Fresco Mexican Grill
2177 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA, 94704
Fresco Mexican Grill Menu
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Address :
2177 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA, 94704 - Phone (510) 540-4151
- Website https://www.frescomexicangrillrestaurant.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :8:30 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
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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Albertino M.
Time: 4:33pm/74°F warm sunny Purpose: Just wanted to see if I can acquire an account nearby that's not on the list. Ambiance: Small place connected to an inner hallway to back. Inside has 5-6 tables none outside. Aztec ceramic plates lines interior along with plenty of other decos like murals and hats. Counter area has all the condiments prep ready to go grill area for cooking located on side with choices of meats made bury in its own juices. Self-service water dispenser and utensils line the side walls. Staff: One stocky Hispanic man with mustache seems annoy that something was not going right. His eyes have that killer instinct look and I was worry to what could happen if I made him irritated. Cleanliness: Clean for what it is, floor is a bit greasy don't know why there wasn't a lot of people coming out with food on hand. Eats/Drinks: Chicken burrito with all fixings $6.90+ taxes no choice but to pay. Came to realize this sucker was smaller than the trucks and cost more. The grilled chicken was tasty but that was the best part everything else tasted too bland. Products: Tortas,burritos,plates,nachos,desserts,tacos,Âsides,drinks,chips,salsa,fish,shrimp,veggie options. Punch Line: Downtown Berkeley,within steps of Bart,theater,burger joints,Walgreen's,cafes,bakeries,GNC,games/Âpuzzles,comics etc. Final Thoughts: There was a poster sign hung above the kitchen entrance read (Don't trust a skinny chef), I didn't trust this guy from the beginning so what's the point?
(3)Stian J.
This is a lot of food for a cheap dollar, and the food tastes great! My favorite are the chicken quesadilla, but the burrito tastes great as well. I am often stopping by here on my way home from lectures.
(5)Kenneth C.
Frescos is definitely amazing. Definitely the freshest ingredients you'll find in Berkeley. The store owners are extremely nice and willing to let the customers sample different meats before purchasing. The concept and layout is very similar to Chipotle and Subway. The portions are arguably smaller than Chipotle, but definitely goes down much more smoothly. Furthermore, Frescos has one of the best breakfast burritos I have ever tasted. It's an entire univerise from the trash at McDonalds or the Grande Sausage Burrito at Jack-In-The-Box. However, the location makes it extremely easy to miss. If i ever have a craving for top quality Mexican food, a quick bus ride and $15.10 would be ready in my hands. The guacamole quesadillas are pretty damn tasty too, but for quesadillas I would still stick with 2640 Dwight Way as the best quesadillas in Berkeley.
(5)Jessica X.
I love this place. I was feeling kinda meh and indecisive about what to have for linner--lunch/dinner--when my friend suggested this place. Huge servings of fresh, delicious food from a very nice staff. I've been back several times and have not been disappointed yet. I have not had nachos, ever, so you'll have to look to other reviewers for that.
(5)Melina N.
My friends and I were craving a quick, delicious, and affordable breakfast burrito on the go for our road trip so I yelped this place in our area and boy were we HAPPY!! The owners were very nice, the burritos were exactly what we wanted, super yummy, AND not expensive! I will definitely come back next time I'm in the area!
(5)Ken T.
I had just finished class at 10 AM and was pretty hungry since I had skipped breakfast. However, I was really feeling breakfast foods so I was more so looking for some lunch. Unfortunately, at 10 AM basically nothing is open around Shattuck area yet so seeing that this place was open, I decided to stop by. I was VERY pleasantly greeted by the restaurant worker (owner?). He was extremely pleasant and immediately got on my good side. I came with a friend so we each ordered two burrito bowls. I got mine with barbacoa with black beans, spicy salsa, and everything else except sour cream. My friend got the chicken with pinto beans, mild salsa, and everything else. They also gave us a nice bag of chips to go with our order. The barbacoa bowl was good. The portion was generous, the meat was well-cooked, the veggies were nice, and the salsa was nice and spicy. My fiend's chicken bowl however was not quite as great. The chicken bowl was decent as my friend found that for some reason part of her bowl was very spicy while the rest was okay. Overall, I would say that this place is a pretty good find for an early lunch and would be willing to come back!
(4)Mommy Sonia E.
I Love this place. Fresh food, excellent service and fast. Im so glad to have a Mexican spot that does not break the bank. I highly recommend this place!
(5)Hurf D.
Very good! Solid 4 stars. It's like a micro chipotle. Everything is fresh and the owner is nice. I've had a dinner burrito and now a breakfast burrito. The breakfast (ultimate) is damn good.
(4)Michelle C.
Came here with my BF. I ordered nachos and I felt really awkward when they gave it to me without the cheese melted. . . Other than that I guess it tasted pretty good. Melt the cheese next time!
(3)Wen Yi C.
Solid chicken bowl for only 6.90 (add tax)! I'm a huge fan of chipotle bowls so this is a great find on shattuck ave. They really pack the bowl to the brim, and even though it's somewhat deceptive because of the lettuce on the bottom, the proportions of rice to lettuce to beans to chicken is perfect. They give generous spoonfuls of each item. No complaints there! Their mild sauce is also worth calling attention to. Flavorful and not spicy in the least bit. The guy is so friendly! I asked for extra rice and chicken and all he said was "sure"!
(5)Dimo K.
