Frausto’s Restaurant
2504 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA, 94704
Frausto’s Restaurant Menu
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Address :
2504 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA, 94704 - Phone (510) 548-9830
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
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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Tom O.
My mom receiving treatment around the corner at Alta Bates Harick, and I need a bite to eat and noticed this place on the drive in. I walked the block and a half over here to grab a Carne Azada burrito and a Cerveza. Not the best I have had in the east bay, but far from the worst. A solid 7 on 10 scale Taqueria meter. One must always judge Taqueria by its salsa, and this one had a nice bite texture was a little on the smooth side for my taste but the heat makes up for it. The burrito it was good maybe lill more Carne Azada would be nice but over all good. The space is pure dive, but serves is pleasant and fast. Would I make a trip to Berkeley just for this? No, but i will eat if I am here taking care of the momz. PS........3.5 would be a correct star rate but I cant, and I see some low rankings that I think are undeserved hence the 4 stars.
(4)Anthony M.
They try, which isn't exactly a ringing endorsement, but I think the food is better than most of the Mexican options in Berkeley. It's also not cheap and the service is hit or miss, but the food is consistently good. Most Mexican food, the kind Mexican-Americans eat is more similar to this type of cooking and fair than lets say Comal or Gordos.
(4)Yuki O.
This place has solid nachos and chimichangas. And their Agua Fresca is out of control! I don't understand people complaining about service. This is a hole in the wall Mexican place, not a new American cuisine restaurant
(5)Tiffany M.
I have come here a few times over the passed couple of years with no complaints. I will more often than not order a burrito with carnitas, and then wash it down with a coke. However, today was different. I am a little confused as to why I was served after everyone else in the restaurant, despite the fact that I came in here first. There were two tables that were served before I was. Also, I was given my food with no cutlery. What's up with that?
(3)Nancy L.
We had a family birthday party here last Saturday, for 11 people. The owner/manager was fabulous. First he agreed to open up AN HOUR EARLY for us, as we needed to start by 10 am. Then he did a great job with our orders. For example, one of our party is allergic to cilantro, a real challenge at a Mexican restaurant. He brought her pico de gallo specially made without cilantro, which was great! He was flexible about our having people arriving at different times, taking more orders, creating something I can eat (I have a lot of restrictions). The food tasted great. When it was time for cake, which we had brought, he brought a knife and small plates. Then he came out with a guitar (his own idea) and sang Happy Birthday in English and Spanish, leading us. When I indicated that we had 2 birthday people, he picked up on this quickly and sang again to the 2nd. The restaurant was quiet enough that all 11 of us could hear each other talk, which we appreciated as so many places are too loud to hear anyone besides the person next to you. The tab was very reasonable. We gave him a big tip.
(4)Emily B.
This is a cozy place to get cheap comfort food if you need a fix. If you're looking for upscale, super fresh, authentic Mexican, this isn't the place for that. BUT, if you just need a super cheesy, hot chimichanga to aid a hangover this is a good source. We live around the corner and order takeout on weekends every once in awhile because it's so cheap and you get a lot of food. Definitely has a "hole in the wall" atmosphere. Pros: - Excellent salsa (which you can order for takeout in larger sizes) - Affordable w/ good portions Cons: - Not the freshest food - Food overall is nothing special
(3)Emily S.
If you're looking for a mediocre lunch time Mexican food fix, this is the place to go. Service is slow, food is bland, but it's conveniently located a block away from my apartment so I can't complain.
(3)James S.
Let me preface this by saying I am not much of a critic. I am generally pretty easily pleased, and I have to feel pretty unhappy about something before I write a negative review. After my lunch at Frausto's today, however, I definitely feel unhappy enough to write this. First, the worst: There was a lady sitting in the kitchen, watching TV and eating. This would be fine, except for the fact that she was also chopping vegetables. She had her plate of food on the cutting board, and was eating tortillas and beans with her hands. Every now and then she would pick up the knife and chop some onions. I have a strong stomach but this made me feel pretty sick. I had just paid for our overpriced and thoroughly mediocre lunch when I saw this in plain view from in front of the counter. Besides that whole thing, the food was just OK, and it took way too long. We ordered nachos and there were maybe 10 or 12 chips on the plate for $7 or $8. They were pretty good, but I could make those at home for $1 at the most. The quesadilla was the best part. Very cheesy and greasy and crispy like I like them. No complaints there. My wife's burrito was just kind of boring, and it didn't even have any cheese. My enchilada was just so so. The iceberg lettuce (salad) piled on all the plates was kind of sad. There were at least 4 people working there, but most of the time nobody was in the dining area, and nobody ever refilled my water and asked how the food was. They did not bring sour cream until after I had finished my quesadilla. They tried to give us the wrong order... when there was only one other diner in the restaurant. The food took forever. I don't know what all those people were doing back there, because it does not take that long to make a burrito and a quesadilla. Yes, it was early (11:00 am just after they opened), but if you are not ready to open, don't open! Or at least give us a warning that you are not ready. Terrible service, average to below average food, way too pricey, and a healthy amount of saliva from the prep cook lady, all add up to me never ever coming back here again. And FWIW, my wife just read this and says I am being too nice.
(1)Sally Y.
After dining here I was inspired to cook my own Mexican food at home. I'm not sure if it's usually busy, but the waiting time was a little more than I would have liked. When the food arrived it was mediocre, maybe I would come here for a greasy hangover meal, but for now I'll cook at home.
(2)Ravi S.
I'm originally from West Texas, and I know good Tex-Mex as well as good traditional Mexican food. This place has neither. I tried the chicken suiza enchilada plate the one time I went there. It was horrible. The chicken was bland, and the suiza sauce was basically just sour cream. There was absolutely no spice or flavor in the dish at all. The salsa that I had with the chips was nothing special either. I'm definitely never coming here again. All that eating at this restaurant did for me was to make me miss Texas.
