Puentez Taqueria
243 3rd St, San Rafael, CA, 94901
Puentez Taqueria Menu
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Address :
243 3rd St
San Rafael, CA, 94901 - Phone (415) 721-7992
- Website https://www.puentez.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Meghan H.
Its hard to find a good burrito. But this place is a home run. I got the deluxe buritto with chicken. Oh my, awesome awesome awesome. Wouldnt come here to stay as it is a little dumpy inside but if you want a meal that fills you up all day get it to go.
(5)Angeline T.
This has been one of my favorite Mexican spots for years. They are family owned and produce amazing food. I always have them add extra pinto beans to all my orders because they are so delicious. The restaurant has a very "family owned" feel with photos of customers hanging everywhere. If you haven't already eaten here you need to start!
(5)Mack A.
I've been coming here for over 10 years and I love this place. The staff is always so friendly to me and my family and I can always count on getting great food, no matter what I choose. I love that I've been able to continue to eat here after becoming a vegetarian, they have delicious steamed veggies that I can now sub for my old favorite, carnitas. I literally look for any excuse to head their way!
(5)Kevin B.
Meh. That pretty much sums up my meal today. This is a pretty generic taqueria located in the Montecito Shopping Center, a few doors down from Trader Joe's. I was just looking for a quick bite so I thought that this spot would suffice. Tacos are just $2.90 a piece - but we're talking super basic (meat of your choice, salsa, beans, and that's it). If you want anything extra like rice, lettuce, tomatoes, guac, sour cream, etc. - you'll have to pay for it. I ordered two carne asada tacos with some sour cream on top. I sat outside to enjoy my lunch in the sun. Unfortunately, the sunny weather was the best thing I could say about the meal. The steak was a bit tough and totally lacking in seasoning. I had to keep applying hot sauce just to get a little flavor in my taco. The corn tortillas were a bit stale and chewy, so I finally set them aside and just ate the meat filling. I will say that Puentez Taqueria gives you plenty of food for the price. But I'd be willing to pay more if the tacos actually tasted like something. This was just overcooked, unseasoned meat, with pinto beans and mild salsa on a stale tortilla. I guess I could write more about my experience or give it another chance (who knows, maybe they were having an off day). But I just don't see the point in spending more time reflecting on a restaurant when they clearly didn't spend that much time preparing or caring about my lunch.
(2)Andi B.
My husband ate here after we did our taxes at H & R Block. The restaurant looks authentic, like the food would be fantastic..... But NO. My husband ordered a burrito & he said it was the worst burrito he had ever eaten. He said it had zero flavor. He repeated his dislike about 10 more times that evening. I have never heard him complain that much about a restaurant. He also said is was a total waste of $10 & he wished he had gone anywhere else for a burrito.
(1)Myrna R.
Wet burrito carne Asada was good just to wet not my typical wet burrito something different.. For some reason the carne Asada was tender but the carne Asada giant burrito wasn't tender just chewy and not big enough for me .. The giant burrito has sour cream guacamole beans and the meat and salsa.. The salsa was good I told them I wanted spicy and it seems like they did make the salsa special for me or it is spicy enough
(3)Casey G.
Well, it was quite clean inside, but when I took home my order and started eating, I pulled a giant chicken bone out of my quesadilla. There wasn't much cheese compared to meat in the quesadilla. In general, the meal wasn't too bad flavor-wise, but I did feel nauseous for a few hours afterwards. Of course, that may be from almost choking on a chicken bone that seriously shouldn't have been able to fit into a quesadilla (the bone was about three-and-a-half inches long.
(1)Sarah S.
I love Puentez ! I have been going here as long as I can remember, and I think they are the best taqueria in SR. I'm so surprised by the comments saying there is no flavor, because you can literally tell them exactly what you want on your food - if you want it really spicy, tell them to add more hot sauce, if you want extra meat or whatever, just let them know! They will make the food exactly as you want it if you ask them to. They make it right in front of you so you can see what is going into it and if you want something else or more just ask. Otherwise they will make it super simple, because they cant read minds, ya know? Anyways, this place is awesome, super fresh ingredients, I love their pico de gallo and how they cook their beans :)
(5)Parker S.
Not "The Best Burrito in Town"...if you're a veggie person, sadly. Beans, rice, salsa - rolled up is a "Super Burrito" I guess(?) and the cashier tried to charge me $8 something?! That didn't happen and the burrito wasn't super by any means. One of the least satisfying burritos I've ever eaten and I've eaten a lot of burritos...
(2)Eva Leona Lerriqs S.
This is exactly the kind of place I was looking for. Cheap prices with heart. I loved it. I had the tamales plate--two chicken tamales, pintos, corn tortillas, rice, and salsa for under $9. Awesome! Kudos to Puentez!
(5)Alberto R.
Inspired to join yelp after being lead astray by these reviews. My coworker and I were craving chicken mole and found this place had many people praising the dish. I ordered a plate of chicken mole, came with rice, beans, and pico de gallo. The mole was not a shade of brown like you would expect, but a bright red. At first I thought "Oh this is different, should be interesting!" Nope. The sauce had zero flavor, like a tomato sauce with flavor removed. Awful. The rice and beans were also some of the worst I've ever had. Eating from the different compartments of the plate, I could not discern a different flavor from each bland food to the next. I'm not normally a negative person, but this place elicited the negative review from me. My new duty in life is to right these unjust Yelp reviews, and save others from experiencing horrible food like I did today. You're welcome, America.