This place is THE best casual/quick food in the area. I've been here probably 10 times in 1 month...why? because they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. The place is bomb. Clean, great service, and the food tastes good everytime. It's like what Chipotle wish they could be...hard to deliver quality when you are running a national franchise so I don't blame Chipotle... But seriously, this place is great and I read some of the reviews on here and I don't get it...they say it's goood compared to other venues in the area but then still give it 2 stars... They have two types of grilled chicken, the steak is very tender...I'd go here everyday but my coworker pretends to be a foodie and wants to try a new place everyday... We went to Herbivore, that place was good too but not so good for meat lovers ;)
(5)John S.
Mediterranean Wraps is long gone. Cal Taqueria, which was just Mediterranean Wraps in disguise but without the falafel, is also gone. Enter Fresco, the replacement taqueria for Cal Taqueria. Except it doesn't feel like a taqueria. OK, there's a burrito maker, and you give your order directly to her. But whereas before it felt like a snack stand on Venice Beach or inside some long-past-its-prime amusement park--I'm thinking around 1983--now it looks and feels rather nice. The lights are dimmed. So dim, in fact, that it sometimes looks like the place is closed when it's open. I haven't eaten in yet, but I'm much more likely to now than I ever would have been at either of its previous iterations. You need more ambiance? Well, how about some early-'90s slow jamz to chill out to while you're deciding what kind of burrito to order? I was standing there, and the limited menu had basically made the decision for me, but I was just standing there. Listening. Chilling out, all night long, till the break of dawn.* The food? Er. I'm giving them some grand-opening leeway. My veggie burrito was literally a burrito filled with all kinds of different vegetables. That's cool, I guess, but usually places differentiate between a vegetarian burrito (beans, rice, cheese) and a veggie or vegetable or grilled-vegetable burrito (weird stuff like carrots, peas, jicama, etc.). No dice here, but I'll give them time and more tries. The chips were fresh, but they were those round thick salty ones that could have come from a clear Costco bag. So here are the current John S. Downtown Berkeley Mexican-food standings, ranked solely by food taste and quality and not taking into account price, value, or ambiance: 1. Cancun 2. La Cascada 3. Fresco 4. Casa Bernal *By definition, every slow jam's lyrics must contain the phrase "all night long" and/or "till the break of dawn" or some version thereof. It's like a law.
(3)Aaron D.
Been here twice two days in a row -- very nice service and the barbacoa is just delicious, will come again and again
(5)John P.
The servers are really nice here. They are friendly and talkative. They treat their customers very well. However their food is below average. My girlfriend couldn't finisher her quesadilla and I was having trouble eating my burrito, and I have eaten many a burrito. It was just very bland. There was no kick, no fire, no nothing. I'm not just referring to spice but also to taste. I was going to give them 3 because of the excellent service but upon further retrospect I will probably not come back so they get 2 stars.
(2)Randolf S.
I eat here literally EVERY day. It has become almost an addiction. Of all the authentic mexican food restaurants in the bay area I would rate this place as number 1 or 2, including the food trucks (that says a lot). I typically get a quesadilla 90% of the time, steak or spicy chicken. I have tried the breakfast burrito with chorizo which was amazing also. The pork tacos I ate today was another amazing experience. The place is super cheap, and serves large quantities of food, with exceptional service from a husband wife owned restaurant. Good luck getting a seat at noon as the line goes out the front door. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Bryan M.
i came here about a week ago and ordered nachos. i was a bit worried when i saw that they were described as having "nacho cheese". it was shredded cheese that was melted, probably by a microwave, which makes the chips stale in most cases. there was lots of ketchuppy "salsa" on them, too. even the pickled jalapenos weren't spicy. granted this was quite inexpensive but i probably could've got something tastier at 7-11 and that is just nasty. it's quite possible that the ingredients at Fresco are indeed fresh, but the quality of them is muy mal. there are many places nearby where you can find mission style mexican food that is much better. try El Burro Picante on University about 5 blocks away. everything there is stellar.
(2)Peter L.
Made dinner plans with Golden Overtone Chloe G. to catch up and ended up here because she wanted Mexican food. She had suggested Gordo's because she thinks it's delicious. The thing is, Chloe be trippin' sometimes. She gets delusional from all that singing. Please don't ever set foot into the Gordo's on Telegraph. I'm no Mexican, but I know a bad burrito when it crawls into someone's mouth and dies! There's indoor and outdoor seating, so take your pick! It's fairly tight inside, but it can still seat a good number of people. I had the steak burrito and Chloe had the chicken burrito. My total came out to be $7.09, which seems pretty standard compared to all the other burrito joints in Berkeley. Your orders come with chips and salsa on the side! There's just one too many ways to make a burrito. It's hard to tell what's good and what's bad. For here particularly, the steak was tender and juicy, the ingredients were evenly distributed, and the flavors were well-balanced. I ate it as if it were like any other and detected no problem whatsoever! There wasn't anything remarkable about it for me, but it was surely better than Gordo's. Just your typical burrito that has potential! It could've packed more flavor to give it an edge, but it's still decent itself. They were a bit skimpy on the chips and salsa, and unlike Cancún and La Burrita, they don't have a self-serve salsa bar. The bottom line - if you like La Burrita or Chipotle, then you will surely like Fresco because they're very much similar to each other. Berkeley-wise, this is probably one of the better places for Mexican food. Chloe is still convinced that Gordo's is better than Fresco. I gotta make sure I get her some Listerine to wash off all that nasty Gordo's left behind on her taste buds. She clearly doesn't know what burritos are about, but a trip to the burrito trucks and she'll be singin' La Cucaracha at the top of her Golden Overtone lungs in no time!