(1)Patrick K.
It said 'rotisserie' outside and that sounded great. I had passed by the place several times and was really looking forward to trying it. We went in earlier in the day to check it out, but decided based on the menu that it would be better for dinner. When we came back for dinner they said that there was no chicken. Earlier in the day there was also no chicken, but they did not say so. I cannot ever return to this place. What makes a one star review more than an experience so bad you would never return?
(1)Amanda B.
My review is more about the customer service rather than the food ( I ordered a bean and cheese burrito so I can't say I have sampled really anything on the menu). So I was craving Mexican food on my way home from UC Berkeley and decided to try to find a Mexican place that was along the F bus line. As I was about to give up I found this place on Shattuck. I walked in and there were a few people dining but I wanted my meal to-go since I was trying to hop on the bus. I went to the counter and a lady saw me and looked at me confused. I asked her if I could place an order to-go and she didn't understand. After a few attempts of trying to rephrase my question and her still not understanding, she got another employee. I asked him the same question and he said yes. So I asked for a bean and cheese burrito (okay yeah I know lame order but that's all I like). He rang me up for $6.53 which yes is freakin expensive for a tortilla, refried beans, and cheese but I understand some restaurants will charge their 'veggie' burrito option if they don't have it explicitly on the menu. So this is when things go downhill. I pull out my credit card but he informs me there is a $7 minimum on credit cards. I look all around the register and on the walls to see if there is a sign that mentions that since $7 seems kinda random but also coincidental. There wasn't a sign but if that's there policy then whatever. I was about to add possibly chips to my order to reach $7 but he then he suggests I add a drink. I said sure and he runs my credit card without telling me my total. I figured he just made the drink an additional .50 since he already charged me 6.50 for a basic burrito. He hands me my credit card slip and it says $9.03! The drink he suggested was an additional $2.50!! I felt like at that point I couldn't make adjustments since my credit card was charged. I just felt so taken advantage of. The burrito was pretty big, nothing special, I just can't believe how much I paid for it. I'm obviously not giving them my business again and I'm wondering if anyone else has had an experience with the credit card minimum.
(2)Christopher L.
Went here with the wife a few weeks back. It wasn't bad, but not terribly special.
(2)Desi R.
The food is alright. I like their crispy tacos. The service could be better. This is the closest mexican food to my house, and I honestly don't mind walking a little farther to la cascada or la familia.
(3)Patrick T.
The burritos are not bad. Tacos are pretty good. The place is not mind blowing.
(3)Bobby B.
This is the worst Mexican food you can buy in Berkeley. The chicken burrito was awful: lardy beans, bland chicken, and flavorless rice. At least the unfriendly service was... not good. Oh, and the little salsa tubs are a joke. Thanks for giving me a tablespoon of salsa for my $7 regular burrito and chips.
(1)Vern L.
My family and I went to Frausto's for dinner and ordered chicken enchiladas w/green sauce, chile relleno, tamales and quesadilla. We loved everything we ate and the prices were affordable!!
(5)Elyse D.
I had the super nachos, but it was far from super! There were literally 8 chips covered in the "super" ingredients,on top was limp lettuce and unripe tomatoes.. I ordered this with a friend expecting to share, but I would of had to order two just for one person to even be satisfied.. And paid $8.40 for that shizzzz
(1)TeeBee K.
Everytime I come in here the place is empty but they have such good food I feel like I need to give them a shout. It's a family owned place and very cozy. Favorite Plates: 1) Tres Steak Tacos 2) Carne Asada Quesadilla 3) I ordered a taco once but it came with only a pinch of meat, the taco shell was good.. Most importantly: 1) Their chips are never stale 2) Their carne asada is super juicy 3) They actually serve salsa with the chips, not pre-canned pico de gallo! 4) Be careful bc the guac will make you smell like onions all day Unfortunately, I saw them grab their bread pudding from a box but I haven't tried it so I can't speak ill:)
(4)marlon m.
I don't care how good or how cheap there food is. This place sucks. I got there 1130 to avoid the rush and it took them 45 minutes at least to get me a carne asada burrito. Then it came out cold. Plus I ran out of time on my one hour parking. Don't ever go here if you want service!!!! Do yourself a favor. Bake a lasagna from scratch it's faster. This place sucks. Took me 45 min to get a car
(1)Zack E.
Very good mexican food. My boyfriend and I went here on a Friday afternoon. The setting is casual and the service was great. The food came out promptly after ordering. The tacos are fresh, cheap and just the right amount of food for lunch. We both left happy and full. We were excited to find an authentic mexican place so close to where we live. Definitely eating here again!
(4)Kawena V.
being from southern california i do NOT understand everyone preaching the super burrito, cause its not good, unless you want to have a stomach ache for the rest of the day. Though, i do really recommend the ala cart tacos, THOSE are amaaaaaaaazing and for only 2.99 (with tax) theyre worth it too.
(3)Ruth A.
When I walked in, my first thought was, this is either going to be very good or very bad. It's not glitzy, not slick, definitely not hip. One good sign was the TV, which was tuned into sports in Spanish. Service is leisurely but caring. If you are in a terrible hurry, don't go. However the menu is extensive and has both the usual enchiladas-n-burritos-n-stuff, but it has some specialities I hadn't seen elsewhere local, like lengua. Many good vegetarian options, too. I had flautas, and they were crisp with just the right amount of good stuff inside. Yum. Not noisy -- a major plus for me, even though the TV was on for anyone who was into sports. I appreciated the ample refills of my drink and the considerate service. It's become my go-to place for Mexican in Berkeley. I'm picky about Mex -- I really hate the slick places that get everything out of a can. "Authentic" is sometimes a matter of what part of Mexico one is trying to channel but this is good food, doesn't taste canned, and the place doesn't feel canned, either. Enjoy!