(1)John M.
Good food, friendly family staff. Mole is excellent. It's a taqueria so don't expect fancy. VERY reasonably priced.
(4)Jeff G.
Got the pleasure of meeting Grandma tonight! Family owed restaurants seem to add a lil more luv to their food :-)
(5)C Francis T.
This is my favorite taqueria. Burritos (recommend super or deluxe) and tacos are great. I prefer their grilled chicken or chicken mole, but the veggie is also good if that suites you better. Salsa and hot sauce (not very spicy) come highly recommended. Not the biggest burritos in town, but the best quality. This is a family run operation and the boys, Aldo and Bob, are great guys and you'll usually find them taking orders and working the register. Wish they were open Sundays too.
(5)Cole K.
My favorite ya queries in Marin but they are still not my favorite ever. If they carried the California burritos popular in San Diego I would give them five for sure. Other than that get any burrito or quesadilla and it will be a good one. The boiled chicken and cactus deluxe is awesome! Hold the guac tho!
(4)Mike D.
This place is a very good example of a mom and pop type taqueria. Nothing fancy, but what they do, they do very well. Mole chicken is tasty, as is the green salsa. Tacos and burritos are quick and reliably good. High quality ingredients (never nasty veggies or gristly chicken). Happy it's basically across the street from my house!
(4)Carson B.
"Best Burrito in Town?" Not by a mile. The type of people who enjoy eating at Puentez Taqueria wouldn't know what a good burrito is even if it hit them in the face. I had heard favorable things about Puentez from friends of mine, so I decided to give their food a try when I was in the area. I should have turned around at the door when I saw the ingredients sitting in open trays under what appeared to be a heat lamp. I ordered a Regular Carnitas Burrito ($4.70), and the person I was with ordered a Carnitas Taco. My burrito was tiny by comparison to what is usually served for the same price at places such as Taqueria Bahia, Taqueria Mi Familia, and Taqueria San Jose. The meager contents of the burrito were only lukewarm, and the carnitas were flavorless with a slimy, undercooked texture. Usually, carnitas is slightly crisped on the grill, but that was simply not the case. The supposedly "hot" salsa was barely noticeable. The taco that my friend ordered came with beans. Beans? On a taco? Exactly. He was as dissatisfied with his meal as I was. Also, the price for a tiny bag of chips was $.75. Never trust a taqueria that doesn't have complementary chips. To make matters worse, we both began to feel ill in the bottoms of our stomachs about half an hour after finishing eating, which I'm not really surprised about, given the questionable quality if the food. I am never ever returning to Puentez. I am actually considering giving the Marin County Health and Safety inspector a call about the food's safety. Do yourself a favor and stay far, far away.
(1)Meredith C.
Stop. Turn around. The surrounding air tasted better. Will never go back. Didn't even finish the food we bought.
(1)S F.
I'm picking apart my burrito and quesadillas because I swear they must put rainbows and sunshine in everything that comes across their counter. My all time fave is the chicken mole with an extra couple squirts of the green sauce. You can tell the staff is proud of their work, they are happy, fast, courteous and very real. Any time I see a lunch line to the door in a business like this, I gotta smile because I know it's good stuff. The wait is surprisingly short and everyone is in good spirits. The burritos, quesadillas, and an ice cold glass of horchata are the next best things to winning the lotto.
(5)Jon S.
Clean, healthy & delicious authentic mexican food in this family run hole in the wall. There slogan is "Best Burritos in Town" & I would agree. My kids love it too & they have a super cheap kids menu!
(5)Mike Y.
Pretty good super deluxe burrito I had but I think I was given the mini deluxe by mistake. Why do I think that? Well someone else who had ordered the mini deluxe before got exactly the same size as my super deluxe so that only mean one of two things. Either he was given a super instead of getting a mini or I was given a mini instead of getting a super. For a mini, it seems comparable to other taqueria that serve super burritos but not quite. So what does this all mean in the grand scheme of all things food wise? Nothing unless you're still hungry. Friendly service and staff along with the food potential to be as good as advertised if only I gotten super sized. 3.5 stars.
(3)Michael C.
I ordered 2 carne asada tacos- they came with beans.... maybe adding beans to tacos is common for this area but it was a first for me and did not work in my opinion. I prefer my carne asada freshly grilled and a little crispy but this was definitely sitting a little too long in their container which led to a chewy carne/not fresh. also ordered a shrimp burrito- the shrimp was not thrown on grill. it was simply scooped up from a cold container and into burrito.... the shrimp and inside of burrito was cold and a bit bland. giving 2 stars because service was fast.
(2)Charles F.
Great place I love that atmosphere and great Mexican food at an affordable price in Marin
(4)Zander N.