(4)Sam B.
If you're on the naughty list for Christmas, your stockings will be filled with stale and utterly cold tortilla chips. They won't be fresh and from the oven but from Costco. And no, they won't make that crisp, crunchy sound when you rip of the stocking and crush them with your little feet. But if you were to continue your naughtiness and look under the tree and rip off your sibling's foil-looking present, you'd find a very Christmas-theme steak burrito. All the colors of the rainbow! All the elves put much effort into in and you'd probably swallow it whole because of its goodness, even though you were taught not to put toys into your mouth.
(3)Michelle L.
Went here last night for dinner with my boyfriend and my experience was so amazing I had to write about it! We stumbled upon it after we realized we were starving and couldn't wait twenty something minutes for Angeline's. I couldn't decide which meat to get for my burrito bowl and the owner was kind enough to let me try the steak, Barbacoa, and spicy pork before I eventually decided on the spicy pork (it was a damn tough choice between that and barbacoa but the pork won out). The owner was super nice throughput this process and gave me a HUGE bowl with tons if food! I thought that one of the coolest things was that the bowl actually comes in a bowl with effort put into the presentation unlike the slapdash style of chipotle. He was also kind enough to give me an extra scoop of meat when I asked for a to go box, saying that I could " have it for lunch tomorrow". Which I definitely will be doing. Overall, will definitely be coming back here again as I work right across the street!
(5)Alex H.
I've been searcing and searching for a solid Mexican place in Berkeley. This place delivers! I've only ever gotten the tacos here so can't speak for other things, but they are made with really good tortillas, a choice of beans, veggie options, and good guacamole and salsa. Also, it's reasonably priced ($2.20 to 2.50 per taco). The owner is very nice as well, which helps make it a good experience. Wish more places in downtown were as no-nonsense and satisfying. Cosmic bonus point: they play good music.
(5)Angie Y.
I've been looking EVERYWHERE in Berkeley for a good breakfast burrito and was disappointed by the ones I found. Fresco has AMAZING breakfast burritos - and the price is very reasonable (i mean hella cheap). The burrito was freshly made and came with a load of eggs, beans, cheese, and sausage (you can pick a different meat). Overall, I wouldn't be surprised if their other dishes were just as good. They are affordable and pretty efficient. Service is definitely friendly. Come by here for non-expensive, authentic Mexican food. No more La Burrita for me!
(5)Simon C.
Pretty good, although still lacks authenticity. Used to live in Mexico and thereafter in Cali near the border, so I've had my fair share of authentic Mexican food. The style of "mexican" food around here isn't really too complicated ingredient wise, which is best if one wants to keep processed food to a minimal... though I can't be for certain whether their produce is fresh, I'd be inclined to think so (salsa, cilantro, etc.). However, tortillas and nachos clearly are coming out of a bag, so that's certainly a no in that regard. I enjoyed a burrito twice here. I tried the tacos and while they were tacos, it's definitely not the same stuff I enjoyed when I was younger. The seasonings just don't really provide acidity/kick to the dish and so you end up with milder flavors more suited for the burrito. In the end, it's one of the better Mexican places around here in terms of price/quality. I hear too much praise for chipotle, which to me is almost the same as trying to say taco bell is Mexican food.
(4)Gerard Y.
1st time I went here I had their burrito and right now I'm eating a chickecn quesadilla from here. Both are great and not super greasy at all and yet still manage to be very flavorful. The lady behind the counter is super friendly. I always order a drink so my lunches here have been around $7-$8. Not bad at all.
(4)Pete B.
I fell in love in Berkeley. With a fish burrito. Twice. Super friendly service too - I wish I lived in the area!
(5)Justin D.
I've been seeing my man Reza there for some time and it's been awesome quality every time. The burritos are awesome and always fresh, the family owned environment really leads to a comfortable and fun environment; an environment that can feel very "at home." The only cons that I have had, is similar to others, the chips! The only pitfall is the chips! But who gives a flying... when the burritos will blow your mind. The breakfast burrito is not for the faint of heart, once you indulge in one of those morning madness meals you'll be hooked for sure!
(5)Cynthia L.
Anyone who knows me knows that burritos are close to sacred to me. This place met my standards for a Mexican taqueria. The ingredients were FRESH and flavorful. They had steamed, not sautéed vegetables which I am over the moon about (I hate oily sautéed veggies in a burrito!). The woman behind the counter handed me a chip with guacamole. I took it as I scrolled through my work email and actually had to stop and enjoy what I was eating. And at $7 for lunch, it's great value.
(5)Vy H.
I am giving this place 4 stars because: 1) Their hot and mild salsas are waaay better than Casa Bernal's poor-excuse-for-a-salsa tomato mush water. The hot salsa is delicious. 2) Prices are way better than Cancun (Cancun doesn't even taste that great anyway for it to cost that much). 3) You get a good amount of food for the price (not sure about the burritos; I got the burrito bowl, and it was a little bit over 6$) What would keep me coming back: 1) Fry your own tortilla chips instead of using the giant bags that anyone can buy at Foodmax. The salsa's good enough; we need homemade chips!!! 2) Fry the fish to order instead of cooking ahead of time. The fish was soggy and cold :/ 3) Maybe have the option to do brown Mexican rice instead of only white? That would be lovely. Other than that, I would eat here again as my go-to taqueria. It's affordable and a hell of a lot better than Casa Bernal.