(4)Martie S.
Food quality= really high Food quantity= good menu choices= multipulous and favorable Service= speed varies friendliness always there. Atmosphere = humble, comfy enough super sweet local spot? Yeyes!
(4)Jennifer W.
This place never seems to have any people in it, but turns out that there is a good steady stream that stumbles in during mealtimes and many orders are to-go. Still, the food here isn't that fresh because there doesn't seem to be a high turnover. The chips were incredibly stale and the salsa was just spicy water. The fish tacos are made with real fish meat, not fried fish. Each one has a large slice of avocado. The limes were dry. No other sauce on it. The super burritos were a good size, but easily fell apart. Lengua is the specialty here. The one great thing is the service. Our server was friendly and attentive. I like the colorful, festive decor inside. Probably decent place to watch some football games.
(2)May L.
I originally come from a city where you can get authentic Mexican fare at every turn of the corner and so when I moved to Berkeley, I really missed that. But I finally found a place where I felt like I was back home again and it was at Frausto's. When we went in, it was completely empty and I was somewhat apprehensive, but they had lengua so I stayed. And A LOT more people came in throughout dinner so they seem to be doing fairly well. I had the lengua super burrito and it was pretty good! I wish there was more lengua in it, but the meat was tender. Not the best I've had, but definitely good for Berkeley. My boyfriend had the Chili Verde and it was very good. I had a piece of the pork and it was very tender, practically falling apart in your mouth. The stew part was flavorful and it came with salad, rice, refried beans with melted cheese on top, and a couple of tortillas. I would definitely go back again, especially because I live a block away and they are the most authentic I have found in Berkeley. I will be going back to try the Menudo and Pozole when they have it in season. Lastly, the waitress was awesome, very sweet. The food did take a bit to get to us, but I think it's because they are somewhat understaffed. I think there was only one cook when we went in. Don't let this turn you off though because I think the food is worth it. Besides, they have chips and spicy salsa to munch on while you wait so it wasn't bad at all.
(4)Mia B.
Disappointing and Expensive. I ordered a torta de jamon. It was supposed to be a ham sandwich with mayonnaise, avocado, lettuce and tomato, but I ordered it sans lettuce and tomato. But, I may as well have ordered it without avocado too because there was only enough avocado to cover half the sandwich. I mean, c'mon. It was also smothered in mayonnaise to the point where I had to scrape it off with my knife as it oozed out when I bit into it. Not to mention, it was cold when it came to me. (It was also toasted so you can imagine the joys of a cold toasted sandwich.) My friend got the salad, which came topped with cheese, sour cream and a dressing. She did not like it either. Cost: Torta de Jamon - $7.50 Quesadilla - $7.00 I just don't see why one would spend so much to go here for unsatisfying food when there are so many better Mexican restaurant options in California and cheaper, at that!
(1)Peter A.
Simply the BEST! I'm not Mexican but I love Mexican food and Frausto's is one of my very favorite.
(5)Allucaneat G.
Oh hell no. I went here right before a sewing class, so hungry and in a hurry. Chips and salsa. That's all I wanted. $2.50. Huh? Okay, kinda high. A small container of guac was ~$6? Pass. I end up up with a tiny paper bag of mediocre chips that taste like they were fried in rancid oil and two tiny tubs of salsa. The tubs were not even the size of those provided FREE at the salsa bars in SF Taquerias. No, the tubs were the size one gets with chili peppers for pizza. I.e. they held appx. 1tsp. each. No joke. I had 2 f'n tsps of salsa to drip onto the rancid chips. WTF. How was the salsa, you ask? For that price/size, shoulda been like gold, right? Ha! Pink, mealy tomatoes and too much onion. Total crap. Note that the same amount of chips WITH UNLIMITED GOOD SALSA would be about $1.50 or less in SF. (I'm not talking chains like Chipotle, though even they give more food for the price). How the hell can these people justify such a ripoff? I'd be embarrassed if I were them. Never again. Not even if they are the last place to get chips and salsa in the universe. I'll buy a bag of Doritos before going here again.
(1)Jon K.
It's a small place - but I've had enjoyable food every time here. Nice Fish Tacos, and a wonderful pulled pork sandwich several times over. It's not fancy, but it is affordable, friendly and I enjoy the food here. It might be a little dive-barish for some people, but I sort of like that about this restaurant. I like this place WAY more than Flaco's ... but then again I like dairy and meat and flavor in my meals.
(4)Carolyn Y.
I liked this place; I loved that it was family-run and they had actual Mexican dishes and it was an actual restaurant instead of a fast go-in-go-out get up that most Mexican restaurants seem to be lately. I got the horchata (a bit watery? too cinnamony? I don't know, it was weird) and tamales with beans and rice, which I enjoyed. The cashier/waitress was incredibly nice which was a big plus.
(3)Pei E.
Not the friendliest place in town. Almost felt like the girl was annoyed that we were here.
(1)Nicky F.
Generally I have not had a bad meal here, but some months ago when in Berkeley I went with some friends. I It was a Sunday so I asked if they are serving menudo, the server informed me that it was freshly made., so I ordered some. I waited 15 or more minutes, when it arrived I could tell by looking at it that I might be in for an interesting taste experience. Sure enough, the broth was greasy, with hardly any flavor. I don't know if it was a bad day for the cook or what. My mother and grandmother made good menudo so I know what it should taste like! I will have to go to my usual restaurant for my Sunday menudo. My friends told me that their order was good.
(2)Doug G.
Nice casual atmosphere with great food. Enchiladas were terrific, as were the albondigas soup. Waitress was very sweet and made sure her customers were happy. We will be back.
(4)Jen W.
Chips are amazing. I ordered a horchata and he brought me a strawberry horchata, while acknowledging that it wasn't exactly what I ordered. This is the kind of place where it's best to go with the flow, so strawberry horachata it was! Lunch was delicious, beef enchilada and chile relleno plate. i
(4)Lauren D.