After being hit with an onslaught of articles about "the country's best burrito" being in San Francisco, I realized how long it had been since I had ventured out to get a burrito from a restaurant other than Chipotle. And since I live in San Rafael, I wasn't about to make the drive to the Mission for what was supposedly the best burrito in the country. So, I decided to go to Puentez, because it's close, has very easy parking, doesn't ever seem to be too packed, and I have fond, albeit fading, memories of it from when I was younger. I arrived there at around 5:15 on a Tuesday night, so definitely not prime time, and was one of two people in the place. I ordered a Carne Asada Super Burrito with salsa, guacamole, and hot sauce, and watched as the (really nice) guy behind the counter put it together, wrapped it up, and then another guy (presumably the other one's brother) rang me up. All in all, not much to say about the customer service experience, but both guys were nice, and seemed to be interested in getting me my food as fast as possible, which is always a plus. The burrito was great. The Carne Asada was pretty standard, but the hot sauce was hot, and everything else tasted very fresh. The burrito stayed together all the way through eating it, and never leaked, which was great. The only reason I'm not giving the place five stars is because, well, how great can a burrito experience really be? If you're looking for a quick and easy Mexican food fix, this is absolutely the place. Fast, cheap, and great service. I will definitely be back!
(4)Monique R.
Ive been a customer since my high school years 23 years ago.the food has gotten better since than.My favorite is the quesadillas,theres many choices to satisfy the tummy to your liking.
(5)Tony T.
Food and staff are great. This is my go-to Mexican food in San Rafael.
(5)Ernesto S.
Ok don't know how to start this review. I was hungry and went in to buy a burrito. Now im no burrito expert this review is on my burrito preference. I never liked when taquerias have their steak meat under a soup/water keeping it warm, I like it when its a little dry(carne asada). So I ordered my burrito and BAMM!!! The meat was under the water. Dam too late to go back on my order cause they had already started assembling my burrito. So took it to go and as I was walking back to my car already thinking of the bad review I was going to post. Took the first bite and HOLY BURRITO it was good! Wow they impressed me. Good size burrito and the meat very tasty. Not to mention the staff was very nice. I'm not from that area but if I'm ever in the area again I will get another one.
(5)Joe M.
Celebrating Cinco used to be done at Rockin' Baja Lobster but since moving up to the Bay, things have settled down quite a bit in the partying department. Instead, my friend and I opted to check out Puentez, which has been around for what seems like forever. It's a great little family owned shop, and responsibilities have been passed down through the generations, but the food quality has always remained high. I ordered a steak quesadilla while my friend got a carnitas burrito. The quesadilla was excellent and was fully loaded with quality meat. It was so full that I had to eat the damn thing like a burrito to get it down. The burrito was a bit on the tiny side for me and was probably a third of the size of the stuff at San Jose Taqueria. Food here is relatively expensive too and there aren't any free chips or salsa bar. They offer potatoes in all of their dishes but don't sell them as fries unfortunately, so carne asada fries remain elusive in Norcal. Puentez definitely has better food quality than the places around it and their quesadillas are excellente! Size-wise, I think there's some extra value that can be built in since they're relatively expensive. I think they'd be in trouble if a Chipotle rolled up but until then, they rock the king of local Mexican food. They is a huge patio area where you can enjoy your grub with your dogs, but they can't come inside. I'd definitely recommend walking around the back of the center after your meal to enjoy the waterfront sights and work off the pounds with your pup! Food: 7/10 Service: 7/10 Price: $ Atmosphere: 7/10
(4)Glenn M.
I was in a hurry and wanted a quick bite so I stopped in the plaza. The chicken burrito was very cheap, sub $5, and solid for the price. Didn't knock my socks off, but it was ok. The family is very friendly and I believe I got free rice in my burrito. This place tiers the pricing so rice and cheese are not included in the base level burrito.
(3)John B.
4 stars? Really? I wasn't impressed with my tamales. They were lacking flavor. In fact, so was the rest of my meal (even the salsa was bland too). Sorry but I'd rather go elsewhere.
(2)Michael B.
Bobby, their owner is amazing. My grandmother owned a store in this shopping center when I was a kid and I met Bobby back then. This was nearly 20 years ago. Since, this has been my all time favorite taqueria. The food is amazing, different then other Taquerias and the service is fantastic. This was and probably still is the place for the neighboring high school students from SRHS, so M-Fri may be busy around lunch. Regardless, definitely pop by this place.
(5)Eric H.
Simple, straightforward, reasonably priced. this isn't a flavorless chipotle food bomb. this is a classic burrito. I love this place. keep it up, guys.
(5)Mark C.
been coming here about once a week for several years. My daughter loves their simple kids bean burrito. Best of all, kids get a free ice cream when they finish their food! Family run business, Dad, Grandma, kids (well teenage sons make the food and register). We like the chicken mole.
(5)Angela M.
One of the best burritos I've ever had. Very fresh good meat, perfect sized and yummy tortillas. Just moved into the hood and am very happy to have found this delicious family ran business.
(5)Chris T.
My favorite burrito spot in San Rafael! I'm thinking it's the salsa that makes it stand out, but you can really taste the fresh ingredients too. It's a small family-owned shop, with the owners' sons usually working up front making the burritos. I like that i can call my order in ahead of time and avoid the lunch time rush, and its cool that they have wifi at their place. Anyway, try it out, you'll like it!