(4)Christina L.
Pretty fresh and cheap! It's like a mix between real Mexican food and Chipotle haha. I got the chicken burrito (only six bucks) and I was able to split it into 2 meals and still be pretty full each meal! The ingredients are really fresh, and the owner is super nice, but theres nothing that really stands out. There isn't a salsa bar, and the guy only gave me one container of salsa, which wasn't enough to dip my chips in and saturate my burrito haha. Also, the tortilla chips are the ones from the giant bags they sell at Costco, pretty sure everyone knows because everyone's gotten them before.
(3)Refined P.
Best breakfast burrito in Berkeley! I love the bacon--it's high quality crispy nuggets of meat. Absolutley no fat. The salsa is tasty and the owners are very friendly. Plus, you can order online using Leapset app and it will be ready for pick up when you walk in.
(4)JB D.
A bit worse than your basic burrito place. I'd rather go to chipotle or la salsa. Above a Taco Bell. Chips from a bag- not particularly good either.
(2)Sarah M.
I nearly go there every day either for breakfast or lunch. The breakfast burrito is yuuuuumy, full of flavor and really soft. Quesadilla is tasty as well, i love their guacamole one!
(5)Haley M.
Generally good burrito place, but I've found their meat dishes to be spotty. Sometimes they are marinated and everything tastes amazing, while other times it seems like the steak is just cut up into tiny pieces and grilled, leaving no flavor there but steak grease. I personally love the salsa and the prices are decent, everything is made to order at the counter while you watch. They don't have anything to drink aside from soda and Snapple, wish they had something less sugary, but they do have a giant water pitcher in the corner. I sort of take issue with the name implying everything is fresh, as everything is pre-made waiting to be assembled, they just steam the tortillas. Chips are store bought last I saw, AND please I wish this place would get a salsa bar. However, the food is still definitely above-average Mexican and the salsa is super good.
(4)Briana W.
Interesting little gem in downtown Berkeley. It was my first time here, and I heard from a friend that the breakfast burritos are especially good. I ordered a burrito with egg, black beans, cheese, potatoes and sour cream ( i should of ordered steak too). It was okay. I am generally not a breakfast burrito gal, so I should of just done steak and potatoes rather than the egg. Anywhoo, burrito was huge for $6.
(3)Brian C.
Excellent breakfast burritos in a variety of styles. Very friendly staff - a spotless kitchen and comfortable seating. Also the bicycle parking is very good. All in all - a solid four stars!
(4)Susan L.
I've only gotten the breakfast burrito here and it is THE BEST in Berkeley. I have found my replacement for Intermezzo's breakfast burrito. 'The Ultimate' is the way to go. It's stuffed with fresh eggs, sausage, bacon, tomato, onions, peppers and cheese. Best part, it's under $6. Awesome.
(5)Tatiana F.
My friend and I came here to eat after night class at BCC and she spoke spanish to the guy and he responded "I'm not Mexican" (hella ignorant and rude). I still ordered because I was starving and got a steak burrito, he put my tortilla in the steamer for all of 10 seconds, twice. Result, cold ass burrito, not just the tortilla but the rice and the steak was cold too, so the cheese wasn't melted. Will never come here again. I'll stick to Las Palmas in East Oakland on Fruitvale or Gerardo's on MacArthur in The Laurel for a good burrito. It definitely didn't exist here, it could have been good but the temperature of my food and the ignorance of the guy making it was a fail.
(1)Charlie H.
Rather mediocre food, but open late and close to campus. I feel like the standard of food near campus is just rather low in general so this place is actually not bad relative to others in the area. Nonetheless, I'd consider this place worse than chipotle, which is saying something. The chips are not fresh tasting and I got a nacho plate. The cheese was just thrown on top and not melted. The steak was strangely flavorless. I'm guessing it's soaking in the tub for a day. I actually disliked the burrito very much. Again, it seems like bland is the order here, which is odd for this type of thing. The tortilla was hard and very tough. The balance of the burrito was just really off: too much unseasoned rice and not much in the way of fresh elements.
(2)Brian G.
Super big and super tasty veggie burrito! More ingredients, cute and quaint location, and just plain better than Cancun around the corner. Oh and it's cheaper wtf. I will def check out again when I'm downtown.
(5)Jay E.
This place is bomb! Really good deals, fresh, polite and seems to be clean. Chicken tacos for $2.20 and they are a good size. (grilled chicken, black beans, salsa, cilantro, onions, sour creme, and lettuce on 2 corn tortillas) Very satisfied and full for under $5. That doesn't happen often..Especially with fresh food. Room for improvement: Homemade tortillas and homemade chips would set it off!!
(4)Sham S.
I Definitely love this place so far, I stumbled upon here while I was on an adventure in Berkeley one afternoon, with an ever increasing appetite. I figured I`d try it out and couldn't have been more pleased great taste and great price. Now this is not your traditional Mexican grill, it has a very sleek modern look. Very inviting, clean and brand new. I`ve gone back a few times and the food is hands down awesome. They have a friendly staff , and you can tell they put a lot of effort in their food. Everything tastes so fresh, and delicious. I can definitely see this becoming the go to spot for all the Berk kids, the price for the amount of food you get is definitely a great deal. I suggest everyone to go stop by and check it out, you wont be disappointed
(5)Live I.