Frausto's has of the best Super Burritos in town. (In competition with Gordo's, but I like Frausto's when I'm in the mood for some greasy ground beef!) The service can be kind of iffy. The people there are generally nice but it's nothing fancy. They aren't overly friendly or pushy; they do their jobs. I often had to wait a long time because the person taking the orders and working the register was the same person cooking the food. I guess that's cool; I support a family-run business. I was a loyal customer and often got my food to go. They also serve chips and salsa if you eat inside; they're good chips, and not some crappy Tostitos from a bag. The salsa was also not flavorless tomato paste, though it wasn't the most outstanding salsa I've ever had. There was something about the super burritos... they had peas or something in them! I have no idea; it's been a while, but they were certainly special! I had the nachos once, and they were good, but I loved the super burrito so much that I pretty much only ordered that (which happened quite often - I lived right around the corner!). The prices are kind of low, but not low enough to be awesome. They close early, which sucks, but Frausto's is still definitely one of the better places to go for a burrito in Berkeley.
(4)Deena H.
Always get the same thing here--carne asada super burrito! huge portion...i can eat a lot but this burrito stuffs me to the max. the quality is pretty descent. i usually call in and order, then pick it up. never dined in but the atmosphere inside is quite cute--a lot of authentic mexican decorations. really like how they have vegetarian options (:
(4)Stevr B.
Great beans, nice and rich. Good prices and friendly service.
(4)jennifer m.
We went to Frausto's tonight cause I've been thinking about their chile relleno. I had one a couple months ago and it was great. Today was my second chile relleno and it didn't disappoint. The chile, unlike others I've had around here has some real flavor. I found out from Emanuel (presumably one of the owners), that they unlike a lot of other places use fresh chiles. He explained that they start with fresh, roast them, peel them, de-seed them and then prepare them for the dish. He says a lot of other places use chiles from a can -- and from the flavor of Fraustos's chile relleno, I think he's not lying. The other great dish we had was the flan for dessert. We were totally stuffed, but Emanuel convinced us that it was worth it. He said it was homemade and not the "cajita" (box) kind. I grew up eating a lot of homemade flan and he was totally speaking the truth. The texture was thick and creamy but what really made it was the caramel. It wasn't a thick, saccharine syrup. It was thin, sweet and slightly burnt and that's just the way you want it. All in all, it's not a super fancy place, it's a neighborhood taqueria, but I think Emanuel is doing his best to class it up. Homemade flan and the best chile relleno this side of L.A.? That's a great start!
(4)Rachel A.
Frausto's is good. The kid size burrito is made for husky children. It's huge. It's enough to stuff you silly until dinner and its cheap: $3.75. Chips and salsa are on the house. When we see chips, my friend sees salt. Oh man, she loves her salt. So we sprinkle some and then I wonder why she was loving pepper that day. Oh wait. It wasn't pepper. It was ants. There were stray ants on our table. Thank god it wasn't a trail of ants. But dang it was a pain to keep squishing these little ants. I love my burritos but I don't love ants on the table. Oh great, more hate mail from insect activists.
(4)Elizabeth S.
We love this place for their breakfasts (particularly the juevos a la mexicana and juevos rancheros) and the burritos are solid. Haven't had much else from their extensive menu, but appreciate the variety of their veg options. I always leave very full and satisfied. The ambiance is kinda whatever, there usually aren't that many customers but the service has always been pleasant. We go back again and again!
(4)Rinky N.
Note 5/7/07 Fraustos seems to be closed from 4-5pm Mon-Fri. That's what their sign says, But we were there at 3:30 last Monday and they were already closed = ( Moral of story-always call ahead **************************************************Â******************** This is the place to go to for down home Mexican food in downtown Berkeley. No high brow, high priced, miniscule burritos here. They have the whole range of dishes from burritos to tacos to enchiladas to tamales and roasted meats. I usually get the enchilada verde with cheese or veggies. There seems to be something here for everyone; although vegans may have just a few choices. Whenever I've eaten here I've noticed a lot of neighborhood folks come by as well as regulars. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. I feel like I am back in my childhood haunts in LA.
(4)Roxanne G.
Frausto's is DELICIOUS!! I am very picky about my Mexican food and had a hard time moving from SF to the East Bay for this exact reason. Frausto's is authentic and fresh. They make everything themselves and do not use lard. They are celebrating their 16th year and the staff/servers are really sweet and have great energy. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! To the person who gave them 1 star just because they were closed on Sunday, yes, they are now closed on Sundays. They have a sign. This is definitely not a good enough reason to give them 1 star.
(4)Alan O.