(4)Bonnie L.
Love family run places like this. Yummy carnitas tacos and beans and rice! I have to admit it was a little bland but I like how I can put in my own salt. And the 2 brothers...they're so nice and helpful, even during the lunch rush hour. Their granny was really nice too, picking up all the baskets and cleaning up the tables. At least I think that was their granny. Could be some random old woman for all I know.
(3)Lost B.
This is based off of 2 visits. The first visit we waited for 20 mins while one of the sons took forever to make ONE burrito. There were 3 people in front of us and this guy does not know how to multitask. The other son with the glasses was looking nervous and started wiping down tables. I felt sorry for him but he should have washed his hands ( since he was at register) and jumped in there and helped his brother the slow poke. We decided to leave before we died of hunger and he was STILL working at the first order. The second time jackpot no one was in there so we were first to be helped. Slowpoke made our burritos. Spouse ordered chille verde which had 4 little strips of meat and was salty. My veggie burito had rice, beans, broccoli, rice, sala, rice a pinch of cheese, rice,caluliflower, rice and oh yeah did i mention rice? I m not going to mention the sour cream or gucamole because a tablespoon of the stuff doesnt merit a mention. But sad to say my rice burrito had no taste at all , it could have been soylent green I would have never known. I will say their horchta was good but as my spouse so wisely pointed out to me : "You can make your own horchata at home just eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal and drink the milk afterwards.' One star because they also failed in customer service, not friendly no smile nothing.
(1)Moon K.
Good mexican food for a very reasonable price. Nice staff. Is there anything else?
(4)Brian M.
Good, fresh tasting Mexican food. It's a little pricey and slow when there are a few people in line, but if you go at 11am or late afternoon it shouldn't be too bad.
(4)Wes T.
My socks weren't knocked off by this place, but I did like it. It's a family joint like what I am accustomed to seeing in New Mexico, and that warms my heart. Standard taqueria food, but the facilities are a little cleaner and more well kept than usual. Again, not a bad thing. Outdoor seating in Marin? Yes! My only wish is that whoever designed this monstrosity of a strip mall (Montecito Plaza) had had enough foresight to build the thing to take advantage of the canal/waterfront. As it is I am stuck looking out at the parking lot, with a perfectly beautiful waterway hidden away behind some dumpsters.
(3)Shelly M.
Love the burritos here! Really, it should be called a burrito shop!! The Grilled chicken is awesome! Great for lunch!
(4)Grace L.
Always a go-to spot whenever I'm in San Rafael. Who doesn't appreciate a good authentic Mexican taqueria? I always get a super deluxe burrito -- it's pretty much like ordering a Subway sandwich in that you choose what you want, and they throw it on two overlapping tortillas WITH a bag of chips. I usually eat halfsies now, then eat the other half later. Two meals. Not bad for $6.40 eh? And they have Menudo on Fridays and Saturdays. Who doesn't have a hankering for spicy tripe soup? I know I do. Not to mention, they're the perfect cure for hangovers too! Minus one star for the parking craziness that always ensues when I'm there.
(4)Michael G.
The sons of the owner are super cool and do a great job, especially if you are genuine and cool like they are. We enjoyed a delicious regular chicken mole burrito and a super pollo asado burrito, plus some darn fine horchata. A lot like Gordo in SF/Berkeley (there is a family connection) but I find Puentez to have a cleaner, less lardy taste plus generally cleaner atmosphere. Gordo is the bomb but Puentez rises above.
(5)Mary N.
Stopped here blindly, to bring home food, expecting a C+ performance. I was IMPRESSED - this place has the basics down! The carnitas are great, especially in a quesadilla and also in burritos. The dining room is not special, but for me, it's a great take out spot -- AND it's half the price of other (so much worse) places. Yum.
(4)Scott S.
Half as much food for more money then Taqueria San Jose right around the corner. No free chips and salsa.
(2)elizabeth d.
Puentez Taqueria, you are truly a guilty pleasure. I really try to keep my diet mostly vegetarian, bit your delicious Carne Asada nachos contain some sort of kryptonite, I swear. This place is great. Fast, clean, cheap and friendly. The horchata is pretty good, and the mini deluxe veggie super burritos are definitely my county favorite. They are huge, yummy and rolled perfectly - no leaks, ever. The black beans are really good, they always layer up on the cheese, and the rice is really authentic. The ingredients are always fresh, and the staff is super nice. Always worth the trip.
(4)Leslie S.
I really wanted to give this restaurant 5 stars. If I could have given a 3.5 I'd feel better but 4 was a real stretch so 3 stars it is. First, I really loved going into this place. Spotless! The tall brother behind the counter smiled while he made the burritos...so adorable. A very cute family owned place with some history on the walls and a nice feel. The ingredients were super fresh and keep in mind that when they offer you hot sauce..they aren't kidding. I like the kick but if you were expecting mild..think again.. So here is the sad part. I tasted the freshness of the tomatoes, beans and the hot salsa. All that was missing was the flavor of the Chicken Mole which of course if the whole point of the burrito. I kept thinking to myself "This next bite is going to knock my socks off". Well, this reviewer's socks are still on. Maybe my expectations were too high since I love mole. Hey wait, I could give them a 4 start rating if what I was eating was simply called a "chicken burrito". Then it would have been ok. I will go back and try something else because I really want to give them a better rating.
