50 Best Mexican Restaurants near Matawan

“We received an advertisement with a coupon in the mail today and this place looked right up my alley. Having grown up in California, I am always on the hunt for really good Mexican food. I ordered dinner for my wife and I and it was great. The carnitas were excellent and the guacamole was great. The only thing I wish they had on their menu was Chile Verde as I can’t seem to find it on the East Coast. I will definitely be back soon as their takeout was hot and fresh. I’m glad to have found this place.“

“Excellent Mexican Food! Our family throughly enjoyed their food! We loved it and will definitely go back again.“

“First time there today , the service is excellent , food was fresh and yummy, love the location and the seating , all tables no booths very roomy , friendly staff , we will be back!“

“We ordered food on a Saturday evening and within ten minutes the food was ready. Got home and everything was so good. Quesadillas, burrito bowl, birria tacos and street corn. Our two year old ate so much of it. Prices weren't terrible. We would definitely go back.“

“Delicious food coupled with an enjoyable atmosphere! The staff is both pleasant and attentive! It has become a favorite of ours! 👍“

“We went ABC hoping for some authentic bagels (they now close at 2pm btw). The bagels were really good (like bagels are supposed to be…dense and chewy not bread shaped into o’s) and the ladies behind the counter could both have been nicer! Worth a visit!! We ate some there and took a dozen to-go too!“

“Food is awesome. Service is top notch.“

“delicious!! so good.Birria and empanada are best ever had.“

“We shop in NJ on Saturdays. My daughter asked for Shrimp Tacos. I said ok google, and Las Chiangas popped up. It was near so we headed out. I cannot tell you how amazing this experience was. This place is very small with about 8 tables. We had 2 adults and 3 kids. My daughter asked if they had apple juice for the two kids. They did not... next thing you know, they ran next door and got two bottles for us. I was blown away. To say this place is welcoming would be an understatement. The woman who waited on us was so joyous. The menu is extensive. We ordered simple items. The food was delicious. Now this place is all about home cooking. There are seasoned ladies in the back cooking with a passion for their culture. What a great place. At the end, my daughter said that we would be coming back again, and indeed we will. Thank you so much for making our day so special.“

“Alyssa our server was very attentive We had an Awesome experience! The drinks were out fast and our food was Great!“

“Amazing authentic Mexican food. So delicious and the service is fantastic. Sometimes there is a wait but totally worth it.“

“The food tasted great. The service here was good. Wish the best of luck to Edgar and Melliase.“

“Ordering pickup from El Mexicano is so GREAT! Starting with the AMAZING customer service when calling to order our food. The young lady answers very politely, understands our order and gets it right every-time! It is ready is a very timely manner. It is carefully packed, with salsas and chips. Most orders include a little salad, limes, and yummy chiles. We love the enchiladas verdes, pollo empanizado (breaded chicken cutlet). The arroz and fríjoles are DELICIOUS! The carnitas are so YUMMY too! Definitely recommend!“

“Upon answering I was greeted and seated. The appetizers which were the nacho chips tasted freshly made and the chicken and steak tacos were delicious. I also had the Elote corn which was so good comes with three.. and I love the piña colada but I had it without alcohol.. they do have an open bar. Def would go back.“

“Food was very good. Had Fajita Duo and Cheese Nachos. Prices were decent. Menu was limited. Problem was the flour pancakes were very small (Maybe 6" round (4) for the dinner we had. Six Tortillas would of been fine for that dinner. We asked for more and they gave us 3. Noticing the bill I WAS CHARGED for the 3 extra ($2.50)? That's Not Good Business. I have never been charged for a few extra tortillas. I will not go back or recommend. Disappointed. It was freezing in there.“

“Good tacos good flavor , deliciosos 😋“

“Andre is great. the food is amazing“

“Great experience,really good food,drinks,very good service and a beautiful place and decorations 😍“

“Amazing food and amazing staff. I ordered a bunch of food for my family and was very impressed with the quality & quantity of the food as well as the service. Will definitely be ordering again!

I would recommend the chicken tamales, the Chicken Mole, and the Bandeja Fiesta platter. It was all incredibly delicious!“

“Excelent and good customer service.“

“We had a little company ordering day today and we decided to order from here. We placed our order online for a pick up and that was super easy to do. Once I got there the staff greeted me immediately and were very pleasant. We had a huge order and I did wait probably 5 min but I got there earlier to make sure I wasn’t late. Once I got to work we all loved our food. Everything was made as ordered and had tons of flavor and spice. We ordered quesadillas and burritos and nachos and drinks and chips and a few other things. But food was amazing and portions were just right. Definitely would order again soon“

“My sister told me about her local go-to for tacos. I tried the 3 tacos de birria. It was absolutely delicious. Sizeable portion (I was full with 2) and it came with a consome that you could dip the tacos.