Frausto's is a dysfunctional but satisfying Mexican restaurant good enough to qualify as comfort food but not really up to the level of what I would call a "wow." Located in a soulless strip of shops on Telegraph Avenue anchored by the now-defunct Radio Shack and -funct General Appliance (a solidly good store for mid-to high- end kitchen appliances) stores with a laundromat and fabric store thrown in for good measure, Frausto's has been my go to place when I want a good Mexican lunch but not necessarily a transcendent experience. Dysfunctional relates to the ambiance and service - you sometimes end up feeling like you're in an extension of the bus stop outside rather than in a restaurant in Guadalajara. The front door is always open, homeless derelicts and U.C. students glide by endlessly, it's long dark and narrow, and street noises reverberate. Adding (or subtracting) to this is the hit-or-miss service. As others have said, it feels like a family runs it, but no one is hustling for your business. Everything happens in slow-motion without clarity. "Do I sit down or order at the counter?" (The answer is: either one). "Gee, I've been sitting here awhile with my drink, chips and salsa...when do I get a napkin or silverware?" (Hold on, it's coming). OK, the meal was...good; now do I wait for a check or go to the counter and pay? (The answer is: either one AND hold on it's coming). You see what I mean about lack of clarity and the slow but courteous service only adds to the confusion. I would rate the food at Frausto's as better than Juan's by a point or two. The chips and salsa are better in my opinion, but Juan's are good too, just different. At Frausto's the chips are lighter (not leaden) and the salsa almost sparkles with actual bits of green onion floating around. The food has more flavor at Frausto's - I think Juan's has given up cooking and settled for being a destination with food and booze. My standard of excellence is always a cheese enchilada - mess that up and you're in trouble. Typical of the mid-level Frausto's plays at, it's neither bad nor great, just good enough to maybe have you try it again. The rice is very good and I like the beans for the right combo of flat flavoring and runniness, and the salad is your classic chopped iceberg lettuce with Thousand Island (someone called it orange dressing out of ignorance). Whether the food is better or worse than food in the real Guadalajara is questionable - I've been in Guadalajara and did not eat anything memorable. After a month in Mexico the only memorable meal I had was Cabrito (abhorrently sounding but wonderful-tasting roasted kid goat) which was GREAT. This is likewise true for India...after a couple of months there I had many good meals but no outstanding ones because the quality of the raw materials (meat & vegetables) is not a good as it here, but the spices and flavoring were spot on, of course. Not ever getting to know the waiters, servers, cooks and order takers, I have assigned (as others have) family archetypes to them whether fair or not. There's a dad and mom and kids and cousins (in my mind only) all performing their tasks in a workman-like but uninspired fashion. It's like they have to work there, but in an ideal world, they would be someplace else. That said, it's good enough to have kept me coming back for twenty-five years.
(3)S R.
I would have to agree with the "worst Mexican in Berkeley" tag for Frausto's Mexican Food Restaurant. Nothing I've had here has been anything above than the worst kind of heavy, gloppy Mexican food with Taco Bell-level ingredients. But the real thumbs-down has to be for the weird atmosphere. I used to come in for takeout and the place was always deserted. Not "peaceful and relaxing" deserted, more like creepy "abandoned gas station in the middle of the desert" deserted. It just seems old and dusty and somehow forgotten, just like the stretch of Shattuck it inhabits...
(1)Alfonso L.
Hands down, the indubitable champion as the worst Mexican restaurant in Berkeley. I know it isn't saying much, but when you have venerable places like Picante or Juan's (and Juan's ain't THAT good!) that are leaps and bounds better than you, you are really in trouble. Hell, even the lazy combo plates at Mario's on Telegraph are a virtual paradise compared to this cafeteria-style slop served here. First thing you'll notice about Frausto's is that it's on a not-so-exciting end of Shattuck. It's a place for shut-ins to just come in and fork over their cash to pick up their to-go orders; you wouldn't really want to sit down in this place. The service is unfriendly, and I'm being charitable. The menu is much too busy for a place that doesn't seem --at least if you listen hard enough--to have any cooks in the back. For a moment there I actually thought the reason the server was so abrupt and curt (though I spoke Spanish when I came in) was because she had to rush back and stir the beans or type "1 Min" in the microwave. And what a rotten meal. I figured this place shouldn't be able to ruin a combo plate, especially when I ask for the enchilada (Chicken), burrito (GROUND beef) and pork tamale. I was so so wrong. First off, GROUND beef is so unacceptable at a Mexican restaurant. It's like saying, "we don't need to actually braise the beef so we can shred it into a sauce --you get what you can get at Taco Bell because we don't aspire for anything better". What's worse is that the ground beef filling was unseasoned. Not underseasoned. It resembled a tannish gristly gravy. It made the burrito inedible. The tamale was just OK, but the enchilada was slathered in a sauce that was different from the rest, but was just as unseasoned.It should not surprise that the rice and beans had no salt, or appeared to have been simply nuked in a microwave. The worst offense of all? This dish cost $13.25. Next time if I want rotten but edible food, Taco Bell can be had for a fraction of this but if you want Mexican food of any quality, head on over to west Berkeley to Picante or to Alameda at Otaez or La Pinata.
(1)Sean B.
The salsa was a little runny, the service pretty typical. My torta was quite decent, I don't get the bad reviews... but didn't blow me away either. A decent, middle-of-the road place where I'd go again, but not make a special trip.
(3)Jen R.
We went here on a friends recommendation hoping to find another great place to pop in for good quick mexican food in Berkeley. Upon entering I was not greeted with the friendliest of greetings. The frst thing to come was free chips and some salsa with a small kick. We also got a horchata that came in a cool large glass but was too spicy for my taste and had too much crushed ice inside. We ordered a large burrito and the huevos a la mexicana. My huevos a la mexicana came on a huge plate but the actual serving of eggs, cheese, onion and pepper with small tortilla pieces was very small. The majority of the plate was rice and refried beans and salad with orange dressing I didn't try. Everything tasted ok but was not amazing. I know the beans were cooked with animal fats, something for vegetarians to be aware of. While eating I had two small black flies fly into my food and one died on my plate the other I shooed off. We were both left with this horrible bogged down feeling and really didnt want to pay for the meal we just experienced. Probably not going to go back.
(2)Dennis M.
Having recently moved to California, I wanted to check out some Mexican food around the area. Coming from New York City, I've been told that Mexican food is a million times better here. I wanted to have some proof, so the first day I arrived to Berkeley I went out looking for the first Mexican place I could find. It didn't take me long - Frausto's was right around the corner. I ordered the Burro Grande to go. While I was waiting, the guy at the counter made some small talk and welcomed me to the neighborhood, which was pretty nice. When my burrito was up, he served it up with some corn chips and salsa. That bag was pretty heavy. While walking home, I wondered if they decided to play a practical joke on me and serve up a brick instead of a burrito. I was relieved to see a huge burrito when I got home. The burrito was good, but honestly it wasn't great. Just another forgettable burrito in my tummy. Perhaps I subconsciously set the Mexican food bar so high after what everyone has told me? Since then I've tried Mexican food in other places (in other places in Berkeley, in San Francisco and around the office in Emeryville) and the food in those other places was really great, so I was right - the food in Frausto's wasn't that great to begin with.