(3)Mark c.
This is my favorite taqueria in San Rafael! The menu is basically a knock off from Gordo's taquerias in the city and the east bay. Great burritos and great quesadillas. The food is always fresh and the place is always clean. Prices are reasonable. Parking is usually terrible because Trader Joe's is nearby. I always park in the overflow lot on the east side of the mall.
(5)Joe B.
The place is AMAZING!!!!!!!!! It is truly the best burritos in the city. The price is great, about 7 dollars for their biggest burritos, and what I love best about this place is that its family owned and that the people their know me personally. Sometimes its a little bit hard to find parking but thats okay because it is definitely worth it!
(5)Fresh E.
Very nice family owned and friendly place. My burrito was one of those that are totally full, absolutely flavorful and even though you know you shouldn't, you just keep eating it. Fortunately, I missed lunch and this was my early dinner. The place was also really bright and clean, that was also comforting. What's missing is organic meat, otherwise, this place was great.
(4)Derek S.
I have been going here for years. Its family owned and and friendly place to get a great burrito. It is very similar to Gordos ( an SF favorite of mine, see my review) and is consistently good. Simple taqueria that does simple really well. Will always be a costumer!
(4)Hello D.
I love that they serve a mini super burrito. You can get all the ingredients of a super - but half the size. Brilliant! I also love that its family owned, and everyone is working together in the kitchen. Its a local joint with happy employees.
(5)Samantha L.
This is my favorite place for Mexican food pretty much anywhere, or at least when I want a good, filling burrito! I've been coming here for about 4 years now and I always order the same thing. It has never decreased in quality. I can always count on the same, fantastic taste in my favorite order. This is also not to say they're only good at one thing! I've brought friends here that order very different things from me and they've always loved it too. My usual order is a super burrito. Maybe 8 times out of 10, I can't actually finish it. They're pretty big, and totally worth the price. If you actually want to finish your burrito in one sitting I recommend coming here hungry! The burritos are so stuffed that it's also fun to get an order of chips and treat the insides of your burrito as dip. My order is actually really simple -- I get beans, cheese, rice, salsa, and guacamole. But that's all I need! All of the ingredients are super tasty. I do have to say that the guacamole can occasionally be so cold that it makes for an awkward feeling inside a warm burrito. But it's usually pretty evened out, so it's okay! If you say yes when they ask if you want hot sauce, be warned that it's really, really hot. They mean it. I recommend getting a Jarritos soda with your burrito. At this point I feel off if I don't have one with my order because they go so well together! The place they have is nice and clean, but I almost always order takeout these days. You're basically just sitting there watching the line of people order their burritos, so don't expect any real ambiance!
(5)Victor G.
is puentez taqueria the best burritto in marin? definitely not, puentez ranks at the bottom of my list for san rafael. they were out of shrimp (5.15) so i went for the asada. puentez is basically a scoop and wrap operation from premade ingredients kept warm at the steam counter. shop is small and there are a few tables for dining in. sampling: super asada burrito(5.45) -mostly beans, rice, chewy &; tough asada, surrounded by onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and salsa. except for the saltiness, the burrito was very bland. very liitle cheese present and i didn't see quac. frijoles refritos -burrito very salty -friendly, assembly line service. actually, one guy did all the work and the ladies did the bagging and cashiering. -fast service -horchata and mex sodas available. -granted it was 2ish when i ordered, nervertheless, i expect fresh quality since i paid full price.
(2)Scott N.
I am not a guy to come onto Yelp and WANT to write poor reviews. I really do look for the overall goodness of whatever a place has to offer. That said, I have to give a mixed review to a place i have been wanting to try for quite some time. I agree with the other posts, their super burrito combos (in two sizes -- small/large) that mixes a burrito with chips for a little over $6 works for me. I am A HUGE stickler for places that charge for chips. In this manner, I at least FEEL like they are giving something to me for free. While I can usually polish off a giant super burrito at other places, I went with the smaller super, as I am trying to back off the "OMG, I'm gonna DIE" feeling after eating a burrito. The size was good as I felt full (not deathly) afterwards. They do steam the tortilla with cheese (ala Gordos) which is nice. Another plus: Mexican Coke -- can't beat that. BUT - First off, they don't serve Al Pastor, which kinda threw me off, since that is a staple at most taqs. They did have a chicken mole option, which is pretty unique. A little "tomatoey saucy", but the chicken was REALLY MOIST. The ultimate pain came when I tried to unwrap the foil and BOOM, the burritos contents started sliding out onto the plate. NO ES BUENO! I ended up eating the burrito with a knife and fork -- which is a little embarrassing. Gotta keep those tortillas TIGHT! Anyway, the place is OK and will get my $$ again if I am in the area and want some cactus and a coke. Otherwise, I am going to meet my burrito needs at San Jose Taq.
(3)Jesse C.
