mole de Pollo
Fresh all-natural chicken slowly cooked in our special red mole. Served with rice and beans. Served with an order of four handmade tortillas.
Carne Enchilada
Grilled marinated pork with dried peppers and herbs. Served with rice, beans, lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, and pico de Gallo. Served with an order of four handmade tortillas.

Seafood
Aguachile
Fresh butterfly shrimp cooked in lime juice, cucumbers, onions, cilantro, salt, pepper, and serrano peppers. Served in a molcajete bowl with a side of salted crackers. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Tostadas de Camaron
Three fried tortillas topped with chopped shrimp marinated in lime juice, tomatoes, onions, serrano peppers, lettuce, avocado, and cilantro. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Camarones en Crema de Chipotle
Sautéed shrimp with chipotle sauce and cream. Served with rice and bean and homemade tortilla. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Mojarra Frita
Fresh fried whole tilapia served with rice, beans, lettuce, pico de Gallo, sour cream, guacamole and homemade tortillas. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Fresh Grilled Tilapia
Served with rice, beans, and side salad (lettuce, pico de Gallo, sour cream, and guacamole and tortillas). Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Cocktail de Camarones
Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Pescado a la Talla
Whole tilapia charbroiled with rice, bean and salad (lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado and radish). Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Camarones a la Diabla
Sautéed shrimp tossed in a very spicy chili hot sauce. Served with rice, beans, and side salad (lettuce, pico de Gallo, and sour cream). Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Breaded Tilapia Filet
Served with french fries and salad. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

Fajitas
Fajitas Chicken
Grilled chicken breast marinated in special red sauce. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Our fajitas are all served with red and green bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, handmade tortillas, and side salad (lettuce, pico de Gallo, guacamole, sour cream, rice and bean).
Fajitas Steak
Marinated steak. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Our fajitas are all served with red and green bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, handmade tortillas, and side salad (lettuce, pico de Gallo, guacamole, sour cream, rice and bean).
Fajitas Tejanas
Shrimp, steak, and chicken. Served with lettuce, guacamole, sauce, and sour cream. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Our fajitas are all served with red and green bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, handmade tortillas, and side salad (lettuce, pico de Gallo, guacamole, sour cream, rice and bean).
Fajitas Shrimp
Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Our fajitas are all served with red and green bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, handmade tortillas, and side salad (lettuce, pico de Gallo, guacamole, sour cream, rice and bean).
Fajitas Veggie
Bell peppers, tomatoes, nopal cactus, grilled zucchini, cilantro, and handmade tortillas. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Our fajitas are all served with red and green bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, handmade tortillas, and side salad (lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, rice and bean).

Sopas
Menudo
Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Served every day of the week.
Caldo de Pollo
Chicken soup. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Served every day of the week.
Caldo de Res
Beef soup. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Served every day of the week.
Siete (7) Mares
Seafood soup. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Served every day of the week.
Mojarra con Camaron
Caldo de Camarones
Shrimp soup. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Served every day of the week.
7 Mares con Mojarra

Sides
Side Tortillas (Three)
side Rice
Side Cheese Dip
Side Guacamole
Side French Fries
Side Refried Beans

Desserts
Churros

Kids Menu
Taco Platter JR
Two small tacos with choice of beef or chicken. Served with rice and beans. Choice of french fries, or rice and beans.
Kids Chicken Quesadilla
Served with rice and beans. Choice of french fries, or rice and beans.
Kids Chicken Fingers
Served with french fries. Choice of french fries, or rice and beans.
Kids Cheese Quesadilla
Served with rice and beans. Choice of french fries, or rice and beans.
JR Burrito
Small flour tortilla with beef or chicken. Choice of french fries, or rice and beans.

Combos
Combos
Your choice of two selections below. All combos come with a side of Mexican rice and black refried beans.

Beverages
Fountain Sodas
Aguas Frescas

Photos

Photo credit: google
Photo credit: foursquare
Photo credit: nextdoor
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Photo credit: foursquare
+18 photos
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Recent Reviews

Stopped on to meet with some colleagues to catch up on a few things. This is some place they come too often and said they thought I would enjoy it. They were not wrong. Salsa was delicious. Queso chips got the sizzling fajita with chicken and shrimp. One of my favorites that I've gotten at many other places and this was delicious. Everybody enjoyed their food. Everybody that worked there when they went by asked if we needed something or if we were good. Great service. Good...
February 2026
My partner and I have had meals here in the past but lately we’ve been coming just for nacho dates, because their nachos are amazing and the portion size is huge - making it way cheaper than making it on our own! Highly recommend!
January 2026
STOP. Look no further for the best authentic Mexican food in Cary, Raleigh area. This place is a hidden gym in a little strip mall. The family and I went for dinner. The queso to start is delicious. Great flavor with house made tortilla chips. My wife and teenage son took advantage of $1.50 Happy Hour Tacos on Monday. They were smaller than dinner size, but come on. The flavors were ridiculously good. Pulled pork, barbacoa, Chachete...they were awesome. My 11 yr old had the largest...
December 2025

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Esmeralda Grill

748 E Chatham St STE J, Cary, NC 27511
(919) 377-2455