(3)Yes I.
I really love the burritos here. The only other item I've tried was the enchilada plate, which was good as well. But I come here for the burritos. I usually take them to go, as the decor is nothing spectacular (though they do have some sexy art, aztec perhaps, with muscular men in skimpy clothing rescuing women). The employees are super nice and have even put up with my bad attempts to practice my burgeoning Spanish.
(4)Christina C.
I'm from LA -- Land of the best Mexican food EVERRRRRR! and I always run here to grab tacos or a burrito before shooting pool at Thalassa. It's never crowded when I go in (surprised) and they always make the same great food every time! I love this place! In fact, I don't think I've had a better burrito in the bay..
(5)Chris C.
This little mexican cantina is a fun place to hit for dinner or lunch if you're passing by or in the area. There is a nice variety of mexican specialties on the menu, including some seriously fat burritos, fajitas, enchilada plates, chimichangas, I could keep going. Their table service can be slow at times because there are never more than 2 people working there, but the atmosphere is authentic, not over-the-top like a lot of mexican places I've been. The guy who runs the place is very nice and usually attentive. They also hook you up with chips and salsa when you sit down, which I always find a plus in mexican places. Most of the food isn't especially robust in flavor, but in its subtlety is this place's unique flavor. Much like the decor, you find yourself eating something not quite as "fancy," but just as good as other places might make it. This place, best of all, is very cozy and welcoming. It's especially nice to have if you live nearby, since there isn't much in terms of comfort food in the area. I've frequented this place after a long day of classes or homework and discovered a real escape. Finally, the prices aren't too bad here either! It's no taco stand, so it's a little pricier than a typical burrito of that sort. But for the table service and the atmosphere, I'd say it's well worth it.
(4)Lee R.
They call this authentic Mexican Food? I am not impressed. I do agree that it is better than Chevy's ... but not by much. Go to Juan's ... it is a lot better.
(2)di t.
This is your basic, functional, tasty & inexpensive place to get Mexican food after work. Nothing fancy, your food comes out pretty fast and is filling and tasty. Prices won't break the bank. If you're a girl or a light eater, consider the kids' burritos... they're chock full of goodness and certainly large enough for a meal. Chips are light - salsa is lightly spicy. Yay!
(3)Anastasia B.
I am one full, yet unsatisfied sassy bitch right now! I ordered a carnitas super burrito for $7.61 (tax included) and more or less ended up with a rice and bean burrito. If I wanted a rice and bean burrito, I would have ordered one for half the price, damn it! I had two lackluster bites of flavorless carnitas and about twenty bites of rice, beans and cheese of my fat ten-inch long burrito (oooh, that sounds kinky!). It was also supposed to come with guacamole, but there was barely a dollop of green to be found anywhere. I'm SO disappointed right now! This bitch does not like to waste calories on crappy, unauthentic carnitas, nor do I want my pork and pork products adulterated in any way, shape, or form! And what in the world is it with Bay Area Mexican cooks who don't know how to make good, authentic Mexican food?! Why is there no decent Mexican food north of Southern California?! Somebody please tell me why!!! Have they all lost their mojo after finding their way through the dense L.A. smog?
(2)Jerry D.
The food at Frausto's tastes very fresh and is very flavorful. I am especially a fan of their burritos. Good value for the money. Friendly wait staff. I am glad to have them in my neighborhood.
(4)Ben R.
Quality food. I love going to a place that you can actually Taste the high quality of the ingredients. Convenient location and friendly owners too!
(4)chelsea b.
Decent for the bay area. From a SoCal native, that's saying A LOT I've lived close to this place for over a year but I visited for the first time this evening. I was starving while walking home and the scent of Mexican food reeled me into to Frausto's. I have to admit I was skeptical because I've walked past this place a million times and I've never seen many people in there. Again, it was empty but more importantly the food smelled so yummy. I got a crispy taco with shredded beef, rice, beans, salad, and chips. Everything was decent. Not fabulous but not horrible either. I found most the food to be bland but in NorCal that's really not surprising. Their salsa is tasty although, again, still not spicy enough for me. In the end I'd say you don't need to seek this place out but if you're on Shattuck downtown and hankering for some Mexican food, this place will hit the spot :)
(3)Jennifer L.
Frausto's is my favorite Mexican restaurant in town! I absolutely love the chicken soup "Sopa Jalisco"... it has avacados, tortilla strips, and just enough spice to give it zest! They have a carrot/ orange juice, fresh squeezed which is super tasty. And the rotisserie chicken is delicious. It feels like good home cookin', Mexican style!
(5)Sherelle V.
I'm usually not an angry Yelper but this place sucked! I've passed it many times in the past and it was always in my "place I would like to go" list. Today I was unimaginably hungry and usually Mexican food does the trick in delighting my taste buds and leaving me full. I went on Yelp to find the nearest 4 star restaurant near me and it was "La Familia." After venturing a mile on foot to La Familia, I approached the store front with a look of disappointment because it was closed. I opted for the only other Mexican restaurant I passed, FRAUSTO'S. I ordered a strawberry agua frescaa nd it came in an attractive margareta glass that had been frosted in the freezer. I opened up the menu and the prices were not cheap! There should be two dollar signs for this resturant because the average entree was around $12. I got a chilie verde burrito and my boyfriend got a carne asada torta. They were both flavorless and had an undesirable mushy texture. There service was also horrible. When I walked in, all the workers were in the kitchen and I sat myself and waited about 10 minutes to get service. While we were eating food, one of the workers were doing repairs to the wall with a drill gone, which worsened my head ache. There were flies everywhere and they found refuge on my food. While eating my food, I finished my water, and the glass remained empty for the remainder of my meal. After realizing that no one would come to me with the bill, I walked up to the counter to pay and when I made eye contact with one of the workers, she ignored me. I saw another worker that was in a daze from watching the game on TV. At this point my patience was running thin and I looked at my boyfriend and I said " I guess they don't want to get paid." Irritated, I unhappily paid the bill of $25 for 2 drinks, a torta, and a burrito. (Note that these items DID NOT come with a side order of rice and beans) In summary this place got 1 star because: 1. the food SUCKED 2. the service was non existent 3. the prices are high
(1)Owen T.