The super burrito is ridiculous. So big I couldn't finish it! Great price for such a large amount of food. Even their regular burritos are big and filling. I will be back
(4)Angie G.
I've walked past this small restaurant multiple times. Today was the day I was finally going to venture in. I ordered three tacos (was hungry) two steak and one fish. The service was great, or else I would have given them 1 star. When I received my tacos i realized the tortillas were awfully thin. Usually with this tortillas other places would give you two for sturdiness... I still had high hopes for the tortillas perhaps their looks would be deceiving and they secretly were stronger. Wrong. as soon as I picked it up it fell on the plate, causing a mess. i locked down in dismay only to find out that they fell apart so quickly because the tortilla was soggy. Keep in mind i had just not but minutes ago received these. Why were they so soggy so quickly? Beats me... most likely never going back. Was pretty unsatisfied I spent $13 on tacos when i could have easily spend it on a well deserved more filling Hefeweizen next door at Jupiter's...
(2)Iris A.
This is place is small but definitely worth a stop if you are looking for a good breakfast burrito. I got the ultimate and enjoyed every bite. The burrito was a but soggy but I didn't mind that. I also made a mistake and cut it in the center. Since its a bit soggy that made for more of a mess than was necessary. They serve you chips and salsa with your breakfast. I added some of their sauce and it was spicey! I love spicey! My complaint? After drinking my diet coke I asked if they had a restroom. They guy tells me to go next door and the guy from the business next door was a rude man. The guy who worked here could have told me better instructions on how to get to the restroom. Very frustrating when you have to wander around an area you are not familiar with looking for a restroom. I would have rather the guy say there was no restroom than to wander aimlessly looking for it.
(4)Akash P.
Fresco is a small private restaurant that can be easily missed if you aren't looking. The owners/workers are real nice! A while ago I used to be a kind of regular and they somewhat recognized me and were always friendly and nice. The venue itself is small, not good for large groups but great for 2-3 people. It's basically a private chipotle. Same style where you can choose your type meat and veggies and salsas. The portioning is more even here definitely compared to the telegraph chipotle. It kind of also depends on how busy it is. I usually get the burrito bowl unless I want some carbs in which I get the regular burrito with chicken. The prices on the menu already include tax.
(4)Brandon Y.
I've had their burritos about ten times now over a period of a few months. Good stuff. A little bit too big for me, definitely American portioned. All good meats of Chicken, barbacoa, beef, and fish. Friendly staff and nice small atmosphere. Amusing decor that makes you feel warm and nice while being inside. "Never trust a skinny chef." I told the smaller guy he seemed a bit skinny and he responds "No, I'm fat..." :)
(4)Nell P.
Love the tacos here. Service is always friendly and you can't beat the price in Berkeley.
(5)Ashkan H.
If you are in downtown Berkeley and just want to grab a quick burrito, this place is not a bad option. Their ingredients/meat are pretty fresh. I've only tried their breakfast burrito (recommended) and the carnitas burrito. However, the food here is a bit bland (not much taste to their burritos). The portions are huge and the prices are fair. The staff are friendly, but the service is a bit slow.
(3)Lina L.
Purchased a bacon breakfast burrito with spicy salsa. While messy as mentioned by other reviewers, it was absolutely delicious! I'm a serial meal non-finisher but I ate every bite of this portable breakfast creation. Bacon was crispy, egg was made to order, salsa was spicy - nothing but deliciousness! To top it off, the three people working were friendly and the place was orderly and very clean. I'm only here for business but if I could eat here everyday, I would.
(5)Ryan D.
Decent Burrito. No reason to ever come back. The Gordo's on Telegraph blows this place out of the water. The first thing you notice is they don't melt the cheese in the steamer with the tortilla... They add the cheese in later only to hope all the ingredients are hot enough to melt said cheese. The flavor was bland at best and the hot sauce was not hot.. I should have waited to and just went to Gordo's.. Oh well.
(3)Ma Z.
The fresh food, the cleanliness and the friendly service makes me want to come back again. I like this place!
(5)Evan R.
It's another chipotle clone but not as bad as some. The ingredients doesn't always taste fresh but it's better then some other Mexican places around.
(3)Augusto T.
Simple and fresh tacos and burritos. Sometimes simplicity is the way to go. The breakfast burrito at Fresco really surprised me. Freshly made eggs, beans, cheese, some sausage, and salsa. Simple, yet very tasty. I have also tried the tacos. The pair of two-tortilla tacos were large and loaded. They had beans which is not something you see all the time. Everything tasted fresh. Food is not expensive and the restaurant is small so it is probably best for a quick to-go lunch or breakfast. Try the breakfast burrito!
(3)Tashnia O.
I was in a hurry trying to make it to bart and stopped in for a quick to-go order. I ordered the steak bowl and for the amount of food I was given, I was completely baffled at how little they give. A steak bowl for $8.50 with guac should've definitely had more food than what they gave. I honestly am still hungry after eating the entire bowl. This is disappointing since 1) I don't have time to buy more food 2) I got ripped off and 3) This place was "compared" to Chipotle. Not even close. ALTHOUGH - I will admit the steak meat is MUCH better here than at chipotle. It tasted freshly cooked despite sitting out for a while.