Been eating here since I was a kid and they first opened and I used to hang out in the shop at Performance Bikes. It replaced the defunct "Taqueria La Fiesta" on 4th Street as my adolescent burrito haven. Is it better than Gordo's in SF? I think so. Why? Nostalgia? Perhaps. But the ingredients seem fresher and the boiled chicken stock more flavorful. Just stopped by on my way back to Chicago from Beijing and while they have become increasingly stingy with the serving sizes, the boiled chicken super burrito with red hot sauce still definitely hit the spot.
(4)Spa T.
I want to give these guys five stars, I really do but I have a couple of issues where they would need to change to earn the last two. First the good. I like that it is family run and they all are so welcoming to my family; the kids burritos are perfect for little people and only a couple bucks. I have a difficult time going to places that do not accommodate children with a significant price difference for a significantly smaller product. Not only are the little burritos the right size but any kid under 10 (or so) gets a frozen fruit paleta. I am vegetarian and like the veggie burrito but the extra .85 for a couple squirts of liquidly sour cream is a bit excessive. Mind you it tastes good but I am not terribly fond of nickle and diming people. Which brings me to the tortilla chips. There are a couple places in town with unlimited free chips and a salsa bar and it is small touches like these that would make me a fan for life. I mean the place is a five minute walk from my front door so with these alterations I wouldn't need to seek a little sumptin, sumptin on the side. Also the decor could use some freshening up. There is a dingy wall of Polaroids of customer from the past. All in all a worthwhile stop if I am in the area, say Trader Joes or Weight Watchers ;-) (They are just around the corner if you become addicted to too much liquid sour cream) but if they want a couple more stars from me they need to iron out a few wrinkles, nothing major. The most important ingredients are in place. Good people and good food.
(3)Michael K.
In my travels around Marin County, I have encountered a white whale of an SUV emblazoned with the arrogant and titillating slogan Best Burrito in San Rafael, or something. Anyway, this is the sort of statement that causes my more skeptical eye brow to raise slightly above the other, more trusting one, and my stomach gurgle and cavort about my abdomen like a ravenous, yet playful pit-bull. And lo, I journeyed forth to see what all the fuss (on the SUV) was about. As a result, Taqueria Puentez has virtually bludgeoned not one, not two or three, but a full four stars from my stingy Yelp wallet, with relatively little outlay from my actual wallet. "How," you rightly ask. Well, gentle eater, read on. THE SPACE: Shortly after Taqueria Puentez emerged from Mighty Vulcan's subterranean forge, and before it had cooled and solidified into the fearsome gastronomic dynamo that it is, the Fates themselves virtually shoehorned the still soft eatery into a narrow, yet clean, and well lit corner of a shopping center with far too little parking. Add to this the fact that, there is no salsa bar and even the free Wi-Fi has not enticed me, in my many visits, to order "for here." THE SERVICE: People in Marin like to bandy about terms like "local" and "sustainable," as they traverse the lanes of Irwin Street with the speed and courtesy of Portuguese car thieves. As pedestrians wonder why none the many Priuses on the road that day seem to posses operational turn-signals or brakes, the folks in Taqueria Peuntez are holding a virtual clinic on the meaning of the words "local" and "sustainable." It doesn't get more "local" than a non-chain family owned and operated restaurant that actually gives a student discount to the kids from the nearby highschool, and although in the middle range ($6 to $8) their prices certainly fit my definition of "sustainable" too. THE PRODUCT: Burrito construction is a fairly simple concept, and proper execution of that concept is key. Case in point: Puentez's burritos are well wrapped to the point that, though their contents are particularly moist (more on this below), the leakage quotient is low to nonexistent. Further, they don't commit the orange-pip-worthy sin of pockets of discrete ingredients, rather their burritos are always well mixed without being blended. As to the contents, in addition to the standards (stewed chicken, carne asada, and al pastor) Puentez offers nopales (cactus), chile verde, chicken mole, and mixed steamed veggies and I'm pretty sure a chile con carne too. Beans come whole (black or pinto) and salsa comes in a mild pico de gayo or hot tomatillo. But a note on the these contents is in order here: they're wet, real wet; this is because they're served out of troughs of their own juices, and that's a good thing. Also, a word about Puentez's tortillas. First of all, in addition to the standard flour burrito tortillas, they offer other flavors like spinach, and maybe tomato. As for their smaller tortillas, they're unlike any I've encountered before and I don't really care for them. They're corn, which is a plus in my book, but they don't seem very fresh and are REALLY thick. They're pretty bad, truth be told. So bad, in fact, that not even the astounding volume of meat, beans, and salsa that Puentez crushes into their tacos, in open disdain for the laws of God and physics, will make up for the fact that the tortillas which contain them taste like packing peanuts. So, in the end, I wish Taqueria Puentez had a salsa bar, but that isn't fatal. What is fatal though, is that finding parking in their center is a real chore, and their small tortillas are, in the end, just an unpleasant thing to eat, and that's really unacceptable, given that tortillas are such a crucial arrow in a taqueria's quiver. But, they are saved by their joix de vivre, fruitful array of ingredients, and good product quality to price ratio. If Yelp's unnecessarily restrictive "whole star-system" allowed, Puentez would earn 3 3/4 stars from me. As it is, they get the extra 1/4 star gratis, consider it a bonus for measuring up surprisingly well to the unabashedly ballsy claims of your SUV, Taqueria Puentez.