$17 bucks for 2 burritos that had the consistency of baby food. SKIP this place and go to Gordo's or Cactus. There are so many better places to waste your money.
(2)John H.
This is a solid place right on Shattuck. This place is the perfect Mexican diner within walking distance of everything in Berkeley. It has quick service, chips and salsa when you sit down, and very good food. Its nothing super special, but if your looking for a 30 minute taqueria meal this place is a great spot to stop and eat.
(3)s r.
Marginally better than La Burrita, far below Celia's, Taqueria La Familia, and the taco cart on the Cal campus at the end of Telegraph Ave. In short, there are too many other places nearby to warrant coming here. Heck, go to Cancun before going here.
(2)Sam W.
Frausto's is one of my favorite little low-key restaurants in Berkeley. The family that run's the place is very nice. The menu is good across the board, but my favorite item (for when I have a big appetite) has to be the fajitas. Big portions and delicious ingredients. Their salsa is also exceptionally good. One of those "secret family recipies" that really is great.
(5)Michael B.
VEGGIE BURRITO!!! I love the owners and the family that work there... plus it is right by my school so the convenience factor pluses in. They are a solid place to get good, fair-priced food.
(3)Candy C.
The last couple times visiting Frausto's was a bit disappointing. The food was not as good as before. I think they went under a different management or changed the cook or something.
(3)Dink D.
hours of operation ... monday through sunday? are you sure? its sunday ...... the door is locked
(1)Javier T.
I decided to stop by after lunch rush hour one weekday and did not have the most pleasant experience. The tables had dirty plates and I waited for 5 minutes before the owner ordered the female cook to come out and take my order. The cook made my food and brought it out within 5 minutes. She then began cleaning all the table tops meanwhile the owner and what seemed like his son just sat and watched from the register. The food was good, a little heavy on the rice and beans. When I paid for my meal, the young man (owners son?) was text messaging on his cell phone while completing my transaction. Maybe I came at a bad time. I will try it once more and make my final decision.
(2)Jeffrey R.
I have walked by this place so many times, but I only recently noticed it and decided to eat there (its sign is kind of hidden behind a bush). The food is pretty good although a little slow, despite it being relatively empty.
(4)Melicious A.
I'm writing this review to defend the honor of my favorite Mexican restaurant near the UC Berkeley campus. I don't know why so many reviewers are SO down on this place. I think this place is great. Having been in Berkeley for eight years, I've tried all of the other Mexican restaurants in the area (that I have seen, within walking distance of campus), and this one tops the list by far; i.e., Mario's La Fiesta is terrible, Cancun is too pricey and not authentic in the slightest (but they have a great salsa selection), La Burrita is downright DREADFUL, Durant Cafe is pretty decent, and any other Mexican restaurants in the immediate vicinity (campus area) are, for me, not even memorable enough to mention. (However, Gordo's, which is not within practical walking distance of campus, makes jaw-dropping, mouth-watering super burritos that will leave you satisfied in the burrito dilemma* every time.) Getting back to the topic: Frausto's satiates with good, authentic Mexican food near the UC Berkeley campus for a decent price. Their chicken chimichangas are excellent, especially when ordered with rice and beans. The chimichangas are fried to perfection and are served with huge dollops of BOTH sour cream AND guacamole (and I think parmesan cheese even ... strange but good). The beans are great. Believe it or not, it is difficult to find Mexican restaurants in Berkeley that actually offer refried beans. And, I'm not sure (correct me if I am wrong because I would love to be wrong) if ANY other Mexican restaurants near campus actually serve CHIMICHANGAS (with the exception of Durant Cafe). And, I love chimichangas, so I was naturally impressed by Frausto's menu. However, rice is a hit-or-miss for me, and their rice, like that served at many other Mexican Restaurants, is a miss unfortunately. Add some salt and salsa, though, and you're good-to-go. Overall, the meal can't be beat by any other local Mexican restaurant in my opinion. To the people commenting on service, atmosphere, and/or the demeanor of the staff: I wouldn't really say they DO have service (maybe expectations are set too high for some?), but they DO have a bell (apparently for a reason ... hint ... hint?). Maybe that's their version of service, since it appears they do only have two people working at a time. Their atmosphere is relaxed and authentic, and they even have a TV, 'nuff said. Their staff, for the most part, are actually very friendly, but, since it appears many people have not attempted to engage in conversation when not obliged to, it may be they haven't been given the opportunity to be pleasantly surprised. Since first walking through the door of Frausto's on a whim one random day, I continue to be pleasantly surprised by both the quality of the food and atmosphere at Fraustos, and I only wish I had tried their food earlier. *burrito dilemma - occurs after one has consumed half of one's burrito. Still hungry for more, one continues until stuffed. Not wanting to leave simply the end of the burrito, one consumes the entire burrito and realizes one half would have been sufficient. However, this cycle is repeated over and over, every time, without a lesson being learned. There is no moral of the story. Shucks.