Also, the owner is so kind. She wrote a get well note for my mom on her order. I had mentioned that had been sick.

Before leaving the area, I am heading back for another order. Definitely recommend.“

“So I found this restaurant on “Perth Amboy Eats” website and wanted to try their $1 tacos and empanadas Tuesday special I payed $8 in total but they missed a taco which is ok because I understand the are busy! Overall the empanadas were good the tacos were underwhelming with flavor (all the flavors) but service was fast and good, and it’s a $1.00 but I’ve had better flavorful tacos for a $1.00 somewhere else, but it’s ok 👍🏽“

“So when you walk in ignore the cash only sign - that is for lunch only. This was one of the best Mexican meals I have had on the island - might be best on the island right now. Nachos were excellent - seemed like they took their homemade tortillas and fried them to make the nachos toppings were fresh burritos absolutely delicious the Mexican sausage has a touch of cinnamon in it and it pairs perfectly with everything. Even the side salad was vibrant and fresh. 10/10 go eat this restuarant. Need to keep the mom and pop shops open!!“

“this food was awesome! We will def be back again! Very Fresh food!!“

“My husband and I had fun shopping there. We found many great items there. I’m looking forward to going there again soon!“

“Brewed Awakening is the perfect spot for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. The food is consistently delicious, and some of my favorites include the BLT Sandwich (always made to perfection), the omelettes, and their Apple Caramel Butter Latte—a delightful seasonal treat. I first discovered the latte through a social media post a few weeks ago, and now Brewed Awakening has become my go-to spot every Sunday for a relaxing meal. The service is always warm and welcoming. Annie, the owner, often makes an appearance on the floor, either serving or checking in with guests to ensure they’re enjoying their visit. Her kindness and genuine hospitality make the experience even more special. I highly recommend stopping by Brewed Awakening for a delicious meal and a cozy, inviting atmosphere. You won’t be disappointed!“

“El Ranchero is my favorite taqueria in the bayshore. The tacos are the best in the area and the mole is delicious. The food is fresh and the service is fantastic. I recommend this to anyone! A wonderful place to practice my spanish! El Ranchero es mi taquería favorita. Los tacos son los mejores de la zona y el mole es delicioso. La comida es fresca y el servicio es fantástico. ¡Yo recomiendo esto a cualquiera!“

“Los morcajetes los sopes la barbacoa todo es muy delicioso 😋“

“Excellent food kindly very traditional food as if I were at home God bless your staff and business [Original] Excelente comida el personal amablemente comida muy tradicional como si estuviera en casa Dios le bendiga su personal y negocio“

“Excelente lugar familiar. Disfrútalo“

“This place is truly something special. It’s an upscale Mexican/Tex-Mex experience that feels incredibly elevated and intentionally designed from the moment you walk in. The atmosphere is dark, mysterious, and absolutely beautiful…every detail feels curated to create a one-of-a-kind vibe.

The cocktails are spectacular. You can tell each drink is crafted with real expertise and attention to detail, not just in flavor, but in presentation and experience. Everything works together, from the fire and smoke to the sparklers, creating such an exciting and immersive moment with every cocktail. I had a mezcal drink that was honestly the best I’ve ever had.

We started with chips, guacamole, and three different salsas, all of which paired perfectly together and complemented the margaritas so well. We also had the chicken tinga tostada, which was loaded and full of flavor. Definitely a standout appetizer.

For dinner, I had the lobster paella risotto and it was incredibly creamy and delicious. I especially appreciated that it focused on lobster and not other seafood elements as I have allergies, which worked perfectly for me. Truly a five-star dish. My boyfriend ordered the chef’s favorite chicken dish and couldn’t even finish it because of how generous the portion was…the chicken was cooked perfectly.

The portions overall are great for the price. You might expect smaller servings because of how upscale it is, but that’s not the case at all.

The sangria (both red and white) was also amazing! Not overly sweet, just perfectly balanced and refreshing. It genuinely felt like summer in a glass.

What made the experience even more special was the attention to detail in hospitality. It was my birthday, and they gave me a sweet birthday card when I arrived and ended the night with a candle to make a wish. Such a thoughtful touch 🩵😭

Before leaving, we walked around to take in the entire space, and it was so cool to see how different each area felt. One side is more intimate and quiet, perfect for smaller tables, while the other is more energetic and designed for larger groups. Even the bar is a whole experience on its own, with flame elements that add to the atmosphere.

We will absolutely be back for another special occasion, and next time hopefully with friends. I can’t wait to try more of their cocktails.