(4)T. C.
Did not love. Heck, I didn't even really like. Ordered a couple corn tortillas and a side of both chile verde and carnitas with some salsas to go. First, the chile verde was decent (hence the two stars instead of one) but they gave pretty much all sauce and maybe 5 chunks of meat. The carnitas were really greasy/fatty and had almost no flavor. The salsas/sauces, both red and green had almost no heat and minimal flavor. bleh I'll be on the hunt for a better taqueria in my hood.
(2)Elsa E.
I've only had their breakfast burrito, which was good, but it was so drippy that it fell apart and dripped all over my feet (their outside tables have an open top weave. I got one for me and one for the hubs with meat. He didn't put any potatoes in the meat one. It was just a regular burrito with an egg. So make sure to ask for potatoes if you want them!
(3)JonnyBoy K.
Best burritos and quesadillas EVER!! Try the Super Grilled Chicken burrito and Salsa quesadilla!
(5)Edmund C.
These guys have a nice business consisting of the basics. I work within walking distance and come here frequently. However, I would not dine here on any other occasion.
(3)Eamonn T.
If you hang around Puentez for long enough you will see everyone you've ever known in San Rafael. Old teachers, elementary school acquaintances, your ex girlfriends mom, the kid that used to steal your toggles at Davidson..... Seriously, this place is like a middle school reunion which is appropriate cause I've been coming here regularly since middle school. I wonder if I still have that Shark's parka? Get the boiled chicken.
(5)Jason R.
I picked up some stuff to go at Puentez last night on my way home. It was my first time trying it, because, well, Montecito isn't exactly part of my world anymore. I ordered a tostada for my girl, a bean and cheese taco for my hunger, and a mini deluxe burrito for dinner. It all tasted good, but I was really disappointed with the burrito. At $6.15 it was one of the most expensive items on the menu, and it was tiny. Some burritos at Taco Bell are bigger than this was. Sounds like they're a little hit and miss, so maybe I'd give them another shot, but with so many good local options, it'll probably be awhile.
(3)Tracee E.
So when a store brags about having the best burrito in town, I take it as a challenge that I'm up for judging... Sadly, I have to disagree with the absoluteness of their huge banner, but there are some great reasons to visit: -Food: 3 stars, good- perhaps not the best if you are a fan of taqueria food -Value: 5 stars (Grilled chicken regular burrito w/ cheese, blackbeans, salsa, hot sauce and a side of chips and salsa was only $5.61- thats something I can appreciate in these hard times) -Ambiance: Initial impression 2 stars (small, generic tables/ chairs), after checking out the details on the wall, you'll see that the customer love and photographs deserves 4 stars. -Owners: 5 stars for the family vibe. Don't know them, but the place definitely has a family vibe- complete with junior high photos of two boys, next to prom photos which are right in front of the grown up, real-life version who happens to be serving you. Longevity: 5 stars- its clear when you walk in and hear the regulars order that this place has been a main stop for the community for a long while... and hopefully will be for a long while more.
(4)Jennifer N.
Simply put....BEST BURRITO EVER! I cannot find another burrito than can even come close to comparing. I've been going there since it opened and have continued to be a loyal customer even since I moved to Sacramento. I get down to Marin at least once a month and I always go to Puentez for my awesome burrito fix....I always get 2....one for that moment and one to take home with me.
(5)Azul C.
I only went here because I had a sudden hunger pang, and I regret it! The food was BLAND as ever! I ordered the chicken enchiladas with rice and beans. The sauce tasted like it was from a can off the shelf at Wal-Mart, the chicken was rubbery, the rice was dry and the beans were undercooked. This business must only survive due to it's location because the food was very very bad. "The best burritos in Marin"??? Not even close!
(1)Bryan K.
My favorite burrito ever.
(5)David D.
very good cactus tacos. yeah yeah yeah, laugh all you want. I'm a weirdo, I know! I really do eat, and enjoy, cactus tacos. Their burritos are also decent. I usually end up getting one with only beans, cheese and rice. I'm not a fan of their pollo though.
(4)David W.
The food is worth a 4 star and may be among the best in Central Marin but unfortunately there is a glaring problem with this place. As others have stated, they have no clue how to handle a line efficiently and constantly forget to complete the orders even though you're standing there answering their questions. Customer service is sad. I have been there twice a week for years but still treated like a stranger each time. Food is good. Service is dismal and staff is socially inept. If I find similar quality elsewhere I'll stop patronizing this place. It's important to me to feel welcomed when I'm a regular customer. The language barrier is no exuse after decades in business.
(2)Tony P.
Stopped here by accident on night and what a fantastic accident. I can never order just one burrita I allways have to have 2. Family owned and the nicest people youd ever want to meet. Once they know your face you are allways recived warmly. The food is amazing and pleantiful. Good Prices. Just writing this I want to go and get me some more burrita love. If you have never been you have to stop by and try this place. Order alot because you will want more when you ar finished. No salsa for the chips but thats ok i use the chips to dig out the contents of my burrita.
(5)John L.