(3)Bren D.
This review is for their amazing breakfast burrito. Best breakfast burrito in Berkeley. People say Original Pollos is the best, but that thing's not really a burrito, its more like a potato and egg wrap. THIS is a breakfast burrito- beans and cheese and spicy salsa with eggs fried up for you on the spot. They also have bacon and sausage if that's the sort of thing that you think you might be into...
(5)Diana L.
Love this place so much. $11 for a huge steak plate, and they aren't stingy about the steak either. It comes with guac, salsa, rice, beans, and a tortilla. Definitely big enough for 2 meals. Guac became chunkier after my boyfriend commented their guac was runny in a previous Yelp review, so I'd be really impressed if they took the review seriously.
(5)Tom I.
Ingredients taste very fresh and the steak was cooked perfectly. Clean inside and they have a few tables to sit at as well. I didn't realize they had a breakfast menu so I will be back for that.
(5)Silje S.
Perfect spot to satisfy a Mexican food craving. I've been here a couple times now and I've only aver gotten the chicken guacamole quesedilla, but it's SO GOOD. Really simple, just cheese, guac and chicken, but the combo just work so well. You also get the option of salsa and sour cream on the side, and there is always free tortilla chips. Staff are also friendly and efficient, having your food ready in seconds.
(4)Allan P.
Had the ultimate breakfast burrito. Extremely flavorful and delicious. They cooked everything to order, and everything was super fresh. The service is also amazing. They're super nice and give good recommendations on orders. "Don't you want me baby" started playing, and they sang along with my group and danced along to the chorus
(5)Bo R.
Meh. If I wanted a vegan burrito when I was living in SoCal, I'd just get beans, rice, guacamole and maybe some shredded lettuce and tomato and salsa. So now I'm here in the Bay, veggie options seemingly unlimited, and I go for this place's veggie burrito -- with real veggies! Great! But pump the brakes. The veggies in question here is pretty much just a bunch of lukewarm squash cut into huge, unappetizing, flavorless chunks. the guac is a let down too, being more of a runny sauce. Chips are good, salsa is fine. the service is nice enough and this place is conveniently located, but I'd rather trek all the way to Chipotle on telegraph for a nice fat burrito, grilled veggies and actual substantial guacamole.
(2)Yana L.
Best steak taco to my taste. The style is less rich comforting food, slightly plain, but fresh, crunchy, and delightful, quite different from other great Mexican places, which provide homey food. Two tacos are perfect for a quick bite during the day. Burrito/bowl's portion is huge, I could easily divide it into two meals.
(5)Vickie M.
Me and my friends had a good lunch there yesterday. For them, it's their first time to have Mexican food. They like it a lot. For me, I have Mexican food with my husband all the time and I like it too. The price is not expensive at all. The plates are huge. The most importantly, the owner is really nice and funny.I'll take my husband here next time when we come to Berkley. Can't wait to eat their steak plate again. It's so delicious !
(4)Alvina L.
Wanted to grab a quick bite for brunch and go, so decided to give this place a try! There was no line so not much of a wait. Food was hot n' ready in less than 10 minutes which was nice. I ordered the classic sausage burrito-only $5.50-which was super cheap! The burrito was decently sized and came with salsa and tortilla chips on the side. The employees were super nice and friendly...however only gave 3 stars because the burrito was lacking...in flavor, seasoning, amd meat (hollah if you feel me my carnivores out there!). I'm a breakfast burrito lover...so I had high hopes after reading good reviews on yelp. I'd maybe back for the cheap $....but only forsure if they add more meat!
(3)Satura E.
I had the tacos - Fish and steak. Tasty, very fresh, and huge portion at a good price. All my criticism is pretty much personal preference - I rather have grilled fish than fried and battered, and I prefer corn over wheat tacos (a lot). The steak was amazing, I definitely never had such good steak at a mexican place ever. Especially not for a taco! The atmosphere is friendly and everything looks clean. Like it, and will be back!
(4)Michael L.
They have the best breakfast burritos in Berkeley. Hands down. If going during lunch on a weekday, go either before 11:30 or after 12:40. Lunch line pretty crowded from the Berkeley high crowd. Their tilapia boWL and fish tacos also quite nice. Add guacamole and potatoes ! Also, the owner is Mark Jackson.
(5)Ravi S.
I've been here several times and found the food to be above average for a Mexican place in Berkeley (so still not very good). The people are nice, but there's nothing really special about the menu or any of the ingredients. I would generally just go there if I was too lazy to walk to Chipotle. I wasn't even tempted to review Fresco until my experience the last time I went there. Previous times, I had noticed that they had seven-layer nachos, but I had never felt indulgent enough to order it, until last week. The first thing they did when making the nachos was to pull out a container of liquefied nacho cheese like you would expect to find only at a movie theater or sports game concession stand, and then squirt that onto the chips. I nearly left right then. Ridiculous! How do you expect customers to pay $9 for ultimate nachos and use that nasty orange gunk? At least Taco Bell has the decency to only charge customers like $2.50 for the same fake cheese. I can't believe that other Yelp reviews are calling this place "authentic." My trip to Texas in two weeks can't get here soon enough.
(2)Elijajuan F.