I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention the service… our server was excellent, and although I do not remember his name, he had such knowledge and expertise of the menu that his suggestions and pairings were spot on. As well as the rest of the wait staff and buster’s collectively working together to make sure we had an upscale dining experience. It felt wonderful to be truly attended to.

Thank you! 😊“

“Lo recomiendo la comida muy buena y los precios muy cómodo el dueños y el personal muy amable“

“Delicious food, very friendly owner. Highly recommended-definitely try the guacamole with truffle oil 🙌“

“Excellent service! Staff was very attentive, our server, Alessandra was amazing!She was so personable and knowledgeable about meals. Food had huge portions and absolutely delicious. Everything from the drinks, to the appetizers to the meal.“

“horrible experience & poor food quality. we ordered $90 of food tonight. first when trying to order i asked about the birria tacos in their Facebook post. the woman who answered told me that they dont call them birria tacos, they are called barbacoa. they required us to order from uber eats even though they advertise in town delivery. so we did. the tortillas with green sauce is rico's version of a chalupa. it was inedible. we ordered a steak chimichanga - it was very fatty. the quesadilla was delivered in the form of a taco. somehow an order for nachos we put in uber eats, was deleted. when we called to let them know somethings were not correct in the order and we were really dissapointed we were told this is not taco bell. at the end of the unhelpful conversation about their poor service and food quality, the final response was, "You got everything you deserved." very unprofessional. all around a bad experience. the food was not good. we love to support local businesses but will not be back to Rico Taco Mex 2.“

“It's a nice and authentic restaurant, the food was very delicious, it was a shame that they didn't have soap in restroom, and all the taco sauces were spicy , we wish there was at least one non-spicy sauce, the prices were very good, I recommend “

“This is authentic Mexican food, very similar to the style in Mexico City, Mexico. I have really enjoyed all the foods I have ordered from here such as their soups, nachos, guacamole, tacos, quesadillas, burritos and signature kitchen dishes. They also offer a green and a red sauce that is spicy, but only elevates the flavor. I also appreciate the fresh limes, cilantro and onions they offer as well. I do like the langua burrito, which is served with rice and beans. Their tripa quesadillas and tacos are also delicious. You can find authentic beverages imported from Mexico in their drink fridge near the checkout counter too.“

“We had empanadas and tacos, both were excellent“

“Me and family got lost trying to find a restroom and found this hidden gem. The fresh smell of their food hits you in the face when you walk in. I just ordered some steak tacos omg.. it was sooo good. Coming from Wash DC going to New York. I would definitely make my way back to this spot.“

“First of all the service is great,I ordered before hand so that I would be able to get there and have my food already made,And the girl on the phone was very nice and patient,she also explained to me what certain things were that I didn’t understand because they were in Spanish.The food was very good and filling.But I do recommend ordering by the serving size they give you and not ordering 1 quesadilla because the serving is two.The prices were reasonable and for (a torta,tacos,soles a side of Mexican cactus) I only paid around 40 including beverages.“

“100 % very good service and food we will back again.“

“Wide array of customizable tacos, burritos, bowls. Really nice touch in the offering of water and various hot sauces, salsas, and pico de gallo to the side. Carne asada taco was flavorful and ample for the price point. Fabulous decor with on-theme light fixtures.“

“Just went to Mercado Ariana for lunch, and loved it. We had the mixed fajitas, and the amazing chicken empanadas. The margarita was also delicious.“

“This is the best Mexican Restaurant in the FT Drum area. I am a fan of the California Burrito and the Horchata.“

“I got the tacos al pastor and it was amazing. The tortillas were unlike anything I have ever tasted before and the pork and pineapple was delicious; I also loved their salsas. The only thing wrong was she gave 3 tacos instead of 4 like it says on the menu and it was a bit pricey, but I'll still go back.“

“It was very good, it was a Mexican restaurant, it was delicious

Vegetarian options: well

Dietary restrictions: Fatty food is not recommended for people with high blood fat, and sweet food is not recommended for diabetics, and alcoholic drinks are not recommended for those with digestive and liver problems. They should take care of their health.

Parking: well

Kid-friendliness: good

Wheelchair accessibility: well“

“Had to make a visit at Taco Stop Llc in Rt 35 and I was really hungry. Ufffffff - Pork chops I haven’t had in a while and can you believe D Cesiah Jimenez Burgos, owner made ‘tostones’ and of course the chips with guacamole 🥑. Sent my wife in Florida the pictures. Sorry babe. It was AMAZING! TACO STOP, THE PLACE TO GO WHEN YOU’RE ON THE GO! Recommended 100%+ You won’t regret it!“