(4)Joseph N.
i had seen this place a few times walking down shattuck . i was buying some super glue with my room mate to glue his thumb back together and had a sudden taco craving. since we were right next to frausto's i figured it would be the perfect time to try it out. walking into the restaurant was something like walking into a sauna. super muggy. all the glass in the place was fogged up, including my glasses. interesting ambiance to be sure. i kept it real and ordered two beef tacos and a quesadilla. thankfully the food came out quickly and i was able to escape the tropical simulation they had going on. walked that shit home and stuffed my face...completely meh. nothing special at all. the tacos were as greasy as you can get and the quesadilla wasn't even fully melted. shoulda went to taqueria la familia.
(2)Yuki H.
I came in here hoping for a delicious wet chicken burrito but the sauce for it was very bland. The salsa helped a little bit but then the beans in the burrito had to go and destroy whatever taste I was trying to incorporate into each bite. Either way, like others have said, it is pricey for Mexican. The cashier was super nice though.
(2)P. E.
Went there last night for a quick dinner and then I remembered why we didn't go there as often. The woman who waited on us seemed annoyed that we were there (we were the only customers there at 6pm), no smile on her face, and she was ready to take our order as soon as we sat down with the menu, had to send her away... there was no smile on her face the whole time we were there. She didn't have the beer we ordered off the menu, instead of suggesting something else, she just stood there and stared at us, we asked what she would recommend, she was 100 miles per hour telling us what else they had and we didn't catch any of what she said since she spoke so fast, except the last one, Budweiser! We had better enchiladas that were made by non-Mexican. The supposed to be steak taco, it was more like ground beef, no flavor and tasted like rubber. Don't think we'll ever go back again, way too many other better choices around Berkeley. Here we come again, Juan's Place!
(1)Nelson P.
You can pretty much order a-la-carte an entree, beans and rice. They put cheese and a single chip on your beans, which tastes awesome. They have a small door on the wall that is rumored to lead straight to Guadalajara, Mexico, but they cook the food themselves. Nice ambience and friendly owners.
(5)Nicole S.
i live on the block , so i come here whenever i crave for a big fat burrito. i usually get the super steak burrito and it's pretty good. they give you really good chips with salsa which is just spicy enough for me. But when you eat it it gets kinda messy. i dunno if they don't grill the tortilla or something but it's not that soft and melted together. anyways it tastes good. the service is super friendly and fast. kind of pricey , overall a nice casual place to eat a lot.
(4)Joseph M.
Staple, solid down-home Mexican food. The food is really five stars, the atmosphere is more like four. Hence four overall; I'd do 4.5 if I could. My response to the atmosphere is to do take-out; usually a chile relleno (top-notch, coating is just a little fluffy) and cheese enchilada. It's sort of like Juan's (Eighth & Carleton) but smaller and less crowded.
(4)Amanda S.
It used to come here all the time when I needed my Mexican food fix, but ever since I discovered Juan's place I haven't really made it back. But I feel like it may be about time to revisit my old Mexi hang out...The food is good. I really like their cheese enchiladas (I always go for red, but my friend loves their green ones) and they have pretty good tacos as well. The salsa is SPICY!!! It's good, not really sure why cuz there isn't much to it...i think i love it because it's sooo spicy. The service is pretty slow, it is family run and if they haven't changed that then they probably still move at a snail's pace. It's fine when it's not busy, but if it is busy it can suck a little. The place isn't very big, but I've never had a problem being seated unless I came with a big group when it was busy...understandable though. You do have to go through the kitchen to get to the potty....always sketches me out a bit... You should definitely give Frausto's a shot if you are in the market for a new Mexican restaurant!
(4)jelly f.
If a burrito is your idea of eating Mexican why go here? But if you like a menu w/more traditional Mexican fare like crispy tacos, enchiladas, flautas, soups, etc... this place is my favorite in the area. The breakfast plates are good too!
(4)Harsh K.
As erica says, avoid the horchata, and the chimis, but it's easy to get a great meal here. The roast chicken is great, but the real treat on the menu is the torta ahogada. It's a guadalajaran style sandwich of carnitas onions and beans "drowned" in a spicy tomato sauce. Between the sammich and the chicken you'll be feelin fat and happy
(5)Grainne B.
I want so badly to like this place, but they make it really hard. Some of the food is really great. I highly recommend the nachos with carnitas- good size portion and usually isn't too greasy or cheesy. The albondigas soup (Mexican meatballs with vegetables with broth) is delicious, with big chunks of veggies and tasty meatballs. Anything with chicken, however, is basically disgusting- it's either stringy and gross or dry and bland. The service can be night or day, depending on who's working. I've almost left numerous times because it took 15 or 20 minutes for them to take my order, even though it wasn't busy, and even longer to bring my drink. The decor is typical taqueria- kind of dark and dingy, but not offensive. It's very small though, so if many people are there you have to stand in the doorway until a table opens up. Despite it's shortcomings, the carnitas nachos bring me back from time to time, despite my better judgement. Do check to see if they are open ahead of time - they tend to be closed randomly.
(2)Heston L.
Frausto's is across the street from me, so I figured I would give it a shot after reading other (mostly good) reviews here. Not such a good idea. The tacos were disappointing - flavorless chicken with a smattering of pale lettuce and cheese. And it's not cheap, either: $9 for three sad tacos and a drink. To top it off, the service was lethargic at best (and I got takeout!). The place was empty and it still took 15 minutes. Maybe if the food were good that would be forgivable. Not so. Give me Cancun any day (or La Bu, for that matter).
(1)Mindy S.
get the chimichanga. also the tortas are good. but really, get the chimichanga. you'll thank me. and then pass out in a food coma with a grin plastered on your face.
(4)Erica C.
i keep forgetting to avoid this place. the service is confusing-- order at the back of the restaurant, then seat yourself and wait for food to be brought to your table. the first round of chips and salsa is free, but after that you are charged. pass on the mushroom chimichanga, it's too small for the price. the horchata tastes like milky atomic fire ball (those round red candies you used to suck on in elementary school)
(2)