I have to be honest, the only thing I've ever had from the menu has been the Carnitas Mini Deluxe Burrito. For lunch the mini size is perfect, will fill you up without being stuffed! As a Chipotle addict, I appreciate a good burrito and when I'm not in Concord or San Fran my only option for a great burrito is Puentez. Do Speak slowly as the woman who typically makes the food doesn't speak fluent English. Be prepared to pay a little more than you think you should for a burrito (but hey they are in high rent San Rafael) Do Not Try to get in between 11:45 and 12:15 on weekdays, the high school across the street lets out for lunch at this time and the kids pile in, and they are either indecisive or don't have enough money, which makes for an awkward few seconds and they try to figure out what to do.
(5)Lisa G.
My favorite burrito place. It's simple, clean and tasty. Bobby ( owner) is kind and welcoming to my clients with disabilities and his sons who work there are sweet and friendly too.
(4)Alano T.
I'm not a Mexican food fan but the person I was with came to this place enough times to earn a free meal. At this particular instance, my friend told me that the food tasted like it was from a closet and the meat tasted old. This place is generally good but not this time, which was especially frustrating since the frequency of his visits amounted to a very dissatisfied meal. I totally respect people that primarily speak another language however, I found it very rude when the cooks were talking about my friend when he was simply asking for something that they had forgotten to offer.
(2)Athena N.
Their food is pretty tasty, but I could do without all the Jesus pamphlets.
(4)David W.
The Taqueria is clean and is run with mostly family members, and there is a reason its the best because they make it the way you want calling out every ingrediant and amounts of each, can not get better always fresh!
(5)Joel M.
This happens to be the closest taqueria to where I grew up and the best in San Rafael. Food is not expensive at all. Warning to burrito lovers, the regular size will not satisfy.
(4)Alex C.
It's been at least 7 or 8 years since I regularly started going to Puentez, and I have rarely (and I do mean rarely) been let down by them! The family that runs this place is super cool and really knows how to serve up some grade-A taqueria fare. My long time favorite has been their grilled chicken quesadilla; it's basically a heart attack wrapped in tin-foil, but it's oh-so-satisfying. The tortilla is fried to a golden crisp, and filled with melted jack cheese, expertly prepared chicken, pico de gallo and green hot sauce. The chicken is rarely under or over-cooked, and, while similar in texture to other taquerias' chicken, has a rather unique taste to it. The added spiciness of the hot sauce really provides quite a kick as well. If you're looking to put on weight in a hurry, or are just craving a solid quesadilla, I recommend it whole heartedly. There are plenty of other options too, if my review didn't get you in the mood for a quesadilla. Enjoy!
(5)Alyssa N.
I've been going here for about a year now. I really like their simple regular burrito, grilled chicken, whole pintos, pico de gallo and a little hot sauce. It is full of flavor and plenty to stuff me. I have had burritos at many a taqueria but I tend to drive to a little further to get one here. It could be the salsa or the whole pinto beans but I just think they taste better. By the way, don't make the mistake of eating these in your car. You will end up with salsa chunks all over you, no matter how neat you try to be.
(4)Matt N.
I now live in Los Angeles, but grew up eating Puentez nearly everyday. This is simply my favorite burrito joint and Bobby still remembers me when I visit, even though I moved away 11 years ago. If you're across the street at San Rafael High or shopping next door at Trader Joe's, stop in and grab a super burrito. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Chase F.
i love puentez. they might not have THE best burrito, but it's comfort food. i've been coming here ever since i was a little girl, getting the same thing: a regular bean and cheese burrito (comes with beans, cheese, rice, salsa, hot sauce). all the components are perfect (though the salsa could have less onions for my liking). with a bag of chips and a horchata, you have a delicious meal for less than $5 - you can't beat that!
(5)Jared M.
Um, I don't spend a lot of time in Marin, but whenever I drive by this place, I feel it pulling me in. The burritos are excellent: I recommend the Mini Deluxe with Carnitas or Chicken Mole. If you're up for something a little different, try the Nopales Quesadilla on a corn tortilla. Full of tasty cactus and great for budget vegetarians!
(4)German A.
I really like this place. The burrittos are very tasty. The place is clean. The prices are fair. The servie is good and .................. Im going there right now!!
(4)Aaron J.
Puentez is very good, my burrito was tasty and not too filling, and the horchata was great. The family who owns/runs it is also very nice, and they keep it very nice and clean. The only problem is that it is a tiny bit overpriced, and when I'm in San Rafael and presented with a choice between Puentez Taqueria and Taqueria San Jose, San Jose always wins under my criteria. Taqueria San Jose has bigger, greasier, and more filling burritos, and is cheaper as well (It also has a jukebox with Norteno/Banda music!) In my opinion, Puentez seems more geared to the white suburbanites (free WiFi in a taqueria?) and San Jose seems more geared to working-class people. Both are good, but San Jose just seems to suit my tastes better than Puentez.
(4)John D.
Great Burritos on Marin side of the bridge...of course it's tough to beat Mission District but these come close. The owner has a great personality. It's nice to have folks remember your name. I have only been in a dozen times or so and I am greeted by name every time
(5)Rachel L.
Great super fat burritos! Cheap! Fresh ingredients nice man who owns the place!
(4)