I'm not going to say to much about this place because I've only been here one time, but the service that I had was satisfying. I'm guessing its family owned. The owner his wife are very sweet, and welcoming. I ordered: 7 Layer Nachos w/ Chicken Price: 9.60 This place does not mess around when it comes to layering food on a plate, I guess that is where "7 Layers" comes in to play. A little girl made me laugh, when she shouted and BASHED Chipotle out loud. "THIS IS A LOT FRESHER THAN CHIPOTLE HANDS DOWN OH YAH!" The Ingredients are fresh I will handed to them for that, but there is nothing that comes to me or pops out that would catch your eye; that you would see in any other Mexican restaurant that is different. Dislike: When they make your 7 layer Nacho they have this cheese melted that looks like Vel-Veeta melted on the bottom of the Nachos not bueno.
(3)Tom S.
Simple and fresh tacos and burritos.
(5)Barbs S.
Here's to what I deem my quest to find good Mexican food at Berkeley which proved to be quite the challenge! Fresco is a couple of blocks away from campus and generally packed, with lines bursting out the door, hence why I ventured in to try it on an oddly empty day. It's small and very crowded so if you're looking to sit in, you might want to think twice. I was assuming it would be a legitimate Mexican place, however it's more so a chipotle type of joint, so if you're looking for a healthy spin on Mexican, this is your place! However, your girl got a heaping platter of nachos piled on with shredded cheese, chicken, jalapeños, sour cream, pico de gallo, the whole nine yards! They were very yummy, but I wouldn't say they blew my mind and nor would I claim they were the type of Mexican I was looking for. If I find myself comparing it to Chipotle, Baja Fresh, and Sharky's then it isn't what I was looking for. However, the workers were super friendly, and you could easily tell that there was tons of regulars. I'd most likely venture in again if I'm looking for a snack/ healthy take on my beloved Mexican, but not if I'm craving a full on filling burrito or carne asada plate. With that being said, although it might not be for me, it might totally be for any yelpies who like a fresh new take on Mexican!
(3)Jesse B.
Pretty solid place. When you walk in first the thing that pops in your head is "looks like Chipotle" and it sorta is but with more selection. Such as breakfast burritos. I ordered a normal burrito and tasted pretty good. Nice prices and the workers are nice, especially the manager. Small shop and extremely clean. I'd go back and recommend.
(4)Ishan K.
If you're located in downtown and too lazy to walk to Chipotle, Fresco is definitely a viable substitute. Fresco feels like a mom 'n pop run joint -- not much seating space, so this place is better to-go. I recommend getting the plates, as I feel the burrito isn't filling enough. The plates include a generous portion of meat, and the employees will be more than happy to give you extra beans/rice/cheese. The plates also come with guacamole, although it is a bit on the runny side. You can even ask for corn tortillas on the side, which pair really well with the meat. Overall, a decent place to come to if you're craving some Mexican food on west side.
(4)Ali P.
This place was a huge find for some actually good, quick Mexican food in Berkeley. The set up is very similar to that of a Chipotle where they build it in front of you, only the food is a lot tastier and well worth it. One of the best things about this place is that they serve breakfast, lunch & dinner, so they're versatile compared to most places around here that stay open all day. Their portions are also pretty generous for what you're paying for. I can get a good amount of food without spending a whole lot, which is a huge plus as a student. The meats are also a lot tastier and so much more filling than any said Chipotle. It just seems that everything is very flavorful and well prepared. The staff is very friendly every time I'm there. The decor is also very colorful and even contains some cute signs, which is very different and adds a friendly vibe to the place. I highly recommend this place if you're looking for a go-to for some good quality Mexican food that won't leave a dent in your wallet.
(5)Becky S.
Fresh food, excellent customer service, reasonably priced! Hands down, best in Berkeley!
(5)Danny C.
Had a Barbacoa burrito. The whole thing was bland and unremarkable. The one exception was the meat, which was not only bland but dry and tough. Not coming back.
(1)Kara C.
Super nice workers. Super nice is probably an understatement. The guy was so nice that he got rid of my hanger even before I got a hold of my food. I got a steak burrito bowl. He was really generous with everything, including the steak. I'd go here again over chipotle any day.
(4)Loliana J.
First off, I love that they have all the ingredients laid out looking fresh and clean behind a glass case where you order. You can see the quality of their work and food, always a good sign. Next, the employees are very kind and seem relaxed and happy to be working there. I ordered a burrito with no meat, but asked for guac instead of veggies with the beans, cheese, rice, and other fillers. I'd say the pico de gallo had a little too much onion for my liking, but the guac was on fleek! I'll be back for sure. Always nice to find a good Mexican spot aside from our classic Berkeley gems. If you find yourself hungry on shattuck and the bomb smell of this spot doesn't convince you to try it, I hope my review does!
(5)Gustavo A.
First time here. Not too bad. Small place cut looks decent inside. People were very friendly and quick service. The place is basically a mom and pop Chipotle spot. Very similar menu. Even they way they made their burritos, with lettuce etc. Except they have nachos and quesadillas. No alcohol but they are right next to a beer bar. The burrito was a bit watery but the flavor was good enough to be satisfied. Was denied a breakfast burrito at 11:32 which they stop at 11:30 so I completely understand but for a mom and pop restaurant to try to gain customers and be known I believe sometimes adjustments can be made. I will return for that breakfast burrito.
(3)Mark M.
Easily the best Burrito in Berkeley. The ingredients are the freshest you'll find, the portions are big and the staff are friendly. I've tried pretty much every burrito place in Berkeley at this stage and while some other places come close, Frescos is definitely the best. For less than 10 dollars you get a massive burrito with tortillas, salsa and a drink. Doesn't get better than that. It's right beside Jupiter too if you fancy a beer after.
(5)Nader H.
Great food since outer seating area fresh delicious mexican food not fancy but tasts.great
(5)J K.
For the money, I could have gotten a better quality burrito. I don't know what happened. A year ago this place was quite tasty. Now nothing but a bunch of fillers are used in their burritos. I've never had seen so much lettuce and tomato in a super burrito. What little steak I did managed to salvage was good. Employees could also brush up on their customer service skills too.
(2)Adriene B.
Loved the food in here! Very friendly staff too. But it is not a place to eat with friends! The place is very tiny. One less star because the tables were not clean, but I'll be back for sure!
(4)Tomaito E.
Sadly, this was the first time that Yelp reviews led me astray. I ordered the rice, bean, and cheese burrito because the veggies for the veggie burrito (zucchini and tomatoes) looked really cold and dried out. That should have been my cue to leave but I was hungry so I ordered anyway. The beans and rice had no flavor and they forgot(?) to add cheese. The guy at the register almost charged me for the veggie burrito and when I pointed out the mistake the he looked at his coworker and they both rolled their eyes. Really?! You have the audacity to have crappy food and an attitude when I point out that you overcharged me? No thanks.
(2)Esteban S.
Love this place! Kind of an unassuming restaurant but the food is incredible. Tons of flavor and it's all made fresh. The owners are ridiculously nice too and the decor inside is nice and cozy. I usually grab lunch here once a week. Definitely a burrito spot to check out if you're in Berkeley.
(5)Christian K.
I love this place! I almost buy their burritos weekly :) tasty, filling and cheap. Great great great!
(5)Alanna R.
This place kind of sucks. Food is mediocre , and everything seems disorganized and sub par. I ordered a steak taco which was one of their daily specials they had on the board outside. They were so confused when I ordered it, which I don't get. It's a steak taco. Very. Simple. It was also a special of the day, so I would think they should be familiar with their own specials. Not only that but there were two guys making it. One was putting on one ingredient and the other was slapping other ingredients on it at the same time, so it was not made carefully to say the least. I asked for everything that was supposed to be included. When one of the guys added cheese, the other guy said it was too much cheese right in front of me. Awkward and unprofessional. It was very underwhelming and I was unhappy with the whole experience. I was hesitant to try this hole in the wall in the first place, and I should have trusted my instincts. Cancun, one of my favorite indulgences in Berkeley is half a block away. I was mad at myself for thinking this place could come even close to Cancun's awesomeness. One of those "Doh!" moments I have when I do something even though I know better. lol. I won't be back.
(2)Arash K.
This place is the best! Wheat tortilla super burrito ftw! Try the spicy sour cream for a lil twist.
(5)Brian B.
The food was OK but the guy working there get's an A+ for effort. If he wasn't so nice, this would have been 3 stars. Apparently their breakfast burritos are the bomb, so maybe it's just not a dinner place? So ya, he was meticulous about making my burrito. It was like I had my own burrito artist instead of a manufacturing line. I felt bad, at some point, the whole thing started splitting apart. He was able to save it by adding another tortilla. Did I NEED two tortillas, no, but my carb happy brain loved it! It was nice for him to acknowledge it and try to fix it. At Chipotle (which I also like), if it starts to disintegrate, I've seen them just try to wrap it up in tin foil to try and stop the bleeding, only to have the whole thing explode later. Convenient location right next to the Downtown Berkeley BART station. Went there needing a quick meal that I could walk home with and eat, and it fit the bill perfectly.
(4)Rachel I.
I was mostly unimpressed with this place, but there wasn't anything egregiously terrible about it. Just not a great experience. So first of all, the employees seemed very friendly, so that was a great start. But when my boyfriend and I (both vegetarians) ordered two burritos, they heated up the tortillas then plopped them on a rather thin counter, and because of the size of the tortillas compared to the size of the countertop, the edge of the tortilla slid into one of the filling baskets... particularly, one with beef. Not too pleasant for someone who doesn't eat beef. Then, when he started filling my burrito with black beans, he had to try a couple different scoops before pulling out a spoonful without something other than black beans in it. Was it tofu? Chicken? No idea. But I wasn't too ecstatic about it almost ending up in my burrito. I'm glad he was aware of it, but it makes me worry about what else the beans could be contaminated with. Also, when he saw the mystery item in the beans, he put it back in the beans and continued scooping, instead of tossing it aside or in the trash. I would've preferred if he took the extra five seconds to get rid of it so that the next soul getting black beans wouldn't have the same experience. The first bite I took had undercooked rice, so again, it wasn't a good first impression. The rest of the burrito tasted fine, though. So no more complaints on that end. The location itself is convenient and quaint, with some seating both indoors and outdoors. Very close to the BART station. There are other places with burritos/Mexican food in the surrounding area that I'd rather go to, but we thought we'd try this place out since we were in a hurry. Can't really speak about any of their foods besides the burritos since that's all we tried there.
(3)Christian J.
Delicious!!!! Small establishment, but expected in Berkeley. Very friendly staff and generous with the portions. It was almost 2pm and still super busy. I'll definitely be a regular here.
(5)